Engine fan adapter system and method

Abstract

A method of coupling a fan to an engine includes selecting a base portion of a fan adapter based on a size, shape, or implementation of the engine. The base portion includes a mounting portion and a coupling portion, and the mounting portion is configured to be coupled to a fan drive or a fan drive pulley of the engine via one or more mounting elements. The coupling portion includes a mating portion. The method also includes selecting a fan end portion of the fan adapter based on a size, shape, or implementation of the fan. The fan end portion includes a mounting portion and a coupling portion. The mounting portion of the fan end portion is configured to be coupled to the fan, and the coupling portion of the fan end portion includes a mating portion that is complementary to the mating portion of the base portion. The method further includes coupling the engine to the fan by coupling the mating portion of the fan end portion to the mating portion of the base portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a fan adapter for an engine, and more specifically to a two-piece fan adapter for an engine. Background Technology

[0002] Engine-driven machines, such as tractors and wheel loaders, typically utilize one or more fans coupled to or otherwise close to the engine to aid in engine cooling. In some machines, the fan is coupled to the engine, for example, via an adapter coupled to the engine hub or other parts, and the fan may be driven by a crankshaft, a dedicated fan driver, an auxiliary shaft, etc. The adapter typically includes a base portion end coupled to the engine hub or other parts and a fan end, for example, coupled to the fan itself. However, different engine sizes may require different sizes or types of fans, and / or different distances between the engine hub or coupling portion and the fan. Based on these variations, different engine sizes and / or different distances may require adapters of different sizes and / or shapes. Some adapters may include a small distance between the base portion end and the fan end, which increases the difficulty and / or complexity of coupling the adapter and / or fan to the engine. For example, a small distance between the base portion end and the fan end increases the difficulty of fitting coupling elements (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.) between the base portion end and the fan end to couple the adapter to the engine hub or other parts.

[0003] An exemplary fan adapter is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,590,948 ('948 Patent) to Simofi-Ilyes et al. The '948 Patent discloses an adapter for attaching a cooling fan to a motor in a cooling fan module of an automotive cooling system. In one embodiment, the '948 Patent adapter includes first and second portions to form a two-piece fan adapter, but the coupling of the first and second portions depends on the shaft of the drive motor. In this respect, the first portion of the fan adapter is pre-assembled with a portion of the rotor, which may require specific dimensions and / or shapes of the first and second portions relative to the shaft of the drive motor. Additionally, the coupling of the first and second portions of the fan adapter may not secure the respective orientations of the first and second portions to each other, may be susceptible to shearing, and / or may otherwise increase the risk of breakage. While the '948 Patent adapter may be suitable for some applications, it may not be suitable for others. The fan adapter of the present invention can solve one or more of the problems described above and / or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and not by its ability to solve any particular problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, a method of coupling a fan to an engine may include selecting a base portion of a fan adapter based on the size, shape, or implementation of the engine. The base portion may include a mounting portion and a coupling portion, and the mounting portion may be configured to couple to a fan driver or fan drive pulley of the engine via one or more mounting elements. The coupling portion may include a mating portion. The method may further include selecting a fan end portion of the fan adapter based on the size, shape, or implementation of the fan. The fan end portion may include a mounting portion and a coupling portion. The mounting portion of the fan end portion may be configured to couple to a fan, and the coupling portion of the fan end portion may include a mating portion complementary to the mating portion of the base portion. The method may further include coupling the engine to the fan by coupling the mating portion of the fan end portion to the mating portion of the base portion.

[0005] In another aspect, a fan adapter system for coupling a fan to an engine may include a plurality of base portions and a plurality of fan end portions. Each base portion may include a mounting portion and a coupling portion. Each mounting portion may be configured to be coupled to a portion of the engine via one or more mounting elements, and each coupling portion may include a mating portion having the same configuration. Each fan end portion may include a mounting portion and a coupling portion. Each mounting portion of the fan end portion may be configured to be coupled to a fan, and the coupling portion of each fan end portion may include a mating portion having the same configuration complementary to the configuration of the mating portion of the base portion.

[0006] In another aspect, a method of coupling a fan adapter to an engine may include coupling a base portion of the fan adapter to the engine using one or more mounting elements. The base portion may include a mounting portion having a plurality of mounting elements configured to receive mounting portions of the base portion to couple mounting portions of the base portion to mounting holes in the engine. The base portion may further include a mating portion opposite the mounting portion. The method may also include coupling a fan end portion of the fan adapter to the base portion after coupling the base portion of the fan adapter to the engine. The fan end portion may include a mating portion configured to mate with the mating portion of the base portion to couple the fan end portion to the base portion. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an exemplary fan adapter;

[0008] Figure 2A and 2B yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the fan adapter;

[0009] Figure 3A and 3BThis is an exploded view of another exemplary fan adapter; and

[0010] Figure 4A This is a side view of an exemplary fan adapter that couples the engine and the fan. Figure 4B This is an exploded view of the fan adapter, engine, and fan. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and not intended to limit the claimed features. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, in this invention, relative terms such as “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% in the stated values. Additionally, the terms “coupled,” “coupled,” “coupled to,” etc., are used to indicate that two or more components are physically joined, attached, or connected directly or indirectly via one or more additional components.

[0012] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary fan adapter 10 according to the present invention is shown. In one aspect, the fan adapter 10 can be used to couple a fan (e.g., an engine cooling fan), a fan impeller, or one or more fan blades to a rotating drive portion of an engine (not shown). The fan adapter 10 includes a base portion or a first portion 12 and a fan end portion or a second portion 14. Although not shown, the adapter 10 can be configured to rotatably couple a fan (e.g., a cooling fan) to a drive portion of the engine, such as to a drive pulley or a fan driver. For example, the first portion 12 can be directly coupled to the drive portion of the engine (e.g., a drive pulley). Figure 4A and 4B ), and the second part 14 can be directly coupled to the fan ( Figure 4A and 4B In one respect, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are fixedly coupled to each other (e.g., directly coupled), and the first portion 12 may be configured to be coupled to a fan drive pulley or fan driver of the engine. The fan drive pulley or fan driver may be belt-driven, hydraulically driven, etc. In these respects, the fan adapter 10 fixedly couples the rotation of the engine or its drive element to the fan, such that rotation of the engine's drive element (e.g., fan drive pulley or fan driver) causes the fan adapter 10 and the fan to rotate, for example, to help cool the engine.

[0013] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the first part 12 and the second part 14 can be removably coupled via one or more coupling mechanisms, such as screws or bolts 16. In this way, the first part 12 can be coupled to the engine, and then the second part 14 can be coupled to the first part 12. Additionally, one or more locating rods 18 and / or one or more washers 20 can also help couple the first part 12 and the second part 14.

[0014] The first part 12 includes a mounting portion 22 and a coupling portion 24. The mounting portion 22 may be substantially cylindrical and may be configured, for example, via one or more mounting elements passing through a plurality of mounting holes 26. Figure 4A and 4B (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) Coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to a part of the engine (e.g., fan drive pulley or fan driver). Mounting holes 26 may, for example, be uniformly or non-uniformly spaced around the mounting portion 22. The coupling portion 24 may, for example, be along axis A ( Figure 2A and 2B A generally cylindrical extension extending from the mounting portion 22 toward the second portion 14. (e.g.) Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the mounting portion 22 of the first part 12 may be larger than the coupling portion 24 of the first part 12 (e.g., in diameter relative to axis A). The coupling portion 24 may also include a mating portion 28. Figure 2A The size and / or shape of the mating portion 28 can be configured to mate with a corresponding portion of the second portion 14 (e.g., coupled via at least partial overlap or interlocking engagement). Additionally, the first portion 12 may include one or more graduated surfaces 30, such as graduated annular surfaces, on the coupling portion 24 between the mounting portion 22 and the mating portion 28. Additionally, as... Figure 2B As shown, the first portion 12 may include, for example, a cavity 32 in the central portion within the mounting portion 22, which can help couple the first portion 12 to the drive portion or component of the engine.

[0015] Part 2, 14, includes a mounting portion 34 and a coupling portion 36. The mounting portion 34 may be substantially cylindrical and may be coupled to a portion of the fan, for example, via one or more mounting elements (not shown) (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) passing through a plurality of mounting holes 38. The mounting holes 38 may be, for example, uniformly or non-uniformly spaced circumferentially around the mounting portion 22. The coupling portion 36 may be, for example, along axis A ( Figure 2A and 2B A generally cylindrical extension extending from the mounting portion 34 toward the first portion 12. (e.g.) Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the mounting portion 34 of the second part 14 may be larger than the coupling portion 36 of the second part 14 (e.g., in diameter relative to axis A). The coupling portion 36 may also include a mating portion 40. Figure 2B The size and / or shape of the mating portion 40 can be configured to mate with a corresponding portion of the first portion 12 (e.g., protrusion 60) (e.g., directly coupled via at least partial overlap or interlocking engagement). Additionally, the second portion 14 may include one or more transition surfaces 42, such as one or more inclined, bent, or angled portions on the coupling portion 36 between the mounting portion 34 and the mating portion 40. Additionally, as... Figure 2A As shown, the second part 14 may include a mounting extension 44 and a cavity 46, for example, in a central portion within the mounting part 34, which can help couple the second part 14 to the fan.

[0016] As described above, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 can be coupled via a bolt 16, a locating rod 18, and a washer 20. In this respect, the second portion 14 includes a through-hole 50, for example, extending along axis A through the central portion of the second portion 14. The through-hole 50 can be machined through the central portion of the second portion 14. At least a portion of the bolt 16 can be threaded. The through-hole 50 can be threaded or it can be smooth. For example, a bolt 16 having a washer 20 surrounding a portion of the bolt 16 can be inserted through the through-hole 50 (threaded connection or sliding). Additionally, the second portion 14 can include one or more abutment surfaces 52 to abut and / or block the washer 20. Figure 2A As shown, a portion of the bolt 16 may be received within a hole 54 in the mating portion 28 of the first portion 12. The hole 54 may be at least partially threaded and may be machined in the mating portion 28, for example, along the central axis of the mating portion 28 (e.g., coaxial with axis A). In this way, fastening the bolt 16 into the hole 54 helps to couple the second portion 14 to the first portion 12.

[0017] Furthermore, the mating portion 28 of the first part 12 may include a locating rod hole 56, and the mating portion 40 of the second part 14 may also include a locating rod hole 58. The locating rod hole 56 may be a blind hole extending through a portion of the first part 12, and the locating rod hole 58 may be a blind hole extending through a portion of the second part 14. The locating rod holes 56 and 58 may be machined and / or drilled in the corresponding portions of the first part 12 and the second part 14. The locating rod holes 56 and 58 may be smooth holes, or at least partially threaded or roughened, which may help retain the locating rod 18 within the locating rod holes 56 and 58. The locating rod holes 56 and 58 may, for example, be spaced apart from and not aligned with the central axis A along axis B. In this respect, the locating rod hole 56 may be positioned in the first part 12 at the same distance from axis A as the locating rod hole 58 is positioned in the second part 14. During coupling of the first part 12 and the second part 14, the locating rod 18 may be positioned within the locating rod holes 56 and 58. For example, the locating rod 18 helps couple the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 by helping to prevent relative rotation that could loosen the bolt 16. The locating rod 18 also helps protect the fan adapter 10 from and / or reduce shear forces between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, which could otherwise loosen the bolt 16 and / or damage the fan adapter 10. Although not shown, more than one bolt 16 and / or more than one locating rod 18, along with corresponding holes through portions of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, can be used to couple the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, and help prevent relative rotation and / or reduce shear forces.

[0018] As described above, the mating portion 28 of the first part 12 and the mating portion 40 of the second part 14 can have corresponding shapes. For example, such as Figure 2A As shown, the mating portion 28 may include a protrusion 60, such as a circular or cylindrical protrusion. The protrusion 60 may include one or more graduated surfaces, and / or one or more circular or curved surfaces, which can facilitate coupling the mating portion 28 of the first portion 12 to the mating portion 40 of the second portion 14. Accordingly, as Figure 2BAs shown, the mating portion 40 of the second part 14 may include a recess 62, such as a circular or cylindrical recess. The recess 62 may include one or more graduated surfaces, and / or one or more circular or curved surfaces, which can help couple the mating portion 28 of the first part 12 to the mating portion 40 of the second part 14. In this respect, when the first part 12 and the second part 14 are coupled together, at least a portion of the protrusion 60 may be received within the recess 62. The portion of the protrusion 60 received within the recess 62 forms an axial contact between the protrusion 60 and the recess 62, which can help stabilize and / or maintain the coupling between the first part 12 and the second part 14. For example, not only are the first part 12 and the second part 14 in abutment contact (e.g., via the surfaces of the coupling portion 24 of the first part 12 and the coupling portion 36 of the second part 14), but the protrusion 60 extends into the recess 62 in the mating portion 40 to increase the surface area of ​​the engagement between the first part 12 and the second part 14. For example, during the assembly of the fan adapter 10, the protrusion 60 extending into the recess 62 can also help the user align the first portion 12 and the second portion 14. One or more of the protrusion 60 and / or the recess 62 can be machined from the first portion 12 or the second portion 14. Note that, although not shown, the mating portion 28 of the first portion 12 may include a recess, and the mating portion 40 of the second portion 14 may include a protrusion.

[0019] One or more of the first part 12 or the second part 14 can be formed by casting. In this respect, one or more of the first part 12 or the second part 14 may include one or more balancing holes 64 (shown in the first part 12), which can be formed by machining (e.g., drilling) after casting to balance the cast element. For example, the position of the balancing holes 64 can be determined by dynamically balancing the cast element. On the other hand, one or more of the first part 12 or the second part 14 can be formed from bar stock by machine. For example, the first part 12 can be cast (and balanced), while the second part 14 can be machined from bar stock. Alternatively, both the first part 12 and the second part 14 can be formed by separate castings, or both the first part 12 and the second part 14 can be formed separately by machining from bar stock. One or more of the first part 12 and the second part 14 can be formed from steel, aluminum, or other suitable materials. In some aspects, different forming techniques and / or materials can be more cost-effective and / or efficient. In some other aspects, different forming techniques and / or materials may be more expensive but may produce stronger or more durable elements.

[0020] Figure 3A and 3BA view showing an alternative example of a fan adapter 10 according to the invention is provided, wherein similar elements of the fan adapter 10 shown by 100 are added to the reference numerals. As shown, the fan adapter 110 includes a first portion 112 and a second portion 114. As described above, the first portion 112 can be coupled to a portion of the engine via one or more mounting elements extending through one or more mounting holes 126 in the mounting portion 122. Additionally, the first portion 112 includes a coupling portion 124 having a mating portion 128, which can be coupled to a mating portion 140 of the coupling portion 136 of the second portion 112, and bolts 116 and washers 120 help secure the first portion 112 and the second portion 114, as described above. Moreover, as described above, more than one bolt 116 can be used to couple the first portion 112 and the second portion 114. The second portion 114 may include a mounting portion 134, which may include a plurality of mounting holes 138. Furthermore, one or more of the first portion 112 or the second portion 114 may include one or more balancing holes 164 (shown in the first portion 112).

[0021] Moreover, in Figure 3A and 3B In the aspects shown, coupling portions 124 and 136 may include mating portions 128 and 140 having non-circular shapes or configurations. For example, as shown, mating portion 128 may include a rectangular or square protrusion 160, and mating portion 140 may include a rectangular or square recess 162. In this respect, mating portions 128 and 140 can help couple the first portion 112 and the second portion 114, for example, by helping to prevent relative rotation that could loosen bolt 116. The non-circular mating portions 128 and 140 can also help protect the fan adapter 110 from shear forces between the first portion 112 and the second portion 114, which could otherwise loosen bolt 116 and / or damage the fan adapter 110. Although not shown, the fan adapter 110 may also include one or more locating rods and locating rod holes in the coupling portions 124 and 136.

[0022] Furthermore, note that mating portions 128 and 140 may include other non-circular shapes or configurations. For example, mating portions 128 and 140 may include triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and other shapes. Moreover, mating portions 128 and 140 may include trapezoidal, star-shaped, or irregular shapes.

[0023] Figure 4A and 4B A view showing an alternative example of a fan adapter according to the invention is illustrated, wherein similar elements of the fan adapter 10 shown by 200 are added to the reference numerals. Figure 4A and4B As shown, the fan adapter 210 includes a first part 212 and a second part 214. Figure 4A A schematic diagram shows the engine 200 and fan 202 coupled together via fan adapter 210 (i.e., first part 212 and second part 214), while Figure 4B A schematic diagram of the uncoupled engine 200, fan 202, and fan adapter 210 is shown. Note that... Figure 4A and 4B Not proportional. As described above, the first portion 212 can be directly coupled to a rotating or drive element 208 of the engine 200 (e.g., drive shaft, fan drive pulley, fan driver, etc.) via one or more mounting elements 204 extending through one or more mounting holes (not shown) in the mounting portion 222 of the first portion 212. Although not shown, the drive element 208 may include one or more mounting holes corresponding to the mounting holes in the mounting portion 222 of the first portion 212, such that one or more mounting elements 204 can extend through one or more portions of the mounting portion 222 and enter one or more portions of the drive element 208. Additionally, as described above, the first portion 212 includes a coupling portion 224 that can be directly coupled to the coupling portion 236 of the second portion 214, as described above. Although in Figure 4A As not shown in 4B, but one or more bolts, washers, locating rods, etc., can help secure the first portion 212 and the second portion 214, as described above. The second portion 214 can be directly coupled to a portion of the fan 202 via one or more mounting elements 206 extending through one or more mounting holes (not shown) in the mounting portion 234 of the second portion 214. Although not shown, the fan 202 may include one or more mounting holes corresponding to the mounting holes in the mounting portion 234 of the second portion 214, such that one or more mounting elements 206 can extend through one or more portions of the mounting portion 234 and into one or more portions of the fan 202. As described above, the fan adapter 210 rotatably couples the drive element 208 of the engine 200 to the fan 202, such that rotation of the drive element 208 of the engine 200 (e.g., a fan driver) causes the fan adapter 210 and the fan 202 to rotate, for example, to help cool the engine 200.

[0024] like Figure 4AAs shown, when coupled together, the first portion 212 and the second portion 214 can be spaced apart by a distance X. Distance X can be the distance between the mounting portion 222 of the first portion 212 and the mounting portion 234 of the second portion 214. In some embodiments described herein, distance X can be a standard distance between the first portion 212 and the second portion 214, even if different first portions 212 and second portions 214 are used to couple the fan 202 to the engine 200. Alternatively, distance X can vary depending on the size and / or shape of the selected first portion 212 and / or the size and / or shape of the selected second portion 214. In either case, as Figure 4B As shown, one or more mounting elements 204 may include a distance or length Y. The distance Y may be greater than the distance X. In this respect, the length of one or more mounting elements 204 coupling the first portion 212 to the engine 200 is not limited, and when assembling the fan adapter 210, it may be longer than the distance X between the mounting portion 222 of the first portion 212 and the mounting portion 234 of the second portion 214. Therefore, when the first portion 212 of the fan adapter 210 is coupled to the engine 200, the user can use a mounting element 204 longer than the distance X.

[0025] Industrial applicability

[0026] The disclosed fan adapter 10 can be used in any machine, including engines that require cooling and / or air circulation. The fan adapter 10 described herein provides a durable and universal connection for coupling a fan to an engine, has a limited number of parts, is easier and / or faster to install, and / or easier and / or faster to access for maintenance or replacement. Therefore, the disclosed fan adapter 10 can be reliable and low-cost without sacrificing performance.

[0027] In one example, the first portion 12 may be of a predetermined size and / or shape. The first portion 12 may be coupled to the engine, for example, during assembly, before shipment, after shipment, etc. For example, one or more mounting elements (e.g., one or more bolts 16) may extend through mounting holes 26 to couple the first portion 12 to the engine (e.g., to the fan pulley or to the fan drive). The second portion 14 may then be coupled to the first portion 12, for example, via bolts 16, locating rods 18, and washers 20. In this respect, the second portion 14 does not interfere with the initial mounting of the first portion 12 on the engine. In the embodiments described herein, the one or more mounting elements coupling the first portion 12 to the engine are not limited in length and may be longer than the distance between the mounting portion 22 of the first portion 12 and the mounting portion 34 of the second portion 14 when the fan adapter 10 is assembled. In other words, as described above, for example, referring to... Figure 4A and 4BBecause the first portion 12 is mounted on the engine before the second portion 14 is coupled to it, the final spacing between the mounting portions 22 and 34 does not limit the length of one or more mounting elements coupling the first portion 12 to the engine, or interfere with the coupling of the first portion 12 to the engine. Furthermore, in some aspects, the locating rod 18 can aid in coupling the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, for example, by helping to prevent relative rotation that could loosen the bolt 16. As mentioned above, the locating rod 18 can also help protect the fan adapter 10 from and / or reduce shear forces between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 that could otherwise loosen the bolt 16 and / or damage the fan adapter 10. Figure 3A and 3B The non-circular mating configuration shown and described above can also help prevent relative rotation between the first part 112 and the second part 114, while also helping to protect the fan adapter 110 from and / or reduce the shear force between the first part 112 and the second part 114.

[0028] Additionally, one or more different second portions 14 may be coupled to the first portion 12, for example, to couple fans of different types, sizes, etc., to an engine. In this respect, the coupling portion 24 of the first portion 12 and the coupling portion 36 of the second portion 14 may be of standard shape and size (e.g., “universal”), but different second portions 14 may include mounting portions 34 whose size and / or shape are adapted to fans of different sizes, types, etc. For example, the first portion 12 may be configured to couple to various engines, and depending on the type and / or size of the engine, different second portions 14 (and different fans) may be coupled to the first portion 12. In this respect, when one second portion 14 is mounted to the first portion 12, the mounting portion 34 may be spaced apart from the mounting portion 22 of the first portion 12 by a first gap. Then, when another second portion 14 is mounted to the first portion 12, the mounting portion 34 of the other second portion 14 may be spaced apart from the mounting portion 22 of the first portion 12 by a second gap. Similarly, different second portions 14 may include larger or smaller mounting portions 34, and / or other different sizes, shapes, features, etc., so that fans of different sizes, types, etc. are coupled to the second portion 14 and thus to the engine.

[0029] Furthermore, because the coupling portions 24 of the different first portions 12 and 36 of the second portions 14 can be of standard shape and size, the different first portions 12 and the different second portions 14 can be coupled together, for example, to couple a fan of any type and / or size to an engine of any type and / or size. For example, the different first portions 12 may include mounting portions 22 whose size and / or shape are adapted to engines of different sizes, types, etc. Similarly, the different second portions 14 may include mounting portions 34 whose size and / or shape are adapted to fans of different sizes, types, etc. In some aspects, the different first portions 12 and / or the different second portions 14 may include similar mounting portions 22, 34, but may include different coupling portions 24 or 36 (e.g., longer longitudinal lengths). In some examples, the first portion 12 may be of, for example, a standard size and / or shape common to all or most engines, and the second portion 14 may include different sizes and / or shapes for fans of different sizes, types, etc. Furthermore, the selected first part 12 and / or second part 14 may correspond not only to the selected engine and / or the selected fan, but also to the desired spacing between the selected engine and the selected fan.

[0030] In one example, different first parts 12 can be coupled to the engine depending on the engine type and / or size. For example, a user may have multiple engines of different sizes, types, etc. in stock or available, and may also have multiple different first parts 12 of different sizes, shapes, etc. in stock or available. The user can select one of the multiple engines (e.g., based on the type of machine, desired implementation, etc.), and then can select one of the multiple different first parts 12 based on the selected engine (and / or the desired spacing between the selected engine and the fan). As described herein, the selected first part 12 can be coupled to the selected engine.

[0031] Similarly, depending on the type and / or size of the fan, different second parts 14 can be coupled to the fan and the first part 12. For example, a user may have multiple fans of different sizes, types, etc., in stock or available, and may also have multiple different second parts 14 of different sizes, shapes, etc., in stock or available. A user may select one of multiple fans (e.g., based on the selected motor, desired implementation, etc.), and then may select one of multiple different second parts 14 based on the selected fan (and / or the desired spacing between the selected motor and the selected fan). The selected second part 14 may be coupled to the selected fan and the selected first part 12, as described herein, for example, the coupling portion 24 of the selected first part 12 is coupled to the coupling portion 36 of the selected second part 14. One or more of multiple motors, multiple first parts 12, multiple second parts 14, and / or multiple fans may be grouped into kits, systems, etc. In these respects, the versatility and interchangeability of the first parts 12 and the second parts 14 of the fan adapter 10 may allow different fans to be coupled to different motors, and may also help to provide easier, simpler, and / or less time-consuming assembly from the selected fan to the selected motor.

[0032] This versatility and interchangeability also helps to provide easier, simpler, and / or less time-consuming disassembly (e.g., by removing bolts 16 and (if applicable) locating rods 18) to couple different second parts 14, inspect, repair, and / or replace fans, etc. Moreover, since one type of first part 12 (or different types of first parts 12) can be used with different types of second parts 14 and different types of fans, the various aspects described herein can help reduce material costs.

[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art, taking into account the specification and practice of the fan adapter disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for coupling a fan to an engine, comprising: The base portion of the fan adapter is selected based on the size, shape, or implementation of the engine, wherein the base portion includes a mounting portion and a coupling portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to couple to the engine's fan driver or fan drive pulley via one or more mounting elements, and wherein the coupling portion includes a mating portion. The fan end portion of the fan adapter is selected based on the size, shape, or implementation of the fan, wherein the fan end portion includes a mounting portion and a coupling portion, wherein the mounting portion of the fan end portion is configured to be coupled to the fan, and wherein the coupling portion of the fan end portion includes a mating portion complementary to the mating portion of the base portion; as well as The engine is coupled to the fan by coupling the mating portion of the fan end portion to the mating portion of the base portion; Coupling the mating portion of the fan end portion to the mating portion of the base portion includes inserting a bolt through the central portion of the fan end portion and the base portion, and inserting a positioning rod through the non-central portion of the fan end portion and the base portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mating portion of the base portion comprises a circular convex configuration, and wherein the mating portion of the fan end portion comprises a circular concave configuration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mating portion of the base portion comprises a non-circular convex configuration, and wherein the mating portion of the fan end portion comprises a non-circular concave configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the base portion or the selection of the fan end portion is further based on the desired spacing between the engine and the fan.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the one or more mounting elements coupling the base portion to the fan driver or fan drive pulley of the engine includes a length longer than the final distance between the mounting portion of the base portion and the mounting portion of the fan end portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the mounting portion of the base portion relative to the longitudinal axis of the fan adapter is greater than the diameter of the coupling portion of the base portion, and wherein the diameter of the mounting portion of the fan end portion relative to the longitudinal axis of the fan adapter is greater than the diameter of the coupling portion of the fan end portion.

7. A fan adapter system for coupling a fan to an engine, comprising: Multiple base portions, each base portion including a mounting portion and a coupling portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be coupled to a portion of the engine via one or more mounting elements, and wherein each of the coupling portions includes a mating portion having the same configuration; as well as A plurality of fan end portions, wherein each fan end portion includes a mounting portion and a coupling portion, wherein each mounting portion of the fan end portion is configured to be coupled to the fan, and wherein the coupling portion of each fan end portion includes a mating portion having the same configuration complementary to the configuration of the mating portion of the base portion; A bolt is inserted through the center portion of the fan end portion and the base portion, and a locating rod is inserted through the non-center portion of the fan end portion and the base portion to couple the mating portion of the fan end portion to the mating portion of the base portion.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein one or more of the base portions are configured to be coupled to an engine of a first size and / or shape, wherein one or more of the base portions are configured to be coupled to an engine of a second size and / or shape different from the engine of the first size and / or shape.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein one or more of the fan end portions are configured to be coupled to a fan of a first size and / or shape, and one or more of the fan end portions are configured to be coupled to a fan of a second size and / or shape different from the fan of the first size and / or shape.

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