Radiator assembly with multiple fans
The radiator assembly with tilted fans addresses the inefficiencies in traditional designs by enhancing airflow and cooling efficiency while reducing power consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024553740
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-03-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing radiator assemblies with multiple fans positioned close to the radiator can result in less efficient airflow, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and increased power requirements.
A radiator assembly with a radiator and multiple fans tilted relative to the front surface of the radiator, allowing for a compact configuration while enhancing airflow and reducing power requirements.
The tilted fan configuration improves airflow through the radiator, increasing cooling efficiency while reducing the power needed to achieve it.
Smart Images
Figure 2025509394000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 687,795, filed March 7, 2022, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein for all non-limiting purposes.
[0002] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to a radiator assembly with multiple fans, and more particularly to a radiator assembly with a radiator and multiple fans angled relative to a front surface of the radiator. [Background technology]
[0003] Heavy duty equipment includes a radiator and multiple fans that move very large volumes of air through the radiator to provide cooling for the engine of the heavy duty equipment. It may be desirable to have the fans in close proximity to the radiator to make the radiator assembly compact and provide better installation in the vehicle. However, having the fans close to the radiator can result in less efficient airflow, which can result in less cooling and more power required to provide the necessary cooling for the engine.
[0004] It would be desirable to provide a multiple fan radiator assembly having an improved configuration to provide a more compact assembly while providing efficient airflow and reasonable power requirements. In view of the following disclosure of the invention and the detailed description of the specific embodiments, certain objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art who are knowledgeable or experienced in this technical field. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Aspects of the present invention may be advantageously used to provide a radiator assembly including a radiator and a plurality of fans inclined relative to a plane defined by the front face of the radiator. Such a radiator may provide improved cooling for a vehicle in a compact configuration while reducing airflow restriction through the radiator, thereby increasing airflow through the radiator while reducing power requirements.
[0006] According to a first aspect, a radiator assembly includes a frame and a radiator mounted to the frame adjacent a front of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator. A plurality of fans are each mounted to the frame rearward of the radiator, each fan defining a fan axis of rotation extending outwardly and rearwardly from the frame.
[0007] According to another aspect, a radiator assembly includes a frame and a radiator mounted to the frame proximate a front of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator. The radiator includes a first tank including a plurality of first openings on an upper surface thereof. A second tank is spaced apart above the first tank and includes a plurality of second openings on a lower surface thereof and a plurality of third openings on an upper surface thereof. The third tank is located above the second tank and includes a plurality of fourth openings on a lower surface thereof. Each of the plurality of first flow tubes has a first end received in one of the first openings and a second end received in one of the second openings. Each of the plurality of second flow tubes has a first end received in one of the third openings and a second end received in one of the fourth openings. A first pair of fans is mounted on a first side of the frame rearward of the radiator. A second pair of fans is mounted on a second side of the frame rearwardly of the radiator, and each fan defines a fan axis of rotation extending outwardly and rearwardly away from the frame at an acute angle relative to the radiator plane.
[0008] According to a further aspect, a radiator assembly includes a frame and a radiator mounted to the frame proximate a front of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator. The radiator includes a first tank including a plurality of first openings on an upper surface thereof. A second tank is spaced apart above the first tank and includes a plurality of second openings on a lower surface thereof and a plurality of third openings on an upper surface thereof. The third tank is located above the second tank and includes a plurality of fourth openings on a lower surface thereof. Each of the plurality of first flow tubes has a first end received in one of the first openings and a second end received in one of the second openings. Each of the plurality of second flow tubes has a first end received in one of the third openings and a second end received in one of the fourth openings. A first fan is mounted to the frame on a first side of the frame rearward of the radiator proximate a bottom of the frame. A second fan is mounted to the frame adjacent the top of the frame and directly above the first fan. A third fan is mounted to the frame on a second side of the frame adjacent the bottom of the frame rearward of the radiator. A fourth fan is mounted to the frame adjacent the top of the frame and directly above the third fan. Each fan defines a fan axis of rotation that extends outwardly and rearwardly away from the frame at an acute angle relative to the radiator plane.
[0009] From the foregoing disclosure, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art who are knowledgeable or experienced in the art that the preferred embodiment of the radiator having multiple obliquely oriented fans may provide a significant technical advance in terms of improved operation. These and further features and advantages will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a radiator assembly with multiple fans oriented at an angle. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the radiator assembly of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the radiator assembly of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the radiator assembly of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The above figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, an illustration of the principles involved. Some features of the radiator assembly depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others for ease of explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. The radiator assemblies disclosed herein will have configurations and components determined in part by the intended application and environment in which they will be used.
[0012] The present invention may be embodied in a variety of forms. One embodiment of a radiator assembly 10 is shown in Figures 1-4. For convenience, the terms "upper" and "lower" and "upper" and "lower" are used herein to distinguish the upper and lower ends of the radiator assembly 10 and certain components of the assembly. It should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" and "upper" and "lower" are used for ease of explanation and understanding only, and are not intended to limit possible spatial orientations of the radiator assembly 10 or its components during assembly or use.
[0013] The term "substantially" as used herein means largely or nearly the same, within the constraints of significant commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of radiator assembly installation. Similarly, the term "approximately" as used herein means close to or to the extent of a particular value, within the constraints of significant commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of radiator assembly installation.
[0014] The radiator assembly 10 may include a frame 12 within which the radiator assembly 10 is positioned and which may be mounted to a vehicle upon which the elements of the radiator assembly 10 are mounted. A radiator 14 may be mounted to the frame 12 adjacent a front portion 16 of the frame 12. The radiator 14 may define a radiator plane P that extends along and is substantially parallel to a front surface 17 of the radiator 14.
[0015] The radiator 14 may include a first tank 18 disposed proximate a bottom 20 of the frame 12. The first tank 18 may include a plurality of first openings 22 on an upper surface 24 thereof, providing fluid communication with a reservoir (not visible) of the first tank 18. A second tank 26 may be disposed above the first tank 18 in a central portion of the frame 12, and may include a plurality of second openings (not visible) on a lower surface 28 thereof, thereby providing fluid communication with a reservoir (not visible) of the second tank 26. A plurality of third openings 30 may be provided on an upper surface 32 of the second tank 26, thereby providing fluid communication with a reservoir (not visible) of the second tank 26.
[0016] A plurality of first flow tubes 34 may extend between the first tank 18 and the second tank 26. For clarity, and to allow the interior portions of the radiator assembly 10 to be visible in the drawings, only a small number of the total number of first flow tubes 34 are illustrated in the drawings provided herein. A first end 36 of each first flow tube 34 may be received in one of the first openings 22 of the first tank 18, and a second end 38 of each first flow tube 34 may be received in one of the second openings of the second tank 26, thereby providing fluid communication between the first tank 18 and the second tank 26.
[0017] The third tank 40 can be positioned above the second tank 26 adjacent to an upper portion 42 of the frame 12 and can include a plurality of fourth openings (not visible) in its lower surface 44 thereby providing fluid communication to a reservoir (not visible) of the third tank 40.
[0018] A plurality of second flow tubes 46 may extend between the second tank 26 and the third tank 40. For clarity, only a small number of the total number of second flow tubes 46 are illustrated in the drawings provided herein so that the interior portions of the radiator assembly 10 are visible in the drawings. A first end 48 of each second flow tube 46 may be received in one of the third openings 30 of the second tank 26, and a second end 50 of each second flow tube 46 may be received in one of the fourth openings of the third tank 40, thereby providing fluid communication between the second tank 26 and the third tank 40.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the radiator assembly 10 may include only a first tank proximate the bottom 20 of the frame 12 and a second tank proximate the top 42 of the frame 12, with a single set of flow tubes extending between and in fluid communication with the reservoirs of the first and second tanks.
[0020] A number of fans 52 may be mounted to the rear 54 of the frame 12 to draw air across the first flow tubes 34 and the second flow tubes 46 of the radiator 14 to cool the heated liquid flowing through the radiator 14. Air may be drawn by the fans 52 across the radiator 14 from the front 16 of the frame 12 towards the rear 54 of the frame 12 in the direction of arrow A, and then through the fans 52 and rearwardly and outwardly from the frame 12 in the direction of arrow B.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, four fans 52A-D are mounted to the frame 12 rearward of the radiator 13. A first pair of fans 56 (52A, 52B) may be disposed on a left side or first side 58 of the frame 12 when viewed from the rear 54 of the frame 12, as seen in FIG. 2. Similarly, a second pair of fans 60 (52C, 52D) may be disposed on a right side or second side 62 of the frame 12 when viewed from the rear of the radiator assembly 10.
[0022] Each fan 52A-D may include a fan housing 64A-D and a motor 66A-D. Each fan 52A-D may include a plurality of blades 68A-D rotatably driven by a motor 66A-D about a fan axis of rotation 70A-D, and a fan shroud or fan ring 72A-D surrounding the blades 68A-D. Each fan 52A-D may be oriented such that its motor 66A-D extends rearwardly and outwardly relative to the frame 12, away from the fan housing 60A-D. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the fans 52A-D may be pivoted or rotated relative to the radiator 14 such that the fan axis of rotation 70A-D extends at an acute angle α with respect to the radiator 14 plane P.
[0023] The first fan 52A may be mounted to a first side 58 of the frame 12 adjacent the bottom 20, and the second fan 52B may be mounted to a first side 58 of the frame 12 adjacent the top 42 above the first fan 52A such that a second fan axis of rotation 70B of the second fan 52B is vertically aligned with a first fan axis of rotation 70A of the first fan 52A.
[0024] The third fan 52c may be mounted to a second side 62 of the frame 12 adjacent the bottom 20, and the fourth fan 52D may be mounted to the second side 62 of the frame 12 adjacent the top 42 above the third fan 52C such that the fourth fan rotation axis 70D of the fourth fan 52D is vertically aligned with the third fan rotation axis 70C of the third fan 52C.
[0025] The first fan rotation axis 70A of the first fan 52A may be horizontally aligned with the third fan rotation axis 70C of the third fan 52C, and the second fan rotation axis 70B of the second fan 52B may be horizontally aligned with the fourth fan rotation axis 70D of the fourth fan 52D.
[0026] By pivoting or rotating the fans 52A-D in this manner relative to the frame 12, the fan assembly can have a more compact configuration. Outer portions of the fans 52A-D are positioned closer to the radiator 14 and inner portions of the fans 52A-D are positioned farther away from the radiator 14 such that the fan rotation axes 70A-D form an acute angle with respect to the radiator 14 plane P. Such a compact configuration can reduce restrictions to airflow through the radiator, thereby reducing power requirements while increasing airflow through the radiator.
[0027] Additionally, fans 52A-D, which swivel or rotate relative to frame 12, serve to direct the heated air passed across radiator 14 rearwardly and outwardly, thereby helping to direct the heated air away from the vehicle (not shown) and associated vehicle components located rearward of radiator 14 where it helps to cool the engine and other components.
[0028] Of course, the fan housings 64A-D are oriented to support the fans 52A-D such that the fan housings 64A-D do not impede airflow across the radiator 14 and the fans 52A-D, as seen in FIG. 3, and also to provide a space 73 between the radiator 14 and the fans 52A-D to promote airflow across the radiator 14.
[0029] The first radiator brace 74 has a first end 76 connected or secured to the frame 12 adjacent the bottom 20 of the first side 58 of the frame 12 and an opposing second end 78 connected or secured to the frame 12 adjacent the top 42 of the second side 62 of the frame 12, such that the first radiator brace 74 extends diagonally across the frame 12.
[0030] The second radiator brace 80 may have a first end 82 connected or secured to the frame 12 adjacent the top 42 of the first side 58 of the frame 12 and an opposing second end 84 connected or secured to the frame 12 adjacent the bottom 20 of the second side 62 of the frame 12 such that the second radiator brace 80 extends diagonally across the frame 12.
[0031] A central portion of each of the first radiator brace 74 and the second radiator brace 80 may be secured to a bracket 86 in a central region of the radiator 14 , which in turn is secured directly to the frame 12 .
[0032] The first fan brace 88 may have a first end 90 connected or secured to a first side 92 of the first fan housing 64A and a second end 94 connected or secured to a second side 96 of the first fan housing 64A. The second fan brace 98 may have a first end 100 connected or secured to a first side 102 of the second fan housing 64B and a second end 104 connected or secured to a second side 106 of the second fan housing 64B. The third fan brace 108 may have a first end 110 connected or secured to a first side 112 of the third fan housing 64C and a second end 114 connected or secured to a second side 116 of the third fan housing 64C. The fourth fan brace 118 may have a first end 120 connected or secured to a first side 122 of the fourth fan housing 64D and a second end 124 connected or secured to a second side 126 of the fourth fan housing 64D.
[0033] Various embodiments of radiator assemblies including various components and features have been described herein. In other embodiments, a radiator assembly may be provided with any combination of such components and features. It is also understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the radiator assemblies described herein may be configured with similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different decorative appearances.
[0034] Those skilled in the art, armed with knowledge gained from this disclosure, will recognize that various modifications can be made to the disclosed apparatus and methods to achieve these and other advantages without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, it is to be understood that the features described herein are susceptible to modification, alteration, change, or substitution. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or steps that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same result are within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Substitution of elements from one described embodiment to another is also fully intended and contemplated. The specific implementations shown and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit what is described in the appended claims. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the foregoing description is provided for clarity only and is merely exemplary. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is encompassed by the following claims.
Claims
1. A frame, a radiator mounted to the frame adjacent a front portion of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator; a plurality of fans mounted to the frame rearwardly of the radiator, each fan defining a fan axis of rotation extending outwardly and rearwardly from the frame; A radiator assembly comprising:
2. 2. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said fan rotation axes extends outwardly and rearwardly away from said frame at an acute angle relative to said radiator plane.
3. The radiator assembly of claim 1 , wherein four said fans are mounted to said frame.
4. 2. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein a first pair of fans is mounted on a first side of said frame and a second pair of fans is mounted on a second side of said frame.
5. 5. The radiator assembly of claim 4, wherein said first pair of fans includes a first fan mounted adjacent a bottom of said frame and a second fan mounted above said first fan adjacent a top of said frame, and said second pair of fans includes a third fan mounted adjacent a bottom of said frame and a fourth fan mounted above said third fan adjacent a top of said frame.
6. 6. The radiator assembly of claim 5, wherein a fan rotation axis of said first fan is aligned perpendicular to a fan rotation axis of said second fan, and a fan rotation axis of said third fan is aligned perpendicular to a fan rotation axis of said fourth fan.
7. 6. The radiator assembly of claim 5, wherein a fan rotation axis of the first fan is horizontally aligned with a fan rotation axis of the third fan, and a fan rotation axis of the second fan is horizontally aligned with a fan rotation axis of the fourth fan.
8. The radiator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fan rings, each fan ring encircling the blades of one of said plurality of fans.
9. The radiator is a first tank including a plurality of first openings on a top surface thereof; a second tank spaced above the first tank and including a second plurality of openings in a lower surface thereof; a plurality of first flow tubes, each first flow tube having a first end received in one of the first openings and a second end received in one of the second openings; The radiator assembly of claim 1 comprising:
10. the second tank has a plurality of third openings on an upper surface thereof; a third tank disposed above the second tank and including a plurality of fourth openings on a lower surface thereof; a plurality of second flow tubes, each of the plurality of second flow tubes having a first end received in one of the third openings and a second end received in one of the fourth openings; The radiator assembly of claim 9 further comprising:
11. a first radiator brace having a first end connected to the frame on a first side of the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame and a second end connected to the frame on a second side of the frame adjacent a top of the frame; a second radiator brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the frame on the first side of the frame and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame on the second side of the frame; The radiator assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
12. 12. The radiator assembly of claim 11, wherein a central portion of said first radiator brace is secured to said frame and a central portion of said second radiator brace is secured to said frame.
13. a first fan brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the first fan on a first side of the first fan and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the first fan on a second side of the first fan; a second fan brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the second fan on a first side of the second fan and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the second fan on a second side of the second fan; a third fan brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the third fan on a first side of the third fan and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the third fan on a second side of the third fan; a fourth fan brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the fourth fan on a first side of the fourth fan and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the fourth fan on a second side of the fourth fan; The radiator assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
14. A frame, a radiator mounted to the frame adjacent a front surface of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator, the radiator comprising: a first tank including a plurality of first openings on an upper surface; a second tank spaced above the first tank and including a plurality of second openings on a lower surface and including a plurality of third openings on an upper surface; and a third tank disposed above the second tank and including a plurality of fourth openings on a lower surface; a plurality of first flow tubes, each of the first flow tubes having a first end received in one of the first openings and a second end received in one of the second openings; and a plurality of second flow tubes, each of the second flow tubes having a first end received in one of the third openings and a second end received in one of the fourth openings; a first pair of fans mounted on a first side of the frame rearward of the radiator, and a second pair of fans mounted on a second side of the frame rearward of the radiator; each of the fans defines a fan axis of rotation that extends outwardly and aft away from the frame at an acute angle relative to the radiator plane; Radiator assembly.
15. 15. The radiator assembly of claim 14, wherein the first pair of fans includes a first fan mounted adjacent a bottom of the frame and a second fan mounted above the first fan adjacent a top of the frame, and the second pair of fans includes a third fan mounted adjacent the bottom of the frame and a fourth fan mounted above the third fan adjacent the top of the frame.
16. 16. The radiator assembly of claim 15, wherein a fan rotation axis of the first fan is aligned perpendicular to a fan rotation axis of the second fan, and a fan rotation axis of the third fan is aligned perpendicular to a fan rotation axis of the fourth fan.
17. 16. The radiator assembly of claim 15, wherein a fan rotation axis of the first fan is horizontally aligned with a fan rotation axis of the third fan, and a fan rotation axis of the second fan is horizontally aligned with a fan rotation axis of the fourth fan.
18. The radiator assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of fan rings, each fan ring surrounding one blade of the fan.
19. a first radiator brace having a first end connected to the frame on a first side of the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame and a second end connected to the frame on a second side of the frame adjacent a top of the frame; a second radiator brace having a first end connected to the frame adjacent a top of the frame on a first side of the frame and a second end connected to the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame; The radiator assembly of claim 14 further comprising:
20. A frame, a radiator mounted to the frame adjacent a front surface of the frame and defining a radiator plane extending along a front surface of the radiator, the radiator comprising: a first tank including a plurality of first openings on an upper surface; a second tank spaced above the first tank and including a plurality of second openings on a lower surface and including a plurality of third openings on an upper surface; and a third tank disposed above the second tank and including a plurality of fourth openings on a lower surface; a plurality of first flow tubes, each of the first flow tubes having a first end received in one of the first openings and a second end received in one of the second openings; and a plurality of second flow tubes, each of the second flow tubes having a first end received in one of the third openings and a second end received in one of the fourth openings; a first fan mounted to the frame on a first side of the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame and rearward of the radiator; a second fan mounted to the frame adjacent the top of the frame and directly above the first fan; a third fan mounted to the frame on a second side of the frame adjacent a bottom of the frame and rearward of the radiator; a fourth fan mounted to the frame adjacent to and directly above the frame; each of the fans defining a fan axis of rotation extending outwardly and rearwardly from the frame at an acute angle relative to a radiator plane; Radiator assembly.