Engine Cooling Fan and Pump Speed Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems face inefficiencies in cooling performance due to reliance on increasing coolant flow rate alone, without orchestrated changes in fan speed, leading to suboptimal power consumption and radiator effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method to adjust the speed of the cooling fan and pump based on the ratio of temperature differences across the heat exchanger, using sensors to monitor coolant and air temperatures, allowing for incremental adjustments to maximize radiator effectiveness and reduce parasitic power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flow rate is increased to improve cooling performance, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases and radiator effectiveness does not improve proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making both fan speed and pump speed variable and adjustable in real-time. The system dynamically coordinates changes in fan speed with changes in pump speed based on operating conditions, rather than operating them independently or at fixed speeds. This allows the system to adapt to varying thermal loads and optimize the balance between cooling performance and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by adjusting both fan speed and pump speed as independent variables. The system monitors operating conditions and modifies the speed parameters of both components to maximize radiator effectiveness while minimizing power consumption, rather than relying solely on increasing coolant flow rate.
2Temperature
If fan speed is increased to improve heat dissipation, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but parasitic power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring operating conditions and using this information to adjust fan speed in coordination with pump speed. The system continuously evaluates the thermal state and adjusts the airflow (fan speed) and coolant flow (pump speed) to achieve optimal heat dissipation with minimal parasitic power loss, rather than operating at fixed high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes fan speed dynamic and adjustable based on real-time operating conditions. By coordinating fan speed changes with pump speed changes, the system optimizes the balance between heat dissipation and parasitic power loss, avoiding the need to maintain high fan speeds continuously.
3Quantity of substance
If pump speed is increased alone to improve coolant circulation, then coolant flow rate increases, but radiator effectiveness does not improve without coordinated fan speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of fan speed and pump speed into a coordinated system. Rather than controlling them independently, the system adjusts both components together based on operating conditions, ensuring that increases in coolant flow rate (pump speed) are matched with appropriate changes in airflow (fan speed) to maximize radiator effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes both fan speed and pump speed dynamic and adjustable. By coordinating changes in both parameters, the system ensures that coolant circulation improvements (pump speed) are effectively utilized by the radiator through synchronized airflow adjustments (fan speed), rather than increasing coolant flow alone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances radiator effectiveness while minimizing power consumption by optimizing fan and pump speeds according to real-time temperature changes, ensuring efficient engine cooling.
Implementation Method 1
Upon heat transfer from the engine to the coolant, the coolant may be circulated through a heat exchanger such as a radiator where the heat is dissipated
Implementation Method 2
As the cooling fan operates to direct air to the engine, the cooling air flows through radiator, also cooling the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of each of a pump and a fan of an engine cooling system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a speed of the pump and a speed of the fan based on one or more of a temperature of coolant entering a heat exchanger of the cooling system, a temperature of air exiting the heat exchanger, and a temperature of air entering the heat exchanger.