External Horizontal Radiator Assembly for Confined Vehicle Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power systems for work vehicles face overheating issues due to hot air blockage and recirculation in confined spaces, limiting accessibility and cooling efficiency, especially in service trucks and vans where obstructions restrict airflow and installation options.
Innovation Solution
The power system incorporates a radiator assembly positioned substantially horizontally and externally, with a variable speed fan and hinged design for improved cooling and service access, allowing for remote mounting to enhance airflow and reduce recirculation, while maintaining a compact footprint and flexible installation options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the radiator is positioned internally within the power system housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but hot air blockage and recirculation occur leading to poor cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator assembly is extracted from the internal housing and positioned externally on the power system. This separation removes the radiator from the confined internal space where hot air blockage and recirculation occur, allowing it to access ambient air directly for effective cooling without being constrained by the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator is repositioned from a three-dimensional internal configuration to an external surface-mounted configuration on the housing. This dimensional change allows the radiator to extend outward into the surrounding environment, accessing unlimited ambient air for cooling and eliminating the spatial constraints that caused hot air recirculation internally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power system is installed in confined vehicle spaces, then the adaptability to vehicle integration is improved, but airflow is restricted causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator cooling function is extracted from the confined power system housing and positioned externally on the housing surface. This extraction allows the radiator to access ambient air outside the vehicle's confined spaces, eliminating the airflow restrictions caused by vehicle installation constraints while maintaining the compact power system footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator is pre-positioned on the external housing surface during manufacturing, creating a built-in cooling solution that automatically adapts to various vehicle installation configurations. This preliminary positioning ensures that regardless of where the power system is installed in the vehicle, the radiator will always have access to ambient air for effective cooling.
3Reliability
If the radiator is mounted remotely from the housing, then airflow and cooling efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external radiator assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can be attached to various surfaces and orientations of the power system housing. This multi-functional mounting design allows the radiator to be positioned optimally for airflow while maintaining simple installation through standardized mounting interfaces that work across different vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator mounting system incorporates adjustable and flexible positioning capabilities, allowing the radiator to be dynamically positioned at optimal angles and locations on the housing exterior. This dynamic positioning ensures maximum airflow access while maintaining simple installation through flexible mounting mechanisms rather than fixed rigid connections.
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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency, reduces hot air recirculation, and facilitates easier installation and maintenance by improving airflow and accessibility, ensuring reliable operation in confined vehicle spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator assembly positioned substantially horizontally and externally... comprising a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
with a variable speed fan... to enhance airflow
Data Source
AI summary
Power system radiators and power systems having radiators are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power provided by the engine; power conversion circuitry configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to welding-type power; and a housing enclosing the engine, the generator, and the power conversion circuitry; and a radiator assembly configured to cool the engine and comprising a heat exchanger oriented substantially horizontally when the power system is installed.