Hydraulic Fan Control Circuit for Truck Mountable Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems in trucks often overheat due to various underlying causes, leading to inopportune system inoperability when temperature switches shut off the entire system, which can result in a loss of cooling capability and inefficient cooling of hydraulic fluid.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system and block that shuts off pressure to trailers or hydraulically operated equipment when fluid overheats, while continuing hydraulic fluid circulation through the cooler and using hydraulic fluid to run the cooling fan at a lower rate, maintaining cooling functionality without full system shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the hydraulic system is shut off completely when overheating occurs, then the hydraulic fluid temperature can be prevented from rising further, but the cooling capability is lost and the system becomes inoperable at an inopportune time
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is divided into separate controllable circuits. The temperature switch selectively shuts off only the circuit supplying hydraulic equipment while leaving the cooling fan circuit operational. This segmentation allows partial system shutdown to prevent overheating without completely losing cooling capability or system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely shutting off the entire hydraulic system when overheating occurs, only the necessary portion (the circuit to hydraulic equipment) is shut off. The cooling fan continues to operate at a lower rate, providing partial cooling action that is sufficient to prevent catastrophic failure while maintaining some system operability.
2Temperature
If the cooling fan runs at full speed to cool the hydraulic fluid quickly, then the cooling effectiveness is maximized, but the fluid pressure available for working loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan speed is made dynamic rather than fixed. When overheating occurs, the fan automatically operates at a lower rate, adjusting its speed based on the system's cooling needs versus pressure requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance cooling effectiveness with maintaining sufficient pressure for working loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating parameters of the cooling fan are changed based on system conditions. The fan transitions from full-speed operation during normal conditions to lower-rate operation during overheating, changing its flow and pressure characteristics to better match the reduced cooling demand while preserving pressure for hydraulic equipment.
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 solution allows for faster cooling of hydraulic fluid by maintaining circulation and fan operation at a lower speed during overheating, preventing catastrophic failures and ensuring system functionality during critical times.
Implementation Method 1
temperature switches which sense the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and turn the hydraulic system off if the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold value
Implementation Method 2
continues circulation of the hydraulic fluid through the cooler
Implementation Method 3
using the hydraulic fluid to run the cooling fan
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic fan powered in a branch of a vehicle-carried working load hydraulic circuit helps cool hydraulic fluid in a cooler. A switching block has a bypass mode which kicks in whenever sensed hydraulic fluid temperature indicates an overheat condition. The bypass mode shuts off hydraulic fluid to all the working loads of the system, while circulating hydraulic fluid as fast as possible through the cooler and running the cooling fan at a slower rate. After the hydraulic fluid cools below the overheat threshold temperature, a start button must be pressed before the switching block will again power the working loads and run the fan at a higher speed.