Multi-Core Radiator Thermal Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiator systems face challenges in efficiently cooling internal combustion engines in extreme cold ambient temperatures, leading to thermal stress and potential fatigue cracking in radiator components.
Innovation Solution
A radiator system comprising multiple radiator cores with a control system that adjusts the flow of cooling fluid through each core based on ambient temperature thresholds, allowing for parallel or sequential operation of the cores to optimize cooling efficiency and reduce thermal stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple radiator cores are used to provide adequate cooling capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but thermal stress and fatigue cracking increase in cold ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of radiator core operation by using temperature-sensitive valves to automatically adjust which cores are active based on ambient temperature conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize cooling performance when needed while minimizing thermal stress exposure during cold conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling capability and preventing thermal fatigue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator system is divided into multiple independent radiator cores that can be selectively activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows individual cores to be controlled separately through temperature-sensitive valves, enabling the system to use only the necessary cooling capacity in cold temperatures and reduce thermal stress on inactive cores, thus improving reliability while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
2Device complexity
If a single large radiator core is used to reduce system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing constraints and packaging considerations are not met
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large radiator core that would be difficult to manufacture and package, the system is divided into multiple smaller radiator cores. This segmentation makes each core easier to manufacture using standard processes and allows for more flexible packaging arrangements within the vehicle, while the modular design actually simplifies installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple smaller radiator cores are combined to achieve the total cooling capacity equivalent to a single large core. This merging approach maintains the cooling performance needed for large displacement engines while avoiding the manufacturing and packaging difficulties of a single large core, and the modular configuration enables easier assembly and maintenance.
3Productivity
If all radiator cores operate in parallel to maximize cooling capacity, then cooling efficiency is improved, but thermal stress increases in cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active radiator cores based on ambient temperature conditions through temperature-sensitive valves. In cold conditions, only necessary cores remain active while others are closed off, minimizing thermal stress exposure. When cooling demand increases, more cores are activated to provide maximum cooling efficiency, thus dynamically balancing productivity and stress resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameters of the radiator system are changed based on temperature conditions. Temperature-sensitive valves detect ambient temperature and automatically adjust the flow distribution among radiator cores, changing the system's thermal parameters to match environmental conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the system to reduce thermal stress in cold temperatures while maintaining high cooling efficiency when needed.
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
The system effectively reduces thermal stress on radiator components by selectively closing off individual cores in cold conditions, thereby delaying fatigue cracking and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
radiator systems circulate a cooling fluid through internal passages of the internal combustion engine to absorb heat from metal of an engine block and then pass the cooling fluid through a radiator core where the cooling fluid can release the heat to the atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
pass the cooling fluid through a radiator core where the cooling fluid can release the heat to the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling cooling fluid flow through a radiator system having multiple radiator cores comprises flowing cooling fluid through the radiator system, the radiator system comprising a first radiator core and a second radiator core, sensing a first temperature of ambient air, comparing the first temperature to a first threshold temperature and reducing flow through the first radiator core if the first temperature is below the first threshold temperature. The first radiator core has a first valve, and the second radiator core can have a second valve. The first valve can be opened to allow for parallel flow of cooling fluid through the first radiator core and the second radiator core between an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold and closed to interrupt flow of cooing fluid through the first radiator core between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold.