Passive Air Cooling via Radiator Fan Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charge air coolers for turbochargers are bulky and require significant space, material, and energy, limiting their efficiency and applicability in certain engine designs.
Innovation Solution
A passive cooling system using a cooling pipe positioned in a high-airflow region, often near the main cooling fan, to reduce the temperature of high-temperature, pressurized air from the turbocharger, which is integrated with a radiator and a fan to enhance heat dissipation without the need for additional energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional charge air cooler is used for turbocharger outlet, then the air temperature is reduced, but the system requires significant space, material, and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charge air cooling function with the existing radiator structure. The cooling system integrates the turbocharger outlet, cooling fins, and fan into a unified assembly where the radiator housing serves as the cooler housing, eliminating the need for a separate bulky cooler component
Solution Approach 2:
The fan serves multiple functions: it provides airflow for the radiator cooling and simultaneously drives the charge air cooling process. The same airflow path is used for both engine cooling and charge air cooling, making the system multi-functional and space-efficient
2Temperature
If a conventional charge air cooler is used for turbocharger outlet, then the air temperature is reduced, but significant material and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own operational resources to achieve cooling. The fan that operates during engine running provides airflow for cooling, and the hot air from the turbocharger outlet is directly utilized as the cooling target, eliminating the need for separate energy input dedicated solely to charge air cooling
3Temperature
If a conventional charge air cooler is used for turbocharger outlet, then the air temperature is reduced, but the system becomes bulky and limits efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the existing radiator assembly, creating a compact integrated unit that does not add significant volume to the engine bay, thereby preserving volumetric efficiency and overall system productivity
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 passive cooling system effectively reduces the temperature of the air without increasing space or material requirements, enhancing the volumetric efficiency of the engine by improving the air-fuel mixture density.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cooling fins extending from the housing in a direction transverse to the flow of the pressurized air through the housing
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of cooling fins extending from the housing in a direction transverse to the flow of the pressurized air through the housing
Implementation Method 3
positioned in a high-airflow region, often near the main cooling fan, to reduce the temperature of high-temperature, pressurized air from the turbocharger
Implementation Method 4
integrated with a radiator and a fan to enhance heat dissipation without the need for additional energy input
Data Source
AI summary
A passive cooling system includes a fan configured to generate an air flow path for a radiator, the air flow path extending from the fan to the radiator and a cooling pipe extended between a turbocharger and an intake manifold, the cooling path positioned in the air flow path between the fan and the radiator.