Pusher Air Mover for Reversible Cooling System Debris Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural vehicle cooling systems face issues with debris plugging intake screens, leading to reduced cooling capacity and increased plugging risks due to cross-winds and high volumes of light debris during harvesting operations.
Innovation Solution
A pusher air mover is positioned between the screen area and heat exchangers to push clean air from the top of the vehicle downward, allowing a single pass of fresh airflow across each heat exchanger, and is reversible to remove debris, optimizing airflow direction based on temperature differences between heat exchanger inlets and outlets to determine when debris accumulation occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is drawn from the sides of the vehicle into the cooling package, then cooling capacity is provided, but intake screens become plugged with debris due to cross-winds and harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of drawing air in from the sides through screens that get plugged, the patent reverses the approach by using a pusher air mover to push air from the top of the vehicle downward through the cooling package. This inversion of airflow direction allows air to be pushed through the heat exchangers without requiring side intake screens that are susceptible to plugging from cross-winds and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal side-air-intake to vertical top-to-bottom airflow by positioning the pusher air mover at the top of the vehicle. This dimensional change in airflow path allows cleaner air to be pushed downward through the cooling package, avoiding the debris-prone side intake areas while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If stacked or multiple pass heat exchangers are used, then cooling capacity is increased, but the possibility of plugging intake screens significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by eliminating the need for side intake screens entirely through vertical top-to-bottom airflow. The pusher air mover pushes air directly over the stacked heat exchangers from the top, allowing multiple pass configurations to be used without increasing plugging risk, since there are no side screens exposed to cross-winds and debris.
3Reliability
If a pusher air mover is used to push air from the top of the vehicle, then cleaner air intake and lower intake airflow velocity are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher air mover serves multiple functions: it pushes clean air from the top downward through the cooling package during normal operation, and can be reversed to generate reverse airflow for removing accumulated debris from the heat exchangers. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by providing both cooling and self-cleaning capabilities in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover is made reversible, allowing it to dynamically change airflow direction based on operational needs. During normal cooling, it pushes air downward; during cleaning cycles, it reverses to pull air upward, removing debris. This dynamic capability resolves the complexity issue by providing adaptive functionality that improves overall system reliability.
4Reliability
If the air mover is reversed to remove debris, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cooling operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover operates in periodic cycles, alternating between forward cooling mode and reverse cleaning mode. During normal operation, it provides continuous cooling; at scheduled intervals or when debris accumulation is detected, it reverses to clean the heat exchangers. This periodic action balances cooling needs with maintenance requirements, minimizing interruption time while maintaining effectiveness.
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 plugging, and effectively removes debris from the cooling system, maintaining optimal airflow and preventing overheating by reversing airflow when temperature differences indicate debris restriction.
Implementation Method 1
A first temperature difference between an inlet and an outlet of a heat exchanger is determined when the airflow though the heat exchanger is substantially unrestricted
Implementation Method 2
A pusher air mover is positioned between the screen area and heat exchangers to push clean air from the top of the vehicle downward
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining when a cooling system for a work vehicle is restricted with debris. A first temperature difference between an inlet and an outlet of a heat exchanger is determined when the airflow though said heat exchanger is substantially unrestricted. When a subsequent temperature difference is less than the first temperature difference by a predetermined amount, the direction of the airflow is reversed to remove debris from the heat exchanger.