Radial Fan Cooling System With Isolated Fluid Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for skid steer loaders face challenges in managing increased heat loads due to higher power requirements and emissions regulations, while being constrained by the compact engine compartment and limited airflow, making it difficult to efficiently cool the engine and operator compartment without increasing fan size or complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that includes a radial fan and two thermally isolated fluid flow paths within the engine compartment, where one path goes through an air-to-air aftercooler and the other through an air conditioner condenser, both fluidically coupled to the engine, allowing for efficient heat rejection and compact packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a relatively large fan is used to draw ambient air through the radiator and hydraulic oil cooler, then the heat rejection capacity is improved, but the device complexity and spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate fluid flow paths: a first fluid flow path for the radiator and a second fluid flow path for the hydraulic oil cooler. This segmentation allows each heat exchanger to be cooled independently, optimizing heat rejection efficiency without requiring a single large fan that would increase device complexity and spatial requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the engine is positioned at the rear of the machine, then the weight ratio balance and maneuverability are improved, but the engine compartment becomes cramped and airflow for cooling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes vertical stacking of heat exchangers within the confined engine compartment space. The radiator and hydraulic oil cooler are arranged in different vertical levels, effectively utilizing the third dimension (height) to accommodate multiple cooling components without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining the rear-mounted engine configuration for maneuverability while providing adequate cooling capacity.
3Temperature
If additional heat exchangers (air-to-air aftercooler, air conditioner condenser) are added to meet increased heat load requirements, then the heat rejection capacity is improved, but the device complexity and spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat exchangers (radiator, hydraulic oil cooler, air-to-air aftercooler, and air conditioner condenser) are integrated into a single compact cooling system assembly. The heat exchangers are positioned in close proximity and share common structural support and airflow pathways, combining multiple cooling functions into one unified package that meets increased heat load requirements without proportionally increasing device complexity or spatial requirements.
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 enables a compact cooling system with a high heat rejection capacity, effectively managing increased heat loads without the need for additional fans or remote configurations, thus maintaining a compact design while ensuring efficient engine and operator compartment cooling.
Implementation Method 1
Cooling systems for existing designs must use a relatively large fan to draw ambient air through a radiator and hydraulic oil cooler
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger being a radiator
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger being a hydraulic oil cooler
Implementation Method 4
air-to-air aftercoolers or other types of heat exchangers may be used to cool incoming turbocharged air
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a machine is provided. The machine has an operator compartment, a front end, and an engine cooled by a first heat exchanger and mounted within an engine compartment. The engine compartment is positioned behind the operator compartment in relation to the front end. A fan is mounted within the engine compartment and has an inlet and a first and a second outlet. A second heat exchanger is fluidically coupled to the fan and the engine and mounted within the engine compartment. A first fluid flow path extends from ambient to the inlet. A second fluid flow path extends from the first outlet to ambient and extends through the second heat exchanger. A third fluid flow path extends from the second outlet to ambient and extends through the first heat exchanger, and is thermally isolated from the second fluid flow path.