Ram Air Shutter Control for Vehicle Cooling Hot Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems in vehicles face reduced cooling performance due to hot spots created by increased ram air flow velocity, leading to decreased engine performance and increased CO2 emissions, with existing ram air shutter assemblies being inefficient over time and lacking effective control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing sensors to measure ram air flow velocity and temperature, with an actuator controlling a shutter mechanism to adjust its position and angle based on these measurements, ensuring optimal airflow and reducing hot spots, thereby enhancing cooling performance, fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle speed increases, then the ram air flow velocity increases, but hot spots are created on the fan shroud area reducing cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is made dynamically adjustable between closed and open positions based on real-time ram air flow velocity measurements. The actuator system allows the shutter to adapt its position continuously according to operating conditions, optimizing cooling performance across varying vehicle speeds while preventing hot spot formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow resistance parameter by adjusting the shutter position in response to varying ram air velocity. At low velocities, the shutter remains closed to maintain adequate airflow resistance. When velocity exceeds the threshold, the shutter opens to reduce resistance and allow increased airflow, thereby preventing hot spots while maintaining cooling efficiency across different operating conditions.
2Temperature
If a ram air shutter assembly is added to control hot spots, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is designed to operate autonomously using the ram air flow itself as the actuating force. When ram air velocity exceeds the threshold, the flow dynamically opens the shutter without requiring external power or complex control systems. This self-service approach improves cooling performance while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for motors, sensors, and control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential control function from complex automated systems and implements it through a simple dynamic pressure-actuated mechanism. By removing the need for actuators, sensors, and control units, the solution achieves hot spot prevention through a minimalistic shutter design that relies on natural aerodynamic forces.
3Ease of operation
If automated actuation closure device is used, then shutter control is improved, but reliability decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism operates autonomously using the ram air flow itself as the actuating force. When ram air velocity exceeds the threshold, the flow dynamically opens the shutter without requiring external power or complex control systems. This self-service approach improves cooling performance while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for motors, sensors, and control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential control function from complex automated systems and implements it through a simple dynamic pressure-actuated mechanism. By removing the need for actuators, sensors, and control units, the solution achieves hot spot prevention through a minimalistic shutter design that relies on natural aerodynamic forces.
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 solution improves cooling system performance, reduces fuel consumption, and decreases CO2 emissions by dynamically controlling the shutter mechanism based on real-time velocity and temperature data, providing better monitoring and adjustment of airflow.
Implementation Method 1
a velocity sensor configured to measure a velocity of the ram air flow
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the ram air flow
Implementation Method 3
The shutter can be movable by the interaction of ram air due to dynamic pressure effects
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system for a vehicle, the cooling system comprising a cooling fan comprising a ram air turbine disposed in an aperture of a fan shroud, the fan shroud comprising:an opening,a shutter mechanism movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening, and an open position in which it opens the opening so that a ram air flow can pass through the opening, wherein the fan shroud further comprises:a velocity sensor configured to measure ram air flow velocity,a temperature sensor configured to measure ram air flow temperature, andan actuator configured to move the shutter mechanism between the closed position and the open position based on measured ram air flow velocity and measured ram air flow temperature.