Single Pump Engine Cooling System with Adaptive Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engine cooling systems with separate coolant loops and individual pumps are inefficient and costly due to increased complexity, size, and parasitic load, and lack the ability to adjust coolant flow based on changing engine conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a single coolant pump to control coolant flow in both engine and air cooler loops, with a flow control valve adjusting coolant flow based on engine speed, output, ambient temperature, or emissions conditions, allowing for adaptive cooling management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate individual pumps and fully-isolated loops are used for engine cooling and air cooler loops, then sufficient cooling capacity is provided under some operating conditions, but system space, cost, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the engine cooling loop and air cooler loop into a single integrated cooling system that shares a common coolant pump and coolant supply line. This consolidation reduces the number of pumps from two to one, decreases system complexity, and lowers cost while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for both the engine and air cooler through a unified coolant circulation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coolant pump in the integrated system serves multiple functions by providing coolant to both the engine cooling loop and the air cooler loop simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated pumps for each loop, reducing parasitic load and system complexity while ensuring both components receive necessary cooling.
2Reliability
If separate individual pumps are used for each coolant loop, then adequate cooling is provided, but parasitic load increases due to multiple engine-driven pumps
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the cooling functions into a single loop with one pump, the system eliminates the parasitic load associated with running multiple engine-driven pumps. The single pump creates less drag on the engine while still delivering sufficient cooling performance to both the engine and air cooler through optimized coolant flow distribution.
3Reliability
If fully-isolated coolant loops with dedicated pumps are used, then cooling requirements are met, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cooling system consolidates multiple separate components (pumps, hoses, control systems) into a single unified system. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs, installation expenses, and maintenance requirements while preserving the cooling effectiveness needed for both engine and air cooler operations.
4Device complexity
If a single coolant pump is used for both engine and air cooler loops, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to adjust coolant flow based on changing engine conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic flow control capabilities through variable geometry components such as adjustable throttles or electronic control valves that can modulate coolant flow distribution between the engine loop and air cooler loop in real-time. This allows the single pump system to adapt to varying engine conditions and cooling demands, maintaining optimal performance across different operating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in coolant flow rate, temperature, and pressure through controlled adjustment mechanisms. By varying these parameters dynamically based on engine load, speed, and ambient conditions, the single pump system achieves adaptable cooling performance that matches changing engine requirements without needing multiple dedicated pumps.
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 approach reduces system complexity, cost, and space requirements while improving cooling efficiency and emissions control by dynamically adjusting coolant flow according to varying operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
pumping the coolant in an air cooler loop that includes a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine cooling system includes pumping coolant in an engine cooling loop with a coolant pump, pumping the coolant in an air cooler loop that includes a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger with the coolant pump, and receiving a condition signal indicative of at least one condition associated with the internal combustion engine. The method also includes, based on the condition signal, adjusting a position of a flow control valve to modify a flow of coolant to the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger.