Utility Vehicle Powertrain Cooling for Boosted Air Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle powertrain systems face challenges in efficiently managing the temperature of pre-combustion air compressed by forced-air inducers, such as superchargers or turbochargers, which can lead to increased engine temperature and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle powertrain assembly with a cooling assembly that includes a first cooling circuit to regulate engine temperature and a second cooling circuit to cool intake air, utilizing heat exchangers positioned strategically along the frame to effectively manage air and engine temperatures, along with a continuously variable transmission and shiftable transmission for optimized power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a forced-air inducer (supercharger or turbocharger) is used to compress pre-combustion air, then the power output of the powertrain assembly is increased, but the temperature of the intake air increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intercooler is introduced as an intermediary component between the forced-air inducer and the engine. The intercooler acts as a heat exchanger that removes excess heat from the compressed intake air, cooling it before it enters the engine. This mediator component resolves the temperature increase caused by air compression while preserving the power output benefits of the forced-air inducer.
2Power
If the intake air temperature is increased due to compression, then the density of the air decreases, but the power output requirement is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The intercooler changes the temperature parameter of the compressed air, cooling it down after compression. By reducing the temperature, the air density increases, allowing more oxygen molecules to enter the engine per intake stroke. This parameter change (temperature reduction) restores air density while maintaining the increased air pressure and volume provided by the forced-air inducer, thereby sustaining power output.
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 described configuration enhances powertrain efficiency by maintaining optimal temperatures for both the engine and intake air, improving power output and overall vehicle performance, particularly in off-road operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling circuit configured to alter a temperature of the engine
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling circuit configured to alter a temperature of intake air received within the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the ground-engaging members, and a powertrain assembly. The powertrain assembly includes an engine, a shiftable transmission, a continuously variable transmission, and a charger. Additionally, the utility vehicle may include a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to at least the engine and the charger.