Cooling package baffle or ducting

An air flow system is disclosed. The system is for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, a cover, and a compartment baffle separating an engine compartment from a cooling compartment. The system includes a side air intake including a side air intake baffle. The side air intake baffle configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger. In another embodiment, the system includes a side air duct. The side air duct includes a side air duct, wherein the side air duct tubing is at least partially located within the engine compartment. The side air duct tubing is configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger.

FIELD

This disclosure pertains to separate cooling systems for motor vehicles, and more specifically to a side screen air inlet and a passageway for directing ambient cooling air to a radiator and/or oil cooler.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as construction and forestry equipment, typically enclose an engine, cooling system and other vehicle components. Such vehicles commonly utilize liquid cooled internal combustion engines which generate heat during their operation. Liquid-cooled engines employ pressurized coolant circulated through the engine to absorb heat. The heated coolant is subsequently passed through a heat exchanger such as a radiator to dissipate heat from the coolant to the atmosphere, after which the coolant is recirculated to the engine for further engine cooling. As the coolant is passed through the heat exchanger, air flows through the heat exchanger to absorb heat and carry it out into the atmosphere. Air is commonly drawn or propelled through the radiator and/or oil cooler by use of a fan. Vehicles also may include a baffle to prevent the air supply from being heated by the engine as the air is drawn to and passed through the radiator and/or oil cooler.

The capacity of a cooling system in such a vehicle depends on many factors including the velocity and volume of air flowing through the heat exchanger, as well as the distribution of the air flow over the available heat exchange surface of the radiator and/or oil cooler. These vehicles may be used in construction, forestry or other dirty environments with high levels of airborne particulate matter, so the air used to cool the radiator is frequently contaminated with dust, dirt and similar debris. Typically, such vehicles will include grilles or screens over their air intakes to reduce debris present in the cooling air while allowing the air to pass into the area enclosed by the hood to cool the engine by interaction with the radiator and/or oil cooler. However, debris may accumulate on and around the outer surface of the grille or screen, clogging the intake and restricting the air flow. In these vehicles, debris tends to build up rapidly and accumulate first on those areas of a grille or screen where air flows at the highest velocity. Air velocity at some areas of a grille or screen may be substantially higher than the velocity at other areas. Areas of the grille or screen that are relatively close to the air inlet side of the radiator and/or oil cooler may have air flow velocities several times higher than areas further away from the air inlet side of the radiator and/or oil cooler. For example, the air velocity may be as high as 20,000 mm/second at air intake openings near the air inlet side of the radiator and/or oil cooler, and less than 1000 mm/second at air intake openings furthest from the radiator. Areas of the grille or screen that provide air flow to relatively larger areas of the radiator and/or oil cooler may also have air flow velocities several times higher than areas that provide air flow to relatively smaller areas of the radiator and/or oil cooler. For example, the air velocity may be as high as 20,000 mm/second at air intake openings servicing larger sections of the radiator and/or oil cooler, and less than 1000 mm/second at air intake openings servicing smaller sections of the radiator and/or oil cooler.

If enough debris accumulates to block the portion of the grille or screen with the highest air velocity, the effective air intake area is reduced. As a result, the vehicle's engine may not be cooled as efficiently or quietly.

A baffle structure is needed for such a vehicle that provides improved air flow efficiency. A baffle structure is needed that can provide a supply of cooling air to an engine for a construction or forestry vehicle or similar vehicle without the flow being interrupted or compromised due to blockages of the grille or screen caused by dust, dirt or similar debris. A baffle structure on a construction or forestry vehicle or similar vehicle is needed that can provide more uniform and even air flow velocity across different areas of a grille or screen. A baffle structure for a construction or forestry vehicle or similar vehicle is needed that includes an air intake that provides more uniform air flow while minimizing engine noise escaping from the engine compartment.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an air flow system is disclosed for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, and a cover, wherein the cover defines an engine compartment for the engine and a cooling compartment for the heat exchanger, and a baffle separating the engine compartment and the cooling compartment, the baffle separating air heated by the engine from ambient air used with the heat exchanger. The air flow system comprises a fan located in the cooling compartment, the fan configured to draw ambient air over the heat exchanger, a side air intake configured to intake ambient air, the side air intake including a side air intake frame defining a side air intake opening, the side air intake including a screen located within the side air intake opening, the screen configured to inhibit debris from entering the cooling compartment, the side air intake including a side air intake baffle coupled to the side air intake frame, the side air intake baffle configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger, the cover defining a side air opening, the side air opening being located along at least one side of the engine compartment, the side air intake frame being located within the side air opening, the side air intake opening and the side air opening in fluid communication with ambient air and the cooling compartment.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an air flow system is disclosed for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, a cover, wherein the cover defines an engine compartment for the engine and a cooling compartment for the heat exchanger, and a compartment baffle separating the engine compartment and the cooling compartment, the compartment baffle separating air heated by the engine from ambient air used with the heat exchanger. The air flow system comprises a fan located in the cooling compartment, the fan configured to draw ambient air over the heat exchanger, a side air intake configured to intake ambient air, the side air intake including a side air intake frame defining a side air intake opening, the side air intake including a screen located within the side air intake opening, the screen configured to inhibit debris from entering the cooling compartment, the side air intake including a side air intake baffle coupled to the side air intake frame, the side air intake baffle configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger, and the side air intake frame being located within a side air opening defined by the cover, the side air intake opening and the side air opening in fluid communication with ambient air and the cooling compartment.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an air flow system is disclosed for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, a cover, wherein the cover defines an engine compartment for the engine and a cooling compartment for the heat exchanger, and a compartment baffle separating the engine compartment and the cooling compartment, the compartment baffle separating air heated by the engine from ambient air used with the heat exchanger. The air flow system comprises a fan located in the cooling compartment, the fan configured to draw ambient air over the heat exchanger, at least a portion of the heat exchanger being located lower than the lowest portion of the engine, a side air duct including a side air duct frame, the side air duct frame located within the engine compartment, the side air duct frame defining a side air duct opening, the side air duct including a screen located within the side air duct opening, the screen configured to inhibit debris from entering the cooling compartment, the side air duct including a side air duct tubing coupled to the side air duct frame, the side air duct tubing is at least partially located within the engine compartment, the side air duct tubing configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger, and the side air duct being configured to intake ambient air, the side air duct opening and the side air duct tubing in fluid communication with ambient air and the cooling compartment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, vehicle10, such as construction equipment10including crawler dozer10is shown. Vehicle10includes, among other things, vehicle frame12, cover14, floor15, drive system16, and cooling system18supported by vehicle frame12. Cover14and floor15define engine compartment20which encloses engine22, such as an internal combustion engine. Portions of drive system16may be included within engine compartment20. Cover14and floor15also define cooling compartment24which includes multiple components of cooling system18such as heat exchangers26, and fan28. Cover14also provides a location for compartment baffle30which separates engine compartment20from cooling compartment24. Compartment baffle30is designed to inhibit air heated by engine22in engine compartment20from heating ambient air used in cooling compartment24.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, ambient air is drawn into air intakes located on top32and sides34of cover14. Ambient air is drawn over heat exchangers26by use of fan28. Fan28expels heated ambient air out of grille36. In this configuration, compartment baffle30limits the amount of ambient air available on the side of cooling compartment24as opposed to ambient air adjacent (i.e. adjoining or next to) to engine compartment20. Compartment baffle30also limits the amount of ambient air which has not been preheated by engine22. Furthermore, the amount of ambient air is also limited by the direction of air flow needed to draw ambient air across heat exchangers26before expelling heated ambient air out of grille36.

In addition to maximizing the amount of ambient air provided by top32of cover14, vehicle10also includes side air intakes40located on cover14. Some side air intakes40are located on cooling compartment24side of compartment baffle30. In this configuration, ambient air is drawn in on cooling compartment24side of compartment baffle30. Compartment baffle30inhibits preheating of this ambient air by engine22.

In some embodiments, there is insufficient space for air intake located on top32of cover14and side34of cover14adjacent to cooling compartment24side of compartment baffle30. Insufficient surface area for air intake leads to problems such as excessive air flow velocity. With the use of screens42on air intakes, debris can tend to build up rapidly and accumulate on areas of screens42where air flow velocity is the highest. If enough debris accumulates to block portions of screen42with the highest air flow velocity, effective air intake is reduced. As a result, vehicle10may not be cooled as efficiently or quietly.

Side air opening44may be at least partially located on at least one side of engine compartment20of cover14. Side air opening44may have portions located on both cooling compartment24side of cover14and engine compartment20side of cover14. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, side air opening44may traverse compartment baffle30. Compartment baffle30may either intersect or bisect side air opening44.

Side air opening44may be located adjacent to, at the same height, or below engine22. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of side air opening44may be located lower than the lowest portion of engine22. In another exemplary embodiment, the highest point of Side air opening44may be located lower than the highest portion of engine22. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the highest point of Side air opening44may be located at or below the mid-point height of engine22. The location of side air opening44assists in providing air flow to the lower portions of heat exchanger26. The location of side air opening44also assists in minimizing the amount of air heated by engine22which is inhibited by compartment baffle30from mixing with ambient air used in cooling system18.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, side air opening44is shown as a polygon. Side air opening44may take several shapes. Side air opening44may be reduced or stepped down in surface area as side air opening44progresses from the side closest to heat exchanger26to the side furthest from heat exchanger26. Engine compartment portions46of side air opening44further from heat exchanger26have at least one dimension that is smaller than cooler compartment portions48of side air opening44closer to heat exchanger26.

The largest surface area of side air opening44may be located closest to heat exchanger26and the smallest surface area of side air opening44may be located the furthest from heat exchanger26. In one exemplary embodiment, cooler compartment portions48may have dimensions of approximately 340 millimeters by approximately 535 millimeters and a surface area of approximately 2*105millimeters2. In one exemplary embodiment, engine compartment portions46may have dimensions of approximately 323 millimeters by approximately 310 millimeters and a surface area of approximately 1*105millimeters2. In this one exemplary embodiment, side air opening44increases surface area for ambient air flow by approximately 60%. In this one exemplary embodiment, air flow increases within the range of approximately 15% to approximately 25%.

As best illustrated inFIG. 3, side air intake40is shown according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Side air intake40is either partially or completely located on engine compartment20side of compartment baffle30. Side air intake40is designed to inhibit air heated by engine22located in engine compartment20from heating ambient air used in cooling system18located in cooling compartment24. Side air intake40is also designed to inhibit air heated by engine22located in engine compartment20from preheating ambient air used in cooling system18locating in cooling compartment24.

Side air intake40includes side air intake frame50and side air intake screen42. Side air intake frame50defines side air intake opening52. Side air intake screen42is located within side air intake opening52. Side air intake opening52is in fluid communication with ambient air, side air opening44, and cooling compartment24. Side air intake screen42is designed to block dust, dirt, or similar debris from entering cooling compartment24and cooling system18. Side air intake screen42is also configured to allow ambient air to pass into cooling compartment24and cooling system18.

Side air intake frame50is configured to fit within side air opening44as defined by cover14and vehicle frame12. Side air intake frame50is also configured to couple to cover14by use of any suitable form of fasteners54.

As previously mentioned, side air intake40also includes side air intake baffle56. As illustrated inFIGS. 2-4, side air intake baffle56is an integral component of side air intake40. It is envisioned that side air intake baffle56may be an additional component of side air intake40. It is also envisioned that side air intake baffle56may be an extension of compartment baffle30.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3-5, side air intake baffle56is configured to engage compartment baffle30. Side air intake baffle56may be coupled to or fastened to compartment baffle30. Additional components may be utilized to engage side air intake baffle56with compartment baffle30. Side air intake baffle56is also configured to engage vehicle frame12. As best illustrated inFIG. 5, side air intake baffle56may be coupled to or fastened to vehicle frame12. Alternatively, side air intake baffle56may closely align with or rest on vehicle frame12. Additional components may be utilized to engage side air intake baffle56with compartment baffle30.

In operation, side air intake baffle56is configured to inhibit preheating of ambient air used in cooling system18. Side air intake baffle56inhibits air heated by engine22from mixing with ambient air used in cooling system18.

As best illustrated inFIG. 4, air flow is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, air flow services all parts of heat exchanger26. Lower portion58of heat exchanger26is hidden behind vehicle frame12. As illustrated, the larger surface area of cooler compartment portion48of side air opening44and side air intake40is configured to provide increased air flow service to Lower portion58of heat exchanger26.

As best illustrated inFIG. 4, side air intake baffle56is shown to include rib60which is configured to abut notch62defined by compartment baffle30. It is also envisioned that rib60is sized and positioned to overlap compartment baffle30in order to aid inhibiting air heated by engine22from mixing with ambient air used in cooling system18located in cooling compartment24.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, an additional embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, several components are the same or similar to previously disclosed components. Only new or significantly different components are discussed in detail.

Side air duct70is shown to include side air duct frame72and side air duct tubing74. Side air duct frame72defines side air duct opening76. Side air duct tubing74is coupled to side air duct frame72. Side air duct70may include optional screen (not shown) designed to block dust, dirt, or similar debris from entering cooling compartment24and cooling system18. The optional screen is also configured to allow ambient air to pass into cooling compartment24and cooling system18. Cover14may also further define additional side air intake openings78located on cooling compartment24side of compartment baffle30.

At least a portion of side air duct frame72is located within engine compartment20. At least a portion of side air duct tubing74is also located within engine compartment20. At least a portion of side air duct tubing74either terminates at or traverses through compartment baffle30. Compartment baffle30may also define aperture80for side air duct tubing74.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.