Abstract:
A cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A plurality of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. Mounting brackets protrude from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies. Each of the mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed thereon and a bore extending therethrough. A bracket member is associated with each of the plurality of mounting brackets that connects the mounting bracket to either the heat exchanger or to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit of co-pending, provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/732,866, filed on Nov. 2, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to cooling system assemblies in a motor vehicle, and in particular to fan assemblies which are connected to a radiator or condenser of a heat exchanger assembly.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     Cooling systems for motor vehicles typically include a heat exchanger through which a coolant flows after passing through parts of an engine. Air passes over or through portions of the heat exchanger to cool the coolant before it is re-circulated back into the engine. Many heat exchangers utilize fins to increase the surface area of the heat exchanger over which the air flows in order to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange from the coolant to the air.  
         [0006]     Fan assemblies are often used to help flow air across the heat exchanger. Due to various sizes of vehicles and their associated heat exchangers, the fan assemblies sometimes do not fit very easily it to the engine compartment adjacent the heat exchanger. Moreover, many times a single fan is used, leaving a large area of the heat exchanger without much assistance in air flow across the fins, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, many fan assemblies are manufactured in a manner that does not allow the fan assemblies to be used across various sizes of heat exchangers. For example, prior fan assemblies often included mounting mechanisms that were molded to fit a specific size of a fan with a particular size of heat exchanger.  
         [0007]     Prior fan assemblies are made so that one side is substantially flat and one side has the motor for the fan or impeller protruding beyond the fan screen. Therefore, in prior fan assemblies, the substantially flat side is the side that must be mounted against the heat exchanger. Sometimes this requires the wiring to be reversed in order to change the direction of rotation of the fan or impeller blades and thereby ensure that air is flowing across the heat exchanger in the proper direction. Such rewiring is necessary so that cool air from outside of the engine compartment is flows across the fins rather than hot air from inside of the engine compartment.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A plurality of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. Mounting brackets protrude from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies. Each of the mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed thereon and a bore extending therethrough. A bracket member is associated with each of the plurality of mounting brackets. The bracket member connects the mounting bracket to either the heat exchanger or to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly.  
         [0009]     When the bracket member connects the mounting bracket to the heat exchanger, the bracket member can include a support bracket that is positioned adjacent an edge of the heat exchanger. The support bracket can be L-shaped so that the support bracket engages at least two sides of the heat exchanger and can have a slot for receiving a threaded fastener to secure the support bracket to the heat exchanger. The support bracket can have a mating set of ratchet grooves for engaging the ratchet grooves of the mounting bracket.  
         [0010]     When the bracket member connects the mounting bracket to the heat exchanger, the bracket member can be a strap down bracket that has a mating set of ratchet grooves for engaging the ratchet grooves of the mounting bracket. The strap down bracket can be adapted to receive an adjustable strap extending through the heat exchanger to secure the strap down bracket to the heat exchanger.  
         [0011]     When the bracket member connects the mounting bracket to the heat exchanger, the bracket member can have a support bracket with a set of ratchet grooves that is positioned adjacent an edge of the heat exchanger, and an extension bracket connecting the support bracket to the mounting bracket. The extension bracket can have a pair of sets of ratchet grooves located at opposite end portions of the extension bracket. The extension bracket can have a predetermined length such that the extension bracket extends from the mounting bracket at an angle and the sets of ratchet grooves provide resistance to the fan assemblies moving out of position relative to the heat exchanger due to gravitational forces.  
         [0012]     When the bracket member connects the mounting bracket to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly, the bracket member can have a joining bracket. The joining bracket can include a pair of joining stabs. Each of the joining stabs stab into the bore of one of the mounting brackets adjacent a mounting bracket associated with the other fan assembly.  
         [0013]     In the cooling system assembly, the fan assemblies can be scaleable in size such that a distance measured across both fans assemblies is less than or equal to the length of the heat exchanger. The mounting brackets can be positioned such that a distance between adjacent mounting brackets associated with the adjacent fan assemblies is substantially the same regardless of the size of the adjacent fan assemblies.  
         [0014]     In the cooling system assembly, the fan assemblies can be scaleable in size such that the width of the heat exchanger is greater than or equal to the circumference of each of the fans assemblies  
         [0015]     In the cooling system assembly, each of the fan assemblies can have a fan housing with a substantially circular sidewall and a substantially flat rear screen. Each of the fan assemblies can also have an impeller blade and motor assembly that connects to the rear screen. Each of the fan assemblies can also have a substantially flat front screen that attaches to the fan housing. The impeller blade and motor assembly can be free of any portion extending out of the fan housing beyond the front screen, such that the fan assembly can be mounted to the either a front side or a rear side of the heat exchanger and force air across the fins of the heat exchanger.  
         [0016]     In the cooling system assembly, the impeller blade of each fan assembly can rotate in a single direction when operating such that the fan assemblies either push air across the heat exchanger or pull air across the heat exchanger. Whether the air is being pushed or pulled across the heat exchanger is dependent upon which side of the heat exchanger the fan assemblies are positioned.  
         [0017]     In another aspect of the invention, a cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A pair of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. A first mounting bracket protrudes from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies. Each of the first mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed on its outer surface. A mounting assembly associated with each of the first mounting brackets connects the first mounting bracket to the heat exchanger. The mounting assembly has a mating set of ratchet grooves that engage the ratchet grooves of the first mounting bracket associated therewith. A second mounting bracket protrudes from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies, and is positioned such that the second mounting bracket associated with one of the pair of fan assemblies is adjacent the second mounting bracket of the other of the pair of fan assemblies. Each of the second mounting brackets has a bore formed therethrough. A coupling assembly connects the second mounting brackets positioned adjacent each other.  
         [0018]     In the cooling system assembly, the mounting assembly can have a support bracket that is positioned adjacent an edge of the heat exchanger. The support bracket can be L-shaped so that the support bracket engages at least two sides of the heat exchanger, and can have a slot for receiving a threaded fastener to secure the support bracket to the heat exchanger. The mounting assembly can also include an extension bracket connecting the support bracket to the first mounting bracket. The extension bracket can have a pair of sets of ratchet grooves located at opposite end portions of the extension bracket. The extension bracket can have a predetermined length such that the extension bracket extends from the first mounting bracket at an angle, and the sets of ratchet grooves provide resistance to the fan assemblies moving out of position relative to the heat exchanger due to gravitational forces. There can also be a plurality of extension brackets having the predetermined length. Each comprising a pair of sets of ratchet grooves that are located at opposite end portions thereof so that the plurality of extension brackets connect the first mounting bracket with the support bracket, with each of the sets of ratchet grooves providing resistance to the fan assemblies moving out of position relative to the heat exchanger due to gravitational forces.  
         [0019]     In the cooling system assembly, the mounting assembly can include a strap down bracket that is adapted to receive an adjustable strap extending through the heat exchanger, in order to secure the strap down bracket to the heat exchanger.  
         [0020]     In the cooling system assembly, the coupling assembly can have a joining bracket. The joining bracket can have a pair of spaced-apart joining stabs that stab into the bores of the adjacent second mounting brackets. The joining bracket can also include a ratchet end that has a set of ratchet grooves formed on its outer surface, and the coupling assembly can also have another mounting assembly that connects the joining bracket to the heat exchanger. The additional mounting assembly can have a mating set of ratchet grooves that engage the ratchet grooves of the ratchet end.  
         [0021]     In yet another aspect of the invention, a cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A plurality of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. Each of the plurality of fan assemblies include a fan housing having a substantially circular sidewall and a substantially flat rear screen. Each of the plurality of fan assemblies also have an impeller blade and motor assembly that connects to the rear screen. Each of the plurality of fan assemblies also include a substantially flat front screen that attaches to the fan housing. Each of the plurality of fan assemblies also have a plurality of mounting brackets protruding from a periphery of each of the fan housings. Each of the mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed thereon and a bore extending therethrough. The cooling system also includes a bracket member associated with each of the plurality of mounting brackets. The bracket member connects the mounting bracket to either the heat exchanger or to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly. The impeller blade and motor assembly is free of any portion extending out of the fan housing beyond the front screen, such that the fan assembly can be mounted to the either a front side or a rear side of the heat exchanger and force air across the fins of the heat exchanger. The impeller blade of each fan assembly rotates in a single direction when operating such that the fan assemblies either push air across the heat exchanger or pull air across the heat exchanger, depending upon which side of the heat exchanger the fan assemblies are positioned.  
         [0022]     In the cooling system assembly, the fan assemblies can be scaleable in size such that a distance measured across both fans assemblies is less than or equal to the length of the heat exchanger. The mounting brackets can also be positioned such that a distance between adjacent mounting brackets associated with the adjacent fan assemblies is substantially the same regardless of the size of the adjacent fan assemblies.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly having a radiator and a fan assembly attached thereto in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a heat exchanger assembly having a radiator and the fan housings of the fan assembly of  FIG. 1  attached thereto in an alternate manner in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is front view of one of the fan housings of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view along line  4 - 4  of the fan housing of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is front view of one of the impeller blade and motor assemblies of the fan assemblies of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is rear view of the impeller blade and motor assemblies of the fan assemblies of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is side view of the impeller blade and motor assemblies of the fan assemblies of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is front view of a cover screen for one of the fan housings of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is side view of the cover screen for one of the fan housings of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a connection bracket of the connector assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view along line  11 - 11  of the connection bracket of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the connector assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view along line  13 - 13  of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternate mounting bracket of the connector assemblies shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view along line  15 - 15  of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a joining bracket of the coupling assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view along line  17 - 17  of the joining bracket of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a joining shroud of the coupling assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 19A-19C  are perspective views a plurality of mounting brackets of  FIG. 1  that are formed with the connector brackets of  FIG. 10  and the mounting brackets of  FIGS. 12 and 14 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view along line  20 - 20  of the joining shroud of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 21A-21C  are front views of a plurality of fan assembly arrangements that are formed with the fan assemblies, mounting assemblies, and joining assemblies of  FIG. 1 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fan assembly  11  is shown connected to a heat exchanger or radiator  13 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of fan assemblies  11  are connected to a side of radiator  13 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, radiator  13  is typically a heat exchanger used with automobiles for helping to cool a coolant that is communicated throughout the automobile&#39;s engine by creating air flow across the fins of radiator  13 . As is also readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, fan assemblies  11  are sometimes positioned adjacent the side of radiator  13  so the fan assemblies  11  blow air across the fins of radiator  13 , and fan assemblies  11  are sometimes positioned on the opposite side of radiator  13  so that fan assemblies  11  pull air across the fins of radiator  13 . As will be shown herein, fan assemblies  11  can be positioned on either side of radiator  13  and the actual position of fan assemblies  11  in use is a function of the operator&#39;s desired purpose.  
         [0045]     A plurality of mounting assemblies  15  connect each fan assembly  11  to the side of radiator  13 . In one embodiment, mounting assemblies  15  extend from an outer portion of each fan assembly  11  to an outer edge of radiator  13 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , an alternative mounting assembly  15 ′ can also be used to attach fan assembly  11  to radiator  13 . Mounting assembly  15 ′ utilizes such items known in the art as tie straps or ratchet straps that extend from mounting assembly  15 ′ through the fins of radiator  13  to the opposite side of radiator  13  to attach fan assembly  11  to radiator  13 . Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in assemblies in which a pair of fan assemblies  11  are positioned adjacent to each other, a coupling assembly  17  helps hold each fan assembly  11  relative to each other. In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mounting assembly  15  extends from the upper coupling assembly  17  to help attach fan assemblies  11  to radiator  13 . As is also shown in the arrangements in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , coupling  17  does not require a mounting assembly  15  to extend therefrom.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , each fan assembly  11  comprises a fan housing  21  that houses and encloses the fan and motor assembly selectively pushing or pulling air across the fins of radiator  13 . Fan housing  21  preferably includes an inlet screen  23  positioned within an outer casing  25 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , inlet screen  23  is positioned adjacent the fins of radiator  13 . However, when fan assemblies  11  are positioned on the opposite side of radiator  13 , inlet screen  23  is positioned away from the fins of radiator  13 . Outer casing  25  extends substantially perpendicular to inlet screen  23  away from the fins of radiator  13  and defines the operational width of fan assembly  11 . A plurality of mounting brackets  27  are integrally formed at intermittent locations around the circumference of outer casing  25 . Each mounting assembly  15  connects to mounting bracket  27  in order to attach each fan assembly  11  to radiator  13 .  
         [0047]     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , each mounting bracket  27  is substantially cylindrically shaped with an axis extending substantially parallel to the central axis of fan housing  21 . In the preferred embodiment, each mounting bracket  27  includes an inner opening  31  and an outer opening  33 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , inner opening  31  is positioned adjacent radiator  13  in the same manner as inlet screen  23 , while outer opening  33  is formed on the end of mounting bracket  27  extending away from the fins of radiator  13 . A central passage  35  extends between inner and outer openings  31 ,  33 . Central passage  35  provides a passageway for a bolt or threaded fastener ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to securely fasten mounting bracket  27  with mounting assembly  15 . In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of ratchet mounting grooves  37  are formed within each of inner and outer openings  31 ,  33  for engagement with mounting assemblies  15 . An intermediate bore  38  is preferably formed between inner opening  31  and central passageway  35  and between outer opening  33  and central passage  35 . In the preferred embodiment, inner and outer openings  31 ,  33  have a larger diameter than intermediate bore  38 , and intermediate bore  38  has a larger diameter than central passage  35 .  
         [0048]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the fan housing  21  preferably includes a plurality of cover slots  39  formed intermittently around the outer circumference of outer casing  25 .  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , a fan blade and motor assembly  41  of fan assembly  11  is shown. Fan blade and motor assembly  41  preferably includes a plurality of fan blades  43  extending from a central hub  45  to an outer ring  47 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, fan blades  43  are designed and positioned so that air is drawn across the fins of radiator  13  by the rotation of fan blades  43 . A motor drive unit  49  is preferably positioned at a radially inward portion of fan blade and motor assembly  41  for rotating fan blades  43 . Motor drive unit  49  preferably includes an electrical motor that can be provided electricity from the electrical system of the vehicle or automobile into which radiator  13  and fan assemblies  11  are positioned. As best shown in  FIG. 7 , fan blade and motor assembly  41  advantageously has a narrow width so that the entirety of fan blade and motor assembly  41  are housed within the width of fan housing  21  as defined by outer casing  25 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each fan housing  21  of fan assemblies  11  preferably includes an outlet screen  51  that is positioned opposite inlet screen  23 . In the preferred embodiment, outlet screen  51  is a separate housing member that attaches to outer casing  25  opposite from inlet screen  23 . Outlet screen  51  preferably includes a plurality of circumferentially extending screen members  53  positioned at incrementally increasing positions from the radial center of outlet screen  51  to the outer circumference of outer screen  51 . In the preferred embodiment, outlet screen  51  comprises a plurality of connector members  55  intermittently spaced around the outer circumference of outlet screen  51 . Connector members  55  correspond to mounting slots  39  formed in outer casing  25 . An inward facing shoulder  57  is formed on each connector member  55  for engagement with slots  39  to attach outlet screen  51  to outer casing  25 .  
         [0051]     Fan assembly  11  allows the user to install fan housing  21  on either side of radiator  13  with either outlet screen  51  or inlet screen  23  juxtaposed with the fins of radiator  13 . Depending upon which screen  23 , 51  is positioned adjacent radiator  13  will determine whether fan assembly  11  is pulling or pushing air across the fins of radiator  13 . Fan assembly  11  also allows operator to install the fan assembly within the automobile housing radiator  13  in a substantially uniform manner such that electrical connections do not have to be reversed in order to control the direction of rotation of fan blades  43 . Rather, fan blades  43  rotate in the same direction no matter which side of radiator  13  fan assembly  11  is mounted. Mounting bracket  27  also allows for mounting on either side of radiator  13  due to having both inner and outer openings  31 ,  33  to engage mounting assemblies  15  on either side of radiator  13 .  
         [0052]     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mounting assemblies  15  are shown connecting fan assemblies  11  to radiator  13 . In the preferred embodiment, mounting assemblies  15  comprise a plurality of inner connecting linkages extending from mounting bracket  27  of fan housing  21 . Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an extension bracket  61  of mounting assembly  15  is shown. Extension bracket  61  provides an adjustable linkage that connects directly to mounting bracket  27  of fan housing  21 . Extension bracket  61  comprises a stab end  63  with ratchet grooves  65  for engagement with ratchet mounting grooves  37  of one of inner or outer openings  31 ,  33  of mounting bracket  27 . Ratchet grooves  65  engage ratchet mounting grooves  37  of mounting bracket  27  in a frictional manner such that extension bracket  61  does not rotate about mounting bracket  27 . Extension bracket  61  also preferably includes a receptacle end  67  having ratchet grooves  69  formed within. Ratchet grooves  69  engage a stab end of another member of mounting assembly  15 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of connection brackets  61  can be interconnected to extend from mounting bracket  27  toward an edge of radiator  13  for connecting fan assembly  11  to radiator  13 .  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a mounting bracket  71  can be used as part of mounting assembly  15  for attaching fan assembly  11  with radiator  13 . Mounting bracket  71  preferably includes a stab end  73  having ratchet grooves  75  that stab into and engage ratchet grooves  69 ,  37  within a receptacle end  67  or one of inner or outer openings  31 ,  33 . Mounting bracket  71  also preferably includes a right angle mount  77  that extends over and onto an edge of radiator  13 . Mounting bracket  71  also preferably includes a mounting slot  79  for receiving a threaded fastener ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to securely fasten mounting bracket  71  to radiator  13 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of extension brackets  61  and mounting brackets  71  can be utilized in a number of combinations to extend the required length from mounting bracket  27  of fan housing  21  to securely fasten fan assembly  11  to an edge of radiator  13 .  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a strap down mounting bracket  81  is illustrated. Strap down mounting bracket  81  provides the operator with a member for connecting mounting assembly  15  to radiator  13  without having to extend mounting assembly  15  to the edge of radiator  13 . An example of strap down mounting bracket  81  is shown in  FIG. 1  with mounting assembly  15 ′. In the preferred embodiment, strap down mounting bracket  81  comprises a stab end  83  having a plurality of ratchet grooves extending therefrom. Stab end  83  and ratchet grooves  85  are designed in a similar manner to stab end  73  and ratchet groove  75  of mounting bracket  71  to stab into a receptacle end of either extension bracket  61  or mounting bracket  27 . Strap down mounting bracket  81  also preferably comprises a strap down mount  87  integrally formed adjacent stab end  83  with a strap down slot  89 . Strap down mount  87  provides a base mount for securing strap down mounting bracket  81  relative to radiator  13  with a tie strap or ratchet strap that can slide through radiator  13  and attach to the opposite side of radiator fins from the side fan assembly  11  as connected thereto.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIGS. 19A-19C , those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that extension bracket  61 , mounting bracket  71  and strap down mounting bracket  81  can be combined in various combinations to provide a variety of options for mounting fan assembly  11  to radiator  13 . As is also best shown in  FIGS. 19A-19C , when a desired combination of extension brackets  61 , mounting brackets  71 , and strap down mounting brackets  81  is obtained, a threaded fastener can be inserted through receptacle ends to securely connect brackets  61 ,  71 , and  81  with each other so that the ratchet grooves do not slide relative to each other.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 16 , and  17 , coupling assembly  17  preferably includes a joining bracket  91  for connecting a pair of mounting brackets  27  of two adjacent fan assemblies  11 . Joining brackets  91  comprise a receptacle end  93  having a plurality of ratchet grooves  95  formed thereon. Ratchet grooves  95  can be used to engage a receptacle end  67  of extension bracket  61 . Joining bracket  91  also preferably includes a stab end  97  having a plurality of joining stabs  99  positioned adjacent to each other. Joining stabs  99  are preferably positioned such that each joining stab  99  can stab into inner or outer openings  31 ,  33  of two adjacent mounting brackets  27 . Joining bracket  91  secures a pair of fan assemblies  11  relative to each other. Through the use of joining brackets  91 , strap down mounting brackets  81 , mounting brackets  71 , and extension brackets  61 , a plurality of combinations of fan assemblies  11  can be used adjacent each other. Various combinations of different sizes of fan assemblies  11  that can be mounted to radiator  13  are shown in  FIGS. 21A-21D . As is also shown in  FIGS. 19A-19C , regardless of which combination of different sizes are used, the mounting brackets  27  positioned adjacent each other for connection with joining brackets  91  are a common length L apart, such that joining bracket  91  can have a uniform size for use with various sizes and combinations of fan assemblies  11 .  
         [0057]     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a joining shroud  101  of coupling assembly  17  is illustrated. Joining shroud  101  advantageously closes the other of inner or outer openings  31 ,  33  that joining stabs  99  did not engage. Joining shroud  101  preferably includes a pair of shroud stabs  103  for insertion into the other of inner and outer openings  31 ,  33  that were not engaged by joining stab  99  of joining bracket  91 . In the preferred embodiment, joining stab  99  stabs into one of inner or outer openings  31 ,  33  of a pair of adjacent mounting brackets  27  and engages intermediate bore  38  of each mounting bracket  27 . As is best shown in  FIG. 1 , joining bracket  91  can optionally be utilized with mounting bracket  15  having a combination of extension brackets  61 , mounting brackets  71 , or strap down mounting brackets  81 .  
         [0058]     The description and figures are merely illustrative of various embodiments. While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.