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Multiple plane recirculation fan control for a cooling package

  • US 10,450,939 B2
  • Filed: 04/28/2016
  • Issued: 10/22/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A multiplane fan cooling system for a vehicle having a plurality of heat exchangers to cool vehicle systems, the multiplane fan cooling system comprising:

  • a first plane;

    a first heat exchanger on the first plane;

    a first sensor that provides first temperature readings of a first vehicle system cooled by the first heat exchanger; and

    a second plane;

    a second heat exchanger on the second plane;

    a second sensor that provides second temperature readings of a second vehicle system cooled by the second heat exchanger;

    an intake plane;

    a shared air cavity bounded at least in part by the first plane, second plane and intake plane;

    a first fan on the first plane, the first fan configured to pull ambient air through the intake plane into the shared air cavity and move the ambient air across the first plane and the first heat exchanger when the first heat exchanger needs cooling;

    a second fan on the second plane, the second fan configured to pull ambient air through the intake plane into the shared air cavity and move the ambient air across the second plane and the second heat exchanger when the second heat exchanger needs cooling; and

    a controller configured to;

    activate the first fan when the first heat exchanger needs cooling;

    activate the second fan when the second heat exchanger needs cooling;

    activate the first fan to counteract air from being drawn into the shared air cavity through the first heat exchanger by the second fan;

    activate the second fan to counteract air from being drawn into the shared air cavity through the second heat exchanger by the first fan;

    control a speed of the first fan to counteract air from being drawn into the shared air cavity through the first heat exchanger by the second fan; and

    control a speed of the second fan to counteract air from being drawn into the shared air cavity through the second heat exchanger by the first fan;

    wherein the controller determines a first fan speed for the first fan based on the first sensor readings, determines a second fan speed for the second fan based on the second sensor readings, determines a first fan command for the first fan based on the first and second fan speeds, determines a second fan command for the second fan based on the first and second fan speeds;

    transmits the first fan command to the first fan and transmits the second fan command to the second fan.

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