Vertical airflow engine cooling system

• US 20050006048A1
• Filed: 07/11/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Vuk, Carl Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,051,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/221 Tractors
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2001/005 Cooling engine rooms
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2003/185 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/025 using two or more air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/046 with electrical pump drive
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/02 Intercooler
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2070/52 mounting heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/18 Arrangements or mounting of liquid-to-air heat-exchangers such arrangements on cylinders or cylinder heads F01P3/04; relative to vehicles B60K11/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/04 for electric generators

Abstract

A cooling system is provided for a non-rail off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor having an engine with a horizontally oriented rotation axis and a hood covering the engine. The cooling system includes an engine cooling radiator positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood and a fan unit with electric motor-driven fans blowing air upwardly through the radiator. The fan unit is positioned above the engine and between the engine and the radiator. An engine charge air cooler is also positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood, and a charge air cooler fan unit has electric motor-driven fans which blow air upwardly through the cooler. The hood has openings in its upper surface through which passes air blown by the radiator fan unit and the charge air cooler fan unit. This cooling system blows heated cooling air vertically upwardly, thus preventing the heated cooling air from being drawn back into the intakes of the cooling system and preventing heated air from being blown onto the exterior of the tractor cab.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a non-rail off-road vehicle having an engine with a horizontally oriented rotation axis and a hood covering the engine, the cooling system comprising:

an engine cooling radiator, at least a portion of which is positioned directly above the engine and between the engine and the hood; and

a fan unit for blowing air substantially upwardly through the radiator, the hood having an opening in an upper surface thereof through which passes air blown by the fan unit.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the fan unit is positioned below the radiator and between the engine and the radiator.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the fan unit comprises a plurality of fans positioned between the engine and the radiator.

4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the engine drives an electrical generator; and

the fan unit includes an electric fan motor powered by the generator.

5. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the vehicle includes a cab, and the fan unit blowing air upwardly and away from the cab.

6. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising:

an engine charge air cooler positioned behind the engine cooling radiator, above the engine and between the engine and the hood; and

a charge air cooler fan unit for blowing air upwardly through the cooler, the hood having a plurality of openings in an upper surface thereof through which passes air blown by the radiator fan unit and the charge air cooler fan unit.

7. A cooling system for a non-rail off-road vehicle having an engine with a horizontally oriented rotation axis, a cab and a hood forward of the cab and covering the engine, the cooling system comprising:

an engine cooling radiator positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood;

a radiator fan unit for blowing air upwardly through the radiator;

an engine charge air cooler positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood and between the radiator and the cab;

a charge air cooler fan unit for blowing air upwardly through the cooler, the hood having a plurality of openings in an upper surface thereof through which passes air blown by the radiator fan unit and the charge air cooler fan unit.

8. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein:

the radiator fan unit is positioned below the radiator and between the engine and the radiator; and

the charge air cooler fan unit is positioned above the engine and between the engine and the charge air cooler.

9. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein:

the engine drives an electrical generator; and

both fan units include an electric fan motors powered by the generator.

10. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein:

the fan units blow air upwardly and away from the cab.

11. A cooling system for a non-rail off-road vehicle having an engine with a horizontally oriented rotation axis, a hood covering the engine and an engine-driven electrical generator, the cooling system comprising:

an engine cooling radiator positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood; and

a plurality of electric motor-driven fans powered by the generator and blowing air upwardly through the radiator, the hood having an opening in an upper surface thereof through which passes air blown by the fans.

12. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein:

the fans are positioned below the radiator and between the engine and the radiator.

13. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein:

the fan unit comprises a plurality of fans positioned between the engine and the radiator.

14. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein:

the vehicle includes a cab, and the fan unit blowing air upwardly and away from the cab.