Vehicle cooling system

• US 20060266309A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Lang, Mattias, Bering, Christopher A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,383,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/41.490
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/08 Arrangements of lubricant coolers in lubrication apparatus F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/10 Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air 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: F01P 5/06 Guiding or ducting air to, or from, ducted fans

Abstract

A cooling system is provided for a vehicle having an engine. The cooling system includes an engine cooling radiator positioned in front of the engine, a radiator fan for moving air through the radiator, a duct fro conducting air blown through the radiator, and a pair of subsystem heat exchangers, each with an electric motor driven fan. The duct has a forward opening inlet receiving warmed air from the radiator, a housing extending substantially upwardly from the inlet to an upwardly opening outlet. The heat exchangers are positioned higher than the radiator, and adjacent to and in front of the outlet of the duct. The radiator fan may be mounted in front of the radiator, or it may be mounted inside the duct outlet. An air cleaner unit may be positioned higher than and forward of the radiator and lower than the heat exchangers.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a vehicle having an engine, the cooling system comprising:

an engine cooling radiator positioned in front of the engine;

a radiator fan for moving air through the radiator;

a duct having a forward opening inlet receiving warmed air from the radiator, a housing extending substantially upwardly from the inlet to an upwardly opening outlet, the outlet being located rearwardly of the inlet, forward of the engine and higher than the engine; and

a first heat exchanger for cooling a subsystem of the vehicle, the first heat exchanger being positioned higher than the radiator, and adjacent to and in front of the outlet of the duct.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the radiator fan is received in a portion of the duct.

3. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein:

the radiator fan is received in the outlet of the duct.

4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the radiator fan is mounted in front of the radiator and blows air rearwardly through the radiator.

5. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

an air cleaner unit is connected to an air intake of the engine, and the air cleaner unit is positioned higher than the radiator and lower than the first heat exchanger.

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

a first air moving unit for blowing air upwardly through the first heat exchanger.

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

a second heat exchanger for cooling a second subsystem of the vehicle, said second heat exchanger being positioned adjacent to and in front of the first heat exchanger.

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

a second heat exchanger for cooling a second subsystem of the vehicle, said second heat exchanger being positioned adjacent to and in front of the first heat exchanger; and

a second air moving unit for blowing air through the second heat exchanger.

9. The cooling system of claim 8, wherein:

the first and second air moving units blow air upwardly through the respective first and second heat exchangers.

10. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein:

the air cleaner unit has a front end which is positioned forward of the inlet of the duct.

11. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

an air cleaner unit is connected to an air intake of the engine, and the air cleaner unit is positioned higher than the radiator and lower than the first heat exchanger;

the radiator fan is mounted in front of the radiator and blows air rearwardly through the radiator; and

the air cleaner unit has a front end which is positioned forward of a front end of the radiator fan.

12. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the first heat exchanger comprises a charge air cooler.

13. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the first heat exchanger comprises an oil cooler.