Variable Pitch Radiator Fan Control System

• US 20110303472A1
• Filed: 08/24/2011
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Robinson, James S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/06 by varying blade pitch
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/166 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/002 by varying geometry within the pumps, e.g. by adjusting vanes
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/362 during rotation

Abstract

A control system for a variable pitch radiator fan is disclosed. The control system is capable of varying the blade pitch of the radiator fan from a normal position to a full reverse position. The control system can change the blade pitch based on a number of factors, including vehicle speed. In systems with a plurality of fans, the control system is also capable of independently controlling the blade pitch of each of the fans. In systems with multiple fans, the control system can produce a circulation mode.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a passenger portion configured to receive at least one passenger;

an exterior surface;

a radiator disposed proximate the exterior surface, the radiator also being disposed between the exterior surface and a first fan and a second fan;

a power plant disposed proximate the radiator;

the first fan aligning with a first portion of the radiator and the second fan aligning with a second portion of the radiator;

a control system in communication with the first fan and the second fan;

wherein the control system is configured to vary the blade pitch of the first fan and is configured to also independently vary the blade pitch of the second fan; and

wherein, in a first mode, the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to a position whereby air is pushed towards the radiator from the first fan, and the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the second fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the second fan, thus creating a circulation air flow.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to receive vehicle speed information related to vehicle speed, and to use the vehicle speed information to control the blade pitch of the first fan to reverse an airflow direction and provide a flow of air from the radiator to the first fan as the vehicle speed increases.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensor; and

wherein the control system is configured to receive temperature information from the temperature sensor, and to use the temperature information to control the blade pitch of the first fan to provide a flow of air from the first fan to the radiator as the temperature within the vehicle increases.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor includes a coolant temperature sensor disposed proximate the radiator.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising:

an air temperature sensor disposed proximate the radiator; and

wherein the control system is configured to receive air temperature information from the air temperature sensor, and to use the air temperature information to control the blade pitch of the first fan to provide a flow of air from the first fan to the radiator as the air temperature within the vehicle increases.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control system is configured to use the temperature information to control the blade pitch of the first fan to reverse an airflow direction and provide a flow of air from the radiator to the first fan as the temperature within the vehicle decreases.

7. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a humidity sensor; and

wherein the control system is configured to receive humidity information from the humidity sensor, and to use the humidity information to control the blade pitch of the first fan to provide a flow of air from the first fan to the radiator as the humidity within the vehicle increases.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first fan and the second fan are disposed between the radiator and the power plant.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in a second mode, the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the first fan, and the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the second fan to a position whereby air is pushed toward the radiator from the second fan, thus reversing the circulation air flow.

10. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a passenger portion configured to receive at least one passenger;

an exterior surface;

a radiator disposed proximate the exterior surface, the radiator also being disposed between the exterior surface and a first fan and a second fan;

a power plant disposed proximate the radiator;

the first fan aligning with a first portion of the radiator and the second fan aligning with a second portion of the radiator;

a control system in communication with the first fan and the second fan;

wherein the control system is configured to vary the blade pitch of the first fan and is configured to also independently vary the blade pitch of the second fan;

wherein, in a first mode, the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to a position whereby air is pushed towards the radiator from the first fan, and the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the second fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the second fan, thus creating a circulation air flow; and

wherein, in a second mode, the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the first fan, and the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the second fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the second fan.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising:

a first temperature sensor;

a humidity sensor; and

wherein the control system is configured to receive temperature information from the first temperature sensor and humidity information from the humidity sensor, and to use the temperature information and the humidity information to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan and the second fan to operate in the first mode as the temperature and humidity within the vehicle increases.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the first temperature sensor is one of a coolant temperature sensor disposed proximate the radiator.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising:

a second temperature sensor, wherein the second temperature sensor is an air temperature sensor disposed proximate the radiator.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the second temperature sensor is disposed upstream from the radiator, the first fan, the second fan, and the power plant in a position between the exterior surface and the radiator.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to receive vehicle speed information related to vehicle speed, and to use the vehicle speed information and the temperature information to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan and the second fan to operate in the first mode when the temperature and humidity within the vehicle are above a predetermined threshold temperature and humidity and the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined threshold vehicle speed.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the control system is configured to use the vehicle speed information to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan and the second fan to operate in the second mode when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold vehicle speed.

17. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

an exterior surface;

a radiator disposed proximate the exterior surface, the radiator also being disposed between the exterior surface and a first fan and a second fan;

a power plant disposed proximate the radiator;

the first fan aligning with a first portion of the radiator and the second fan aligning with a second portion of the radiator;

a control system in communication with the first fan and the second fan;

wherein the control system is configured to vary the blade pitch of the first fan and is configured to also independently vary the blade pitch of the second fan; and

wherein the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to provide a flow of air from the power plant to the radiator when temperature information received by a sensor is above a predetermined level; and

wherein the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to provide a flow of air from the radiator to the power plant when a speed of the motor vehicle increases.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan to a position whereby air is pushed towards the radiator from the first fan and to adjust the blade pitch of the second fan to a position whereby air is pulled from the radiator to the second fan.

19. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the blade pitch of the first fan and the second fan to block air to the power plant when the temperature information received by the sensor is below a predetermined level.

20. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the temperature information received by the sensor is related to coolant temperature.