COOLING SYSTEM ASSEMBLY FOR A CROP SPRAYER

• US 20120267082A1
• Filed: 07/23/2011
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Equipment Technologies, Inc., Exel Industries (Exel)
• Original Assignee: Equipment Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Ringer, Chad A., Honegger, Justin, Larsh, Ryan, Waters, Jarrett
• Granted Patent: US 8,490,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/121
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/00 Special adaptations or arrangements of liquid-spraying apparatus for purposes covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0042 Field sprayers, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/08 Agricultural vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/02 mounted on a single pivoted arm , e.g. the arm being rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/00 Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units heating the interior space B60H; cooling internal combustion engines per se F01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/04 concerning exhaust collecting exhaust gases with central suction systems not forming part of vehicles, e.g. in workshops or tunnels B08B15/002, otherwise along carriageways E01C1/005; extensions for melting snow on roads E01H5/00, E01H6/00; exhaust or silencing apparatus for internal combustion engines per se F01N; pipes, joints or supports therefor F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/12 Arrangement of engine supports supports comprising both a plastic spring and a fluid damper F16F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/00 Arrangements of steps or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle, e.g. running-boards construction of steps for railway vehicles B61D23/00 ; ladders E06C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0617 for tractors or off-the-road vehicles protective devices for drivers in case of overturning of tractors B60R21/131
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/08 Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2340/04 characterised by the arrangement of an exhaust pipe, manifold or apparatus in relation to vehicle frame or particular vehicle parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 12/00 Pressure vessels in general covers therefor F16J13/00; for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B01J, F17C, G21C
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/794 With means for separating solid material from the fluid

Abstract

The crop sprayer includes a cooling system that comprises a plurality of heat exchange units attached to a housing. The housing defines an air chamber. The heat exchange units are mounted over openings defined in the walls of the housing surrounding the chamber. A fan is mounted over fan opening defined in the housing to draw air from the chamber and create a pressure drop in front of the coolers. The pressure drop causes air to be drawn through the heat exchange units into the chamber.

Claims

1. A crop sprayer, comprising:

a main frame;

a support housing secured in fixed relation to said main frame and defining a cooling chamber, said support housing including i) a rear housing portion defining a rear window, ii) a front housing portion defining a front window, iii) a top housing portion defining a top window, iv) a right lateral housing portion defining a right lateral window, and v) a left lateral housing portion defining a left lateral window;

a fan assembly secured to said support housing so that said fan assembly is positioned to cover at least part of said rear window;

a front heat exchange unit secured to said support housing so that said front heat exchange unit is positioned to cover at least part of said front window;

a top heat exchange unit secured to said support housing so that said top heat exchange unit is positioned to cover at least part of said top window;

a left lateral heat exchange unit secured to said support housing so that said left lateral heat exchange unit is positioned to cover at least part of said left lateral window; and

a right lateral heat exchange unit secured to said support housing so that said right lateral heat exchange unit is positioned to cover at least part of said right lateral window,

wherein said fan assembly is configured to create a vacuum in said cooling chamber so that air is drawn simultaneously through i) said front heat exchange unit and said front window, ii) said top heat exchange unit and said top window, iii) said right lateral heat exchange unit and said right lateral window, iv) said left lateral heat exchange unit and said left lateral window, and v) said cooling chamber, said rear window, and said fan assembly.

2. The crop sprayer of claim 1, wherein:

a horizontal plane superimposed on said crop sprayer intersects said top heat exchange unit,

said top heat exchange unit includes a leading portion and a trailing portion,

said top heat exchange unit and said support housing are configured and arranged so that i) said leading portion of said top heat exchange unit is positioned completely below said horizontal plane, and ii) said trailing portion of said top heat exchange unit is positioned completely above said horizontal plane.

3. The crop sprayer of claim 2, wherein:

a vertical plane superimposed on said crop sprayer intersects said fan assembly,

said fan assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion,

said fan assembly and said support housing are configured and arranged so that i) said upper portion of said fan assembly is positioned completely rearward of said vertical plane, and ii) said lower portion of said fan assembly is positioned completely forward of said vertical plane.

4. The crop sprayer of claim 1, wherein:

said front heat exchange unit is an engine fluid cooling component, and

said top heat exchange unit is a charge air cooling component.

5. The crop sprayer of claim 4, wherein:

said right lateral heat exchange unit is a first transmission cooling component, and

said left lateral heat exchange unit is a second transmission cooling component;

said first transmission cooling component and said second transmission cooling component being linked by cross-over tubing such that fluid in said first transmission cooling component is routed to said second transmission cooing component.

6. The crop sprayer of claim 1, further comprising an additional front heat exchange unit secured to said support housing so that said front heat exchange unit is positioned to cover at least part of said front window,

wherein said fan assembly is further configured to create said vacuum in said cooling chamber so that air is additionally drawn through said additional front heat exchange unit.

7. The crop sprayer of claim 1, further comprising an engine supported by said main frame, said support housing being positioned completely forward of said engine.

8. The crop sprayer of claim 7, further comprising a support structure positioned completely forward of said engine, wherein said support housing is secured to said support structure.

9. The crop sprayer of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic actuation system configured to generate a flow of hydraulic fluid, wherein said fan assembly being configured to receive said flow of hydraulic fluid to operate said fan assembly.

10. The crop sprayer of claim 4, further comprising:

a condenser cooling unit mounted over the charge air cooling unit.