Multiple air flow paths using single axial fan
AssigneeClark Equipment Company
InventorBrandon J. Kisse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cooling system for a compact vehicle such as a compact loader having an engine and an engine compartment, includes a single axial flow fan that is surrounded by a shroud and has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Air flow generated by the fan is used for cooling components of the compact vehicle and exhausting heated air from a second shroud. Auxiliary openings are provided between the engine compartment and the shrouds to provide air flow between the engine compartment and one or both of the shrouds when the fan is rotating. The motor driving the fan is reversible.
Claims15
An air flow system for cooling components of a vehicle including a vehicle engine, the vehicle having an engine compartment and a cooling system compartment, an engine compartment wall between the engine compartment and at least portions of the cooling system compartment, a first shroud mounted in the cooling system compartment, a single axial flow fan positioned in the first shroud, the first shroud surrounding fan blades of the axial flow fan, and having air flow openings for air flow in axial direction of the fan, a second shroud open to one of the air flow openings of the first shroud and the second shroud having a second shroud air flow opening carrying air flow therefrom, an engine cooling opening in the engine compartment wall open to an interior of the second shroud to permit air flow between the engine compartment and the second shroud, a flow duct between the engine compartment and the first shroud on an opposite side of the fan from the second shroud, and a motor to drive the fan to generate air flow between the first and second shrouds and through the engine cooling opening and the flow duct.
An axial flow cooling fan for an engine on a vehicle, a fan shroud surrounding said axial flow cooling fan, an engine compartment on the vehicle, a duct from the engine compartment to a first portion of the fan shroud surrounding the axial flow fan, and a second shroud fluidly connected to a second portion of the fan shroud, said second shroud having a discharge opening to an exterior of the vehicle, and an auxiliary opening in the second shroud leading to the engine compartment.
An engine cooling system for a compact work vehicle having an engine compartment, an engine in the engine compartment, an engine radiator, a single axial flow fan for providing cooling air for the engine and engine radiator, a fan shroud surrounding the axial flow fan and having an opening fluidly open to the engine radiator on a first side of the fan shroud, a second shroud forming an air passageway on a second side of the fan shroud for carrying air flow generated by the axial flow fan, a duct from the first side of the fan shroud open to the engine compartment, and a motor connected to drive the axial flow fan.
A method of providing cooling air to an engine in an engine compartment of a work vehicle comprising providing a single axial flow fan in a shroud having inlet and outlet throats, opening a duct between a first of the throats and the engine compartment, and exhausting air from a second of the throats.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.