Cooling Module with Integral Surge Tank
AssigneeModine Manufacturing Company
InventorsJerzy Skrzyniarz, Matthew J Hernigle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cooling module includes multiple heat exchangers, at least one of which is a coolant radiator. The cooling module further includes a structural frame channel extending along an end of the cooling module, with the heat exchangers being at least partially secured to the structural frame channel. A coolant surge tank is integral to the cooling module, and is in fluid communication with the coolant radiator. The coolant surge tank has a coolant volume bounded by several walls, and at least one of those walls is provided by the structural frame channel. A method of making the cooling module is also described.
Claims18
A cooling module comprising:
- a plurality of heat exchangers, at least one of which is a coolant radiator;
- a structural frame channel extending along an end of the cooling module, the plurality of heat exchangers being at least partially secured to the structural frame channel;
- and
- a coolant surge tank integral to the cooling module and in fluid communication with the coolant radiator, the coolant surge tank having a coolant volume bounded by a plurality of walls, at least one of said walls being provided by the structural frame channel.
A cooling module installed into an engine system having a coolant circuit, comprising:
- a top structural frame channel;
- a bottom structural frame channel spaced apart from, and lower than, the top structural frame channel;
- a coolant radiator arranged between and secured to the top and bottom structural frame channels, the coolant radiator forming part of the cooling circuit;
- and
- a coolant surge tank provided within the top structural frame channel and located above the coolant radiator, the coolant surge tank forming part of the cooling circuit.
A method of making a cooling module with integral surge tank, comprising:
- forming a plurality of mounting holes in a first metal sheet;
- forming the first metal sheet into a first U-shaped component;
- forming a second metal sheet into a second U-shaped component;
- arranging the second U-shaped component within the first U-shaped component;
- joining the first and second U-shaped components to define an enclosed volume;
- and
- joining a coolant radiator to the first U-shaped component through at least some of the plurality of mounting holes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.