# US 2016/0258339 A1 · Fan Control System and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258339 A1 - Document ID: US20160258339A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/640,497 - Filed: 2015-03-06 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: Dick J. Goering; Jason L. Jirovsky; Alan D. Sheidler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258339A1 ## CPC - F01P 7/048: {using electrical drives} - F01P 1/06: Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts - F01P 5/02: Pumping cooling-air; Arrangements of cooling-air pumps, e.g. fans or blowers - F01P 7/04: by varying pump speed, e.g. by changing pump-drive gear ratio - A01D 41/127: Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines - F01P 2025/62: Load - Y02P 60/14: Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses - F01P: COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with cooling of propulsion units in vehicles B60K11/00; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00; {cooling of gas-turbine engines F02C7/12}; heat exchange in general, radiators F28) - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method for controlling a fan. An ECU estimates the time for an engine to reach a substantially decreased engine load relative to a current engine load. The ECU determines whether the time to reach the substantially decreased engine load is within a threshold. And the ECU controls a fan operating characteristic based on whether the time is within the threshold. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling a fan, the method comprising: estimating a time for an engine to reach a substantially decreased engine load relative to a current engine load; determining whether the time to reach the substantially decreased engine load is within a threshold; and controlling a fan operating characteristic based on whether the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises maintaining or decreasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises maintaining or increasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is outside of the threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the estimating comprises predicting when a vehicle will reach an operating grade associated with the substantially decreased engine load and basing the time thereon; and the controlling comprises maintaining or decreasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the estimating comprises predicting when a vehicle will reach an end turn and basing the time thereon; and the controlling comprises maintaining or decreasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the estimating comprises predicting when a vehicle will reach an end of a work application that is external to the vehicle and basing the time thereon; and the controlling comprises maintaining or decreasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating is based on a plurality of automated vehicle movements and a plurality of known future vehicle locations. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the estimating comprises predicting when a vehicle will reach an end of a harvesting related operation and basing the time thereon; and the controlling comprises maintaining or decreasing an air flow provided by the fan if the time is within the threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the harvesting related operation is an unloading operation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the harvesting related operation is a separating operation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating comprises: determining a current vehicle location; and identifying terrain data and field data associated with the current vehicle location. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the field data comprises crop yield data. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the crop yield data is based on past harvest data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the terrain data and the field data comprises soil condition data. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating comprises: recording a plurality of vehicle locations; predicting future vehicle locations based on the plurality of vehicle locations; predicting future engine loads associated with the predicted future vehicle locations; and basing the time on the predicted future engine loads associated with the predicted future locations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the predicted future vehicle locations are based on identified back-and-forth vehicle locations on a work site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the back-and-forth vehicle locations are parallel to one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the estimating comprises: recording terrain data associated with the plurality of vehicle locations; predicting future terrain data associated with the predicted future vehicle locations; predicting future engine loads associated with the predicted future terrain data; and basing the time on the predicted future engine loads associated with the predicted future vehicle locations. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the estimating comprises: recording vehicle speeds associated with the plurality of vehicle locations; and predicting future vehicle speeds associated with the predicted future vehicle locations and the predicted future terrain data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the estimating comprises: recording crop yields associated with the plurality of vehicle locations; and predicting future crop yields associated with the predicted future vehicle locations and the predicted future terrain data; predicting future engine loads associated with the predicted future terrain data; and basing the time on the predicted future engine loads associated with the predicted future terrain data.