Method and apparatus for reducing fan noise in an electrical generator
AssigneeGenerac Power Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow, Allen D. Gillette, Peter D. Winnie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for cooling an engine driven, electrical generator set and for reducing the fan noise associated with operation of the same. The method includes positioning a fan on the first side of the radiator. The temperature adjacent a first side of the radiator is monitored and the fan is rotated in response to the temperature of the air on the first side of the radiator exceeding a threshold. The fan urges air through the radiator in order to cool the engine coolant flowing therethrough.
Claims13
A method of cooling a generator set having a radiator operatively connected to an engine, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a fan on a first side of the radiator;
- monitoring the temperature adjacent the first side of the radiator;
- rotating the fan in response to the temperature of the air on a first side of the radiator exceeding a threshold;
- urging air with the fan from the first side to a second side of the radiator in order to cool the radiator;
- and
- recirculating a portion of the air urged from the first side to the second side of the radiator back through the radiator to the first side of the radiator.
A method of cooling a generator set having a radiator operatively connected to an engine, comprising the steps of:
- urging air to flow from a first side to a second side of the radiator such that a portion of the air flows back through the radiator to the first side of the radiator;
- monitoring the temperature of the air on the first side of the radiator;
- and
- stopping the flow of air from the first side to the second side of the radiator in response to the temperature of the air on the first side of the radiator dropping below a threshold.
A device for cooling engine coolant flowing though a radiator of an engine driven, electrical generator set, the engine having a rotatable crankshaft, the device comprising:
- a rotatable fan positioned between the engine and a first side of the radiator;
- and
- a thermally responsive clutch selectively connecting the fan to the crankshaft in response to the temperature of air adjacent thereto, the clutch movable between a disengaged condition wherein the crankshaft rotates independent of the fan and an engaged condition wherein the fan is driven by the crankshaft so as to urge air from the first side of the radiator to a second side of the radiator;
- wherein a portion of the air urged from the first side to the second side of the radiator recirculates back to the first side of the radiator through the radiator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.