Reverse fan operation for vehicle cooling system
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsUwe Hannesen, Roberto Diesel, Jan Meschkat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for reducing the time that it takes a vehicle fuel cell engine to reach its operating temperature at vehicle start-up. The system includes a radiator and a fan, where a cooling fluid from the engine is directed through the radiator where it is cooled by airflow from the fan during high load conditions. The radiator also receives ambient air through a front grill from movement of the vehicle. During vehicle start-up, when the engine is below its optimal operating temperature, the fan is operated in a reverse direction at variable speeds depending on the speed of the vehicle, so that the airflow through the grill that may otherwise convectively cool the engine is significantly reduced or eliminated.
Claims19
An engine system comprising:
- an engine compartment;
- an engine positioned within the engine compartment, said engine having an optimal operating temperature;
- a thermal sub-system including a radiator and a fan, said thermal sub-system directing a cooling fluid through the engine and the radiator, said fan being positioned in or proximate to the engine compartment;
- and
- a controller, said controller controlling the speed of the fan in a forward direction to draw ambient air through the radiator and into the engine compartment to flow around the engine when the temperature of the engine is at or near the optimal operating temperature, and said controller controlling the speed of the fan in a reverse direction to prevent air from entering the engine compartment and flowing around the engine when the temperature of the engine is below the operating temperature.
A fuel cell engine, said engine having an optimal operating temperature, said engine comprising:
- an engine compartment;
- a thermal sub-system including a radiator and a fan, said thermal sub-system directing a cooling fluid through the engine and the radiator, said fan being positioned in or proximate to the engine compartment;
- and
- a controller, said controller controlling the speed of the fan in a forward direction to draw ambient air through the radiator and into the engine compartment to flow around the engine when the temperature of the engine is at or near the optimal operating temperature, and said controller controlling the speed of the fan in a reverse direction based on the speed of the vehicle to prevent air from entering the engine compartment and flowing around the engine when the temperature of the engine is below the operating temperature.
A method for allowing a vehicle engine to more quickly obtain its operating temperature at vehicle start-up, said method comprising:
- directing a cooling fluid through the engine and a radiator;
- operating a fan in a forward direction to direct air through the radiator and into an engine compartment to flow around the engine to maintain the engine at the operating temperature;
- and
- operating the fan in a reverse direction when the engine is below the operating temperature to prevent air from entering the engine compartment and flowing around the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.