# US 9,751,377 B2 · Multi-unit cooling system with dynamic baffle

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- Number: US 9,751,377 B2
- Document ID: US9751377B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/967,989
- Filed: 2013-08-15
- Published: 2015-02-19
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-15
- Assignees: Deere & Company
- Applicants: Deere & Company
- Inventors: Joshua J Kappelman; Adam J Shuttleworth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751377B2

## CPC

- B60H 1/00021: {Air flow details of HVAC devices}
- B60K 11/04: Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds
- B60K 11/085: {with adjustable shutters or blinds}
- F01P 7/10: by throttling amount of air flowing through liquid-to-air heat exchangers
- B60H 2001/00092: {of air deflecting or air directing means inside the device}
- B60K 11/08: Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor
- B60Y 2200/221: Tractors
- B60Y 2200/41: Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
- F01P 2003/182: {with multiple heat-exchangers}
- Y02T 10/88: Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- 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)
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A cooling system for a work vehicle includes first heat exchanger, a fan spaced apart from the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger spaced apart from the second heat exchanger and extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger, A baffle plate is pivotally to a first position reducing air flow through the first heat exchanger and to a second position reducing air flow through the second heat exchanger. The baffle plate is pivoted by a linear actuator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cooling system for a work vehicle, comprising:
a first heat exchanger having a first end and a second end positioned opposite from the first end;
a fan spaced apart from the first heat exchanger;
a second heat exchanger extending between the fan and the first end of the first heat exchanger;
a third heat exchanger extending between the fan and the second end of the first heat exchanger, the fan and the first second and third heat exchangers enclosing a space having a generally quadrilateral cross-section where the fan is opposite the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is opposite the third heat exchanger;
a baffle plate pivotally mounted to the cooling system, the baffle plate having a pivot axis positioned adjacent to the first end of the first heat exchanger, the baffle plate extending into the space enclosed by the fan and the first, second and third heat exchangers;
an actuator for pivoting the baffle plate about the pivot axis;
wherein the fan pulls air into the space through the first, second and third heat exchangers creating a first air flow stream and a second air flow stream, and the baffle plate sits between the first and second air flow streams such that the first air flow stream comes into the space through the first heat exchanger then around the baffle plate and then out of the space through the fan and the second air flow stream comes into the space through the second heat exchanger then around the baffle plate and then out of the space through the fan;
wherein the second heat exchanger has a first end and a second end, and the third heat exchanger has a first end and a second end; the first ends of the second and third heat exchangers being located adjacent to the first heat exchanger and the second ends of the second and third heat exchangers being located adjacent to the fan; and
wherein the distance between the first ends of the second and third heat exchangers is less than the distance between the second ends of the second and third heat exchangers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:
the actuator comprises a linear actuator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cooling system of claim 2, wherein:
the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder housing pivotally coupled to one of the second and third heat exchangers, and having a rod pivotally coupled to the baffle plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:
the baffle plate is pivotal to a first position reducing air flow through the first heat exchanger and to a second position reducing air flow through the second heat exchanger.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cooling system of claim 1, wherein:
an actuator arm projects from an inner end of the baffle plate, the actuator being coupled to the actuator arm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The cooling system of claim 5, wherein:
the actuator arm projects at an angle with respect to the baffle plate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the space enclosed by the fan and the first, second and third heat exchangers has a generally trapezoidal shape.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the fan is generally parallel to the first heat exchanger.

### Claim 9

A cooling system for a work vehicle, comprising:
a first heat exchanger;
a fan spaced apart from the first heat exchanger;
a second heat exchanger extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger; a third heat exchanger spaced apart from the second heat exchanger and extending between the fan and the first heat exchanger, the fan and the first, second and third heat exchangers enclosing a space having a generally quadrilateral cross-section where the fan is opposite the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is opposite the third heat exchanger;
a baffle plate pivotally mounted to the cooling system, the baffle plate being pivotal to a first position reducing air flow through the first heat exchanger and to a second position reducing air flow through the second heat exchanger;
an actuator for pivoting the baffle plate;
wherein the fan pulls air into the space through the first, second and third heat exchangers creating a first air flow stream and a second air flow stream, and the baffle plate sits between the first and second air flow streams such that the first air flow stream comes into the space through the first heat exchanger then around the baffle plate and then out of the space through the fan and the second air flow stream comes into the space through the second heat exchanger then around the baffle plate and then out of the space through the fan;
wherein the second heat exchanger has a first end and a second end, and the third heat exchanger has a first end and a second end; the first ends of the second and third heat exchangers being located adjacent to the first heat exchanger and the second ends of the second and third heat exchangers being located adjacent to the fan; and
wherein the distance between the first ends of the second and third heat exchangers is less than the distance between the second ends of the second and third heat exchangers.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The cooling system of claim 9, wherein:
the baffle plate has a pivot axis positioned adjacent to the first and second heat exchangers, the baffle plate extending into a space which is enclosed by the cooling system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The cooling system of claim 9, wherein:
the actuator comprises a linear actuator.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The cooling system of claim 9, wherein:
the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder housing pivotally coupled to one of the second and third heat exchangers, and having a rod pivotally coupled to the baffle plate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The cooling system of claim 9, wherein:
an actuator arm projects from an inner end of the baffle plate, the actuator being coupled to the actuator arm.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The cooling system of claim 13, wherein:
the actuator arm projects at an angle with respect to the baffle plate.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the space enclosed by the fan and the first, second and third heat exchangers has a generally trapezoidal shape.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The cooling system of claim 15, wherein the fan is generally parallel to the first heat exchanger.