US20170299269A1

US20170299269A1 - Radiator assembly

Info

Publication number: US20170299269A1
Application number: US15/098,966
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Ausman; Joseph L. Kennedy; Dongming Tan; Neil A. Terry; Jianlong Xu
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-14
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2017-10-19

Abstract

A radiator assembly for a machine is provided. The radiator assembly includes an inlet tank adapted to receive a coolant. The radiator assembly includes a fluid line having a first end fluidly coupled to the inlet tank. The fluid line is adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough. The radiator assembly also includes an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line. The outlet tank is adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line. The radiator assembly further includes a pressure compensating device fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a radiator assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the radiator assembly associated with a cooling system of a machine.

BACKGROUND

Radiators used in machines such as trucks, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, tractors, and so on may experience continuous movement due to a movement of the machine. During operation of the machine, especially on uneven surfaces, the machine may experience considerable horizontal and/or vertical movement in the form of heaving, pitching, rolling, yawing, swaying, and so on. Such movement of the machine may induce considerable stress within the radiator.
During machine movement, a coolant within the radiator may experience continuous whirling, swirling, splashing, and so on within the radiator. This may induce repeated pressure spikes within fluid lines and/or tanks of the radiator. Also, due to operation of valves, thermostats, and/or during startup and shut off of the system, sudden pressure spikes may be experienced within the radiator leading to fluid resonance. Further, due to a fluid tight configuration of the system and an incompressible nature of the coolant, the radiator may be inherently stiff. The radiator may also experience thermal stresses within the fluid lines and/or the tanks due to high operating temperature and pressure of the coolant. A combined effect of the pressure spikes, the fluid resonance, the thermal stresses, the inherent stiffness, the incompressibility of the coolant, and so on may lead to failure of the fluid lines, the tanks, joints, connections, ports, and so on of the radiator.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,065,980 describes an engine cooling system. The engine cooling system includes a cooling circuit. The cooling circuit includes a coolant pump for supplying an engine with a coolant and for circulating the coolant in the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit also includes at least one heat exchanger for cooling the coolant downstream of the engine. The cooling circuit further includes an expansion tank connected to the cooling circuit upstream of the coolant pump. The cooling system is pressurized by a pressure regulating arrangement arranged to pressurize the coolant supplied to the cooling circuit from the expansion tank during at least one predetermined operating mode of the engine. The expansion tank is closed to the ambient atmosphere during all normal engine operation modes.
Known methods used to control the pressure spikes within the radiator may be less efficient, complicated, expensive, bulky adding extra weight to the system, and/or may require considerable modifications to the system. Hence, there is a need for an improved radiator assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a radiator assembly for a machine is provided. The radiator assembly includes an inlet tank adapted to receive a coolant. The radiator assembly includes a fluid line having a first end fluidly coupled to the inlet tank. The fluid line is adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough. The radiator assembly also includes an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line. The outlet tank is adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line. The radiator assembly further includes a pressure compensating device fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a power source. The machine also includes a cooling jacket disposed in thermal contact with the power source. The machine further includes a radiator assembly fluidly coupled to the cooling jacket. The radiator assembly includes an inlet tank adapted to receive a coolant. The radiator assembly includes a fluid line having a first end fluidly coupled to the inlet tank. The fluid line is adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough. The radiator assembly also includes an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line. The outlet tank is adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line. The radiator assembly further includes a pressure compensating device fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiator assembly is provided. The radiator assembly includes an inlet port adapted to allow ingress of a coolant. The radiator assembly includes an inlet tank fluidly coupled to the inlet port. The inlet tank is adapted to receive the coolant. The radiator assembly includes a fluid line having a first end fluidly coupled to the inlet tank. The fluid line is adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough. The radiator assembly includes an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line. The outlet tank is adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line. The radiator assembly includes an outlet port disposed on the outlet tank. The outlet port is adapted to allow an egress of the coolant from the outlet tank. The radiator assembly includes a vent port disposed on the inlet tank. The vent port is adapted to bleed-off air entrapped in the fluid line. The radiator assembly also includes a drain port disposed on the outlet tank. The drain port is adapted to bleed-off the coolant from the fluid line. The radiator assembly further includes a pressure compensating device coupled to both of the vent port and the drain port.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system of the machine of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system of the machine of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary machine 100 is illustrated. More specifically, the machine 100 is an off-highway truck 102. The machine 100 is adapted to transport material such as ore, soil, rocks, and so on from one location to another. In other embodiments, the machine 100 may be any other machine such as a mining truck, an articulated truck, a haul truck, a dozer, a wheel loader, a locomotive, and so on. The machine 100 may be any machine related to an industry including, but not limited to, construction, transportation, mining, material handling, aviation, marine, and waste management.
The machine 100 includes a frame 104. The frame 104 is adapted to support various components of the machine 100. The machine 100 includes an enclosure 106 provided on the frame 104. The enclosure 106 is adapted to house a power source (not shown) of the machine 100. The power source is adapted to provide power to the machine 100 for operational and mobility requirements. The power source may be any power source known in the art such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a battery, and so on. Additionally, the enclosure 106 may also include various components and systems of the machine 100 such as an engine system, a transmission system, a drive control system, a lubrication system, an engine control system, a cooling system, an air supply system, and so on.
The machine 100 includes an operator cabin 108 mounted on the frame 104. The operator cabin 108 is adapted to house one or more controls such as a steering, a pedal, a lever, a control console, buttons, knobs, audio visual system, alarm system, and so on. The controls are adapted to operate and control the machine 100 on ground. The machine 100 includes a load bed 110 provided on the frame 104. The load bed 110 is adapted to load and unload material therefrom for transporting the material from one location to another. The machine 100 also includes one or more hydraulic cylinders 112 coupled between the frame 104 and the load bed 110. The hydraulic cylinders 112 are adapted to tilt the load bed 110 during unloading of the material. The machine 100 also includes a set of wheels 114 mounted to the frame 104. The wheels 114 are adapted to support and provide mobility to the machine 100 on the ground.
Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of a cooling system 202 of the machine 100 is illustrated. The cooling system 202 is adapted to control a temperature of an engine 204 of the machine 100. In other embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the cooling system 202 may also be adapted to control a temperature of other systems (not shown) related to the machine 100 such as an engine oil cooler, a hydraulic oil cooler, and so on.
The cooling system 202 includes a cooling jacket 206 provided in association with the engine 204. More specifically, the cooling jacket 206 is provided in thermal contact with the engine 204. In some embodiments, the cooling jacket 206 may include one or more fluid passages (not shown) provided within and/or around the engine 204. The fluid passage may be adapted to provide a flow path for a coolant and allow transfer of heat between the coolant and the engine 204. In some embodiments, the cooling jacket 206 may include a fluid jacket (not shown) provided around the engine 204. The fluid jacket may be adapted to receive the coolant therein and provide transfer of heat between the coolant and the engine 204.
The cooling system 202 includes an inlet line 208 fluidly coupled to the cooling jacket 206. The inlet line 208 is adapted to provide a passage for a flow of a cooled coolant into the cooling jacket 206. The cooling system 202 includes a pump 210 fluidly coupled to the inlet line 208. The pump 210 may be any pump known in the art such as a centrifugal pump, a piston pump, and so on. The pump 210 is adapted to provide circulation of the coolant within the cooling system 202. The cooling system 202 also includes an outlet line 212 fluidly coupled to the cooling jacket 206. The outlet line 212 is adapted to provide a passage for a flow of a heated coolant from the cooling jacket 206.
The cooling system 202 includes a radiator assembly 214. The radiator assembly 214 is fluidly coupled to the cooling jacket 206. The radiator assembly 214 is adapted to cool and control a temperature of the heated coolant received from the cooling jacket 206 and will be explained in more detail. The radiator assembly 214 includes an inlet tank 216. The radiator assembly 214 also includes an inlet port 218 disposed on the inlet tank 216. The inlet port 218 is fluidly coupled to the inlet line 208. The inlet port 218 is adapted to allow ingress of the heated coolant from the inlet line 208 into the inlet tank 216. The inlet tank 216 is adapted to receive the heated coolant from the cooling jacket 206 through the inlet line 208 and the inlet port 218.
The radiator assembly 214 includes one or more fluid lines 220 fluidly coupled to the inlet tank 216. More specifically, a first end 222 of the fluid line 220 is fluidly coupled to the inlet tank 216. The first end 222 of the fluid line 220 is adapted to receive the heated coolant from the inlet tank 216. Further, a second end 224 of the fluid line 220 is fluidly coupled to an outlet tank 226 of the radiator assembly 214. The second end 224 of the fluid line 220 is adapted to allow exit of the cooled coolant from the fluid line 220.
The fluid line 220 is adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough. More specifically, the fluid line 220 is adapted to provide a passage for a flow of the coolant from the inlet tank 216 to the outlet tank 226. Also, the fluid line 220 is adapted to allow exchange of heat between the coolant and atmosphere. As such, the heated coolant received from the inlet tank 216 transfers excess heat to the atmosphere as the heated coolant passes through the fluid line 220 and further exits the fluid line 220 from the second end 224 as the cooled coolant.
Additionally, the radiator assembly 214 may include fins (not shown) provided around and in contact with the fluid line 220. The fins may be adapted to provide an extended surface area around the fluid line 220 in order to promote heat exchange between the heated coolant and the atmosphere. Further, the fluid line 220 may be arranged between the inlet tank 216 and the outlet tank 226 in any configuration such as serpentine, matrix, and so on based on application requirements.
The radiator assembly 214 includes the outlet tank 226 fluidly coupled to the second end 224 of the fluid line 220. The outlet tank 226 is adapted to receive the cooled coolant from the second end 224 of the fluid line 220. The radiator assembly 214 also includes an outlet port 228 disposed on the outlet tank 226. The outlet port 228 is fluidly coupled to the outlet line 212. The outlet port 228 is adapted to allow egress of the cooled coolant from the outlet tank 226 into the outlet line 212.
The radiator assembly 214 includes a vent port 230. The vent port 230 is disposed on the inlet tank 216. The vent port 230 is adapted to bleed off air entrapped in the fluid line 220 such as during replacement and/or topping up of the coolant, and so on. The radiator assembly 214 also includes a drain port 232. The drain port 232 is disposed on the outlet tank 226. The drain port 232 is adapted to bleed off the coolant from the fluid line 220 such as during replacement of the coolant, cleaning of the radiator assembly 214, and so on.
Additionally, the radiator assembly 214 includes a shunt tank 234. The shunt tank 234 is fluidly coupled to the inlet tank 216 via a first shunt line 236. The shunt tank 234 is adapted to provide ventilation to the inlet tank 216. The shunt tank 234 is also adapted to receive an overflow of the coolant from the inlet tank 216 during a movement of the radiator assembly 214, a thermal expansion of the coolant, and so on. The shunt tank 234 is also fluidly coupled to the outlet line 212 via a second shunt line 238. In the illustrated embodiment, the second shunt line 238 is fluidly coupled to the outlet line 212 downstream of the pump 210. In other embodiments, the second shunt line 238 may be fluidly coupled to the outlet line 212 upstream of the pump 210 based on application requirements. Accordingly, the shunt tank 234 is adapted to provide a supply of the coolant to the radiator assembly 214.
It should be noted that the radiator assembly 214 disclosed herein is a liquid to air type heat exchanger and is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, the radiator assembly 214 may be any heat exchanger known in the art such as an air to air type, liquid to liquid type, a shell tube type, a plate heat type, a plate and shell type, a plate fin type, and so on based on application requirement.
The radiator assembly 214 further includes a pressure compensating device 240. The pressure compensating device 240 is adapted to compensate for a pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214. During operation of the cooling system 202, the pressure spike may be experienced due to operation of one or more valves (not shown) of the cooling system 202, one or more thermostats (not shown) of the cooling system 202, during startup and/or shut off of the cooling system 202, the movement of the radiator assembly 214, and so on. The pressure compensating device 240 serves as an energy storage device in the form of a pressure storage reservoir to smoothen out pulsations in the radiator assembly 214 due to the pressure spikes. The pressure compensating device 240 may be any hydraulic accumulator known in the art.
In one embodiment, the pressure compensating device 240 may be a gas based accumulator (not shown). The gas based accumulator may be a gas charged piston cylinder type accumulator, a gas charged bladder type accumulator, a gas charged diaphragm type accumulator, and so on. In another embodiment, the pressure compensating device 240 may be a spring based accumulator (not shown) such as a spring loaded piston cylinder type accumulator, a spring loaded diaphragm type accumulator, and so on. In yet another embodiment, the pressure compensating device 240 may be a weight based accumulator (not shown) such as a weight loaded piston cylinder type accumulator, a weight loaded diaphragm type accumulator, a weighted ram type accumulator, and so on.
The pressure compensating device 240 is fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet tank 216 and the outlet tank 226. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the radiator assembly 214 includes a first pressure compensating device 242 fluidly coupled to the vent port 230. The first pressure compensating device 242 is adapted to compensate for the pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214 due to the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in a first direction 244. The first direction 244 is such that the movement of the radiator assembly 214 is away from the vent port 230 and/or the first end 222 of the fluid line 220.
The radiator assembly 214 also includes a second pressure compensating device 246 fluidly coupled to the drain port 232. The second pressure compensating device 246 is adapted to compensate for the pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214 due to the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in a second direction 248. The second direction 248 is such that the movement of the radiator assembly 214 is away from the drain port 232 and/or the second end 224 of the fluid line 220. In other embodiments, the pressure compensating device 240 may be provided on any one of the vent port 230 and the drain port 232 based on application requirements. As such, the radiator assembly 214 may include any one of the first pressure compensating device 242 fluidly coupled to the vent port 230 and the second pressure compensating device 246 fluidly coupled to the drain port 232.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the radiator assembly 214 includes the first pressure compensating device 242 fluidly coupled to the inlet port 218. More specifically, the first pressure compensating device 242 is fluidly coupled to the inlet port 218 using a first tee connection 302. The first pressure compensating device 242 is adapted to compensate for the pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214 due to the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in the first direction 244.
The radiator assembly 214 also includes the second pressure compensating device 246 fluidly coupled to the outlet port 228. More specifically, the second pressure compensating device 246 is fluidly coupled to the outlet port 228 using a second tee connection 304. The second pressure compensating device 246 is adapted to compensate for the pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214 due to the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in the second direction 248. In other embodiments, the pressure compensating device 240 may be provided on any one of the inlet port 218 and the outlet port 228 based on application requirements. As such, the radiator assembly 214 may include any one of the first pressure compensating device 242 fluidly coupled to the inlet port 218 and the second pressure compensating device 246 fluidly coupled to the outlet port 228.
The first pressure compensating device 242 and the second pressure compensating device 246 may be coupled to the vent port 230, the inlet port 218, the drain port 232, and/or the outlet port 228 respectively by any known fastening method known in the art such as threading, bolting, welding, brazing, and so on.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the radiator assembly 214 for reducing the pressure spikes in the radiator assembly 214. The first pressure compensating device 242 and/or the second pressure compensating device 246 provides a pressure absorbing means during a sudden pressure rise in the radiator assembly 214. More specifically, during the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in the first direction 244, the pressure spike may be experienced in the inlet tank 216 and/or the first end 22 of the fluid line 220. This pressure spike in the inlet tank 216 and/or the first end 222 of the fluid line 220 is absorbed and compensated by the first pressure compensating device 242. Similarly, during the movement of the radiator assembly 214 in the second direction 248, the pressure spike may be experienced in the outlet tank 226 and/or the second end 224 of the fluid line 220. This pressure spike in the outlet tank 226 and/or the second end 224 of the fluid line 220 is absorbed and compensated by the second pressure compensating device 246.
The pressure compensating device 240 provides a simple, effective and cost efficient means for compensating and dampening out the pressure spike in the radiator assembly 214. As a result, the pressure compensating device 240 provides to reduce an overall stiffness of the radiator assembly 214 and compensate for an incompressibility of the coolant. Also, the pressure compensating device 240 is fluidly coupled to existing ports of the radiator assembly 214 such as the vent port 230, the inlet port 218, the drain port 232, and/or the outlet port 228 without any major modifications to the existing radiator assembly 214 design.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A radiator assembly for a machine, the radiator assembly comprising:

an inlet tank adapted to receive a coolant;

a fluid line having a first end fluidly coupled to the inlet tank, the fluid line adapted to allow passage of the coolant therethrough;

an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line, the outlet tank adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line; and

a pressure compensating device fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank.

2. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to a vent port disposed on the inlet tank.

3. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to a drain port disposed on the outlet tank.

4. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to an inlet port disposed on the inlet tank.

5. The radiator assembly of claim 4 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the inlet port and the pressure compensating device.

6. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to an outlet port disposed on the outlet tank.

7. The radiator assembly of claim 6 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the outlet port and the pressure compensating device.

8. The radiator assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensating device is one of a gas based accumulator, a spring based accumulator, and a weight based accumulator.

9. A machine comprising:

a power source;

a cooling jacket disposed in thermal contact with the power source; and

a radiator assembly fluidly coupled to the cooling jacket, the radiator assembly comprising:

an inlet tank adapted to receive a coolant;

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to a vent port disposed on the inlet tank.

11. The machine of claim 9, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to a drain port disposed on the outlet tank.

12. The machine of claim 9, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to an inlet port disposed on the inlet tank.

13. The machine of claim 12 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the inlet port and the pressure compensating device.

14. The machine of claim 9, wherein the pressure compensating device is fluidly coupled to an outlet port disposed on the outlet tank.

15. The machine of claim 14 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the outlet port and the pressure compensating device.

16. The machine of claim 9, wherein the pressure compensating device is one of a gas based accumulator, a spring based accumulator, and a weight based accumulator.

17. A radiator assembly comprising:

an inlet port adapted to allow ingress of a coolant;

an inlet tank fluidly coupled to the inlet port, the inlet tank adapted to receive the coolant;

an outlet tank fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid line, the outlet tank adapted to receive the coolant from the fluid line;

an outlet port disposed on the outlet tank, the outlet port adapted to allow an egress of the coolant from the outlet tank;

a vent port disposed on the inlet tank, the vent port adapted to bleed-off air entrapped in the fluid line;

a drain port disposed on the outlet tank, the drain port adapted to bleed-off the coolant from the fluid line; and

a pressure compensating device coupled to the vent port and the drain port.

18. The radiator assembly of claim 17, wherein the pressure compensating device is one of a gas based accumulator, a spring based accumulator, and a weight based accumulator.

19. The radiator assembly of claim 17 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the inlet port and the pressure compensating device.

20. The radiator assembly of claim 17 further comprising a tee connection fluidly coupled between the outlet port and the pressure compensating device