WO2015195371A1

WO2015195371A1 - Dual mode fan reverse flow function

Info

Publication number: WO2015195371A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/034462
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Shutty
Original assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
Priority date: 2014-06-17
Filing date: 2015-06-05
Publication date: 2015-12-23

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method of operating a vehicle system including at least one dual mode component. The dual mode component is constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electrical motor. The dual mode component is driven in a forward direction when operating using the mechanical connection. The dual mode component is constructed and arrange to be driven in an opposite direction when the operating using the electrical motor or in the forward direction when using the electrical motor. Additionally, the dual mode component is a dual mode fan component.

Description

DUAL MODE FAN REVERSE FLOW FUNCTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 62/013,292 filed June 17, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes vehicle systems including systems having internal combustion engines.

BACKGROUND

Combustion engine vehicles have various cooling mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

A number of variations may include a method of operating a vehicle system including at least one dual mode component. The dual mode component may be constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electrical motor. The dual mode component may be driven in a forward direction when operating using the mechanical connection. The dual mode component may be driven in an opposite direction when the operating using the electrical motor. Additionally, the dual mode component is a dual mode fan component.

A number of variations may include a vehicle cooling system including at least one dual mode component. The dual mode component may be constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electric motor. The dual mode component may be driven in one direction when operating using the mechanical connection. The dual mode component may be driven in an opposite direction when using the electric motor.

Yet another variation may include a method of operating a dual mode fan for a vehicle cooling system comprising supplying a mechanical connection. When the mechanical connection is supplied the dual mode fan may operate in a forward direction. The dual mode fan further comprises supplying a connection with an electric motor. When the dual mode fan is in connection with the electric motor, the dual mode fan may operate in a backwards direction or in the forward direction.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle system according to a number of variations; and

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a dual mode component according to a number of variations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle cooling system 10 may include at least one dual mode component 12. The dual mode component 12 may be constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection 14 or an electric motor 16. The dual mode component 12 may be driven in one direction when operating using the mechanical connection 14. Additionally, the dual mode component 12 may be driven in an opposite direction when using the electric motor 16.

Referring to Figure 1 , in a number of variations, the vehicle system 10 may also include a combustion engine 20, a radiator 22, and a coolant pump 24 which is connected to the combustion engine 20. The coolant pump 24 may also be constructed and arranged to flow coolant through coolant passages which are defined in the combustion engine 20. Plumbing may be provided from the radiator 22 to the coolant pump 24 and/or plumbing 28 may be provided from the coolant pump 24 back to the radiator 22. The radiator 22 may include radiator fins 30.

The dual mode component 12 and more specifically a dual mode component fan 32 may be provided and positioned to force air over the radiator 22 including over the radiator fins 30 to remove heat from the radiator 22 and coolant flowing through the radiator 22. The dual mode fan 32 may be provided and may be constructed and arranged to be driven or powered by both mechanical connection 14 and electrical motor 16. The dual mode fan 32 may be connected to at least one additional dual mode component in order to operatively drive the fan 32.

The fan 32 may be driven from either a mechanical connection 14 to the engine or by an electric motor 16. Moreover, the dual mode fan 32 may be driven from both mechanical connection 14 to the engine and by an electric motor 16. During operation, the electric motor 16 may be driven in reverse. Driving the electric motor 16 in reverse would not be done for direct cooling, but rather to drive air in a reverse direction. By moving the air in the reverse direction, any accumulation of debris which has collected on the radiator 22 is easily blown off. Removing debris from the radiator 22 increases radiator efficiency and in turn improves fuel economy.

The fan 32 may be connected to a shaft 34 of the dual mode

component 12. The shaft 34 may be driven or rotated with mechanical power, for example, such as a pulley system 35. The pulley system 35 may be connected directly or indirectly to a fly wheel which is connected to the engine 36. The pulley system 35 may be a clutched pulley system or other pulley system as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. The shaft 34 may also be constructed an arranged to be driven by the electric motor 16. The electric motor 16 may include coil windings and/or magnets in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

Additionally, a pump propeller 38 may be connected to the shaft 34. The pump propeller 38 may also be constructed and arranged to pump coolant fluid. The shaft 34 may be a single shaft which drives both the coolant pump 24 and the fan 32. It is also contemplated that multiple shafts 34 may be provided with one driving the coolant pump 24 and another driving the fan 32.

The shaft 34 of the dual mode component 12 may also be used to drive an air conditioning system, coolant compressor pump, an engine oil pump, and or transmission oil pump 46. Additionally, an air conditioning system coolant compressor pump propeller component 48, an engine oil pump propeller component 50, and/or transmission oil pump propeller component 52 may be connected to and driven by the shaft 34 in order to drive the air conditioning system coolant compressor pump 42, an engine oil pump 44, and a transmission oil pump 46 respectively.

An alternator 54 which may be mechanically driven by the engine 36 may supply electrical power to the shaft 34 of the dual mode component 12. Moreover, a battery 56 may supply electrical power to the shaft 34 of the dual mode component 12.

Lost energy may be recovered from the vehicle and may be stored in the battery 56. The electrical power may be supplied or delivered from the battery 56 as desired to the electrical motor 16. Both mechanical energy and thermal energy may be recovered from the vehicle system. For example, the vehicle system may include a plurality of brakes 57 and a mechanical energy recovery component connected to the brakes 57 in order to recover lost mechanical energy during braking. A generator 58 may be provided to produce electrical energy from recovered mechanical energy. An electrical converter 60 may be connected to the generator 58 and to the battery 56 to store electrical energy in the battery 56. Similarly, a thermal energy recovery component 62 may be provided and positioned and/or constructed and arranged to recover thermal energy from a number of different vehicle components including but not limited the radiator 22, the engine 36, or other heat producing components such as a transmission, exhaust system, turbocharger compressors, etc. The thermal recovery component 62 may be a transducer such as a PMP device connected to the radiator 22 in order to change thermal energy into electrical energy.

An electronic control module (ECM) 70 may be provided and may be connected to a plurality of vehicle component systems including, but not limited to, the battery 56, an electrical converter 60, the generator 58, mechanical energy recovery component 72, and/or the thermal energy recovery component 62. The electronic control module 70 may include hardware and software constructed and arranged to control the components including the storage and release of energy from the battery 56. It is also contemplated that a second electronic control module (SECM) 74 may be provided and connected to the battery 56 in order to control the operation of the electric motor 16. The second electronic control module 74 may include hardware and software constructed and arranged to carry out a variety of operating processes associated with the vehicle cooling system 10 and the dual mode component 12.

The ECM 70 and SECM 74 may each receive and process input from the various sensors and transmit output signals to various actuators. The ECM 70 and the SECM 74 may be operated independently of one another or the SECM 74 may be a slave to the ECM 70 in at least some operations and process control situations. The ECM 70 and SECM 74 each may include an electrical circuit, an electronic circuit or chip, and/or computer. In an illustrative computer variation, the ECM 70 and the SECM 74 each generally may include one or more processors 76, memory devices 78 that may be coupled to the processors 76, and one or more interfaces coupling the processors 76 to one or more other devices. Although not known, the processors 76 and other powered system devices may be supplied with electricity by a power supply. The power supply may be one or more of batteries, fuel cells, or the like. The processors 76 may execute instructions that provide at least some functionality for the disclosed system and methods.

As used herein, the term instructions may include, but are not limited to, control logic, computer software and/or firmware, programmable

instructions, or other suitable instructions. The processor 76 may include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, and/or any other suitable type of electronic processing devices. The memory device 78 may also be configured to provide storage for data received by or loaded to the engine system, and/or for processor executable instructions. The data and/or instructions may be stored, for example, as lookup tables, formulas, algorithms, maps, models, and/or any other suitable format.

The memory 78 may include RAM, ROM, EPROM, and/or any other suitable type of storage article and/or device. Additionally, the interfaces may include analog, digital or digital analog converters, signal conditioners, amplifiers, filters, other electronic devices or software modules, and/or any other suitable interfaces. The interfaces make and form to, for example, RS232, parallel, small computer system interface, universal serial bus, CAN, MOST, LIN, flex ray, and/or any other suitable protocols. Moreover, the interfaces may include circuits, software, firmware, or any other device to assist or enable the ECM and the SECM each in communicating with other devices.

The methods or parts thereof may be implemented in a computer program product including instructions carried out on a computer readable medium for use by one or more processors in order to implement one or more of the method steps. The computer program product may also include one or more software programs comprised of program instructions and source code, object code, executable code, or other formats; one or more firmware programs; or hardware description language files; and any program related data. The data may include data structures, lookup tables, or data in any other suitable format. The program instructions may include program modules, routines, programs, objects, components, etc. The computer program may be executed on processor or in multiple processors in

communication with one another.

The programs can be embodied on a computer readable media, which can include one or more storage devices, articles of manufacturer, etc.

Illustrative computer readable media include computer system memory, RAM, ROM, semi-conductor memory, electronically erasable programmable readonly memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical discs or tapes, etc. The computer readable medium may also include computer to computer connections, for examples, when data is transferred or provided over a network or other communications network whether wired, wireless or a combination thereof. Any combination of the above examples is also included within the scope of computer readable media. It is therefore to be understood that the method may be at least partially performed by any electronic articles and/or devices capable of executing instructions corresponding to one or more steps of the disclosed methods.

Empirical models may developed from controlling the operation of various components including but not limited to the dual mode component 12 and can include lookup tables, maps, and the like that may cross-reference cylinder pressure with oxygen concentration. As used herein, the term model may include any construct that represents something using variables such as a lookup table, map, formula, algorithm, etc. Models may be an application specific in particular to the exact design and performance specifications of any given engine system. In one example, the engine system models in turn may be responsive to engine speed and intake manifold pressure and

temperature.

Motors are typically driven in the same direction all the time regardless of whether they are being driven mechanically or electrically. In a number of variations, under certain conditions the motor drives the dual mode fan 32 in a backwards direction when it is driven electrically. The motor may be controlled by a motor controller which may be constructed and arranged to drive the motor in either direction.

A switch 90 may be placed on a dash or other easy to access location so that a reverse drive operation could be executed on command. A controller 91 which controls the fan 34 may periodically run the fan 34 in reverse when it is determined to be a safe mode of operation. The safe mode of operation may be determined by the vehicle coding system 10 and may use variables such as engine temperature, likelihood of people or other obstacles in front of the vehicle, vehicle speed, etc.

The vehicle cooling system 10 may include software/hardware actuators and/or switches to operate and/or control any components as necessary to perform the various methods described above.

The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a method including at least one dual mode component wherein the dual mode component is constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electric motor, comprising driving the dual mode component is driven in a forward direction when operating the mechanical connection and driving the dual mode component in both the forward direction and an opposite direction when operating using the electric motor and wherein the dual mode component is a dual mode fan component.

Variation 2 may include a method as set forth in variation 1 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the engine.

Variation 3 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 1 -2 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor using a user operated switch component.

Variation 4 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 1 -3 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when a controller determines a safe mode of operation.

Variation 5 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 1 -4 wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed, and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

Variation 6 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 1 -5 wherein the dual mode component is driven by both the mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

Variation 7 may include a vehicle cooling system including at least one dual mode component wherein the dual mode component is constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electric motor and wherein the dual mode component is driven a first direction when operating using the mechanical connection and the dual mode component is driven in the first direction and an opposite direction when using the electric motor.

Variation 8 may include a system as set forth in variation 7 wherein the dual mode component is a fan.

Variation 9 may include a system as set forth in any of variations 7-8 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator.

Variation 10 may include a system as set forth in any of variations 7-9 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor using a user operated switch component.

Variation 1 1 may include a system as set forth in any of variations 7-10 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when the controller determines a safe mode of operation.

Variation 12 may include a system as set forth in any of variations 7-1 1 wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed, and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

Variation 13 may include a system as set forth in any of variations 7-12 wherein the dual mode component is driven by both mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

Variation 14 may include a method of operating a dual mode fan for a vehicle cooling system comprising supplying a mechanical connection wherein the dual mode fan operates in a forward connection, and supplying a connection with an electric motor wherein the dual mode fan may be constructed and arranged to operate in a backwards direction and in the forward direction.

Variation 15 may include a method as set forth in variation 14 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator. Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 14-

15 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor using a user operated switch component.

Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 14-

16 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when the controller determines a safe mode of operation.

Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 14- 17 wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 14-

18 wherein the dual mode component is driven by both the mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

Variation 20 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 14-

19 wherein the dual mode fan removes any debris accumulation from the radiator when the dual mode fan is operating in the backwards direction.

The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A method of operating a vehicle system including at least one dual mode component wherein the dual mode component is constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electric motor, comprising driving the dual mode component is driven in a forward direction when operating using the mechanical connection and driving the dual mode component in an opposite direction when operating using the electric motor;

and wherein the dual mode component is a dual mode fan component.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor using a user-operated switch component.

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when a controller determines a safe mode of operation.

The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed, and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the dual mode component is driven by both the mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

7. A vehicle cooling system comprising:

at least one dual mode component, wherein the dual mode component is constructed and arranged to operate using at least one of a mechanical connection or an electric motor and wherein the dual mode component is driven in one direction when operating using the mechanical connection and the dual mode component is driven in an opposite direction when operating using the electric motor.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the dual mode component is a fan.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator.

10. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection in the forward direction to operating from the electric motor in the opposite direction using a user-operated switch component.

1 1 . The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when a controller determines a safe mode of operation .

12. The system as set forth in claim 1 1 , wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed, and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

13. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the dual mode component is driven by both the mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

14. A method of operating a dual mode fan for a vehicle cooling system comprising: supplying a mechanical connection wherein the dual mode fan operates in a forward direction; and supplying a connection with an electric motor wherein the dual mode fan operates in a backwards direction and in the forward direction.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the vehicle system includes a combustion engine, a cooling system including a radiator, plumbing connected to the radiator and the engine to deliver coolant from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor using a user-operated switch component.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the dual mode component changes between operating from the mechanical connection to operating from the electric motor when a controller determines a safe mode of operation.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the safe mode of operation is determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to engine temperature, vehicle speed, and likelihood of obstacles in front of the vehicle.

19. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the dual mode component is driven by both the mechanical connection and the electric motor at the same time.

20. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein when the dual mode fan removes any debris accumulation from the radiator when the dual mode fan is operating in the backwards direction.