Temperature-responsive Patents (Class 123/41.12)
  • Patent number: 8485141
    Abstract: A fan drive system is provided having a housing connected with a pulley. A fan shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing by a clutch. A piston actuates the clutch. A pressure tube is provided for delivering pressure to the piston. A valve controls pressure against the piston. A fixed shaft rotatably supports the housing and the pulley and has passages extending through the pulley. A base connects the support shaft to a vehicle structure. An oil plate has inlets and outlets with the shaft passages. The oil plate circulates the hydraulic fluid. A coolant plate is juxtaposed between the oil plate and the structure supporting the support shaft. The coolant plate has inlets and outlets for coolant from a remote cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Thomas Tembreull, Michael Cooper, Paul Crockett, Michael Hagedorn, Justin Rumao
  • Patent number: 8474416
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system is provided including a housing containing a hydraulic fluid, a pulley connected to the housing a fan shaft rotatably mounted to the housing by a hydraulically actuated clutch, a piston mounted within a piston housing for actuating the clutch, a pitot tube for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid from the housing to the piston housing, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure within the piston housing, a shaft rotationally supporting the housing having passages extending through the pulley, a base connected with the shaft connecting the shaft with a structure, the base having coolant inlet and outlet, and an oil cooler connected with the base on a side of said base generally axially opposite of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Theodore A. Malott, Christopher D. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8459216
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a fan producing an outlet fluid flow, and an inlet receiving an inlet stream and operably coupled to the fan. The apparatus further includes a divider separating the outlet flow into a first outlet stream and a second outlet stream, a first flow path directing the first outlet stream to a first heat transfer device thermally coupled to a first heat generating device, and a second flow path directing the second outlet stream to a second heat transfer device thermally coupled to a second heat generating device. In certain embodiments, the first and second heat transfer devices are a radiator and a surface of a generator, and the first and second heat generation devices are an internal combustion engine and the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony T. Klejeski, Benjamin J. Kirchoff
  • Patent number: 8408170
    Abstract: A cooling fan (10) for a vehicle engine (50), having a fan casing (60) and a fan rotor (12) which is movable axially relative to the fan casing during operation. There is an actuator (20) for moving the fan rotor (12) to positions which represent various degrees of protrusion (a) from an end of the fan casing (60) in order to optimise the fan's suction capacity and efficiency on the basis of current operating parameters such as fan speed and vehicle velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Erik Söderberg
  • Patent number: 8360014
    Abstract: In the context of an enclosure-housed engine in which an engine 10 is housed within an enclosure 2, the present invention is such that arranged in an intake chamber 8A, separate from one or more chambers where a radiator 18 and the engine are disposed, there is engine intake equipment comprising an air cleaner 22 and an intake silencer 23; the constitution being such that at least one wall face of said intake chamber is subjected to a cooling airstream, intake and exhaust of which are driven by a radiator fan; and the constitution being such that the radiator fan 19 is driven, regardless of whether or not engine coolant within the radiator is circulating, when outside air temperature is greater than or equal to a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ono, Toshiyuki Hayashi, Hirotoshi Kihara, Shojiro Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8342142
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes an electric water pump that circulates a coolant, a radiator that radiates heat of the coolant, an electric fan that cools the radiator, a control device, and first flow rate correction means. The control device controls the discharge flow rate of the electric water pump based on a target flow rate set based on an amount of heat generated in an engine, and controls operation of the electric fan based on a coolant temperature. When the coolant temperature is equal to or higher than a fan operation temperature at which the operation of the electric fan is started, the first flow rate correction means increases the discharge flow rate of the electric water pump in accordance with an increase in the coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Shintani, Shinichi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20120304944
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, a primary pump coupled to the engine, and a motor fluidly connected to the primary pump. The engine system further includes a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the engine, the heat exchanger configured to accept heated coolant from the engine and deliver cooled coolant to the engine. The engine system also includes a fan driven by the motor in either a forward or a reverse mode of operation, the fan configured to pull air toward the heat exchanger in a first direction during the forward mode of operation to assist in cooling the coolant, and to push air toward the heat exchanger in a second direction opposite the first direction during the reverse mode of operation. The engine system further includes a controller configured to operate the fan in the reverse mode of operation in response to a sensed temperature of the coolant and a speed of the fan in the forward mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Randal N. Peterson, Jeremy T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120285402
    Abstract: A controller, for use in a power plant having a liquid cooling system and an air cooling system, comprising one or more inputs, configured to receive a signal from at least one deposit sensor, wherein the signal from the deposit sensor is indicative of deposits in the liquid cooling system; and one or more processors, configured to process the signal received from the deposit sensor to control the air cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Peter FW FOSTER
  • Patent number: 8292499
    Abstract: An engine coolant amount determining apparatus includes an electric water pump that can be operated intermittently while an engine is running, and a coolant temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of coolant at a location higher than the water pump. The engine coolant amount determining apparatus also includes determining means for determining that the amount of coolant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount when the degree of change in the coolant temperature detected by the coolant temperature detecting means when the water pump is operated intermittently is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakagaki, Masanori Shibata, Masaho Narita, Hisao Nonoyama, Nobutaka Takeuchi, Yukari Araki, Hiroshi Kobae
  • Publication number: 20120260867
    Abstract: A control system for use with a machine having an engine is disclosed. The control system may have a cooling circuit, a heat exchanger associated with the cooling circuit, and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the cooling circuit. The cooling system may also have a fan mechanically driven by the engine to direct air through the cooling circuit, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the engine. The controller may be configured to adjust a speed of the engine based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Michael J. Chadwick, Jared P. Johnson, Gregory G. Hermann, Thomas G. Pusch
  • Patent number: 8215381
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method to control excessive temperature changes in a coolant circuit includes providing a coolant circuit including a bypass flow pathway bypassing a heat exchanger, said coolant circuit at an elevated operating temperature; providing an adjustable coolant flow through said bypass flow pathway and said heat exchanger; providing a coolant pump in said coolant circuit; determining a temperature change in said coolant circuit in response to initiating a coolant flow from said heat exchanger into said coolant circuit, said temperature change greater than a predetermined limit; and in response to said determined temperature change, adjusting at least one or more of said coolant pump speed and said coolant flow to maintain said coolant circuit within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 8201525
    Abstract: A cooling device for an engine including a radiator circulation flow channel, a heater circulation flow channel, a bypass circulation flow channel, a valve, and a pump. The channels merge in the thermostat and form a common flow channel between the thermostat and the engine. The pump is provided in the common flow channel. At a start of a warm-up period and during the warm-up operation, circulation is substantially stopped by the thermostat, cooling water circulation is actuated in the bypass circulation flow channel, and an opening degree of the electronically controlled valve is gradually increased from a minimum as the cooling water temperature rises. The electronically controlled valve is not completely closed even when closed, and is open to a certain degree from an initial stage of the warm-up period, thereby causing part of the cooling water to flow in the bypass circulation flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Shiobara, Hidehiko Koyashiki
  • Publication number: 20120097118
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a motor vehicle which has a cooler and a fan for cooling the vehicle's engine, the method includes detecting (s410) a temperature-related parameter which affects the engine's temperature during specific cooling conditions; and activating operation of the fan when the engine's temperature fulfils a predetermined condition; determining the (s440) predetermined condition on the basis of outcome as regards engine temperature over a predetermined period of time, and/or outcome as regards the detected parameter over a predetermined period of time. A computer program product includes program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing a method according to the invention. Also the device that performs the method and a motor vehicle equipped with the device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Björn Malmgren, Hans Wikström
  • Patent number: 8104435
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Allan Roy Gale, Dinakara Karanth, Steven James Parks, Garrett O'Donohue
  • Patent number: 8099222
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the charge air temperature of an internal combustion engine, in which a coolant flow upstream of a recooler is distributed as a function of the position of a characteristic diagram-type thermostat valve between a recooler coolant flow and a bypass coolant flow. The temperature of the charge air cooler coolant flow is determined downstream of the recooler by the reunited coolant flows, i.e., the recooler coolant flow and the bypass coolant flow. The charge air temperature is determined by the temperature of the charge air cooler coolant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Patent number: 8052066
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle can be driven using both of respective driving forces from an engine and a motor. A heating mechanism of an air conditioning apparatus uses thermal energy from cooling water of the engine to heat the interior of a passenger compartment. An ECU takes into consideration engine efficiency from the standpoint of fuel economy enhancement to primarily determine the driving force share ratio between the engine and the motor. Further, the ECU calculates a preset temperature corresponding to a cooling water temperature necessary for desired heating as well as a control target temperature in which the preset temperature is reflected, and corrects the primarily determined driving force share ratio to increase the share of the driving force of the engine by an amount according to a deviation between the cooling water temperature measured by a water temperature sensor and the control target temperature. Heating performance can thus be ensured promptly without deterioration of fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Watanabe, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110220042
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a water-cooled engine includes a radiator that cools coolant that has been circulated in the engine; a radiator fan that delivers air to the radiator; a determination portion that determines whether the engine is operated under a high load; and a setting portion. If the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, the setting portion sets an operation rate of the radiator fan at a time point at which the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, to a value higher than a normal operation rate at the same coolant temperature as a coolant temperature at the time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8015954
    Abstract: A radiator fan arrangement for a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement includes at least one cooling element for cooling a medium, and a first radiator fan for continuously generating a forced air flow through at least one first region of the cooling element in order to cool the medium during operation of the combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement also includes at least one extra radiator fan for being activated to generate an increased air flow through at least one second region of said cooling element in situations where the first radiator fan cannot provide sufficient air flow to cool as necessary the medium in the cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (PUBL)
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Patent number: 8015953
    Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling fan for an engine of a vehicle may entail determining an engine coolant temperature, providing a normal load operation mode for the cooling fan and a high load operation mode for the cooling fan, determining whether a tow-haul operation is selected within the vehicle, determining a vehicle load of the vehicle by detecting whether a towing load sensor is activated or not activated, determining whether a vehicle load threshold is reached based upon activation of the towing load sensor, and operating the cooling fan. Operating the cooling fan may be based on the coolant temperature and one of the normal load operation mode and the high load operation mode. Operating the cooling fan in the normal load operation mode may mean reducing a cooling fan operation frequency and decreasing a cooling fan operation percentage over a predetermined coolant temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Anthony Stramecki
  • Publication number: 20110132292
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Allan Roy Gale, Dinakara Karanth, Steven James Parks, Garrett O'Donohue
  • Patent number: 7921816
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulically driven fan is provided with a cooling fan which is rotated by a hydraulic motor and carries out ventilation for cooling a working fluid. Further, the control device for the hydraulically driven fan is provided with a sensor for detecting a temperature of the working fluid, and a lever switch for detecting whether a working mechanism actuated by the engine is in a stopped state, by determining whether a working machine lever has been operated. In order that a resonance between the cooling fan and the engine is suppressed, the control device for the hydraulically driven fan further adjusts a rotating speed of the hydraulic motor in correspondence to a detection result by the lever switch. In the case that a stopped state of the working mechanism is detected on the basis of an operation state of the working machine lever by the lever switch, the rotating speed of the hydraulic motor is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Okuda, Keiji Yanagihara, Kouji Hoshi
  • Publication number: 20110011356
    Abstract: A fan drive control device includes: a hydraulic motor driving a cooling fan by a hydraulic oil supplied from a hydraulic pump driven by an engine; a flow rate adjuster adjusting a flow rate of the hydraulic oil flowed into the hydraulic motor; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a fluid cooled by a cooling fan; an accelerator pedal angle sensor detecting an accelerator pedal angle for controlling an engine power based on a detected value by the temperature sensor; a target flow rate setting unit setting a target flow rate of the hydraulic oil flowed into the hydraulic motor; a target flow rate compensation unit compensating the target flow rate based on a detected value by the accelerator pedal angle sensor; and a control command generator generating a control command to the flow rate adjuster according to the target flow rate by the target flow rate compensation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Kizuki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7863839
    Abstract: A fan speed control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may include a fan to provide a flow of coolant to the machine. The system may further include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an operational parameter of the machine, a second sensor associated with the fan to generate a second signal indicative of an actual speed of the fan, and a controller communicatively coupled to the fan, the first sensor, and the second sensor. The controller may be configured to generate a third signal indicative of a desired fan speed based on the first signal, and a fourth signal indicative of a difference between the desired fan speed and the actual fan speed. The controller may drive the fan based on the third signal and the fourth signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Scott Richard Schuricht, Douglas I. Norman, Paul W. Peresta, Arvil Duane Wilson
  • Patent number: 7856951
    Abstract: An invention relating to a control apparatus and a control method for a hydraulically driven cooling fan for reducing the peak pressure produced upon reversing the switch position of a switching valve, without stopping an engine, and without greatly modifying existing hydraulic circuitry or increasing the apparatus cost. In the invention, in the case that a reversing switch has been operated so as to output a reversal processing commencement instruction signal, control is carried out such that, under the condition that the rotational speed of the engine has decreased to not more than a stipulated rotational speed, capacity adjusting means is controlled, so as to reduce the capacity of a hydraulic pump, and thus reduce the fan rotational speed, and then the switch position of the switching valve is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Kamado, Shigeru Yamamoto, Tomohiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7841307
    Abstract: In a cooling fan drive system for a travel type working machine, the rotational speed of a cooling fan is controlled to the optimum rotational speed in accordance with temperature increase of the temperature of an engine cooling water, and the engine rotational speed is smoothly increased when the engine rotational speed is increased under travel acceleration. A fourth fan target rotational speed calculator 35e and a minimum value selector 35f are provided, and under non-operation, the fan target rotational speed is set to a low rotational speed irrespective of the temperature. When an acceleration pedal 12 is depressed to increase the rotational speed of the engine under travel acceleration, the increase of the drive pressure of a hydraulic motor 23 due to increase of the rotation of the cooling fan 9 is suppressed, and the load on the engine 1 is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentarou Itoga, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kazunori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7823669
    Abstract: An electric motor radiator (34), a feeding mechanism (30), and a cooling oil circulation path (32) constitute a cooling mechanism that cools the electric motor (6) via an electric motor cooling oil that is a cooling medium. The electric motor radiator (34) forms a circulation path between the electric motor (6), and cooling of the electric motor (6) is performed via the electric motor cooling oil. A PCU radiator (44), a feeding mechanism (40) and a cooling water circulation path (42) constitute a cooling mechanism that cools a PCU (8) via a PCU cooling water that is a cooling medium. The PCU radiator (44) forms a circulation path between the PCU (8), and cooling of the PCU (8) is performed via the PCU cooling water. Further, the feeding mechanism (30, 40) operate by power received from a power storage portion (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Bandai, Tomonari Taguchi, Hideto Minekawa
  • Publication number: 20100107997
    Abstract: A cooling device for a vehicle is provided at a vehicle comprising an engine control unit which stops an engine due to establishment of engine stoppage conditions and restarts the engine due to establishment of engine restart conditions. The cooling device for a vehicle is able to cool a coolant within a heat exchanger for cooling by cooling wind, which is guided from an exterior of the vehicle, passing through the heat exchanger for cooling. Cooling by driving force of either one of an electric motor or the engine can be selected in accordance with preset conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100083916
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes an electric water pump that circulates a coolant, a radiator that radiates heat of the coolant, an electric fan that cools the radiator, a control device, and first flow rate correction means. The control device controls the discharge flow rate of the electric water pump based on a target flow rate set based on an amount of heat generated in an engine, and controls operation of the electric fan based on a coolant temperature. When the coolant temperature is equal to or higher than a fan operation temperature at which the operation of the electric fan is started, the first flow rate correction means increases the discharge flow rate of the electric water pump in accordance with an increase in the coolant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Shintani, Shinichi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20100064991
    Abstract: A cooling-fan control device for a vehicle that increases the cooling capacity of a cooling oil that cools a brake rapidly and inhibits a brake damage in a case where the brake is applied during traveling or, in addition to the above-described problem-to-be-resolved, suppresses engine horsepower consumption and avoids consumption increase, while increasing the cooling capacity of the brake cooling oil. The rotation speed of the cooling fan is controlled to obtain the higher target rotation speed of a first target rotation speed corresponding to a detected cooling oil temperature and a second target rotation speed corresponding to a detected brake operation amount. The present invention is applicable to a vehicle in which an engine power is distributed to a travel power train and a hydraulic pump, drive wheels are operated via the travel power train, and the cooling fan is actuated via the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Norihide Mizoguchi, Satoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7669417
    Abstract: An engine after-cooling system (10) comprises an after-cooler (11) for cooling compressed air which is output from a compressor for combustion by an internal-combustion engine, a heat exchanger (19) for cooling a coolant which is output from the after-cooler (11), a pump (21) for continuously pumping the coolant through the system (10), an outlet air temperature sensor (27) for sensing the temperature of the compressed air after being cooled by the after-cooler (11), a coolant temperature sensor (17) for sensing the temperature of the coolant output from the after-cooler (11), and a controller (26) for controlling the flow-rate of coolant through the system (10) in response to the sensed air and coolant temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Titan Research and Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Norman John Smith
  • Publication number: 20090241865
    Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling fan for an engine of a vehicle may entail determining an engine coolant temperature, providing a normal load operation mode for the cooling fan and a high load operation mode for the cooling fan, determining whether a tow-haul operation is selected within the vehicle, determining a vehicle load of the vehicle by detecting whether a towing load sensor is activated or not activated, determining whether a vehicle load threshold is reached based upon activation of the towing load sensor, and operating the cooling fan. Operating the cooling fan may be based on the coolant temperature and one of the normal load operation mode and the high load operation mode. Operating the cooling fan in the normal load operation mode may mean reducing a cooling fan operation frequency and decreasing a cooling fan operation percentage over a predetermined coolant temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Anthony Stramecki
  • Publication number: 20090236089
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM BLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Lawrence P. Ziehr, William R. Hill, Thomas K. Lockwood, Todd M. Tumas
  • Patent number: 7584722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle engine system. The engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a cooler of a cooling circuit, an electric generator driven by the engine from a side of the engine which is other than that which faces the cooler, and a fan for moving air through the cooler, all disposed in an engine compartment. An electric motor is powered by the generator and mechanically drives the fan through an output shaft which is mechanically connected to the fan. The output shaft of the motor is disposed in the engine compartment near a mechanical power take-off of the engine. The mechanical power take-off includes a belt pulley connected to a free end of an engine crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Joachim Sobotzik
  • Publication number: 20090194045
    Abstract: A dual drive radiator fan and coolant pump system for a liquid-cooled reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a coolant pump with an impeller shaft driven by a first drive extending between the engine's crankshaft and a pump pulley and hub mounted upon the impeller shaft. A second drive extends between the crankshaft and a fan hub journaled upon the pump hub, so that the coolant pump and fan hub are driven independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Krolewski, Mike W. Drawe
  • Publication number: 20090159021
    Abstract: A radiator fan arrangement for a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement includes at least one cooling element for cooling a medium, and a first radiator fan for continuously generating a forced air flow through at least one first region of the cooling element in order to cool the medium during operation of the combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement also includes at least one extra radiator fan for being activated to generate an increased air flow through at least one second region of said cooling element in situations where the first radiator fan cannot provide sufficient air flow to cool as necessary the medium in the cooling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Publication number: 20090151660
    Abstract: A system for controlling a fan in a vehicle comprises an ambient temperature module that generates an ambient temperature enable signal when ambient temperature is within a vaporization window. An engine component monitoring module that generates a vaporization temperature enable signal when an engine component in an engine compartment has an estimated outer surface temperature that greater than a water vaporization temperature. A vehicle speed module generates a speed enable signal when the vehicle speed is less than a first vehicle speed. A fan turn-on module that selectively turns on a fan based on the temperature enable signal, the vaporization temperature enable signal and the speed enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mario Miguel Zamora, Michael A. Turley
  • Publication number: 20090145376
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulically driven fan is provided with a cooling fan which is rotated by a hydraulic motor and carries out ventilation for cooling a working fluid. Further, the control device for the hydraulically driven fan is provided with a sensor for detecting a temperature of the working fluid, and a lever switch for detecting whether a working mechanism actuated by the engine is in a stopped state, by determining whether a working machine lever has been operated. In order that a resonance between the cooling fan and the engine is suppressed, the control device for the hydraulically driven fan further adjusts a rotating speed of the hydraulic motor in correspondence to a detection result by the lever switch. In the case that a stopped state of the working mechanism is detected on the basis of an operation state of the working machine lever by the lever switch, the rotating speed of the hydraulic motor is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kozo Okuda, Keiji Yanagihara, Kouji Hoshi
  • Publication number: 20090107424
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature of the engine oil of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle are provided. The system includes an engine oil circuit for controlling the temperature of the engine oil, which engine oil circuit includes the internal combustion engine and a coolant/engine-oil heat exchanger; and a coolant circuit for controlling the temperature of the internal combustion engine, which coolant circuit in a main branch, includes the internal combustion engine, a coolant cooler and a first coolant pump and, in an auxiliary branch downstream of the coolant cooler, includes the coolant/engine-oil heat exchanger and a second coolant pump. The heat of the engine oil can thereby be dissipated via the coolant/engine-oil heat exchanger to the coolant and further via the coolant cooler to the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Timo Blassnitz, Oliver Wiech
  • Patent number: 7522994
    Abstract: An exhaust control system for a power source is disclosed. The exhaust control system includes a navigation tool and a processor. The navigation tool is configured to detect a geographical location of a power source. The processor is configured to compare the geographical location of the power source with fuel-location data stored in a database. The exhaust control system is configured to modify, activate, or deactivate at least one engine control system, or activate or deactivate at least one power source warning system, based on a result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Durand
  • Patent number: 7516827
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system (12) having a method of engagement includes a housing assembly (20) containing a hydraulic fluid (48) and an engaging circuit (36). The engaging circuit (36) includes a pitot tube (152) coupled within the housing assembly (20) that receives at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid (48). An engaging circuit (36) engages the housing assembly (20) to a fan shaft (44) in response to supply of the hydraulic fluid (48) from the pitot tube (152).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Theodore A. Malott, Neil E. Robb, Gary E. Hart
  • Patent number: 7509208
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the temperature of an engine system is disclosed. The method and system comprise measuring a coolant temperature of the engine system; measuring noise factors of the engine system; and controlling components of the engine system to provide for an optimal operation of the engine based upon the measured temperature and measured noise factors. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention combines measuring noise factors such as coolant pressure or coolant concentration and the temperature and then adjusting the threshold values for factors such as fan on temperature and engine protection derate. In so doing the coolant temperature can be controlled within an acceptable range of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Bays
  • Patent number: 7503444
    Abstract: An engine mounted fan clutch is disclosed that utilizes an actuator including two shape memory alloy actuation wires to engage and disengage a valve arm and ultimately the fan. The actuator also includes a controller and a position sensor to accurately determine the position of a valve arm. The fan clutch is part of a control system that continuously monitors the engine parameters and makes adjustments to keep the engine temperature within an acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Bohan
  • Publication number: 20090025661
    Abstract: In a cooling fan drive system for a travel type working machine, the rotational speed of a cooling fan is controlled to the optimum rotational speed in accordance with temperature increase of the temperature of an engine cooling water, and the engine rotational speed is smoothly increased when the engine rotational speed is increased under travel acceleration. A fourth fan target rotational speed calculator 35e and a minimum value selector 35f are provided, and under non-operation, the fan target rotational speed is set to a low rotational speed irrespective of the temperature. When an acceleration pedal 12 is depressed to increase the rotational speed of the engine under travel acceleration, the increase of the drive pressure of a hydraulic motor 23 due to increase of the rotation of the cooling fan 9 is suppressed, and the load on the engine 1 is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Kentarou Itoga, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kazunori Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080295786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable speed fan drive. There is a need for a variable speed fan drive with fewer seals and bearings, which is operated by system hydraulic pressure, which has fewer parts and which is simpler to assemble. A variable speed fan drive is provided for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The fan drive has a driver variable sheave unit, a driven variable sheave unit and a belt engaging both the driver and driven variable sheave units. The driver variable sheave unit includes a driver shaft drivingly coupled to an engine output shaft, a first axially fixed half sheave mounted for rotation with the driver shaft, and a first axially movable half sheave member mounted for rotation with the driver shaft and movable axially on the driver shaft. The first axially movable half sheave member includes a belt engaging flange formed integrally with an axially movable piston member mounted for rotation with the driver shaft and movable axially in response to hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Darren James Nelson, Shane Michael Boden, Andy Blaine Appleton, Bradley Thomas Cote
  • Publication number: 20080282999
    Abstract: A thermal control system for an engine and/or peripheral components is disclosed wherein a fan may be actively coupled and decoupled from an engine's shaft based on a sensed parameter such as engine temperature, alternator temperature and/or supply fuel temperature. In one embodiment, the temperature is sensed at or near the engine thermostat or peripheral component and a controller controls an electromagnetic clutch to cause the fan to engage and disengage a shaft of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SHINDAIWA, INC.
    Inventor: Dan Shumaker
  • Publication number: 20080257286
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for cooling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in particular a cooling module (1), comprising an air-guiding device (7, 6) for air guidance having an overall flow cross section, at least two heat exchangers (2, 3) for cooling fluid flows, an air feed device (4, 4a, 4b) and a device which is arranged in the air flow for regulating the air mass flow. It is proposed that the air mass flow in a part cross section of the overall cross section can be regulated by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Harich, Eberhard Pantow, Ulrich Vollert
  • Patent number: 7397354
    Abstract: The invention relates to an engine cooling system monitoring system. There is a need for a cooling system monitoring system for an engine system wherein the coolant is maintained at a precise temperature. Thus, a cooling system monitoring system is provided for an engine system having internal combustion engine, a fan driven by a variable speed fan drive, and a radiator for cooling coolant circulating through the engine. The monitoring system includes a fan speed sensor generating a fan speed signal, a control unit and a display device controlled by the control unit. The control unit generates a cooling system status signal as a function of the fan speed signal and a maximum fan speed value. The display device has visible position range associated with a normal engine operating temperature, and has an indicator movable within said position range in response to the cooling system status signal to indicate a status of the engine cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Easton
  • Patent number: 7395788
    Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one fan (13) for the regulation of the cooling demand of at least two cooling elements (12) included in a drill rig (1), the cooling demand of each one of the cooling elements (12) being determined, that the determined cooling demands are weighted together and that the fan (13) is controlled based on the weighting together. At least one cooling element is equipped with a safety thermostat, which, if required, prevents undercooling by the fact that the fluid in question is not allowed to circulate in this cooling element. Also described is a drill rig for the execution of the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Henrik Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 7377237
    Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B. Carney, John C. Hughes, Kevin J. Keene, Deborah A. Klinkert, Bradley D. Padget
  • Patent number: 7347167
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system for an internal combustion engine having first and second cooling fans is provided, comprising operating the first cooling fan at a first rotational frequency which is greater than a combustion frequency of the internal combustion engine and operating the second cooling fan at a second rotational frequency which is less than the combustive vibration frequency of the internal combustion engine. Since the rotational frequencies of the first and second cooling fans are different from the combustion frequency of the internal combustion engine, the resonance between the rotational vibration of the cooling fans and the combustive vibration of the internal combustion engine may be prevented. Also, since the rotational frequencies of the first and second cooling fans are different from each other so that the resonance between their rotational vibrations may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Sugiyama, Eiji Kosaka, Shinichi Ohshima, Tatsunori Iwasaki