Abstract: An assembly includes first and second rotatable members which rotate about a common axis of rotation, the first member being connected to a first rotor and the second member being connected to a second rotor, the first and second rotors being concentrically arranged, the assembly further including a first stator including coils wound about a core, and a second stator including coils also wound about the core, the first rotor being rotatable in response to electrical current flowing in the coils of the first stator and the second rotor being rotatable about the axis in response to electrical current flowing in the coils of the second stator.

Abstract: A target fan rotation speed FANRPM is set corresponding to the temperature Tc sensed by a cooling water temperature sensing unit. A capacity control unit (controller, EPC valve )is then used to control the capacity of a hydraulic pump (or a hydraulic motor) so that the fan rotation speed N of the cooling fan becomes the target fan rotation speed FANRPM. In this way, when the cooling fan is driven by a hydraulic source, it can be driven with optimal energy efficiency and noise can be controlled to a minimum.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus for controlling a fan on a work machine is provided. The method includes the steps of sensing a temperature of air at an inlet manifold, sensing a temperature of an engine coolant fluid, sensing a temperature of a hydraulic fluid, and sensing a temperature of a transmission fluid. The method also includes the step of controlling the fan responsive to at least one of the sensed temperatures.

Abstract: A cooling circuit for a vehicle engine, traveled by fluid under pump action, comprises a cooling branch with a radiator associated with a motor-driven fan unit, and a heating branch containing an air heater. A first device establishes a hot-starting state of the engine as a function of chosen conditions; and a second device, active in this hot-starting state, controls the speed of the pump and the speed of the motor-driven fan unit under chosen conditions, as a function of a first magnitude representative of the temperature of the fluid and of a second magnitude representative of the heating demand.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the speed of a plurality of fans for cooling a plurality of fluids in a work machine in accordance with the heat dissipation requirements of the particular heat transfer cores, the present control system including a plurality of sensors positioned to sense the temperature of each of the plurality of fluids, each sensor being operable to output a signal indicative of the temperature of that particular fluid. An electronic controller coupled to the sensors receives signals indicative of the temperature of each of the plurality of fluids, determines therefrom a desired fan speed for each fan, and outputs a signal to individually control the speed of each fan. Each output signal is based upon a comparison of at least some of the temperature error signals determined from the plurality of sensor signals.

Abstract: Various control strategies and techniques for controlling a variable speed fan in an internal combustion engine are provided. The various control techniques improve fuel economy by operating the fan at a speed sufficient to cool the engine, while avoiding unnecessarily higher speeds that result in poor fuel economy. Further, the fan may be completely disabled at cold start up to avoid over cooling, particularly in an engine using a charge air cooling system.

Abstract: A radiator fan controller is provided for lowering temperature in an engine compartment by positively scavenging it if the compartment is hot enough to require scavenging. Coolant temperature Tw is compared with a high temperature determining threshold value TWS. In the case of Tw<TWS, vehicle speed VSP is compared with a low speed determining threshold value VSPS. In the case of VSP<VSPS, intake air temperature Ta is compared with an intake air temperature determining threshold value TAS. In the case of VSP<VSPS and Ta≧TAS, it is determined that scavenging by running wind cannot lower the temperature and a radiator fan should be forcibly turned on. As a result, the engine compartment is forcibly scavenged by blowing air from the radiator fan to prevent respective components from suffering thermal damage caused by excessively rising temperature.

Abstract: A system for both providing air flow through a condenser core of an air conditioner and ventilating an engine compartment in a work machine. A control system for controlling the air flow through the condenser core and through the engine compartment includes a signal generating mechanism associated with the air conditioner operable to output a signal to the control system indicative of a desired fan speed, at least one sensor positioned in the engine compartment for determining the air temperature therein, and a controller coupled to the signal generating mechanism and to the at least one sensor for outputting a signal to the fan to control the speed thereof, the output signal being indicative of the highest fan speed dictated by the signals received from the signal generating mechanism and from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A ventilation device of an agricultural vehicle such as a combine, forage harvester or tractor having an engine (10) and a cooling device (12) for cooling the engine (10) and/or additional parts to be cooled that are in a heat conducting relationship. The ventilation device comprises a fan (20) a fan drive (18) and a control system (26) connected to the fan drive (18) to regulate the feeding rate of the fan (20). The control system (26) is arranged to control the fan drive (18) in the most energy-efficient way while making allowance for the amount of ambient air required by the cooling device (12) and the drive power requirements of the fan (20) using a flat logic (fuzzy control).

Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump 60 used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 91 between a drive ring 74 and a driven ring 84 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft 108, and coupled fan 110, at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring 74 also rotates an attached impeller assembly 112 having impellers 114 to move engine coolant through the cooling system.

Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.

Abstract: In apparatus and method for controlling a cooling fan associated motor at a pulse duty ratio, the cooling fan is revolved by the cooling fan associated motor to cool a radiator of a vehicular engine coolant and a condenser of a refrigerant of a vehicular air conditioner and the duty ratio for the cooling fan associated motor is controlled in such a manner that a sum of a torque required for a generator to drive the cooling fan associated motor and a torque required to drive a compressor of the air conditioner is minimized while satisfying a control demand for a coolant temperature and a refrigerant pressure so that the cooling fan associated motor is driven at the duty ratio.

Abstract: Various control strategies and techniques for controlling a variable speed fan in an internal combustion engine are provided. The various control techniques improve fuel economy by operating the fan at a speed sufficient to cool the engine, while avoiding unnecessarily higher speeds that result in poor fuel economy. Further, the fan may be completely disabled at cold start up to avoid over cooling, particularly in an engine using a charge air cooling system.

Abstract: A bracket assembly and method for positioning a cooling fan thermostat on a motorcycle engine so that the mounted thermostat is more responsive to actual changes in engine temperature. The bracket mounts on the engine's engine block near the base of the cylinders and positions the thermostat close to the cylinders' cooling fins. This positioning leaves the thermostat well below the lines of air flowing from the fan and prevents the thermostat from cooling before lowering the engine temperature below the preset maximum level. This positioning also leaves the thermostat closer to the cylinders which are the most significant sources of heat in the engine, making the thermostat more convectively responsive to the engine's actual temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling engine temperature in a closed circuit cooling system 12 of an automobile 10 having an electric water pump 34, a flow control valve 42, and electric fan 40. A powertrain control module 20 electrically coupled to the electric water pump 34, flow control valve 42 and electric fan 40 interprets inputs from various sensors to adjust the pumping speed of an electric water pump 34, adjust the rotational speed of an electric fan 40, and/or adjust the flow rate through a flow control valve 42 to the radiator 46 according to a look up table as a function of fuel economy, emissions, thermal management and electrical load management.

Abstract: Fan efficiency problems are substantially reduced in a cooling system having a plurality of heat exchangers (10), (18), (20), (22) positioned with respect to each other to define a housing in the form of a polygonal solid with certain of the heat exchangers being employed in heat exchange fluid while others may be utilized to cool one or more other heat exchange fluids different from the first. A radial fan (42) is disposed within a space (26) within the housing and provided with blades (52) for flowing air generally radially outward through the heat exchangers (10), (18), (20), (22). The ratio of the location of the center line (d) of the fan blade outer edges (56) with respect to the front (30) of the heat exchanger to the diameter (D) of the fan (42) at the outer edges (56) is in the range of about 0.20 to about 0.36.

Abstract: A method of regulating heat in a internal combustion engine by measuring temperature at a plurality of points and providing changes in temperature for the cooling and providing changes in temperature for the cooling and/or heating medium. The regulation of the heat of the internal combustion engine results from detecting and monitoring changes in critical component temperatures and/or characteristic output values of the internal combustion engine. These critical component temperature changes per unit time and/or output characteristic value changes per unit time are used in the regulation of the heat of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A drive for a cooling fan at motor vehicles including a main cooling circuit and at least one secondary cooling circuit using a fluid friction clutch including a control element for the drive of the cooling fan is described.

Abstract: The system comprises a pressure sensor for providing a signal indicative of the pressure of the refrigerant fluid of the air-conditioning system at the output or delivery of the compressor of the system, a sensor for detecting the temperature of the liquid flowing through the engine-cooling system (R), an activation sensor for providing a signal when the air-conditioning system is activated, a sensor for detecting the speed of forward movement of the motor vehicle, and a control and operating unit connected to the sensors and to the electric motor and arranged for: determining a first speed for the electric motor in accordance with a function of the pressure of the refrigerant fluid of the air-conditioning system and of the speed of the vehicle, determining a second speed for the electric motor in accordance with a function of the temperature of the engine-coolant liquid and of the speed of forward movement of the vehicle, and sending to the electric motor control signals to bring its speed of rotation to

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine having a variable speed fan driven by a torque multiplying fan driver includes controlling the variable speed fan with closed loop control based on fan speed.

Abstract: In a coolant temperature control (1) for regulating the coolant temperature of a power converter of an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electrical locomotive, the coolant temperature is regulated to a set value (16) that is independent from the current ambient temperature in order to increase the life of the used high-performance traction power converters. As a result, the components are subject to less drastic temperature load alternations.

Abstract: In apparatus and method for controlling a cooling fan associated motor at a pulse duty ratio, the cooling fan is revolved by the cooling fan associated motor to cool a radiator of a vehicular engine coolant and a condenser of a refrigerant of a vehicular air conditioner and the duty ratio for the cooling fan associated motor is controlled in such a manner that a sum of a torque required for a generator to drive the cooling fan associated motor and a torque required to drive a compressor of the air conditioner is minimized while satisfying a control demand for a coolant temperature and a refrigerant pressure so that the cooling fan associated motor is driven at the duty ratio.

Abstract: A radiator fan controller is provided for lowering temperature in an engine compartment by positively scavenging it if the compartment is hot enough to require scavenging. Coolant temperature Tw is compared with a high temperature determining threshold value TWS. In the case of Tw<TWS, vehicle speed VSP is compared with a low speed determining threshold value VSPS. In the case of VSP<VSPS, intake air temperature Ta is compared with an intake air temperature determining threshold value TAS. In the case of VSP<VSPS and Ta≧TAS, it is determined that scavenging by running wind cannot lower the temperature and a radiator fan should be forcibly turned on. As a result, the engine compartment is forcibly scavenged by blowing air from the radiator fan to prevent respective components from suffering thermal damage caused by excessively rising temperature.

Abstract: Discharge flow rate of an electric pump is controlled such that a temperature difference between a coolant temperature at a coolant outlet of an engine and a coolant temperature at a coolant inlet of the engine is maintained to be a predetermined value &Dgr;T. Accordingly, the discharge flow rate decreases as the engine load decreases. Therefore, the pump work is reduced, and the temperature distribution of the engine is reduced. Accordingly, the engine durability is improved while the thermal distortion of the engine is prevented and the fuel economy is improved.

Abstract: An arrangement and a process for controlling the temperature of a medium, particularly of the cooling water temperature of a motor vehicle engine. At least two energy-consuming units influence the temperature to be controlled, of which at least one can be controlled with respect to its output. A control unit adjusts the output of these units for causing a required influencing of the temperature. The output of each temperature-influencing unit is adjusted by means of a previously determined, energy-minimal characteristic diagram KE which indicates for each system condition the operating point of the absolutely minimal energy consumption of the energy-consuming units for controlling the temperature according to a respective desired value.

Abstract: A hydraulic cooling system and method for use in a vehicle comprises a hydraulic pump which is coupled to a hydraulic motor for driving a fan blade in operative relationship with a radiator via a hydraulic conduit. The hydraulic conduit is formed and provided to not only hydraulically couple the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor, but also to define a support structure for supporting the hydraulic motor in operative relationship with the radiator, without the need for additional support brackets or structure. It is envisioned that the hydraulic conduit could be pre-formed in a general pyramidal or frusto-conical shape to absorb forces exerted by the motor and so that it can easily be assembled and mounted to the fan shroud.

Abstract: Air blower apparatus (20) in which a fan boss (41) at the rotational center portion of a fan (29) has a recessed form. Meanwhile, the central part of the body portion (21) of the air blower apparatus (20), i.e., a boss portion (38), has a projecting form to be housed within the recessed fan boss (41). The central part of the body potion (21), i.e., the boss portion (38), is housed within the recessed fan boss (41) at the rotational center portion of the fan (29), and the rotary shaft (39) of the body portion (21) of the air blower apparatus (20) is mounted on the fan (29).

Abstract: A ventilation device of an agricultural vehicle such as a combine, forage harvester or tractor having an engine (10) and a cooling device (12) for cooling the engine (10) and/or additional parts to be cooled that are in a heat conducting relationship. The ventilation device comprises a fan (20) a fan drive (18) and a control system (26) connected to the fan drive (18) to regulate the feeding rate of the fan (20). The control system (26) is arranged to control the fan drive (18) in the most energy-efficient way while making allowance for the amount of ambient air required by the cooling device (12) and the drive power requirements of the fan (20) using a flat logic (fuzzy control).

Abstract: In a cooling device for an engine, having a motor-driven pump and a flow rate control valve, to obtain a predetermined discharge flow rate (circulating coolant amount) from the pump 500, a pump duty is minimized while maintaining a water flow resistance as low as possible (maintaining a valve opening degree &thgr; as large as possible). Thereby, a value of an electric current flowing through the pump 500 becomes smaller to decrease the energy consumption (power consumption).

Abstract: A cooling circuit for a vehicle engine, traveled by fluid under pump action, comprises a cooling branch with a radiator associated with a motor-driven fan unit, and a heating branch containing an air heater. A first device establishes a hot-starting state of the engine as a function of chosen conditions; and a second device, active in this hot-starting state, controls the speed of the pump and the speed of the motor-driven fan unit under chosen conditions, as a function of a first magnitude representative of the temperature of the fluid and of a second magnitude representative of the heating demand.

Abstract: A fan assembly (10) which incorporates variable pitched blades (152), is driven by the engine of a vehicle and is used in cooling the engine. A control system (248) is provided which is responsive to at least one signal representative of an operating parameter of the engine and a second signal indicative of a desired cooling requirement to establish an efficient pitch for the blades of the fan assembly. In one embodiment, the speed of the engine is sensed and used in combination with a cooling requirement signal developed by the engine control module (205) to regulate the pitch of the fan assembly. In a second embodiment, engine charge air temperature and coolant temperature signals are utilized in establishing the desired pitch. Furthermore, fuzzy logic controls (290) can be utilized to anticipate the cooling needs of the engine based on variations in the overall dynamic system as derived from information available through the engine control module.

Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus for cooling the engine prior to a scheduled maintenance activity. A cool down controller receives a maintenance cool down signal and operates to place the cooling fan, coolant pump, coolant bypass valve and air control shutter in their respective maximum or increased cooling modes. These components are maintained in their maximum or increased cooling mode until the engine reaches a predetermined temperature which may be a function of an ambient temperature control signal. Interlocks may be provided to incorporate a motion control signal and/or a brake control signal.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing, variable-speed fan drive with a fluid coupling filled with working fluid, for cooling two stacked heat exchangers, namely an engine cooling-system radiator and an air-conditioner condenser located in front of the radiator, comprises a partition plate dividing the internal space of a fan housing into a reservoir chamber and a working chamber, and two different communication ports, each formed in the partition plate to communicate the reservoir chamber with the working chamber. In addition to a first valve mechanism which adjusts the opening of one of the two communication ports in response to atmospheric temperature in the circumference of the housing, a second valve mechanism is provided to adjust the opening of the other of the two communication ports in response to a refrigerant pressure in the air-conditioner condenser.

Abstract: A cooling system for an off-highway vehicle includes a heat exchanger (e.g., an engine coolant or hydraulic oil heat exchanger) and a fan mechanism for flowing air along a flow path through the heat exchanger. In the improvement, the fan mechanism is a centrifugal fan mechanism and is substantially the sole means for flowing air along the flow path. That is, there is substantially no ram-urged air. The mechanism includes a housing and a fan in the housing. The fan has forward curved blades, thereby to reduce system noise. A preferred fan has a depth-to-diameter ratio not in excess of about 0.4 and, most preferably, not in excess of about 0.25. An alternate embodiment includes what might be termed a split-discharge arrangement wherein air blown by the fan is discharged along two paths.

Abstract: The system includes a sensor operable to supply electrical signals indicating the temperature of the engine and further sensors operable to supply electrical signals indicating predetermined parameters established to define operating conditions of the motor vehicle. A processing and control unit is provided to select, on the basis of the signals supplied by the said further sensors, a corresponding predetermined function which correlates the electric power to be supplied to the fan assembly with the electric power to be supplied to the electric pump, in dependence on the heat energy extracted from the engine, in order to obtain the minimum sum of the said electric power values; and to determine, on the basis of the signals supplied by the first sensor and the said selected function, the values of electric power to be supplied to the electric fan and the electric pump.

Abstract: A cooling system has a radiator for cooling coolant of an automotive engine, cooling fan for cooling the coolant in the radiator, and a thermostat for controlling coolant temperature. The thermostat has a housing having a flange, an actuating rod secured to the housing at a first end thereof, a guide member slidably mounted on the actuating rod, a resilient seal spool provided around a second end portion of the actuating rod and secured to the guide member, a heat sensitive cylinder housing the seal spool and secured to the guide member, wax pellets provided in the heat sensitive cylinder to enclose the seal spool. The flange having at least one hole so as to pass the coolant, resulting the spring constant of return spring reduced in half and thickness of the resilient seal spool set between 25% and 5% of the diameter of the actuating rod; and further a cooling fan switch linked to the thermostat through the electronic control system, thereby turn an upper limit of the coolant to an extremely low temperature.

Abstract: A cooler for the water circulation system of a combustion engine has a motor driven pump mounted directly on the cooler and connected via a flat surface with a plate provided with a three-way valve. The flat surface has an inlet and outlet connected to the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan for an internal combustion engine. The fan has a locking device for a fluid friction clutch in the form of a pivoting hook that may be mounted subsequently at a fixed location using a holding device and may be triggered using an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be accommodated in the circuit of an ignition lock such that when the engine is started, the fan wheel is prevented from rotating unintentionally.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine of the gerotor type. The machine uses two gerotors which are preferably coplanar, and positioned nearly concentric to each other. This dual arrangement approximately doubles the displacement of hydraulic fluid per revolution, compared with a single gerotor, and thus doubles power transfer. Yet the housing containing the gerotors need only be large enough to contain the larger gerotor.

Abstract: An engine cooling system includes an engine 14; a radiator assembly including a radiator 16 and a fan 19 driven by an electric fan motor 21; a coolant circulation circuit 12 interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit 24 connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump 28 disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure 26 constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor 54 to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor 58 to detect a temperature of air exiting the radiator or a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator, and a controller 36 operatively connected with the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for protecting an engine of a vehicle driving a load from overheating. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to provide a temperature signal representative of a temperature of the engine of the vehicle, a controller responsive to the temperature signal and configured to provide a control signal, and an instrumentation system responsive to the control signal and configured to provide a warning signal. The warning signal is provided when the temperature of the engine is within a warning range, and the load is disengaged when the temperature of the engine is within an overheat range.