COMBINE COOLING CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

A combine cooling control system that includes at least one cooler for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler and at least one fan having at least one rotatable blade for generating airflow. The control system also includes at least one movable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler for controlling the airflow. The control system further includes a controller configured to receive at least one sensed operating condition from at least one operating condition sensor and determine one or more of a desired state for the at least one moveable air director and a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the received at least one operating condition. The control system further includes at least one an actuation device configured to move the at least one movable air director.

Description

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates generally to combine cooling systems, and more particularly, an improved cooling control system and method for controlling the air flowing around or through a combine cooler.

BACKGROUND

A combine harvester is a machine that is used to harvest grain crops, such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, flax or linseed, and others. The waste (e.g., straw) discharged on the field includes the remaining dried stems and leaves of the crop which may be, for example, chopped and spread on the field as residue or baled for feed and bedding for livestock.

A combine harvester uses a number of combine components/systems during harvesting. A cutting system cuts the crop using a wide cutting header. The cut crop is picked up and moved from outer areas of the header toward the center area of the header using an auger or belt system and conveyed to a feeder system. The cut crop is then fed by the feeding system into the threshing and separating mechanism of the combine for separating the grains from material other than grain (MOG). The MOG is expelled out of the rear of the combine, while the grain, chaff, and other small debris fall through concaves and grates onto a cleaning device or shoe, where it is further separated from the chaff by way of a winnowing process. Clean grain is transported to a grain tank in the combine for temporary storage. The grain tank is typically located atop the combine and loaded via a conveyer that carries clean grain collected in the cleaning system to the grain tank. The grain may then be unloaded through a conveying system to a support trailer or vehicle, allowing large quantities of grain to be unloaded in the field without needing to stop harvesting when the grain tank fills.

Heat exchangers or coolers are used to cool mediums, such as air, engine coolant, transmission oil, hydraulic oil, and the like flowing through a combine, preventing overheating of combine components/systems. A fan is typically located near the coolers to draw or blow air through or around the coolers, aiding in heat exchanger efficiency.

Conventional fan control systems have been used to aid in the cooling of combine coolers by adjusting the rotational speed of the fan to increase or decrease the amount of air flowing around or through the coolers based on temperatures sensed at various combine components. The air flow across the coolers, however, is not uniform. Accordingly, a cooler centered in front of the fan tends to receive more air flow than the coolers located at fan edges. Therefore, conventional cooling systems tend to increase the size of the fan and fan edge coolers and control the speed of the fan based on the maximum load for any one cooler to provide sufficient air flow for all coolers.

The primary power source for a cooling system fan on a combine is from the vehicle engine. As a result, increasing the size of the fan and/or coolers requires significant horsepower draw from the engine, reducing engine fuel efficiency and drawing horsepower away from other combine systems. Further, because the air flow across the coolers may not be uniform, the fan may be required to rotate more often or at a higher speed to draw or blow air through or around the coolers, increasing operating time of, and wear and tear on, the fan.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, by providing systems and methods for reducing cooling system fan speed in a vehicle, such as a combine. This technology is particularly well-suited for, but by no means limited to, fan control systems in agricultural vehicles.

Embodiments of the present invention utilize sensors for sensing one or more operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, or the like within a combine and a controller which receives the sensed operating condition(s) to: (i) control movable air directors in proximity to the coolers to move to determined desired states; and/or (ii) adjust the speed of the fan to a determined desired speed based on the operating conditions for controlling airflow proximate to (e.g. airflow around, through and/or over) one or more of the coolers.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a combine cooling control system that includes at least one cooler for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler and at least one fan having at least one rotatable blade for generating airflow. The control system also includes at least one movable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler for controlling the airflow and at least one operating condition sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of the at least one combine system. The control system further includes a controller configured to receive the at least one sensed operating condition from the at least one operating condition sensor. The controller is also configured to: determine one or more of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the received at least one operating condition. The control system further includes at least one an actuation device configured to move the at least one movable air director as directed by the controller.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one operating condition includes at least one of a temperature of the at least one cooler, a temperature within the at least one combine system and a temperature of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler further includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler and a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler. The at least one movable air director is in proximity to the first cooler and the second cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler. The controller is further configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director and a second desired state for the second moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler. The at least one movable air director includes a first movable air director in proximity to the first and second and third coolers for controlling the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers and a second movable air director in proximity to the first, second and third coolers for controlling the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler. The at least one movable air director includes one or more first cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the first cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the first cooler. The at least one movable air director also includes one or more second cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the second cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the second cooler. The at least one movable air director further includes one or more third cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the third cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the third cooler. Based on the received at least one sensed operating condition, the controller is further configured to determine: a first desired state for the one or more first cooler moveable air directors; a second desired state for the one or more second cooler moveable air directors; and a third desired state for the one or more third cooler moveable air directors.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler. The at least one movable air director includes one or more first combined cooler air directors coupled to the first and second coolers and configured to move at least one of the first and second coolers and one or more second combined cooler air directors coupled to the second and third coolers and configured to move at least one of the second and third coolers. Based on the received at least one operating condition, the controller is further configured to determine a first desired state for the one or more first combined cooler air directors and a second desired state for the one or more second combined cooler air directors.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler. The at least one movable air director includes a first movable air director configured to move along an axis substantially parallel to a co-planar surface of the first, second and third coolers facing the first movable air director. The at least one movable air director also includes a second movable air director configured to move along the axis substantially parallel to the co-planar surface of the first, second and third coolers facing the first movable air director. The controller is further configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director and a second desired state for the second moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on a comparison of the at least one sensed operating condition to a predetermined threshold value.

In one embodiment of the invention, the controller is further configured to: compare the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director to a predetermined threshold state; and increase the speed of the at least one fan when the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold state.

Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a combine air controlling cooling system that includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through at least one component of a combine and the first cooler. The cooling system also includes a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through another of the at least one component of a combine and the second cooler. The cooling system also includes at least one movable air director coupled to the combine and in proximity to the first and second coolers, the at least one movable air director configured to control airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler. The cooling system further includes at least one actuation device configured to move the at least one movable air director.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling system also includes at least one fan having at least one rotatable blade for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler and at least one operating condition sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of the at least one combine system. The cooling system also includes a controller configured for receiving the at least one sensed operating condition. The controller is also configured for determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. The controller is further configured for controlling the at least one actuation device to move the at least one movable air director to the desired state.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on a comparison of the at least one sensed operating condition to a predetermined threshold value.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one fan includes a first fan and a second fan. The first fan is proximate to the first cooler for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second fan is proximate to the second cooler for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler. The controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director based on (a) the received at least one sensed operating condition and (b) the speed of the first fan and the speed of the second fan; and (ii) a desired first fan speed of the first fan and a desired second fan speed of the second fan based on the received at least one sensed operating condition and the desired state of the at least one moveable air director.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the at least one moveable air director is configured to rotate about an axis intersecting the at least one moveable air director.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one actuation device includes at least one actuator. The cooling system further includes at least one actuation lever coupled to the at least one actuator and the at least one movable air director. The at least one actuation lever is configured to rotate the at least one movable air director about a pivot mount intersecting the at least one moveable air director.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler. The at least one cooler also includes a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler. The at least one movable air director is in proximity to the first cooler and the second cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler.

In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooler includes a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler. The at least one cooler also includes a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler. The at least one movable air director includes a first movable air director in proximity to the first cooler and configured to move along a first axis substantially parallel to a surface of the first cooler facing the first movable air director. The at least one movable air director also includes a second movable air director in proximity to the second cooler and configured to move along a second axis substantially parallel to a surface of the second cooler facing the second movable air director.

Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a method for controlling airflow in a combine cooling system. The method includes generating, by at least one fan, airflow proximate to at least one cooler that exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler and sensing at least one temperature of at least one medium flowing through a corresponding combine system and a corresponding cooler. The method also includes determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler based on the sensed temperature; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the sensed temperature. The method further includes controlling the airflow proximate to the at least one cooler by at least one of: moving the at least one air director to the determined desired state; and adjusting the speed of the at least one fan to the determined desired speed.

In one embodiment of the invention, determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan further includes comparing the at least one sensed temperature to a predetermined temperature threshold temperature.

According to an embodiment of the invention, sensing at least one temperature also includes sensing a first temperature of a first medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a first cooler. Sensing at least one temperature also includes sensing a second temperature of a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a second cooler. Sensing at least one temperature further includes sensing a third temperature of a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a third cooler. Determining at least one of a desired state for at least one moveable air director and a desired speed of the at least one fan also includes: (i) determining the desired speed of the fan as less than the speed at the time of determination when the first, second and third sensed temperatures are less than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures; (ii) determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director, as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers when the first, second and third sensed temperatures are equal to or greater than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures; and (iii) determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the first and second coolers, as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first and second coolers when the sensed temperatures of the mediums flowing through the first and second coolers is equal to or greater than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures.

In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, when the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director, are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers, the method further includes comparing each of the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states and increasing the speed of the at least one fan when each of the determined desired states are greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined threshold states. When the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the first and second coolers, are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first and second coolers, the method further includes comparing each of the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states and determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the third cooler as states for decreasing the airflow proximate to the third cooler when each of the determined desired states are greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined threshold states.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having a radiator cooler for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the exemplary combine cooling system shown at FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers and rotatable air directors in proximity to each cooler for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers and a pair of rotatable air directors in proximity to the coolers for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers and combined cooler air directors coupled to the coolers for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers and air directors which move parallel to the coolers for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3E illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having two coolers and a rotatable air director for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3F illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having two coolers and air directors which move parallel to the coolers for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers and rotatable air directors in proximity to each cooler for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for controlling air flowing in a combine cooling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary combine cooling control system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a smaller fan proximate to a first cooler rotating faster than a larger second fan proximate to second and third coolers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a smaller fan proximate to a first cooler rotating slower than a larger second fan proximate to second and third coolers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to embodiments of a combine cooling control system and a method for controlling airflow (e.g. directing airflow and/or blocking airflow) in a combine cooling system. Embodiments of the invention reduce fan horsepower requirements, thereby reducing engine fuel consumption, allocating more horsepower to other combine systems, and reducing wear and tear on the fan and fan drive system, while still providing sufficient air flow to meet design cooling requirements for all coolers. Embodiments of the present invention utilize sensors to sense one or more operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, or the like, within a combine and a controller which receives the sensed operating condition(s) from the sensors and controls one or more of; (i) movable air directors in proximity to the coolers to move to determined desired states; and/or (ii) the state of the fan to adjust to the determined desired state based on the operating conditions. Determined desired states of the movable air directors may include a position of an air director, such as a position relative to a cooler or a position relative to a rotational axis; an angle; and a percentage or fraction of an open or closed position for controlling airflow proximate to (e.g. airflow around, through and/or over) one or more of the coolers. Determined desired states of the fan may include a speed of the fan, such as instantaneous speed or average speed over a predetermined amount of time, the power supplied to the fan, a number of rotations over a predetermined amount of time; velocity of the fan; acceleration of the fan; and the like, for controlling airflow proximate to (e.g. airflow around, through and/or over) one or more of the coolers.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a combine cooling system having a radiator cooler for use with embodiments of the present invention. The combine cooling system 10, shown in FIG. 1, may be incorporated into various types of vehicles, such as a combine, a tractor, and other agricultural vehicles. The combine cooling system 10 may be placed in proximity to the motor vehicle to draw cooling air from outside the vehicle through or around a cooler, such as radiator 14, to assist in exchange of heat (e.g., cooling) from mediums flowing through the combine systems and the coolers.

A portion of the engine 12 is shown to the right of a fan pulley assembly 20. The engine 12 may be an internal combustion type engine. As shown, the engine 12 is connected to radiator 14 by a pair of interconnecting hoses, e.g., inlet hose 16a and outlet hose 16b, in which liquid coolant travels from the engine 12 to the radiator 14 via inlet hose 16a and back via outlet hose 16b.

As shown, a viscous fan drive 50, for example, is placed in the combine cooling system 10, between the engine 12 and radiator 14 and the two connection hoses, inlet hose 16a and outlet hose 16b. The viscous fan drive 50 includes an electrical actuator assembly 70. The electrical actuator assembly 70 is connected to an electrical pin connection 74 via an electrical conduit 72 housing one or more electrical wires (not shown). Pin leads at the pin connection 74 are further connected to power supply modules (not shown) and grounding located elsewhere in the vehicle. Other pin leads may be connected to a controller (not shown) to provide for fan speed commands to the viscous fan drive 50 based on sensed fan speed from a fan speed sensor 80 located within the electrical actuator assembly 70. The fan speed sensor 80 may be a Hall effect, light reflected, broken wave, or contact roller based type speed sensor. In some embodiments of the invention, fan speed is implemented in an electronic closed-loop feedback to and from the controller 608 for controlling speed.

As shown, the viscous fan drive 50 also includes an input member 60 housing an internal clutch plate (not shown) and the input shaft 62. The input shaft 62 is mounted to the fan pulley assembly 20, as shown in FIG. 1. In other fan cooling systems, a fan clutch may be mounted to an engine crankshaft pulley, or to a water pump pulley. The viscous fan drive 50 also includes an outer member 65 having an outer member cover 66 and body subassembly 68. The clutch plate, outer member cover 66, and body subassembly 68 have complementary, concentric lands and grooves. The clutch plate, outer member cover 66, and body subassembly 68 are assembled through a double bearing arrangement allowing for the outer member 65 to spin freely without contact about the input member 60. The resulting non-contacting mesh of lands and grooves forms a working chamber where torque is transmitted from the input member 60 to the outer member 65 in the working chamber by means of fluid shear forces through a medium of a highly viscous silicone fluid. Rotating speed of the fan 52, attached to the upper fan mounting surface 54a and lower fan mounting surface 54b and including fan blades (also 52), is varied by controlling the amount of viscous silicone fluid in the working chamber by an solenoid operated hydraulic control valve (not shown) housed within or in proximity to the electrical actuator assembly 70. The solenoid operated hydraulic control valve receives fan speed command signals via the electrical conduit 72 from controller 608 connected to the electrical pin connection 74 to control the amount of clutch engagement and thus the speed of the fan 52.

The input shaft 62 is then mounted to an engine coolant pump 26, both of which are driven by the fan pulley assembly 20. The fan pulley assembly 20 includes a top pulley 24a and bottom pulley 24b connected via belt 22. Engine 12 drives bottom pulley 24b to rotate belt 22 driving top pulley 24a. Top pulley 24a drives input shaft 62 to rotate fan 52. Speed available for bottom pulley 24b is limited by engine rpm. Therefore, fan 52 maximum speed depends on the engine rpm operating at full throttle. Engine 12 operating at lesser rpm, below full throttle or at idle, means the fan 52 will rotate at lesser speeds from maximum. Because a fan 52 rotating at lesser speeds from maximum may not provide for sufficient means to cool the vehicle motor due to increased temperatures or variances in loads when commanded to certain speeds by the controller 608, the controller 608 may also communicate with an engine control module (not shown) to increase engine rpm and therefore, fan speed.

In other embodiments of the invention, different types of fan control configurations may be utilized in the combine cooling system 10, other than the viscous fan drive 50 described above. For example, a variable sheave fan drive may be utilized wherein the variable adjustments to fan rotation are conducted by an electronic controller by varying the diameter of pulleys connected to the fan and engine. Another fan drive that may be utilized is a hydraulic fan drive. A hydraulic fan drive includes a dedicated hydraulic engine driven by an electronically controlled variable pressure pump and fixed displacement motor driving the rotational speed of the fan. In particular, a hydraulic pump may include a dependant electro-proportional pressure control, wherein the pump pressure is controlled inversely proportional to the current through a control valve solenoid. The pump will increase displacement to satisfy system demand when the pump pressure drops below a pressure set via the solenoid current. When the pump pressure reaches the set pressure, the pump will adjust its displacement to match required system flow. Another fan drive that may be utilized is an electric fan or array of electric fans. It is contemplated that multiple fans may be used. Each fan may include the same drive system or each fan may include a different drive system.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system for use with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the exemplary combine cooling system shown at FIG. 2A. The cooling system 200 shown at FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B includes three coolers 202, 204 and 206 for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through or around at least one combine system and a medium flowing through or around the respective cooler. The cooling system 200 also includes a fan 208 having rotatable blades for generating air flow proximate to coolers 202, 204 and 206. Cooler 202, shown at FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, illustrates a charge air cooler which exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system, such as a combine engine 210. Cooler 204 illustrates a radiator which exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the radiator 204. Cooler 206 illustrates an oil cooler which exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the oil cooler 206.

Although the exemplary combine cooling system 200 illustrates a charge air cooler 202, a radiator 204 and an oil cooler 206, embodiments of the present invention may include different types of coolers for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system. For example, embodiments of the present invention may include air coolers, oil coolers, fuel coolers, refrigerant coolers and mixture coolers (i.e. air-fuel mixture). The coolers may be used for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one of a combine separator system, a combine feeder system, a combine engine, a combine threshing system, a combine cleaning system, a combine crop-handling system, a combine residue system and a combine drive system.

Exemplary combine cooling control systems may include at least one cooler for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler. Although the exemplary combine cooling system 200, shown at FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B includes three coolers, embodiments of the present invention may include any number of coolers. For example, the exemplary combine cooling system shown at FIG. 3E includes a first cooler 302 configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler 302. The cooling system also includes a second cooler 304 configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler 304. In some embodiments, coolers may be combined in a single unit. In other embodiments, coolers may be separate units. The cooling system also includes a fan 306 having at least one rotatable blade for generating airflow 308 proximate to coolers 302 and 304.

Exemplary combine cooling control systems may also include at least one movable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the at least one cooler. In some embodiments, combine cooling control systems may include at least one movable air director in proximity to a first cooler and a second cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler. For example, the cooling system shown at FIG. 3E includes movable air director 310 in proximity to the first cooler 302 and the second cooler 304 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the first cooler 302 and the second cooler 304. The size and shape of movable air director 310 is exemplary. It is contemplated that movable air directors may be of different, shapes, sizes and configurations for controlling air flow proximate to the coolers.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, the at least one moveable air director may be configured to rotate about an axis intersecting the at least one moveable air director. For example, movable air director 310 shown at FIG. 3E rotates about an axis that intersects moveable air director 310. FIG. 3E also illustrates the movement of moveable air director 310 by showing different states (shown in phantom) of moveable air director 310 as it rotates about an axis that intersects a portion substantially centered along moveable air director 310. It is contemplated, however, that a moveable air director may rotate about an axis that intersects any portion of the air director.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary combine cooling control system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown at FIG. 6, cooling control system 600 may include at least one operating condition sensor 602, 604, 606 for sensing at least one operating condition of the at least one combine system and a controller 608 configured to receive the at least one sensed operating condition and determine one or more of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614; and (ii) a desired speed of the fan 616 based on the at least one sensed operating condition received by the controller 608. For example, as shown at FIG. 6, the control system 600 includes first operating condition sensor 602, second operating condition sensor 604 and Nth operating condition sensor 606.

It is contemplated that any number of sensors may be used. Sensors may be used to sense an operating condition of at least one cooler, an operating condition within a combine system; and/or an operating condition of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler. For example, the sensors may be used to sense a temperature of at least one cooler, a temperature within a combine system and a temperature of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler, such as a temperature of a coolant, a temperature of air or mixture in an intake manifold, a temperature of the combine cabin, a temperature of a fuel, an engine oil temperature, a hydraulic oil temperature; and an air conditioner refrigerant temperature. The ambient air temperature outside of the combine may also be used. Temperature sensors may include any one of thermocouplers (i.e. type J, K, etc.), thermometers and infra-red sensors or a combination thereof.

The operating conditions may also include conditions other than temperature, such as pressure conditions. Pressure sensors may sense pressure conditions of a combine engine, a cooler, such as an engine coolant cooler, an engine intake air cooler, a hydraulic oil cooler, etc. Pressure sensors may include any one of diaphragm transducers, inductance sensors, LVDT sensors, Hall effect sensors, Eddy current sensors, potentiometers, and the like or a combination thereof. Airflow sensors may sense the velocity of air, volumetric airflow rate or mass airflow rate condition of a cooler, or group of coolers. Airflow sensors may include any one of pitot tube, differential pressure, turbine, and the like or a combination thereof

Operating conditions of the at least one cooler, operating conditions within a combine system and operating conditions of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler may be measured at different locations, such as for example, an engine, a turbo engine air outlet, an engine coolant pump inlet and outlet, an engine oil pump inlet and outlet, an engine intake manifold, flow ports of coolers, inlets and outlets of coolers, end tanks, air into a cooling fan, a hydraulic oil tank return, a hydraulic pump drain, etc.

Cooling control system 600 includes controller 608. Controller 608 may be configured to receive the at least one sensed operating condition and determine a desired state for at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. It is contemplated that any number of air directors may be used. For example, as shown at FIG. 6, the control system 600 includes first movable air director 610, second movable air director 612 and Nth movable air director 614. It is also contemplated that any number of movable air directors may be placed in proximity to a corresponding cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the cooler.

A desired state for at least one moveable air director may include: a position of an air director, such as a position relative to a cooler or a position relative to a rotational axis; an angle; and a percentage or fraction of an open or closed position.

Controller 608 may also be configured to receive the at least one operating condition and determine a desired state of the fan 616 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. The desired state may include: a speed of the fan, such as instantaneous speed or average speed over a predetermined amount of time, the power supplied to the fan, a number of rotations over a predetermined amount of time; velocity of the fan; acceleration of the fan; and the like.

Controller 608 may be further configured to determine one or more of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614; and/or (ii) a desired speed of the fan 616 based on a comparison of the at least one sensed operating condition to a predetermined threshold value. For example, the desired state for the at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614; and/or (ii) a desired speed of the fan 616 may be determined based on whether a sensed temperature of a cooler, a sensed temperature within a combine system, and/or a sensed temperature of a medium has reached a predetermined threshold temperature, such as whether: a temperature of a coolant has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; a temperature of air or mixture in an intake manifold has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; a temperature of the combine cabin has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; a temperature of a fuel has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; an engine oil temperature has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; a hydraulic oil temperature has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; an air conditioner refrigerant temperature has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; a temperature of the ambient air outside of the combine has reached a predetermined threshold temperature; etc.

In some embodiments, when controller 608 determines a desired state for the at least one moveable air director, controller 608 may be further configured to compare the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director to a predetermined threshold state (such as, for example, a state in which a cooler is fully opened and more airflow may not be directed toward the cooler). In one embodiment, controller 608 may increase the speed of the fan when the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614 reaches the predetermined threshold state. For example, if the comparison indicates that the air directors 610, 612, 614 are in states in which more airflow may not be directed toward the coolers, such as the coolers being in fully opened states, then the speed of the fan 616 may be increased to generate more airflow proximate to the coolers.

In some embodiments, when controller 608 determines a desired state for one or two air directors, such as air directors 610 and 612, to control more of the airflow toward and/or through coolers proximate to air directors 610 and 612, and the comparison indicates that air directors 610 and 612 are in states in which more airflow may not be controlled toward and/or through the coolers proximate to air directors 610 and 612, then controller 608 may determine a desired state for the other air director 614 to control less airflow toward and/or through a cooler proximate to air director 614, causing or biasing more airflow toward and/or through the coolers proximate to air directors 610 and 612.

In some embodiments, cooling control system 600 may also include an actuation device 618 configured to move the at least one movable air director 610, 612, 614. An actuation device may include: a motor; an actuator, such as a linear actuator; and any device that converts energy (such as electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure or pneumatic pressure) into motion. The controller 608 may also be configured to control the actuation device 618 to move the at least one movable air director 610 to the desired state.

According to one embodiment, a combine cooling system may include three coolers and two rotatable air directors in proximity to the coolers. FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers 312, 314, 316 and a pair of rotatable air directors 318, 320 in proximity to the coolers. As shown at FIG. 3B, a combine cooling control system may include a first cooler 312 configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler 312; a second cooler 314 configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler 314; and a third cooler 316 configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler 316. The cooling control system shown at FIG. 3B includes a first movable air director 318 in proximity to the first 312, second 314 and third coolers 316 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the first 312, second 314 and third coolers 316. The cooling control system also includes a second movable air director 320 in proximity to the first 312, second 314 and third coolers 316 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the first 312, second 314 and third coolers 316.

A controller, such as controller 608, is further configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director 318 and a second desired state for the second moveable air director 320 based on the received at least one operating condition. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates first moveable air director 318 and second moveable air director 320 in states such that most of the airflow 308 is directed to third cooler 316, a lesser amount of airflow 308 is directed to second cooler 314 and a least amount of the airflow 308 is directed to first cooler 312. FIG. 3B illustrates first moveable air director 318 and second moveable air director 320 in positions substantially parallel to each other. Positions of first moveable air director 318 and second moveable air director 320 may, however, be in positions different from those shown at FIG. 3B. Accordingly, the desired states of the first moveable air director 318 and second moveable air director 320 may be the same or different from each other. The positions of first moveable air director 318 and second moveable air director 320 may also not be parallel to each other. For example, controller 608 may determine states such that different amounts of air are directed to each cooler based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. Controller 608 may also determine states such that the same amount of air is directed to each cooler based on the received at least sensed one operating condition.

According to another embodiment, a combine cooling system may include three coolers and one or more rotatable air directors in proximity to each cooler. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers 322, 324, 326 and pairs of rotatable air directors 328, 330, 332 in proximity to each cooler. In one aspect, a cooling system may include one rotatable air directors in proximity to each cooler. In another aspect, a cooling system may include three or more rotatable air directors in proximity to each cooler. As shown at FIG. 3A, a combine cooling control system may include a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler. The cooling control system shown at FIG. 3A also includes a pair of first cooler moveable air directors 328 in proximity to the first cooler 322 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the first cooler 322; a pair of second cooler moveable air directors 330 in proximity to the second cooler 324 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the second cooler 324; and a pair of third cooler moveable air directors 332 in proximity to the third cooler 326 for controlling the airflow 308 proximate to the third cooler 326.

A controller, such as controller 608, may be configured to determine a first desired state for the first cooler moveable air directors 328 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition; a second desired state for the second cooler moveable air directors 330 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition; and a third desired state for the third cooler moveable air directors 332 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. FIG. 3A illustrates moveable air directors 328, 330, 332 in states such that most of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 322, a lesser amount of airflow 308 is directed to cooler 324 and a least amount of the airflow 308 is directed to first cooler 326. The controller 608 may receive an operating condition, such as a temperature of a medium flowing through one of the coolers 322, 324, 326. The controller 608 may also receive operating conditions, such as temperatures of mediums flowing through two or each of the three coolers 322, 324, 326. The controller 608 may determine a state for: one of the moveable air directors, one pair of the movable air directors, movable air directors proximate to different coolers, and each of the movable air directors based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. Controller 608 may determine states such that different amounts of air are directed to each cooler or states such that the same amount of air is directed to each cooler based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a cooling system having three coolers 402, 404, 406 and pairs of rotatable air directors 408, 410, 412 in proximity to each cooler 402, 404, and 406. According to one aspect, the sizes (such as length and width) and shapes of movable air directors may be different from each other. As shown at FIG. 4, each pair of movable air directors 408, 410, 412 include different lengths. It is contemplated that each air director may include a different length and that some air directors may include the same lengths.

The cooling system at FIG. 4 also includes a first actuation device 414 and a second actuation device 416. First actuation device 414 includes a first actuation lever 418 coupled to rotatable air directors 408 and a second actuation lever 420 coupled to rotatable air directors 410. Second actuation device 416 includes a third actuation lever 422 coupled to rotatable air directors 412. First actuation lever 414 may be configured to rotate rotatable air directors 408, via first actuation lever 418, about the pivot mount 424 intersecting moveable air directors 408. First actuation lever 414 may also be configured to rotate rotatable air directors 410, via second actuation lever 420 about the pivot mount 424 intersecting moveable air directors 410. Second actuation lever 416 may be configured to rotate rotatable air directors 412, via third actuation lever 422, about the pivot mount 424 intersecting moveable air directors 412. Air directors may also be controlled and moved via wireless communication.

According to one embodiment, a combine cooling system may include air directors coupled to the coolers to move the coolers. FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers 334, 336, 338 and combined cooler air directors 340, 342 coupled to the coolers. As shown at FIG. 3C, a cooling control system may include a first cooler 334 configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler 334; a second cooler 336 configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler 336; and a third cooler 338 configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler 338. The cooling control system at FIG. 3C also includes first combined cooler air directors 340 coupled to the first 334 and second coolers 336 and configured to move at least one of the first 334 and second coolers 336. The cooling control system at FIG. 3C also includes second combined cooler air directors 342 coupled to the second 336 and third coolers 338 and configured to move at least one of the second 336 and third coolers 338. First combined cooler air directors 340 and second combined cooler air directors 342, shown at FIG. 3C, each include a pair of separate air directors, which may be coupled using different types of hardware, including a series of brackets and bearings supporting each cooler individually. According to one aspect, air directors may be tied to supports that may be rotated with an actuator to move a cooler to a different position. According to another aspect, air directors may be moved by series of gears and lever arms or chain and sprocket arrangements. Coolers may, however, be coupled to and moved by one or more combined cooler air directors. In one aspect of the embodiment, each combined cooler air director may be moved by an actuation device. In another aspect of the embodiment, multiple combined cooler air directors may be moved by one actuation device.

A controller, such as controller 608, may be configured to determine a first desired state for the first combined cooler air directors 340 and a second desired state for the second combined cooler air directors 342. FIG. 3C illustrates combined cooler air directors 340, 342 in states such that more of the airflow 308 is directed to coolers 334 and 338 and a lesser amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 336. Controller 608 may, however, determine states such that different amounts of air are directed to each cooler or states such that the same amount of air is directed to each cooler based on the received at least one operating condition.

According to another embodiment, a combine cooling system may include air directors configured to move substantially parallel to coolers. FIG. 3F illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having two coolers 344 and 346 and air directors 348 and 350 which move substantially parallel to the coolers 344 and 346. As shown at FIG. 3F, a cooling control system may include a first cooler 344 configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler 344 and a second cooler 346 configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler 346. The cooling control system at FIG. 3F also includes a first movable air director 348 in proximity to the first cooler 344. The first movable air director 348 may be configured to move along a first axis 352 substantially parallel to a surface 356 of the first cooler facing the first movable air director 344. The cooling control system at FIG. 3F further includes a second movable air director 350 in proximity to the second cooler 346. The second movable air director 350 may be configured to move along a second axis 354 substantially parallel to a surface 358 of the second cooler 346 facing the second movable air director 350.

The air directors 348 and 350, shown at FIG. 3F, move along axis 352 and 354, which are substantially parallel to each other. It is contemplated, however, that axes may not be parallel to each other. It is also contemplated that air directors 348 and 350 may move along the same axis (shown in FIG. 3D). The surfaces 356 and 358 of coolers 344 and 346 which face air directors 348 and 350, respectively, are shown as substantially co-planer with each other. The surfaces of coolers which face air directors may, however, not be co-planar with each other (i.e. offset from each other).

In one aspect of the embodiment, the air directors 348 and 350 may slide along a single element, such as a single bar or track. Each air director may also slide along a respective bar or track. Separate actuation devices may move each air director. One actuation device may also be used to move multiple air directors.

FIG. 3F illustrates air directors 348 and 350 in states such that the airflow 308 proximate to cooler 3464 344 may be blocked by air director 348 and more of the airflow 308 may be directed toward or through cooler 346. Controller 608 may, however, determine states such that different amounts of airflow may be blocked and directed to each cooler or states such that the same amount of airflow may be directed to each cooler based on the received at least one operating condition.

The embodiment illustrated at FIG. 3F illustrates an air director proximate to each cooler. According to other embodiments, a combine cooling system may include air directors configured to move and proximate to multiple coolers. For example, FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of an exemplary combine cooling system having three coolers 360, 362, 364 and two air directors 366 and 368 which may move proximate to multiple coolers. As shown at FIG. 3D, a cooling control system may include a first cooler 360 configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler 360; a second cooler 362 configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler 362; and a third cooler 364 configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler 364.

The cooling system shown at FIG. 3D also includes a first movable air director 366 configured to move along an axis 370 substantially parallel to a co-planar surface 372 of the first 360, second 362 and third coolers 364 facing the first movable air director 366. First movable air director 366 may also be configured to move proximate to first cooler 360 and second cooler 362 for controlling different amounts of airflow to be directed proximate to first cooler 360 and second cooler 362. The cooling system shown at FIG. 3D also includes a second movable air director 368 configured to move along the axis 370 substantially parallel to the co-planar surface 372 of the first 360, second 362 and third coolers 364 facing the first movable air director 368. Second movable air director 368 may also be configured to move proximate to third cooler 364 and second cooler 362 for controlling different amounts of airflow to be directed to third cooler 364 and second cooler 362.

Controller 608 may be configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director 366 and a second desired state for the second moveable air director 368 based on the received at least one sensed operating condition. FIG. 3D illustrates air directors 366 and 368 in states such that most of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 362, a lesser amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 360 and a least amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 364. Controller 608 may, however, determine states such that different amounts of air are directed to each cooler or states such that the same amount of air is directed to each cooler based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

According to some embodiments, a combine cooling system may include a first fan 702 and a second fan 704. For example, as shown at FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, first fan 702 is proximate to first cooler 706. Second fan 704 is proximate to second cooler 706 and third cooler 708. As shown at FIG. 7A, first fan 702 is rotating at a faster speed than second fan 704. Accordingly, first fan 702 and a second fan 704 may be configured to rotate at speeds such that more of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 706, a lesser amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 708 and a least amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 710. As shown at FIG. 7B, first fan 702 is rotating at a slower speed than second fan 704. Accordingly, first fan 702 and second fan 704 may be configured to rotate at speeds such that more of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 706, a lesser amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 708 and a least amount of the airflow 308 is directed to cooler 710.

As shown in the exemplary embodiments at FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, first fan 702 may be smaller in size that second fan 702. In other embodiments, fans may be the same size. In embodiments where more than two fans are used, aspects may include each fan having different sizes, some fans having the same sizes and each fan having the same size.

In the embodiments shown at FIG. 7A and 7B, a fan, such as first fan 702, may include a width less than the width of a cooler, such as cooler 706. In some embodiments, a fan, such as second fan 704, may include a width larger than the width of a cooler, such as cooler 708 and cooler 710, but may be less than the combined width of a plurality of a coolers, such as cooler 708 and cooler 710. In some embodiments, fans may have widths less than the width of a cooler.

In some embodiments, a fan may have a fixed speed and another fan may include variable speeds. For example, first fan 702 may rotate at a fixed speed and the second fan 704 may rotate at variable speeds. That is, the speed of second fan 704 may be increased from the speed shown at FIG. 7A (rotating slower than first fan 702) to the speed shown at FIG. 7B (rotating faster than first fan 702). In other embodiments, each fan may include variable speeds. For example, first fan 702 may rotate at a variable speed and the second fan 704 may rotate at a variable speed.

In some embodiments, controller 608 may determine an on-off state for each fixed speed fan and a desired speed for each variable speed fan based on at least one operating condition and/or the state of the at least one moveable air director. Controller 608 may also determine a desired state for at least one moveable air director based on at least one operating condition and the speeds of the first fan and the second fan. It is also contemplated that more than two fans may be used.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for controlling airflow in a combine cooling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method includes controlling air to flow toward at least one cooler that exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler. As described above, any number of coolers may be used in a combine cooling system. For simplification, however, the flowchart illustrates a method that includes three coolers. For example, airflow 308 may be caused by fan 616 to flow toward three coolers 202, 204 and 206.

The method includes sensing at least one temperature of at least one medium flowing through a corresponding combine system and a corresponding cooler. As shown at block 502, controller 608 may receive at least one temperature of at least one medium flowing through a corresponding combine system and a corresponding cooler 202, 204 and 206 that is sensed by sensors 602, 604 and 606. As described above, sensors may be used to sense an operating condition of at least one cooler, an operating condition within a combine system and an operating condition of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler. According to one embodiment, the method may include sensing the temperature of at least one component of a combine system. For example, sensors may be used to sense the temperature of a hydraulic pump's internal bearings.

The method illustrated in FIG. 5 includes different determinations made by controller 608 based on temperature comparisons to predetermined threshold temperatures for mediums flowing through each cooler 202, 204 and 206. For example, at block 504 controller 608 may receive an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through each cooler 202, 204 and 206 are below predetermined threshold temperatures. At block 506, controller 608 may receive an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through each cooler 202, 204 and 206 are equal to or greater than predetermined threshold temperatures. At block 508, controller 608 may receive an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through one or two of coolers 202, 204 and 206 are equal to or greater than predetermined threshold temperatures. In one embodiment, controller 608 may receive an indication that temperatures of at least one component, such as a hydraulic pump's internal bearings, are equal to or greater than predetermined threshold temperatures.

The method includes determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614; and/or (ii) a desired speed of the fan 616 based on the compared at least one temperature to a predetermined threshold temperature. The method also includes controlling the airflow proximate to the at least one cooler 202, 204 and 206 by at least one of moving the at least one air director 610, 612 and 614 to the determined desired state and adjusting the speed of the fan 616 to the determined desired speed. For example, when controller 608 receives an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through each cooler 202, 204 and 206 are below predetermined threshold temperatures, controller may determined a desired speed of the fan 616 to be less than the speed at the time of determination and adjust the speed of the fan 616 to the determined decreased speed, at block 510.

According to one aspect, when controller 608 receives an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through each cooler 202, 204 and 206 are equal to or greater than predetermined threshold temperatures, controller 608 may determined desired state for at least one moveable air director 610, 612, 614 as states for increasing the airflow proximate to coolers 202, 204 and 206, and control the at least one air director 610, 612 and 614 to move to the determined desired states at block 512.

When the desired states for each movable air director are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers 202, 204 and 206, controller 608 may compare each of the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states (such as, for example, states in which the coolers are fully opened and more airflow may not be directed toward the coolers). Controller 608 may (i) control the air directors 610, 612, 614 to move to the determined desired states when each of the determined desired states are less than the corresponding predetermined threshold states and/or (ii) control the speed of the fan 616 to increase when each of the determined desired states are greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined threshold states. For example, if the comparison indicates that the air directors 610, 612, 614 are in states in which more airflow may be directed toward the coolers (for example, the desired states are less than the corresponding predetermined threshold states), then controller 608 may control air directors 610, 612, 614 to move to the determined desired states to direct more air toward the coolers 202, 204 and 206, at block 516. If, however, the comparison indicates that the air directors 610, 612, 614 are in states in which more air may not be directed toward the coolers 202, 204 and 206, such as the coolers being in fully opened states at block 518, then the speed of the fan 616 may be increased to generate more airflow proximate to the coolers 202, 204 and 206, at block 520.

According to another aspect, when controller 608 receives an indication that temperatures for mediums flowing through one or two of coolers 202, 204 and 206 (such as cooler 202 or coolers 202 and 204), are equal to or greater than predetermined threshold temperatures, controller 608 may determine the desired states for each movable air director 610, 612 and 614 in proximity to the one or two coolers as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the one or two coolers, and control each movable air director 610, 612 and 614 in proximity to the one or two coolers to move to the determined desired states at block 514.

When the desired states for each movable air director 610, 612 and 614 in proximity to the one or two coolers (such as cooler 202 or coolers 202 and 204) are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the one or two coolers, controller 608 may compare the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states (such as, for example, states in which the one or two coolers are fully opened and more air may not be directed toward the one or two coolers). Controller 608 may (i) control each movable air director in proximity to the one or more coolers to move to the determined desired states when the determined desired states are less than the corresponding predetermined threshold states and/or (ii) control each movable air director in proximity to the third cooler (such as cooler 206), to move to states for decreasing the airflow proximate to the third cooler 206 and causing or biasing more of the airflow to be directed proximate to the one or two coolers, at block 526, when the determined desired states are less than the corresponding predetermined threshold states. For example, if the comparison indicates that air directors 610 and 612 in proximity to the one or two coolers (coolers 202 and 204) are states in which more airflow may be directed proximate to the coolers 202 and 204, then controller 608 may control air directors 610, 612 to move to the determined desired states to direct more airflow proximate to the coolers 202, 204, at block 522. If, however, the comparison indicates that the air directors 610 and 612 are in states in which more airflow may not be directed proximate to the coolers 202 and 204, such as coolers 202 and 204 being in fully opened states at block 524, controller 608 may control movable air director 614 in proximity to the third cooler 206, to move to a state for decreasing the airflow proximate to the third cooler 206 and causing or biasing more of the airflow toward the coolers 202 and 204, at block 526.

According to another aspect, when the at least one air director has been moved to the determined desired state or the speed of the fan has been adjusted to the determined desired speed, the sensors 602, 604 and 606 may again sense at least one temperature of a medium after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, at block 528, and controller 608 may again receive the at least one temperature at block 502. The predetermined amount of time may be an amount of time determined for stabilization of an operating condition of at least one cooler, an operating condition within a combine system or an operating condition of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler. The predetermined amount of time may also be determined for other reasons.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combine cooling control system, comprising:

at least one cooler for exchanging heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler;

at least one fan having at least one rotatable blade for generating airflow;

at least one movable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler for controlling the airflow;

at least one operating condition sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of the at least one combine system;

a controller configured to: receive the at least one sensed operating condition from the at least one operating condition sensor; and determine one or more of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the received at least one operating condition; and

at least one an actuation device configured to move the at least one movable air director as directed by the controller.

2. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating condition comprises at least one of:

a temperature of the at least one cooler;

a temperature within the at least one combine system; and

a temperature of the medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the at least one cooler.

3. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cooler further comprises:

a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; and

a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler,

the at least one movable air director is in proximity to the first cooler and the second cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler; and

the controller is further configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director and a second desired state for the second moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

4. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler;

the at least one movable air director comprises: a first movable air director in proximity to the first and second and third coolers for controlling the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers; and a second movable air director in proximity to the first, second and third coolers for controlling the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers.

5. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler;

the at least one movable air director comprises: one or more first cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the first cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the first cooler; one or more second cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the second cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the second cooler; one or more third cooler moveable air directors in proximity to the third cooler for controlling the air flow proximate to the third cooler;

based on the received at least one sensed operating condition, the controller is further configured to determine: a first desired state for the one or more first cooler moveable air directors; a second desired state for the one or more second cooler moveable air directors; and a third desired state for the one or more third cooler moveable air directors.

6. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler;

the at least one movable air director comprises: one or more first combined cooler air directors coupled to the first and second coolers and configured to move at least one of the first and second coolers; and one or more second combined cooler air directors coupled to the second and third coolers and configured to move at least one of the second and third coolers;

based on the received at least one operating condition, the controller is further configured to determine: a first desired state for the one or more first combined cooler air directors; and a second desired state for the one or more second combined cooler air directors.

7. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; a second cooler configured to exchange heat from a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler; and a third cooler configured to exchange heat from a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the third cooler;

the at least one movable air director comprises: a first movable air director configured to move along an axis substantially parallel to a co-planar surface of the first, second and third coolers facing the first movable air director; and a second movable air director configured to move along the axis substantially parallel to the co-planar surface of the first, second and third coolers facing the first movable air director;

the controller is further configured to determine a first desired state for the first moveable air director and a second desired state for the second moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition.

8. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on a comparison of the at least one sensed operating condition to a predetermined threshold value.

9. The combine cooling control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

compare the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director to a predetermined threshold state; and

increase the speed of the at least one fan when the determined desired state for the at least one moveable air director is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold state.

10. A combine air controlling cooling system, comprising:

a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through at least one component of a combine and the first cooler;

a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through another of the at least one component of a combine and the second cooler; and

at least one movable air director coupled to the combine and in proximity to the first and second coolers, the at least one movable air director configured to control airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler; and

at least one actuation device configured to move the at least one movable air director.

11. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one fan having at least one rotatable blade for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler;

at least one operating condition sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of the at least one combine system; and

a controller configured for: receiving the at least one sensed operating condition; determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director based on the received at least one sensed operating condition; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the received at least one sensed operating condition; and controlling the at least one actuation device to move the at least one movable air director to the desired state.

12. The combine cooling control system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on a comparison of the at least one sensed operating condition to a predetermined threshold value.

13. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 11, wherein the at least one fan comprises a first fan and a second fan, wherein

the first fan is proximate to the first cooler for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler,

the second fan is proximate to the second cooler for generating the airflow proximate to the first cooler, and

the controller is further configured to determine at least one of: (i) a desired state for the at least one moveable air director based on (a) the received at least one sensed operating condition and (b) the speed of the first fan and the speed of the second fan; and (ii) a desired first fan speed of the first fan and a desired second fan speed of the second fan based on the received at least one sensed operating condition and the desired state of the at least one moveable air director.

14. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 10, wherein the at least one moveable air director is configured to rotate about an axis intersecting the at least one moveable air director.

15. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 10, wherein the at least one actuation device comprises at least one actuator; and

the cooling system further comprises at least one actuation lever coupled to the at least one actuator and the at least one movable air director, the at least one actuation lever configured to rotate the at least one movable air director about a pivot mount intersecting the at least one moveable air director.

16. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 10, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; and a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler;

the at least one movable air director is in proximity to the first cooler and the second cooler for controlling the airflow proximate to the first cooler and the second cooler.

17. The combine air controlling cooling system of claim 10, wherein

the at least one cooler comprises: a first cooler configured to exchange heat from a medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the first cooler; and a second cooler configured to exchange heat from another medium flowing through the at least one combine system and the second cooler;

the at least one movable air director comprises: a first movable air director in proximity to the first cooler and configured to move along a first axis substantially parallel to a surface of the first cooler facing the first movable air director; and a second movable air director in proximity to the second cooler and configured to move along a second axis substantially parallel to a surface of the second cooler facing the second movable air director.

18. A method for controlling airflow in a combine cooling system, comprising:

generating, by at least one fan, airflow proximate to at least one cooler that exchanges heat from a medium flowing through at least one combine system and the at least one cooler;

sensing at least one temperature of at least one medium flowing through a corresponding combine system and a corresponding cooler;

determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director in proximity to the at least one cooler based on the sensed temperature; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan based on the sensed temperature; and

controlling the airflow proximate to the at least one cooler by at least one of: moving the at least one air director to the determined desired state; and adjusting the speed of the at least one fan to the determined desired speed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining at least one of: (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director; and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan further comprises comparing the at least one sensed temperature to a predetermined temperature threshold temperature.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein

sensing at least one temperature comprises: sensing a first temperature of a first medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a first cooler; sensing a second temperature of a second medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a second cooler; sensing a third temperature of a third medium flowing through the at least one combine system and a third cooler;

wherein determining at least one of (i) a desired state for at least one moveable air director and (ii) a desired speed of the at least one fan further comprises: determining the desired speed of the fan as less than the speed at the time of determination when the first, second and third sensed temperatures are less than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures; determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director, as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers when the first, second and third sensed temperatures are equal to or greater than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures; and determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the first and second coolers, as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first and second coolers when the sensed temperatures of the mediums flowing through the first and second coolers is equal to or greater than corresponding predetermined threshold temperatures.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein,

when the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director, are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first, second and third coolers: comparing each of the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states; increasing the speed of the at least one fan when each of the determined desired states are greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined threshold states;

when the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the first and second coolers, are determined as states for increasing the airflow proximate to the first and second coolers: comparing each of the determined desired states to corresponding predetermined threshold states; and determining the desired states, for each of the at least one movable air director in proximity to the third cooler, as states for decreasing the airflow proximate to the third cooler when each of the determined desired states are greater than or equal to the corresponding predetermined threshold states.