U.S. patent application number 10/645458 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for riding lawn mower with improved radiator system.
Invention is credited to Bland, Mark.
Application Number | 20040045754 10/645458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25428336 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040045754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bland, Mark |
March 11, 2004 |
Riding lawn mower with improved radiator system
Abstract
A riding lawn mower includes a frame; ground engaging wheels
mounted with said frame; at least one cutting deck mounted to the
frame; an engine mounted to the frame and operatively connected to
drive said ground engaging wheels and said at least one cutting
deck, said engine has fluid to be cooled; and, a radiator system,
the radiator system including: a housing, a radiator having first
and second opposing sides, mounted in the housing and operatively
connected with said engine to intake fluid at a first temperature
from said engine and to output fluid back to said engine at a
second temperature, a screen mounted in the housing and adjacent
the first side of the radiator, a bi-directional fan mounted in the
housing adjacent the second side of the radiator and operable to
direct an air flow in a standard direction first through the screen
and then through the radiator and operable as desired to direct an
airflow in a discharge direction, opposite the standard direction,
first through the radiator and then through the screen, and switch
means for switching the fan between the standard and discharge
directions; and wherein the radiator and fan are mounted above said
engine.
Inventors: |
Bland, Mark; (Albany,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett & Henry LLP
Bank One Center/Tower
Suite 3700
111 Monument Circle
Indianapolis
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
25428336 |
Appl. No.: |
10/645458 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10645458 |
Aug 21, 2003 |
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09910121 |
Jul 20, 2001 |
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6634448 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 25/10 20130101;
F01P 2011/063 20130101; B60K 11/04 20130101; F01P 11/12 20130101;
B60Y 2200/223 20130101; F01P 5/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/068.1 |
International
Class: |
B60K 011/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A riding lawn mower, comprising: a frame; ground engaging wheels
rotatably mounted with said frame; at least one cutting deck
mounted to the frame; an engine mounted to the frame and
operatively connected to drive said ground engaging wheels and said
at least one cutting deck, said engine has fluid to be cooled; a
radiator system including: a housing; a radiator having first and
second opposing sides, mounted in the housing and operatively
connected with said engine to intake fluid at a first temperature
from said engine and to output fluid back to said engine at a
second temperature, a screen mounted in the housing and adjacent
the first side of the radiator; a bi-directional fan mounted with
the housing adjacent the second side of the radiator and operable
to direct an air flow in a standard direction first through the
screen and then through the radiator and operable as desired to
direct an airflow in a discharge direction, opposite the standard
direction, first through the radiator and then through the screen;
and, switch means for switching the fan between the standard and
discharge directions as a function of radiator coolant temperature.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/910,121 filed Jul. 20, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of lawn mowers,
and more particularly to riding lawn mowers with an improved
radiator system including a top mounted radiator and fan assembly
and an apparatus for clearing debris from the radiator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most heavy duty and professional grade riding lawn mowers
have water cooled engines that include radiators to transfer the
heat away from the circulating water. As is typical in water cooled
engines, output pulleys facing forwardly or rearwardly drive one or
more belts, which drive pumps, motors and/or compressors. A fan is
mounted on the output pulley spindle of one of the pulleys, and the
radiator is mounted in planar relation next to the fan so that the
fan's output is primarily directed to the radiator.
[0004] In one configuration, the mower's engine is mounted so that
the pulleys (and fan connected thereto) face forwardly of the
engine, and are thereby in an optimal position to couple with a
hydraulic system therebelow that drives the rear wheels of the
mower. This dictates that the radiator be positioned just forward
of the fan and just behind the operator seat. Although the fan
directs the air flow rearwardly, away from the back of the seat and
toward the radiator, a substantial amount of radiative heat
radiates from the radiator toward the seat, creating substantial
discomfort for the operator.
[0005] A consequence of drawing air flow through the radiator in a
riding lawn mower is a build up of grass clippings and related
debris on the intake side of the radiator. It is desired to
minimize the overall length of the mower, and the radiator is
therefore positioned fairly closely to the back of the operator
seat. This makes it awkward and somewhat difficult to clear the
debris from the intake side of the radiator. In some designs, the
operator seat is hingedly mounted to the mower frame and may be
pivoted away from the radiator. The debris may then be cleared from
the radiator by hand or broom or similar implement, although other
supporting structure and mower components may still partially
obstruct the radiator and make cleaning difficult. Any debris not
cleared from the intake side of the radiator decreases the air flow
volume that can be drawn across the radiator, thereby decreasing
the radiator's heat transfer rate. In short, the engine is caused
to run hotter, which lowers the engine's efficiency and
longevity.
[0006] What is needed is an improved radiator system for a water
cooled riding lawn mower.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Generally speaking, a riding lawn mower with a water cooled
engine includes a radiator system mounted above the engine and with
an apparatus for discharging debris that accumulates on the intake
screen to the radiator.
[0008] A riding lawn mower includes a frame; ground engaging wheels
mounted with the frame; at least one cutting deck mounted to the
frame; an engine mounted to the frame and operatively connected to
drive the ground engaging wheels and the at least one cutting deck,
the engine having fluid to be cooled; and, a radiator system. The
radiator system includes a housing; a radiator having first and
second opposing sides, mounted in the housing and operatively
connected with the engine to intake fluid at a first temperature
from the engine and to output fluid back to the engine at a second
temperature; a screen mounted in the housing and adjacent the first
side of the radiator; a bi-directional fan mounted with the housing
adjacent the second side of the radiator and operable to direct an
air flow in a standard direction first through the screen and then
through the radiator and operable as desired to direct an airflow
in a discharge direction, opposite the standard direction, first
through the radiator and then through the screen; and switch
circuitry for switching the fan between the standard and discharge
directions; and, wherein the radiator and fan are mounted above the
engine.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved riding lawn mower with water cooled engine.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved radiator system for a riding lawn mower with water cooled
engine.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a riding lawn mower 10
with radiator system 11 in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the riding lawn mower
10 of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the radiator system
11 of the mower 10 of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the radiator
system 11 of the mower 10 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, and that any alterations or modifications in the
illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a riding lawn
mower 10 with radiator system 11 in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. As with known riding lawn
mowers, mower 10 generally includes a frame 14, rear wheels 15,
front wheels 16, a water cooled engine 17, one or more cutting
decks 18, an operator seat 19, gas tank 20, and various other
controls and attachments. Engine 17 is water cooled and, as such,
employs a radiator to transfer heat away from water circulating
through passageways defined in engine 17. Such radiator is
contained within radiator system 11, which is disposed above engine
17 and behind operator seat 19.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, radiator system 11 is
mounted to mower frame 14 via front frame member 22 and rear frame
members 23 and 24, and generally includes radiator mounting pan 25,
fan unit 26, radiator 28, guide channel 29, gaskets members 30
through 34, debris screen 37, end caps 38 and 39, and cover 40.
Front frame member 22 is generally arched-shaped as seen in FIGS. 1
and 4 and is fixed to mower frame 14 directly behind the mower
frame roll bar 43 and operator seat 19 by appropriate means such as
bolts (not shown). Rear frame members 23 and 24 are fixed at their
lower ends to rear mower frame plate 44 and extend upwardly
therefrom, as shown.
[0019] Radiator mounting pan 25 includes a floor 45 that defines a
central fan opening 46 along with four radiator input/output
openings 49-52. Mounting pan 25 further includes a forwardly
extending mounting flange 54 and a pair of rearwardly extending
mounting flanges 55 and 56. A mounting plate 57 extends between the
angled portions 58 and 59 of front frame member 22, as shown, and
is connected thereat by appropriate means, such as welding. The
forward mounting flange 54 of mounting pan 25 is connected to
mounting plate 57 with appropriate fasteners such as screws (not
shown), and rear mounting flanges 55 and 56 are connected to the
upper ends of rear frame members 23 and 24 using appropriate
fasteners such as screws (not shown).
[0020] Fan 26 is mounted to the underside of radiator mounting pan
25 by appropriate means such as screws in a position to direct
airflow through central fan opening 46. The fan unit 26 depicted in
FIG. 4 is representative of any appropriate electrically powered
fan. In one embodiment, fan 26 is a 12v, 12 inch electric engine
cooling fan commercially available from most automotive parts
suppliers. Fan 26 is capable of directing an airflow in a direction
roughly perpendicular to the representative surface 62 of fan 26.
Fan 26 is capable of drawing air downwardly through central fan
opening 46 and toward engine 17, and is further capable of having
its direction reversed whereby it draws air from below, up through
central fan opening 46 and toward radiator 28.
[0021] A radiator is shown represented at 28 and is sized to
accommodate the cooling capacity desired by engine 17, and mounting
pan 25 is sized and shaped to receive radiator 28 within its
upstanding walls 65. Radiator 28 includes input and output ports 63
and 64 which extend through corresponding openings 51 and 52 of pan
25 and connect with the remainder of the water based cooling system
of engine 17. Radiator 28 is also designed to connect with and cool
the circulating hydraulic fluid of the mower's hydraulic drive
system and includes oil input and output ports, one of which is
shown at 66 (FIG. 3). The oil input and output ports extend through
the corresponding input and output openings 49 and 50 in radiator
mounting pan 25. Radiator 28 includes a fluid fill access port 67.
Radiator 28 is stabilized by connecting it to radiator mounting pan
by any appropriate means such as nuts and bolts (not shown).
[0022] Guide channel 29 includes an upstanding, rectangular-shaped
flange 69, and the four gasket members 31-34 are firmly received
over each the four sides of upstanding, rectangular-shaped flange
69 to form a substantially continuous rectangular seal.
[0023] Debris screen 37 consists of a substantially rectangular
sheet of metal screen or perforated metal, the sheet having a
series of mutually parallel right angle bends to form a rigid,
generally rectangular screen, as shown. Debris screen 37 could be
made of any appropriate material and in any desired configuration
so long as it has a pore size small enough to filter out the
desired debris (grass clippings, dirt clumps, rocks, sticks, etc.),
but large enough to permit sufficient air flow to maintain
effective cooling action in radiator 28. End caps 38 and 39 are
shaped substantially as shown to close off the open ends of debris
screen 37. End caps 38 and 39 are not perforated, but could be if
desired. The ridges created by the series of right angle bends of
debris screen 37 more than double the surface area of the screen
and decrease the rate at which accumulating debris blocks airflow
through the screen.
[0024] Cover 40 includes a pair of hinge sleeves 71 and 72 that
align coaxially just to the outside with hinge sleeves 73 and 74
located on the rear, bottom edge of radiator mounting pan 25. Hinge
pins extend through each pair of mating hinge sleeves 71/73 and
72/74, and cover is thereby hingedly connected to mounting pin 25.
Cover 40 has an upper surface 78 that defines a rectangular opening
sized to receive debris screen 37 therethrough. The opposing outer,
rectangular strips 80 and 81 of debris screen 37 act as mounting
flanges for screen 37, and likewise, end caps 38 and 39 have
rectangular mounting flanges 82 and 83. The mounting flanges 80-83
are connected up against the under side of upper surface 78 of
cover 40 so that the remaining portions of debris screen 37 and end
caps 38 and 39 extend up through opening 78, as shown in FIG. 3.
Debris screen 37 and end caps 38 and 39 are connected with cover 40
by appropriate means such as pop rivets, screws or clips. Cover 40,
guide channel 29 and gasket members 31-34 are sized and configured
so that when cover 40 is hingedly closed (as seen in FIG. 3) the
under side of mounting flanges 80-84 engage with and form a seal
with gasket members 31-34.
[0025] In operation, fan 26 is operated to draw air flow down
through debris screen 37, guide channel 29, radiator 28, central
fan opening 46 and through fan 26. With the intake for the airflow
to radiator 28 at nearly the highest point possible of mower 10,
the rate of collection of debris against the debris screen 37 is
reduced. Further, the increased surface area of debris screen 37
decreases the rate at which the screen is clogged as debris
accumulates.
[0026] Fan 26 is bi-directional. That is, the direction of the fan
blade of fan 26 can be reversed either by changing polarity of the
electrical input to fan 26 or by activating a direction reversal
switch that is part of fan 26 or is externally connected to fan 26.
Such circuitry is contemplated to be operated manually at the fan
26, at a place proximal and more convenient to an operator sitting
in operator seat 19, and/or incorporated into the ignition system
of mower 10. Such connection with the ignition system is
contemplated to include operation whereby, sometime immediately at
or shortly after startup of mower 10, fan 26 is operated in the
reverse, discharge direction for a preset period of time, e.g. 10
seconds, and then is either stopped or is reversed to run in the
standard direction. In operation then, when mower 10 is started,
fan 26 operates in the reverse, discharge direction which directs
airflow from below fan 26 up through opening 46, radiator 28, guide
channel 29 and through screen 37. The effect is to direct a blast
of air through screen 37 which clears the majority of debris
collected thereon, thereby permitting nearly unrestricted airflow
through radiator system 11 during normal operation. After the
preset discharge blast (e.g. 10 seconds), the direction of fan 26
is automatically changed back to its standard operation direction,
that is, down through screen 37, radiator 28 and through fan 26. In
addition to the automatic discharge blast activated at startup, it
is further contemplated that radiator system 11 enable the operator
to manually run fan 26 in the discharge direction at any time
during operation should debris screen 37 accumulate too much
debris, that is, the screen becomes so clogged that the air flow
becomes significantly blocked and cooling efficiency of radiator 28
is significantly reduced. Such manual discharge fan operation is
contemplated to include a switch that, upon activating, simply runs
the fan in the reverse, discharge direction until the switch is
turned off. Alternatively, such switch could be made to be
activated or depressed, the result being a running of the fan in
the reverse, discharge direction for just a preset amount of time
(e.g. 10 seconds), such operation constituting a discharge
blast.
[0027] The electrical circuitry is further contemplated to include
a temperature sensor coupled with radiator 28 to activate fan 26 in
the standard direction whenever the temperature of the coolant
exceeds a preset value. The electrical components and connections
to permit fan 26 to be run in the standard direction and to be
reversed automatically and/or manually, at mower startup and/or
during normal operation, and/or for as long as the switch is
activated or for a preset time (a blast period) is not disclosed
herein and is believed to be within the knowledge of one skilled in
the art.
[0028] The drawings presented in FIGS. 1-4 are for illustration
purposes, and it is to be understood that elements unnecessary to
the present invention may not be shown or may be omitted to permit
a clearer view of other components, such omitted elements including
fasteners, linkages, fittings, and so on. Also, some components are
shown as representative elements and without detail. For example,
radiator 28 and fan 26 are shown generally in outline form, it
being understood that radiator 28 has cooling fins, and fan 26 has
a fan blade, spindle, electric wires, and so on. Also for example,
input and output ports 63 and 64 of radiator 28 are not shown
connected with the cooling passageways of engine 17, it being
understood that such connections exist as is standard with water
cooled engines having radiators.
[0029] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrated and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown
and described and that all changes and modifications that come
within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
* * * * *