U.S. patent application number 11/446655 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for shroud assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation. Invention is credited to Jeremy Van Essen, Eric Brian Smith.
Application Number | 20070277752 11/446655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38294044 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Eric Brian ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
Shroud assembly
Abstract
A vehicle has an engine movably mounted on a frame, a fan
mounted on an engine driven shaft, a radiator fixedly mounted on
the frame, and a hollow shroud assembly which extends from the fan
to the radiator. The shroud assembly includes an inner shroud
member, an outer shroud member and a flexible annular seal member
which interconnects the inner and outer shrouds. The inner shroud
member is mounted to the engine and fixed with respect to the
engine and the fan. The inner shroud member integrally forms an
aspirator port. The outer shroud member is fixed with respect to
the frame. The flexible seal member sealingly engages the inner and
outer shroud members. The seal member has an annular gripping part
and an annular lip which projects away from the gripping part. The
gripping part grippingly engages an end of the outer shroud member.
The lip engages an outer surface of the inner shroud member. The
gripping part has a U-shaped cross section and an annular frame
with a U-shaped cross section is embedded in the gripping part.
Inventors: |
Smith; Eric Brian;
(Independence, IA) ; Essen; Jeremy Van;
(Janesville, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEERE & COMPANY
ONE JOHN DEERE PLACE
MOLINE
IL
61265
US
|
Assignee: |
Deere & Company, a Delaware
corporation
|
Family ID: |
38294044 |
Appl. No.: |
11/446655 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.49 ;
123/41.7; 165/122; 416/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01P 11/10 20130101;
F04D 29/083 20130101; F04D 29/646 20130101; F01P 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/41.49 ;
165/122; 123/41.7; 416/179 |
International
Class: |
F01P 7/10 20060101
F01P007/10; F01P 1/02 20060101 F01P001/02; F28F 13/12 20060101
F28F013/12; B63H 1/16 20060101 B63H001/16 |
Claims
1. A fan shroud assembly for a vehicle having a frame, an engine
movably mounted on the frame, a fan mounted on an engine driven
shaft, and a radiator fixedly mounted on the frame, the fan shroud
assembly comprising: an inner shroud member mounted to the engine
and fixed with respect to the engine and the fan, the inner shroud
member at least partially surrounding the fan and having an
aspirator port exposed to negative pressure produced by operation
of the fan; an outer shroud member fixed with respect to the frame;
and an elastomer annular seal member sealingly engaging the inner
and outer shroud members, the fan shroud assembly extending from
the fan to the radiator.
2. The fan shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein: the seal member has
a first annular part with a U-shaped cross section and a second
annular part which projects generally axially away from the first
part, the first part having a rigid annular frame with a U-shaped
cross section embedded therein.
3. The fan shroud assembly of claim 2, wherein: the first part of
the seal member comprises radially inner and outer annular rims,
and the second part of the seal member comprises an annular lip
which projects generally axially away from the rims, an end of one
of the shroud members being received between the inner and outer
annular rims, and the lip engaging a surface of the other of the
shroud members.
4. The fan shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein: the seal member has
radially inner and outer annular rims and an annular lip which
projects generally axially away from the rims, an end of one of the
shroud members being received between the inner and outer annular
rims, and the lip engaging a surface of the other of the shroud
members.
5. The fan shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein: the seal member has
radially inner and outer annular rims and an annular lip which
projects generally axially away from the rims, an end of the outer
shroud member being received between the inner and outer annular
rims, and the lip engaging a surface of the inner shroud
member.
6. The fan shroud assembly of claim 1, wherein: the seal member has
an annular gripping part and an annular lip which projects away
from the gripping part, the gripping part grippingly engaging an
end of one of the shroud members, and the lip engaging an outer
surface of the other of the shroud members.
7. The fan shroud assembly of claim 6, wherein: the gripping part
has a U-shaped cross section and an annular frame with a U-shaped
cross section is embedded in the gripping part.
8. The fan shroud assembly of claim 6, wherein: the gripping part
receives an end of the outer shroud member; and the lip engages an
outer surface of the inner shroud member.
9. A fan shroud assembly for a vehicle having a frame, an engine
movably mounted on the frame, a fan mounted on an engine driven
shaft, a radiator fixedly mounted on the frame, the fan shroud
assembly comprising; an inner shroud member mounted to the engine
and fixed with respect to the engine and the fan, the inner shroud
member at least partially surrounding the fan and having an
aspirator port adjacent blades of the fan; an outer shroud member
fixed with respect to the frame; and a flexible annular seal member
sealingly engaging the inner and outer shroud members, the seal
member having an annular gripping part and an annular lip which
projects away from the gripping part, the gripping part grippingly
engaging an end of the outer shroud member, the lip engaging an
outer surface of the inner shroud member, and the fan shroud
assembly extending from the fan to the radiator.
10. A fan shroud assembly for a vehicle having a frame, an engine
movably mounted on the frame, a fan mounted on an engine driven
shaft, and a radiator fixedly mounted on the frame, the fan shroud
assembly comprising: an inner shroud member mounted to the engine
and fixed with respect to the engine and the fan, the inner shroud
member at least partially surrounding the fan and having an
aspirator port exposed to negative pressure produced by operation
of the fan; an outer shroud member fixed with respect to the frame
and the radiator; and a flexible annular seal member sealingly
engaging the inner and outer shroud members, the fan shroud
assembly extending from the fan to the radiator, the seal member
having an annular gripping part with a U-shaped cross section which
receives an end of one of the inner ad outer shroud members, and
the seal member having an annular lip which projects away from
gripping part and which engages an outer surface of the other of
the inner and outer shroud members.
11. The fan shroud assembly of claim 10, wherein: an annular frame
with a U-shaped cross section is embedded within the gripping part.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a fan shroud assembly for a
vehicle.
[0002] Commercially available tractors typically include a cooling
fan and a fan shroud which at least partially surrounds the fan.
The fan is mounted to the engine on an engine driven shaft, and the
shroud is normally mounted to the vehicle frame. A certain fan tip
to shroud clearance must be maintained for optimum cooling system
performance, and to reduce drive-by noise. Some fan shrouds have a
pre-cleaner aspirator connection for producing a vacuum which
operates a pre-cleaner aspirator. The amount of vacuum will vary if
the distance between the pre-cleaner aspirator connection and the
fan blade varies--the vacuum will vary if the fan blade is allowed
to move or oscillate with respect to the aspirator connection
location.
[0003] Typically, tractor engines have been rigidly mounted as an
integral part of the vehicle frame. However, a rigid engine mount
transmits engine noise and vibration into the operator's station or
cab. To minimize noise transmission, the engine has been mounted to
the tractor frame using elastomer vibration isolators which allow
the engine to move relative to the vehicle frame. Since the cooling
fan is attached to the engine and the surrounding fan shroud is
attached to the frame, any motion or torque of the engine effects
the fan tip to shroud clearance and effects the operation of the
aspirator connection. It is desired to have a shroud assembly which
maintains a fixed fan blade to shroud positional relationship
despite movement of the engine relative to the vehicle frame.
[0004] By mounting the fan 0.75 diameters away from the radiator,
air flow distribution across the radiator is even, though the
radiator is rectangular and the fan is circular. Systems where the
fan-to-radiator clearance is less than 0.1 fan diameter fail to
utilize the corners of the rectangular radiator.
[0005] A two-piece fan shroud is used on a production mount log
loader. This shroud assembly has shroud part which surrounds an
engine driven fan and which is bolted to the engine. However, this
shroud assembly lacks an aspiration port. A seal is installed
between the other shroud part and a radiator. But, this seal is
designed to withstand a positive internal pressure, and would not
be suited to the negative pressure which exits in a tractor fan
shroud.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a
shroud assembly for a vehicle which has an engine which is mounted
for movement relative to the vehicle frame.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide such a
shroud assembly which maintains a fixed distance between an
aspirator port and the fan blades.
[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide such a
shroud assembly which minimizes variation in the vacuum efficiency
of an aspirator port.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide such a
shroud assembly wherein the aspirator port is formed as an integral
part of the shroud assembly.
[0010] A further object is to provide such a shroud assembly with
an elastomer seal between the inner and outer shrouds for
flexibility and sealing ability.
[0011] These and other objects are achieved by the present
invention, wherein a vehicle includes an engine which is movably
mounted on a frame. A fan is mounted on an engine driven shaft, and
a radiator fixedly mounted on the frame. A fan shroud assembly
partially surrounds the fan and extends from the fan to the
radiator. The shroud assembly includes an inner shroud member, an
outer shroud member and a flexible annular seal member which
interconnects the inner and outer shrouds. The inner shroud member
is mounted to the engine and fixed with respect to the engine and
the fan. The inner shroud member integrally forms an aspirator
port. The outer shroud member is fixed with respect to the frame.
The flexible seal member sealingly engages the inner and outer
shroud members. The seal member has an annular gripping part and an
annular lip which projects away from the gripping part. The
gripping part grippingly engages an end of the outer shroud member.
The lip engages an outer surface of the inner shroud member. The
gripping part has a U-shaped cross section and an annular frame
with a U-shaped cross section is embedded in the gripping part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a shroud assembly of the present
invention with schematic representation of the engine and
frame;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fan and the inner shroud
of the shroud assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view taken along lines 44 of FIG.
3; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the shroud
assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle such as an agricultural
tractor, includes an engine 10 mounted on a frame member 12 with
flexible vibration isolators 14. A radiator 16 is rigidly supported
on the frame member 12. A fan 18 with a plurality of blades 19 is
mounted on an engine driven shaft 20. A hollow shroud assembly 22
partially surrounds the fan 18 and extends between the fan and the
radiator 16.
[0018] The shroud assembly 22 includes an inner shroud 24 and an
outer shroud or plenum 26 which are joined together by an annular
seal member 28. The inner shroud 24 includes a cylindrical wall 23
and an annular central stiffening flange 25 which projects radially
outwardly from wall 23. Brackets 27 rigidly support radiator 16 on
frame member 12. The outer shroud 26 is secured to the radiator 16
with bolts or capscrews (not shown). The inner shroud 24 is rigidly
fixed to the engine 10 by a pair of brackets 30, one of which is
seen in FIG. 1. The brackets 30 are bolted to attachment members 31
which are integrally formed near the bottom portion of inner shroud
24. As a result, the space or clearance between the blades 19 of
the fan 18 and the inner surface of inner shroud 24 remains fixed,
since the engine 10, fan 18 and inner shroud 24 all move together
when the engine 10 vibrates with respect to the frame member 12. In
addition to the lower brackets or engine mounts 30, upper brackets
33 to support the inner shroud 24 with respect to the engine
10.
[0019] As best seen in FIG. 2, the flexible seal member 28 has an
annular gripping part 32 and an annular lip 34 which projects
axially away from a radially outer portion of the gripping part 32.
The gripping part 32 has a U-shaped cross sectional shape formed by
an inner wall or rim 36, outer wall or rim 38 and bight portion 40.
A rigid frame member 42 with a U-shaped cross section is embedded
in the gripping part 32. The frame member 42 is rigid, but is
flexible enough to create a spring force so that it grips the outer
shroud 26.
[0020] Wall 36 has an annular sealing flap 44 on its inner surface,
and wall 38 has an annular sealing flaps 46 on its inner surface.
The gripping part 32 receives the forward end of the outer shroud
26 so that the flaps 44 and 46 make contact with the surfaces of
the outer shroud 26. The flexible annular lip 34 sealingly engages
an outer surface of the inner shroud 24. The suction produced by
the fan 18 helps cause the lip 34 of the seal member 28 to stay in
sealing contact with inner shroud 24, and thus seal member 28
maintains a substantially airtight seal between the inner shroud 24
and the outer shroud 26 despite relative movement therebetween. The
annular flaps 44 and 48 do not seal, but supply gripping surfaces
to restrain the seal 34 to the shroud 26.
[0021] The seal is preferably approximately 44 millimeters wide and
is held in place without any special fasteners or adhesives due to
the U-shaped rigid frame embedded in the sealing member 28. As fan
speed increases, so does the sealing effect of the sealing member
28, which is necessary due to the torque of the engine 10 causing
misalignment between the inner shroud 24 and the outer shroud
26.
[0022] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, an aerodynamic port structure
50 is integrally formed in the inner shroud 24 close to the area
occupied by the blades 19 of the fan 18. An opening or port 52
extends through the port structure 50. The operation of the fan 18
will draw air in through the port 52. Port 52 may be connected by
an air hose (not shown) to a device which requires aspiration, such
as an engine air pre-cleaner (not shown). Because the space or
clearance between the fan blades 19 and the inner shroud 24 remains
fixed, there will be a fixed clearance between the port structure
50 and the fan blades 19, and there will be a constant amount of
vacuum produced at port 52 at fixed fan speeds. This minimizes
variation in the vacuum efficiency of the device being aspirated by
port 52.
[0023] As best seen in FIG. 5, the sealing member 28 has a
two-piece construction with two halves 60 and 62, and the outer
shroud 26 has a two-piece construction with two halves 64 and
66.
[0024] While the present invention has been described in
conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Assignment
[0025] The entire right, title and interest in and to this
application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed
therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues,
etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this
application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the
applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware
corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together
with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection
with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign
countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.
* * * * *