U.S. patent application number 12/217875 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for cooling arrangement for system for generating electric power.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Errera, Kenton D. Gills.
Application Number | 20090323259 12/217875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41445824 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090323259 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Errera; Michael R. ; et
al. |
December 31, 2009 |
Cooling arrangement for system for generating electric power
Abstract
A cooling arrangement for a system for generating electric power
may include at least one heat exchanger configured to cool air
entering an engine operably associated with the system. The
arrangement may further include a first fan configured to supply
air to the at least one heat exchanger, and at least one radiator
configured to cool engine coolant. The arrangement may also include
a second fan configured to supply air to the at least one radiator.
The arrangement may be configured such that air supplied to the at
least one radiator is not supplied to the at least one heat
exchanger prior to being supplied to the at least one radiator.
Inventors: |
Errera; Michael R.; (Milner,
GA) ; Gills; Kenton D.; (Jonesboro, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CATERPILLAR/FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, L.L.P.
901 New York Avenue, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
41445824 |
Appl. No.: |
12/217875 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61129417 |
Jun 25, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/676 ;
165/104.31; 165/104.33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/24 20150115;
Y02T 10/12 20130101; Y10T 428/24777 20150115; Y10T 428/24273
20150115; F02B 63/04 20130101; F01N 2590/08 20130101; F01N 5/04
20130101; Y02T 10/16 20130101; F01N 2240/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/676 ;
165/104.31; 165/104.33 |
International
Class: |
H02B 1/56 20060101
H02B001/56; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00 |
Claims
1. A cooling arrangement for a system for generating electric
power, the cooling arrangement comprising: at least one heat
exchanger configured to cool air entering an engine operably
associated with the system; a first fan configured to supply air to
the at least one heat exchanger; at least one radiator configured
to cool engine coolant; and a second fan configured to supply air
to the at least one radiator, wherein the cooling arrangement is
configured such that air supplied to the at least one radiator is
not supplied to the at least one heat exchanger prior to being
supplied to the at least one radiator.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first fan supplies air
to the at least one heat exchanger in a first direction, and the
second fan supplies air to the radiator in a second direction that
differs from the first direction.
3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the first direction and the
second direction oppose one another.
4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat
exchanger and the at least one radiator are spaced from one
another, and the cooling arrangement further includes a partition
between the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one
radiator.
5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the partition includes an
interior sheet of material; at least one exterior sheet of
material; and insulation material between the interior sheet of
material and the exterior sheet of material.
6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the exterior sheet of
material includes a perforated sheet of material.
7. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein the partition defines two
sides, and wherein the first fan supplies air to the at least one
heat exchanger in a first direction toward a first side of the
partition, and the second fan supplies air to the radiator in a
second direction toward a second side of the partition.
8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the cooling arrangement is
configured such that the at least one heat exchanger is located
between an engine and the partition.
9. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the air supplied in the
first direction and the air supplied in the second direction are
diverted via the partition to flow in a third direction that is
generally orthogonal to the first direction and the second
direction.
10. A system for generating electric power, the system comprising:
an engine configured to output mechanical power; an electric
machine configured to convert mechanical power into electric power,
the electric machine being operably coupled to the engine; at least
one heat exchanger configured to cool air entering the engine; and
at least one radiator configured to cool engine coolant, wherein
the system is configured such that air flowing through the radiator
is not passed through the heat exchanger prior to reaching the
radiator.
11. The system of claim 10, further including a housing at least
partially containing the engine, the at least one heat exchanger,
and the at least one radiator, wherein the at least one heat
exchanger is located between the engine and the at least one
radiator.
12. The system of claim 11, further including a partition located
between the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one
radiator.
13. The system of claim 11, further including a fan configured to
supply air to the at least one heat exchanger.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the housing defines a side wall
and a roof, and wherein at least one of the side wall and the roof
defines at least one air passage, and the fan is configured to
supply air to the at least one heat exchanger via the at least one
air passage.
15. The system of claim 13, further including a partition located
between the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one
radiator, wherein the housing defines an opening adjacent the
partition, and the fan is configured to supply air to the at least
one heat exchanger, such that air is expelled from the housing via
the opening after being exposed to the at least one heat
exchanger.
16. The system of claim 11, further including a fan configured to
supply air to the at least one radiator.
17. The system of claim 13, further including a fan configured to
supply air to the at least one radiator.
18. The system of claim 12, further including: a first fan
configured to supply air to the at least one heat exchanger; and a
second fan configured to supply air to the at least one radiator,
wherein the housing defines a side wall and a roof, and wherein at
least one of the side wall and the roof defines at least one air
passage, and the first fan is configured to supply air to the at
least one heat exchanger via the at least one air passage, wherein
the housing defines an opening adjacent the partition, and the
first fan is configured to supply air to the at least one heat
exchanger, such that air is expelled from the housing via the
opening after being exposed to the at least one heat exchanger, and
wherein the housing defines an open end, and the second fan is
configured to supply air to the at least one radiator via the open
end, such that air is expelled from the housing via the opening
after being exposed to the at least one radiator.
19. A method for improving cooling effectiveness of a radiator
operably associated with a system for generating electric power,
the method comprising: providing a first flow of air to at least
one heat exchanger operably associated with an air intake of an
engine; and providing a second flow of air to the radiator, wherein
the second flow of air has not been heated by exposure to the at
least one heat exchanger.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the system includes an engine
and a housing containing the engine, the at least one heat
exchanger, and the radiator, wherein the method further includes:
pulling air into the housing and through the at least one heat
exchanger such that the first flow of air flows in a first
direction; and pulling air into the housing and through the
radiator such that the second flow of air flows in a second
direction differing from the first direction.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/129,417,
filed Jun. 25, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cooling arrangement, and
more particularly, to a cooling arrangement for a system for
generating electric power.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It may be desirable to generate electric power, for example,
in situations in which electric power is not available from an
electric power utility source, for example, in remote locations
and/or locations experiencing a power outage. This may be
accomplished, for example, using electric power generation systems
that are configured to generate electric power via operation of one
or more internal combustion engines to drive an electric machine
configured to convert mechanical energy supplied by the one or more
engines into electric power.
[0004] Such power generation systems may be configured to
facilitate transport of the power generation system to a location
where such power generation is desired. Some such systems may be
housed in, for example, a container such as a trailer, and
operation of the engine(s) and/or electric machine results in
accumulation of heat. Thus, it may be desirable to prevent an
accumulation of heat within the container in order to improve
operation of the power generation system. Further, some engines
used for power generation systems may include one or more
turbochargers, and it may be desirable to cool the air supplied to
the one or more turbochargers in order to improve the efficiency of
the turbochargers and/or reduce the emissions associated with
operation of the engine. Some systems may use a heat exchanger to
reduce the temperature of air supplied to the turbochargers, but
such heat exchangers, for example, when installed in a container
with the engine, may result in increasing the temperature inside
the container. For example, heat exchangers may be located between
an engine and a radiator for cooling engine coolant, and air
flowing to the radiator may be already heated to a higher
temperature via the heat exchanger before reaching the radiator.
This may reduce the cooling effectiveness of the radiator.
Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a power generation system
with a cooling arrangement that reduces the effects of a heat
exchanger located in a container housing at least the engine of a
power generation system.
[0005] A portable power module is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,007,966, issued to Campion ("the '966 patent"). The '966 patent
discloses air ducts for a portable power module trailerable over
public roads. The portable power module includes a shipping
container housing a gaseous fuel motor drivably connected to an
electrical generator. The '966 patent discloses air ducts
positioned on a side of the container, which introduce ambient air
into the container for cooling of the motor and the generator and
for combustion in the motor. The power module disclosed in the '966
patent may not, however, be provided with sufficient and/or
efficient cooling.
[0006] The systems and methods described in an exemplary manner in
the present disclosure may be directed to mitigating or overcoming
one or more of the drawbacks set forth above.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a cooling
arrangement for a system for generating electric power. The cooling
arrangement may include at least one heat exchanger configured to
cool air entering an engine operably associated with the system.
The arrangement may further include a first fan configured to
supply air to the at least one heat exchanger, and at least one
radiator configured to cool engine coolant. The arrangement may
also include a second fan configured to supply air to the at least
one radiator. The arrangement may be configured such that air
supplied to the at least one radiator is not supplied to the at
least one heat exchanger prior to being supplied to the at least
one radiator.
[0008] According to a further aspect, a system for generating
electric power may include an engine configured to output
mechanical power, and an electric machine configured to convert
mechanical power into electric power, the electric machine being
operably coupled to the engine. The system may further include at
least one heat exchanger configured to cool air entering the engine
and at least one radiator configured to cool engine coolant. The
system may be configured such that air flowing through the radiator
is not passed through the heat exchanger prior to reaching the
radiator.
[0009] According to another aspect, a method for improving cooling
effectiveness of a radiator operably associated with a system for
generating electric power may include providing a first flow of air
to at least one heat exchanger operably associated with an air
intake of an engine, and providing a second flow of air to the
radiator, wherein the second flow of air has not been heated by
exposure to the at least one heat exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic, partial cutaway plan view of an
exemplary embodiment of a system for generating electric power.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic, partial cutaway elevation view of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic, partial cutaway perspective view of
an exemplary embodiment of a system for generating electric
power.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic, partial section view of an exemplary
embodiment of a partition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of a system 10
for generating electric power. System 10 may include an engine 12
configured to supply mechanical power and an electric machine 14
operably coupled to engine 12 and configured to convert mechanical
power into electric power. Engine 12 may be any internal combustion
engine, including a spark-ignition engine, a compression ignition
engine, a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engine, and/or a
gas turbine engine. Engine 12 may be configured to run on any fuel,
such as, for example, gasoline, diesel fuel including bio-diesel
fuel, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, and/or any
combinations thereof. Other types of engines and fuels are
contemplated. Electric machine 14 may be any type of electric
generator known to those skilled in the art. For example, electric
machine 14 may include a three-phase AC synchronous generator.
[0015] System 10 may further include power load connections 16
configured to facilitate supply of electric power generated by
system 10 to any device or system that receives input of a source
of electric power, such as, for example, a power grid. According to
some embodiments, a number of systems 10 may be coupled to one
another and/or used together to supply additional electric
power.
[0016] As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, exemplary system 10 may
include one or more control panels 18 configured to control
operation of engine 12, electric machine 14, and/or any systems
associated with system 10. For example, control panel(s) 18 may
include electronic control systems configured to control operation
of engine 12 and/or electric machine 14, such that system 10
supplies electric power in a desired and/or controlled manner.
According to some embodiments, control panel 18 may include an
interface for providing an operator with information or data
relating to operation of engine 12 and/or electric machine 14, and
further, may include controls configured to facilitate an
operator's ability to control operation of engine 12, electric
machine 14, and/or any other systems associated with system 10. For
example, control panel 18 may facilitate an operator's control of
the electric power output of system 10, for example, by controlling
the voltage and frequency of the power output.
[0017] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, system 10 may include a housing 20 configured to provide
protection to various components of system 10. For example, housing
20 may include walls, for example, opposing side walls 22, a front
wall 24, and one or more rear doors 26, a floor 28, and a roof 30,
defining an exterior and, possibly also, an interior of housing 20.
According to some embodiments, system 10 may include one or more
devices 32 configured to facilitate transport of system 10 between
sites that may desire a supply of electric power. For example, the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a number of wheels
for facilitating towing of system 10 via a vehicle, such as a truck
or tractor (e.g., housing 20 may be in the form at least similar to
a trailer configured to be towed in a manner similar to trailers of
a tractor trailer rig). Other types of devices 32 (e.g., tracks,
wheels configured to travel along railroad tracks, pontoons, and/or
skids) known to those skilled in the art are contemplated. As
explained in more detail herein, some embodiments of housing 20 may
define one or more passages between an exterior of housing 20 and
an interior of housing 20.
[0018] According to some embodiments, system 10 may include a
reservoir 34 (e.g., a fuel tank) within the interior of housing 20
for providing a supply of fuel to engine 12. Reservoir 34 may be
coupled to engine 12 via one or more fuels lines (not shown).
According to some embodiments, reservoir 34 may be located external
to housing 20 and/or fuel may be supplied via an external source,
such as, for example, a pipe line for supplying a fuel, such as,
for example, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, hydrogen, ethanol,
methanol, and/or any combinations thereof.
[0019] According to some embodiments, system 10 may include a
cooling system 36 configured to regulate the temperature of engine
12 and/or electric machine 14. For example, cooling system 36 may
include one or more heat exchangers 38, such as, for example, one
or more air-to-air-after-coolers (ATAAC) operably coupled to engine
12 and/or one or more radiators 40, such as, for example, a jacket
water radiator, operably coupled to engine 12. According to some
embodiments, engine 12 may include one or more turbochargers (not
shown), and heat exchanger(s) 38 may be operably coupled to the one
or more turbochargers to cool air entering engine 12 (e.g.,
entering turbocharger(s)). System 10 may include one or more fans
42, for example, located between engine 12 and heat exchanger(s)
38. Fan(s) 42 may be operably coupled to engine 12 via a drive belt
(not shown) and/or may be driven via an electric motor (not shown),
and may supply a flow of air to and/or through heat exchanger 38 in
order to provide cooling air to heat exchanger 38.
[0020] Exemplary radiator(s) 40 may be configured to receive and
cool a flow of engine coolant (e.g., a liquid engine coolant),
which may be circulated into and/or through engine 12 via coolant
lines (not shown), thereby cooling engine 12. One or more fans 44
may be associated with radiator 40 and may be configured to provide
a flow of cooling air to radiator 40. Fan(s) 44 may be driven, for
example, via an electric motor (not shown), which may be coupled to
fan 44 via, for example, a belt drive (not shown).
[0021] According to some embodiments, as shown, for example, in
FIGS. 1-3, housing 20 may include a partition 46 positioned between
heat exchanger 38 and radiator 40. According to some embodiments,
one or more of side walls 22 of housing 20 may include air passages
48 (e.g., louvers (see FIG. 3)) configured to permit passage of air
into and/or out of housing 20. Further, roof 30 of housing 20 may
define one or more openings 50 located in the vicinity of heat
exchanger 38 and/or radiator 40. According to some embodiments,
fan(s) 42 associated with heat exchanger 38 may be configured to
draw air into housing 20 at A via passages 48 and through heat
exchanger 38 at B in a first direction. Upon flow though heat
exchanger 38, the air may be diverted via partition 46 and through
opening(s) 50 in roof 30 at C, for example, in a direction
generally orthogonal to the first direction.
[0022] According to some embodiments, fan(s) 44 may be configured
to draw air into and through radiator 40 via an open end of housing
20, for example, via opening one or more of rear doors 26 (or via
openings (not shown) in rear doors 26) at D in a second direction,
where the air may then be diverted via partition 46 and out
opening(s) 50 in roof 38 at E, for example, in a direction
generally orthogonal to the second direction.
[0023] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3,
partition 46 may be separated from heat exchanger 38 via a
longitudinal distance X1 ranging from about 35 inches to about 60
inches, for example, from about 40 inches to about 50 inches, for
example, about 44 inches. According to some embodiments, partition
46 may be separated from radiator 28 via a longitudinal distance X2
ranging from about 40 inches to about 65 inches, for example, from
about 45 inches to about 60 inches, for example, about 55 inches.
These distances are exemplary. Such an exemplary configuration may
result in improved packaging and/or improved cooling.
[0024] According to the exemplary embodiment of partition 46 shown
in FIG. 4, partition 46 may include an interior sheet 52 located
between layers of insulating material 54, which in turn, may be
between two exterior sheets 56 of material. For example, interior
sheet 52 may be formed from aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, and/or
any other suitable material. Insulating material 54 may include
rock wool and/or any other suitable material. According to some
embodiments, one or more of exterior sheets 56 may be perforated
aluminum sheets and/or any other suitable material. Partition 46
may have a thickness Y, for example, ranging from about 3 inches to
about 6 inches, for example, about 4 inches.
[0025] According to some embodiments, opening(s) 50 in roof 38 may
include, for example, a sheet of mesh material (not shown), such as
for example, grated metal (e.g., grated steel), extending at least
partially (e.g., fully across) opening(s) 50 in roof 30.
[0026] According to some embodiments, engine 12 may include an
exhaust system 58 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured to remove heat
and/or combustion products from housing 20. For example, exhaust
system 58 may include a roof-mounted muffler 60 in flow
communication with engine 12. Exhaust system 58 may further include
one or more extensions 62 downstream of muffler 60 configured to
provide a flow path for exhaust gas from engine 12 to the exterior
of housing 20 via muffler 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,
extension(s) 62 may extend above heat exchanger 38 from muffler 60
to one or more opening(s) 50 in roof 30, such that exhaust gas
exits via opening(s) 50.
[0027] According to some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG.
2, system 10 may include an interface 64 for facilitating control
and/or monitoring of system 10. For example, interface 64 may
include electrical connectors for facilitating electric connection
between controller(s) 18 and systems located exterior to housing 20
for facilitating, for example, load sharing between power
generation systems, provision of shore power (e.g., power for
battery chargers and/or control system associated with system 10),
monitoring of the status of system 10.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0028] Exemplary system 10 may be used to generate electric power,
for example, in situations in which electric power is not available
from an electric power utility source, for example, in remote
locations and/or locations experiencing a power outage. One or more
engines 12 of exemplary system 10 may be configured to output
mechanical power, and one or more electric machines 14 may be
configured to convert mechanical power into electric power. One or
more control panels 18 may be configured to facilitate control of
at least one of engine 12 and electric machine 14. Housing 20 may
be configured to contain at least one of engine 12 and electric
machine 14.
[0029] Exemplary cooling system 36 may be configured to regulate
the temperature of engine 12 and/or electric machine 14. For
example, one or more heat exchangers 38 may be operably coupled to
engine 12 and/or one or more radiators 40 may be operably coupled
to engine 12. Heat exchanger(s) 38 may be operably coupled to the
one or more turbochargers to cool air entering engine 12 (e.g.,
entering turbocharger(s)). Fan(s) 42 may supply a flow of air to
and/or through heat exchanger 38 in order to provide cooling air to
heat exchanger 38.
[0030] Exemplary radiator(s) 40 may be configured to receive and
cool a flow of engine coolant, which may be circulated into and/or
through engine 12 via coolant lines (not shown), thereby cooling
engine 12. Fan(s) 44 may be configured to provide a flow of cooling
air to radiator 40.
[0031] According to some embodiments, fan(s) 42 associated with
heat exchanger 38 may be configured to draw air into housing 20 at
A via passages 48 and through heat exchanger 38 at B in a first
direction. Upon flow though heat exchanger 38, the air may be
diverted via partition 46 and through opening(s) 50 in roof 30 at
C, for example, in a direction generally orthogonal to the first
direction. According to some embodiments, fan(s) 44 may be
configured to draw air into and through radiator 40 via an open end
of housing 20, for example, via opening one or more of rear doors
26 (or via openings (not shown) in rear doors 26) at D in a second
direction, where the air may then be diverted via partition 46 and
out opening(s) 50 in roof 38 at E, for example, in a direction
generally orthogonal to the second direction.
[0032] Providing cooling air for heat exchanger 38 and radiator 40,
such that air flow supplied to radiator 40 has not been heated by
heat exchanger 38 may provide advantages relative to some
conventional arrangements. For example, some conventional
arrangements position a heat exchanger between an engine and
radiator, and use a fan to push air through the heat exchanger,
where it is heated prior to passing through the radiator. Since the
air in such arrangements is heated by the heat exchanger prior to
reaching the radiator, it may not provide sufficient and/or
efficient cooling for the radiator, which may lead to inadequate
cooling and/or the necessity of using a larger radiator, or
additional radiators, to provide adequate cooling. According to
some embodiments disclosed herein, air entering radiator 40 has not
been heated via heat exchanger 38 prior to passing through radiator
40.
[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the exemplary disclosed
systems and methods for generating electric power. Other
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the exemplary
disclosed systems and methods. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *