U.S. patent application number 13/849211 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for heat exchanger cleaning system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is CATERPILLAR INC.. Invention is credited to Beau James BERNING, Majid Jameel JABBER, Benjamin Edward LULY, Scott Allen POZZIE.
Application Number | 20140284027 13/849211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51568261 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140284027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
POZZIE; Scott Allen ; et
al. |
September 25, 2014 |
HEAT EXCHANGER CLEANING SYSTEM
Abstract
A cleaning system is disclosed for use with a heat exchanger.
The cleaning system may have a nozzle configured to discharge a
flow of fluid, and an actuator operatively attachable to a side of
the heat exchanger and configured to move the nozzle across a face
of the heat exchanger. The cleaning system may also have a control
panel mounted remotely from the actuator and connected to the
actuator and to the nozzle. The control panel may be configured to
receive operator input indicative of desired movement of the
nozzle, and to selectively energize the actuator based on the
operator input.
Inventors: |
POZZIE; Scott Allen;
(Yorkville, IL) ; BERNING; Beau James; (Aurora,
IL) ; JABBER; Majid Jameel; (Toulon, IL) ;
LULY; Benjamin Edward; (Peoria, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CATERPILLAR INC. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
51568261 |
Appl. No.: |
13/849211 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 1/0435 20130101;
F28G 15/04 20130101; F28G 15/003 20130101; F28G 1/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/95 |
International
Class: |
F28G 9/00 20060101
F28G009/00 |
Claims
1. A heat exchanger cleaning system, comprising: a nozzle
configured to discharge a flow of fluid; an actuator operatively
attachable to a side of a heat exchanger and configured to move the
nozzle across a face of the heat exchanger; and a control panel
mounted remotely from the actuator and connected to the actuator
and to the nozzle, the control panel configured to: receive
operator input indicative of desire to move the nozzle; and
selectively energize the actuator based on the operator input.
2. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the
actuator is linear actuator.
3. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the
actuator includes: a rotary motor; a lead screw attached to rotate
with the rotary motor; and a lead nut engaged with the lead screw
and connected to the nozzle.
4. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the
actuator is electrically powered.
5. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the
actuator is configured to move the nozzle in a direction generally
aligned with gravity.
6. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the fluid
is compressed air.
7. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the
control panel includes an air inlet port connectable with an
offboard air source.
8. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the
nozzle is a knife blade nozzle configured to discharge a sheet of
compressed air.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the control panel is
configured to direct compressed air in parallel flows to opposing
ends of the knife blade nozzle.
10. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: the
nozzle is a first nozzle associated with a first heat exchanger;
the actuator is a first actuator associated with the first nozzle;
the heat exchanger further includes: a second nozzle associated
with a second heat exchanger; and a second actuator associated with
the second nozzle; and the control panel is: configured to receive
operator input indicative of desired movement of the second and
nozzle; and connected to the second actuator and to the second
nozzle in parallel with the first actuator and the first
nozzle.
11. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the
control panel further includes a valve movable to regulate fluid
flow to the nozzle.
12. The heat exchanger cleaning system of claim 11, wherein the
control panel further includes an input device movable to
selectively energize the actuator.
13. A method of cleaning a heat exchanger, comprising: directing
fluid through a nozzle toward the heat exchanger; receiving an
input indicative of a desire to move the nozzle; and selectively
moving the nozzle across a face of the heat exchanger in response
to the input during fluid discharge.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein selectively moving the nozzle
includes moving the nozzle linearly in a direction generally
aligned with gravity.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein selectively moving the nozzle
across the face of the nozzle in response to the input includes
selectively energizing an electrically powered actuator.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid is compressed
air.
17. The method of claim 16, further including receiving a supply of
compressed air from a temporary offboard source.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein directing fluid through a
nozzle includes discharging a sheet of fluid toward the heat
exchanger.
19. The method of claim 18, further including directing parallel
flows of fluid to opposing ends of the nozzle.
20. A machine, comprising: a frame; a plurality of heat exchangers
arranged in rows and supported by the frame; a fan located at one
side of the heat exchangers and configured to generate a flow of
air through the plurality of heat exchangers; a nozzle associated
with a first of the plurality of heat exchangers located in an
upper one of the rows opposite the frame, between the plurality of
heat exchangers and the fan, and configured to discharge compressed
air toward the first of the plurality of heat exchangers; an
actuator mounted to a second of the plurality of heat exchangers
located in a lower one of the rows adjacent the frame and
operatively connected to the nozzle, the actuator configured to
selectively move the nozzle across a face of the first of the
plurality of heat exchangers; and a control panel mounted at an
edge of the plurality of heat exchangers remote from the actuator,
the control panel having: an air inlet port fluidly connected to
the nozzle; an air valve disposed between the air inlet port and
the nozzle; and an input device movable by an operator to
selectively energize the actuator.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a cleaning
system and, more particularly, to a system for cleaning heat
exchangers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Most mobile machines are powered by an internal combustion
engine, for example a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, or a
gaseous-fuel powered engine. Each of these engines combust a
mixture of fuel and air to generate a mechanical power output used
to propel the machine. With the purpose to ensure optimum
combustion of the fuel/air mixture and protect components of the
engine from damaging extremes, temperatures of the engine and air
drawn into the engine for combustion should be tightly
controlled.
[0003] Typical internal combustion engines are cooled by way of one
or more heat exchangers and an axial cooling fan disposed adjacent
(e.g., in front of or behind) the heat exchangers. Coolants from
the engine are circulated through the heat exchangers, while the
axial cooling fan directs a flow of fresh air through the heat
exchangers to absorb heat from the coolants. The coolants, having
dissipated heat to the air, are then circulated back through the
engine to cool the engine. The air, after having absorbed heat from
the heat exchanger, is directed to the atmosphere.
[0004] Unfortunately, debris carried by the cooling air can build
up in the heat exchangers, blocking flow paths through the heat
exchangers. If left unchecked, an efficiency of the heat exchangers
can reduce over time due to the blockage. Accordingly, the debris
should be periodically removed from the heat exchangers to help
ensure proper operation of the engine.
[0005] Conventionally, the debris is removed from the heat
exchangers by way of a hand-held wand that discharges pressurized
air through the heat exchangers in reverse direction. This reverse
flow of high-pressure air forces the debris back out of the heat
exchangers in the direction that it originally entered the heat
exchangers, thereby clearing channels of the heat exchangers for
more efficient cooling. This conventional method of cleaning heat
exchangers can be labor intensive and only moderately successful in
smaller applications where the service technician can reach all
areas of the heat exchangers.
[0006] An attempt to improve heat exchanger cleaning is disclosed
in JP Patent Publication 2005/147428 of Hiroyuki that published on
Jun. 9, 2005 (the '428 publication). Specifically, the '428
publication describes a device for use in manually cleaning a heat
exchanger. The device includes an arrangement of air nozzles
coupled together in a row and suspended at one side of a heat
exchanger by way of ropes connected to the row of nozzles at
opposing ends. A supply of air from a compressor is directed to the
nozzles as the ropes are manually pulled by a service technician
from outside of an associated fan shroud. Pulling the ropes causes
the nozzles to move upward in front of the heat exchanger, while
releasing the ropes allows gravity to pull the nozzles down. In
this manner, the air discharged from the nozzles washes areas of
the heat exchanger that could not normally be reached by the
technician.
[0007] Although the device of the '428 publication may enhance heat
exchanger cleaning, it may still be problematic. In particular, the
process may still be labor intensive and prone to operator error.
In addition, the system may lack durability.
[0008] The disclosed cleaning system is directed to overcoming one
or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of
the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
cleaning system for use with a heat exchanger. The cleaning system
may include a nozzle configured to discharge a flow of fluid, and
an actuator operatively attachable to a side of the heat exchanger
and configured to move the nozzle across a face of the heat
exchanger. The cleaning system may also include a control panel
mounted remotely from the actuator and connected to the actuator
and to the nozzle. The control panel may be configured to receive
operator input indicative of desired movement of the nozzle, and to
selectively energize the actuator based on the operator input.
[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
method of cleaning a heat exchanger. The method may include
directing fluid through a nozzle toward the heat exchanger. The
method may also include receiving an input indicative of a desire
to move the fluid nozzle, and selectively moving the nozzle across
a face of the heat exchangers in response to the input during fluid
discharge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary
disclosed machine; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary
disclosed cleaning system that may be used in conjunction with the
machine of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary
disclosed cleaning actuator that forms a portion of the cleaning
system of FIG. 2; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary
disclosed control panel that forms a portion of the cleaning system
of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a machine 10.
Machine 10 may be a stationary or mobile machine that performs some
type of operation associated with an industry such as mining,
construction, farming, transportation, petroleum reclamation, or
another industry known in the art. For example, machine 10 may be
an earth moving machine such as the wheel loader shown in FIG. 1, a
motor grader, a track-type tractor, a haul truck, or another type
of mobile machine. Alternatively, machine 10 may be associated with
electric power generation, fluid (e.g., oil, water, gas, etc.)
pumping, or another stationary application, if desired. Machine 10
may include a frame 12 that supports an engine 14 within an
enclosure 16. Enclosure 16 may include, among other things, a
housing 18 and a ventilated cowling 20 that closes off an end of
housing 18. Housing 18 may be provided with one or more air inlets
22 configured to allow air flow through at least a portion of
enclosure 16 for cooling purposes, as will be described in more
detail below.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, machine 10 may be equipped with a
cooling arrangement 24 that communicates with air inlets 22 of
housing 18 and with ventilated cowling 20 to facilitate the
production of power within engine 14. Cooling arrangement 24 may
include, among other things, a plurality of heat exchangers 26
packaged together within housing 18 and fluidly connected to engine
14, and a fan 28 disposed within housing 18, adjacent to heat
exchangers 26. Heat exchangers 26 may include, among other things,
one or more engine oil coolers, one or more air coolers, one or
more transmission oil coolers, one or more HVAC coolers, or any
other types of coolers known in the art. Heat exchangers 26 may be
arranged in layers, rows, and/or columns. For example, a lower row
30 of heat exchangers 26 may be directly supported by frame 12
(referring to FIG. 1), while an upper row 32 of heat exchangers 26
may be mounted above the lower row 30 and opposite frame 12.
Similarly, a first layer 34 of heat exchangers 26 may be spaced
apart from fan 28, and a second layer 36 of heat exchangers 26 may
be located between first layer 34 and fan 28. The specific
arrangement of heat exchangers 26 may be dependent upon the
application of machine 10 and/or desired temperatures of the
specific fluids passing through the respective heat exchangers
26.
[0017] Each of heat exchangers 26 may be configured to dissipate
heat from the primary fluids passing through them to the flow of
air generated by fan 28. These primary fluids may be water, glycol,
a water/glycol mixture, air, a blended air mixture, or oil (e.g.,
engine oil hydraulic oil, transmission oil, brake oil, etc.). Each
of heat exchangers 26 may a liquid-to-air type of exchanger or an
air-to-air type of heat exchanger, as desired. In either of these
embodiments, the flow of air generated by fan 28 may be drawn from
air inlets 22 through channels of the respective heat exchangers
26, such that heat from the primary fluids within adjacent channels
is transferred to the air. In this manner, the primary fluids
passing through other components of machine 10 may be cooled to
desired operating temperatures. While fan 28, in the disclosed
exemplary embodiment, is situated to draw the flow of air through
heat exchanger 26, it is contemplated that fan 28 could be
alternatively situated to push the air through heat exchangers 26
and out inlets 22, if desired.
[0018] The heat exchangers 26 located in upper row 32 and second
layer 36, because of their height above frame 12 and their recessed
location between first layer 34 and fan 28, may be difficult for a
service technician to clean properly. Accordingly, cooling
arrangement 24 may be equipped with a cleaning system 38 that
facilitates remote cleaning of these heat exchangers 26. Cleaning
system 38 may include, among other things, one or more fluid
nozzles 40 associated with each of the hard-to-reach heat
exchangers 26, an actuator 42 connected to each nozzle 40, and a
control panel 44 mounted remotely from each nozzle 40 and actuator
42. Control panel 44 may be connected to each nozzle 40 via a fluid
supply line 46 and to each actuator 42 via a power supply line
48.
[0019] Each nozzle 40 may embody any type of nozzle known in the
art for discharging a high-pressure fluid toward an associated heat
exchanger 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, nozzle 40 is a
knife-blade nozzle configured to discharge a generally horizontal
sheet of high-pressure fluid. In this embodiment, nozzle 40 is
elongated and the high-pressure fluid is supplied to opposing ends
of nozzle 40 in parallel, such that the fluid is discharged along
the length of nozzle 40 in a substantially even manner (e.g., at a
substantially equal pressure and flow rate). It is contemplated
that nozzle 40 may alternatively be another type of nozzle, if
desired. For example, nozzle 40 could be a tubular nozzle having a
plurality of discharge apertures spaced along its length and
oriented toward heat exchangers 26, or include one or more
individual spray or jet type orifices, as desired. The fluid
discharged by nozzle 40 may be, for example, air.
[0020] Actuator 42 may be any type of actuator that functions to
move one or more nozzles 40 across a face of an associated heat
exchanger 26. In the disclosed embodiment, each actuator 42 is a
linear actuator that moves a single nozzle 40 in a generally
vertical direction aligned with gravity, between a top edge of
upper row 32 of heat exchangers 26 and an opposing lower edge. It
is contemplated that actuator 42 could alternatively move
horizontally, if desired. However, such movement may add
unnecessary stress to actuator 42 due to a cantilevered mass of
nozzle 40 that would be created in such an arrangement. Exemplary
types of linear actuators 42 include a screw type actuator having a
lead screw 50 and a lead nut 52, one of which is rotated by a motor
54; a rack and pinion arrangement; a cam arrangement; or a cylinder
arrangement. It is also contemplated that actuator 42 could
alternatively be a rotary actuator, if desired, that rotates nozzle
40 around the face of the associated heat exchanger 26. In the
disclosed embodiment, actuator 42 is electrically powered, although
other forms of power are also possible (e.g., pneumatically
powered, hydraulically powered, mechanically powered, etc.).
[0021] Control panel 44 may provide an interface for use by a
service technician in controlling operations of cleaning system 38.
Specifically, control panel 44 may include a control housing 55
recessed within (or otherwise mounted to) machine housing 18, and a
plurality of interface devices located within housing 55. The
interface devices may be accessed by the service technician from
outside of enclosure 16, while the service technician is standing
on frame 12. The interface devices may include, among other things,
a fluid control valve 56 associated with each fluid supply line 46,
a switch 58 associated with each power supply line 48, and a fluid
supply port 60 in communication with fluid control valves 56. It is
contemplated that control panel 44 may include additional interface
and/or serviceable components, if desired, such as a fluid filter,
a pressure regulator, and other similar devices known in the
art.
[0022] Each fluid control valve 56 may be a manually operable valve
having a lever movable between a first position and a second
position. When the lever is in the first position (generally
horizontal position shown in FIG. 4), pressurized air may be
allowed to flow from supply port 60 into the corresponding passage
46. When the lever is rotated through about 90.degree. to a
generally vertical position (not shown), fluid communication
between supply port 60 and passage 46 may be inhibited. It is
contemplated that only one or both of control valves 56 may be in
the flow-passing first position at the same time, as desired and/or
depending on a flow rate and pressure of compressed air provided to
supply port 60. That is, if the flow rate and pressure provided to
supply port 60 are low, it may be desirable to open only one of
control valves 56 at a time. Otherwise, both control valves 56 may
be simultaneously opened for faster cleaning.
[0023] Switch 58 may be, for example, a toggle switch that is
movable between multiple positions to control the motion of
actuator 42. For example, switch 58 may be movable from a neutral
position (shown in FIG. 4) at which actuator 42 is not energized,
upward to a position at which actuator 42 is selective energized to
extend lead screw 50, and downward to a position at which actuator
42 is selectively energized to retract lead screw 50. The
electrical power provided to actuators 42 via switch 58 may be
supplied from an onboard battery, such that even when engine 14
(referring to FIG. 1) is turned off, actuator 42 may still be
operable. It is contemplated that other types of switches may
alternatively be utilized, if desired, to selectively energize
actuator 42. It is further contemplated that the same switches 58
or additional interface devices may be included that function to
control speeds or other parameters of actuators 42, if desired.
[0024] Fluid supply port 60 may allow an external (e.g., offboard)
source of pressurized air (or other fluid) to be selectively used
to supply nozzle 40. For example, a compressor or tank located
onboard a service truck (not shown) may be selectively connected to
fluid supply port 60 to supply nozzles 40 with the air required to
clean heat exchangers 26. In the disclosed embodiment, fluid supply
port 60 is a compression fitting, although other types of fittings
may also be used, if desired. It is also contemplated that an
onboard source of pressurized air (e.g., an engine-driven
compressor or turbocharger) may be used to supply nozzles 40.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0025] The disclosed cleaning system may be applicable to any type
and configuration of heat exchangers known in the art. However, the
disclosed cleaning system may be particularly applicable to cooling
arrangements having heat exchangers that are difficult to access,
for example elevated heat exchangers or heat exchangers buried
between layers of other components. The disclosed cleaning system
may allow for cleaning of these difficult-to-access heat exchangers
from a remote location that is more accessible by a service
technician. The disclosed cleaning system may be used while the
associated engine (or engine system--e.g., power train, hydraulics,
brakes, etc.) is turned off, as the disclosed cleaning system may
be provided with cleaning fluid and power from an external and
offboard source. Operation of cleaning system 38 will now be
described in detail.
[0026] After a period of operation of machine 10, dust and debris
may have accumulated within channels of heat exchangers 26. This
dust and debris, if not removed, may block the flow of cooling air
through the channels and thereby reduce an amount of heat that can
be absorbed by the air. As a result, engine performance (or
performance of the system connected to the heat exchangers 26) may
decrease and, in some situations, damage may occur. Accordingly,
the channels of heat exchangers 26 may be periodically cleaned of
dust and debris. Cleaning may be accomplished by selectively
reversing the flow of air through the channels of heat exchangers
26.
[0027] Cleaning system 38 may be used to generate the reverse flow
of air through heat exchangers 26. In particular, when engine 14 of
machine 10 is turned off, so as to stop the flow of air generated
by fan 28, a service technician may board machine 10. The service
technician may connect an offboard air supply (e.g., a compressor
or tank) to fluid supply port 60 within control panel 44, and move
one or both of the levers of control valves 56 to their flow
passing positions. At about the same time, the service technician
may move one or both of switches 58 up and down to energize
actuators 42 and create corresponding motions of nozzles 40. The
service technician may continue this operation until a prescribed
amount of time has elapsed, until heat exchangers 26 are visibly
clean, until a change in pressure and/or flow rate of air through
heat exchangers 26 is observed, until debris is no longer being
dislodged from heat exchangers 26, or until another condition has
been met. The service technician may then return control valves 56
and switches 58 to their original positions and disconnect the
source of pressurized air from fluid supply port 60. The debris
dislodged from heat exchanger 26 may fall under the force of
gravity down between first and second layers 34, 36 of heat
exchangers 26. In some applications, frame 12 may have openings at
this location, such that the dislodged debris may exit enclosure
16. In other applications, the service technician may be required
to manually remove the fallen debris from frame 12.
[0028] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed cleaning
system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other
embodiments of the cleaning system will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the cleaning disclosed herein. For example, it is
contemplated that cleaning system 38 could be an automated system,
if desired, that is selectively and automatically activated when
engine 14 is turned off. In this alternative embodiment, nozzles 40
may be supplied with pressurized air from an onboard tank. It is
further contemplated that control panel 44 could alternatively be
located elsewhere on machine 10, if desired, for example within an
operator cabin. It is intended that the specification and examples
be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the
disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *