U.S. patent application number 13/854279 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for cooling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is CATERPILLAR INC. Invention is credited to Joseph M. Huelsmann, Albert Yuen-Chang Lee, Kevin A. Sheets, Neil A. Terry.
Application Number | 20140290923 13/854279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51619674 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140290923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huelsmann; Joseph M. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2014 |
COOLING SYSTEM
Abstract
A cooling system is provided. The cooling system includes a
first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat
exchanger has a first chamber and a second chamber. A plurality of
tubes is provided in the first heat exchanger such that the tubes
are in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second
chamber. The tubes are arranged in a plurality of rows. A baffle is
located in the second chamber. The baffle divides the second
chamber into a first region and a second region. The first region
of the second chamber is in fluid communication with at least one
row of tubes. Further, an outlet is provided in fluid communication
with the first region. The second heat exchanger includes an inlet
in communication with the outlet of the first region.
Inventors: |
Huelsmann; Joseph M.;
(Washington, IL) ; Terry; Neil A.; (Edelstein,
IL) ; Sheets; Kevin A.; (Washington, IL) ;
Lee; Albert Yuen-Chang; (Peoria, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CATERPILLAR INC |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
51619674 |
Appl. No.: |
13/854279 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 2021/0094 20130101;
F28D 1/0461 20130101; F01P 2060/00 20130101; F28D 1/05333 20130101;
F28D 2021/0089 20130101; F01P 7/165 20130101; F28F 9/0214
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/174 |
International
Class: |
F28F 9/02 20060101
F28F009/02 |
Claims
1. A cooling system comprising: a first heat exchanger comprising:
a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a first chamber
and a second chamber, the tubes being arranged in a plurality of
rows; a baffle located in the second chamber, the baffle configured
to divide the second chamber into a first region and a second
region, wherein the first region is in fluid communication with at
least one row of tubes; and an outlet in fluid communication with
the first region; and a second heat exchanger comprising an inlet,
wherein the inlet of the second heat exchanger is in fluid
communication with the outlet of the first region.
2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger
further comprises an inlet port in fluid communication with the
first chamber and a power source, wherein the inlet port is
configured to receive coolant from the power source.
3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger
further comprises an outlet port in fluid communication with the
second region of the second chamber and a power source, wherein the
outlet port is configured to provide the coolant to the power
source.
4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger
further comprises an outlet in fluid communication with the second
region of the second chamber.
5. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the at least one row of
tubes in fluid communication with the first region is placed in a
direction of flow of a cooling medium.
6. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger
is a tube type radiator including multiple rows of tubes.
7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger
is a shell and tube type heat exchanger.
8. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the baffle is a
plate.
9. A method for cooling a working fluid in a hydraulic system
comprising: receiving a coolant in a first chamber of a first heat
exchanger; introducing the coolant into a plurality of tubes, the
tubes being arranged in a plurality of rows; directing the coolant
through the plurality of tubes towards a second chamber of the
first heat exchanger; providing a baffle in the second chamber, the
baffle configured to define a first region and a second region
within the second chamber, wherein the first region is in fluid
communication with at least one row of tubes from the plurality of
tubes; and introducing the coolant from the first region to a
second heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the working
fluid.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving the coolant
in the first chamber through a power source.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising placing the at least
one row of tubes, in fluid communication with the first region, in
a direction of flow of a cooling medium.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising directing the coolant
from the second heat exchanger to a second region of the first
chamber.
13. A machine comprising: a power source; a first heat exchanger
comprising: a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with a
first chamber and a second chamber, the tubes being arranged in a
plurality of rows; a baffle located in the second chamber, the
baffle configured to divide the second chamber into a first region
and a second region, wherein the first region is in fluid
communication with at least one row of tubes; and an outlet in
fluid communication with the first region; and a second heat
exchanger comprising an inlet, wherein the inlet of the second heat
exchanger is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first
region.
14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first heat exchanger
further includes an inlet port in fluid communication with the
first chamber and a power source, wherein the inlet port is
configured to receive a coolant from the power source.
15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first heat exchanger
further includes an outlet port in fluid communication with the
second region of the second chamber and a power source, wherein the
outlet port is configured to provide a coolant to the power
source.
16. The machine of claim 13, wherein the second heat exchanger
further includes an outlet in fluid communication with the second
region of the second chamber.
17. The machine of claim 13, wherein the at least one row of tubes
in fluid communication with the first region is placed in a
direction of flow of a cooling medium.
18. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first heat exchanger is a
tube type radiator including multiple row of tubes.
19. The machine of claim 13, wherein the second heat exchanger is a
shell and tube type heat exchanger.
20. The machine of claim 13, wherein the baffle is a plate.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling system, and more
particularly to a system and method for cooling a working fluid in
a hydraulic system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An engine is usually equipped with a radiator for cooling
the engine using an appropriate coolant. The coolant from the
radiator may also be used for a secondary application, such as, for
example, cooling an oil used in a hydraulic circuit. In current
systems, a hydraulic oil cooler is prone to plugging, is
inaccessible for cleaning, and prevents access to clean the
radiator. Hence, the hydraulic oil cooler needs to be relocated
from the bottom of the cooling package to an area that can be
cleaned easily. One possible solution includes moving the hydraulic
oil cooler to a coolant circuit associated with a radiator.
However, the temperature of the coolant associated with the
radiator is relatively higher than that required by the hydraulic
system installed on the machine.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,561 relates to a radiator apparatus. The
apparatus includes an oil cooler located within the radiator tank.
The oil cooler includes a plurality of pairs of tube plates wherein
each pair defines tube. The coolant from the radiator tube is used
to exchange the heat from the oil in the oil cooler.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cooling system is
provided. The cooling system includes a first heat exchanger and a
second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger has a first chamber
and a second chamber. A plurality of tubes is provided in the first
heat exchanger such that the tubes are in fluid communication with
the first chamber and the second chamber. The tubes are arranged in
a plurality of rows. A baffle is located in the second chamber. The
baffle divides the second chamber into a first region and a second
region. The first region of the second chamber is in fluid
communication with at least one row of tubes. Further, an outlet is
provided in fluid communication with the first region. The second
heat exchanger includes an inlet in communication with the outlet
of the first region.
[0005] In another aspect, a method for cooling a working fluid in a
hydraulic system is provided. The method receives a coolant in a
first chamber of a first heat exchanger. The method introduces the
coolant into a plurality of tubes, the tubes being arranged in a
plurality of rows. The method directs the coolant through the
plurality of tubes towards a second chamber of the first heat
exchanger. The method provides a baffle in the second chamber. The
baffle is configured to define a first region and a second region
within the second chamber. The first region is in fluid
communication with at least one row of tubes from the plurality of
tubes. Further, the method introduces the coolant from the first
region to a second heat exchanger.
[0006] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary machine,
according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a cooling
system;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling system according
to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of a second chamber connected to a
second heat exchanger along the plane 4-4 shown in FIG. 3; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for cooling a working
fluid in a hydraulic system according to an aspect of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Wherever possible the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary machine 100 according to one aspect
of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the machine 100 may
embody a track type tractor. Alternatively, the machine may
include, but is not limited to, a backhoe loader, a skid steer
loader, a wheel loader, a motor grader, and the like. It should be
understood that the machine 100 may embody any wheeled or tracked
machine associated with mining, agriculture, forestry,
construction, and other industrial applications.
[0013] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the machine 100 may include a
power source 102, a transmission system 104, and a propulsion
system 106. In one embodiment, the power source 102 may include,
for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel
powered engine such as a natural gas engine, a combination of known
sources of power or any other type of engine apparent to one of
skill in the art. The transmission system 104 may be communicably
coupled to the power source 102. The transmission system 104 may
include coupling elements for transmitting a drive torque from the
power source 102 to the propulsion system 106. As illustrated in
FIG. 1, the propulsion system 106 may include a track 108 having
ground engaging elements configured to propel the machine 100 on a
ground.
[0014] Further, the machine 100 may include a load lifting assembly
110 having a lift arm 112, one or more hydraulic actuator 114 and a
ground engaging tool 116, such as a blade or bucket. The ground
engaging tool 116 is configured to collect, hold and convey
material and/or heavy objects on the ground. The hydraulic
actuators 114 may be configured to effectuate the movement of the
lifting assembly 110 based on an operator command provided by an
operator of the machine 100. The operator command may be received
through various input devices present within an operator cabin 118
of the machine 100.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a cooling system 200
connected to the power source 102, according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure. The cooling system 200 may include a first
heat exchanger 202 and a second heat exchanger 204 in fluid
communication with each other. The first heat exchanger 202 is
configured to dissipate heat from a coolant received from the power
source 102. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that any suitable coolant known in the art may be used. For
example, the coolant may include distilled water or a mixture of
water, antifreeze and other additives. The second heat exchanger
204 is configured to cool a working fluid associated with a
hydraulic system. As shown in FIG. 2, the first heat exchanger 202
may be fluidly connected to the power source 102 through a
plurality of fluid passages 206, 208. The first heat exchanger 202
may be configured to receive a flow of the coolant from the power
source 102 via the fluid passage 206. After cooling, the coolant
may flow from the first heat exchanger 202 towards the power source
102 via the fluid passage 208.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, an inlet port 302 may be provided on the
first heat exchanger 202. The inlet port 302 of the first heat
exchanger 202 may be connected to the fluid passage 206, which in
turn is connected to the power source 102. The inlet port 302 is
configured to receive the coolant from the power source 102 via the
fluid passage 206. Further, an outlet port 304 may also be provided
on the first heat exchanger 202. The outlet port 304 may be
connected to the power source 102 via the fluid passage 208.
[0017] In one embodiment, the first heat exchanger 202 may be a
tube radiator, preferably a grommeted tube radiator. The first heat
exchanger 202 may include a first chamber 306 and a second chamber
308. The first chamber 306 and the second chamber 308 may be
fluidly connected to each other through a plurality of tubes 310.
The plurality of tubes 310 connecting the first chamber 306 with
the second chamber 308 may be placed substantially vertical within
the first heat exchanger 202, such that the tubes 310 are arranged
in a plurality of rows. The tubes 310 may be configured to convey
the coolant from the first chamber 306 to the second chamber 308.
It should be noted that each of the plurality of rows of tubes 310
may conduct the coolant from the first chamber 306 to the second
chamber 308 independent of each other. The tubes 310 may be
arranged in such a manner that one end of the tubes 310 is in fluid
communication with the first chamber 306, while another end of the
tubes 310 is in fluid communication with the second chamber
308.
[0018] Arrowheads shown in FIG. 3 are indicative of a direction of
flow of a cooling medium 312. The cooling medium 312 may include,
but not limited to, surrounding air, air from a fan, or any other
source providing air flow within an enclosure housing the power
source 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of tubes 310 may be
placed such that the direction of the flow of the cooling medium
312 is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of tubes 310.
It should be noted that the cooling medium 312 may be relatively
cooler than the coolant flowing within the tubes 310 of the first
heat exchanger 202. Accordingly, the cooling medium 312 flowing
over the arrangement of the tubes 310 of the first heat exchanger
202 may be configured to lower a temperature of the coolant flowing
within the tubes 310 by means of heat exchange.
[0019] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
drop in temperature of the coolant may vary in each of the row of
tubes 310. The drop in temperature may depend on the location or
position of the row of tubes 310 relative to the direction of the
flow of the cooling medium 312. More specifically, the temperature
drop in the coolant flowing in the initial few rows of tubes 310
may be relatively more than the drop in temperature experienced by
the coolant flowing through the row of tubes 310 situated further
away from the direction of flow of the cooling medium 312. For
example, the temperature drop in first row of tubes 310 may be
approximately 25% higher than the temperature drop in the row of
the tubes 310 situated further away. Moreover, the temperature of
the cooling medium 312 may continue to increase as the cooling
medium 312 flows through the first heat exchanger 202, based on
heat exchanged with the coolant flowing through the tubes 310. It
should be understood that the first heat exchanger 202 is not
restricted to the grommeted tube radiator, and may be any suitable
type of heat exchanger for effective heat transfer between the
coolant and the cooling medium 312.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top view of the second chamber 308 looking down
from the plane 4-4 shown in FIG. 3. For clarity, the tubes 310
within the first heat exchanger 202 are not shown. The present
disclosure relates to a baffle 402 provided in the first heat
exchanger 202. The baffle 402 may be configured as a plate which
may be made from any suitable material, such as, for example,
corrosion resistive metal, plastic, hybrid material, and the like.
Parameters like length and thickness may vary according to the
application. Referring to FIG. 4, the baffle 402 may be placed
within the second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger 202. The
baffle 402 is configured to divide the second chamber 308 into a
first region 404 and a second region 406.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the baffle 402 may be placed in such a
way that the first region 404 is in fluid communication with at
least one row of tubes 310. The placement of the baffle 402 within
the second chamber 308 is such that the at least one row of tubes
310 provided in the first region 404 is configured to receive the
cooling medium 312 prior to the remaining tubes 310 present in the
second region 406. Accordingly, the coolant leaving the at least
one row of tubes 310 of the first region 404 may be relatively
cooler than that of the second region 406. In other words, the row
of tubes 310 in fluid communication with the first region 404
receives the coolest cooling medium 312, and thus the coolant in
the first region is relatively cooler that that of the second
region.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the first heat exchanger 202 is in fluid
communication with the second heat exchanger 204 via a fluid
passage 210. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger 202 further includes
an outlet 314 configured to fluidly connect the first region 404
with the second heat exchanger 204. The coolant leaving the at
least one row of tubes 310 in the first region 404 may flow towards
the second heat exchanger 204 through the outlet 314. An inlet 316
of the second heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the
outlet 314 of the first heat exchanger 202. The coolant received
from the first heat exchanger 202 may be used to cool the working
fluid in the second heat exchanger 204. It should be understood
that the location of the baffle 402 in the second chamber 308 may
depend on the amount of heat dissipation required by the working
fluid present in the second heat exchanger 204. For example, the
first region 404 may proportionately include more number of rows of
tubes 310 if a relatively larger quantity of heat dissipation is
required within the second heat exchanger 204.
[0023] In one embodiment, the second heat exchanger 204 may be a
shell and tube type heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the
working fluid used in hydraulic system and the coolant from the
first heat exchanger 202. In another embodiment, the second heat
exchanger 204 may be an in-tank cooler that may be placed in the
first region 404 of the second chamber 308. More particularly, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the working fluid may include oil received
from an oil tank 212 via a fluid passageway 214 and an inlet 318 on
the second heat exchanger. A person of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the secondary heat exchanger 204 is not
restricted to shell and tube type heat exchanger and may be any
suitable type of heat exchanger known in the art. The cooled
working fluid may exit the second heat exchanger 204 via an outlet
320 provided on the second heat exchanger 204. This cooled working
fluid may flow through a fluid passageway 216 to any suitable
application on the machine 100.
[0024] Further, referring to FIGS. 2-4, the coolant used for
cooling the working fluid in the second heat exchanger 204 may be
returned to the first heat exchanger 202 via a fluid passageway
218. This fluid passageway 218 may be defined by an outlet 322 of
the second heat exchanger 204 in fluid connection with an inlet 324
located on the second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger
204.
[0025] In one embodiment, the second chamber 308 of the first heat
exchanger 202 may further include the outlet port 304 to fluidly
connect the first heat exchanger 202 with the power source 102 via
the fluid passage 208. The coolant from the second chamber 204 of
the first heat exchanger 202 may be conveyed to the power source
102 from the outlet port 304 via the fluid passageway 208. It
should be noted that this coolant may include the coolant leaving
the row of tubes 310 present in the second region 406 of the first
heat exchanger 202. Additionally, the coolant may also include the
coolant received from the outlet 322 of the second heat exchanger
204 which is in communication with the second region 406 of the
first heat exchanger 202.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0026] In the present disclosure the coolant from the at least one
row of tubes 310 of the first heat exchanger 202 is utilized to
cool the working fluid in the second heat exchanger 204. Since the
at least one row of tubes 310 are provided in the direction of the
flow of the cooling medium 312, the coolant leaving this region of
the first heat exchanger 202 is approximately 25% cooler than that
leaving the second region. Further, the second heat exchanger 204
may remain in the cooling circuit of the first heat exchanger 202
having minimal or no effect on the flow rate and overall cooling
system performance.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart for a method 500 for
cooling the working fluid in the hydraulic system is shown. At step
502, the coolant may be received in the first chamber 306 of the
first heat exchanger 202. The coolant may flow from the power
source 102 via the fluid passage 206 to the inlet port 302 of the
first heat exchanger 202. At step 504, the coolant may be
introduced into the plurality of tubes 310 connecting the first
chamber 306 and the second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger
202. Further, at step 506, the coolant may be directed towards the
second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger 202 through the
plurality of tubes 310.
[0028] As the coolant is conveyed from the first chamber 306 to the
second chamber 308, the coolant may undergo the drop in temperature
as a result of the heat exchange with the cooling medium 312
flowing over the plurality of tubes 310. At step 508, the baffle
402 may be provided within the second chamber 308. As described
earlier, the baffle 402 may divide the second chamber 308 into the
first region 404 and the second region 406. The first region 404 is
in fluid communication with the at least one row of plurality of
tubes 310. Further, the first region 404 may be provided in the
direction of the cooling medium 312.
[0029] The cooling medium 312 may flow over the at least one row of
tubes 310 in the first region 404 prior to that of the tubes 310 in
the second region 406. As a result, the temperature drop of the
coolant in the at least one row of tubes 310 of the first region
404 may be relatively higher than that of the second region 406.
Further, at step 510, the coolant from the first region 404 may be
introduced into the second heat exchanger 204. The coolant from the
first region 404 of the second chamber 308 can be fed through the
outlet 314 of the first region 404 to the inlet 316 of the second
heat exchanger 204 through the fluid passage 210.
[0030] In one embodiment, the second heat exchanger 204 may utilize
the coolant from the first region 404 of the second chamber 308 to
cool the working fluid fed from the hydraulic system into the
second heat exchanger 204. In one embodiment, the working fluid may
be directed towards any suitable application in the machine 100.
Further, the coolant from the second heat exchanger 204 may be fed
back to the second chamber 308 of the first heat exchanger 202
through the outlet 322 of the second heat exchanger 204. The
coolant from the first heat exchanger 202 may then be directed
towards the power source 102 via the fluid passageway 208.
[0031] A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the connections described herein are exemplary and do not limit the
scope of the disclosure. Also, the present disclosure has been
explained with reference to the cooling system 200 for cooling the
working fluid of the hydraulic system. However, the disclosure may
also be utilized on other applications having similar
requirements.
[0032] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *