REDUCED NOISE MODULAR COOLING SYSTEM

Background Of The Invention

Large off-road machines are utilized in construction and mining industries for moving large volumes of earth or ore. The following United States Patents illustrate and describe examples of large off-road earth and ore hauling machines: Des 240,613; 3,519,156; 3,885,643; 3,096,844; and 4,190,265

In recent years increased attention has been given to overcoming environmental problems encountered with such large machines. One common problem that is receiving increased attention at this time is machine noise. It has been determined that a primary factor in the noise generated by such large land machines arises from radiator fans. The typical large off-road machine has a cooling system similar to that utilized on automobiles or trucks, that is, a vertical planar radiator core with a large

diameter fan mounted close to the core with a shroud around the fan for moving air directly through the radiator. The use of such large diameter fans cause substantial noise since, in order to draw sufficient air through the radiator to cool the engine of such large machines, the fan tip speed results in substanital noise. In addition, the volume of air movement that is required through such a radiator system itself is a source of significant noise. With presently used machine cooling systems the horsepower requirements are high. This energy loss could otherwise be applied to vehicle performance improvements and/or fuel economy.

An additional problem encountered with typical cooling systems employed on large off-road machines is that the cooling system components are mounted as

2 separate components on the machine. Since in existing systems the individual parts are separately mounted it is difficult to fabricate, assemble and test a cooling system prior to installation on a machine.

The basic objective of the present disclosure is to provide a modular cooling system for large engine powered machines that has advantages over the systems presently employed, including, as primary advantages, noise and horsepower loss reductions. In addition to noise reduction, other advantages of the modular radiator system for large machines of this disclosure are: (a) to reduce overall manufacturing costs; (b) to reduce horse power demands by the fan or fans and in so doing provide more power for useful work; (c) to provide a cooling modular that can be completely fabricated, assembled and tested prior to installation on a machine; (d) to provide a cooling modular system that can be removed as a unit from a machine for service and repair; and (e) to provide a modular radiator system that can be used on a variety of machine sizes to thereby reduce inventory requirements compared to individualized cooling system units as presently employed.

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Summary Of The Invention

The present disclosure is for a modular cooling system for large off-road machines having, among other objectives, overall noise reduction. The modular cooling system is formed of a superstructure having a bottom, a top, opposed sides, a front and a rear. The superstructure may be formed of structural metal, such as angle-iron, channels and so forth, and is preferably fabricated to provide a generally rectangular structure, although the superstructure is not necessarily exclusively of rectangular cross-sectional shape. Provision is made to removably mount the

superstructure on a machine frame, such as by the utilization of mounting bolts also extending through shock absorption rubber grommets, the bolts extending through brackets formed as a part of the machine frame. Such mounting system provides for expeditious placement of the modular cooling system onto a machine frame or removing it from the machine for service or repair.

Air cooled radiator portions are affixed to the superstructure front and opposed sides, providing a wrap-around arrangement. Floor and hood panels are employed to close the bottom and top of the superstructure. Either the floor panel or hood panel provide provision for access to the interior of the superstructure and facilities for the

mounting of air conditioning coils or other items as required.

A fan panel closes the superstructure rear. The fan panel has at least one but preferably two spaced apart openings therein. Thus, with the radiator portions front, top and rear panels, an enclosed plenum chamber is provided within the interior of the superstructure.

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Fans are rotatably supported by the superstructure within each of the fan shroud openings. In the preferred arrangement two fans openings are provided with a fan mounted in each opening. The utilization of two fans, rather than the typical single fan with the commonly employed radiator system, affords the opportunity to move greater volumes of air at reduced fan-tip velocities to thereby achieve overall cooling system noise reduction.

A drive shaft extends from the engine to the superstructure. Pulleys on the shaft receive belts for driving the fans.

The modular system preferably includes eye bolts affixed to the top portion thereof. The eye bolts provide means for lifting the modular assembly into position for mounting onto a machine or removing it from a machine for service or repair.

The modular cooling system is preferably mounted to the machine frame with shock absorbers. This can be accomplished by the use of brackets extending from the machine frame with resilient pads, such as large, thick rubber washers positioned between the modular system and the frame, or the use of large rubber grommets received in openings in the machine brackets. The shock absorption mounting of the modular system further serves to reduce noise originating from the cooling system.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by reference to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

5 Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a portion of the front end of a machine superstructure and showing a modular cooling system of this invention in position for mounting onto the machine superstructure.

Figure 2 is an elevational side view of the modular cooling system of Figure 1 , showing the machine frame in dotted outline and with the machine engine represented by a box structure in dotted outline and showing means of connecting the modular

cooling system to the machine frame and to the machine engine.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a superstructure for use in forming a modular cooling system.

Figure 4 is a top view as taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2, shown partially broken away, of the modular cooling system and showing, in partial cross-sectional view, the means of mounting the fans therein in the modular system.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the modular system as taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 showing the fan panel and fans mounted therein.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4 showing the interior of the superstructure with means to support the fan drive shaft hub and the fan hubs.

6 Description Of The Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, a modular cooling system for a large engine powered machine, having among other advantages reduced noise, is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The modular cooling system is shown in exploded view with respect to the front end portion of the frame of a large off-road machine, the frame consisting of longitudinal structures 12 and 14, and a front cross member 16. The modular cooling system 10 is mounted onto and demountable from the machine frame and this can be accomplished in a variety of ways. In the method illustrated, the machine frame has structural brackets 18 extending from the cross members 12 and 14, each of the brackets having an opening 20 therein. Downwardly extending from the modular cooling system 10 are bolts 22 that receive shock absorption members, indicated as elastomeric washers 24 thereon. The bolts extend through washers 24 and through openings 20 and are retained by nut 26, only one of which is illustrated. Thus, the modular cooling system 10 is easily mounted onto or demountable from a machine frame and preferably in an arrangement including the use of a shock absorption system exemplified by the elastomeric washers 24. Obviously, other types of shock absorption systems may be employed, such as the use of large rubber grommets or the like.

Figure 2 shows the modular system 10 in relation to the machine engine 28. The engine has, extending from the forward end thereof, a drive shaft 30. The modular cooling system 10 has extended from jt a fan drive shaft 32. By means of a flange system 34, engine drive shaft 30 and fan drive shaft 32 can be expeditiously coupled together when the modular unit is installed on the machine or decoupled when it is necessary to remove the modular unit.

Figures 1 and 2 therefore establish the environment in which the modular cooling system of this invention is employed. Referring now to Figures 3-6 more details of the system will be understood.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the modular unit superstructure, generally indicated by the numeral 36, employed in the modular cooling system. The superstructure 36 may be formed of structural members, such as square tubing as illustrated, or may be formed of angles, channels or any other type of commonly employed structural elements utilized in industry. The superstructure 36 has a front

surface 38, a rear surface 40, a first side surface 42, a second or side surface 44, a top surface 46, and a bottom surface 48.

Affixed to the front surface 38 is a radiator panel 50, as seen in Figure 1. Affixed

to the first side surface 42 is a side radiator panel 52, also seen in Figure 1 , and affixed to the opposee side surface 44 is an opposed second radiator panel 54 which is not seen in Figures 1 and 2 but is seen in dotted outline in Figure 4, as will be subsequently described.

Each of the radiator panels consist of a radiator core having a number of rows of small diameter fluid carrying tubes supported by fin elements and arranged for air to pass therethrough and to permit exchange of heat between fluid and air in the

system as all radiators commonly function.

The superstructure top surface 44 is closed by top panel 56, and the bottom surface 48 of the superstructure is closed by bottom panel 58.

The final surface of the superstructure, that is, the rear surface 40 is closed by a fan panel 60 as best seen in Figure 5. Thus, the superstructure is closed on all six sides thereby forming a plenum chamber 62 within the interior of the superstructure. (See Fig. 4).

As shown in Figure 6, there is positioned within the interior of the superstructure a drive shaft hub 64 that rotatably supports the fan drive shaft 32. In addition, in the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the modular cooling system 10 employs the use of two fans as contrasted with the common use of a single radiator fan, the advantages

of which will be described subsequently. When two fans are employed as illustrated, there is positioned within the interior of the superstructure a first fan hub 66 and a second hub 68. The hubs 64, 66, and 68 are supported by structural members 70 within the superstructure 36. The structural members 70 are illustrated emblematically as the hubs can be supported in a variety of different ways. As shown in Figure 4, fan drive shaft 32 has affixed to it a first pulley 72 and a second pulley 74. First fan hub 66 rotatably supports a first fan shaft 76 and in like manner, second fan hub 68 rotatably supports a second fan shaft 78. Attached to the first fan shaft 76 is a first fan pulley 80, and attached to the second fan shaft 78 is a second fan pulley 82. A first fan belt 84 extends from first pulley 80 to the fan drive pulley 72, and a second fan belt 86 couples the second fan drive shaft pulley 74 to the second fan pulley 82. Thus, when the fan drive shaft 32 is rotated, fan drive shafts 76 and 78 are rotated.

Affixed to the first fan shaft 76 is a fan 88 having a plurality of blades extending therefrom and in like manner, a second fan 90 is affixed to the second fan drive shaft 78.

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Fan panel 60, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, has a first shroud opening 92 that receives first fan 88 and a spaced apart second fan shroud opening 94 which receives second fan 90.

The wrap-around radiator system which includes the radiator units 50, 52 and 54 are coupled to the engine by means of hoses 96 and 98 as shown in Figure 2, as a means of circulating cooling fluid from engine 28 through the radiator system. The radiators units 50, 52 and 54 may be arranged in series or parallel to circulate one fluid

stream from and back to the engine or the radiator system may be separately arranged to circulate different fluids, such as separate fluid systems for cooling engine 28 and for cooling engine transmission or other components, not illustrated.

The modular radiator system 10 is arranged so that it can be fully assembled

and tested before installation onto the machine. Installation is facilitated by the use of lift hooks 100 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In addition, when it is necessary to replace or repair any components of the cooling system, the entire assembly can be expeditiously removed as a unit to greatly facilitate the repair.

It can be seen that by use of a modular system as illustrated herein the same

system can be adapted to a variety of machines thereby reducing the duplication of components required on a series of different machine sizes.

The modular system achieves economy of construction and assembly, as well

as providing a means of saving time and expense in repair and servicing. An important feature is the fact that the modular system provides for reduced noise. By

the employment of two spaced apart fans as illustrated herein, compared to a single fan, the fan-tip velocities can be reduced while moving an equal or greater quantity of air. Further, by the use of a plenum chamber and a wrap-around design, the air velocities can be controlled so that the total sound volume of the cooling system is substantially reduced, compared to a single vertical front radiator with a single fan as commonly employed.

As seen in Figures 4 and 5 the modular cooling system includes fan safety

guards 102 and 104. As shown best in Figure 4, fan panel 60 includes, around each of fan openings 92 and 94, a circumferential shroud portion 92A and 94A respectively.

The claims and the specification describe the invention presented and the terms that are employed in the claims draw their meaning from the use of such terms in the specification. The same terms employed in the prior art may be broader in meaning than specifically employed herein. Whenever there is a question between the broader definition of such terms used in the prior art and the more specific use of the terms herein, the more specific meaning is meant.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity it

is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each

element thereof is entitled.