CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 62/252,798 filed November 09, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes vehicle powertrains.

BACKGROUND

A number of vehicle powertrains may include a turbocharger. SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

A number of variations may include a product comprising: a turbocharger comprising a bearing housing; an engine; and a heat transfer system comprising a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, a valve, a first conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, the heat exchanger, and the turbocharger, a second conduit for housing a second fluid operatively connected to the second fluid inlet, the heat exchanger, and the engine, and a bypass conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, and the turbocharger, wherein the valve may be constructed and arranged to allow the first fluid to be cooled by flowing the first fluid into the heat exchanger via the first conduit based on at least one condition.

A number of variations may include a method comprising: providing a turbocharger comprising a bearing housing, an engine, and a heat transfer system comprising a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, a valve, a first conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, the heat exchanger, and the turbocharger, a second conduit for housing a second fluid operatively connected to the second fluid inlet, the heat exchanger, and the engine, and a bypass conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, and the turbocharger; and operating the valve to allow the first fluid to be cooled by flowing the first fluid into the heat exchanger via the first conduit based on at least one condition.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a product according to a number of variations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a product according to a number of variations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method according to a number of variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 shows a product 10 according to a number of variations. In a number of variations, the product 10 may be a vehicle. In a number of variations, the vehicle may include a vehicle housing 1 1 . In a number of variations, the product 10 may include a powertrain 12 for a vehicle. In a number of variations, the vehicle may include an agricultural vehicle such as, but not limited to, a tractor (including a two-wheel, caterpillar, or may be another type), a cultivator (including, a dragged teeth, or rotary motion vehicle, or may be another type), a cultipacker, a chisel plow, a harrow, a plow, a debris removal implement, a subsoiler, a rotator, a roller, a strip till toolbar, a broadcast seeder, a planter, a plastic mulch layer, a potato planter, a seed drill, a transplanter, a fertilizer spreader, a sprayer, an irrigation vehicle, a produce sorter, a reaper, a thresher, a mulcher, a loader, a bale lifter, a baler, a hay rake, a grain cart, a harvester, a swather, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the powertrain 12 may include an engine 14. In a number of variations, the engine 14 may be attached to or provide locomotion to the vehicle housing 1 1. In a number of variations, the vehicle housing 1 1 may encompass the powertrain 12. The powertrain 12 may include an engine compression release brake 19. In a number of variations, the powertrain 12 may be controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 150. In a number of variations, the electronic control unit 150 may receive data from at least one sensor 50 in the powertrain 12 or vehicle. In a number of variations, the electronic control unit 150 may have a memory storage unit 158. In a number of variations, the engine 14 may be an internal combustion engine, a heat engine, a combustion engine, an external combustion engine, an electric motor, an air-breathing combustion engine, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the powertrain 12 may include a turbocharger 16 which may include at least one of a turbine 16A, or a compressor 16B. In a number of variations, the turbocharger 16 may include a bearing housing 18. In a number of variations, a bearing conduit 38 may deliver a first fluid 40 to the bearing housing 18. In a number of variations, the powertrain 12 may include a propulsion assembly 13. In a number of variations, the propulsion assembly may be operatively connected to at least one of the engine 14 or the turbocharger 16 or both. In a number of variations, the propulsion assembly 13 may be an electric motor or generator used for providing power to an electric turbocharger 16. In a number of variations, the propulsion assembly 13 may be a gearbox or clutch assembly used in a turbocompound engine 14. In a number of variations, the product 10 or powertrain 12 may include a heat transfer system 20. In a number of variations, the engine 14 may generate a high amount of heat due to the capacity for high torque, pulling power, or high horsepower, at low forward speeds. In a number of variations, these engines 14 include cooling systems that can be heavily taxed with little air-flow. In a number of variations, at least one of the product 10, powertrain 12, or heat transfer system 20 may aid in a vehicle where a cooling system including a water cooling system may not be practical and as a result, the fluid may not be cool enough to prevent problematic coking which results in turbocharger bearing housing 18 failure. In a number of variations, a cooling system may not be practical in an vehicle for safety reasons because the operator needs to see the terrain in front of the vehicle during operation, which may limit the frontal area of the vehicle and area available for the cooling system which may include, but is not limited to, heat exchangers and radiators. In a number of variations, a vehicle including, but not limited to, an agricultural vehicle may operate at maximum power for long periods of time at low forward speed, increasing the heat of the vehicle and powertrain 12. In a number of variations, the product 10, powertrain 12, or heat transfer system 20 may be used to keep fluid cool to protect the bearing housing 18 in a smaller space and without requiring vehicle frontal area to house more radiators, heat exchangers, or coolers, and without requiring more engine bay volume to handle additional coolant lines or ducts.

Referring to Fig. 1 and additionally to Fig. 2, in a number of variations, the product 10 or powertrain 12 may include a heat transfer system 20. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include a first fluid inlet 22 for providing a first fluid 40 into the heat transfer system 20 from a first fluid source 41 . In a number of variations, a first fluid pump 141 may pump the first fluid 40 from the first fluid source 41 to the first fluid inlet 22. In a number of variations, the first fluid 40 may be a liquid or a gas and may include at least one of oil, water, air, engine fluid, coolant, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include a second fluid inlet 24 for providing a second fluid 42 into the heat transfer system 20 from a second fluid source 43. In a number of variations, a second fluid pump 143 may pump the second fluid 42 from the second fluid source 43 to the second fluid inlet 24. In a number of variations, the second fluid 42 may be a liquid or a gas and may include at least one of engine fuel (including, but not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, fuel oil, biodiesel, liquid hydrogen, natural gas, or may be another type), oil, water, air, engine fluid, coolant, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include at least one heat exchanger 26. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include at least one valve 28. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may be a thermostatic valve. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include a first conduit 30. In a number of variations, the first conduit 30 may house the first fluid 40. In a number of variations, the first conduit 30 may be operatively or fluidly connected to at least one of the first fluid inlet 22, the valve 28, the heat exchanger 26, and the turbocharger 16. In a number of variations, the first conduit 30 may be operatively or fluidly connected to the bearing housing 18 of the turbocharger 16. In a number of variations, the first conduit 30 may run the first fluid 40 through the heat exchanger 26 to engage in heat transfer with the second fluid 42. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include a second conduit 32. In a number of variations, the second conduit 32 may house the second fluid 42. In a number of variations, the second conduit 32 may be operatively or fluidly connected to at least one of the second fluid inlet 24, the heat exchanger 26, and the engine 14. In a number of variations, the second conduit 32 may run the second fluid 42 through the heat exchanger 26 to engage in heat transfer with the first fluid 40. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may include a bypass conduit 34. In a number of variations, the bypass conduit 34 may house the first fluid 40. In a number of variations, the bypass conduit 34 may be operatively or fluidly connected to at least one of the first fluid inlet 22, the valve 28, and the turbocharger 16. In a number of variations, the bypass conduit 34 may be operatively or fluidly connected to the bearing housing 18 of the turbocharger 16. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may be constructed and arranged to allow the first fluid 40 to be cooled or heated by flowing the first fluid into the heat exchanger 26 via the first conduit 30 based on at least one condition. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may be constructed and arranged to allow the first fluid 40 to bypass the heat exchanger 26 via the bypass conduit 34 based on at least one condition. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may be constructed and arranged to allow a set percentage between 0 and 100% of the flow of the first fluid 40 to bypass the heat exchanger 26 via the bypass conduit 34 based on at least one condition while the remainder is sent to the heat exchanger 26. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may alleviate excess heat of the first fluid 40 on the turbocharger 16 or bearing housing 18, which may also alleviate coking of the first fluid 40 on the turbocharger 16 or bearing housing 18. As shown in Fig. 2, in a number of variations, a valve 28' may be placed at the intersection of the first conduit 30 and the bypass conduit 34 downstream of the heat exchanger 26. In a number of variations, this valve 28' may control fluid flow into the turbocharger or bearing housing 18 according to at least one condition. In a number of variations, additional first fluid pumps 141 or second fluid pumps 143 may be included anywhere along the first fluid conduit 30, second fluid conduit 32 or bypass fluid conduit 34. In a number of variations, the turbocharger 16 may be replaced by a hydraulic cooler. In a number of variations, the heat transfer system 20 may further include an additional cooler 70.

In a number of variations, the valve 28, 28' actuation in allowing first fluid 40 into at least one of the first conduit 30 or the bypass conduit 34 may be controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 150. In a number of variations, the product 10 may include at least one sensor 50. In a number of variations, the sensor 50 may measure the condition including, but not limited to, first fluid temperature, first fluid pressure, second fluid temperature, second fluid pressure, turbocharger 16 temperature, bearing housing 18 temperature, first fluid heat exchanger inlet temperature, first fluid heat exchanger outlet temperature, second fluid heat exchanger inlet temperature, second fluid heat exchanger outlet temperature, bypass conduit first fluid temperature, vehicle speed, transmission setting, engine temperature, engine fluid pressure, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may allow the first fluid 40 to enter the first conduit 30 when the first fluid 40 temperature is greater than a threshold of about 50°C. In a number of variations, the valve 28 may allow the first fluid 40 to enter the bypass conduit 34 when the first fluid 40 temperature is less than a threshold of about 50°C. In a number of variations, the valve 28' may allow the first fluid 40 to enter the turbocharger 16 or bearing housing 18 according to at least one condition.

In a number of variations, the valve 28, 28' may be a bimetallic valve, a spool valve, a three-way check valve, or a three-way ball check valve, a ball valve, a gate valve, a butterfly valve, a choke valve, a pinch valve, a needle valve, a poppet valve, a pressure reducing valve, a ball valve, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the heat exchanger 26 may be a heat exchanger type including, but not limited to an electric heating, a double pipe, a shell and tube, a plate heat, a plate and shell, an adiabatic wheel, a plate fin heat, a pillow plate, or a fluid heat exchanger, or may be another type. In a number of variations, at least one of the first fluid pump 141 , or second fluid pump 143 may be at least one of rotary positive displacement pump, a reciprocating positive displacement pump, a gear pump, a screw pump, a progressing cavity pump, a roots-type pump, a peristaltic pump, a plunger pump, a rope pump, a impeller pump, a hydraulic ram pump, a radial-flow pump, an axial-flow pump, a mixed-flow pump, an eductor-jet pump, a steam pump, a gravity pump, a valveless pump, , or may be another type. In a number of variations, the cooler 70 may be at least one of an axial flow fan, a centrifugal fan, a cross flow fan, a bellows, an oil cooler, a radiator, or may be another type.

In a number of variations, the electronic control unit 150 may receive and process input from various sensors 50 in light of stored instructions and/or data, and transmit output signals to various actuators, including, but not limited to, the valve 28. The control unit 150 may include, for example, an electrical circuit, an electronic circuit or chip, and/or a computer. In an illustrative computer variation, the control unit 150 generally may include one or more processors, memory storage units 158 that may be coupled to the processor(s), and one or more interfaces coupling the processor(s) to one or more other devices, including the sensors 50 in the vehicle powertrain 12. The processor(s) and other powered system devices may be supplied with electricity by a power supply, for example, one or more batteries 58, fuel cells, or the like. The processor(s) may execute instructions that provide at least some of the functionality for the disclosed heat transfer system 20 and methods 800, 900. As used herein, the term instructions may include, for example, control logic, computer software and/or firmware, programmable instructions, or other suitable instructions. The processor may include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, and/or any other suitable type of electronic processing device(s).

Also, in a number of variations, the memory device 158 may be configured to provide storage for data received by or loaded to the engine system, and/or for processor-executable instructions. The data and/or instructions may be stored, for example, as look-up tables, formulas, algorithms, maps, models, and/or any other suitable format. The memory may include, for example, RAM, ROM, EPROM, and/or any other suitable type of storage article and/or device.

Further, in a number of variations, the interfaces may include, for example, analog/digital or digital/analog converters, signal conditioners, amplifiers, filters, other electronic devices or software modules, and/or any other suitable interfaces. The interfaces may conform to, for example, RS- 232, parallel, small computer system interface, universal serial bus, CAN, MOST, LIN, FlexRay, and/or any other suitable protocol(s). The interfaces may include circuits, software, firmware, or any other device to assist or enable the electronic control unit 150 in communicating with other devices.

In a number of variations, the methods or parts thereof may be implemented in a computer program product including instructions carried on a computer readable medium for use by one or more processors to implement one or more of the method steps. The computer program product may include one or more software programs comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats; one or more firmware programs; or hardware description language (HDL) files; and any program related data. The data may include data structures, look-up tables, or data in any other suitable format. The program instructions may include program modules, routines, programs, objects, components, and/or the like. The computer program may be executed on one processor or on multiple processors in communication with one another.

In a number of variations, the program(s) can be embodied on computer readable media, which can include one or more storage devices, articles of manufacture, or the like. Illustrative computer readable media include computer system memory, e.g. RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory); semiconductor memory, e.g. EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), flash memory; magnetic or optical disks or tapes; and/or the like. The computer readable medium also may include computer to computer connections, for example, when data is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either wired, wireless, or a combination thereof). Any combination(s) of the above examples is also included within the scope of the computer-readable media. It is therefore to be understood that the method may be at least partially performed by any electronic articles and/or devices capable of executing instructions corresponding to one or more steps of the disclosed methods.

In any number of variations, the electronic control unit 150 may receive signals from one or more sensors 50 and/or signals, for example as illustrated in FIGs. 1 -2, including, but not limited to, pressure and oil temperature sensors, a heat transfer system enable switch, a valve 28, 28' flowrate switch, and/or any signals from other sources. It may then process this information to determine whether conditions including, but not limited to, first fluid temperature, first fluid pressure, second fluid temperature, second fluid pressure, turbocharger 16 temperature, bearing housing 18 temperature, first fluid heat exchanger inlet temperature, first fluid heat exchanger outlet temperature, second fluid heat exchanger inlet temperature, second fluid heat exchanger outlet temperature, bypass conduit first fluid temperature, vehicle speed, transmission setting, engine temperature, engine fluid pressure. In a number of variations, if signals are sent to the electronic control unit 150 that a certain condition is occurring, the electronic control unit 150 may process the information and send signals to the valve 28, 28' to modulate the flowrate of the first fluid 40 into either the first conduit 30 or the bypass conduit 34.

In a number of variations, as shown in Figure 3, a method 800 is shown. In a number of variations, the method 800 may include a step 802 of providing a turbocharger 18 comprising a bearing housing 18, an engine 14, and a heat transfer system 20 comprising a first fluid inlet 22, a second fluid inlet 24, a heat exchanger 26, a valve 28, a first conduit 30 for housing a first fluid 40 operatively connected to the first fluid inlet 22, the valve 28, the heat exchanger 26, and the turbocharger 18, a second conduit 32 for housing a second fluid 42 operatively connected to the second fluid inlet 24, the heat exchanger 26, and the engine 14, and a bypass conduit 34 for housing a first fluid 40 operatively connected to the first fluid inlet 22, the valve, 28 and the turbocharger 18. In a number of variations, the method 800 further includes step 804 of operating the valve 28 to allow the first fluid 40 to be cooled by flowing the first fluid 40 into the heat exchanger 26 via the first conduit 30 based on at least one condition. In a number of variations, the method 800 may optionally further include step 806 of operating the valve to allow the first fluid 40 to avoid being cooled by flowing the first fluid 40 into the bypass conduit 34 based on at least one condition. In a number of variations, as shown in Figure 3, a method 900 is shown. In a number of variations, the method 900 may include a step 902 of providing a turbocharger 18 comprising a bearing housing 18, an engine 14, and a heat transfer system 20 comprising a first fluid inlet 22, a second fluid inlet 24, a heat exchanger 26, a valve 28, at least one sensor 50, an electronic control unit 150, a first conduit 30 for housing a first fluid 40 operatively connected to the first fluid inlet 22, the valve 28, the heat exchanger 26, and the turbocharger 18, a second conduit 32 for housing a second fluid 42 operatively connected to the second fluid inlet 24, the heat exchanger 26, and the engine 14, and a bypass conduit 34 for housing a first fluid 40 operatively connected to the first fluid inlet 22, the valve, 28 and the turbocharger 18. In a number of variations, the method 900 may optionally further include step 904 of determining the first fluid temperature at the fluid inlet 22 via a sensor 50. In a number of variations, the method 900 further includes step 906 of operating the valve 28 to allow the first fluid 40 to be cooled by flowing the first fluid 40 into the heat exchanger 26 via the first conduit 30 if the first fluid temperature may be above a temperature threshold. In a number of variations, the method 900 may optionally further include step 908 of operating the valve to allow the first fluid 40 to avoid being cooled by flowing the first fluid 40 into the bypass conduit 34 if the first fluid temperature may be below a temperature threshold.

The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a product comprising: a turbocharger comprising a bearing housing; an engine; and a heat transfer system comprising a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, a valve, a first conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, the heat exchanger, and the turbocharger, a second conduit for housing a second fluid operatively connected to the second fluid inlet, the heat exchanger, and the engine, and a bypass conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, and the turbocharger, wherein the valve is constructed and arranged to allow the first fluid to be cooled by flowing the first fluid into the heat exchanger via the first conduit based on at least one condition.

Variation 2 may include a method as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the valve is constructed and arranged to allow the first fluid to bypass the heat exchanger via the bypass conduit based on at least one condition.

Variation 3 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -2 wherein the valve is controlled by an electronic control unit.

Variation 4 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -3 wherein the first fluid is oil.

Variation 5 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -4 wherein the second fluid is a fuel comprising diesel fuel.

Variation 6 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -5 wherein the product comprises a vehicle powertrain.

Variation 7 may include a method as set forth in Variation 6 wherein the vehicle comprises an agricultural vehicle.

Variation 8 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -7 wherein the condition is first fluid temperature.

Variation 9 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -8 wherein the heat exchanger is a shell and tube heat exchanger.

Variation 10 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 1 -9 wherein the heat transfer system further comprises at least one sensor to measure at least one condition.

Variation 1 1 may include a method comprising: providing a turbocharger comprising a bearing housing, an engine, and a heat transfer system comprising a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, a valve, a first conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, the heat exchanger, and the turbocharger, a second conduit for housing a second fluid operatively connected to the second fluid inlet, the heat exchanger, and the engine, and a bypass conduit for housing a first fluid operatively connected to the first fluid inlet, the valve, and the turbocharger; and operating the valve to allow the first fluid to be cooled by flowing the first fluid into the heat exchanger via the first conduit based on at least one condition.

Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 1 further comprising operating the valve to allow the first fluid to bypass the heat exchanger via the bypass conduit based on at least one condition.

Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 -

12 wherein the valve is controlled by an electronic control unit.

Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 -

13 wherein the first fluid is oil.

Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 -

14 wherein the second fluid is fuel comprising diesel fuel.

Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 - 15 wherein the product comprises a vehicle powertrain.

Variation 17 may include a product as set forth in Variation 16 wherein the vehicle comprises an agricultural vehicle.

Variation 18 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 -

17 wherein the condition is first fluid temperature.

Variation 19 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 -

18 wherein the heat exchanger is a shell and tube heat exchanger.

Variation 20 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 1 - 18 wherein the heat transfer system further comprises at least one sensor to measure at least one condition.

The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.