US20140138066A1

US20140138066A1 - Cooling package for a machine

Info

Publication number: US20140138066A1
Application number: US13/679,003
Authority: US
Inventors: John S. Bibb, III; Luka G. Korzeniowski; Cody C. Shipman; Geoffrey A. Erb
Original assignee: Caterpillar SARL
Current assignee: Caterpillar SARL
Priority date: 2012-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2014-05-22

Abstract

A cooling package for a machine is disclosed. The cooling package includes a heat exchanger pivotably coupled to a frame of the machine. A fan assembly is pivotably coupled to the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling package includes at least one isolation mount configured to couple a fan shroud of the fan assembly with the frame. The cooling package also includes at least one latch to couple the fan shroud with the heat exchanger.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a machine. In a specific embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a pivotable cooling package assembly for a rear engine type machine.

BACKGROUND

Compact machines, such as skid steer loaders and other types of machines, include increasingly high-tech and powerful engines, resulting in larger cooling systems. These high-tech and powerful cooling systems require compact design due to tight installation conditions in an engine compartment of the machine. In order to be able to provide the high level of cooling capacity and compact design, cooling systems are frequently arranged in a modular design, in which several components of the cooling system such as the radiators, condensers, fans etc., are placed closely together. Additionally, the cooling systems are placed very close to the engine, making the engine almost inaccessible for servicing.
Due to the rough working environments of these machines, the engines and the cooling systems require frequent cleaning and servicing. For effective cleaning and maintenance purposes, the cooling system needs to be lifted up and away from the engine for easy access to the engine.
Conventionally, the entire cooling system including the radiator and the fan assembly is pivoted to an up and away position to service the machine. U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,450 describes a cooling module having a fan shroud, a radiator and a condenser where the radiator and the condenser can together be lifted with respect to the radiator. However, this system also does not allow individual cleaning of the components of the cooling package.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved cooling package assembly that allows cleaning and servicing of individual components of the cooling package.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cooling package for a machine is provided. The cooling package includes a heat exchanger pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The cooling package further includes a fan assembly pivotally coupled to the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the cooling package further includes at least isolation mount configured to couple a fan shroud of the fan assembly with the frame of the machine. The cooling package further includes at least one latch to couple the fan shroud with the heat exchanger.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is disclosed. The machine comprises an engine located on a rear portion of the machine. A cooling package is associated with the engine. The cooling package further includes a heat exchanger pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The cooling package further includes a fan assembly pivotally coupled to the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the cooling package further includes at least isolation mount configured to couple a fan shroud of the fan assembly with the frame of the machine. The cooling package further includes at least one latch to couple the fan shroud with the heat exchanger.
In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a cooling package for a machine is disclosed. The cooling package includes a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a fan shroud associated with a cooling fan of the fan assembly. Further, the cooling package includes a heat exchanger releasably mounted to the fan shroud of the fan assembly.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary rear engine type machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are different views of an exemplary cooling package;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lifted heat exchanger independent of a fan shroud; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a lifted cooling package assembly 200;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure discloses a cooling package assembly for a machine. In one embodiment, the cooling package assembly of the present disclosure may be used with a rear engine type machine such as a skid steer loader. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary machine 100. In one embodiment, the machine 100 may be a skid steer loader 101. Although, the machine 100 is embodied as the skid steer loader 101, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be applicable to other rear engine types of machines, for example, a compact track loader, a multiple terrain loader, etc.
In the illustrated embodiment, the skid steer loader 101 includes a body 102 to support various parts of the skid steer loader 101 such as a power source, for example an engine, lift linkages, power trains, hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, hydraulic lines, and a hydraulic tank. The body 102 may include a front end portion 104 and a rear end portion 106 and supported by a plurality of wheels 108 and/or tracks (not shown in the figure).
A cab 110 is mounted on the front end portion 104 of the body 102 enclosing an operating station 112. The operating station 112 may include a plurality of control devices, such as joysticks, user interfaces, controls and other type of display and input devices to control various operations associated with the machine 100. The body 102 may also include a rear engine enclosure 114 that encloses the cooling package assembly of the present disclosure. The cooling package assembly is explained in further detail with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 5.
FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate different views of an exemplary cooling package assembly 200 placed above an engine (not shown in the figures) within the rear engine enclosure 114 of the machine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cooling package assembly 200 may include a heat exchanger 202, and a fan assembly 204. The fan assembly 204 may further include a fan shroud 206 configured to direct air through the heat exchanger 202, provide vibration isolation, reduce fan noise and provide safety shield when the cooling package assembly 200 is operating.
The cooling package assembly 200 is coupled to a frame 208 within the rear engine enclosure 114. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 of the cooling package assembly 200 is coupled to the frame 208 by a plurality of hinges 210, as shown in the figures. The heat exchanger 202 is configured to pivot about the hinges 210. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, the hinges 210 are exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results. Additionally, the fan shroud 206 of the fan assembly 204 is pivotally coupled to the heat exchanger 202. For example, the fan shroud 206 is pivotally coupled to the heat exchanger 202 via other hinges (not shown in the figures).
The heat exchanger 202 is releasably mounted to the fan shroud 206. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 is releasably mounted to the fan shroud 206 by a plurality of latches 212 provided on one or more sides of the fan shroud 206, as shown in the FIG. 2 a. For example, the latch 212 is a rubber latch. In an alternate example, the latch 212 may be made up of any elastomeric or compressible material such as latex, polyether etc. However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that the material of the latch 212 is exemplary, and may be varied to achieve similar results. In one embodiment, the latch 212 includes a hole 213 configured to hold a protruding striker 214 of the heat exchanger 202, to lock and hold the heat exchanger 202 with the fan shroud 206.
In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 is covered with a grill 219 configured to prevent the heat exchanger 202 from damage. The grill 219 is further configured to seal the area around the heat exchanger 202 to prevent exiting air from recirculating through the heat exchanger 202.
In one embodiment, the cooling package assembly 200 includes a seal 216 placed between the heat exchanger 202 and the fan assembly 204. The seal 216 is configured to prevent air recirculation from a gap between the heat exchanger 202 and the fan assembly 204. For example, the seal 216 is a rubber seal 216. However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the material of the seal 216 is exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results. In an alternate embodiment, the seal 216 may be made of any elastomeric, compressible material, such as latex, polyether, etc.
Further, the fan assembly 204 is also pivotally coupled to the frame 208. In one embodiment, the fan shroud 206 of the fan assembly 204 includes support arms 218 to connect to isolation mounts 220 to further releasably connect the fan shroud 206 to the frame 208. In one embodiment, the isolation mounts 220 are made of rubber. However, it will be understood, that the material of the isolation mounts 220 is exemplary and can be varied to achieve similar results.
In one embodiment, a plurality of support brackets 222 are coupled to the frame 208. The support brackets 222 are configured to hold the isolation mounts 220 and the further releasably connect the fan shroud 206 to the frame 208. For example, the support brackets 222 may be welded to the frame 208. In another example, the support brackets 222 may be screwed, bolted, riveted or welded to the frame 208. Further, the isolation mounts 220 may be screwed or bolted using bolts 224 to the support brackets 222 as shown in FIG. 2 b. In a further embodiment, the bolts 224 may be unbolted to allow the fan assembly 204 to pivot with the heat exchanger 202 above the engine compartment.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the lifted heat exchanger 202 independent of the fan shroud 206 for accessing underside of the heat exchanger 202. In one embodiment, the latch 212 may be separated from the protruding striker 214 and to allow the heat exchanger 202 to pivot upward and away from the fan shroud 206. For example, the heat exchanger 202 and the fan shroud 206 may be separated to enable individual cleaning and/or servicing of the heat exchanger 202 and the fan assembly 204. As shown, the heat exchanger 202 is configured to pivot independent of the fan shroud 206 above the rear engine compartment 114 of the machine 100. In one embodiment, the hinges 210 are configured to facilitate the pivoting of the heat exchanger 202 about the frame 208.
In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 may be pivoted about the hinges 210, independent of the fan shroud 206. The lifted heat exchanger 202 facilitates easy access to the underside of the heat exchanger 202. For example, the easy access to the underside of the heat exchanger 202 may enable the individual cleaning and/or servicing of the heat exchanger 202 and/or the fan assembly 204 which includes a fan 302 and the fan shroud 206, as seen in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the cooling package assembly 200 is covered with the grill 219 placed above the heat exchanger 202 to protect the cooling package assembly 200 from damage and seal the area around the heat exchanger 202 to prevent exiting air from recirculating through the heat exchanger 202.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a lifted cooling package assembly 200. In one embodiment, the entire cooling package assembly 200, including the heat exchanger 202 and the fan assembly 204 is lifted to facilitate easy access to the engine compartment for servicing.
In one embodiment, the fan shroud 206 may be separated from the frame 208, to allow the fan shroud 206 to pivot along with the heat exchanger 202, above the engine compartment for providing space to service the engine. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 at this time is coupled to the fan shroud 206 using the latch 212 in a similar manner as explained with respect to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. Therefore, the entire cooling package assembly 200 is configured to be pivoted about the hinges 210.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Due to the dirty and dusty working environments of the machines, the engines and the cooling packages for the machines, require frequent cleaning and servicing. Conventionally, the entire cooling package including the radiator and the fan assembly for some machines is pivoted above the engine for servicing. However, the conventional systems do not allow individual cleaning of the cooling package components such as the fan, the fan shroud, the radiator etc.
To this end, the above disclosed cooling package assembly 200 enables the cooling package assembly 200 to be selectively separated to facilitate cleaning and/or servicing of the individual components of the cooling package assembly 200 such as a heat exchanger 202, a fan assembly 204 including a cooler fan 302, and a fan shroud 206.
In one embodiment, an operator of the machine 100 accesses the individual components of the cooling package assembly 200 for cleaning and/or servicing. In a further embodiment, the complete cooling package assembly 200 is pivoted to an up and away position to enable cleaning of the engine of the machine 100.
Further, the heat exchanger 202 is pivotally joined to the frame 208 of the machine 100. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 is pivotally joined to the frame 208 of the machine 100 by a plurality of hinges 210. The fan shroud 206 of the fan assembly 204 is coupled to the frame 208 of the machine 100.
In one embodiment, the fan shroud 206 may be separated from the heat exchanger 202 to allow the heat exchanger 202 to pivot independent of the fan shroud 206. This is to provide an access to an underside of the heat exchanger 202. For example, the underside of the heat exchanger 202 may be accessed for cleaning purposes.
In a further embodiment, the heat exchanger 202 is coupled to the fan shroud 206 using a latch 212 to allow pivoting of the complete cooling package assembly 200 above the engine compartment, in order to provide an access to the engine for servicing.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cooling package for a machine, the cooling package comprising:

a heat exchanger pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine;

a fan assembly pivotally coupled to the heat exchanger;

at least one isolation mount configured to couple a fan shroud of the fan assembly with the frame; and

at least one latch to couple the fan shroud with the heat exchanger.

2. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is coupled to the frame with a hinge.

3. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger and the fan assembly are selectively separated to pivot the heat exchanger independent of the fan assembly about the frame to provide access to the underside of the heat exchanger.

4. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger and the fan assembly are attached to collectively pivot about the frame to provide access to an engine of the machine for servicing.

5. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes a protruding striker configured to insert into a hole of the at least one latch to couple the heat exchanger to the fan shroud.

6. The cooling package of claim 1 further comprising a seal placed between the heat exchanger and the fan shroud of the fan assembly to prevent air recirculation in a gap between the heat exchanger and the fan shroud.

7. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the at least one isolation mount is coupled to a support arm of the fan shroud.

8. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the at least one isolation mount is detachably coupled to the frame.

9. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch and the at least one isolation mount are made at least one of rubber and an elastomer.

10. The cooling package of claim 1, wherein the cooling package is provided on a rear engine type machine.

11. A machine comprising:

a frame

an engine located on a rear portion of the frame;

a cooling package associated with the engine, the cooling package including:

a heat exchanger pivotally coupled to the frame;

a fan assembly pivotably coupled to the heat exchanger;

at least one latch to couple the fan shroud with the heat exchanger.

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger and the fan assembly are selectively separated to pivot the heat exchanger independent of the fan shroud about the frame for providing an access to the underside of the heat exchanger.

13. The machine of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger and the fan assembly are attached to collectively pivot about the frame to provide access to an engine of the machine for servicing.

14. The machine of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger includes a protruding striker configured to insert into a hole of the at least one latch to connect the heat exchanger to the fan shroud.

15. The machine of claim 11 further comprising a seal placed between the heat exchanger and the fan shroud of the fan assembly to prevent air recirculation through a gap between the heat exchanger and the fan shroud.

16. The machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one isolation mount is coupled to a support arm of the fan shroud.

17. The machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one isolation mount is coupled to the frame.

18. A cooling package for a machine, the cooling package comprising:

a fan assembly including a fan shroud associated with a cooler fan; and

a heat exchanger releasably coupled to a fan shroud of the fan assembly.

19. The cooling package of claim 17, wherein heat exchanger is configured to be pivotally mounted to a frame of the machine.

20. The cooling package of claim 17, wherein the heat exchanger is releasably mounted using at least one latch.

21. The cooling package of claim 17, wherein the fan shroud of the fan assembly is configured to be releasably connected to a frame of the machine.