Oil Cooler For A Motorized Vehicle

Abstract

An oil cooler which is relatively compact in size, yet provides for efficient fluid movement to reduce the temperature of the oil without requiring an external fan, fins or the like is configured to include multiple, parallel paths (i.e., pipes) through which the motor oil flows and is cooled before returning to the system. A plurality of relatively short pipes, grouped in sets, is used to direct the flow of the motor oil from the intake (where the oil leaves the engine and is at its hottest temperature) to the outlet. By the time the oil circulates through the groups of pipes, it will have sufficiently cooled to allow it to return to the system. The contact between the flowing oil and the surfaces of the pipes creates the cooling action as the oil flows therethrough.

1 . A cooling system for a heated fluid, the system comprising
 an inlet connection for receiving fluid at an elevated temperature;   an outlet connection for directing cooled fluid away from the cooling system; and   a plurality of pipes disposed between the inlet connection and the outlet connection, where the plurality of pipes are grouped to form sets of pipes including a first set of pipes coupled to the inlet connection for receiving the heated fluid, and a second set of pipes are coupled to the outlet connection for directing the cooled fluid away from the cooling system, the first and second sets of pipes formed to be in fluid communication with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second sets of pipes comprise the same number of individual pipes. 
     
     
         3 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein each pipe within the plurality of pipes comprises essentially the same length L and essentially the same diameter d. 
     
     
         4 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the individual pipes forming the plurality of pipes are spaced apart by approximately the same distance S. 
     
     
         5 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first set of pipes comprises at least two pipes having essentially the same length L and essentially the same diameter d and disposed in a parallel relationship with each other. 
     
     
         6 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the second set of pipes comprises at least two pipes having essentially the same length L and essentially the same diameter d and disposed in a parallel relationship with each other. 
     
     
         7 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises one or more additional sets of pipes disposed between the first set of pipes and the second set of pipes, each additional set disposed with end openings of each additional set coupled to end openings of adjacent sets of pipes. 
     
     
         8 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 7  wherein each additional set of pipes comprises the same number of individual pipes. 
     
     
         9 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 7  wherein the system comprises at least one additional set of pipes disposed between the first set of pipes and the second set of pipes, such that the fluid flowing through the first set of pipes will enter the at least one additional set of pipes and flow therethrough into the second set of pipes. 
     
     
         10 . A cooling system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the first set of pipes receives the heated fluid essentially simultaneously and the second set of pipes directs away the cooled fluid essentially simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . An oil cooler for a motorized vehicle comprising:
 an inlet connection for receiving oil at an elevated temperature;   a first chamber coupled to the inlet connection for collecting the elevated temperature oil as it enters the oil cooler;   a first set of pipes coupled to the first chamber for receiving the elevated temperature oil, the oil then flowing through the first set of pipes and receiving a first amount of cooling as it passes therethrough;   a second chamber, coupled to the first set of pipes for collecting the flowing oil as it exits said first set of pipes;   a second set of pipes coupled to the second chamber for receiving the cooling oil as it collects within the second chamber, the oil then flowing through the second set of pipes and receiving a second amount of cooling;   a third chamber, coupled to the second set of pipes for collecting the flowing oil as it exits the second set of pipes;   a third set of pipes coupled in parallel to the third chamber for receiving the cooling oil as it collects within the third chamber, the oil then flowing through the third set of pipes and receiving a third amount of cooling;   a fourth chamber, coupled to the third set of pipes for collecting the cooled oil as it exits the third set of pipes; and   an outlet connection coupled to the fourth chamber for directing cooled oil away from the oil cooler.   
     
     
         12 . An oil cooler as defined in  claim 11  wherein each set of pipes comprises the same number of individual pipes. 
     
     
         13 . An oil cooler as defined in  claim 11  wherein each pipe comprises essentially the same length L and diameter d. 
     
     
         14 . An oil cooler as defined in  claim 9  wherein adjacent pipes are spaced apart by essentially the same distance S. 
     
     
         15 . A method of cooling a fluid comprising the steps of:
 introducing the fluid into a first set of pipes;   passing the fluid through the first set of pipes to impart a first amount of cooling thereto;   collecting the fluid exiting the first set of pipes in a first chamber;   transferring the fluid from the first chamber into a second set of pipes;   passing the fluid through the second set of pipes to impart a second amount of cooling thereto;   collecting the fluid exiting the second set of pipes in a second chamber; and   discharging the fluid from the second chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein prior to performing the discharging step, the method further comprises the steps of:
 passing the fluid through at least one more set of pipes to impart additional cooling thereto; and   collecting the fluid exiting the at least one more set of pipes in an associated chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein the number of pipes forming the first set is equal to the number of pipes forming the second set. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein the fluid comprises heated motor oil. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein the fluid is introduced into the first set of pipes by passing through an inlet. 
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein the fluid is discharged from the second chamber by passing through an outlet.