Apparatus, kit, and method for a cooling system

Abstract

Various methods and systems are provided for an apparatus forming at least a portion of a cooling circuit for a fluid source. In one example, the apparatus includes a first radiator system having a parallel flow path configuration, a second radiator system having a series flow path configuration, and at least one shutter system for adjusting airflow to one or more of the first radiator system or the second radiator system. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to adjust operation of the shutter system responsive to an operating condition.

1 . An apparatus forming at least a portion of a cooling circuit for a fluid source, comprising:
 a first radiator system having a parallel flow path configuration;   a second radiator system having a series flow path configuration;   at least one shutter system for adjusting airflow to one or more of the first radiator system or the second radiator system; and   a controller configured to adjust operation of the shutter system responsive to an operating condition.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an intercooler in fluid communication with the second radiator system. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a cooling fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the first radiator system and the intercooler. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal from a sensor and, responsive to the signal from the sensor, the controller is operable to control a degree to which the at least one shutter system is open. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor disposed in or proximate to a manifold such that the temperature sensor generates a signal indicative of a manifold air temperature as the operating condition. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor is one of a plurality of temperature sensors, each of which is disposed in or proximate to a distinct manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is an engine cooling fluid temperature sensor, and the controller controls the degree to which the at least one shutter system is open, based at least in part on an engine cooling fluid temperature as the operating condition. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor that is disposed so as to determine an ambient temperature, and the controller controls the degree to which the at least one shutter system is open, based at least in part on the ambient temperature as the operating condition. 
     
     
         9 . A kit for retrofitting an engine system having a cooling system including a first radiator system and a second radiator system, comprising:
 a plurality of blocking plates and venting plates configured to direct cooling fluid flow through the second radiator system along a non-parallel path;   a first shutter system configured to couple to the first radiator system such that the first shutter system is in thermal communication with the first radiator system, and a second shutter system configured to couple to the second radiator system such that the second shutter system is in thermal communication with the second radiator system, the first and second shutter systems configured to be operatively coupled to an electronic control system; and   non-transitory, machine readable media embodying instructions that, when executed by the electronic control system, cause the electronic control system to adjust openings of the first and second shutter systems to control outlet temperatures of cooling fluid from the first and second radiator systems.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , further including a manifold air temperature sensor, and the media further including instructions to adjust the openings of the first and second shutter systems responsive to output from the manifold air temperature sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , further including at least one cooling fluid conduit to route the cooling fluid flow from an outlet of the second radiator system to an intercooler and then to a cooling fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , further including an ambient air temperature sensor, and the media further including instructions to close the openings of the first and second shutter systems responsive to output from the ambient air temperature sensor indicating an ambient air temperature less than a threshold ambient air temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of blocking plates and venting plates comprises one blocking plate and two venting plates configured to couple to the second radiator system such that the non-parallel path has a zigzag pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the media include instructions for adjusting the openings of the first and second shutter systems to control the outlet temperature of cooling fluid from the second radiator system to less than the outlet temperature of cooling fluid from the first radiator system. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 9 , further comprising an engine cooling fluid temperature sensor, and the media further including instructions to adjust the openings of the first and second shutter systems responsive to output of the engine cooling fluid temperature sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for operating an engine system, comprising, based on at least one operating condition:
 directing a first portion of a cooling fluid from an engine through a first radiator system that has a parallel flow path configuration and from the first radiator system to a cooling fluid reservoir;   directing a second portion of the cooling fluid from the engine through a second radiator system that has a series flow path configuration and from the second radiator system to an intercooler and then to the cooling fluid reservoir; and   adjusting an opening of a first shutter system in thermal communication with the first radiator system and adjusting an opening of a second shutter system in thermal communication with the second radiator system such that an outlet temperature of the first portion of the cooling fluid from the first radiator system and an outlet temperature of the second portion of the cooling fluid from the second radiator system are adjusted.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one operating condition is one or more of a manifold air temperature, an ambient air temperature, an engine emission level in an exhaust stream, or an engine cooling fluid temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate, and wherein the outlet temperature of the first portion of the cooling fluid from the first radiator system is greater than the outlet temperature of the second portion of the cooling fluid from the second radiator system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first radiator system and the second radiator system are fully flooded during engine operation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the opening of the first shutter system simultaneously with the opening of the second shutter system.