Cooling apparatus for controlling airflow

Abstract

A cooling apparatus for providing airflow to a cooling core, the cooling apparatus includes a housing, a fan assembly and an air diverter. The fan assembly is mounted to the housing and configured to direct air along a first plane towards a second plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane. Moreover, the air diverter is positioned substantially perpendicular to the second plane and configured to move in angular relation to the first plane.

1 . A cooling apparatus for controlling airflow to a cooling core, the cooling apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a fan assembly mounted to the housing and configured to direct air from a first plane towards a second plane, wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane; and   an air diverter positioned substantially perpendicular to the second plane and configured to move in an angular relation to the first plane.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air diverter includes a planar wall. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side joining at an edge, the air diverter is pivoted at the edge. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 3  further includes a curved sidewall configured to connect the first side and second side. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second sides include the cooling core. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly includes a hydraulically driven fan mounted in the second plane. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air diverter is configured to move substantially towards and away from the cooling core. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling core includes at least one of a radiator, an air to air aftercooler, and an oil cooler. 
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling airflow in a cooling apparatus, the method comprising:
 passing air over a cooling core on a first side of the cooling apparatus and passing air over a cooling core on a second side of the cooling apparatus by a fan assembly positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides;   receiving a real time input from a sensor associated with the cooling cores;   computing a target outlet temperature associated with the cooling cores; and   generating an output signal to move an air diverter positioned substantially perpendicular to the fan assembly for controlling the relative airflow to the cooling cores.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including receiving a real time signal corresponding to an engine load factor and an engine retarder status from an engine control module. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor may include a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further including receiving the generated output signal by an electric motor coupled to the air diverter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further including generating an output signal to vary a fan speed of the fan assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further including cleaning the cooling apparatus by reversing rotation of the fan assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein controlling airflow to the cooling core includes moving the air diverter in an angular relation to the first and second sides. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein cleaning the cooling apparatus further includes moving the air diverter towards or away from the first and second sides. 
     
     
         17 . A machine comprising:
 a power system;   a cooling apparatus for providing airflow to a cooling core associated with the power system, the cooling apparatus including,
 a housing; 
 a fan assembly mounted to the housing and configured to direct air from a first plane towards a second plane, wherein the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane; and 
 an air diverter positioned substantially perpendicular to the second plane and configured to move in angular relation to the first plane. 
   
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17  further including a control system configured to control airflow to the cooling core to move an air diverter. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the air diverter is configured to move substantially towards and away from the cooling core. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the cooling core includes at least one of a radiator, an air to air aftercooler, and an oil cooler.