Forced air circulation for an aftertreatment module

Abstract

A cooling system for an aftertreatment module mounted within an enclosure is provided. The cooling system includes a source of forced air in fluid communication with the enclosure. At least one duct is provided in conjunction with the source of forced air. The at least one duct is configured to direct at least a portion of the forced air from the source of forced air towards a first component of the aftertreatment module. A remaining portion of the forced air that was not directed towards to the first component is directed towards a second component of the aftertreatment module.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cooling system for an aftertreatment module mounted within an enclosure, the cooling system comprising:
 a source of forced air in fluid communication with the enclosure; and   at least one duct provided in conjunction with the source of forced air, the at least one duct being configured to direct at least a portion of the forced air from the source of forced air towards a first component of the aftertreatment module;   wherein a remaining portion of the forced air that was not directed towards to the first component is directed towards a second component of the aftertreatment module.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one duct includes a first duct and a second duct being spaced apart from each other, the second duct being provided downstream of the first duct, wherein the first duct is in fluid communication with the first component and the second duct is in fluid communication with the second component. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein the first duct includes a pair of slots spaced apart from each other and in fluid communication with the source of forced air. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 2  further comprising a tube extending from the second duct, the tube configured to direct the remaining portion of the forced air towards the second component of the aftertreatment module. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 3  further comprising an insulation layer provided on the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein a flow passage area of the second duct is substantially greater than a flow passage area of the first duct. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 1  further comprising a hooded structure extending above the enclosure, wherein the source of forced air is at least partially enclosed within the hooded structure. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first component includes electronic circuitry mounted atop the aftertreatment module. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the second component includes a reductant injector. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of forced air includes a fan. 
     
     
         11 . A method for cooling an aftertreatment module mounted within an enclosure, the method comprising:
 providing a source of forced air in fluid communication with the enclosure;   providing at least one duct in conjunction with the source of forced air;   directing at least a portion of the forced air from the source of forced air towards a first component of the aftertreatment module; and   directing a remaining portion of the forced air that was not directed towards to the first component towards a second component of the aftertreatment module.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising cooling the first component and the second component of the aftertreatment module using the forced air. 
     
     
         13 . A machine comprising:
 a power source;   a frame;   an aftertreatment module mounted within an enclosure located on the frame; and   a cooling system for the aftertreatment module, the cooling system comprising:   a source of forced air in fluid communication with the enclosure; and
 at least one duct provided in conjunction with the source of forced air, the at least one duct being configured to direct at least a portion of the forced air from the source of forced air towards a first component of the aftertreatment module; 
 wherein a remaining portion of the forced air that was not directed towards to the first component is directed towards a second component of the aftertreatment module. 
   
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one duct includes a first duct and a second duct being spaced apart from each other, the second duct being provided downstream of the first duct, wherein the first duct is in fluid communication with the first component and the second duct is in fluid communication with the second component. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 14 , wherein the first duct includes a pair of slots spaced apart from each other and in fluid communication with the source of forced air. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 14  further comprising a tube extending from the second duct, the tube configured to direct the remaining portion of the forced air towards the second component of the aftertreatment module. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 14 , wherein a flow passage area of the second duct is substantially greater than a flow passage area of the first duct. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 13  further comprising a hooded structure extending above the enclosure, wherein the source of forced air is at least partially enclosed within the hooded structure. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein the first component includes electronic circuitry mounted atop the aftertreatment module. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein the second component includes a reductant injector.