Fan nozzle for a work machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024191462-A1
Application number	US-202318533693-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 8, 2023
Priority date	Dec 12, 2022
Publication date	Jun 13, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A compact work machine, such as a compact track loader and/or a compact utility loader, which can carry and operate a wide range of attachments while maintaining a reduced operating footprint

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A cooling system for an engine of work machine, said cooling system comprising:
a base frame configured to be mounted to the engine; a nozzle frame coupled with said base frame; and a fan positioned within a fan-receiving space located between said base frame and said nozzle frame, wherein said cooling system presents a convergent nozzle surface surrounding the fan-receiving space.

2 . The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle frame presents the convergent nozzle surface.

3 . The cooling system of claim 2 , wherein the convergent nozzle surface includes a radius of curvature from 0.70 to 0.90 radians.

4 . The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said base frame comprises a grating at least partially circular-shaped.

5 . The cooling system of claim 4 , wherein said base frame is secured to the engine via fasteners.

6 . The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said fan comprises a hub and at least one blade secured to and extending radially from the hub, wherein a distance from a tip of said at least one blade and the convergent nozzle surface is no more than 0.25 inches.

7 . The cooling system of claim 6 , wherein said fan is configured to rotate via power provided by the engine.

8 . The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle frame comprises a circular-shaped grating.

9 . The cooling system of claim 8 , wherein said nozzle frame comprises a radially-extending flanged surface at a perimeter of said nozzle frame, wherein said base frame comprises a radially-extending flanged surface at a perimeter of said base frame, and wherein said nozzle frame is mounted to said base frame by attaching the radially-extending flanged surface of said nozzle frame to the radially-extending flanged surface of said base frame.

10 . The cooling system of claim 9 , wherein said nozzle frame comprises a cylindrical flanged surface extending perpendicularly from the radially-extending flanged surface of said nozzle frame, wherein said base frame comprises a cylindrical flanged surface extending perpendicularly from the radially-extending flanged surface of said base frame, and wherein the cylindrical flanged surface of said nozzle frame is engaged with the cylindrical flanged surface of said base frame.

11 . The cooling system of claim 10 , wherein the convergent nozzle surface extends from the cylindrical flanged surface of said nozzle frame to the circular grating of said nozzle frame.

12 . The cooling system of claim 11 , wherein a rearward-facing side of said nozzle frame presents a concavity where the convergent nozzle surface joins the cylindrical flanged surface of said nozzle frame.

13 . The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said cooling system further includes a radiator and a ring gasket, wherein said ring gasket is compressed between said nozzle frame and said radiator.

14 . The cooling system of claim 13 , wherein said radiator comprises a shroud presenting an open area to fins of said radiator, wherein said ring gasket is compressed between said nozzle frame and said shroud such that said fan is configured to propel air directly over the fins of said radiator.

15 . The cooling system of claim 13 , wherein said radiator is secured to a door of the work machine, such that said radiator is configured to rotate with the door with respect to the engine of the work machine.

16 . A work machine comprising:
an engine configured to power components of said work machine; a cooling system configured to cool said engine, wherein said cooling system comprises—
a base frame configured to be mounted to said engine;
a nozzle frame coupled with said base frame; and
a fan positioned within a fan-receiving space located between said base frame and said nozzle frame,
wherein said cooling system presents a convergent nozzle surface surrounding the fan-receiving space.

17 . A method of cooling an engine of a work machine, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a cooling system comprising a base frame mounted to the engine, a nozzle frame coupled with the base frame, and a fan positioned within a fan-receiving space located between the base frame and the nozzle frame; (b) forcing air, via the fan, across the engine and through the base frame and the nozzle frame, wherein during said forcing step (b), the air flows through a convergent nozzle surface surrounding the fan-receiving space; and (c) forcing air, via the fan, from the base frame and the nozzle frame into a radiator of the work machine.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the nozzle frame presents the convergent nozzle surface, and wherein the convergent nozzle surface has a radius of curvature from 0.7 to 0.9.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the fan comprises a hub and at least one blade secured to and extending radially from the hub, wherein a distance from a tip of the blade and the convergent nozzle surface is no more than 0.25 inches.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the cooling system includes a gasket and the radiator includes a shroud, wherein the cooling system is fluidly coupled with the radiator by the gasket engaging with the shroud.

Assignees

• Great Plains Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Carlson Jason

Classifications

• E05D15/22

  allowing an additional movement {(E05D15/20 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E05F15/53

  for swinging wings · CPC title

• E05Y2900/531

  Doors · CPC title

• E05Y2900/518

  for working vehicles · CPC title

• E02F9/22

  Hydraulic or pneumatic drives {(for dipper or bucket arm position control E02F3/43, for blade position control for graders E02F3/844; for turntables E02F9/121; for fork-lift trucks B66F9/22)} · CPC title