Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of fluid clutches and more particularly to an apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Internal combustion engine produces heat during operation. Buildup of the heat in the internal combustion engine reduces performance of the internal combustion engine, eventually damaging the internal combustion engine. A radiator and a fan are used to dissipate the heat into a surrounding environment. The radiator is a heat exchanger which receives hot coolant from the internal combustion engine, cools the hot coolant, and provides the same to the internal combustion engine. The fan increases airflow across the radiator, thereby assisting the radiator to cool down the hot coolant.
[0003] Conventionally, circuitries, including electrical and electronic components, are used to control the fan. Usage of the electrical and electronics components in the circuitries increases complexity resulting in higher manufacturing costs, potential points of failure, frequent troubleshooting and repairs. Also, the circuitries fail when precise control of the fan is required. Further, speed of the fan may not reduce corresponding to a reduction in temperature of the radiator, thereby affecting fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Also, malfunction of the circuitries prevents temperature-related signals being transmitted to the fan, consequently preventing an elevation in speed of the fan commensurate with a temperature rise of the radiator, thereby overheating the internal combustion engine.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for an improved apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction to address the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan by fluidically coupling a stationary member associated with the fan to a rotating member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction is provided. The apparatus includes a shaft positioned adjacent to the engine. The shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis corresponding to rotation of a prime mover. The shaft includes a first disc and a second disc positioned on the shaft. The first disc and the second disc are non-rotatable and rotatable with respect to the shaft respectively. The apparatus also includes a storage chamber positioned adjacent to the second disc. The storage chamber includes a closure lever adapted to contain a viscus liquid within the storage chamber. The apparatus also includes a bimetallic strip positioned adjacent to the storage chamber and connected to the closure lever through a cylinder pin. The bimetallic strip is adapted to attain a concave shape when the temperature of the bimetallic strip is raised above a predefined threshold by an airflow originating from a radiator associated with the engine. The bimetallic strip is also adapted to move the closure lever to cause the viscus liquid to occupy a space between the first disc and the second disc to rotate the second disc corresponding to the rotation of the first disc. The apparatus further includes the fan connected to the second disc. The fan is adapted to rotate corresponding to the rotation of the second disc to increase the airflow towards the radiator, thereby controlling the temperature of the engine.
[0007] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more explicit description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional details with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a fan and a bimetallic strip in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] To promote an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0013] The terms ``comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a'' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0015] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0016] In the discussion that follows, references will be made to “first disc”, and “second disc” with reference to an entity (disc) that are non-rotatably and rotatably mounted on a shaft respectively.
[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction. The apparatus includes a shaft positioned adjacent to the engine. The shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis corresponding to rotation of a prime mover. The shaft includes a first disc and a second disc positioned on the shaft. The first disc and the second disc are non-rotatable and rotatable with respect to the shaft respectively. The apparatus also includes a storage chamber positioned adjacent to the second disc. The storage chamber includes a closure lever adapted to contain a viscus liquid within the storage chamber. The apparatus also includes a bimetallic strip positioned adjacent to the storage chamber and connected to the closure lever through a cylinder pin. The bimetallic strip is adapted to attain a concave shape when the temperature of the bimetallic strip is raised above a predefined threshold by an airflow originating from a radiator associated with the engine. The bimetallic strip is also adapted to move the closure lever to cause the viscus liquid to occupy a space between the first disc and the second disc to rotate the second disc corresponding to the rotation of the first disc. The apparatus further includes the fan connected to the second disc. The fan is adapted to rotate corresponding to the rotation of the second disc to increase the airflow towards the radiator, thereby controlling the temperature of the engine.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus (10) to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan (20) utilizing liquid friction in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (10) includes a shaft (30) positioned adjacent to the engine (not shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the engine may include an internal combustion engine, an external combustion engine, an industrial engine and the like. The shaft (30) is adapted to rotate about an axis (40) corresponding to rotation of a prime mover (not shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the prime mover may include a motor. In one embodiment, the axis (40) may include a horizontal axis (40). In some embodiments, the axis (40) may include a vertical axis (40). In one embodiment, the shaft (30) may include a hexagonal shaft (30).
[0019] Further, the shaft (30) includes a first disc (50) and a second disc (60) positioned on the shaft (30). In one embodiment, the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) may include a predefined clearance between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60). In such an embodiment, the predefined clearance may lie between 0.2 milli meters and 1.5 milli meters. The first disc (50) and the second disc (60) are non-rotatable and rotatable with respect to the shaft (30) respectively. The apparatus (10) also includes a storage chamber (70) positioned adjacent to the second disc (60). The storage chamber (70) includes a closure lever (80) adapted to contain a viscus liquid within the storage chamber (70). In one embodiment, the storage chamber (70) may be enclosed by a cover (140) to protect the storage chamber (70) from an external environment. In such an embodiment, the cover (140) may be separated from the storage chamber (70) by a dividing disc (150) adapted to prevent spillage of the viscus liquid from the storage chamber (70). In some embodiments, the dividing disc (150) may separate the one or more working chambers (110) and the storage chamber (70). In a specific embodiment, the storage chamber (70) may be positioned in the first disc (50). In some embodiments, the storage chamber (70) may be positioned in the second disc (60)
[0020] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the closure lever (80) may be pivotally mounted on the dividing disc (150). In one embodiment, the viscus liquid may include at least one of a silicon oil, synthetic fluids, automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, engine oil and a mineral oil. The apparatus (10) also includes a bimetallic strip (90) positioned adjacent to the storage chamber (70) and connected to the closure lever (80) through a cylinder pin (100). The bimetallic strip (90) is adapted to attain a concave shape when the temperature of the bimetallic strip (90) is raised above a predefined threshold by an airflow originating from a radiator (not shown in FIG. 1) associated with the engine. The bimetallic strip (90) is also adapted to move the closure lever (80) via the cylinder pin (100) to cause the viscus liquid to occupy a space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) to rotate the second disc (60) corresponding to the rotation of the first disc (50). As used herein, the bimetallic strip (90) is a mechanical device manufactured by joining two dissimilar materials having different thermal expansion coefficients. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients, the two dissimilar metals expands and contracts at different rates when exposed to temperature changes, thereby causing a deformation of the bimetallic strip (90). In one embodiment, attainment of the concave shape by the bimetallic strip (90) may be caused by a specific design of the apparatus (10). The specific design of the apparatus (10) may restrict an expansion of the bimetallic strip (90) when the temperature of the bimetallic strip (90) is raised above the predefined threshold by the airflow.
[0021] Moreover, in one embodiment, an annular transmission region may be present between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) to transmit a torque. In such an embodiment, the annular transmission region may be radially extending. In one embodiment, the viscus liquid may occupy the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) through an inlet. In a specific embodiment, the viscus liquid is adapted to flow from the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) to the storage chamber (70) by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first disc (50) and the second disc (60). In one embodiment, the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) may include one or more working chambers (110) to receive the viscus fluid. In some embodiments, the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) may include an outlet (130) adapted to guide the viscus liquid from the space to the storage chamber (70).
[0022] Additionally, in some embodiments, opening and closing of the inlet and the outlet (130) may be performed by the closure level in a mutually exclusive manner. In one embodiment, the first disc (50) comprises one or more projections (120) located on a periphery of the first disc (50). In such an embodiment, the one or more projections (120) are adapted to increase surface area of the first disc (50) interacting with the viscus liquid. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) may include a bearing unit (160) mounted in an inside periphery of a housing (170) of the apparatus (10). In such an embodiment, the bearing unit (160) may be adapted to rotatably connect the fan (20) to the shaft (30).
[0023] Further, the apparatus (10) includes the fan (20) connected to the second disc (60). The fan (20) is adapted to rotate corresponding to the rotation of the second disc (60) to increase the airflow towards the radiator, thereby controlling the temperature of the engine. In an exemplary embodiment, the torque capacity of the apparatus (10) may be 10 newton meters. In one embodiment, drainage of the viscus liquid from the space to the storage chamber (70) through the outlet (130) may reduce the liquid friction between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60), thereby causing retardation of the second disc (60) and the fan (20) connected to the second disc (60).
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the fan (20) and the bimetallic strip (90) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fan (20) and the bimetallic strip (20) are explained in detail along with FIG 1 description.
[0025] Various embodiments of the apparatus to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan utilizing liquid friction described above enable various advantages. The apparatus is capable of controlling the temperature of the engine by actuating the fan without depending on the circuitries involving the electrical and electronic components, thereby making the apparatus simple. By achieving simplicity, the apparatus is capable of reducing the manufacturing costs, the potential points of failure, the frequent troubleshooting and repairs. Provision of the one or more projections on the first disc provides a way for manipulating the surface area of the first disc for achieving a desired torque output. Combination of the bimetallic strip, the cylinder pin, the closure lever provides a way for accurately controlling the temperature of the engine by allowing the viscus liquid to occupy the space corresponding to the temperature variation. Utilization of the viscus liquid as a transmission medium helps to reduce frictional losses, thereby ensuring optimum efficiency. The apparatus is capable of running the fan intermittently rather than maintaining the fan either in continuous running mode or in a stationary mode. Drainage of the viscus liquid from the space to the storage chamber causes retardation of the second disc and the fan connected to the second disc. Retardation of the fan reduces power consumed by the fan from the engine, thereby providing superior fuel efficiency to the engine.
[0026] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.
[0027] The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

, Claims:1. An apparatus (10) to control temperature of an engine by actuating a fan (20) utilizing liquid friction comprising:
characterized in that:
a shaft (30) positioned adjacent to the engine, wherein the shaft (30) is adapted to rotate about an axis (40) corresponding to rotation of a prime mover, wherein the shaft (30) comprises a first disc (50) and a second disc (60) positioned on the shaft (30), wherein the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) are non-rotatable and rotatable with respect to the shaft (30) respectively;
a storage chamber (70) positioned adjacent to the second disc (60), wherein the storage chamber (70) comprises a closure lever (80) adapted to contain the viscus liquid in the storage chamber (70);
a bimetallic strip (90) positioned adjacent to the storage chamber (70) and connected to the closure lever (80) through a cylinder pin (100), wherein the bimetallic strip (90) is adapted to:
attain a concave shape when the temperature of the bimetallic strip (90) is raised above a predefined threshold by an airflow originating from a radiator associated with the engine;
move the closure lever (80) to cause the viscus liquid to occupy a space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) to rotate the second disc (60) corresponding to the rotation of the first disc (50); and
the fan (20) connected to the second disc (60), wherein the fan (20) is adapted to rotate corresponding to the rotation of the second disc (60) to increase the airflow towards the radiator, thereby controlling the temperature of the engine.
2. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) comprises a predefined clearance between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60), wherein the predefined clearance lies between 0.2 milli meters and 1.5 milli meters.
3. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscus liquid comprises at least one of a silicon oil, synthetic fluids, automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, engine oil and a mineral oil.
4. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) comprises one or more working chambers (110) to receive the viscus fluid.
5. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first disc (50) comprises one or more projections (120) located on a periphery of the first disc (50), wherein the one or more projections (120) are adapted to increase surface area of the first disc (50) interacting with the viscus liquid.
6. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) comprises an outlet (130) adapted to guide the viscus liquid from the space to the storage chamber (70).
7. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viscus liquid is adapted to flow from the space between the first disc (50) and the second disc (60) to the storage chamber (70) by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the first disc (50) and the second disc (60).
8. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage chamber (70) is enclosed by a cover (140) to protect the storage chamber (70) from an external environment.
9. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (140) is separated from the storage chamber (70) by a dividing disc (150) adapted to prevent spillage of the viscus liquid from the storage chamber (70).
10. The apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a bearing unit (160) mounted in an inside periphery of a housing (170) of the apparatus (10), wherein the bearing unit (160) is adapted to rotatably connect the fan (20) to the shaft (30).

Dated this 11th day of August 2023

Signature

Jinsu Abraham
Patent Agent (IN/PA-3267)
Agent for the Applicant