1. A cooling system, comprising:
a cooling loop containing a cooling fluid configured for circulation
through an engine of a vehicle;
an auxiliary alternator configured to be driven by the engine for powering
auxiliary loads of the vehicle;
a canned pump positioned within the cooling loop and being configured to
circulate the cooling fluid through the cooling loop, wherein the canned pump
comprises an integrated induction motor for driving the pump; and
an electronic control system electrically connected to the auxiliary
alternator and configured to electrically power the induction motor of the canned
pump independently of a mechanical output of the engine.
2. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the electronic control system is configured to electrically power the canned
pump at a variable voltage and a variable frequency to provide the cooling fluid at
a rated flow, temperature, and pressure to the engine.
3. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the electronic control system is configured to deactivate the canned pump
when cooling is not required, and the electronic control system is configured to
deactivate the canned pump when a dry operating condition is sensed.
4. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the electronic control system is configured to electrically power the
induction motor of the canned pump only with electricity from the auxiliary
alternator in a first mode of operation, and to electrically power the induction
motor of the canned pump at least partially with electricity from a battery in a
second mode of operation.
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5. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the electronic control system, in the first and second modes of operation, is
configured to control operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a
detected pressure of the cooling fluid within the cooling loop; and
the electronic control system is configured to control the canned pump to
an on state if the detected pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure
and to deactivate the canned pump if the detected pressure is below the threshold
pressure.
6. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the electronic control system, in the first and second modes of operation, is
configured to control operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a level of
the cooling fluid within the cooling loop; and
the electronic control system is configured to control the canned pump to
an on state if the cooling fluid level is above a predetermined threshold level and
to deactivate the canned pump if the cooling fluid level is below the threshold
level.
7. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the electronic control system, in the first mode of operation, is configured
to control operation of the canned pump to provide a flow rate of the cooling fluid
corresponding to a throttle position of the vehicle; and
the electronic control system, in the second mode of operation, is
configured to control operation of the canned pump to provide a flow rate of the
cooling fluid corresponding to a full throttle position of the vehicle when the
vehicle is operating with the throttle position at less than the full throttle position.
8. The cooling system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
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a temperature sensor positioned along the cooling loop, the temperature
sensor being configured to detect a temperature of the cooling fluid within the
cooling loop; and
a pressure sensor positioned along the cooling loop, the pressure sensor
being configured to detect a pressure of the cooling fluid within the cooling loop;
wherein the electronic control system, in the second mode of operation, is
configured to control operation of the canned pump based at least in part on the
temperature and the pressure that are detected.
9. The cooling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
the electronic control system is configured to control the canned pump to
provide a fixed, higher flow rate relative to a throttle position of the vehicle for a
predetermined interval of time if the temperature of the cooling fluid is above a
predetermined maximum temperature, the pressure of the cooling fluid is above a
predetermined lower threshold pressure, and the vehicle is operating with the
throttle position between idle and full power.
10. The cooling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
the predetermined interval of time is approximately 15 minutes.
11. A method of cooling an engine, comprising the steps of:
circulating a cooling fluid through the engine with a canned pump, the
canned pump including an integrated induction motor for driving the pump; and
powering the induction motor of the canned pump only with electricity
from an auxiliary alternator and independently of a mechanical output of the
engine, the auxiliary alternator being configured to be driven by the engine.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
the step of powering the induction motor of the canned pump includes
electrically powering the canned pump at a variable voltage and a variable
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frequency to provide the cooling fluid at a rated flow, temperature, and pressure to
the engine.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of:
controlling operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a detected
pressure of the cooling fluid, including activating the canned pump if the detected
pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure and deactivating the canned
pump if the detected pressure is below the threshold pressure.
14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of:
controlling operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a level of
the cooling fluid within a cooling loop, including activating the canned pump if
the cooling fluid level is above a predetermined threshold level and deactivating
the canned pump if the cooling fluid level is below the threshold level.
15. A method of cooling an engine, comprising the steps of:
circulating a cooling fluid through the engine with a canned pump, the
canned pump including an integrated induction motor for driving the pump; and
powering the induction motor of the canned pump at least partially with
electricity from a battery and at least partially with electricity from an auxiliary
alternator, the auxiliary alternator being configured to be driven by the engine.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of:
controlling operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a detected
pressure of the cooling fluid, including activating the canned pump if the detected
pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure and deactivating the canned
pump if the detected pressure is below the threshold pressure.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of:
controlling operation of the canned pump in dependence upon a level of
the cooling fluid within a cooling loop, including activating the canned pump if
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the cooling fluid level is above a predetermined threshold level and deactivating
the canned pump if the cooling fluid level is below the threshold level.
18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engine is disposed in a
vehicle, and the method further comprises the step of:
controlling operation of the canned pump to provide a flow rate of the
cooling fluid corresponding to a full throttle position of the vehicle when the
vehicle is operating at a throttle level less than the full throttle position.
19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the engine is disposed in a
vehicle, and the method further comprises the steps of:
detecting a temperature of the cooling fluid;
detecting a pressure of the cooling fluid; and
controlling the canned pump to provide a fixed, higher flow rate relative to
a notch position of the vehicle for a predetermined interval of time if the
temperature of the cooling fluid is above a predetermined maximum temperature,
the pressure of the cooling fluid is above a predetermined lower threshold
pressure, and the vehicle is operating at a notch position between idle and full
power.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein:
the predetermined interval of time is approximately 15 minutes.
Total Claims: 20
Dated this the 15th day of January, 2016
CHAITANYA WINGKAR
Agent for the Applicant [IN/PA -1532