Model & approach
- Reduce the CAD model to flow- and heat-relevant detail
- Represent engine, hydraulic and exhaust heat sources and cooling-air inlet conditions
- Evaluate velocity, pressure, temperature and the system-resistance curve
Project / Agricultural machinery
Full-vehicle simulation of an engine-cooling system
A full-vehicle model combined heat balance, airflow and system resistance to support preliminary cooling-component selection.
Engineering question
Engine-bay cooling had to be assessed both without ram air and with the vehicle moving.
Boundary conditions
- Stationary operation and slow vehicle movement
- Charge-air/water and oil coolers within the cooling concept
- Simplified full vehicle with project-specific openings and installations
Results of the assessment
- The simulation exposed inlet paths, pressure zones and temperature fields in the engine bay.
- The second operating point enabled a comparison of ram-air influence.
- A system-resistance curve was derived from airflow and pressure loss.
Engineering consequence
The results supported preliminary selection of fans and fan drives.
Context
Preliminary sizing of fans and fan drives applies to the operating conditions assessed.
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