Model & approach
- Build a system model of enclosure, heat sources, coolers and fan
- Assess airflow, temperature distribution and system resistance
- Compare openings, ducts, louvers and component positions
Project / Off-highway
Airflow through an off-highway cooling system
A full-machine assessment combined inlet and outlet routing, pressure loss, component position and fan demand.
Engineering question
The cooling system had to provide sufficient airflow across changing ambient loads and machine operation without unnecessary fan demand.
Boundary conditions
- Operation from idle to full load as the design envelope
- Moderate and high ambient temperatures considered qualitatively
- Existing packaging and enclosure as design constraints
Results of the assessment
- Local resistance in ducts and louvers limited the airflow distribution.
- The positions of inlets, outlets, heat exchangers and fan affected the whole-system flow path.
- The simulation predicted an advantage for a more direct route with lower resistance.
Additional project view
Engineering consequence
Air openings, duct geometry and cooling-component positions were rearranged for the next design stage.
Context
No numerical before/after results or documented test correlation are included in the project account.
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