Vehicle with selectively reversible cooling fan

摘要

A work vehicle includes a cooling fan that selectively and/or periodically runs in reverse in order to discharge accumulated dirt or debris from one or more coolers. The reverse activation of the fan is prevented from initiating when the operator of the running vehicle is outside the operator cab in the vicinity of the coolers. In an exemplary embodiment, activation of a parking brake interrupts or prevents reverse activation of the fan, though a fuel door sensor may also be used. A minimum engine speed may be specified to ensure adequate power for maximum fan power during the reverse operation.

主权项

1. A work vehicle comprising:
a chassis; at least one traction device supporting the chassis on the ground; an engine that defines an engine speed, the engine operably coupled to the at least one traction device to propel the chassis across the ground; at least one of a brake system including a parking brake actuatable to maintain the work vehicle in a stopped position and a fuel access cover; a cooling system supported by the chassis, the cooling system comprising:
a first cooler that receives a fluid to be cooled;a hydraulic cooler;a fan having:
a first mode of operation, wherein the fan directs air across the first cooler and the hydraulic cooler in a first direction; anda second mode of operation, wherein the fan directs air across the first cooler and the hydraulic cooler in a second direction opposite the first direction; anda controller that only initiates operation of the fan in the second mode of operation when the engine speed is at or above a predetermined setpointwherein the cooling system is in fluid communication with the engine to receive engine coolant as the fluid to be cooled;wherein the first cooler and the hydraulic cooler form at least a part of respective side walls of a cooling assembly, the cooling assembly defining a cavity between the respective side walls; andwherein the fan is disposed at a rear wall of the cooling assembly, the fan operable to pull ambient air into the cavity through the first cooler and the hydraulic cooler in the first mode of operation, and the fan operable to push ambient air into the cavity and subsequently through the first cooler and the hydraulic cooler in the second mode of operation.