System and method for cooling a power source enclosure

Abstract

A system for cooling a power source enclosure may include a power source enclosure configured to substantially enclose a power source, and a cooling package, including an airflow provider, located separately from the power source enclosure. The system may further include a conduit configured to provide a fluid connection between a section of the airflow provider and an area inside the power source enclosure, wherein the conduit includes a first end disposed near the section of the airflow provider, such that during operation of the airflow provider a pressure differential exists between the first end and a second end, and wherein the second end is disposed near and in fluid communication with an area within the power source enclosure.

1 . A system for cooling a power source enclosure, the system comprising:
 a power source enclosure configured to substantially enclose a power source;   a cooling package, including an airflow provider, located separately from the power source enclosure; and   a conduit configured to provide a fluid connection between a section of the airflow provider and an area inside the power source enclosure, wherein the conduit includes a first end disposed near the section of the airflow provider, such that during operation of the airflow provider a pressure differential exists between the first end and a second end, and wherein the second end is disposed near and in fluid communication with an area within the power source enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the section of the airflow provider is a low pressure section and the pressure differential is negative. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the section of the airflow provider is a high pressure section and the pressure differential is positive 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is positioned to provide a cooling flow of air over one or more temperature sensitive components within the power source enclosure. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more temperature sensitive components includes at least one of an alternator, an air conditioner compressor, and an engine control module. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is positioned to provide a cooling flow of air over one or more high temperature components. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more high temperature components includes a turbocharger. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the negative pressure differential induces a flow of air from within the power source enclosure to the first end. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flow of air is exhausted outside the cooling package via one or more cooling air exhaust ports associated with the cooling package. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the conduit includes a venturi section configured to increase a velocity associated with the flow of air. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further including:
 a venturi ventilation assembly in fluid communication with the power source enclosure; and   an exhaust assembly associated with the power source and configured to direct a flow of exhaust associated with the power source through the venturi ventilation assembly.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further including:
 a control section configured to control a flow of air associated with the conduit; and   a controller communicatively connected to the control section.   
   
   
       13 . A method for cooling a power source enclosure, the method comprising:
 operating an airflow provider associated with a cooling package, wherein the cooling package is located separately from the power source enclosure;   inducing within a conduit, a flow of air, wherein the conduit includes a first end disposed near the airflow provider, and a second end terminating near the power source enclosure; and   utilizing the flow of air to cool one or more components within the power source enclosure.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second end is positioned to provide a cooling flow of air over one or more temperature sensitive components within the power source enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more temperature sensitive components includes at least one of an alternator, an air conditioner compressor, and an engine control module. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the conduit includes a venturi section configured to increase a velocity associated with the flow of air. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including controlling the flow of air such that a temperature associated with the power source enclosure is maintained at or below about 95 degrees C. 
   
   
       18 . A machine comprising:
 a frame;   a power source;   one or more traction devices operatively connected to the power source and the frame;   a power source enclosure configured to substantially enclose a power source;   a cooling package, including an airflow provider, located separately from the power source enclosure; and   a conduit configured to provide a fluid connection between a section of the airflow provider and an area inside the power source enclosure, wherein the conduit includes a first end disposed near the section of the airflow provider, such that during operation of the airflow provider a pressure differential exists between the first end and a second end, and wherein the second end is disposed near and in fluid communication with an area within the power source enclosure.   
   
   
       19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the second end is positioned to provide a cooling flow of air over one or more temperature sensitive components within the power source enclosure. 
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the section of the airflow provider is a low pressure section and the pressure differential is negative.