Cooling for commercial vehicles
Strict emission standards and the search for measures to reduce consumption are the main factors driving development in the truck sector today. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly important to adopt an integrated approach to analyzing and optimizing cooling functions (thermal management).
Engine cooling components, modules, and systems
Charge air coolers
Indirect charge air cooling systems use extremely compact coolers that are cooled by the coolant of the separate low-temperature cooling circuit. Since the low-temperature radiator has a large front surface and is swept by the cold cooling air flow, very low charge air temperatures can be achieved. Due to their superior efficiency (as compared to a charge air/air cooler), they can be designed with very compact dimensions and mounted onto the engine. In transient driving conditions, they provide for a much more stable intake air temperature and thus help reduce fuel consumption.
Cooling modules
They comprise multiple engine cooling components as well as the condenser, which forms part of the air conditioning circuit. The cooling module primarily consists of a radiator and the charge air cooler. In indirect (coolant-cooled) charge air cooling systems, the charge air cooler is replaced by a low-temperature radiator which is located between the condenser and the radiator. For maximum efficiency, all components are optimally matched. The modules are assembled according to the vehicle design concept, thus reducing development, production, and logistics costs.
Low temperature radiators
In an indirect charge air cooling system, rather than being released directly to the ambient air, the heat from the charge air cooler first passes through a separate, low-temperature coolant circuit (LT cooling circuit) before being discharged to the ambient air by a downstream, low-temperature radiator (LT radiator).The LT radiator of the indirect charge air cooling system is mounted onto the engine cooling module and can be designed more compactly than the direct charge air cooler, without sacrificing performance. This is because heat is transferred from the air to the coolant. The LT radiator can also be optionally used to ensure optimum thermal management of a temperature-sensitive lithium-ion battery, its power electronics, and soon also the condenser of the refrigerant circuit.
Oil heating and cooling systems
Current MAHLE heating and cooling modules are able to also handle channel guidance, temperature regulation, and filtering of the coolant flow. An optimized channel guidance and distribution of the coolant flow provides coolant to the heat exchangers of the engine and transmission as well as for fuel as needed.
Radiators
The most important component of the cooling module is the radiator, which consists of the radiator core and plastic tanks with all requisite connections and fastening elements. The radiator core is usually made of aluminum, while the coolant tanks are made either of aluminum—just like the core—or fiber glass-reinforced polyamide.
Thermostats and control valves
The wide variety of engine cooling tasks can be achieved only by intelligently controlling the energy flows that arise. Various systems and engine components must be supplied with coolant as required. In modern systems, this takes place with different temperature levels and separate cooling circuits. Intelligent control systems from MAHLE, such as engine operating map thermostats, ensure demand-actuated and precise temperature regulation and thus promote more efficient operation, reduced consumption, less wear, and lower emissions.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
One approach to meeting the NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions limits is to incorporate cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). This involves extracting a portion of the main exhaust flow between the engine outlet and the turbine, cooling it in a special heat exchanger, and feeding it back to the intake air downstream of the charge air cooler. The combustion temperature in the engine is thereby lowered, thus reducing the formation of NOx. Our EGR coolers offer exceptional thermomechanical strength, reduced tendency to sooting, and outstanding specific performance. Thanks to the use of high-performance winglet tubes, extremely stable EGR temperatures—and thus improved EGR control—can be achieved.
Electric coolant pumps
Based on a modular design, MAHLE offers a 12V pump with up to 800 watts electrical power consumption and a 24V pump with up to 1kW.
Due to the individually controllable coolant flow with low mechanical losses, our customers achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and up to 5% lower carbon dioxide emissions (CO2).
The brushless electric motor as well as the bearing concept ensure maintenance-free operation with high reliability. Besides that, the directly cooled electronics allow a maximum power utilization.
