Assessing a vehicle's cooling system performance

Off-highway OEMs historically have utilized simple 1-Dimensional analyses (either themselves or through their cooling system suppliers) to predict the cooling performance of each vehicle's engine system. These analyses produce a low accuracy rate, which often results in late design changes leading to delays in the overall project.

To improve this situation, manufacturers have a tool at their disposal in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Using inputs of temperatures, flows, restrictions, heat transfer ability of coolers, and 3-Dimensional models of vehicle architecture, a 3D prediction of the cooling performance can be achieved. The 3D prediction results in an overall systems design with a higher success rate during validation.