A Systems Approach to Engine Cooling Design

This paper is divided into two parts: part 1 - systems engineering fundamentals and part 2 - engine cooling design from a systems engineering perspective.

In part 1, we explain how the task of designing a complex system can be made easier by the application of systems engineering principles. (This part is self contained and may be of general interest to those who have no special interest in engine cooling).

Systems engineering provides three key benefits: 1. It facilitates communication; requirements define the problem, they allow team members to see their own work in context, key information is standardized and made easier to visualize and verify, an "audit trail" is maintained ensuring that important information is documented, and human memory is no longer relied on for important decisions; 2. Translates requirements into design, ensures that all requirements are specified in common terms and non are missed, ensures that requirements are consistent and linked from the customer to the vehicle and all the way down to components, ensures that manufacturing and service issues are addressed up-front in the design process; and 3. Defines the interactions between the OEM's and the suppliers.

In part 2, we examine cooling system design using system engineering principles.