Optimization of Vehicle Cooling Systems

This paper describes an approach to vehicle cooling system design which combines experimental work on installation characteristics with a predictive technique for the isolated heat exchanger performance in an optimization procedure, whereby the cooling matrix may be matched to the installation, according to chosen value criteria.

The installation system characteristic is evaluated using calibrated gauzes of varying resistance in place of the vehicle cooling matrix. Airflows through the gauzes are measured for various vehicle operating conditions. Examples of such measurements are given for a wide variety of passenger cars.

A simple mathematical model of a vehicle cooling system is proposed by which the predominant system behavior can be interpreted. The measured examples are discussed in terms of this model.