High Efficiency Fans for Underhood Cooling of Military Vehicles

The Phase I project analytically demonstrated that significantly improved engine cooling fan performance levels can be achieved for Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) vehicle that uses the same engine as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the heavy payload variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The Phase I project provides a solid foundation to implement highly efficient cooling fans for underhood cooling of military combat, tactical and commercial vehicles. This improves vehicle operational capability in hot climates, and provides more horsepower to operate at higher altitudes, carry heavier loads, as well as powering other auxiliary equipment off of the vehicle engine. Improved fan efficiency can also lower fuel usage reducing the logistics tail associated with fuel supply. A fan retrofit kit approach is used so that major fan system components are retained realistically enabling transition to current and future vehicles. The Phase II effort includes the aerodynamic optimization of the fan flow path designs; structural, seismic, and rotordynamic analysis and optimization; and comprehensive testing of fan retrofit prototypes for both the PIM and JLTV to demonstrate improved performance. The demonstration of the retrofit kit installation and on-engine testing of the developed fans are also included.