Filterless Heat exchanger precleaner based on guide vane approach

The efficiency, maintenance cost, and service life of off-highway vehicles can be drastically improved with the development of a heat exchanger precleaner. Development challenges include ease of integration with present and new vehicles, the device compact size, high contaminates removal efficiency, low initial and maintenance cost, and high reliability. The objective of Phase I of this project is to demonstrate the innovative applicatin of a filterless heat exchanger precleaner for use by military and commercial vehicles. This method relies on the use of guide vanes to impart a swirling motion ot the air for subsequent separation of the contaminates. A rapid swirling motion of the air allows quick and efficient removal of dust and fluids from the air with a small drop in pressure. Guide vanes can be arranged in a matrix and fabricated using injection molding processes to save space and reduce fabrication cost. The proposed method also offers high reliability, low maintenance cost, and easy integration with present and future vehicles. The Phase I project will be a key stop in demonstrating the concpet of the guide vane approach and its comparison with the other precleaner approaches. Specifically, the Phase I project will investigate the feasibility and compare the guide vane approach by demonstrating its superior efficiency, compact size, fabrication methods, and integration.