The performance of a radiator is generally determined using a wind tunnel, in which the air velocity is uniform. However, when it is installed in a car, the distribution of the air velocity becomes nonuniform due to front-end openings, cross members, ...
The performance of a radiator is generally determined using a wind tunnel, in which the air velocity is uniform. However, when it is installed in a car, the distribution of the air velocity becomes nonuniform due to front-end openings, cross members, and horns etc., resulting in lower performance.<br/>
In this study, several underhood flow simulations have been first performed to get flow rates and velocity distributions over the radiator. Secondly heat release rates are calculated by both a performance curve and a radiator model. Finally, using an engine cooling system simulator, radiator-top-tank temperature is predicted and the variations of heat release rate and radiator-top-tank temperature with nonuniformity of air velocity distributions are analyzed.<br/>
The results show that the current engine cooling model successfully accounts for the nonuniformity effects that should be considered for higher accuracy in predicting engine cooling performance.<br/>