Study of Aerodynamic Characteristics in Detached Cooling Module Based on Cluster Analysis

Numerical and experimental studies were conducted to investigate the cluster effect of aerodynamic characteristics in detached cooling modules with multiple types of heat exchangers, considering the typical dual heat exchangers in construction machinery cooling modules as examples. The porous media model was used to simulate the heat exchanger, and the multiple reference frame method was used to simulate fan performance. Numerical analyses and further experimental research of the cooling modules were conducted under four different heat exchanger arrangements. Using numerical methods, the control method for the aerodynamic characteristics of an independent cooling module was studied by adjusting the area and thickness ratios of the heat exchanger. The experimental and numerical simulation results show that the aerodynamic characteristics of the independent cooling module is unique: when the two heat exchangers are arranged in opposing positions, the aerodynamic drag is equal regardless of the inclination angles of the exchangers. Numerical simulations of the active control method for aerodynamic characteristics show the following: Compared to modifying the area ratio of the heat exchanger, thickness ratio modification is a active control strategy because the flow rate ratio changes more gently and is less affected by the fan speed. Based on these findings, the experimental correlations among cooling air volume, aerodynamic drag, and structural parameters of the two heat exchangers are obtained.