What is an oil cooler?
An oil cooler is a device that accelerates the heat dissipation of lubricating oil to keep it at a lower temperature. In high-performance, high-power reinforced engines, oil coolers must be installed due to the large heat load. The oil cooler is arranged in the lubricating oil circuit, and its working principle is the same as that of the radiator.
1. Types
Air-cooled
The core of the air-cooled oil cooler consists of many cooling pipes and cooling plates. When the car is driving, the hot oil cooler core is cooled by the car's oncoming wind. Air-cooled oil coolers require good ventilation around them. It is difficult to ensure sufficient ventilation space on ordinary cars, so they are rarely used. This type of cooler is mostly used in racing cars because the racing car has a high speed and a large cooling air volume.
Water-cooled
The oil cooler is placed in the cooling water circuit, and the temperature of the cooling water is used to control the temperature of the lubricating oil. When the lubricating oil temperature is high, it is cooled by cooling water. When the engine starts, it absorbs heat from the cooling water to quickly increase the temperature of the lubricating oil. The oil cooler consists of a shell, front cover, rear cover and copper core tube made of aluminum alloy. In order to enhance cooling, a heat sink is installed outside the tube. The cooling water flows outside the tube, and the lubricating oil flows inside the tube, and the two exchange heat. There is also a structure that allows the oil to flow outside the tube and the water to flow inside the tube.
2. Classification
① Engine oil cooler: cools the lubricating oil of the engine, keeps the oil temperature reasonable (90-120 degrees) and the viscosity reasonable; the installation position is in the cylinder part of the engine, and it is installed together with the shell during installation.
② Transmission oil cooler: cools the lubricating oil of the transmission, installed in the lower water chamber of the engine radiator or on the outside of the transmission shell, if it is air-cooled, it is installed on the front side of the radiator.
③ Retarder oil cooler: cools the lubricating oil when the retarder is working, and the installation position is outside the transmission
, mostly shell and tube type or water-oil composite products.
④ Exhaust gas recirculation cooler: a device used to cool part of the exhaust gas returned to the engine cylinder, the purpose is to reduce the content of nitrogen oxides in automobile exhaust.
⑤ Heat dissipation cooler module: a device that can cool multiple objects or parts of objects such as cooling water, lubricating oil, compressed air, etc. at the same time. The cooling module adopts a highly integrated design concept and has the characteristics of full function, small volume, intelligence and high efficiency.
⑤ Air cooler, also known as intercooler, is a device used to cool the high-temperature and high-pressure air after the engine is supercharged. Through the cooling of the intercooler, the temperature of the supercharged air can be reduced, thereby increasing the density of the air to achieve the purpose of engine power, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
3. Core material
The material of the oil cooler core is required to have strong corrosion resistance and heat dissipation. Generally, there are two types, one is copper and the other is stainless steel. Of course, copper is preferred with strong heat dissipation and corrosion resistance, and stainless steel is second. The heat dissipation of stainless steel is not as good as copper material, but the corrosion resistance is stronger than copper material.
4. Advantages of oil coolers:
Improve engine efficiency: By keeping the oil in the appropriate temperature range, reduce friction and wear inside the engine and improve its working efficiency.
Prolong the service life of the oil: Lowering the oil temperature can reduce the oxidation and decomposition of the oil and extend its service life.
Protect engine components: Prevent engine components from being damaged by high temperature, thereby extending the overall life of the engine.
In general, oil coolers are particularly important in high-performance vehicles, heavy trucks and some engines that need to run at high loads for a long time.