CN107448330B - Multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
CN107448330B
CN107448330B CN201710242138.6A CN201710242138A CN107448330B CN 107448330 B CN107448330 B CN 107448330B CN 201710242138 A CN201710242138 A CN 201710242138A CN 107448330 B CN107448330 B CN 107448330B
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China
Prior art keywords
exhaust gases
structural element
face
heat exchanger
engine
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CN201710242138.6A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN107448330A (en
Inventor
D.佩特罗尼奥
G.斯皮内里
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Stellantis Europe SpA
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FCA Italy SpA
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/22—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with coolers in the recirculation passage
    • F02M26/23—Layout, e.g. schematics
    • F02M26/25—Layout, e.g. schematics with coolers having bypasses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P11/00—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
    • F01P11/04—Arrangements of liquid pipes or hoses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/22—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with coolers in the recirculation passage
    • F02M26/23—Layout, e.g. schematics
    • F02M26/25—Layout, e.g. schematics with coolers having bypasses
    • F02M26/26—Layout, e.g. schematics with coolers having bypasses characterised by details of the bypass valve
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/22—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with coolers in the recirculation passage
    • F02M26/23—Layout, e.g. schematics
    • F02M26/28—Layout, e.g. schematics with liquid-cooled heat exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/22—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with coolers in the recirculation passage
    • F02M26/29—Constructional details of the coolers, e.g. pipes, plates, ribs, insulation or materials
    • F02M26/30—Connections of coolers to other devices, e.g. to valves, heaters, compressors or filters; Coolers characterised by their location on the engine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/22—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with coolers in the recirculation passage
    • F02M26/29—Constructional details of the coolers, e.g. pipes, plates, ribs, insulation or materials
    • F02M26/32—Liquid-cooled heat exchangers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/51—EGR valves combined with other devices, e.g. with intake valves or compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/52—Systems for actuating EGR valves
    • F02M26/55—Systems for actuating EGR valves using vacuum actuators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/16—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation
    • F28D7/163—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with assemblies of conduits having different geometrical features; with multiple groups of conduits connected in series or parallel and arranged inside common casing
    • F28D7/1638—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with assemblies of conduits having different geometrical features; with multiple groups of conduits connected in series or parallel and arranged inside common casing with particular pattern of flow or the heat exchange medium flowing inside the conduits assemblies, e.g. change of flow direction from one conduit assembly to another one
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F27/00—Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus
    • F28F27/02—Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus for controlling the distribution of heat-exchange media between different channels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F2250/00—Arrangements for modifying the flow of the heat exchange media, e.g. flow guiding means; Particular flow patterns
    • F28F2250/06—Derivation channels, e.g. bypass

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Exhaust-Gas Circulating Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A multifunctional module (1) for an internal combustion engine (E) of a motor vehicle incorporates part of an exhaust gas recirculation system and part of an engine cooling circuit. The multifunctional module comprises a central structural element, wherein the metal body has a face (P6) for attachment to an end face of a cylinder head (T) of an engine (E). The body has a configuration elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder head (T). A conduit (6) for the circulation of exhaust gases and a conduit (7) for the circulation of engine coolant are formed within the metal body. The module also comprises an EGR valve unit (3) mounted on a first end face (P3) of the body, and a heat exchanger (4) for cooling the exhaust gases, the heat exchanger (4) being mounted on a second end face (P2) opposite to the first end face (P3).

Description

Multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
Technical Field
The invention relates to a multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, incorporating part of an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine and part of a cooling circuit of the engine, said module comprising in particular an EGR valve unit for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gas, and a heat exchanger for cooling the recirculated exhaust gas by means of an engine coolant.
Background
Multifunctional modules of the type indicated above are known to date (see for example documents DE 102007049336 a1, EP 2037116B 1 and EP 1793115B 1), in which the multifunctional module comprises a central structural element in which a metal body has a face for attachment to an end face of an engine head. Such a body has an elongated shape according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder head in the mounted state of the module on the engine.
A duct for the circulation of exhaust gases and a duct for the circulation of engine coolant are formed within said metal body of the central structural element. Such ducts extend from an inlet opening for the exhaust gases and an inlet opening for the coolant, which are positioned on said attachment face and are intended to communicate with the engine exhaust manifold and with the coolant jacket of the cylinder head, respectively.
The exhaust gas conduit ends into an exhaust gas outlet opening intended to communicate with the engine intake manifold, whereas said coolant conduit flows into at least one coolant outlet opening with which the thermostatic valve is associated for controlling the connection to the radiator of the engine cooling system.
In such a multifunctional module, the EGR valve unit for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gases is mounted on the first end face of the central structural element elongated body and operatively interposed along the exhaust gas conduit. Furthermore, the heat exchanger for cooling the exhaust gases with coolant is mounted on a second end face of the elongated body of the central structural element, which second end face is opposite to the first end face on which the EGR valve unit is mounted. The heat exchanger has internal conduits in heat exchange relationship with one another operatively interposed along the exhaust gas conduit and the coolant conduit, respectively. A bypass duct for exhaust gases is formed within the elongated body of the central structural element, through which the exhaust gases can flow towards the exhaust gas outlet opening without passing through the heat exchanger, a bypass valve being interposed in the bypass duct operated by means of a vacuum actuator carried by the multifunctional module.
The multifunction modules of the type indicated above produced so far have several drawbacks. First, the EGR valve unit is subject to carbon deposits (so-called "EGR soot") due to the exhaust gas flow therethrough, with the result that such components become less efficient over time. Furthermore, all the aforementioned known solutions provide a vacuum tank integrated to the central structural element of the module, such vacuum tank resulting in the need to control the vacuum actuator which controls the aforementioned bypass valve. Such vacuum tanks are mounted at the module ends, adjacent to the heat exchanger, causing a reduction in the available space for the heat exchanger. Therefore, the use of a relatively small heat exchanger is mandatory, with a consequent lower exhaust gas cooling efficiency. Another drawback that arises in the known solutions is that the flow of exhaust gas through the heat exchanger is slowed down due to the determined reduction in gas density while the gas is cooled in the heat exchanger.
Disclosure of Invention
The aim on which the present invention is based is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks that occur in known solutions.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional module having a limited size, reduced weight, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.
In addition, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional module that maintains all of its functions in effect throughout the life of the engine with which the module is associated.
In view of achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine, having all the features indicated above, and characterized in that the EGR valve unit is operatively positioned along the exhaust gas conduit upstream of the heat exchanger in such a way that, when the EGR valve unit is in an open state, the exhaust gas passes through the EGR valve unit before being cooled in the heat exchanger.
Thanks to this feature, the exhaust gases pass through the EGR valve at temperatures considerably higher than those occurring in known solutions, so that the risk of carbon deposits inside the EGR valve is reduced or completely eliminated and it is ensured that such a valve needle maintains a constant efficiency for the entire operating life of the engine.
The module according to the invention is further characterized in that said vacuum actuator controlling the bypass valve is arranged to be operated by a vacuum source outside the module, whereby said module is devoid of any vacuum source or canister.
Due to this feature, the weight and overall size of the module is considerably reduced. In particular, compared to the known solutions providing said vacuum tank beside the heat exchanger, the multifunctional module according to the invention has the advantage that the entire second end face of the body of the central structural element can be fully occupied by the heat exchanger. This allows for more efficient cooling of the exhaust gas using larger heat exchangers without increasing the overall size of the module. Alternatively, it is therefore possible to use heat exchangers having a size similar to known solutions, but with a considerable reduction in the overall dimensions of the module.
According to a further preferred feature, the heat exchanger is configured in such a way that the exhaust gas passing therethrough follows a U-shaped path.
Due to this feature, the overall size of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the module can be considerably reduced in view of equivalent cooling efficiency of the exhaust gas.
According to a further preferred feature, the U-shaped passage for the exhaust gases passing through the heat exchanger is defined by a first row of tubes or flat channels for exhaust gas flow in a first direction, by a second row of tubes or flat channels for exhaust gas flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and by an intermediate chamber connecting the tubes or flat channels of the first row to the tubes or flat channels of the second row.
Due to this feature, it is possible to provide variation in the entire cross section of the passage for the exhaust gas while the exhaust gas advances to the heat exchanger with a simple and low-cost structure. In particular, it is possible to provide that the tubes or flat channels of the second row define a total passage section that is smaller than the total passage section defined by the tubes or flat channels of the first row, in order to counteract the reduction in velocity of the exhaust gases caused by the reduction in density due to cooling.
Drawings
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
fig. 1 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of a multifunctional module according to the invention, in which only the exhaust gas circuit is shown,
fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1, showing only the engine coolant circuit,
figure 3 shows a perspective view of the above preferred embodiment of the multifunctional module according to the invention,
fig. 4 and 5 show two exploded views of the module shown in fig. 3, showing the exhaust gas circuit and the engine coolant circuit respectively,
figures 6,7 are two further perspective views on an enlarged scale, in which some of the internal circuits of the module according to the invention are shown as solid for the most part of the clarity, and
figure 8 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger forming part of a multifunctional module according to the invention.
Detailed Description
With reference to the figures, reference numeral 1 indicates a preferred embodiment of a multifunction module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle according to the invention.
Fig. 1,2 diagrammatically show a cylinder head T of a multi-cylinder engine E with an intake manifold CA for air supply from an intake duct 5 to the engine cylinders and an exhaust manifold CS for discharging the exhaust gases from the engine cylinders in an exhaust conduit 17. Fig. 2 also diagrammatically shows the cooling jacket J of the cylinder head T.
The module 1 incorporates part of the exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine and part of the cooling circuit of the engine. In particular, the module comprises an EGR valve unit 3 for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gases, and a heat exchanger 4 for cooling the recirculated exhaust gases by means of the engine coolant.
The EGR valve unit 3 and the heat exchanger 4 are mounted at opposite ends of the central structural element 2. With particular reference to fig. 1-5, the central structural element 2 comprises a metal body (for example aluminium) having a face (indicated with P6 in fig. 3-5) for attachment to an end face (see fig. 1,2) of a head T of an engine E. Such a connection can be achieved, for example, by means of screws, also providing a seal between the structural element body 2 and the face in contact with the head T. Such constructional details are not shown, so that the drawing is made simpler.
As shown in fig. 1,2, the body of the structural element 2 has an elongated shape according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder head. A conduit 6 for the circulation of exhaust gases (see in particular figures 1,4,7) and a conduit 7 for the circulation of engine coolant (see in particular figures 2,5,6) are formed inside said central structural element metal body 2.
The exhaust gas conduit 6 extends from an exhaust gas inlet opening 9 positioned on said plane P6 of the body 2, said plane P6 being provided for attachment with the cylinder head (see fig. 4 and 6, 7). The coolant conduit 7 extends from an inlet opening 8, which inlet opening 8 is in this case also located on said attachment face P6.
As seen in fig. 1, the opening 9 of the inlet in the module 1 for the discharge of gases communicates with the intake manifold CS by means of a duct 24 formed in the head T. As also seen in fig. 2, the opening 8 for the inlet of the coolant in the module 1 communicates with the coolant jacket J of the cylinder head T.
Referring again to fig. 1, the exhaust gas conduit 6 follows a path (which will be described in detail below) through the body 2 to an end in an outlet opening 10 connected to the intake duct 5 in order to achieve recirculation of exhaust gases in the engine intake manifold.
With reference to fig. 2, the coolant conduit 7 communicates with the outlet opening 11 of the associated thermostatic valve 19 for controlling the connection to the radiator of the engine cooling system.
The EGR valve unit 3 and the heat exchanger 2 are mounted at opposite ends of the central structural element 2.
As will be better shown below, an EGR valve unit 3 is operatively interposed in the exhaust gas conduit 6 for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gases. The heat exchanger 4 has internal conduits, also better shown below, in heat exchange relationship with each other and operatively interposed along said exhaust gas conduit 6 and said coolant conduit 7, respectively.
A bypass conduit 65 for exhaust gases is formed within said elongated body of the central structural element 2 (see fig. 1), through which exhaust gases can flow towards said exhaust gas outlet opening 10 without passing through said heat exchanger 4. A bypass valve 13 (only diagrammatically shown in fig. 1) is interposed inside the bypass conduit 65, which is operated by means of a vacuum actuator 14 carried by the multifunctional module 1. The actuator 14 is shown in fig. 3-5 and only diagrammatically in fig. 1. The use of a vacuum actuator is necessary in order to effectively create the force that must be applied to the movable part of the bypass valve. In the example shown in figures 4,5, the actuator body is rigidly fixed on an upper face P4 (with reference to the figures) of the body 2 and controls a lever which controls the movable part of the bypass valve by means of a lever.
A first important feature of the invention is that the EGR valve unit 3 is operatively positioned along the exhaust gas conduit 6 upstream of the heat exchanger 4 in such a way that, when the EGR valve unit is in an open state, the exhaust gas passes through the EGR valve unit 3 before it is cooled in the heat exchanger 4.
Thanks to this feature, the exhaust gases pass through the EGR valve at a temperature considerably higher than that which occurs in known solutions, so reducing or completely eliminating the risk of carbon deposits inside the EGR valve 3 and ensuring that the valve needle maintains a constant efficiency for the whole life of the engine.
A further feature of the module according to the invention is that a vacuum actuator 14 controlling the bypass valve 13 is arranged for operation by a vacuum pump 15 (fig. 1) outside the module. The communication of the actuator 14 with the vacuum pump 15 is controlled by an electronic valve 16 of the on-off type. The electronic valve 16 is shown in fig. 3-5, and is only diagrammatically shown in fig. 1. The actuator 14 is controlled by the vacuum pump 15 to open the bypass duct 65 during the warm-up phase of the engine (so when cooling of the exhaust gases is not required). In the module according to the invention, unlike the known solutions, no vacuum tank is provided in order to operate the actuator 14. Due to this feature, the weight and overall size of the module are considerably reduced. In particular, compared to the known solutions in which the vacuum tank is provided beside the heat exchanger, the multifunctional module according to the invention has the advantage that the end face of the body 2 in which the heat exchanger is mounted can be fully occupied by the heat exchanger. This fact allows the use of larger heat exchangers to obtain more efficient cooling of the exhaust gases, without increasing the overall size of the module. Alternatively, it is also possible to use heat exchangers having overall dimensions similar to those provided in the known solutions, so that the overall dimensions of the module are considerably reduced.
In the following, the path of the exhaust gases in a preferred embodiment of the module according to the invention will be described in detail.
With particular reference to fig. 4 and 7, the exhaust gas duct 6 comprises a blind duct portion 60 extending through the central structural element body 2 from said inlet opening 9 positioned on the attachment face of the central structural element 2. From the conduit portion 60 branches a further conduit portion 61 which extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the body 2 up to an end which enters the opening 23 on the end face P3, on which end face P3 the EGR valve unit 3 is mounted. The duct portion 62 is arranged adjacent to the opening 23, wherein the duct portion 61 communicates with a further duct portion 63, the further duct portion 63 extending parallel to the duct portion 61 and from the end face P3 of the body 2 up to the opposite end face P2, on which the heat exchanger 4 is mounted, flows into the opening 12 communicating with the exhaust gas inlet in the heat exchanger 4.
The communication of the conduit portion 61 with the conduit portion 62 (fig. 4) is controlled by an EGR valve unit comprising a body rigidly connected to the body of the element 2 by screws (not shown) and comprising an electric actuator for the position control of a shutter O cooperating with a valve seat (not shown in the drawings) formed on the wall of the conduit portion 61. The shutter O is axially movable between a rest position on the valve seat, in which the communication between the duct portions 61,62 is interrupted, and a position spaced from the valve seat, in which the above-mentioned communication is open.
Referring again to fig. 4 and 8, the end face of the central structural element body 2 is fully occupied by the heat exchanger 4. Such a heat exchanger 4 is constructed in such a way that the exhaust gas passing therethrough follows a U-shaped path. Thanks to this feature, the overall size of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the module can be considerably reduced with an equivalent efficiency of exhaust gas cooling.
The U-shaped path for the exhaust gases passing through the heat exchanger 4 is defined by a first row of tubes 41 (in this case shown in the drawings) or alternatively by flat channels for the flow of exhaust gases in a first direction, by a second row of tubes 41 or alternatively by flat channels for the flow of exhaust gases in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and by an intermediate chamber 44 connecting the tubes or flat channels of the first row to the tubes or flat channels of the second row.
In the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger 4 shown here, the tubes or flat channels of the second row (positioned downstream of the first row) define a passage overall section that is smaller than the overall section of the passage defined by the tubes or flat channels of the first row, in such a way as to counteract the reduction in velocity of the exhaust gases caused by the reduction in density due to cooling. In the example obtained shown, tubes 41 are provided all having the same cross section, but the number of tubes of the upstream first row is provided to be greater than the number of tubes of the downstream second row.
The tubes 41 of the heat exchanger are all surrounded by a coolant-filled chamber 43.
The exhaust gases leaving the heat exchanger re-enter the body of the element 2, merge in the bypass duct 65 (fig. 1 and 7) and in the outlet opening 10 connected to the suction duct 5, flowing on the upper face P4 of the metal body of the element 2. A fitting element for the connection of a line 21 is installed at the outlet opening 10, wherein said line 21 flows the recirculated exhaust gas in the suction duct 5.
In the following, the path of the coolant in a preferred embodiment of the module according to the invention will be described in more detail.
With reference to fig. 2,5 and 6, the coolant conduit 7 comprises a conduit portion 71 extending from said inlet opening 8 positioned on said attachment face P6 through the body of the central structural element 2 up to the opposite face P1 of the central structural element 2, wherein said conduit portion 71 terminates into the outlet opening 11. A counter element 18 is mounted at the opening 11, and said counter element 18 incorporates a thermostatic valve 19 (not shown in fig. 5), illustrated diagrammatically in fig. 2, which controls the supply of coolant to the radiator of the cooling system.
A further conduit portion 72 branches off from the conduit portion 71 in the direction of the end face P3 of the central structural element 2 with which the EGR valve unit 3 is associated, and flows in the chamber 73 adjacent to said end face P3 for cooling of the EGR valve unit 3. A further conduit portion 74 extends longitudinally along said central structural element 2 starting from the chamber 73 up to the inlet 22 of the coolant in the heat exchanger 4. Through the inlet 22, the coolant enters a chamber 43 (fig. 8) in the heat exchanger 4, where it cools the exhaust gas circulating in the pipe 41. The coolant leaves the heat exchanger through an outlet fitting 42 (fig. 6) connected to a cooler for engine oil, the outlet fitting 42 being part of the engine cooling system. Branching off from the conduit portion 74 (fig. 5) is a further conduit (not shown) which terminates in a plane P1 of the body 2, in which a mating element 22 connected to a cabin heater of a motor vehicle is fixed.
In the following, the operation of the module 1 according to the invention will be described.
In the figures of the drawings, arrows F1 and F2 indicate the exhaust gas flow and the coolant flow, respectively.
During operation of the engine E, a portion of the exhaust gas stream is recirculated to the engine intake by means of the module 1. Specifically, a portion of the exhaust gas flow passes through the intake manifold in the conduit 24 (fig. 1) of the cylinder head T to enter the inlet opening 9 in the module 1. If the EGR valve is open, the exhaust gas entering in the opening 9 flows through successive conduit portions 60-63 (FIGS. 4 and 6) until entering in the inlet of the heat exchanger 4. Subsequently, the gas flows in one direction and then in the opposite direction through the two rows (or flat channels) 41 of tubes of the heat exchanger 4 until it exits from the module 1 through the opening 10 and thus flows into the suction duct 5 (fig. 1).
An electric actuator control handle O of the EGR valve unit 3 for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gases. The actuator of the EGR valve is controlled by the engine control unit based on one or more engine operating parameters according to known techniques.
Since the exhaust gases flow through the stem O of the EGR valve before being cooled in the heat exchanger 4 (there is only reduced cooling caused by the coolant in the chamber 73), the gases are still relatively hot at the stem O, so the risk of carbon deposition, which could impair the efficiency of the EGR valve at this point, is reduced or completely eliminated.
During the warm-up phase of the engine, when cooling of the exhaust gases in the heat exchanger 4 is not required, the actuator 14 controls the opening of the bypass valve 13 so that the gases flow out of the module 1 without passing through the heat exchanger 4. The actuator 14 becomes operative by means of the opening of the electrovalve 16 and the activation of the vacuum pump 15 (which is not part of the module 1 integrated in the engine E). Thus, like in the prior art, the module 1 does not comprise a vacuum tank for supplying the actuator 14, with the result that it is possible to employ a larger and more efficient heat exchanger, which occupies the entire end face P2 of the metal body 2, without increasing the overall dimensions of the module 1. The U-shaped configuration with the path of the exhaust gas in the heat exchanger 4 achieves a reduction in the size of the heat exchanger 4 in the longitudinal direction of the body 2. The pre-arrangement of two different rows of tubes 41 or flat channels communicating with the intermediate chamber 44 also achieves the provision of a reduced overall passage section for the exhaust gases along their path, so as to counteract the speed reduction due to the density reduction caused by cooling.
With reference to fig. 1 and 5,6, the coolant from the cooling jacket J of the head flows into the inlet opening 8 of the module 1. Part of the flow passes through the duct portion 71 and is caused to leave the module 1 through the fitting element 18 when the thermostatic valve 19 (fig. 1) is open, in order to flow towards the radiator of the motor vehicle. Part of the coolant flow then flows through conduit portions 71,72, chamber 73 (which cools the EGR valve) and conduit portion 74 until flowing into chamber 43 of the heat exchanger, where the exhaust gases are cooled. The coolant leaving the heat exchanger 44 passes out of the module 1 through a counter element 42 (fig. 6), from which counter element 42 it is led to the cooler of the engine oil of the motor vehicle's cooling system. Instead, part of the coolant exits from the module 1 through the mating element 22, which is guided from the mating element 22 to the cabin heater.
As a result, it is apparent from the above description that the multifunctional module according to the present invention combines a simple construction and an economical process for manufacturing with limited overall dimensional characteristics, low weight and constant efficiency over time.
Naturally, while the principle of the invention remains the same, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. Multifunctional module (1) for an internal combustion engine (E) of a motor vehicle, incorporating part of an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine and part of a cooling circuit of the engine, in particular the module comprising an EGR valve unit (3) for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gas and a heat exchanger (4) for cooling the recirculated exhaust gas by means of the engine coolant, further wherein:
the multifunctional module comprises a central structural element (2), wherein a metal body has a face (P6) for attachment to an end face of a cylinder head (T) of the engine (E), such body having an elongated shape according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder head in a mounted state of the module on the engine,
a duct (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases and a duct (7) for the circulation of the engine coolant are formed within the metallic body of the central structural element (2), the duct (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases and the duct (7) for the circulation of the engine coolant extending from the inlet opening (9) of the exhaust gases and the inlet opening (8) of the coolant, the inlet opening (9) of the exhaust gases and the inlet opening (8) of the coolant being positioned on the attachment face (P6) and intended to communicate with the engine exhaust manifold and with the coolant jacket of the cylinder head, respectively,
the conduit (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases ends into an exhaust gas outlet opening (10) intended to communicate with the engine intake manifold, whereas the conduit (7) for the circulation of the engine coolant ends into at least one coolant outlet opening (11) of an associated thermostatic valve (19) for controlling the connection to the radiator of the engine cooling system,
the EGR valve unit (3) for regulating the flow of recirculated exhaust gases is mounted on a first end face (P3) of the elongated body of the central structural element (2) and operatively interposed along a conduit (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases,
-the heat exchanger (4) for cooling the exhaust gases by the coolant is mounted on a second end face (P2) of the elongated body of the central structural element (2), the second end face (P2) being opposite to the first end face (P3) on which the EGR valve unit (3) is mounted, the heat exchanger (4) having internal conduits (41,43) in heat exchange relationship with each other operatively interposed along a conduit (6) for circulation of the exhaust gases and a conduit (7) for circulation of the engine coolant, respectively,
a bypass duct (65) for the exhaust gases being formed within the elongated body of the central structural element (2), the exhaust gases being flowable through the bypass duct (65) towards the exhaust gas outlet opening (10) without passing through the heat exchanger (4),
a bypass valve (13) is inserted inside the bypass duct (65), which is operated by means of a vacuum actuator (14) carried by the multifunctional module (1),
the multifunctional module (1) being characterized in that the EGR valve unit (3) is operatively positioned along a conduit (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases upstream of the heat exchanger (4) such that, when the EGR valve unit (3) is in an open state, the exhaust gases pass through the EGR valve unit (3) before being cooled in the heat exchanger (4), and
the vacuum actuator (14) controlling the bypass valve (13) is arranged for being operated by a vacuum source outside the module (1), whereby the module dispenses with any vacuum source or tank.
2. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said second end face (P2) of the body of the central structural element (2) is fully occupied by the heat exchanger (4).
3. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger is configured such that the exhaust gas passing through the heat exchanger follows a U-shaped path.
4. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the U-shaped path for the exhaust gases through the heat exchanger (4) is defined by a first row of tubes or flat channels (41) for the exhaust gas flow in a first direction, by a second row of tubes or flat channels (41) for the exhaust gas flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and by an intermediate chamber (44) connecting the tubes or flat channels of the first row to the tubes or flat channels of the second row.
5. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second row of tubes or flat channels (41) defines a total passage cross-sectional area that is smaller than the total passage cross-sectional area defined by the first row of tubes or flat channels (41) in order to counteract the reduction in velocity of the exhaust gases caused by the reduction in density due to cooling.
6. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling duct (7) comprises:
a first conduit portion (71) extending through the central structural element body (2) from an inlet opening (8) of the coolant positioned at the attachment face (P6) up to an opposite face (P1) of the central structural element (2), in which the outlet opening (11) of the associated thermostatic valve (19) is positioned;
a second conduit portion (71) diverging from the first conduit portion (71) in the direction of the first end face (P3) of the central structural element (2) with which the EGR valve unit (3) is associated and terminating in a chamber (73) for cooling the EGR valve unit (3) adjacent to the first end face (P3) of the central structural element (2), and
a third conduit portion (74) extending longitudinally along the central structural element (2) starting from the chamber (73) up to an inlet (22) of the coolant in the heat exchanger (4),
the heat exchanger (4) has an outlet (42) for the coolant intended to be connected with an external element of the engine cooling circuit, such as a cooler for the engine oil.
7. Multifunction module according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases comprises:
a conduit portion (60,61) for the exhaust gases operatively positioned upstream of the EGR valve unit (3) and extending through the body of the central structural element (2) from the inlet opening (9) for the exhaust gases positioned on the attachment face (P6) of the central structural element (2) up to the first end face (P3) of the central structural element (2),
a conduit portion (62,63) for the exhaust gases operatively positioned downstream of the EGR valve unit (3) and extending through the body of the central structural element (2) up to the second end face (P2) of the central structural element (2), wherein it merges into an inlet for the exhaust gases in the heat exchanger (4), the communication between the upstream and downstream portions of a conduit (6) for the circulation of the exhaust gases being controlled by the EGR valve unit (3),
an end conduit portion for the exhaust gases formed in the body of the central structural element (2) connecting the outlet of the exhaust gases from the heat exchanger (4) with the outlet opening (10) of the exhaust gases of the multifunctional module (1),
-the bypass duct (65), defined by a duct formed in the body of the central structural element (2), directly connecting the duct portion (62,63) for the exhaust gases downstream of the EGR valve unit (3) with the terminal duct portion for the exhaust gases.
8. Multifunction module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said duct portion (60,61) for the exhaust gases operatively positioned upstream of the EGR valve unit (3) ends into an opening (23) on the first end face (P3) of the body of the central structural element (2), and in that the EGR valve unit (3) comprises a valve shutter (8) provided movable inside the opening (23) of the first end face (P3) and cooperating with a valve seat formed inside the central structural element for controlling the communication between the upstream and downstream portions of the duct (6) for the exhaust gases.
CN201710242138.6A 2016-04-14 2017-04-13 Multifunctional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle Active CN107448330B (en)

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EP16165369.6A EP3232043B1 (en) 2016-04-14 2016-04-14 Multi-functional module for an internal combustion engine of a motor-vehicle
EP16165369.6 2016-04-14

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JP2021143655A (en) * 2020-03-13 2021-09-24 ヤンマーパワーテクノロジー株式会社 engine
CN112096543B (en) * 2020-08-13 2021-12-07 东风汽车集团有限公司 EGR system and car

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DE102007049336A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Behr Gmbh & Co. Kg Multifunctional module for attachment to an internal combustion engine and for guiding fluids, in particular in the form of charging fluid and / or coolant, arrangement with the module and internal combustion engine
CN201714509U (en) * 2009-01-06 2011-01-19 福特环球技术公司 Explosive motor integrated cover-exhaust recirculation cooler and explosive motor
CN104373250A (en) * 2013-08-12 2015-02-25 现代自动车株式会社 Cooling apparatus and cooling control method for egr gas and engine oil

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BR102017006089A2 (en) 2017-10-17
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EP3232043B1 (en) 2018-06-06
BR102017006089B1 (en) 2022-11-22

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