GB2540778A

GB2540778A - Auxiliary assembly for engine

Info

Publication number: GB2540778A
Application number: GB1513187.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lueft Markus; Vormstein Holger; Berger Olaf; Stellwagen Karl
Original assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Current assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Priority date: 2015-07-27
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2017-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-27
Also published as: GB201513187D0; GB2540778B

Abstract

Disclosed is an auxiliary assembly 200 for an engine 104. The auxiliary assembly 200 includes a frame 202 coupled to a base 116 which is spaced away from the engine 104. The auxiliary assembly 200 also includes a gas mixer 214 supported on the frame. The gas mixer 214 is configured to receive and mix an air and a gaseous fuel to form an air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a turbocharger 224 configured to receive the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer. The turbocharger 224 is configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly 200 includes an aftercooler 232 supported on the frame. The aftercooler 232 is configured to receive and to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine. The auxiliary assembly includes an oil cooler 240 supported on the frame. The oil cooler 240 is configured to receive and cool the lubricating oil for supply to the engine. An associated machine arrangement is also disclosed. The embodiment id a cogenerator comprising the engine 104 and a generator 106. Locating the engine remotely from the auxiliary assembly limits the effect of engine vibrations on the parts on the auxiliary assembly.

Description

AUXILIARY ASSEMBLY FOR ENGINE

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to a machine having an engine, and more particularly relates to an auxiliary assembly for the engine.

Background [0002] Power sources, such as a generator set, are generally used for generation of electric power. Such a power source includes an engine and a power conversion device, such as a generator, to generate electric power. Typically, the engine and the power conversion device are compactly arranged on a common base frame in such machines. The engine requires various associated components for carrying out different functions. Such components include turbocharges, aftercoolers, and the like. The components may not be easily accessible during maintenance or servicing. Further, various parts of the engine may also be difficult to access. Moreover, the engine may generate vibrations during operation. Such vibrations may have a detrimental effect on the associated components.

[0003] WO Publication Number 2010/076383 (the ’383 publication) discloses a turbocharged piston engine including an engine block, a bracket mounted on the engine block and at least one coolant pump for circulating cooling liquid in a cooling circuit of the engine. The bracket comprises an air casing for pressurised charge air, in which air casing a cooler for charge air is arranged. Further, the bracket comprises a pump module, in which the coolant pump is arranged.

Summary of the Disclosure [0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an auxiliary assembly for an engine is provided. The auxiliary assembly includes a frame coupled to a base. The frame is spaced apart from the engine by a predetermined distance. The auxiliary assembly further includes a gas mixer supported on the frame. The gas mixer is configured to receive an air and a gaseous fuel. The gas mixer is further configured to mix the air and the gaseous fuel to form an air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly further includes a turbocharger configured to receive the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer. The turbocharger is also configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly further includes an aftercooler supported on the frame. The aftercooler is configured to receive the pressurized air-fuel mixture from the turbocharger. The after cooler is also configured to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine. The auxiliary assembly also includes an oil cooler supported on the frame. The oil cooler is configured to receive a lubricating oil from the engine. The oil cooler is also configured to cool the lubricating oil for supply to the engine.

[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a base. The machine further includes an engine disposed on the base. The machine further includes an auxiliary assembly disposed on the base. The auxiliary assembly includes a frame coupled to a base. The frame is spaced apart from the engine by a predetermined distance. The auxiliary assembly further includes a gas mixer supported on the frame. The gas mixer is configured to receive an air and a gaseous fuel. The gas mixer is further configured to mix the air and the gaseous fuel to form an air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly further includes a turbocharger configured to receive the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer. The turbocharger is also configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture. The auxiliary assembly also includes an aftercooler supported on the frame. The aftercooler is configured to receive the pressurized air-fuel mixture from the turbocharger. The after cooler is also configured to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine. The auxiliary assembly further includes an oil cooler supported on the frame. The oil cooler is configured to receive a lubricating oil from the engine. The oil cooler is also configured to cool the lubricating oil for supply to the engine.

[0006] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary machine having an engine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0008] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the auxiliary assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0009] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a damper assembly of the engine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description [0010] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a machine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The machine 100 includes an engine 104 and a generator 106 drivably coupled to the engine 104. The engine 104 may be an internal combustion engine which runs on diesel, gasoline, gaseous fuels or a combination thereof. The engine 104 may be a V-type engine with a first cylinder hank and a second cylinder bank on opposing sides of the machine 100. The first cylinder bank may include multiple first cylinders. The second cylinder bank may include four second cylinders on opposing side of the machine 100. The engine 104 may include a crankcase disposed adjacent to the first and second cylinder banks. However, the engine 104 may be of any other configuration such as inline, radial or the like. It should also be noted that the number of cylinders, the number of cylinder banks, and their arrangements in the engine 104 are not restricted to the above configuration.

[0012] The generator 106 is drivably coupled to the engine 104 for receiving a power therefrom. The generator 106 is configured to convert the power received from the engine 104 into electric power. The electric power may be used for various purposes, such as telecommunication systems and commercial outlets. The generator 106 may be an AC generator, a DC generator or any other type of electric generators known in the art. The machine 100 may be configured to supply electric power in locations where utility power is not available or when backup electric power is required. Specifically, in applications, such as telecommunications, hospitals and data processing centers, the machine 100 may be permanently installed on a ground surface near the respective locations.

[0013] Though in the illustrated embodiment, the engine 104 is shown to power the generator 106, it may be contemplated that the engine 104 may alternatively or additionally provide power to various other devices (not shown), such as a transmission system, a hydraulic pump, and the like [0014] The machine 100 further includes a base 116. The engine 104 is disposed on the base 116. Further, the base 116 may be configured to support the generator 106. The generator 106 is disposed proximal to a first end 120 of the base 116. The engine 104 and the generator 106 may be coupled to the base 116 via various other methods, for example, welding, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and the like. The base 116 further includes multiple first supports 118. Each of the first supports 118 may be configured to dampen vibrations generated during operation of the machine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 116 is disposed on a ground. In an alternate embodiment, the base 116 may be coupled to a chassis (not shown) of a vehicle.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine 100 further includes an auxiliary assembly 200. The auxiliary assembly 200 is disposed at a second end 124 distal to the first end 120 of the base 116. Further, the engine 104 is disposed between the auxiliary assembly 200 and the generator 106. The auxiliary assembly 200 includes a frame 202 coupled to the base 116. The frame 202 is configured to support various components of the auxiliary assembly 200. The auxiliary assembly 200 is disposed on the base 116 at a predetermined distance “Dl” (shown in FIG. 3) from the engine 104. Specifically, the frame 202 is spaced apart from the engine 104 by the predetermined distance “Dl”. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance “Dl” corresponds to a length between an end 219 of the frame 202 and an end 222 of the engine 104.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a gas mixer 214 supported on the frame 202. The gas mixer 214 is configured to receive an air and a gaseous fuel. The gas mixer 214 is configured to receive a flow of the air from an air inlet conduit 218. The air inlet conduit 218 is at least partly disposed on the base 116 of the machine 100 and is fluidly coupled to the gas mixer 214. The air inlet conduit 218 is further disposed in communication with a surrounding of the machine 100. The air inlet conduit 218 may receive a flow of the air from the surrounding and transfer to the gas mixer 214. The air inlet conduit 218 is disposed between the first end 120 of the base 116 and an end 222 of the engine 104. Further, the gas mixer 214 is configured to receive a flow of gaseous fuel from a gas supply conduit 220. The gas supply conduit 220 may receive the gaseous fuel from a reservoir (not shown) and is configured to supply the gaseous fuel to the gas mixer 214. The gas supply conduit 220 may be coupled to the gas mixer 214 via a hydraulic coupling.

[0017] The gas mixer 214 is further configured to mix the flow of the air and the flow of the gaseous fuel passing therethrough. The gas mixer 214 is further configured to form an air-fuel mixture thereafter. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a turbocharger 224 disposed in fluid communication with the gas mixer 214. The turbocharger 224 is placed above the gas mixer 214 on the frame 202. The turbocharger 224 is configured to receive a flow of air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer 214. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a mixer transfer conduit 216. The mixer transfer conduit 216 receives the flow of the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer 214 and supplies the flow of the air-fuel mixture to the turbocharger 224.

[0018] The turbocharger 224 may be coupled to an exhaust gas supply conduit. The exhaust gas supply conduit 226 may receive a flow of exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold of the engine 104 and supply the exhaust gas to the turbocharger 224. The turbocharger 224 may include a turbine in fluid communication with the exhaust gas supply conduit. The flow of exhaust gas may rotate the turbine. Further, the turbine may be drivably coupled to a compressor. The compressor may operate based on an actuation of the turbine. The compressor may be disposed in fluid communication with the gas mixer 214.

[0019] The turbocharger 224 receives the flow of the air-fuel mixture and is configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture passing therethrough to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture. Specifically, the compressor may be configured to increase the pressure of the air-fuel mixture during operation of the machine 100. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes an exhaust member 228. The exhaust member 228 is disposed in communication with the turbocharger 224. The exhaust member 228 may receive the exhaust gas from the turbine of the turbocharger 224.

[0020] The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes an aftercooler 232 supported on the frame 202. The aftercooler 232 is positioned downstream of the turbocharger 224. The aftercooler 232 is coupled to the turbocharger 224 via a hose 233. The aftercooler 232 is configured to receive the pressurized air-fuel mixture from the turbocharger 224 and cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine 104. The aftercooler 232 may receive a flow of a heat exchanging fluid from a first fluid conduit and supply a heated flow of the heat exchanging fluid to a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit may receive the flow of heat exchanging fluid at a predetermined temperature from a source. The source may be a heat exchanger, a pump, or the like. The heat exchanging fluid may be configured to exchange heat with the pressurized air-fuel mixture and thus cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine 104.

[0021] The auxiliary assembly 200 includes a mixture supply conduit 238 in fluid communication with the aftercooler 232. The mixture supply conduit 238 receives a flow of the cooled air-fuel mixture from the aftercooler 232 and is configured to supply the cooled air-fuel mixture to the engine 104. The auxiliary assembly 200 may include a pair of mixture transfer conduits configured to supply the cooled air-fuel mixture to the first and second cylinder banks.

[0022] The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes an oil cooler 240 supported on the frame 202. The oil cooler 240 is configured to cool a lubricating oil received from the engine 104. The oil cooler 240 may be any known heat exchanging unit configured to cool the lubrication oil to a predetermined temperature. The oil cooler 240 may include a fluid circuit disposed inside a housing of the oil cooler 240. The fluid circuit may be configured to cool the lubricating oil. The oil cooler 240 may receive a flow of the coolant configured to exchange heat with the lubricating oil and cool the lubricating oil. The oil cooler 240 may receive a flow of the coolant from an engine cooling system (not shown). The auxiliary assembly 200 may further include a coolant inlet conduit configured to receive the coolant from the engine cooling system and supply the flow of coolant to the oil cooler 240. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a coolant outlet conduit configured to receive a flow of a heated coolant from the oil cooler 240. The coolant outlet conduit may supply the heated coolant to the engine cooling system.

[0023] The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes an oil inlet conduit 244 and an oil outlet conduit 246 fluidly coupled with the engine 104 and the oil cooler 240. The oil inlet conduit 244 receives the flow of the lubricating oil from the engine 104 and is further configured to supply the flow of lubricating oil to the oil cooler 240. Further, the oil outlet conduit 246 receives a flow of cooled lubricating oil at the predetermined temperature and is configured to supply the cooled lubricating oil to the engine 104. The predetermined temperature of the lubricating oil in the oil outlet conduit 246 may be less than a temperature of the lubricating oil in the oil inlet conduit 244.

[0024] The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes a crankcase ventilation unit 248. The crankcase ventilation unit 248 is disposed adjacent to the aftercooler 232 and is proximal to the second end 124 of the base 116. The crankcase ventilation unit 248 is configured to receive a flow of a gas from the crankcase 130 of the engine 104. The crankcase ventilation unit 248 may receive the flow of gas from a crankcase inlet conduit. The crankcase ventilation unit 248 is further configured to ventilate the flow of gas passing therethrough. In an example, the crankcase ventilation unit 248 may separate an oil from the gas obtained from the crankcase 130. The crankcase ventilation unit 248 may be disposed in fluid communication with a crankcase outlet conduit. The crankcase outlet conduit may be configured to receive a flow of the ventilated gas from the crankcase ventilation unit 248 and supply the flow of ventilated gas to the mixture transfer conduit. Further, the auxiliary assembly 200 includes an Electronic Control Unit box (ECU) 252. The ECU box 252 is configured to encase various electronic components (for example a controller) that control various functions of the machine 100.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary frame 202 coupled to the base 116 of the machine 100 is illustrated. The frame 202 further includes multiple second supports 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 202 includes four such second supports 206. The second supports 206 are disposed on the base 116 of the machine 100. Each of the second supports 206 further defines an aperture 207. The auxiliary assembly 200 further includes multiple fasteners 212. Each of the fasteners 212 is configured to be received within a corresponding aperture 207 of the second supports 206. The fasteners 212 may pass through the second supports 206 to couple the frame 202 with the base 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners 212 are bolts. However, in various alternate embodiments, the frame 202 may be coupled to the base 116 via various other methods, such as welding, other types of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and the like.

[0026] The frame 202 further includes a first support portion 203 proximal to the base 116 and a second support portion 204 distal to the base 116. The frame 202 further includes a first supporting member 208 coupled to the first and second support portions 203, 204. The first supporting member 208 is proximal to the second end 124 of the base 116. The frame 202 also includes a second supporting member 210 coupled to the first and second support portions 203, 204. The second supporting member 210 is distal to the second end 124 of the base 116. The first support portion 203, the second support portion 204, the first supporting member 208 and the second supporting member 210 define a cavity 205 therebetween. The oil cooler 240 of the auxiliary assembly 200 is disposed within the cavity 205. The first support portion 203 is configured to support the oil cooler 240. The oil cooler 240 may be coupled to the first support portion 203 via one or more fasteners (not shown). In various alternate embodiments, the oil cooler 240 may be coupled to the first support portion 203 of the frame 202 via various other methods, such as, welding, adhesives and the like.

[0027] Further, the second support portion 204 is configured to support the aftercooler 232 of the auxiliary assembly 200. The aftercooler 232 may be coupled to the second support portion 204 via bolts. However, in various alternate embodiments, the aftercooler 232 may be coupled to the first support portion 203 via various other methods, such as welding, other types of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the ECU box 252 is supported on the second support portion 204 on a rear side of the machine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankcase ventilation unit 248 is disposed adjacent to the ECU box 252. The crankcase ventilation unit may be supported on the frame 202 via brackets (not shown). Further, the various conduits described earlier may also be supported on the frame 202 via one more brackets.

Industrial Applicability [0028] The present disclosure relates to the auxiliary assembly 200 for the engine 104. The auxiliary assembly 200 includes the gas mixer 214, the turbocharger 224, the aftercooler 232 and the oil cooler 240 supported on the frame 202. The frame 202 is coupled to the base 116 of the machine 100 and is spaced apart from the engine 104 by the predetermined distance “Dl”. Hence, the auxiliary assembly 200 is placed separately from the engine 104. Moreover, the auxiliary assembly 200 may be positioned at various positions relative to the engine 104. The auxiliary assembly 200 may include various other components of the engine 104, such as the ECU box 252, the exhaust member 228 supported on the frame 202. The auxiliary assembly 200 may provide a compact design to support the various components associated with the engine 104. The various conduits such as the air inlet conduit 218, the oil outlet conduits 246, and the exhaust gas supply conduit 226 may be connected to the respective components and arranged in a compact configuration. Further, since the auxiliary assembly 200 is placed separately from the engine 104, vibrations transferred to the various components may be at least partly reduced. Further, the various components of the auxiliary assembly 200 may be conveniently and quickly accessed during servicing and/or maintenance without any interference from the engine 104.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the engine 104 further includes a damper assembly 144 of the crankcase 130. The damper assembly 144 includes a torsional damper 146. The damper assembly 144 further includes a number of studs 150. The studs 150 are configured to couple the torsional damper 146 of the damper assembly 144 with the crankcase assembly 130 of the engine 104. The damper assembly 144 is spaced apart from the auxiliary assembly 200 to define a space 160 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the damper assembly is spaced apart from the frame 202 by the distance ‘Dl’. The space 160 may be configured to quickly and easily disassemble the torsional damper 146 during maintenance and/or servicing. The mixture transfer conduits may be removed (as shown in FIG. 3) to gain access to the torque damper. The torsional damper 146 may be disassembled by a tool, such as torque spanner. The tool may be received within the space 160 to disassemble the torque spanner.

[0030] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary assembly for an engine, the auxiliary assembly comprising: a frame coupled to a base, the frame being spaced apart from the engine by a predetermined distance; a gas mixer supported on the frame, the gas mixer configured to receive an air and a gaseous fuel, the gas mixer further configured to mix the air and the gaseous fuel to form an air-fuel mixture; a turbocharger configured to receive the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer, the turbocharger further configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture; an aftercooler supported on the frame, the aftercooler configured to receive the pressurized air-fuel mixture from the turbocharger, the after cooler further configured to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine; and an oil cooler supported on the frame, the oil cooler configured to receive a lubricating oil from the engine, the oil cooler further configured to cool the lubricating oil for supply to the engine.

2. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the frame to the base.

3. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) box supported on the frame.

4. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising an exhaust member configured to receive an exhaust from the turbocharger.

5. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising a crankcase ventilation unit configured to receive a gas from a crankcase of the engine, the crankcase ventilation unit further configured to ventilate the gas received from the crankcase.

6. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising a gas supply conduit in fluid communication with the gas mixer, the gas supply conduit configured to receive the gaseous fuel and supply the gaseous fuel to the gas mixer.

7. The auxiliary assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mixture supply conduit in fluid communication with the aftercooler, the mixture supply conduit configured to supply the cooled air-fuel mixture to the engine.

8. A machine comprising: a base; an engine disposed on the base; and an auxiliary assembly disposed on the base, the auxiliary assembly comprising: a frame coupled to a base, the frame being spaced apart from the engine by a predetermined distance; a gas mixer supported on the frame, the gas mixer configured to receive an air and a gaseous fuel, the gas mixer further configured to mix the air and the gaseous fuel to form an air-fuel mixture; a turbocharger configured to receive the air-fuel mixture from the gas mixer, the turbocharger further configured to increase a pressure of the air-fuel mixture to form a pressurized air-fuel mixture; an aftercooler supported on the frame, the aftercooler configured to receive the pressurized air-fuel mixture from the turbocharger, the after cooler further configured to cool the pressurized air-fuel mixture for supply to the engine; and an oil cooler supported on the frame, the oil cooler configured to receive a lubricating oil from the engine, the oil cooler further configured to cool the lubricating oil for supply to the engine.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to couple the frame to the base.

10. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) box supported on the frame.

11. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises an exhaust member configured to receive an exhaust from the turbocharger.

12. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises a crankcase ventilation unit configured to receive a gas from a crankcase of the engine, the crankcase ventilation unit further configured to ventilate the gas.

13. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises a gas supply conduit in fluid communication with the gas mixer, the gas supply conduit configured to receive the gaseous fuel and supply the gaseous fuel to the gas mixer.

14. The machine of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary assembly further comprises a mixture supply conduit in fluid communication with the aftercooler, the mixture supply conduit configured to supply the cooled air-fuel mixture to the engine.

15. A machine of claim 8 further comprising a generator drivably coupled to the engine, wherein the engine is disposed between the auxiliary assembly and the generator.