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Engine inlet air cooling system and method

a technology of cooling system and engine, which is applied in ventilation system, lighting and heating apparatus, heating type, etc., can solve the problems of reducing engine efficiency, ice crystal formation at high levels, and requiring additional work to compress higher temperature air

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-06-26
CATERPILLAR INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for cooling the inlet air of an engine by compressing the air and transferring heat from it to a primary coolant liquid. Various embodiments of the system include a coolant heat exchanger, an inlet air heat exchanger, and a fuel cooled heat exchanger, which selectively transfer heat from the coolant liquid to the fuel of the engine. The technical effects of the patent are improved engine performance and fuel efficiency through selective cooling of the inlet air.

Problems solved by technology

Compressing higher temperature air requires additional work.
Driving a turbine in the exhaust stream to drive a compression device in a second or subsequent compression stage, causes additional parasitic exhaust gas pumping, resulting in decreased engine efficiency.
However, if the inlet air has a high enough level of humidity, high levels of cooling may create ice crystals.
If passed through some compressors, the ice crystals may cause damage.

Method used

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  • Engine inlet air cooling system and method
  • Engine inlet air cooling system and method
  • Engine inlet air cooling system and method

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Embodiment Construction

[0012]Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used, when possible, to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

[0013]Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an air inlet system 100 is illustrated. The air inlet system 100 includes a first compressor 102 configured to pressurize inlet air, and a second compressor 104 configured to further pressurize the inlet air. The air inlet system 100 provides compressed air to an engine 140. In one embodiment, the engine 140 may include an internal combustion engine with an intake manifold 142. In the internal combustion engine embodiment, the first and second compressors 102, 104 may be compressors of a twin compressor turbocharger or supercharger. Alternatively, the first and second compressors 102, 104 may be compressors in a series arrangement of turbochargers or superchar...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method of cooling inlet air to an engine includes pressurizing the inlet air during a first compression stage, and further pressurizing the inlet air during a second compression stage. Heat is transferred from the inlet air to a primary coolant liquid between the first compression stage and the second compression stage, and heat is transferred selectively, variably, or selectively and variably from the primary coolant liquid to a fuel of the engine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to engine inlet air cooling systems. Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention relates to an inlet air cooling system with a first compressor, a second compressor, and a cooling circuit.BACKGROUND[0002]Compressing engine inlet air in two or more compression stages may benefit the efficiency of the combustion process of an internal combustion engine by driving more air into the combustion cylinder. Denser inlet air may also assist in meeting some governmental engine emission regulations. Compared to inlet air passing through just one compression stage, inlet air passing through two or more compression stages, may have a significantly higher temperature. Compressing higher temperature air requires additional work. Driving a turbine in the exhaust stream to drive a compression device in a second or subsequent compression stage, causes additional parasitic exhaust gas pumping, resulting in decreased engine efficien...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F28F27/00
CPCF28F27/00F02B29/0412F02B29/0443F02M21/06Y02T10/12Y02T10/30
Inventor FIVELAND, SCOTT B.CALLAS, JAMES J.
Owner CATERPILLAR INC