Engine system with coolant collector support between cylinder head and EGR cooler

Abstract

An internal combustion engine system (10) is provided, comprising a cylinder block (12), a cylinder head (14) attached to the cylinder block (12), an EGR cooler (16), and a coolant collector bracket (18). The cylinder head (14) includes a plurality of coolant passages. The coolant collector bracket (18) is coupled to the cylinder head (14) and the EGR cooler (16) and is located between the cylinder head (14) and the EGR cooler (16). The coolant collector bracket (18) includes a plurality of coolant inlets (43) of a plurality of outlets (34) directly coupled to the plurality of coolant passages of the cylinder head (14). The coolant collector bracket (18) also includes an EGR coolant outlet (36) directly coupled to an inlet of the EGR cooler (16). The coolant collector bracket (18) also includes an EGR cooler (16) inlet directly coupled to an outlet of the EGR cooler (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an engine system, and more specifically to an engine system having a coolant collector associated with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler. Background Technology

[0002] Internal combustion engines are typically liquid-cooled. A conventional coolant system for an internal combustion engine may include a coolant pump that pumps coolant into a coolant jacket within the engine block. The coolant then flows longitudinally through a portion of the coolant jacket surrounding the engine cylinders. The engine cylinders are cooled by coolant through passages located in or adjacent to the cylinder walls. The coolant may then flow into a water jacket in one or more cylinder heads to cool cylinder head components such as injectors and valves before exiting the engine. The coolant system may also include several other components such as a radiator, thermostat, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, aftercooler, and oil cooler.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 7,516,737 (“737 Patent”) discloses an internal combustion engine having a cooling system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The EGR system includes an EGR heat exchanger or cooler having a coolant inlet opening connected to a coolant outlet opening of the engine for receiving coolant therefrom. The engine further includes a coolant collection rail mounted to the engine and having a coolant inlet opening connected to the EGR heat exchanger, and at least one other coolant inlet opening in direct communication with at least one other coolant outlet opening of the engine. The cooling system of the 737 Patent may have disadvantages in one or more aspects of manufacture, assembly, cooling, and performance in use.

[0004] The system disclosed below can solve one or more of the problems described above and / or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and not by its ability to solve any particular problem. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an internal combustion engine system is provided, comprising a cylinder block; a cylinder head attached to the cylinder block; an EGR cooler; and a coolant collector bracket. The cylinder head includes a plurality of coolant passages. The coolant collector bracket is coupled to the cylinder head and the EGR cooler and is located between the cylinder head and the EGR cooler. The coolant collector bracket includes a plurality of coolant inlets that are directly coupled to the plurality of coolant passages of the cylinder head and to a plurality of outlets. The coolant collector bracket also includes an EGR coolant outlet that is directly coupled to an inlet of the EGR cooler. The coolant collector bracket also includes an EGR coolant inlet that is directly coupled to an outlet of the EGR cooler.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, an internal combustion engine system is provided, comprising a cylinder block, a cylinder head, an EGR cooler, and a coolant collector bracket. The cylinder head is vertically attached to the cylinder block and includes a plurality of coolant passages. The EGR cooler includes a plurality of mounting posts. The coolant collector bracket is directly coupled to the cylinder head and the EGR cooler and is located between the cylinder head and the EGR cooler. The coolant collector bracket is aligned to vertically support the EGR cooler. The coolant collector bracket includes a first internal channel for directly receiving coolant from a plurality of outlets of the plurality of coolant passages in the cylinder head. The coolant collector bracket also includes a second internal channel for directly communicating coolant to the cylinder block. The coolant collector bracket is directly connected to the EGR cooler at the plurality of mounting posts.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for guiding coolant flow through an internal combustion engine system is provided. The internal combustion engine system includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head attached to the cylinder block, an EGR cooler, and a coolant collector bracket connected to and between the cylinder head and the EGR cooler. The method includes directly supplying coolant through multiple outlets of multiple coolant passages in the cylinder head and into multiple coolant inlets of the coolant collector bracket. The method further includes moving coolant through the multiple coolant inlets and into a first internal coolant passage of the coolant collector bracket. The method also includes guiding coolant upstream through an EGR coolant outlet of the coolant collector bracket and into an inlet of the EGR cooler. The method further includes causing coolant to flow downstream from an outlet of the EGR cooler and into a second internal coolant passage of the coolant collector bracket to supply coolant to the cylinder block. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and together with the specification serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an engine system including an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the engine system, with the exhaust manifold removed;

[0011] Figure 3 It is the coolant that passes through Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary flow path for an engine system;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A front view of the coolant collector bracket of the engine system;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Rear view of the coolant collector bracket;

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Top view of the coolant collector bracket;

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the coolant collector bracket;

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the internal channels of the coolant collector bracket;

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Partial perspective view of the coolant collector bracket and cross-pipe of the engine system;

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 A front (side view) view of the gasket of the coolant collector bracket;

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Rear (engine side) view of the gasket;

[0020] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 A bottom view of the washer; and

[0021] Figure 13 It is shown Figure 1 A partial exploded view of the components of the engine system. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and not intended to limit the claimed features. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, in this invention, relative terms such as “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% in the stated values.

[0023] refer to Figure 1-2An exemplary embodiment of an internal combustion engine system 10 (such as a diesel engine) is shown. Engine system 10 can power various types of applications and / or machines. For example, engine system 10 can power marine and military engines and / or machines such as off-highway trucks, railway locomotives, or earthmoving machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, dump trucks, backhoe excavators, motorized graders, material handling machines, etc. The term "machine" can also refer to stationary equipment, such as a generator driven by engine system 10 to generate electricity.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the engine system 10 includes a cylinder block 12 as known in the art, a cylinder head 14 attached to the top of the cylinder block 12, an EGR cooler 16, a coolant collector bracket 18, and an exhaust manifold 20. The cylinder block 12, cylinder head 14, EGR cooler 16, and exhaust manifold can have any suitable design, such as an inline or V-type engine, any number of cylinders, and any fuel type (diesel, gasoline, and / or gaseous fuel). For ease of explanation, reference will be made to an inline six-cylinder diesel engine hereinafter. To better observe the coolant collector bracket 18, Figure 2 The engine system 10 with the exhaust manifold 20 removed is shown. With the exhaust manifold 20 removed, individual cylinder exhaust passages 15 are visible. The cylinder block 12 and cylinder head 14 may also include multiple internal coolant passages or reservoirs (not shown) as part of a coolant circuit for cooling the engine system 10. The coolant circuit can take any suitable form and may include, for example, a coolant reservoir, one or more coolant pumps, and a radiator or similar device (not shown).

[0025] The EGR cooler 16 forms part of the EGR flow path and includes a generally cylindrical heat exchanger with an EGR inlet end 17 and an outlet end 19. The EGR cooler 16 can be any suitable type, such as a parallel tube or parallel flow heat exchanger with a coolant inlet at one end and a coolant outlet at the opposite end. In some embodiments, the EGR cooler 16 can have a rectangular, elliptical, and / or asymmetrical shape. As will be explained in more detail below, the EGR cooler 16 may include a plurality of mounting posts 30 for connecting the EGR cooler 16 to the top of the coolant collector support 18. The EGR cooler 16 may include four mounting posts 30, in... Figure 1 and 2 Only two of them can be seen in the image.

[0026] Figure 3 An end view of the engine system 10 is schematically shown. As shown, the coolant collector bracket 18 can be fixed to one side of the cylinder head 14, and the EGR cooler 16 is fixed to the top of the coolant collector bracket 18. Figure 3The coolant path via the coolant collector bracket 18 and the EGR cooler 16 is also shown. For example, arrow 110 illustrates the coolant flow from cylinder head 14 to cylinder block 12, showing the top-down flow of coolant from cylinder head 14 to cylinder block 12; arrow 102 depicts the coolant flow from cylinder head 14 to coolant collector bracket 18; arrow 104 illustrates the coolant flow from coolant collector bracket 18 to the EGR cooler; arrow 106 illustrates the coolant flow from the EGR cooler 16 back to coolant collector bracket 18; and arrow 108 illustrates the coolant flow from coolant collector bracket 18 back to cylinder block 12. In an exemplary embodiment, coolant in coolant collector bracket 18 flows to a cast collector rail (not shown) in cylinder block 12. This collector rail is a cylinder block configured to receive coolant from coolant collector bracket 18.

[0027] Figure 4-8 A separate coolant collector bracket 18, removed from engine system 10, is shown. (Reference) Figure 4 The coolant collector bracket 18 includes a longitudinally extending body 80, a plurality of mounting members or mounting legs 31, and an outlet leg (e.g., an arm) 39. The body 80 is mounted to the cylinder head 14 in a generally horizontal orientation and includes a longitudinal length approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the EGR cooler 16. The body 80 may include a top 82 and a bottom 84, to which the EGR cooler 16 may be directly secured, and the mounting legs 31 extend from the bottom 84. (Reference) Figure 6 The top 82 of the coolant collector bracket 18 is generally planar and may include a pair of EGR coolant mounts 86, an EGR coolant outlet 36, and an EGR coolant inlet 38. Each mount 86 may be similarly configured, with one mount 87 located at the front end 91 of the coolant collector bracket 18 and the other mount 89 located at the rear end 93 of the coolant collector bracket 18, but not as rearward as the outlet leg 39. The mounts 86 may each extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the body portion 80 from the front and rear sides. Each mount 86 may project from the side of the body portion 80 to form the widest extent of the coolant collector bracket 18. The mounts 86 further include a pair of fastener connectors 50 (e.g., threaded or unthreaded bolt receiving holes) at the longitudinal ends of the mounts 86, and such fastener connectors 50 may be positioned with the EGR cooler 16 ( Figure 1 The mounting posts 30 are aligned and fitted. The mounting posts 30 allow the use of standard coolant face seals and provide a more robust attachment between the EGR cooler 16 and the coolant collector bracket 18.

[0028] The EGR coolant outlet 36 can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the front mount 87 and generally centered between the fastener connectors 50 of the front mount 87. Similarly, the EGR coolant inlet 38 of the coolant collector bracket 18 can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the rear mount 89 and generally centered between the fastener connectors 50 of the rear mount 89. Furthermore, the EGR coolant outlet 36 and the EGR coolant inlet 38 are generally aligned with each other along the longitudinal direction of the body 80. The EGR coolant outlet 36 and the EGR coolant inlet 38 are also positioned to align with the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of the EGR cooler 16 (not shown), respectively.

[0029] A suitable fluid sealing system may be provided at one or both of the EGR coolant outlet 36 and EGR coolant inlet 38 of the coolant collector bracket 18 to provide a sealable connection to the coolant inlet and outlet of the EGR cooler 16. For example, the EGR coolant outlet 36 and EGR coolant inlet 38 may include O-rings and / or other suitable seals. In one arrangement, such as Figure 6 In the arrangement shown, the seals between the EGR coolant outlet 36 and the EGR coolant inlet 38 can be different, such as a radial O-ring seal at the EGR coolant outlet 36 and a face seal 103 at the EGR coolant inlet 38. Such different seals can lead to possible misalignment between the flow connection between the EGR cooler 16 and the coolant collector support 18. Furthermore, the coolant inlet of the EGR cooler 16 may include a short tube configured to insert into a recess 105 formed in the EGR coolant outlet 36 of the coolant collector support 18, and such a short tube may be omitted from the coolant outlet of the EGR cooler 16.

[0030] like Figure 4 and 5 As best shown, the coolant collector bracket 18 may include three mounting legs 31. For example, the coolant collector bracket 18 may include a front mounting leg 33, a middle mounting leg 35, and a rear mounting leg 37. The middle mounting leg 35 may be positioned closer to the rear end 93 of the coolant collector bracket 18 such that the distance or gap between the front mounting leg 33 and the middle mounting leg 35 is greater than the distance or gap between the middle mounting leg 35 and the rear mounting leg 37. Further, the rear mounting leg 37 may be located in front of the outlet leg 39. It should be understood that the coolant collector bracket 18 may include more or fewer mounting legs 31, and the mounting legs 31 may be located in positions different from those shown in the figure.

[0031] Each mounting leg 31 may include multiple fastener connectors for connecting the coolant collector bracket 18 to the cylinder head 14. The fastener connectors may be similarly arranged on each mounting leg 31. (See reference) Figure 4 Along with the front mounting leg 33, the fastener connectors may include a top fastener connector 53 and a bottom fastener connector 55. The top fastener connector 53 may be located near the engagement or transition between the body portion 80 and the front mounting leg 33. The top fastener connector 53 may include a generally circular, threaded, or unthreaded opening that extends laterally through the front mounting leg 33 from the front surface to the rear surface. It should be understood that the top fastener connector 53 may have a shape other than circular. The bottom fastener connector 55 may be located at the furthest end of the front mounting leg 33 and may include a circular opening including a bottom gap or slot 57 extending through the bottommost surface of the front mounting leg 33. Utilizing this bottom slot 57, the bottom fastener connector 55 may form a generally C-shape. As will be discussed in more detail below, the bottom fastener connector 55 (and the corresponding bottom fastener connectors for the other mounting legs 31) facilitates the mounting of the coolant collector bracket 18 to the cylinder head 14. The top and bottom fastener connectors 53 and 55 are sized and configured to receive appropriate fasteners, such as cylinder head fasteners (e.g., cylinder head bolts) 52 (included in...). Figure 4 and 5 (Among the middle mounting leg 35 and rear mounting leg 37). As described above, each mounting leg 31 may be provided with the same mounting connector arrangement as the front mounting leg 33 described above. However, it should be understood that different arrangements may be conceived for the front mounting leg 33 or any other mounting leg 31.

[0032] refer to Figure 5 The rear side of the mounting legs 31, along with the front mounting legs 33, can be arranged generally similarly and includes a generally flat mounting surface 41 and a coolant inlet 43. The mounting surfaces 41 of each mounting leg 31 are generally coplanar and form the final extent of the coolant collector bracket 18. The coolant inlet 43 can be located between the top and bottom fastener connectors 53 and 55, generally above the longitudinal midpoint of the mounting leg 31. The coolant inlet 43 is positioned aligned with the coolant outlet 34 of the cylinder head 14. Figure 13 The distance between each coolant inlet 43 can vary substantially based on the location of the mounting legs 31 and the distance between the mounting legs 31. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the distance between the coolant inlet 43 of the front mounting leg 33 and the coolant inlet 43 of each of the other mounting legs 31 can be different.

[0033] Figure 5The intermediate mounting leg 35 and the rear mounting leg 37 are shown, with a washer 58 mounted to the flat mounting surface 41 of the mounting leg 31. Details of the mounting washer 58 are shown in... Figure 10-12 This is further illustrated in the text. Specifically, Figure 10 A front view of washer 58 is shown. Figure 11 A rear view of washer 58 is shown. (As shown) Figure 5 As shown, washer 58 is securely fastened to mounting leg 31 of coolant collector bracket 18. Figure 12 As shown, each washer 58 is sized and shaped to snap onto the surface of the corresponding mounting leg 31. The washers 58 are configured to directly engage with the first side 26 of the cylinder head 14. Figure 10 and 11 As shown, each gasket 58 includes a corresponding coolant inlet 43. Figure 5 The entrance opening is 60.

[0034] like Figure 10-12 As shown, each washer 58 includes a pair of laterally extending flanges 68 that engage the surface edges of the corresponding mounting leg 31. In an exemplary embodiment, the washer 58 is made of a metallic material. Figure 13 As shown, the cylinder head 14 includes a plurality of bottom fasteners 66 (e.g., bolts) positioned along the bottom edge of the first side 26. The cylinder head 14 also includes a plurality of bracket connection openings 70 configured to receive cylinder head fasteners 52 associated with corresponding mounting legs 31.

[0035] Return to reference Figure 4-6 The outlet leg (e.g., arm) 39 is generally L-shaped, extending from the rear end 93 of the coolant collector support 18. The outlet leg 39 includes a protrusion forming a seat (e.g., fin) 54 extending upward from the outlet leg 39, such that the seat 54 projects laterally from the top side 48. The outlet leg 39 includes a distal end 45 coupled to a crosspipe 56. The distal end 45 of the outlet leg 39 extends generally orthogonally from the body portion 80, and the seat 54 is perpendicularly aligned with the crosspipe 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the crosspipe 56 includes an O-ring seal 49. Figure 9 The connection between the coolant collector bracket 18 and the cylinder block 12 is shown. Specifically, during the assembly of the engine system 10, the cross-connector 56 that connects the coolant collector bracket 18 to the cylinder block 12 provides flexibility to allow for angular misalignment between the coolant collector bracket 18 and the cylinder block 12.

[0036] The coolant collector support 18 includes multiple internal flow channels or conduits. Figure 4 The dashed arrows depict the coolant flow through the coolant collector bracket 18. Specifically, as... Figure 4As shown, the distal end 45 of the outlet leg 39 is fluidly connected to the EGR coolant inlet 38 of the coolant collector bracket 18. Further, Figure 7 and 8 A longitudinal section of the coolant collector bracket 18 is provided, showing the internal flow channels or conduits of the coolant collector bracket. As shown, the coolant collector bracket 18 includes two separate internal coolant channels 40, 42. EGR cooler 16 ( Figure 1 The cylinder head 14 has two separate internal coolant passages 40 and 42 in fluid communication. The first internal coolant passage 40 is in fluid communication with the coolant passage of the cylinder head 14. Specifically, the first internal coolant passage 40 receives coolant directly from the outlet 34 of the coolant passage of the cylinder head 14 and delivers the coolant to the EGR cooler 16. The second internal coolant passage 42 is in fluid communication with the cylinder block 12. Specifically, the second internal coolant passage 42 guides the coolant received from the EGR cooler 16 into the cylinder block 12.

[0037] Industrial applicability

[0038] The disclosed features and systems can be used in any suitable engine system with a liquid cooling system and can promote the flow of coolant within such engine system.

[0039] See again Figure 1 and 2 The coolant collector bracket 18 is mounted on a generally vertical surface of the cylinder head 14. Specifically, as... Figure 13 As best shown, the cylinder head 14 includes a first end 22, a second end 24 opposite to the first end 22, a first side 26 extending between the first end 22 and the second end 24, and a second side 28 opposite to the first side 26 and extending between the first end 22 and the second end 24. Both the first side 26 and the second side 28 of the cylinder head 14 have a length substantially much longer than the corresponding lengths of the first end 22 and the second end 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the coolant collector bracket 18 is positioned generally parallel to the first side 26 of the cylinder head 14 and generally orthogonal to the EGR cooler 16. Figure 2 ).like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, and Figure 3 As schematically shown, the coolant collector bracket 18 is connected to the cylinder head 14 and the EGR cooler 16, and is positioned between the cylinder head 14 and the EGR cooler 16. The coolant collector bracket 18 vertically supports the EGR cooler 16. The coolant collector bracket 18 has a mounting interface that is generally parallel and perpendicular to the cylinder head 14, and a mounting interface that is generally parallel and horizontal to the EGR cooler 16. Figure 1As shown, when the exhaust manifold 20 is connected to the cylinder head 14, the mounting legs 31 of the coolant collector bracket 18 are located between the exhaust manifold 20 and the cylinder head 14.

[0040] refer to Figure 13 During assembly, the coolant collector bracket 18 is positioned near the first side 26 of the cylinder head 14, such that the slot 57 of the mounting leg 31 is slidably inserted into the bottom fastener 66 of the cylinder head 14. This assembly process allows the coolant collector bracket 18 to be easily secured to the cylinder head 14, and the weight of the coolant collector bracket 18 is supported by the cylinder head fastener 52.

[0041] After positioning the coolant collector bracket 18 near the cylinder head 14, force is applied vertically to the seat 54 to securely attach the cross-connector 56 of the coolant collector bracket 18 to the cylinder block 12. For example, a hammer can be used to apply force to the seat 54 to secure the cross-connector 56 to the cylinder block 12. The cross-connector 56 facilitates the alignment of the distal end 45 of the outlet leg. After securing the cross-connector 56 to the cylinder block 12, the cylinder head fastener 52 associated with the top fastener connector 53 of the mounting leg 31 can be received via the bracket connection opening 70 of the cylinder head 14 to securely fasten the coolant collector bracket 18 to the cylinder head 14.

[0042] Therefore, the coolant collector bracket 18 described herein provides several features that facilitate assembly to the engine system 10. For example, the cross-connector 56 of the coolant collector bracket 18 facilitates alignment of the distal end 45 of the outlet leg 39. The slot 65 (and corresponding slot opening 64) as described above allows the coolant collector bracket 18 to be slidably inserted into the corresponding bottom fastener 66 of the cylinder head 14. Further, the washer 58 of the coolant collector bracket 18 facilitates assembly by securely snapping into place on the mounting leg 31. Additionally, the vertical orientation of the EGR cooler 16 coupled to the coolant collector bracket 18 allows the EGR cooler 16 to remain on top of the coolant collector bracket 18 during coupling. Specifically, instead of mounting the coolant collector bracket 18 horizontally from the side (which would require holding the EGR cooler 16 during coupling), the mounting member 86 ( Figure 6 The vertical orientation of the fastener connector 50 allows for easy vertical assembly, as the EGR cooler 16 only needs to be placed on the top side 48 of the coolant collector bracket 18. Therefore, the features described herein allow for vertical assembly of the coolant collector bracket 18 to the engine system 10.

[0043] Although the invention has been described by way of examples, and although the examples have been described in considerable detail, the applicant does not intend to limit the scope of the claims or in any way to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative compositions or configurations and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, changes to these details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general disclosure herein.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine system (10), comprising: Cylinder block (12); A cylinder head (14) is attached to the cylinder block (12), the cylinder head (14) including a plurality of coolant passages; Exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16); and A coolant collector bracket (18) is connected to the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) and is located between the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16). The coolant collector bracket (18) includes... Multiple coolant inlets (43) are directly connected to multiple outlets (34) of the multiple coolant passages of the cylinder head (14). The exhaust gas recirculation coolant outlet (36) is directly connected to the inlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16), and The exhaust gas recirculation coolant inlet (38) is directly connected to the outlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16); The coolant collector bracket (18) includes a first internal coolant passage (40) in fluid communication with the plurality of coolant passages of the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation coolant outlet (36) and a second internal coolant passage (42) in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation coolant inlet (38) and the cylinder block (12), wherein the first internal coolant passage (40) and the second internal coolant passage (42) are fluidly separated.

2. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) further comprises a plurality of mounting legs (31) and outlet legs (39), and wherein the inlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) is inserted into a groove (105) formed by the exhaust gas recirculation coolant outlet (36) of the coolant collector bracket (18).

3. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the outlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) is directly connected to the surface of the exhaust gas recirculation coolant inlet (38) of the coolant collector bracket (18).

4. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of coolant inlets (43) are fluidly connected to the exhaust gas recirculation coolant outlet (36) of the coolant collector bracket (18).

5. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) further includes an outlet leg (39) including a distal end (45) fluidly connected to the exhaust gas recirculation coolant inlet (38) of the coolant collector bracket (18).

6. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) vertically supports the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16).

7. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) is positioned generally parallel to the cylinder head (14) and generally orthogonal to the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16).

8. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder head (14) includes a pair of sides and a pair of edges, each of the pair of sides having a length much longer than the corresponding length of each of the pair of edges, and wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) is coupled to one of the pair of sides of the cylinder head (14).

9. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) substantially extends the length of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16).

10. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) includes a plurality of mounting members (86) protruding from the side of the coolant collector bracket (18), each of the plurality of mounting members (86) forming the widest extent of the coolant collector bracket (18).

11. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust manifold (20) coupled to the cylinder head (14), wherein a portion of the coolant collector bracket (18) is located between the exhaust manifold (20) and the cylinder head (14).

12. An internal combustion engine system (10), comprising: Cylinder block (12); A cylinder head (14) is vertically attached to the cylinder block (12), the cylinder head (14) including a plurality of coolant passages; Exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16), which includes multiple mounting columns (30); and A coolant collector bracket (18) is directly connected to the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) and is located between the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16). The coolant collector bracket (18) is aligned to vertically support the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16). The coolant collector bracket (18) includes... A first internal coolant passage (40) is used to directly receive coolant from multiple outlets (34) of the plurality of coolant passages of the cylinder head (14) and directly guide it to the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16); and A second internal coolant passage (42) is used to directly receive coolant from the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) and directly connect the coolant to the cylinder block (12), and The coolant collector bracket (18) is directly connected to the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) at the plurality of mounting posts (30); The first internal coolant passage (40) and the second internal coolant passage (42) are fluidly separated.

13. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) is in fluid communication with the first internal coolant passage (40) and the second internal coolant passage (42) of the coolant collector bracket (18).

14. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) is aligned substantially parallel to the side of the cylinder head (14) and is directly fastened to the side of the cylinder head (14).

15. The internal combustion engine system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) is mounted on the vertical surface of the cylinder head (14) and the horizontal surface of the cylinder block (12).

16. The internal combustion engine system (10) of claim 12, wherein the coolant collector bracket (18) includes a pair of exhaust gas recirculation cooler mounts (86), and each of the pair of exhaust gas recirculation cooler mounts (86) includes a pair of fastener connectors (50) configured to mate with the plurality of mounting posts (30).

17. A method for directing coolant flow through an internal combustion engine system (10), the internal combustion engine system (10) including a cylinder block (12), a cylinder head (14) attached to the cylinder block (12), an exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16), and a coolant collector bracket (18) coupled to the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) and between the cylinder head (14) and the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16), the method comprising: The coolant is supplied directly through multiple outlets (34) of multiple coolant passages in the cylinder head (14) and into multiple coolant inlets (43) of the coolant collector bracket (18); The coolant is moved through the plurality of coolant inlets (43) and into the first internal coolant channel (40) of the coolant collector support (18); The coolant is guided upstream through the first internal coolant channel (40) through the exhaust gas recirculation coolant outlet (36) of the coolant collector support (18) and into the inlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16); and The coolant is allowed to flow downstream from the outlet of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler (16) and into the second internal coolant passage of the coolant collector bracket (18) to supply the coolant to the cylinder block (12) via the second internal coolant passage. The first internal coolant passage (40) is fluid-separated from the second internal coolant passage.

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