COOLING CIRCUIT WITH BLASTING DISTRIBUTOR

Abstract

Cooling circuit (202), comprising: a plurality of vehicle components designed to receive coolant, wherein the plurality of vehicle components comprises a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component; and a beam distributor (214, 300), comprising: a Venturi nozzle (310) downstream of a cavity (307) of a body of the jet distributor (214, 300), wherein the Venturi nozzle (310) is designed to reduce the pressure of the coolant taken up from the cavity (307) of the body of the jet distributor (214, 300), a first inlet (304) designed to take up coolant from the first vehicle component, a second inlet (306) upstream of the Venturi nozzle (310), wherein the second inlet (306) is designed to receive coolant from the second vehicle component, and a nozzle (302) upstream of the second inlet (306), wherein the nozzle (302) is designed to increase the pressure of the coolant received at the first inlet (304) in order to generate a jet stream and a low-pressure zone in the cavity (307) of the body of the jet distributor (214, 300), wherein the low-pressure zone generated by the jet stream draws coolant from the second inlet (306).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a coolant circuit of a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2020 108 393 A1 describes a cooling circuit comprising a plurality of vehicle components designed to receive coolant, wherein the plurality of vehicle components includes a first vehicle component in the form of a heat exchanger and a second vehicle component in the form of a heat exchanger. A jet distributor is also provided, comprising a first inlet designed to receive coolant from the first vehicle component, a second inlet designed to receive coolant from the second vehicle component, and a nozzle designed to increase the pressure of the coolant received at the inlet in order to generate a jet stream and a low-pressure zone in a cooling chamber of a body of the jet distributor, wherein the low-pressure zone generated by the jet stream draws coolant from the second inlet.

[0003] Further details of the state of the art can be found in the publications US 2020 / 0 063 640 A1 and DE 10 2017 108 149 A1.

[0004] A vehicle can have an internal combustion engine and a coolant circuit for cooling the engine. The coolant circuit can include a water pump, a radiator, an expansion tank, the engine, and a heater core. The coolant circuit can also include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, one or more charge air coolers, and / or an oil cooler. The coolant is cooled by the radiator and absorbs heat energy from the engine, the EGR valve, and the charge air coolers. This heat energy from the coolant can be used via the heater core to heat the vehicle interior. SUMMARY

[0005] According to the invention, a cooling circuit is presented which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0006] In other features, the first inlet receives a high-pressure fluid from the first vehicle component. The second inlet receives a low-pressure fluid from the second vehicle component, with the low-pressure fluid being at a lower pressure than the high-pressure fluid.

[0007] In other respects, the first vehicle component is an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The second vehicle component is a heating element.

[0008] In other respects, the first vehicle component is a heating element. The second vehicle component consists of an exhaust gas recirculation valve and an oil cooler.

[0009] In other features, the vehicle components include at least two of: an exhaust gas recirculation valve, a heating core, and an oil cooler.

[0010] In other characteristics, the nozzle has an inner diameter that decreases from an inlet of the nozzle to an outlet of the nozzle.

[0011] In other features, at least one of the following applies: i) an inner diameter of the jet distributor increases from an outlet of the Venturi nozzle, and ii) a thickness of a wall of the jet distributor decreases from the outlet of the Venturi nozzle in order to restore a certain pressure and prevent cavitation.

[0012] In other characteristics, at least one of the following applies: the inner diameter of the jet distributor decreases towards the Venturi nozzle and increases from an outlet of the Venturi nozzle; and the thickness of a wall of the jet distributor increases towards the Venturi nozzle and decreases from an outlet of the Venturi nozzle.

[0013] In other features, the jet distributor includes an outlet that supplies coolant to a pump.

[0014] In other features, the beam splitter includes two or more inputs and a single output.

[0015] In other features, the beam splitter includes three or more inputs and a single output.

[0016] In other features, the jet distributor includes a third inlet designed to receive coolant from a third vehicle component. The jet stream creates an additional low-pressure zone within a cavity in the body of the jet distributor at the third inlet, with this additional low-pressure zone drawing coolant from the third inlet.

[0017] In other configurations, the first inlet is located at one end of the jet manifold and directs fluid in the same direction as the fluid flow from the jet manifold. The fluid flow into the second inlet is perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow into and out of the first inlet.

[0018] Other features include a cooling circuit comprising an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, a heating core, and a jet manifold. The jet manifold includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a nozzle, and a Venturi nozzle. The first inlet is designed to receive coolant from the EGR valve. The second inlet is designed to receive coolant from the heating core. The nozzle is designed to increase the pressure of the coolant received from the EGR valve to create a jet stream and a low-pressure zone within a cavity of the jet manifold body. The low-pressure zone is created by the jet drawing coolant from the second inlet. The Venturi nozzle is located downstream of the cavity.

[0019] In other features, the spray manifold includes a third inlet downstream of the second inlet, designed to receive coolant from a vehicle component. This vehicle component is distinct from the exhaust gas recirculation valve and the heating element.

[0020] Other features include a cooling circuit comprising a heating core, an exhaust gas recirculation valve, and a jet manifold. The jet manifold includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a nozzle, and a Venturi nozzle. The first inlet is designed to receive coolant from the heating core. The second inlet is designed to receive coolant from the exhaust gas recirculation valve. The nozzle is designed to increase the pressure of the coolant received from the heating core to create a jet stream and a low-pressure zone within a cavity of the jet manifold body. The low-pressure zone created by the jet draws coolant from the second inlet. The Venturi nozzle is located downstream of the cavity.

[0021] In other features, the spray manifold includes a third inlet downstream of the second inlet, designed to receive coolant from a vehicle component. This vehicle component is distinct from the exhaust gas recirculation valve and the heating element.

[0022] Further applications of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples serve only for illustration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a coolant distributor; Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle comprising an exemplary cooling circuit with a jet distributor according to the present invention; Fig. 3 a lateral cross-sectional view of a beam distributor according to the invention, comprising a Venturi nozzle and having two inlets and a single outlet, according to the present invention; Fig. 4 a lateral cross-sectional view of a non-inventive beam distributor which does not include a Venturi nozzle and has two inlets and a single outlet, according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a non-inventive beam splitter having four inputs and a single output according to the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle comprising a further exemplary cooling circuit with a jet distributor according to the present invention.

[0024] Reference symbols can be reused in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Unequal pressures in an engine cooling system, originating from different sources, can cause unwanted flow in the wrong directions. For example, flow from a high-pressure line can cause backflow into a low-pressure line if the two flows are joined at a connection. A vehicle's cooling circuit might include a manifold that receives coolant from two or more components and directs the coolant to, for example, a water pump. Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a cooling manifold 100 with two inlets 102, 104 and a single outlet 106. A high-pressure fluid flow (e.g., coolant), represented by arrow 108, is received at inlet 102. A low-pressure fluid flow (e.g., coolant), represented by arrow 110, is received at inlet 104. The inner diameters of the inlets 102, 104 and the outlet 106 do not vary along their length. The inner diameter of inlet 102 can be the same as the inner diameter of outlet 106. The high-pressure flow of coolant passing through the cooling manifold 100 causes backflow into inlet 104, as shown by arrow 110. This can prevent the flow of coolant through one or more devices.This can, for example, prevent the flow of coolant through a heating element, which can reduce the heating element's output and / or cause it to overheat. To address this problem, a more complex coolant circuit can be created, including a bypass valve and other connections, lines, jumpers, and / or other components, which increases costs and the risk of leaks.

[0026] The examples presented here involve cooling circuits with one or more jet pumps (also known as jet manifolds). Each jet manifold includes an inlet nozzle that generates a jet within the manifold. The jet stream is directed through one or more other inlets, creating one or more low-pressure zones within the jet manifold. The low-pressure zone(s) draw fluid (e.g., coolant) from the other inlet(s), thus preventing backflow into the other inlet(s). The use of jet manifolds eliminates the need for more complex cooling circuits with various connections, lines, valves, bypasses, etc. The more complicated cooling circuits are i) more expensive due to their greater complexity and number of parts, and ii) more prone to leakage due to the greater number of connections than the examples described in this document.The installation of jet distributors helps to balance fluid flows.

[0027] The jet distributors revealed here can be used in various coolant circuits, some examples of which are in Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the cooling circuits. The cooling circuits can have different arrangements. The arrangements from Fig. 2 and Fig. Six are provided as examples, and the beam distributors can also be used in other circuit configurations. Even if the configurations consist of Fig. 2 and Fig. The components and devices may be connected in a specific order, but they may also be connected in a different order.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 200 with a cooling circuit 202, an airflow circuit 204, and an oil cooling circuit 206. The cooling circuit 202 may include a motor 210, a heating element 212, a spray distributor 214, a water pump 216, a radiator 218, and an expansion tank 220. The cooling circuit 202 may also include an EGR valve 222 and charge air coolers 224 and 226.

[0029] The spray distributor 214 can have two or more inlets to receive coolant from two or more vehicle components and one or more outlets to supply coolant to one or more other vehicle components. For example, the spray distributor 214 can receive coolant from the EGR valve 222, the heater core 212, and the expansion tank 220. The spray distributor 214 can also receive coolant from an oil cooler 227 of the oil cooling circuit 206. The spray distributor 214 then delivers the received coolant to the water pump 216. A high-pressure flow is generated in the spray distributor 214 to create low-pressure zone(s) for drawing in low-pressure coolant from one or more inlets that receive coolant from the heater core 212, the expansion tank 220, the EGR valve 222, and the oil cooler 227. The beam distributor 214 can be designed in the same way as any of the beam distributors disclosed in this document.

[0030] Although the water pump 216 is shown in a location where it draws coolant from the spray distributor 214 and supplies it to the radiator 218, the water pump 216 can also be located elsewhere. Another example is shown in Fig. Figure 6 shows the water pump 216, which can be implemented as a centrifugal pump.

[0031] The airflow circuit 204 can include an intake valve assembly 230, the engine 210, the EGR valve 222, one or more charge air coolers 224, 226, and a turbocharger 232. Ambient air is drawn into the intake valve assembly 230 and supplied to the engine 210. Exhaust gases are routed from the engine 210 to the EGR valve 222 and the turbocharger 232. The exhaust gases can exit the EGR valve 222 and the turbocharger and be fed to the charge air coolers 224, 226, where they are cooled. The cooled exhaust gas is then routed from the charge air coolers 224, 226 to the intake valve assembly 230 and subsequently supplied to the engine 210.

[0032] The oil cooling circuit 206 comprises the oil cooler 227 and other oil circuit devices and / or components 235, which may include a thermostat, an oil filter, a check valve, etc. The oil cooler 227 cools the oil circulating between the engine 210 and the oil cooler 227.

[0033] A control module 240 may be included and control the operation of one or more components of the circuits 202, 204, 206. This may include, for example, controlling the position of a throttle valve of the intake valve assembly 230. As another example, the control module 240 may control the state of one or more valves, the water pump 216, etc., based on outputs from one or more sensors 242 (e.g., temperature sensors). The temperature sensors may detect the temperature of the engine 210, the coolant in the cooling circuit 202, the temperature in a passenger compartment, the outside temperature, etc. The one or more valves may be integrated into the cooling circuit 202 and controlled to regulate the flow and / or pressure of the coolant throughout the entire cooling circuit 202.

[0034] In Fig. 2. Solid lines 250 refer to coolant lines. Dashed lines 252 refer to air and / or gas lines. Dashed lines 254 refer to electrical signal lines. Dashed lines 256 refer to oil lines.

[0035] Fig. Figure 3 shows a jet distributor 300 according to the invention, comprising a nozzle 302, two inlets (also referred to as inlet lines) 304, 306, an inner central cavity 307, a single outlet (or outlet line) 308, and a Venturi nozzle 310. In the sense used here, a "line" can refer to a pipe, tube, or hose and can be cylindrical in shape, having an outer wall with inner and outer diameters. The thickness of the outer wall can vary or remain constant over the entire length of the line.

[0036] A high-pressure flow of fluid (e.g., coolant), represented by arrow 312, is fed to the inlet 304 of the nozzle 302 of the jet distributor 300. The inner surface of the nozzle 302 is conically shaped and narrows in diameter D1 from the inlet 304 to the inner central cavity 307. The nozzle 302 generates back pressure in the fluid flow, which is received at the inlet 304, and increases the pressure of the fluid to produce a high-pressure fluid flow in the form of a jet, represented by arrow 314. The pressure of the fluid represented by arrow 314 is higher than the pressure of the fluid represented by arrow 312. The jet 314 passes through the outlet of the inlet line 306 and creates a low-pressure zone 316 in a mixing area, which generates a vacuum and draws fluid (e.g., coolant), represented by arrows 318, from the inlet 306. This prevents backflow of fluid 318 and ensures a positive flow of fluid 318 to outlet 308.

[0037] The high-pressure fluid 314 is passed through the Venturi nozzle 310. The inner diameter of the Venturi nozzle 310 can be adjusted according to the application of the jet distributor. In the example shown, the inner diameter D2 of the body of the jet distributor 300 narrows towards the Venturi nozzle 310 and then diverges (or increases in diameter) out of and away from the Venturi nozzle 310. The narrowing (or converging) section of the body is designated 330, and the widening (or diverging) section of the body is designated 332. The narrowest (or middle) section of the body is designated 334. The pressure of the fluid exiting the outlet 308 of the jet distributor 300 can be lower than the pressure of the fluid entering the nozzle 302 and higher than the pressure of the fluid entering the inlet 306. The Venturi nozzle 310 mixes the flows provided in the cavity 307 and reduces the pressure of the fluid supplied to the Venturi nozzle 310.The thickness T of the wall 340 of the body of the jet distributor 300 increases for the narrowing section 330, remains constant for the middle section 334, and decreases for the diverging section 332. The inner diameter of the wall 340 increases, and the thickness T decreases from the outlet of the Venturi nozzle 310 onwards, in order to restore a certain pressure and prevent cavitation.

[0038] The coolant flows received at inlets 304 and 306 of the spray distributor 300 can have different temperatures. The temperature of the coolant exiting the spray distributor 300 can be an intermediate temperature between the temperatures of the coolant received at inlets 304 and 306.

[0039] For example, inlet 304 can receive coolant from an EGR valve and inlet 306 can receive coolant from a heating element. Outlet 308 can supply coolant to a water pump.

[0040] Fig. Figure 4 shows a non-inventive jet distributor 400 without a Venturi nozzle and with a nozzle 402, which has two inlets (also referred to as inlet lines) 404, 406, an internal cavity 407 and a single outlet (or outlet line) 408. A high-pressure flow, indicated by arrow 412, of fluid (e.g., coolant) is supplied to the inlet 404 of the nozzle 402 of the jet distributor 400. The nozzle 402 is conically shaped and narrows in diameter from the inlet 404 to the inner central cavity 407. The nozzle 402 generates back pressure in the fluid received at the inlet 404 and increases the pressure of the fluid to produce a high-pressure fluid flow in the form of a jet, as shown by arrow 414. The pressure of the fluid shown by arrow 414 is higher than the pressure of the fluid shown by arrow 412.The jet 414 passes through the outlet of an inlet line (or pipeline) connected to the inlet 406 and creates a low-pressure zone 416 in a mixing area. This zone generates a vacuum and draws fluid (e.g., coolant), represented by arrows 418, from the inlet 406. This prevents backflow of the fluid 418 and ensures a positive flow of the fluid 418 to the outlet 408. The inner diameter D3 of the body of the jet manifold 400 remains constant downstream of the inlet 406. Likewise, the wall thickness T of the body remains constant downstream of the inlet 406.

[0041] For example, inlet 404 can receive coolant from an EGR valve, and inlet 406 can receive coolant from a heating element. Outlet 408 can supply coolant to a water pump.

[0042] Fig. Figure 5 shows a non-inventive jet distributor 500 having four inlets (also referred to as inlet lines) 502, 504, 506, 508 and a single outlet (or outlet line) 510. The jet distributor 500 may include a nozzle 511 which supplies nozzles 302, 402 in Fig. 3-4 to generate a jet stream 512 and a low-pressure zone 516. The jet stream 512 draws fluid from inlet 504 and can also draw fluid from one or more of inlets 506 and 508. Although shown without a Venturi nozzle, the jet distributor 500 can include a Venturi nozzle located downstream of one or more of inlets 504, 506, 508, for example, between inlets 504 and 506, between inlets 506 and 508, or downstream of inlet 508. The thickness of the jet distributor wall can increase and decrease at the location of the Venturi nozzle, and the inner diameter of the wall can decrease and increase accordingly. This can be similar to the Venturi arrangement shown in Fig. 3.

[0043] For example, inlet 502 can receive coolant from an EGR valve (e.g., the EGR valve 222 from Fig. 2), the inlet 504 can receive coolant from a heating core (e.g., the heating core 212 from Fig. 2) Inlet 506 can receive coolant from an oil cooler (e.g., oil cooler 227). Fig. 2), and the inlet 508 can receive coolant from an expansion tank (e.g., the expansion tank 220 from Fig. 2) Output 510 can supply coolant to a water pump (e.g., water pump 216 from Fig. 2). In Fig. 5. The solid lines between the components and devices refer to coolant lines.

[0044] Fig. Figure 6 shows a vehicle 600 with another example of a cooling circuit 602 with a jet distributor 604. The jet distributor 604 can be designed similarly to the jet distributors disclosed in this document. In the example shown, the jet distributor 604 has three inlets and one outlet. One of the three inlets can include a nozzle that directs the Fig. The nozzles shown in Figures 3-5 are similar. The other two inlets need not include a nozzle, and the fluid can be drawn in from the other two inlets due to the jet flow generated by the nozzle. In the example shown, the inlet with the nozzle can receive coolant from a heating core 606. The other two inlets can receive coolant from an EGR cooler 608 and an oil cooler 610. The outlet of the jet distributor 604 can be fed to a centrifugal pump 612 (or water pump).

[0045] The centrifugal pump 612 pumps coolant from the spray distributor 604 and a radiator 614 to an engine coolant jacket 616 of an engine 618, the EGR cooler 608, and the oil cooler 610. One or more pipes can extend from the centrifugal pump 612 to the engine 618 or from a distributor 619 connected between the centrifugal pump and the engine 618. The radiator 614 can be cooled by a cooling fan 617, which can be controlled by a control module, similar to the control module 240. Fig.2. A thermostat 620 can be connected to and / or in line with one or more pipes extending between the cooler 614 and the centrifugal pump 612. The cooler 614 can include and / or be connected to a transmission oil cooler 622. The coolant flows from the coolant jacket 616 to the heating core 606 and the cooler 614. One or more pipes can carry coolant from the engine 618 to a divider 623 connected between i) the engine 618 and ii) the cooler 614 and the heating core 606. Vapor (or vapors) in the pipe connecting the engine 618 to the cooler 614 can be directed into an expansion tank 624 and cooled. The cooled coolant in the expansion tank 624 can be drawn from the expansion tank 624 by the centrifugal pump 612.

Claims

[1] Cooling circuit (202), comprising: a plurality of vehicle components designed to receive coolant, wherein the plurality of vehicle components comprises a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component; and a beam distributor (214, 300), comprising: a Venturi nozzle (310) downstream of a cavity (307) of a body of the jet distributor (214, 300), wherein the Venturi nozzle (310) is designed to reduce the pressure of the coolant taken up from the cavity (307) of the body of the jet distributor (214, 300), a first inlet (304) designed to take up coolant from the first vehicle component, a second inlet (306) upstream of the Venturi nozzle (310), wherein the second inlet (306) is designed to receive coolant from the second vehicle component, and a nozzle (302) upstream of the second inlet (306), wherein the nozzle (302) is designed to increase the pressure of the coolant received at the first inlet (304) in order to generate a jet stream and a low-pressure zone in the cavity (307) of the body of the jet distributor (214, 300), wherein the low-pressure zone generated by the jet stream draws coolant from the second inlet (306). [2] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein: the first inlet (304) receives a high-pressure fluid from the first vehicle component; and The second inlet (306) receives a low-pressure fluid from the second vehicle component, the low-pressure fluid being under a lower pressure than the high-pressure fluid. [3] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein: the first vehicle component is an exhaust gas recirculation valve (222); and the second vehicle component is a heating core (212). [4] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein: the first vehicle component is a heating core (212); and the second vehicle component is one of an exhaust gas recirculation valve (222) and an oil cooler (227). [5] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle components comprises at least two of the following: an exhaust gas recirculation valve (222); a heating core (212); and an oil cooler (227). [6] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (302) has an inner diameter (D1) which decreases from an inlet of the nozzle (302) to an outlet of the nozzle (302). [7] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following applies: i) an inner diameter of the jet distributor (214, 300) increases from an outlet (308) of the Venturi nozzle (310), and ii) a thickness of a wall of the jet distributor (214, 300) decreases from the outlet (308) of the Venturi nozzle (310) in order to restore a certain pressure and prevent cavitation. [8] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following applies: The inner diameter (D2) of the jet distributor (214, 300) decreases towards the Venturi nozzle (310) and increases from an outlet of the Venturi nozzle (310); and The thickness (T) of a wall (340) of the jet distributor (214, 300) increases towards the Venturi nozzle (310) and decreases from an outlet of the Venturi nozzle (310). [9] Cooling circuit (202) according to claim 1, wherein the jet distributor (214, 300) has an outlet (308) which supplies coolant to a pump (216).

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