Pipe element for a liquid-cooled component of an internal combustion engine

Description

Technical area

[0001] The disclosure relates to a conduit element for a liquid-cooled component of an internal combustion engine, comprising a supply line for supplying cooling fluid to the component and a discharge line for discharging cooling fluid from the component. DE102012205850B4 discloses an intercooler cooling fluid circuit coupled to and in fluid communication with a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine to circulate a cooling fluid flow to the turbocharger for cooling the turbocharger. A turbocharger cooling control valve controls fluid flow between the turbocharger and an intercooler. The turbocharger cooling control valve directs the flow of cooling fluid to the intercooler when the engine is running and directs the flow of cooling fluid to the turbocharger when the engine is not running.The vehicle uses an intercooler pump to circulate cooling fluid to both the intercooler when the vehicle is running and the turbocharger when the vehicle is not running. Description

[0002] DE69100088T2 and EP 2 878 786 A1 are known from the prior art.

[0003] According to the present disclosure, a passive conduit element is to be provided which can be connected to a component without active control elements such as valves and which makes it possible to bypass a part of a coolant flow past the component.

[0004] A corresponding line element is specified in claim 1. The subclaims constitute advantageous developments of the disclosure. The subclaims can be combined with one another in a technologically expedient manner. The description, particularly in conjunction with the figures, further characterizes and specifies the disclosure.

[0005] Accordingly, a line element is provided for a liquid-cooled component of an internal combustion engine, comprising a supply line for supplying coolant to the component and a discharge line for discharging coolant from the component, wherein the component has an internal coolant path having an inlet which is fluidly connectable to the supply line and an outlet which is fluidly connectable to the discharge line, and wherein the supply line is also connected to the discharge line via a bypass connection.

[0006] The component is a bearing housing of a compressor, in particular a bearing housing of a compressor of a turbocharger. The internal coolant path can run within a bearing housing of the compressor. The line element can be constructed in one piece or in multiple pieces. The line element can have connections for the fluid-conducting connection of flexible or rigid line sections. The fluid-conducting connection can be formed by a pipe connection with corresponding seals with respect to interconnected elements. The pipe connection can have valves and branches. A fluid-conducting connection exists when fluids can be conducted from one element to the next element. Water, in particular cooling water with antifreeze, can be used as the cooling liquid.

[0007] In one embodiment, it is provided that the bypass connection is formed as a recess in the component between the inlet and the outlet, wherein a common seal is provided which seals the inlet, the outlet and the recess from the environment.

[0008] By locating the bypass connection within the component, such as the turbocharger's bearing housing, only minimal changes compared to a conventional connection are required to implement the claimed design. All that's required is to cast or mill a recess into the component or bearing housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, it is provided that the bypass connection is designed as a recess in the line element in a flange for the mechanical and fluid-conducting connection of the supply line to the inlet and the discharge line to the outlet, wherein a common seal is provided which seals the flange and the bypass connection with respect to the component.

[0010] This means that in many applications where a one-piece line element was previously used, no modifications to the component are necessary. Only the line element needs to be modified in the supply and discharge areas.

[0011] In one embodiment, it is provided that the bypass connection is designed as a line section which is arranged upstream of the supply line and downstream of the discharge line in the line element.

[0012] The line section is a pipe connection between the sections of the line element from which the supply or discharge line to the component extends. The pipe connection can be rigid or flexible. The pipe connection can be dimensioned to achieve a specific ratio of a flow rate through the component in relation to the flow rate through the pipe connection. Both the component and the pipe connection therefore act as a throttle, rather than an orifice. Accordingly, the volume flow passed through them depends only on a constant and the pressure difference between the supply line and the discharge line. According to the disclosure, the aim is to ensure that the majority of coolant flows past the component so that the component can be connected in series with the line section with components and coolers that require a much higher volume flow of coolant.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is therefore provided that a flow resistance of the bypass connection is lower than a flow resistance of the internal coolant path of the component.

[0014] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the flow resistance of the bypass connection for fluids with a density and viscosity such as cooling water is 2 to 4 times, in particular 2.5 to 3.5 times lower than the flow resistance of the internal coolant path of the component.

[0015] In one embodiment, it is provided that the line element is arranged downstream of an oil cooler, wherein the oil cooler is designed to exchange a heat flow between engine oil from the internal combustion engine and the cooling liquid.

[0016] In this configuration, a single cooling line section can be used to cool both the oil cooler and the turbocharger. The oil cooler has a lower flow resistance than the turbocharger. In the oil cooler, heat is exchanged between the cooling water and the engine oil. By using the line element with the bypass connection, the turbocharger and the oil cooler can be arranged one behind the other in the cooling line section.

[0017] In one embodiment, a water pump is provided downstream of the oil cooler for conveying cooling fluid through the oil cooler, the line element and the component.

[0018] The turbocharger can be cooled even after the combustion engine has been running to prevent coking. Engine oil aging can also be slowed if the accumulated heat in the combustion engine is dissipated after operation. During operation, the coolant flow rate can be controlled based on the actual cooling requirements of the oil cooler and turbocharger. If the engine oil temperature exceeds a threshold, the pump's flow rate can be increased. If the engine oil is still cold, no coolant flow may be necessary at all. Short description of the characters

[0019] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. They show: Fig. 1: schematically shows an internal combustion engine with a coolant system having a coolant side line running from the engine block of the internal combustion engine through an oil cooler and a bearing housing of a turbocharger, wherein the coolant side line can be operated independently of a main cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine and can be controlled as required, i.e. depending on the cooling requirement at the oil cooler and the turbocharger, Fig. 2 : schematically shows a coolant system section for an internal combustion engine, with an electric auxiliary pump which conveys coolant from an internal coolant path in the internal combustion engine through an oil cooler and an internal coolant path in a bearing housing of a turbocharger, Fig. 3 : a bearing housing of a turbocharger corresponding to a bypass connection, wherein in the bearing housing in a sealing surface a recess is formed in the component between the inlet and the outlet, Fig. 4: a line element for supplying cooling water to a bearing housing of a turbocharger, wherein a recess is formed between a flange for connecting the supply line to the inlet and a flange for fluid-conducting connection of the discharge line to the outlet, and Fig. 5 : a line section for supplying cooling water to a bearing housing of a turbocharger, wherein a bypass connection is designed as a line section which is arranged upstream of the supply line and downstream of the discharge line in the line element.

[0020] The following description is purely illustrative in nature. For clarity, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to identify similar elements. The drawings are at least partially schematic. Other elements not shown, such as valves, controls, compressors, pumps, and lines, may be provided to complement the existing elements. The use of the singular in reference to the valves should not be construed as meaning that only one valve must actually be provided in the corresponding position.

[0021] Figure 1shows a schematic of a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine 30. The coolant circuit has a branch which runs in a manner not shown through the internal combustion engine 30 or the engine block (not shown in detail). During operation, the internal combustion engine 30 transfers waste heat to a cooling medium which circulates in the coolant circuit and can be released into the environment in a cooler 34. The cooling medium is often pumped through the cooler and the internal combustion engine 30 by a water pump (not shown). The water pump always runs when the internal combustion engine is in operation, even when the cooling medium is still cold. In many cases, a switchable bypass 35 is provided which can be opened depending on the temperature. The bypass is frequently referred to as a thermostat. If the cooling medium is not yet at operating temperature, it circulates in the engine block and is thus brought to the required operating temperature more quickly.

[0022] Viewed in a flow direction of the coolant from the internal combustion engine 30, a turbocharger 20 is arranged downstream of an oil cooler 32, wherein in the oil cooler 32 a heat flow is exchanged between engine oil from the internal combustion engine 30 and the cooling liquid.

[0023] Downstream of the oil cooler 32, an additional electric water pump 33 is provided for pumping cooling liquid through the oil cooler 32 and a bearing housing of a turbocharger 20.

[0024] For this purpose, a line element 10 is connected to the turbocharger 20, comprising a supply line 11 for supplying coolant to the bearing housing 29 and a discharge line 12 for discharging coolant from the bearing housing. An integrated cooling circuit 23 is provided in the bearing housing, which has an inlet 21 that is fluidly connectable to the supply line 11 and an outlet 22 that is fluidly connectable to the discharge line 12. The supply line 11 is also fluidly connected to the discharge line 12 via a bypass connection 14, 15, 16.

[0025] A first embodiment of a bypass line 15 is shown in Figure 3 shown in detail. In the first embodiment of the bypass line 15, a recess 25 is provided in the bearing housing of the turbocharger 20. The recess connects the inlet 21 to the outlet 22.

[0026] A second embodiment of a bypass line 16 is shown in Figure 4shown in detail. Here, the supply line 11 is connected to the discharge line 12 via a recess 26 in the line element.

[0027] A third embodiment of a bypass line 14 is shown in Figure 5 shown in detail. Here, a bypass is created by providing a pipe connection 24 between the supply line 11 and the discharge line 12.

[0028] The purpose of the respective bypass lines 14, 15, and 16 is to use the same line section for cooling the turbocharger 20 as for the oil cooler 32. The volume flow V32 flowing through the oil cooler 32 would be too high to be passed through the bearing housing 29, since the cooling circuit 23 in the bearing housing 29 is jagged and has curves that increase flow resistance. Therefore, excess cooling medium can be passed past the turbocharger 20 through the bypass connection.

[0029] As I said, Figure 3that the bypass connection 15 can be formed as a recess 25 in the bearing housing of the turbocharger 20 between the inlet 11 and the outlet 12, wherein a common seal 17 is provided which seals the inlet 11, the outlet 12, and the recess 25 from the environment. Via a flange (not shown), the line element 10 can be fastened to the bearing housing above the recess 25, wherein the inlet 11 and the supply line 21, as well as the outlet 12 and the discharge line 12, are fluidly connected to one another.

[0030] A corresponding flange is in Figure 5 shown, but in connection with a bypass connection, which is provided as a pipe connection 24 between the supply line 11 and the discharge line 12. Such a bypass connection 14 is shown in the Figure 3 shown embodiment, since here the recess 25 already forms a bypass.

[0031] As I said, Figure 4that the bypass connection 16 can be designed as a recess 26 in the line element 10 in a flange 181 for the mechanical and fluid-conducting connection of the supply line 11 to the inlet 21 and the discharge line 12 to the outlet 22, wherein a common seal 171 is provided which seals the flange 181 and the bypass connection 16 with respect to the bearing housing 29.

[0032] Figure 5 shows that the bypass connection 14 can be designed as a pipe connection 24, which is arranged upstream of the supply line 11 and downstream of the discharge line 12 in the line element 10.

[0033] The bypass connections 14, 15, 16 have a flow resistance K10 that is lower than the flow resistance K20 of the inner coolant path 23 of the bearing housing. The bypass connections 14, 15, and 16 can also be combined to cumulatively have a correspondingly lower flow resistance than the inner coolant path 23. It is intended that the flow resistance K10 of the bypass connection 14, 15, 16 for fluids with a density and viscosity such as cooling water is 2 to 4 times, in particular 2.5 to 3.5 times lower than the flow resistance K20 of the inner coolant path 23 of the bearing housing. The volume flow V10, V20 through the bypass connection 14, 15, 16 or the cooling circuit 23 results from the product of the pressure difference between the supply line and the discharge line and the respective flow resistance K10 or K20. List of reference symbols:

[0034] 6Compressor 10Line element 11Supply line 12Discharge line 14Bypass connection 15Bypass connection 16Bypass connection 17Seal 20Turbocharger 21Inlet 22Outlet 23Coolant path 24Pipe connection 25Recess 26Recess 29Bearing housing 30Combustion engine 31Cooling circuit 32Oil cooler 33Additional water pump 171Seal 181Flange K10Flow resistance K20Flow resistance MEngine V10Volume flow V20Volume flow V32Volume flow

Claims

1. Line element (10) for a liquid-cooled component of an internal combustion engine (30), with a supply line (11) for supplying coolant to the component and a discharge line (12) for discharging coolant from the component, wherein the component has an internal coolant path (23) which has an inlet (21) which can be connected to the supply line (11) in a fluid-conducting manner, and an outlet (22) which can be connected to the discharge line (12) in a fluid-conducting manner, and wherein the supply line (11) is also connected to the discharge line (12) in a fluid-conducting manner via a bypass connection (14, 15, 16), characterized in that the component (10) is a bearing housing (29) of a compressor (6) for compressing air and for conducting air to the internal combustion engine (30).

2. Bearing housing (29) of a compressor (6) for compressing air and for supplying air to the internal combustion engine (30), which corresponds to a line element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the bypass connection (15) is formed as a recess (25) in the bearing housing (29) between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12), wherein a common seal (17) is provided which seals the inlet (11), the outlet (12) and the recess (25) from the environment.

3. Conduit element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the bypass connection (16) is designed as a recess (26) in the conduit element (10) in a flange (181) for the mechanical and fluid-conducting connection of the supply line (11) to the inlet (21) and the discharge line (12) to the outlet (22), wherein a common seal (171) is provided which seals the flange (181) and the bypass connection (16) with respect to the component.

4. Conduit element (10) according to one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the bypass connection (14) is designed as a pipe connection (24) which is arranged upstream of the supply line (11) and downstream of the discharge line (12) in the conduit element (10).

5. Conduit element (10) according to one or more of claims 1, 3 or 4, wherein a flow resistance (K10) of the bypass connection (14, 15, 16) is lower than a flow resistance (K20) of the inner coolant path (23) of the component.

6. Conduit element (10) according to claim 5, wherein the flow resistance (K10) of the bypass connection (14, 15, 16) for fluids having a density and viscosity such as cooling water is 2 to 4 times, in particular 2.5 to 3.5 times lower than the flow resistance (K20) of the inner coolant path (23) of the component.

7. Conduit element according to claim 6, wherein the component has a turbine (27) through which exhaust gas can be conducted during operation of the internal combustion engine (30), which drives the turbine (27), wherein the turbine (27) is connected to the compressor (6) via a shaft mounted in the bearing housing (29).

8. Use of a line element (10) according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 7 in a liquidoperated cooling circuit (31) on an internal combustion engine (30).

9. Use of a line element (10) on an internal combustion engine (30) according to claim 8, wherein the line element (10) is arranged downstream of an oil cooler (32), wherein the oil cooler (32) is designed to exchange a heat flow between engine oil from the internal combustion engine (30) and the cooling liquid.

10. Use of a line element (10) according to claim 9, wherein an additional electrically operated water pump (33) is provided downstream of the oil cooler (32) for pumping cooling liquid through the oil cooler (32), the line element (10) and the component.