Coolant-to-Fuel Heat Exchanger for Engine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining a balance between reducing aerodynamic drag and efficient cooling, particularly during pollution control device regeneration phases, which leads to increased fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that utilizes a coolant-to-fuel heat exchanger to selectively cool the coolant, delaying the deactivation of the aerodynamic drag reduction strategy by redirecting airflow around the vehicle, thus maintaining efficient cooling and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the aerodynamic drag reduction strategy is deactivated during pollution control device regeneration phases, then engine cooling efficiency is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the cooling function into two independent systems: the traditional air inlet cooling system and the new fuel-to-coolant heat exchange system. This allows the air inlet to remain closed for aerodynamic efficiency while the fuel circulation system provides alternative cooling during regeneration phases, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces fuel as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy from the coolant to the fuel tank. The fuel circulation pump and heat exchanger create a thermal bridge that enables cooling without requiring external air flow, thus maintaining aerodynamic drag reduction while ensuring engine cooling during pollution control device regeneration.
2Temperature
If the aerodynamic drag reduction strategy is deactivated, then engine cooling is improved, but pollutant emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cooling function from the air inlet system and implementing it through the fuel circulation system, the invention allows the air inlet to remain closed (maintaining aerodynamic performance) while still achieving engine cooling. This prevents the increase in pollutant emissions that would otherwise result from maintaining open air inlets for cooling purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Fuel serves as an intermediary that enables thermal energy transfer from the coolant to the fuel tank, providing an alternative cooling pathway that does not require external air flow. This intermediary mechanism allows the engine to be cooled during pollution control device regeneration without deactivating the aerodynamic drag reduction strategy, thereby preventing increased pollutant emissions.
3Temperature
If outside air penetrates into the engine compartment for cooling, then engine cooling efficiency is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling function from the external air flow system and implements it through the internal fuel circulation system. This segmentation allows the air inlet to remain closed (reducing aerodynamic drag) while the fuel-to-coolant heat exchanger provides alternative cooling, eliminating the need for outside air penetration into the engine compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
Fuel acts as an intermediary medium that enables thermal energy transfer from the coolant to the fuel tank, creating an internal cooling mechanism that does not require external air flow. This intermediary system allows the air inlet to remain closed for aerodynamic efficiency while still achieving effective engine cooling during normal operation and regeneration phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively delays the deactivation of the aerodynamic drag reduction strategy, reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by maintaining efficient engine cooling through the use of a coolant-to-fuel heat exchanger, which prolongs the benefits of reduced aerodynamic drag.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling system that utilizes a coolant-to-fuel heat exchanger to selectively cool the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10) comprising at least: - a fuel supply circuit (12) for supplying the engine (10) with fuel, said fuel supply circuit (12) comprising at least one fuel tank (14) associated with a fuel pump (16), fuel filtration means (18), a high-pressure pump (26), and a fuel temperature sensor (30); - a cooling circuit (50) for the engine (10) by circulating at least one coolant, said cooling circuit (50) comprising at least one pump (58) and a coolant temperature sensor (80), characterized in that the engine (10) comprises an additional cooling system (82) for selectively cooling the coolant through at least one heat exchanger (84) using fuel. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an engine.