Coolant Valve System for Engine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face suboptimal performance due to coolant temperatures being too high in certain components, such as EGR coolers, which can lead to inefficient operation and increased energy losses.
Innovation Solution
A coolant control valve system that selectively routes coolant flows between an EGR cooler, crankcase, and cylinder head based on engine operating parameters, allowing for segregation and recombination of coolant flows upstream of a thermostat to manage heat distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant is circulated through all engine components in a fixed path, then the cooling system is simple to operate, but the coolant temperature becomes too high in certain components like EGR cooler under specific operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coolant flow management system using a control valve that can switch between different flow paths based on real-time engine operating conditions. The valve system dynamically redirects coolant flow to bypass the EGR cooler when temperatures become excessive, allowing the system to adapt its cooling strategy to varying operational demands rather than following a fixed circulation pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent flow paths that can be selectively activated. The patent divides the coolant circulation into separate routes: one path through the EGR cooler and another bypass path, allowing independent control of cooling intensity for different engine components based on their specific thermal requirements and operating conditions
2Temperature
If coolant flow is increased through the EGR cooler, then cooling performance improves, but fuel consumption and emissions increase due to excessive cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the coolant flow parameters (flow rate, temperature, pressure) through the EGR cooler based on real-time engine operating conditions. The control valve adjusts these parameters to provide optimal cooling only when necessary, preventing excessive cooling that would increase fuel consumption and emissions while ensuring adequate cooling when temperatures rise
3Productivity
If a single coolant circulation path is used, then the device complexity is low, but the engine operates inefficiently under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic control mechanism that adjusts coolant flow distribution based on engine load conditions. The control valve system automatically modifies the coolant circulation pattern to match varying engine demands, improving efficiency across different operating regimes without requiring complex manual intervention or multiple separate cooling systems
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 optimizes engine operation by reducing fuel consumption, nitrous oxides, and soot emissions across various load conditions, demonstrating improved engine efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Heat generated by engine components, for example, combustion cylinders included in an engine crankcase, is transferred typically through conduction and/or convection to the circulating coolant
Implementation Method 2
Heat generated by engine components, for example, combustion cylinders included in an engine crankcase, is transferred typically through conduction and/or convection to the circulating coolant
Implementation Method 3
a thermostat which may bypass the coolant around the radiator to the pump inlet to maintain the coolant entering the engine at an elevated operating temperature by not cooling the coolant if the coolant temperature is below a predetermined value
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine (200) includes a coolant pump (212) having a pump outlet (214), and a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler (206) fluidly connected to the pump outlet (214). A crankcase (202) is fluidly connected in parallel with the EGR cooler (206) to the pump outlet (214) for receiving coolant therefrom. A cylinder head (204) is fluidly connected to the crankcase (202) for receiving coolant therefrom. A thermostat (232) is fluidly connected between the cylinder head (204) and the coolant pump (212). A valve system (238) has a first selectable position fluidly connecting the flow from the first EGR cooler (206) to the flow in the cylinder head (204), and a second selectable position fluidly connecting the flow from the first EGR cooler (206) to the thermostat (232) in bypassing relation to the cylinder head (204). Each of the first or second position is effected in response to an engine operating parameter.