Cylinder Head Dual Thermal Circuits Exhaust Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat engine cylinder heads face inefficiencies in initial vehicle startup, as combustion chambers take time to reach temperature, rendering the cooling system ineffective in heating the passenger compartment, and resulting in unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder head design incorporating two distinct thermal regulation circuits, where a second heat transfer fluid captures calories from exhaust gases as soon as the engine starts, and a first heat transfer fluid regulates combustion chamber temperatures, with the second circuit being thermally insulated from the first and connected to a heat exchanger to heat the passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single thermal regulation circuit is used to cool combustion chambers, then combustion chambers are effectively cooled, but the passenger compartment cannot be heated immediately during engine startup
Solution Approach 1:
The single thermal regulation circuit is divided into two distinct circuits: a first circuit for cooling combustion chambers and a second circuit for heating the passenger compartment. This segmentation allows independent operation of cooling and heating functions, enabling immediate passenger compartment heating during startup while separate combustion chamber cooling continues simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal regulation system is designed to serve multiple functions through two circuits: the first circuit provides combustion chamber cooling, while the second circuit provides passenger compartment heating. The multi-functionality is achieved by having the second circuit draw heat from exhaust gases independently of the combustion chamber cooling process, allowing both cooling and heating to occur simultaneously without interference.
2Loss of energy
If the cooling system operates during engine startup, then combustion chambers are cooled, but energy is consumed without contributing to passenger compartment heating
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gases, which represent wasted thermal energy during engine startup, are captured by the second thermal regulation circuit to heat the passenger compartment. This converts the harmful waste heat into a useful resource for heating, transforming energy loss into energy gain and improving overall system efficiency during startup operations.
3Productivity
If two distinct thermal regulation circuits are implemented, then immediate passenger compartment heating and combustion chamber cooling are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two distinct thermal regulation circuits are merged into a single integrated cylinder head structure, where both circuits share the same physical housing and are coordinated through a unified control system. This merging approach maintains the functional benefits of separate circuits while reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing them as completely separate 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
Facilitates immediate passenger compartment heating by utilizing exhaust gas calories during engine startup and effectively cools combustion chambers, optimizing energy use and reducing the risk of component degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the first heat transfer fluid circulating in the first thermal regulation circuit is in contact with the wall delimiting the combustion chambers and makes it possible to thermally regulate the combustion chambers
Implementation Method 2
the second heat transfer fluid captures calories from the exhaust gases circulating through the exhaust outlet
Implementation Method 3
the second thermal regulation circuit is configured to be connected to a heat exchanger at the level of which the second heat transfer fluid yields calories to the benefit of another fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cylinder head (1) of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprising a combustion chamber (6) extending through an internal volume of the cylinder head (1) and an exhaust outlet (8) extending from at least one combustion chamber (6) to the outside of the cylinder head (1), at least one wall of the cylinder head participating in delimiting at least one combustion chamber being hollowed out to form a circulation channel for a first heat transfer fluid forming part of a first thermal regulation circuit (14), characterized in that it comprises a second thermal regulation circuit (16) distinct from the first thermal regulation circuit (14) and in which a second heat transfer fluid is able to circulate, the second thermal regulation circuit being disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust outlet (8).