Two-Way Valve Control for Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust gas heat recovery systems for vehicles lack efficient control mechanisms to optimize heat transfer between engines and transmissions, particularly in varying ambient temperature conditions, leading to suboptimal performance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a two-way valve that selectively allows heat-exchange communication between an exhaust gas heat recovery heat exchanger, engine, and transmission, with temperature monitoring and control algorithms to switch between engine and transmission positions based on ambient temperature, ensuring optimal heat distribution and utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat-exchange communication is continuously established between EGHR heat exchanger and both engine and transmission, then heat utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the two-way valve to switch between engine position and transmission position based on real-time temperature monitoring and control algorithms. This dynamic switching enables the system to adaptively direct heat to different components, optimizing heat utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through controlled connectivity rather than continuous multi-path engagement.
2Loss of energy
If two-way valve switches between engine and transmission positions based on temperature, then energy efficiency is optimized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature monitoring and control algorithms that continuously monitor thermal conditions and provide feedback to the valve control system. This feedback mechanism enables automated switching between engine and transmission positions based on real-time temperature data, optimizing energy efficiency while reducing the need for complex manual control systems through intelligent automated decision-making.
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 enhances energy efficiency by strategically directing heat from exhaust gases to either the engine or transmission, improving vehicle performance and reducing energy losses, especially in cold ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger... oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission
Implementation Method 2
controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, and an oil-to-water heat exchanger providing selective heat-exchange communication between the engine and transmission. The method includes controlling a two-way valve, which is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, but does not allow heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the oil-to-water heat exchanger. The transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the oil-to-water heat exchanger, and the engine. The method also includes monitoring an ambient air temperature and comparing the monitored ambient air temperature to a predetermined cold ambient temperature. If the monitored ambient air temperature is greater than the predetermined cold ambient temperature, the two-way valve is set to the transmission position.