EGR Heat Exchanger Casing for Exhaust Gas Flow Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing powertrain depollution systems face challenges with increased congestion and pressure drops due to cramped engine compartments, leading to inefficient gas evacuation and reduced engine performance, as well as suboptimal gas circulation and cooling efficiency, which affects the effectiveness of pollution control and engine performance.

Innovation Solution

A burnt gas recirculation device with a tubular casing surrounding the connection endpiece of the heat exchanger, redirecting gas flows away from the tubular wall to prevent direct impact and heat transfer, while incorporating thermal insulation to enhance cooling efficiency and maintain compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the emissions control system components are installed to meet stringent emissions standards, then pollution control effectiveness is improved, but the engine compartment becomes congested causing increased pressure drops and reduced engine power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollution control effectivenessVSAvoidengine power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat exchanger and catalyst into a single integrated assembly where the heat exchanger is positioned within the catalyst housing. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate components, minimizes space occupation, and eliminates the protrusion problem that caused flow disruption, thereby maintaining engine power while meeting emissions standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger is nested within the catalyst housing structure, with the heat exchanger chamber positioned inside the catalyst housing. This nesting arrangement allows one component to occupy the space of another, reducing overall system volume and eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces that would increase pressure drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of stationary object

If the heat exchanger is mounted directly at the outlet of the emissions control system to reduce overall size, then the footprint is decreased, but the connector creates a protrusion that disrupts gas flow and creates high-temperature zones interfering with cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall system sizeVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the heat exchanger into the catalyst housing structure, the patent eliminates the need for a separate connector protrusion. The heat exchanger outlet is directly formed as part of the catalyst housing, creating a smooth transition that maintains optimal gas flow patterns and prevents the formation of high-temperature zones that would interfere with cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different regions of the integrated assembly. The heat exchanger section is designed with specific thermal characteristics for efficient heat transfer, while the surrounding catalyst housing provides structural support and flow management. This local differentiation of functional properties allows the system to achieve both compactness and cooling efficiency without compromising either aspect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 improves the cooling efficiency of burnt gases, reduces heat transfer, and maintains the compactness of the device, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the powertrain by ensuring effective gas recirculation and emission control.

Implementation Method 1

The envelope is capable of redirecting the flow of burnt gases in the opposite direction to the tubular wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

incorporating thermal insulation to enhance cooling efficiency and maintain compactness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a water-to-air heat exchanger in which the air (in this case, the exhaust gases) transfers heat to the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3710688B1Powertrain with improved pollutant removal system
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 RENAULT SA
  • EP3710688B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3710688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3710688B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for recirculating (10) exhaust gas of a motor vehicle powertrain, comprising: a housing (101) for a system for removing exhaust gas pollutants (100); and a heat exchanger (102) exchanging heat between a cooling liquid and the exhaust gas and having a connection end fitting (11) with a tubular wall (12), which is driven into an outlet opening (108) of the housing of the pollutant removal system, characterised in that the device (10) comprises a casing (14) that can surround the tubular wall (12) of the connection end fitting.