Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler for Engine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in generating sufficient heat for vehicle comfort and engine operation due to low fuel consumption, leading to increased fuel requirements and weight issues from additional heating devices.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust gas recirculation device with a compact housing containing a turbine, catalytic converter, particle filter, and exhaust gas recirculation cooler, which splits the exhaust gas flow to maximize heat utilization by transferring heat to a cooling medium for engine heating and passenger compartment use, while regulating the exhaust gas volume to prevent excessive compressor temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional heating devices (such as extra burners) are installed to heat the engine and passenger compartment, then heating capability is improved, but vehicle weight increases and additional fuel is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas recirculation cooler is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the exhaust gas for the turbocharger compressor and simultaneously acts as a heat exchanger to heat the cooling medium for engine and passenger compartment heating. This eliminates the need for separate heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the waste heat from exhaust gases to heat the cooling medium, allowing the exhaust system to serve its own heating needs without requiring external energy input or additional heating components.
2Reliability
If exhaust gas is cooled to protect the compressor, then compressor protection is improved, but heat available for heating purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas cooling process, which is necessary to protect the compressor from excessive temperatures, is converted into a beneficial heating process. The heat extracted from the exhaust gas during cooling is transferred to the cooling medium, providing heating capability while still achieving compressor protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas recirculation cooler performs dual functions: cooling the exhaust gas to protect the compressor and heating the cooling medium for thermal energy utilization, thereby resolving the contradiction between compressor protection and heat availability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If exhaust gas volume flow is increased for better heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but compressor temperature may become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control through the EGR valve, which regulates the exhaust gas volume flow to the cooler. This allows the system to optimize the balance between heating efficiency and compressor temperature protection by adjusting the flow rate as needed.
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 allows for efficient thermal energy utilization from the exhaust gases, reducing fuel consumption and eliminating the need for additional heating devices, thereby improving engine efficiency and passenger compartment heating without increasing vehicle weight.
Implementation Method 1
an exhaust gas recirculation cooler (6) for cooling the exhaust gas and for dissipating exhaust heat... which transfers heat from the exhaust gas into a cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
an exhaust gas recirculation cooler (6) for cooling the exhaust gas and for dissipating exhaust heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The exhaust gas recirculation device has an exhaust gas recirculation cooler (6) arranged in a recirculation flow channel for cooling the exhaust gas, and for discharging the heat from the exhaust gas. A primary branch connection (10) is arranged downstream of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler. A primary exhaust gas discharge line (11) is connected to the primary branch connection for the derivation of non-returning exhaust gas. An independent claim is also included for a method for heating a coolant of a combustion engine and use of the exhaust gas reclaim device.