Engine Cooling Heat Storage Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat storage systems for internal combustion engines are inadequate in warming up the engine after a stop, leading to unsatisfactory reduction in unwanted exhaust emissions and fuel consumption at cold starts.
Innovation Solution
A heating and cooling system with a heat storage circuit and radiator circuit, featuring a heat storage container, bypass conduit, and thermostat-controlled valves, where a shut-off valve restricts coolant flow until the heat storage container is recharged to a predetermined temperature higher than the thermostat's opening temperature, maximizing heat energy storage and extending the duration of usable heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flows through the bypass conduit to allow thermostat valve operation, then the thermostat valve can control coolant flow to the radiator, but the heat storage container cannot be charged to temperatures higher than the thermostat opening temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate circuits: a heat storage circuit that charges the heat storage container to high temperatures, and a radiator circuit that the thermostat valve controls. This segmentation allows the heat storage container to be charged to temperatures above the thermostat opening temperature without interfering with the thermostat's normal operation, as the two circuits operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A three-way valve is introduced as an intermediary device to control the flow of coolant between the heat storage container, the engine, and the radiator circuit. The three-way valve directs coolant flow to charge the heat storage container to high temperatures while maintaining the thermostat valve's ability to control the radiator circuit independently, thus resolving the temperature control conflict.
2Quantity of substance
If the heat storage container is charged to higher temperatures, then more heat energy is stored (40% increase), but the system complexity increases with additional valves and conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The three-way valve performs multiple functions: it directs coolant flow to charge the heat storage container, controls the connection between the heat storage container and the engine, and manages the flow to the radiator circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate valves and simplifies the overall system structure despite the added capability of charging to higher temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat storage circuit with the existing radiator circuit through the three-way valve, allowing both functions to operate within a unified system architecture. The heat storage container is integrated into the existing cooling system rather than being a completely separate system, reducing overall complexity while achieving 40% more heat energy storage.
3Quantity of substance
If coolant flow is restricted to charge the heat storage container to high temperatures, then heat energy storage increases, but the engine warm-up time may be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The three-way valve dynamically adjusts coolant flow distribution based on system needs. During heat storage charging, it restricts flow to the heat storage container; during engine warm-up, it can redirect flow to prioritize engine heating. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize between storing heat energy and providing timely engine warm-up, resolving the time-energy trade-off.
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 configuration allows for a 40% increase in stored heat energy, reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by maintaining higher coolant temperatures, thereby improving engine warm-up efficiency and emissions performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage container (30), in which engine coolant is stored and allowed to flow into and out of
Implementation Method 2
a thermostat controlled valve arranged in the upstream radiator conduit at the second coolant outlet and connected to the bypass conduit, which thermostat controlled valve is adapted to direct coolant flow to the radiator and/or to the bypass conduit
Implementation Method 3
a shut-off valve is arranged in the bypass conduit... the shut-off valve is adapted to cut off any engine coolant flow through the bypass conduit until the heat storage container is recharged with engine coolant of a predetermined temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A heating and cooling system (1) for an internal combustion engine (2) and a method of controlling said heating and cooling system comprising a heat storage circuit (3) and a radiator circuit (4). The heat storage circuit comprising a heat storage container (30), in which engine coolant is stored and allowed to flow into and out of. The radiator circuit (4) comprising a radiator (40) for flow of the engine coolant and the radiator has a radiator inlet and a radiator outlet. The radiator inlet is connected via an upstream radiator conduit (43) to a coolant outlet of the engine. The radiator outlet is connected via a downstream radiator conduit (44) to a coolant inlet of the engine. A bypass conduit (45) is connected between the upstream radiator conduit and the downstream radiator conduit to allow coolant to bypass the radiator. A thermostat controlled valve (46) is arranged in the upstream radiator conduit at a coolant outlet of the engine and connected to the bypass conduit.