Engine Intake Air Preheating via Waste Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine preheating apparatuses using electrothermal air heaters require complex installation layouts and separate power sources, degrading assembly characteristics and overall fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An engine preheating apparatus utilizing a waste heat recovery unit with a Rankine cycle and a water cooling type cooling circuit, including a working fluid circulation path with boilers, an expander, and a condenser, along with bypass paths and valves, to preheat intake air using waste heat within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrothermal air heater is installed to preheat intake air, then initial starting performance is improved, but assembly characteristics are degraded due to complex installation layout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air preheating function with the existing waste heat recovery system by integrating an air preheating boiler into the working fluid circulation path. This eliminates the need for a separate electrothermal air heater and its complex installation layout, while maintaining the preheating function using waste heat from the vehicle's exhaust or coolant system.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste heat recovery system is designed to serve multiple functions: generating power through the expander, preheating intake air through the air preheating boiler, and preheating coolant through the coolant preheating boiler. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated preheating devices and their associated installation complexities.
2Reliability
If an electrothermal air heater is installed to preheat intake air, then initial starting performance is improved, but fuel efficiency is degraded due to separate power source requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste heat, which would otherwise be discharged into the environment, into a useful resource for preheating intake air. The waste heat recovery system captures thermal energy from exhaust gases or coolant and transfers it to the intake air through the air preheating boiler, eliminating the need for additional fuel consumption that would be required by an electrothermal heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own waste heat to preheat the intake air, making the preheating process self-sufficient without requiring external power sources. The waste heat from the engine's exhaust or coolant circulation is redirected through the air preheating boiler to warm the intake air during cold starts.
3Use of energy by moving object
If waste heat recovery system is implemented, then fuel efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to working fluid circulation path components
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid circulation path is designed to perform multiple functions: power generation through the expander, air preheating through the air preheating boiler, and coolant preheating through the coolant preheating boiler. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system rather than separate devices, the overall device complexity is managed more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components (expander, air preheating boiler, coolant preheating boiler, condenser, pump) that can be independently designed, manufactured, and maintained. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and maintenance while achieving the desired fuel efficiency improvements through waste heat recovery.
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
Significantly enhances initial engine start performance and fuel efficiency by effectively utilizing waste heat for preheating intake air without the need for additional power sources or complex installations.
Implementation Method 1
a waste heat recovery unit having a Rankine cycle in which a boiler, an expander, a condenser, and a circulation pump are installed on a working fluid circulation path
Implementation Method 2
a working fluid circulation path on which a working fluid circulates, and a working fluid circulation pump, one or more boilers, an expander, and a condenser may be installed on the working fluid circulation path
Implementation Method 3
an air preheating boiler/Charge Air Cooler (CAC) boiler may be installed on the working fluid circulation path of the waste heat recovery unit and disposed on an upstream side of the at least one boiler, and the intake pipe may be connected to the air preheating boiler and the air cooler in a communicating manner
Implementation Method 4
an air cooler connected to the waste heat recovery unit and configured to receive waste heat from the waste heat recovery unit, wherein an intake pipe in which intake air flows is connected to the air cooler in a communicating manner
Implementation Method 5
A water cooling type cooling circuit may be connected to the air cooler and may include a low temperature coolant circulation path on which a low temperature coolant circulates
Implementation Method 6
one or more boilers, an expander, and a condenser may be installed on the working fluid circulation path
Implementation Method 7
a waste heat recovery unit having a Rankine cycle in which a boiler, an expander, a condenser, and a circulation pump are installed on a working fluid circulation path
Data Source
AI summary
An engine preheating apparatus includes a waste heat recovery unit for recovering waste heat within a vehicle, and an air cooler connected to the waste heat recovery unit for receiving waste heat from the waste heat recovery unit, wherein an intake pipe in which intake air flows is connected to the air cooler in a communicating manner.