Exhaust Valve and EGR Actuation With a Single Kinematic Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty vehicle engine systems with multiple actuators are expensive, cumbersome, and prone to failure due to their complexity and the number of components required to operate exhaust valves and recirculation systems.
Innovation Solution
An engine system that uses a single actuator and a kinematic chain to operate three valves (two proportional exhaust valves and one recirculation valve) through a series of cam systems, allowing for precise control and reducing the need for multiple actuators, thereby simplifying the system and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuators are used to operate each valve independently, then each valve can be precisely controlled, but the system becomes expensive, cumbersome, and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single actuator that operates three valves (two proportional exhaust valves and one recirculation valve) through a kinematic chain with cam mechanisms. This merging reduces the number of actuators from three to one, simplifying the system and improving reliability while maintaining precise control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple valves through different cam profiles. The kinematic chain enables one actuator to perform the functions previously requiring three separate actuators, making the system more compact and less expensive while maintaining the ability to precisely control exhaust gas flow and recirculation.
2Ease of manufacture
If three separate actuators are used for the three valves, then each valve operation is independent and reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases and the system becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate actuator systems into a single integrated actuator with a kinematic chain. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the functional capability to control all three valves independently when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed as a universal control device that can operate multiple valves through cam mechanisms. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of parts required for manufacturing, simplifying production processes and reducing overall system cost while preserving valve control independence.
3Reliability
If multiple actuators and valves are used to control exhaust gas flow, then various operating configurations are achievable, but the system becomes more prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve control functions into a single actuator system, reducing the number of potential failure points from three actuators to one. The kinematic chain with cam mechanisms preserves the ability to achieve various operating configurations (exhaust gas recirculation, turbocharging, braking) while improving reliability through component reduction.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine system (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (12) with two sets of cylinders (16, 22), a turbocharger (28), two exhaust conduits (30, 32) providing fluid communication between the turbocharger and the exhaust of the sets of cylinders, and an exhaust gas recirculation system (34) comprising a recirculation valve (38). Two proportional exhaust valves (42, 46) are adapted to control a flow of exhaust gas in the two exhaust conduits. The engine system comprises an actuator (50) comprising an output component operating the recirculation valve and the two exhaust valves. In a neutral position, the two exhaust valves are open and the recirculation valve is closed. A first movement of the output component, from its neutral position towards a first position, open the recirculation valve and close a first of the two exhaust valve. A second movement, from the first position and in the same direction as the first movement, close the second exhaust valve and hold open the recirculation valve and closed the first exhaust valve.