Compact Exhaust Heating Module Radial Flow Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating modules for exhaust gas purification systems are not compact enough and inefficient in heating oxidation catalytic converters, leading to suboptimal regeneration of particle filters and other exhaust gas cleaning units.

Innovation Solution

A compact heating module design featuring a secondary branch with overflow pipe sections that allow for radial deflection of the exhaust gas flow, minimizing back pressure and enabling effective mixing with the main branch, along with an electrothermal heating element and HC injector configuration to achieve efficient temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional heating module design is used, then the oxidation catalytic converter can be heated, but the module is not compact enough and the heating efficiency is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidmodule compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary branch is positioned concentrically within the main branch, with the oxidation catalytic converter nested inside the heating module structure. This nesting arrangement allows the heating components and catalytic converter to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall module volume while maintaining effective heating capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional linear or radial branch configuration to a concentric cylindrical arrangement where the secondary branch occupies the internal volume of the main branch. This dimensional reorganization maximizes space utilization and achieves compactness without compromising heating efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the exhaust gas flow is directed through the secondary branch, then the oxidation catalytic converter is heated, but back pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic converter temperatureVSAvoidback pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection chambers are positioned specifically at the inlet and outlet regions of the secondary branch, creating localized flow management zones. These chambers provide smooth radial deflection paths only where needed, while the central section maintains a straight flow path, thereby minimizing overall flow resistance and back pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection chambers employ curved, rounded flow paths instead of sharp angles or abrupt transitions. This smooth curvature allows the exhaust gas to transition radially between the main and secondary branches without creating turbulence or pressure losses, effectively reducing back pressure while maintaining heating efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Volume of moving object

If the secondary branch is positioned concentrically within the main branch, then the module becomes compact, but the flow path configuration becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule compactnessVSAvoidflow path configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating module is divided into distinct functional segments: the main branch for primary exhaust flow, the concentric secondary branch for heating, and deflection chambers at inlet/outlet regions for flow transition. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple, optimized geometry while the assembly achieves compactness, reducing overall design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The design allows for efficient heating of oxidation catalytic converters, reducing the length of the heating module, minimizing back pressure, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution, thereby enhancing the regeneration process of particle filters and other exhaust gas cleaning units.

Implementation Method 1

an oxidation catalytic converter connected downstream of the HC injector in the flow direction of the exhaust gas for supplying thermal energy to an exhaust gas purification unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the soot that has accumulated on the filter is burned off (oxidized)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

an electrothermal heating element connected upstream of it. This is operated when this oxidation catalytic converter has to be heated to its light-off temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

the secondary branch has a deflection chamber on the inlet side and on the outlet side in each case extending from the main branch in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 5

the exhaust gas flow is divided into a main line and a secondary line for the purpose of actively bringing about the regeneration of a particle filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2691614B1Heating module for an exhaust purification system
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 HJS EMISSION TECH
  • EP2691614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2691614B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2691614B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A heating module (1) for an exhaust-gas purification system connected to the outlet of an internal combustion engine comprises a catalytic burner, with an HC injector (14) and with an oxidation catalytic converter (12) positioned downstream of the HC injector (14) in the flow direction of the exhaust gas, for supplying thermal energy to an exhaust-gas purification unit of the exhaust-gas purification system. It is provided here that the heating module (1) has a main section (2), a secondary section (3) which comprises the catalytic burner (12, 14), and a device (4, 5) for controlling the exhaust-gas mass flow flowing through the secondary section (3). In a first embodiment, the main section (2) has, in the inlet region of the heating module (1), an overflow pipe portion (6) which has overflow openings (7), between which overflow diverting chambers (8) is situated, parallel to the main section (2) of the heating module (1), the secondary section portion (11) with the oxidation catalytic converter (12). In another embodiment, it is provided that the secondary section (3) has, at the inlet side and outlet side, in each case one diverting chamber (8) which extends in the radial direction from the main section (2), between which diverting chambers (8) is situated, parallel to the main section (2) of the heating module (1), the secondary section portion (11) with the oxidation catalytic converter (12).