Four-Way EGR Mixing Valve Layout for Hotter Exhaust Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion engine systems face challenges in maintaining efficient exhaust gas temperatures for emission reduction, particularly at low load operations or cold conditions, leading to reduced NOx reduction and increased complexity in engine structure.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine system with a specific design of a four-way valve that controls the flow of fresh air and exhaust gas, featuring coaxial inlets and outlets forming an X-shape, which optimizes the symmetry of pressure drops and mixing proportions, allowing for improved air-fuel ratio management and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional mixing units are used to control exhaust gas flow, then the structure becomes more complex, but the exhaust gas temperature and NOx reduction efficiency improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the EGR line inlet diagonally opposite to the air inlet outlet, rather than using a symmetric arrangement. This asymmetric configuration creates optimized flow paths that enhance exhaust gas temperature and mixing efficiency while maintaining a simple structural design, resolving the contradiction between performance improvement and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning inlets and outlets at different heights and angles within the mixing unit. The EGR line inlet is placed at a different vertical level and diagonal position relative to the air inlet, creating efficient flow paths without adding structural complexity, thus improving exhaust gas temperature while maintaining simplicity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the four-way valve inlets and outlets are arranged in a standard configuration, then the structure remains simple, but the mixing efficiency and pressure drop symmetry are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry in the four-way valve by arranging the EGR line inlet diagonally opposite to the air inlet outlet, rather than using a standard symmetric configuration. This asymmetric arrangement creates symmetrical pressure drops and optimized mixing proportions while maintaining minimal structural complexity, effectively resolving the contradiction between mixing efficiency and design simplicity
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 design enhances exhaust gas temperature, improves NOx reduction, and maintains a simple engine structure with minimal dimension impact, achieving efficient operation across various modes while ensuring complete fuel combustion and reduced air flow resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing unit comprising a four-way valve, said four-way valve having a first inlet connected to the air line, a second inlet connected to the EGR line, a first outlet connected to the first intake manifold and a second outlet connected to the second intake manifold
Implementation Method 2
said first inlet connected to the air line and said second inlet connected to the EGR line are coaxial and the first outlet and second outlet are coaxial such that the first inlet connected to the air line is diagonally facing the second inlet connected to the EGR line
Implementation Method 3
an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block housing a plurality of cylinders
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine system (100), comprising: - an internal combustion engine (2) comprising a cylinder block (3) housing a plurality of cylinders (4) , a first intake manifold (6a) connected to a first group of cylinders (4a), a second distinct intake manifold (6b) connected to a second group of cylinders (4b) and a first, respectively a second, exhaust manifold (8a, 8b) for receiving the exhaust gas emitted from the first, respectively the second, group of cylinders (4a, 4b); - an air line (10); - an EGR line (20) connected to the first and second exhaust manifolds (8a, 8b); - the system (100) also includes a mixing unit (30) comprising a four-way valve, said four-way valve having a first inlet (31) connected to the air line (10), a second inlet (32) connected to the EGR line (20), a first outlet (33) connected to the first intake manifold (6a) and a second outlet (34) connected to the second intake manifold (6b); the system (100) being characterized in that: - said first inlet (31) connected to the air line (10), said second inlet (32) connected to the EGR line (20), said first outlet (33) and said second outlet (34) form a substantially X-shape; - said first inlet (31) connected to the air line (10) and said second inlet (32) connected to the EGR line (20) are coaxial and the first outlet (33) and second outlet (34) are coaxial such that the first inlet (31) connected to the air line (10) is diagonally facing the second inlet (32) connected to the EGR line (20) and the first outlet (33) is diagonally facing the second outlet (34).