Multiple Height Fluid Mixer for EGR Intake Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mixing exhaust gas with intake air in internal combustion engines, such as those using flow obstructions to increase turbulence, often result in increased pressure losses, leading to decreased engine efficiency and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A mixer assembly that subdivides the flow of exhaust gas into multiple passages with outlets at different heights within the intake air conduit, minimizing pressure losses by optimizing the distribution and mixing of exhaust gas with intake air, while maintaining efficient engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If flow obstructions are used to increase turbulence in the intake air or exhaust gas, then the homogeneity of the mixture is improved, but the pressure losses in the intake system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer assembly divides the exhaust gas flow into multiple separate passages (first passage, second passage, third passage) with outlets at different heights. This segmentation allows the exhaust gas to be distributed more evenly throughout the intake air stream, improving mixture homogeneity without requiring high-turbulence flow obstructions that would increase pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical dimensionality by positioning outlets at different heights (first height, second height, third height) within the intake air conduit. This vertical distribution of exhaust gas outlets creates multiple mixing zones at different elevations, improving overall mixture homogeneity while maintaining lower pressure losses compared to horizontal flow obstructions.
2Productivity
If flow obstructions are used to increase turbulence, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but engine efficiency decreases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the exhaust gas flow into multiple passages with outlets at different heights, the mixer assembly achieves effective mixing without relying on high-turbulence flow obstructions. This segmented approach improves mixing effectiveness while avoiding the energy penalties associated with increased turbulence, thereby maintaining engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial distribution parameters of exhaust gas outlets (positions at different heights: first height, second height, third height) to optimize mixing effectiveness. This parameter change allows for improved mixing without the need for high-turbulence flow obstructions, thus maintaining engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
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 mixer assembly achieves a homogeneous mixture for each cylinder, reducing pressure losses and enhancing engine efficiency by controlling the vertical distribution and flow velocities of exhaust gas, thereby improving engine performance and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
These methods typically use flow obstructions that increase turbulence in the intake air, the exhaust gas, or the mixture of intake air and exhaust gas, to improve the homogeneity of the mixture supplied to the engine's cylinders.
Implementation Method 2
A mixer assembly for mixing intake air from an intake system with exhaust gas from an exhaust gas recirculation system to yield a mixture stream
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer assembly (204, 603) for mixing intake air from an intake system (124) with exhaust gas from an exhaust gas recirculation system (134) to yield a mixture stream includes an intake air conduit (202, 700) having an inlet (206, 706) fluidly connected to the intake system. The mixer assembly (204, 603) also includes a mixer (200, 600) having an inlet (208, 702) fluidly connected to the exhaust gas recirculation system (134). The mixer (200, 600) is at least partially disposed in the intake air conduit (202, 700) and includes an outer pipe (203, 604) and a dividing portion (217, 602) disposed within the outer pipe. The dividing portion (217, 602) divides a first passage (216, 612) from at least one second passage (218, 608), the first passage having an outlet (216′, 612′) that is at a first height, and the second passage having an outlet (218′, 608′) that is at a second height.