Segmented Engine Cooling Circuit for Exhaust Gas Recirculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for motor vehicle internal combustion engines often circulate coolant unnecessarily, reducing cooling efficiency in the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger and increasing thermal loading, especially at low engine loads.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with separate regulation of coolant flow through the internal combustion engine housing and exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, using shut-off valves to prevent unnecessary coolant circulation and activate cooling only when necessary, allowing for efficient cooling of the recirculated exhaust gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant circulates through the engine casing during start-up or low load, then engine cooling is provided, but unnecessary heat input into coolant reduces cooling capacity in exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine coolingVSAvoidcooling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into two separate sub-circuits: a first coolant sub-circuit for exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger and a second coolant sub-circuit for engine housing. This segmentation allows independent control of coolant flow to each component, enabling the system to prioritize exhaust gas cooling during start-up and low load conditions while reserving engine cooling for when thermally required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of coolant flow distribution through thermostatic valves that can switch between sub-circuits based on engine thermal state. During start-up and low load, the valve directs coolant to the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger only. When engine temperature exceeds a threshold, the valve activates the second sub-circuit for engine housing cooling, providing adaptive thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If coolant flows through both sub-circuits simultaneously, then both engine cooling and exhaust gas cooling are provided, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling control flexibilityVSAvoidcooling circuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant pump serves multiple functions by circulating coolant through different sub-circuits depending on thermal requirements. The thermostatic valve acts as a multi-functional control element that can direct flow to either sub-circuit or both simultaneously, providing versatile thermal management without requiring separate pumps or complex valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach reduces energy consumption and enhances cooling efficiency by preventing unnecessary heat input into the coolant, prioritizing engine cooling over exhaust gas cooling when needed, and optimizing coolant circulation based on engine temperature and load conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger (104) in the first coolant sub-circuit (100)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a coolant heat exchanger (216) in the second coolant sub-circuit (200)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

internal combustion engine-powered vehicles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2307678B1Cooling device for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, and method for operating the same

Publication Date: 2019.04.10 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for cooling a motor vehicle internal combustion engine in a cooling circuit comprising a coolant pump, an internal combustion engine housing, an exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, a coolant thermostatic valve, and a coolant heat exchanger, wherein the coolant pump and the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger comprise a first partial coolant circuit and the coolant pump and the internal combustion engine housing comprise a second partial coolant circuit, and to a method for operating such a cooling device, wherein at a temperature of the internal combustion engine below a predetermined first value, a first shut-off valve is closed and a coolant circulation in the second partial coolant circuit is substantially prevented so that the coolant circulates substantially in the first partial coolant circuit.