Vehicle Cooling Layout Using Height Difference to Suppress Boiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle cooling systems with multiple heat exchangers in series, boiling of cooling water occurs in downstream exchangers due to increased temperature, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Arranging the first heat exchanger at a higher position than the second heat exchanger creates a pressure gradient, suppressing boiling by increasing cooling water pressure in the downstream exchanger, while also positioning the second heat exchanger lower to benefit from lower atmospheric temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple heat exchangers are arranged in series on a cooling water circuit, then fuel consumption and output are improved, but cooling water temperature increases causing boiling in downstream heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical positioning (height dimension) to resolve the temperature issue. By arranging the EGR cooler at a lower height than the intercooler, the system utilizes gravitational potential energy to increase cooling water pressure in the downstream EGR cooler, preventing boiling while maintaining the series configuration for improved fuel consumption and output.
2Productivity
If heat exchangers are arranged in series, then cooling efficiency is improved, but cooling water pressure drops causing boiling in downstream exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical positioning to compensate for pressure drop. The EGR cooler is positioned lower than the intercooler, creating a height difference that generates additional pressure through position energy (gravitational potential energy), thereby maintaining sufficient cooling water pressure in the downstream EGR cooler despite the series arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If downstream heat exchanger is positioned higher, then installation flexibility is improved, but atmospheric temperature increases causing boiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension for both pressure generation and temperature management. By positioning the EGR cooler lower than the intercooler, the system simultaneously increases cooling water pressure through position energy and exposes the downstream heat exchanger to lower atmospheric temperatures, preventing boiling while maintaining installation flexibility.
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 configuration effectively suppresses boiling in the downstream heat exchanger, allowing for controlled flow rates and improved fuel efficiency, and integrates the cooling system into a compact package.
Implementation Method 1
cooling water pressure in the second heat exchanger, which is positioned on a downstream side, rises due to position energy resulting from the height difference between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
atmospheric temperature is higher toward an upper side, but the downstream second heat exchanger where cooling water temperature is higher is in a lower position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A water-cooled intercooler (11) is arranged on an intake side of an engine (1), and a water-cooled EGR gas cooler (12) is arranged on the intake side of the engine (1). Cooling water is supplied to the water-cooled intercooler (11) by a cooling water pump (8), and the cooling water flows to the water-cooled EGR gas cooler (12) via an intermediate cooling water passage (13) crossing through an oil pan (6). The downstream water-cooled intercooler (11) is arranged in a low position as compared to a height position of the water-cooled intercooler (11). Due to this height difference, the cooling water in the water-cooled EGR gas cooler (12) has high pressure, and boiling of the cooling water is suppressed.