Volute EGR Mixing in Intake Conduit for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems face challenges in thoroughly mixing EGR with intake air while minimizing pressure drop and optimizing space usage, leading to inefficient engine performance and increased costs due to complex pipe routing and manufacturing complexities.
Innovation Solution
The use of a volute with a reducing radius and cross-section area to blend EGR and intake air streams efficiently, with the volute engaging the intake air conduit helically or perpendicularly, and an EGR path that is substantially arcuate with minimal turns, to ensure thorough mixing with low pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional EGR mixing systems (90-degree turns, Venturi, vortex) are used to mix EGR with intake air, then mixing is achieved, but significant pressure drop is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved volute geometry with a specific radius of curvature to guide EGR flow into the intake air stream. This curved path creates a gentle mixing action that avoids the sharp pressure losses associated with 90-degree turns while maintaining effective mixing through the curvature-induced flow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes fluid dynamic principles by allowing the EGR stream to enter the intake air stream at a specific angle and location within the volute. The hydraulic analogy applies to the fluid flow patterns created, where the curved volute acts as a flow guide that mixes the two gas streams through controlled fluid interaction rather than mechanical mixing elements.
2Area of stationary object
If complex pipe routing schemes are used to route EGR gas, then space constraints are addressed, but manufacturing costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the EGR mixing function directly into the existing intake air conduit by installing a volute within it. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate complex routing schemes with multiple slots and internal conduits, as the volute itself performs both the mixing and the space-efficient routing within the available engine compartment space.
Solution Approach 2:
The volute structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow guide for EGR, creates the mixing zone with intake air, and fits within the constrained engine compartment space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and complex routing arrangements.
3Quantity of substance
If complex internal routing schemes with slots and conduits are used, then EGR mixing is achieved, but machining and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential mixing function from complex internal routing schemes with multiple slots and conduits, achieving effective EGR mixing through a simpler volute geometry. By taking out only the necessary curved flow guidance and eliminating unnecessary internal complexity, manufacturing costs are reduced while maintaining mixing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved volute geometry provides effective mixing through its shape alone, eliminating the need for complex internal slots, conduits, and machining features. The curvature creates the necessary flow patterns and mixing action with a simple, manufacturable form that requires minimal machining complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If long pipe lengths are used in EGR path, then space constraints are accommodated, but pressure drop and transient response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The volute is nested within the existing intake air conduit structure, utilizing the available space within the engine compartment without requiring long external pipe runs. This nesting approach accommodates space constraints by fitting the EGR mixing component within the existing intake system architecture, thereby minimizing the overall EGR path length and associated pressure losses.
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 achieves thorough mixing of EGR and intake air with reduced pressure drop and minimal space requirements, enhancing engine performance and reducing manufacturing and redesign costs by simplifying the EGR system design.
Implementation Method 1
a volute with a reducing radius, width, and/or cross-section area to blend the EGR stream and intake air stream
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system are disclosed for efficiently recirculating an exhaust gas in a combustion engine. The apparatus includes an intake air conduit that accepts and promotes mixing of an intake air stream and an EGR stream. The intake air stream moves in the direction of the axis of the intake air conduit. The EGR stream enters the intake air conduit within a volute of decreasing area curled about the outside circumference of the intake air stream. The rate at which the volute encourages mixing of an EGR stream with an intake air stream is affected by the rate at which the volute's area decreases as the volute curls about the inside circumference of the intake air conduit, and by the angle of entry for the EGR stream as directed by the volute.