Patent Application
20170138318
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง119 based on European Patent Application No. 15194885.8, filed Nov. 17, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a tunable intake system for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders. The system comprises an exhaust gas recirculation manifold arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems are well known in the art per se and are used for controlling the generation of pollutant gases and particulate matter in internal combustion engines. EGR systems recirculate the exhaust gas into the intake air supply of the engine. The exhaust gas that is reintroduced into the engine reduces the concentration of oxygen in the intake air which reduces the maximum combustion temperature within the cylinders and slows down the chemical reaction of the combustion process, which reduces the formation of nitrous oxides.
A problem with existing EGR systems is poor or less effective mixing and distribution of the exhaust gas and the fresh intake air. This causes problems with smoke and unwanted emissions. The use of EGR-distribution rails on modern vehicles improves the EGR-distribution but current systems are inherently hard or impossible to tune for multiple operational points of the internal combustion engine. This normally means that the distribution rail is optimized for one driving point or operational point only and that the engine control unit simply inactivates EGR-function in other operational points. Hence there is a need for EGR-systems that may easily tuned for optimum EGR-performance in multiple operational points of the engine.
In order to alleviate the problem mentioned above it is an object of the invention to provide a tunable intake system for exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders, wherein the system comprises an exhaust gas recirculation manifold arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine, where the manifold has an exhaust gas recirculation inlet and an intake air inlet as well as at least one outlet leading to the multiple cylinders of the engine. The manifold also has a first distribution pipe connected to the exhaust gas recirculation inlet, which first distribution pipe has a first pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold. The invention is especially characterized in:
a second distribution pipe with a second pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold is fitted outside of said first distribution pipe whereby an interstitial gap is formed therebetween; and
at least one of said first and second distribution pipes being rotatable with respect to the other in order to selectively tune the distribution of recirculated exhaust gas for multiple operational points of the engine.
I an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second distribution pipes are concentrically arranged and independently rotatable with respect to each other.
In an advanced embodiment of the invention, an engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations for an optimal distribution of the recirculated exhaust gas depending on a given point of operation of the engine. Preferably, the engine control unit, or ECUI, is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations via a first rotating means for rotating the first distribution pipe and a second rotating means for rotating the second distribution pipe.
In alternative embodiments of the invention, the perforations are shaped as ovals or as elongated slots.
The invention also covers an automotive vehicle having a tunable intake system as described above.
Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.
With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.
The invention will now be described with reference to embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended drawings. With initial reference to
The intake system 1 includes an exhaust gas recirculation manifold 2 which is arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine. The manifold 2 has an exhaust gas recirculation inlet 3 and an intake air inlet 4 as well as at least one outlet 5 leading to the multiple cylinders of the engine (not shown). A first distribution pipe 6 is connected to the exhaust gas recirculation inlet 3 and is provided with first pattern of flow distribution perforations 7 for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold 2. A second distribution pipe 8 with a second pattern of flow distribution perforations 9 for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold 2 is fitted outside of said first distribution pipe 6 whereby an interstitial gap 10 is formed therebetween. According to the invention at least one of said first and second distribution pipes 6, 8 are rotatable with respect to the other in order to selectively tune the distribution of recirculated exhaust gas for multiple operational points of the engine. By the term operational points is meant specific points of engine speed and associated torque as known per se.
The first and second distribution pipes 6, 8 are preferably independently rotatable with respect to each other. Alternatively, only one of the distribution pipes 6, 8 is rotatable whilst the other is fixed. In a well-functioning embodiment of the invention one or both of the distribution pipes 6, 8 can be tuned and set at a desired degree of rotation during a planned service of the engine.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in
In the exemplifying first embodiment shown in
The invention also refers to an automotive vehicle (not shown) that has a tunable intake system 1 as described above.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings and a skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15194885.8 | Nov 2015 | EP | regional |
