阅读说明：本技术 用于燃料发动机的增压空气冷却器 (Charge air cooler for fuel engine ) 是由 樊尚·萨特 西尔万·拉里奇 于 2021-06-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于燃料发动机的增压空气冷却器(5),该增压空气冷却器(5)包括：-壳体,该壳体具有入口(16)和出口(20),-热交换器(10),该热交换器(10)在壳体内且在入口(16)和出口(20)之间,-热响应排水机构(50,60),该热响应排水机构(50,60)用于排出冷凝物,-该排水机构(50,60)被构造成：当增压空气冷却器(5)内的温度低于限定温度时,该排水机构(50,60)排出冷凝物,-该排水机构包括：排水口(58,68),-阀(51,61,52,62,53,63),该阀(51,61,52,62,53,63)被布置在排水口(58,68)上,-致动装置(53,63,64),该致动装置(53,63,64)用于使阀在打开状态和关闭状态之间移动,其中,该致动装置包括相变材料。(The invention relates to a charge air cooler (5) for a fuel engine, the charge air cooler (5) comprising: -a housing having an inlet (16) and an outlet (20), -a heat exchanger (10), the heat exchanger (10) being within the housing between the inlet (16) and the outlet (20), -a thermally responsive drain mechanism (50, 60), the thermally responsive drain mechanism (50, 60) for draining condensate, -the drain mechanism (50, 60) being configured to: the drain mechanism (50, 60) drains condensate when the temperature in the charge air cooler (5) is below a defined temperature, -the drain mechanism comprising: -a drain opening (58, 68), -a valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63), the valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63) being arranged on the drain opening (58, 68), -an actuating device (53, 63, 64), the actuating device (53, 63, 64) being adapted to move the valve between an open state and a closed state, wherein the actuating device comprises a phase change material.)

1. A charge air cooler (5) for a fuel engine, the charge air cooler (5) comprising:

-a housing having an inlet (16) and an outlet (20),

-a heat exchanger (10), the heat exchanger (10) being within the housing and between the inlet (16) and the outlet (20),

-a thermally responsive drain mechanism (50, 60), the thermally responsive drain mechanism (50, 60) for draining condensate,

-the drainage mechanism (50, 60) is configured to: the draining means (50, 60) draining condensate when the temperature in the charge air cooler (5) is below a defined temperature,

-the drainage mechanism comprises: a drain opening (58, 68),

-a valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63), said valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63) being arranged on said drain opening (58, 68),

-actuating means (53, 63, 64), said actuating means (53, 63, 64) being for moving said valve between an open state and a closed state,

wherein the actuation means comprises a phase change material.

2. Charge air cooler according to claim 1, wherein the actuation means (53, 63, 64) is in an open state when the phase change material is in a first phase and the actuation means (53, 63, 64) is in a closed state when the phase change material is in a second phase, the phase change of the material being performed at a temperature above 1 ℃.

3. A charge air cooler according to claim 2 wherein said first phase of said phase change material is in a liquid state and said second phase of said phase change material is in a gaseous state.

4. A charge air cooler according to claim 2 wherein said first phase of said phase change material is in a liquid state and said second phase of said phase change material is in a solid state.

5. A charge air cooler according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said actuating means comprises: a lever (51, 61), the lever (51, 61) being urged into the open state by a spring element (52, 62); and a deformable container (53, 63), the deformable container (53, 63) being filled with the phase change material, the deformable container (53, 63) pushing the rod (51, 61) into a closed state when the phase change material is in the second phase.

6. A charge air cooler according to claim 5, wherein the actuating means comprises a piston (64), the piston (64) being mounted between the rod (61) and the deformable container (63), and the piston (64) being configured to: the piston (64) urges the rod (61) into a closed state when the phase change material is in the second phase.

7. A charge air cooler according to claim 5, wherein the deformable container comprises a capsule (55), the capsule (55) being linked with a diaphragm (53) by a tube (56), the diaphragm (55) being configured to: the diaphragm (55) urges the stem (51) into a closed position when the phase change material is in the second phase.

8. Charge air cooler according to claim 7, wherein the capsule (55) is assembled in a hot region of the heat exchanger.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a charge air cooler comprising a drain for draining condensed matter from an inner space of the charge air cooler. The drain includes an opening in a bottom of the charge air cooler, wherein at least one member is positioned to open and close the opening.

The invention may be applied in any motor vehicle, for example in heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses and construction equipment.

The present invention is also applicable to a working machine in the field of industrial construction machines or construction equipment. Although the invention will be described in relation to a wheel loader, the invention is not limited to this particular machine, but may also be used in other work machines, such as articulated haulers, excavators and backhoe loaders.

Background

For turbocharged piston engines, it has become more or less an industry standard to provide a charge air cooler between the turbocharger and the intake of the engine. The charge air cooler cools the hot compressed air from the turbocharger prior to the engine intake. By this cooling, some important advantages are achieved which are known per se to the person skilled in the art. For example, the engine will achieve higher power, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.

However, there are some problems associated with the use of charge air coolers, the most serious of which may be the condensation of water vapour in the compressed air in the charge air cooler. The condensate will fall to the bottom of the charge air cooler where it may block the path of the air flowing through the charge air cooler.

During the winter, the problem of condensation water is even more severe in areas where freezing temperatures occur. At freezing temperatures, the condensate in the charge air cooler may freeze. It is well known that ice tends to expand in comparison to water, which expansion can damage confined spaces where freezing occurs, such as charge air cooler tubes or tanks. In addition, ice may block the air path from the turbocharger to the engine. It will be appreciated that if the airflow into the engine is disturbed, the operating conditions of the engine will be severely disturbed. In order to avoid condensation water collecting in the charge air cooler, small holes (1 mm to 10mm in diameter) are usually drilled in the bottom of the charge air cooler. The holes will allow water to drain from the charge air cooler, thus avoiding the said problem of water accumulation. However, providing a hole is disadvantageous from several points of view. First, the hole will not only allow water but also compressed air to escape from the charge air cooler. It will be appreciated that allowing compressed air to escape from the charge air cooler goes against the basic idea of a charge air cooler, namely to introduce a greater air mass through the engine intake. Secondly, there is a great risk of blockage of the small holes, which of course returns us to the first point, namely the problem of the condensate or ice clogging or damaging the charge air cooler. Third, there are engine operating conditions where the pressure in the charge air cooler is below ambient pressure. In this case, air will be drawn into the charge air cooler through the small holes. The air entering the charge air cooler through the small holes has not been filtered as with other intake air, which increases the risk of dust or abrasive material being allowed to enter sensitive combustion areas of the engine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a drainage solution that can be used in all markets, which provides adequate drainage, reduces the risk of clogging, has a limited risk of getting stuck in the open or closed position, drains all the water present and does not cause compressed air leakage.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and passive drainage mechanism for a charge air cooler, which is very simple in that it comprises a minimum of components and is a passive device that is not electronically or electrically controlled.

This object is achieved by a charge air cooler for a fuel engine, comprising:

a housing having an inlet and an outlet,

-a heat exchanger within the housing between the inlet and the outlet,

-a thermally responsive drain mechanism for draining condensate,

-the drainage mechanism is configured to: when the temperature in the charge air cooler is below a defined temperature, the drainage mechanism drains off condensate,

-the drainage mechanism comprises: a water discharge port, a water discharge pipe,

a valve arranged on the drain opening,

-actuating means for moving the valve between the open state and the closed state,

wherein the actuation means comprises a phase change material.

Using a phase change material to change the state of the valve is a simple and inexpensive solution. No electronics or sensors are required.

According to one embodiment, the actuation means is in the open state when the phase change material is in the first phase and in the closed state when the phase change material is in the second phase, the phase change of the material is performed at a temperature above 1 °.

The positive phase transition temperature is selected to avoid ice formation inside the air charge cooler.

According to one embodiment, the first phase of the phase change material is in a liquid state and the second phase of the phase change material is in a gaseous state.

According to one embodiment, the first phase of the phase change material is in a liquid state and the second phase of the phase change material is in a solid state.

According to one embodiment, the actuation device comprises: a lever urged into an open state by a spring element; and a deformable container filled with a phase change material, the deformable container urging the stem into the closed state when the phase change material is in the second phase.

According to one embodiment, the actuating means comprises a piston mounted between the stem and the deformable container and configured to: the piston pushes the rod into the closed state when the phase change material is in the second phase.

According to one embodiment, the deformable container comprises a capsule linked by a tube to a membrane configured to: the diaphragm urges the stem into a closed position when the phase change material is in the second phase.

According to one embodiment, the capsule is assembled in the hot area of the heat exchanger.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

Drawings

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings by way of example.

In the drawings:

figure 1 is a front view of a charge air cooler incorporating a drainage mechanism according to a first embodiment,

figure 2 is a cross-sectional front elevational view of the first embodiment of the drain mechanism in the closed position,

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional front elevational view of the second embodiment of the drain mechanism in the closed position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a charge air cooler 5 comprising a heat exchanger core 10 arranged between an inlet tank 16 and an outlet tank 20. The inlet box 16 includes a hollow interior 17 and a fluid inlet 18, the fluid inlet 18 providing fluid communication between the hollow interior 17 of the inlet box 16 and a turbocharger (not shown) disposed upstream of the inlet box 16 and serving to compress (and thus heat) the intake air prior to the intake air entering the charge air cooler 5. The inlet box 16 may include at least one fluid outlet (not shown) that provides fluid communication between the hollow interiors 17 of the inlet box 16. The inlet box may include a plurality of channels (not shown) formed therein for distributing the charge air to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8.

A plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8 extend from an inlet tank to an outlet tank 20, the outlet tank 20 being disposed at an opposite end of the heat exchanger core 10. In a similar manner, the outlet box may also include a plurality of passages (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8 for recombining charge air as it enters the outlet box 20. The plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8 may be spaced apart to allow the second cooling fluid to flow therebetween. It should be appreciated that the second cooling fluid may be any fluid having a lower temperature than the intake air flowing through the plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The second cooling fluid may be, for example, ambient air, recirculated air, water or any other cooling fluid circulating through any system of the vehicle having the charge air cooler 5. A plurality of corrugated fins (not shown) or other surface area increasing structure may be formed on the outer surface of each of the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8 to facilitate heat transfer between the charge air flowing through the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8 and the second cooling fluid flowing between the plurality of heat exchanger tubes 8.

The outlet box 20 may include at least one fluid inlet (not shown) formed therein that provides fluid communication between the plurality of channels formed in the outlet box 20 and the hollow interior 21 of the outlet box 20. The outlet box 20 further includes at least one fluid outlet 23 formed therein, the at least one fluid outlet 23 providing fluid communication between the hollow interior 21 of the outlet box 20 and an intake of an engine (not shown).

The inlet tank 16 further includes a drainage mechanism 50, 60, the drainage mechanism 50, 60 being disposed in a lowermost region of the hollow interior 17 thereof with respect to gravity. Alternatively, the drainage mechanism may be disposed in the lowermost region of the hollow interior 21 of its outlet box with respect to gravity.

According to a first embodiment, shown in fig. 2, the drain mechanism 50 comprises a drain opening 58, which drain opening 58 allows condensate to flow out of the charge air cooler 5. The drain mechanism 50 further comprises a rod 51, which rod 51 is pushed through the drain opening 58 by the spring element 52 in the open state. The stem 51 may have a first end with a conical shape to hermetically close the drain opening 58. The stem 51 and the spring member 52 form a valve to open or close the drain opening 58.

The drainage mechanism 50 comprises an actuation device comprising a deformable container 53 filled with a phase change material. When the phase changes, the volume of the phase change material increases or decreases and changes the shape of the deformable container. The deformable container 53 comprises a first portion 54, the first portion 54 being mounted close to one end of a rod 55. The first portion 54 is configured to: when the volume of the first portion 53 increases due to the phase change, the first portion 54 pushes the rod 51 into the closed state of the drain opening 58.

The drainage mechanism 50 includes a bladder 55, the bladder 55 being linked to the first portion 54 by a tube 56. The phase change material fills the interior volume of the first portion 54, the capsule 55, and the tube 56. According to the invention, in the first phase of the phase change material the rod 51 is in the closed state of the drain opening 58 and in the second phase of the phase change material the rod 51 is in the open state of the drain opening 58. The phase change material is then selected to increase in volume when changing phase from the second phase to the first phase.

As an example, the phase change material is in liquid form in the second phase and in gaseous form in the first phase. Then, when changing from the liquid phase to the gas phase, the volume of the phase change material increases. Thus, the first portion 54 of the drain mechanism 53 expands and pushes the rod 51 into the closed state.

The phase transition temperature is selected to place the water drain in a closed state when the charge air cooler is in operation. By "in operation" is meant that the engine is started and that the hot air to be cooled flows through the charge air cooler 5. The phase transition temperature should be at least above 0 deg.. This will ensure that the drainage mechanism will always be in an open state when the ambient temperature is below 0 deg., thereby avoiding ice formation inside the charge air cooler. As an example, the phase transition temperature is comprised between 1 ° and 50 °.

According to the first embodiment, the capsule 55 is mounted near the fluid inlet 18, the fluid inlet 18 being the hottest part of the charge air cooler 5. The tube 56 is mounted along the hollow interior 17 of the inlet box 16. The drain mechanism may include a housing 57, 67, the housing 57, 67 containing at least the stem 51, the spring element 52, the drain opening 58, and the first portion 54. The housing is then screwed onto the charge air cooler, for example.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a drainage mechanism 60 according to the present invention. This second embodiment also includes a stem 61, a spring member 62 and a drain 68 having the same configuration as the first embodiment described above. The actuation means comprises a deformable container 63 filled with a phase change material. The deformable container is configured to: the deformable container pushes the stem 61 against the drain opening when the first phase of the phase change material is a liquid phase. The second phase of the phase change material is a solid. The actuating means of the drainage mechanism may comprise a piston 64, which piston 64 is mounted between the rod 61 and the deformable reservoir 63.

The phase change material may be a paraffin-like material. With this material, the volume expansion due to the phase change is 10% or more. When hot gas enters the charge air cooler 5 from the turbine outlet, it heats the paraffin. When the paraffin melts, the volume expands pushing a piston which closes the drain 58. When the paraffin becomes solid, the spring element 62 pushes the rod 61 and the piston 64 into the open state.

The spring elements 52, 62 may be helical springs or an elastic material or any equivalent material.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; rather, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims set forth below.