MIXER FOR AN EXHAUST GAS DUCT SYSTEM OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
A mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine includes a flow channel element (16) with a flow channel (14), through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow (S). At least one mixer element (12) in the flow channel element (16) is movable in the flow channel element (16) to change a mixing effect.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2014 119 671.6 filed Dec. 29, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to a mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine. Such an exhaust gas duct system comprises, in general, a flow channel, through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow, in a flow channel element. Such a flow channel may lead from an internal combustion engine, for example, a diesel internal combustion engine, to a catalytic converter device and then farther to the surrounding area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTo make it possible to meet increasingly stringent requirements imposed in regard to pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines, especially diesel internal combustion engines, it is known that additives, e.g., urea, can be introduced into the exhaust gas stream downstream of the internal combustion engine. To attain the greatest possible effect, it is necessary to efficiently mix such additives with the exhaust gases. However, the problem arises in this connection that the integration of mixer elements in the exhaust gas stream increases the exhaust gas back pressure because of the flow resistance generated by such mixer elements, which leads to a reduction of the output of an internal combustion engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine, which makes it possible to attain high engine outputs while basically ensuring an efficient mixing of exhaust gases and additives introduced into these.
This object is accomplished according to the present invention by a mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a flow channel, through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow, in a flow channel element, as well as at least one mixer element movable in the flow channel element to change the mixing effect.
The mixer according to the present invention is configured such that the partial damming (blocking) of the flow channel, which is inevitable due to the mixer to attain the mixing effect, can also be varied because of the change in the mixing effect of the mixer. Especially when an internal combustion engine is operated such as to have the highest outputs, the mixer can be brought into a state in which a lower exhaust gas back pressure is generated, but a comparatively low mixing effect is also attained, so that a very high engine output can be reached, even through the mixing of the combustion waste gases and the additives is somewhat inferior. In states in which such a high output is not necessary or is not required, the mixer can be brought into a state with strong mixing effect, so that an efficient reduction of the percentage of pollutants is achieved in the exhaust gases released into the surrounding area.
To make it possible to bring the mixer into states with different mixing effects, it is provided that the at least one mixer element of the mixer is pivotable about a pivot axis that is essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow. As an alternative or in addition, it may be provided that at least one mixer element be pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially in the main direction of flow.
Provisions may be made in another possibility of changing the mixing effect by moving the mixer element for at least one mixer element of the mixer to be able to be displaced in a direction extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow.
In the mixer according to the present invention, at least one mixer element can be brought into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer. These different operating states equally correspond to states of different damming and different flow resistance. In the first operating state, i.e., in the state in which maximum mixing effect of the mixer is attained, very intense swirling of the flow is brought about in the flow channel, which is associated with a comparatively high flow resistance and a corresponding exhaust gas back pressure. In the second operating state, i.e., in the state with minimal mixing effect, the effect on the flow is correspondingly weak due to a comparatively low flow resistance, so that the mixer also brings about only a comparatively small increase in the exhaust gas back pressure and thus makes it possible to attain very high engine outputs.
To make it possible to achieve a compact design of the mixer according to the present invention, it is provided that at least one mixer element be positioned essentially completely in the flow channel in the first operating state and in the second operating state.
A minimal effect of the mixer on the flow in the flow channel in the second operating position can be achieved by at least one mixer element not being essentially positioned in the flow channel in the second operating state. Provisions may be made for this, for example, for a mixer element mounting chamber adjoining the flow channel for receiving the mixer element to be provided in its second operating state.
In order to make it possible to achieve efficient mixing of the exhaust gases with additives introduced into them with the mixer according to the present invention, it is provided that at least one mixer element have at least one flow deflection element, wherein said at least one flow deflection element has at least one flow deflection surface arranged at an angle in relation to a main direction of flow at least in the first operating state. Provisions may be made in this connection, for example, for at least one row of flow deflection elements following each other in the direction of a row to be provided.
In case of such an arrangement in a row of the flow deflection elements, provisions may be made for moving at least one mixer element between the different operating states thereof for the pivot axis to extend essentially in the direction of the row or in a direction extending at right angles to the direction of the row.
The mixing effect of the mixer can be increased by providing at least two rows of flow deflection elements arranged next to one another essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow, or/and by providing at least two rows of flow deflection elements following one another in the main direction of flow.
To make it possible to move at least one mixer element to attain different mixing states in the mixer according to the present invention, it is provided that a moving drive be associated with at least one mixer element of the mixer.
The present invention pertains, furthermore, to an exhaust gas duct system for an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one mixer according to the present invention.
The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached figures.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
In the drawings:
A first embodiment of a mixer 10 for an exhaust gas duct system will be described below with reference to
In the embodiment of the mixer 10 shown in
In the example being shown, the mixer element 12 comprises two mixer element parts 18, 20, which are provided, for example, as shaped sheet metal parts and are permanently carried on a common rocking shaft 22. The rocking shaft 22 is carried pivotably or rotatably about a pivot axis A, for example, at a flow channel element 16 and may extend out of the flow channel element 16, for example, on one side. The rocking shaft 22 can be driven, for example, by an electric motor as a moving drive 24 for pivoting or rotation about the pivot axis A, as a result of which pivoting of the mixer elements 12 and of the two mixer element parts 18, 20 carried on the rocking shaft 22 between the first operating state shown in
As can be seen in
Each flow deflection element 26 provides at least one flow deflection surface 32 positioned at an angle in relation to the main direction of flow S. As is shown by a comparison of
It should be noted here once again that the mixer element part 20 may have a corresponding design. As is shown especially in
A comparison of
It becomes possible with the design of a mixer 12 shown in
An alternative design embodiment of a mixer is shown in
The mixer 10a comprises a plate-like mixer element 12a, on which two rows 28a, 30a of flow deflection elements 26a with respective flow deflection surfaces 32a are formed. It is seen, especially in
Another alternative embodiment of a mixer is shown in
In the first operating state of the mixer 10b, which is shown in
The two mixer elements 12b, 12b′ are arranged nested in one another in the embodiment shown in
The outer of the two mixer elements, i.e., the mixer element 12b, is pivotable by a moving drive, not shown here, about a pivot axis A extending, for example, in the direction of the shorter extension of the flow channel element 16b. If the mixer element 12b is brought into its position shown in
The inner mixer element 12b′ may be configured in this arrangement, in principle, as a stationary mixer element. To make it possible to achieve an even more sensitive adjustment between a state of maximum mixing effect and a state of minimal mixing effect, the mixer element 12b′ could also be adjustable and be brought, for example, into a state that corresponds to the state of the mixer element 12b in
Another alternative embodiment of a mixer is shown in
While the mixer elements present in the embodiments described above with reference to
The motion of the mixer element 12c from the state shown in
An embodiment of a mixer, in which such a displacing motion of a mixer element is used to make it possible to reach states of different mixing effects is shown in
One of the mixer elements, namely, the mixer element 12d, is arranged movably in the embodiment of a mixer 10d shown in
The two mixer elements 12d, 12d′ are positioned in
If it is necessary to change over from the first operating state of the mixer 10d shown in
The motion of the mixer element 12d in the flow channel 14d can be generated by a linear displacing drive, configured, for example, as an electric motor, not shown in
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Claims
1. A mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine, the mixer comprising
- a flow channel element with a flow channel through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow; and
- at least one mixer element mounted in the flow channel element to be movable in the flow channel element to change a mixing effect.
2. A mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow.
3. A mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially in the main direction of flow.
4. A mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one mixer element is displaceable in a direction extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow.
5. A mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer.
6. A mixer in accordance with claim 5, wherein the at least one mixer element is positioned essentially completely in the flow channel in the first operating state and in the second operating state.
7. A mixer in accordance with claim 5, wherein the at least one mixer element is not positioned essentially completely in the flow channel in the second operating state.
8. A mixer in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a mixer element mounting chamber adjoining the flow channel, the mixer element mounting chamber receiving the mixer element in the second operating state thereof.
9. A mixer in accordance with claim 5, wherein:
- the at least one mixer element has at least one flow deflection element; and
- the at least one flow deflection element has at least one flow deflection surface arranged at an angle in relation to the main direction of flow at least in the first operating state.
10. A mixer in accordance with claim 9, wherein the at least one mixer element comprises the at least one flow deflection element and at least an additional flow deflection element to form at least one row of flow deflection elements following each other in a row direction.
11. A mixer in accordance with claim 10, wherein:
- the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow;
- the pivot axis extends essentially in a direction of or at right angles to the row direction.
12. A mixer in accordance with claim 10, wherein at least one of:
- the at least one mixer element comprises at least an additional row of deflection elements to provide at least two rows of flow deflection elements arranged next to each other essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow are provided; and
- the at least one mixer element comprises at least an additional row of deflection elements to provide at least two rows of flow deflection elements following each other in the main direction of flow.
13. A mixer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a moving drive connected to the at least one mixer element.
14. An exhaust gas duct system for an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas duct system comprising at least one mixer comprising:
- a flow channel element with a flow channel through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow; and
- at least one mixer element mounted in the flow channel element to be movable in the flow channel element to change a mixing effect.
15. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow.
16. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially in the main direction of flow.
17. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the at least one mixer element is displaceable in a direction extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow.
18. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 17, wherein:
- the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer; and
- the at least one mixer further comprises a mixer element mounting chamber adjoining the flow channel, the mixer element mounting chamber receiving the mixer element in the second operating state thereof.
19. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 14, wherein:
- the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer; and
- the at least one mixer element has at least one flow deflection element; and
- the at least one flow deflection element has at least one flow deflection surface arranged at an angle in relation to the main direction of flow at least in the first operating state.
20. An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a moving drive connected to the at least one mixer element.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 28, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2016
Inventors: Silvia CALVO (Esslingen), Enver KURPEJOVIC (Lenningen), Oleksandr SEMENOV (Plochingen), David BINDER (Esslingen), Markus BIRGLER (Wernau), Steffen GLASER (Stuttgart), Michael IHRING (Ostfildern), Gita FEYL-NARRAIN (Esslingen), Ralf HÖLSCH (Epfendorf), Jan HÄNISCH (Neuhausen), Stefanos VARELIS (Leinfelden)
Application Number: 14/979,962