Air Only Patents (Class 123/542)
  • Publication number: 20120090579
    Abstract: A charge air duct for an internal combustion engine includes a housing with at least one entrance and at least one exit for charge air, a first heat exchanger arranged inside the housing to cool the charge air, a bypass arranged on the housing to at least partially circumvent the heat exchanger, and an actuator arranged on the housing to influence the charge air flow. The charge air is guided from the entrance to the first heat exchanger in a first position of the actuator and from the entrance to the bypass in a second position of the actuator, and the bypass leads upstream of a second heat exchanger of the charge air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Johannes Diem, Ulrich Dehnen, Achim Rehmann, Bernhard Huurdeman, Karl-Ernst Hummel
  • Publication number: 20120079823
    Abstract: A system for correcting turbo lag may include an engine provided with a plurality of cylinders, an intake manifold for supplying air to the plurality of cylinders, and an exhaust manifold for exhausting exhaust gas generated in the plurality of cylinders, an intake passage connected to the intake manifold so as to supply fresh air to the intake manifold, an exhaust passage connected to the exhaust manifold so as to exhaust the exhaust gas gathered in the exhaust manifold, a turbo charger provided with a turbine mounted at the exhaust manifold or the exhaust passage and rotated by the exhaust gas and a first compressor mounted at the intake passage and connected to the turbine so as to rotate with the turbine and compress the air of the intake passage, a bypass passage branching off at a first point of the intake passage and joining the intake passage at a second point of the intake passage downstream of the first point, a second compressor mounted at the bypass passage and compressing the air passing through
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Wook SON, Won Seok Chang, Jeong Hwa Cha, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Young Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20120080014
    Abstract: A charge air cooling device is provided for a combustion engine with a first heat exchanger configured to transmit thermal energy of a charge airflow to a coolant and with a second heat exchanger by which thermal energy of the coolant can be discharged into the surroundings. The first heat exchanger is designed as coaxial tube heat exchanger, which directly connects a compressor provided for the combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Ove PIETSCH, Lothar SEYBOLD, Ioannis LAZARIDIS, Udo KNOBLOCH
  • Publication number: 20120017877
    Abstract: A device for cooling charge air, specifically for cooling charge air which is compressed in a compressor of at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger and which is to be supplied to an internal combustion engine, wherein at least two charge-air coolers are arranged in a common housing, specifically in such a way that charge air to be cooled can be supplied separately to the charge-air coolers arranged in the common housing via in each case one separate incoming-air chamber provided by the common housing, and that cooled charge air can be discharged jointly from the charge-air coolers arranged in the common housing via a common outgoing-air chamber provided by the common housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Laube, Michael Wessels
  • Patent number: 8100096
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for automatically controlling an internal combustion engine, wherein, in a first controller mode, a charge air temperature controller is set as dominant for a map-controlled thermostatic valve, and, in a second controller mode, a coolant temperature limit controller is set as dominant for the map-controlled thermostatic valve. Upstream of a recooler, a coolant flow is divided into a recooler coolant flow and a bypass coolant flow as a function of the position of the map-controlled thermostatic valve. Downstream of the recooler, the temperature of the charge air cooler coolant flow is determined from the combined fractions of the recooler coolant flow and the bypass coolant flow to control the charge air temperature (TLL) or to control the coolant temperature (TKM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Publication number: 20110296832
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine system comprises charging a cylinder of the engine system with exhaust from upstream of an exhaust turbine at a first rate. The method further comprises charging the cylinder with exhaust from downstream of the turbine at a second rate. The exhaust from downstream of the turbine is routed to the cylinder via a low-pressure exhaust-gas recirculation path. The method further comprises increasing the second rate relative to the first rate in response to a coolant-overheating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20110271936
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine and an air intake assembly configured to supply a flow of air to one or more cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The air intake assembly includes an air supply conduit with a turbine therein, a bypass conduit configured to bypass the turbine, and a fresh air valve configured to selectively direct the flow of air to one or both of the air supply conduit and the bypass conduit. An exhaust conduit is configured to receive a flow of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and direct the flow of exhaust gas away from the internal combustion engine. A compressor in the exhaust conduit, which may be coupled to the turbine by a shaft, is configured to rotate and thereby reduce backpressure in the exhaust conduit during idle and partial throttle conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: James Reyenga, William Joseph Smith, Jeffrey Allen Lotterman
  • Patent number: 8037872
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Travis S. Johnson, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110251743
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated engine system; said integrated engine system includes an air-compression means, an air-buffer-system, a power-management-unit, and at least two cold-expansion-chambers; wherein each of said at least two cold-expansion-chamber includes a spark-ignition means, a fuel-supplying means, a cold-air-injection means, and a reenergize-air-injection means; each cold-expansion-chamber operates in a Mackay Cold-Expansion Cycle, which includes a first-intake-process, a hot-combustion-process, a fuel-cooling-process, a second-intake-process, a cold-expansion-process, and an active-exhaust-process; wherein the fuel-cooling-process may be disabled according to the operation condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Lung-Tan Hu, Gordon Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 8025045
    Abstract: A cooler device for a motor vehicle including a charge air cooler with a first cooler element, an EGR cooler with a second cooler element arranged substantially in plane with the first cooler element is disclosed. A screening device regulates air flow through the cooler elements. A control mechanism is operable to switch the screening device to and from between an open position and a closed position. A first screening portion allows more air to pass through than a second screening portion when the screening device is in the closed position such that air flow through the first cooler element is limited to a lesser extent than through the second cooler element in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Rickard Pettersson, Henrik Nyrén, Rolf Dybdal
  • Patent number: 8020536
    Abstract: A cooler device for a motor vehicle includes a charge air cooler with a first cooler element, an EGR cooler with a second cooler element, the first and second cooler elements are arranged beside and substantially in plane with one another. The cooler elements each comprise pipelines for the respective medium to be cooled. Air passages for a cooling air flow are arranged between the pipelines. A screening device is arranged in front of or behind the cooler elements to regulate the air flow through elements. A control mechanism switches the screening device to and from between an open position in which the screening device does not, or at least does not appreciably, limit air flow through the air passages of the cooler elements, and a closed position in which the screening device limits the air flow through the air passages between all of the pipelines of the second cooler element and the air flow through the air passages between only some of said pipelines of the first cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Publication number: 20110146632
    Abstract: The present application includes an air intake system for cooling charged air prior to entering one or more cylinders of a diesel engine. The air intake system may include a housing that includes a hydronic intake air manifold comprised of tubing and fins having a pair of ports further comprising a hydronic water cooling coil having a pair of ports, a belt-driven centrifugal pump having a plurality of ports with a reservoir containing a proportional mixture of distilled water and ethylene glycol antifreeze. The present application may further include an air intake method for cooling charged air prior to entering one or more cylinders of a diesel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: George Alfred Legg
  • Publication number: 20110139131
    Abstract: An arrangement for a supercharged combustion engine (2), including at least one compressor (6a, 6b) for compressing air in a first cooling system, the first cooling system having a first circulating coolant, a second cooling system with a second circulating coolant which during normal operation of the combustion engine is at a lower temperature than the first coolant in the first cooling system, at least one charge air cooler (9a, 9c) applied in the air inlet line (8) and being cooled by coolant from the second cooling system. The second cooling system includes a first radiator element (24) and a second radiator element (36) arranged in series with the first radiator element (24) in the second cooling system, so that at least part of the coolant which circulates in the second cooling system undergoes two steps of temperature lowering during a single round of circulation in the second cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Erik Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20110120426
    Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of a charge air stream flowing through an air-cooled intercooler of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, with a fan for producing a cooling air stream acting on the intercooler and with an actuation unit for controlling the flow of cooling air as a function of charge pressure present at the intercooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: PETER BACK, WALDEMAR STARK
  • Publication number: 20110088663
    Abstract: An intake manifold arrangement of an internal combustion engine has an intake manifold and a cooling fluid charge air cooler arranged in the intake manifold. The cooling fluid charge air cooler has cooling fluid tanks at first and second opposite ends. At least one of the cooling fluid tanks at the first end forms at least a part of the intake manifold and is an integral component of the cooling fluid charge air cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Dehnen, Karl-Ernst Hummel
  • Publication number: 20110088664
    Abstract: A gas intake device for letting gases into an inlet volume of a cylinder head of a motor vehicle combustion engine includes a valve (10) for supplying the cylinder head with gas, this valve communicating with the inlet volume of the cylinder head directly and indirectly via a heat exchanger (14). The valve (10) and the heat exchanger (14) are mounted on a plate (21) intended to be mounted directly on the cylinder head. The device is compact and relatively insensitive to vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicants: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR, VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Samuel Leroux, Mathieu Lallelmant, Arnold Rimpau, Christian Westphal
  • Patent number: 7886724
    Abstract: A charge air cooler arrangement includes a first charge air cooler disposed upstream of an engine inlet, a second cooler disposed upstream of the first charge air cooler, and a bypass line for bypassing the second cooler, a downstream end of the bypass line being disposed upstream of the first charge air cooler. A method of reducing condensation in an engine having charge air cooling is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Tai, Todd Colin Reppert
  • Publication number: 20110000469
    Abstract: A charge air system for a combustion engine and an operation method are provided. The charge air system includes a first turbocharger stage for intake of combustion air supplied to the engine from a first pressure to a second pressure, a second turbocharger stage for compression of the compressed air to a third pressure, a first heat exchanger being arranged between the first and the second turbocharger stage for cooling the compressed air, a first intake air bypass for modulating the flow of the air through the first heat exchanger and/or a first mass flow control unit for controlling the flow of a cooling medium supplied to the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Peteris Lauberts, Bert-Inge Bertilsson
  • Publication number: 20100258095
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a plurality of intermediate plates arranged one atop the other to form a stack having first and second ends. At least one first fluid channel through conducts a first fluid and at least one second fluid channel through conducts a second fluid. The intermediate plates are geometrically configured to define at least a portion of each of the first and second fluid channels. An end plate is arranged on one of the ends of the stack and a first inlet opening communicates with the first fluid channel for introducing the first fluid and a first outlet opening communicates with the first fluid channel for conducting the first fluid out of the heat exchanger. A second inlet opening communicates with the second fluid channel for introducing the second fluid and a second outlet opening communicates with the second fluid channel for conducting the second fluid away from the heat exchanger. The end plate has at least one expansion zone for reducing the stiffness thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Saumweber, Friedrich Brotz, Arthur Strehlau, Frank von Lützau
  • Patent number: 7779821
    Abstract: The invention provides an intake-air cooling device for an internal combustion engine that can be installed compactly. The invention provides an intake-air cooling device for a gasoline engine equipped with an intercooler that cool intake air with outside air and an evaporator that cools intake air with refrigerant circulating in a bypass refrigeration circuit, disposed in this sequence in an intake-air channel from a supercharger to the gasoline engine. The intercooler is disposed in an outside-air duct through which outside air passes, the evaporator is disposed inside a case through which the intake air passes, and a bottom plate of the case forms part of the outside-air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Noyama, Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Atsushi Kodama
  • Publication number: 20100199955
    Abstract: A charge air cooler suitable for use in vehicles, such as Class 8 trucks, is disclosed. The charge air cooler includes one or more enhanced flow features that provide improved efficiency to an associated internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the charge air cooler may include enhanced flow features that smooth the charge air flow as it transitions from an input plenum to the charge air tube conduits for reducing possible system pressure drop. In another embodiment, the input plenum and/or output plenum may be configured in order to maintain a constant charge air velocity across the inlet surface of the cooling core. To that end, the plenum may include a tapered lower section that decreases in width W, and thus, the cross sectional flow area into the cooling core, as the plenum extends from an upper region of the cooling core to the bottom of the cooling core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: PACCAR INC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100192890
    Abstract: A high-altitude aircraft powerplant including an engine, a two-stage turbocharger having an intercooler and an aftercooler, a cryogenic hydrogen fuel source, and a cooling system including a hydrogen heat exchanger. Aided by a ram-air cooler that cools a coolant to a near-ambient temperature, the heat exchanger is configured to heat the hydrogen using the coolant, and to cool the coolant to a temperature well below the ambient temperature during high-altitude flight. The intercooler and aftercooler use the sub-ambient temperature coolant, as does a separate sensor. The ram-air cooler includes a front portion and a rear portion. The cooling system includes three cooling loops which respectively incorporate only the front portion, only the rear portion, and both portions of the ram-air cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Nelson Brooks, James Gallagher Daley, Bart Dean Hibbs
  • Publication number: 20100132355
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, in particular an Otto-cycle engine, has an exhaust gas turbocharger and a mechanical charger, wherein a compressor of the exhaust gas turbo charger is disposed upstream of the mechanical charger in the air channel for combustion air such that the compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger draws combustion air directly from an air filter. A first charge air cooler is disposed downstream of the compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger and upstream of the mechanical charger. A second charge air cooler is disposed downstream of the mechanical charger. The first charge air cooler, the second charge air cooler, the mechanical charger, and an intake manifold are all arranged in a single charge air cooling module, wherein direct fuel injection into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine is provided for supplying fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Michels, Jens Kühlmeyer, Dirk Hagelstein, Manfred Kloft
  • Patent number: 7717097
    Abstract: According to the method, the gases are circulated in a liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) prior to their entering the internal combustion engine (58) and a high temperature liquid and/or a low temperature liquid is circulated in the liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) in order to heat and/or cool the gases (84) as required. The liquid/gas heat exchanger may comprise a single stage or two stages, that is a high temperature stage and a low temperature stage. It can also be used to cool the recirculating exhaust gases prior to their entering the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Pascal Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20100089342
    Abstract: An apparatus for charge air cooling for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a first heat exchanger for charge air high-pressure cooling, and at least one second heat exchanger for charge air low-pressure cooling, and at least one first connecting element for connecting a first heat exchanger and the at least one second heat exchanger together, at least one coolant supply conduit for supplying at least one heat exchanger with coolant, at least one coolant discharge conduit for the discharge of coolant from at least one of the heat exchangers, wherein the at least one coolant supply conduit and the at least one coolant discharge conduit are arranged substantially completely in the at least one first connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicants: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG, MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Wegner, Joachim Huster
  • Publication number: 20100083941
    Abstract: A cooler arrangement of a vehicle includes a charge air cooler which itself includes at least one pipeline for guiding compressed air during cooling and a first tank for receiving the cooled compressed air from the first pipeline, and an EGR cooler which includes at least one second pipeline for guiding exhaust gases during cooling, and a second tank operable to receive the cooled exhaust gases from the second pipeline. A mechanical connection connects an end of the first tank of the charge air cooler to an end of the second tank of the EGR cooler so that the tanks constitute a composite tank unit in a fitted state in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Publication number: 20100083940
    Abstract: A cryogenic air condenser is disclosed that pre-cools and thereby condenses air before it enters an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, allowing more fuel to be burned during each combustion cycle and enhancing the power of the engine without placing any drag on the engine. The air is cooled by making thermal contact with a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, liquid air, or liquid helium. For example, the air can flow through pipes surrounded by cryogenic liquid, or air can flow past pipes filled with cryogenic liquid. Cooling of the combustion chamber by the chilled air also allows higher compression ratios without dieseling, and slower burning of the fuel, thereby providing additional enhancements. The cryogenic air condenser requires no modifications to the engine, and can be added to a vehicle after manufacture. Evaporated cryogenic liquid can be vented into the vehicle exhaust, providing Venturi suction for additional cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Woodford Leon Vrazel
  • Publication number: 20100077995
    Abstract: A condensate extractor assembly is provided for collecting and evacuating condensate from inside a charge air cooler in an internal combustion engine assembly. The condensate extractor assembly includes a sump that is attached to or formed in the charge air cooler. The sump is adapted to drain and collect condensate from the charge air cooler. A hose is fluidly coupled at one end to the sump, and fluidly coupled at a second end to the intake manifold. The hose is configured to evacuate condensate from the sump and distribute it directly to the intake manifold in response to the pressure gradient generated by the engine assembly when in an on-state. The hose defines an orifice that restricts the flow of air and condensate through the hose. A filter is fluidly coupled to the hose, fluidly intermediate the orifice and the sump member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian John-Augustin Buia, Darren Lee Bohne, Ryan A. Kuhlenbeck, Paul S. Czarnowczan, Thomas Porter Rutherford
  • Patent number: 7685819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbocharged internal combustion engine (ICE) system having fast response to increased power demand and reduced response time lag. The system includes a vortex tube for delivering cold air into the turbocharger compressor where it may be used to cool the impeller, and/or accelerate the impeller rotational speed, and/or favorably shift the compressor surge line at low speeds and high loads. Cold air from the vortex tube may be also used to operate an ejector pump in the intake duct which further compresses intake air and increases engine charge weight during periods of high power demand. In addition to increasing engine output power, delivery of cold air into engine intake also reduces engine pre-ignition (knocking) thereby reducing emissions. The invention also relates to a method for operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Aqwest LLC
    Inventor: Jan Vetrovec
  • Patent number: 7658183
    Abstract: A combustion engine intake air cooler system is disclosed that utilizes the vehicle air conditioning system to chill the engine intake air supply by conducting latent heat from the intake air passing through the intake air ducts using an external tubular induction coil in contact with and surrounding the air intake duct and connected to the vehicle air conditioning refrigeration system. Other embodiments include a refrigeration conduction coil located within a sealed and insulated, carburetor air breather and a refrigeration conduction coil in contact with the engine fuel line. An on board refrigerator using dry ice is also disclosed as a refrigeration system for the conduction coils when no vehicle air conditioning system is available. An intake air temperature sensing and control system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Supercooler, LLC
    Inventor: Tommy Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100006043
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement for a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. The cooling arrangement includes an air passage through which air flows in a specific direction, and at least three cooling elements to effect cooling of a medium. The three cooling elements are arranged one after another in the air passage such that at least part of the air which flows through the air passage flows successively through all of the cooling elements and cools the media in the respective cooling elements. The cooling elements are arranged one after another in the air passage in a sequence which is related to the temperature of the media in the respective cooling elements such that the air which flows through the cooling elements in the air passage cools a succession of media, each media in succession is at a higher temperature than the one preceding it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Hans Wikström, Erik Söderberg
  • Patent number: 7628144
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine system wherein during periods of high power demand the weight of combustion chamber charge is increased by cooling intake air in a vortex tube operated by high-pressure air from a storage tank. In addition to increasing engine output power, cold air intake also reduces engine pre-ignition (knocking) thereby reducing emissions. Included are means for sensing engine power demand and controlling the supercharging action. Output of the vortex tube may be also used to operate an ejector pump which further compresses intake air and increases charge weight. During periods of natural aspiration the ejector pump can be by-passed to reduce flow impedance. Effective supercharging is achieved even at low engine speeds. One of the objects of the invention is to obtain more power from small displacement ICE and thus providing automotive vehicles with sufficient acceleration in addition to good fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Aqwest LLC
    Inventor: Jan Vetrovec
  • Publication number: 20090223493
    Abstract: A condensate extractor system for an internal combustion engine assembly with a charge air cooler system is provided. The condensate extractor system includes a hose member with a first end in direct fluid communication with the charge air cooler system, and a second end in direct fluid communication with the intake manifold of the engine air intake system. The hose member removes condensate from the charge air cooler system in a continuous manner in response to a pressure gradient created by the throttle body when the engine is in an on-state. The hose member defines an orifice configured to restrict the flow of air and condensate through the hose member. A filter is placed in direct fluid communication with the hose member, upstream from the orifice. The hose member is preferably characterized by a lack of fluid communication with a reservoir configured to collect condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Porter Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20090145409
    Abstract: There is provided an intake-air cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can be arranged compactly. The intake-air cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine is configured such that an intercooler that cools intake air with outside air and an evaporator that cools the intake air with refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit are arranged in this order in an intake-air passage from a supercharger to the internal combustion engine, wherein the intercooler is disposed in a duct through which the outside air passes; the evaporator is disposed in a case through which the intake air passes; and one wall of the case constitutes part of the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Noyama, Yasutaka Aoki, Katsuhiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20090139497
    Abstract: An oxygen separation system for an engine is disclosed. The oxygen separation system may include a cathode exposed to inlet air, an anode configured to direct a flow of substantially pure oxygen to a combustion chamber of the engine, and a thin film electrolyte located between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Bo Shi, Marcus Ronald Weber, Orhan Altin
  • Patent number: 7536998
    Abstract: A drive unit of a motor vehicle, provided with an internal combustion engine, with a combustion air supply having a low-pressure compressor, a high-pressure compressor and a combustion air cooling unit, and with an exhaust gas withdrawal via which exhaust gas formed in the internal combustion engine is withdrawn. The drive unit has a cooling system with at least one cooling circuit in which are arranged a heat exchanger, through which flows a working medium and which can be cooled by atmospheric air, at least one exhaust gas cooler integrated into the exhaust gas withdrawal, and the combustion air cooling unit has a combustion air intercooler and a main combustion air cooler that are thermally coupled to the cooling circuit in such a way that in the direction of flow of combustion air, the combustion air intercooler is disposed between the low-pressure and the high-pressure compressors, and the main combustion air cooler is disposed downstream of the high-pressure compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Held, Gottfried Raab
  • Publication number: 20090071450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a charger module (1) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a mechanical charger (2) and two charge coolers (3, 4), mounted downstream of the charger (2), for cooling the compressed charge air. The aim of the invention is to reduce the costs for producing such a charger module without impairing the rigidity or structural stability of the charger module (1). For this purpose, the charger (2) and the two charge coolers (3, 4) are inserted in a common housing (5) which surrounds the charger (2) and the two charge coolers (3, 4) at least on the bottom side and on two opposite sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Ralf Doring, Joerg Riegner, Jens-Uwe Kaulbach, Ralph Hollmig
  • Publication number: 20090071149
    Abstract: A method of operating a stationary internal combustion machine comprising a compressor device of variable compressor geometry which compresses gas fed to the internal combustion machine, and a throttle device which is connected downstream of the compressor device and with which the amount of compressed gas fed to the internal combustion machine is variable, wherein the internal combustion machine is regulated by way of the actuation of at least two adjusting members, wherein the internal combustion machine is regulated to a—preferably substantially constant—engine regulating value, and upon a deviation in the engine regulating value from a reference value the amount of gas fed to the internal combustion machine is altered by the actuation of the throttle device as the first adjusting member and by the variation in the geometry of the compressor device as the second adjusting member so that the engine regulating value is re-set to the reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Rainer Greuter, Johann Hirzinger, Johann Klausner
  • Publication number: 20090050117
    Abstract: A charge air cooler arrangement includes a first charge air cooler disposed upstream of an engine inlet, a second cooler disposed upstream of the first charge air cooler, and a bypass line for bypassing the second cooler, a downstream end of the bypass line being disposed upstream of the first charge air cooler. A method of reducing condensation in an engine having charge air cooling is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: MACK TRUCKS, INC.
    Inventors: Chun Tai, Todd Colin Reppert
  • Publication number: 20090020263
    Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently cooling the heat of a hot target without enlarging the size of a cooling device or needing either a piping to connect an evaporation portion and a condensation portion or a steam circulation pump. An exoergic-side heat exchanger has a fluid passage for the target fluid, and stores a coolant for cooling the fluid in the fluid passage through heat exchange. An endoergic-side heat exchanger has at least two coolant passages, the one ends of which communicate with the endoergic-side heat exchanger, and the other ends of which communicate with each other through a common coolant passage. A cooling device cools the coolant by exchanging heat with the coolant passing through the exoergic-side heat exchanger. The coolant passage has a diameter or an equivalent diameter within a range of 2 mm to 16 mm, and all the coolant passages have a substantially identical or equivalent diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Akihiro Ohsawa, Shinji Tsujimura, Rencai Chu, Hikosaburou Hiraki
  • Publication number: 20080295811
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Travis S. Johnson, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080223345
    Abstract: The arrangement of a charge air cooler in an intake system of an internal combustion engine has a charge air cooler that on the one hand is supplied with combustion air and on the other hand with a liquid coolant. A coolant/air cooler is provided in which the liquid coolant is cooled by an air stream. The charge air cooler is slantedly arranged in a pipe conduit for the charge air with regard to the end face of a heat exchanger block exposed to the charge air. The end face of the charge air cooler is arranged relative to the cross-section of the pipe conduit at an angle of >45°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: MANN+ HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Ernst Hummel, Bernhard Huurdeman
  • Publication number: 20080202725
    Abstract: A cooler arrangement comprising a charge air cooler which comprises at least one first pipeline for guiding compressed air during cooling and a tank which receives the cooled compressed air via an outlet aperture from the first pipeline, and an EGR cooler which comprises at least one second pipeline for guiding exhaust gases during cooling and a tank which receives the cooled exhaust gases from an outlet aperture of the second pipeline. The cooler arrangement comprises a tubular element extending from the EGR cooler's tank to the charge air cooler's tank. The tubular element has an outlet aperture for exhaust gases which is situated downstream of the most downstream outlet aperture in the charge air cooler's tank with respect to the main direction of flow of the air in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Henrik Nyren
  • Patent number: 7398770
    Abstract: A dual cold air induction (“DCAI”) system, apparatus and method for decreasing the intake air temperature, which increases the air's volume and efficiency, at the diesel internal combustion engine's point-of-ignition. The DCAI system comprises a dual air cooling unit defined by primary and secondary compartments. The primary compartment ingests ambient air and conditions it to a preset predetermined temperature for mixing with ambient air upstream of the turbocharger's compressor side. The conditioned ambient air, located on the turbocharger's compressor's downstream side, is further conditioned in the secondary compartment to a preset predetermined temperature which is then delivered to the engine intake. The housing, which houses a plurality of air cooling components for producing cold air, has insulative capabilities for maintaining the cold air temperature created within both compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: Henry T. Acuna, Sr., Henry Acuna, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7350513
    Abstract: A system for improving motor vehicle performance includes an air intake heat exchanger placed in-line with the air intake of the motor vehicle. The air intake heat exchanger is coupled to a source of pressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media to the air intake heat exchanger for cooling and drying intake air prior to reaching the intake manifold and ultimately the combustion chamber. The system further includes a flow inducing member positioned within the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle. The flow inducing member is coupled to the source of pressurized media for selective application of the pressurized media in a manner which creates an increased flow within the exhaust system thereby increasing the flow through the air intake and intake manifold. A system for exhausting CO2 to an adjacent vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Steven P. Fults, John G. Dexheimer
  • Patent number: 7198036
    Abstract: A system and method for increasing the horsepower and torque provided by an internal combustion engine involve the use of a vortex tube to provide cooled air to the air intake of the engine. The system utilizes a source of compressed air such as provided by a compressor and air tank. The compressed air is injected into the vortex tube producing a heated stream of air and a cooled stream of air. The cooled stream of air is directed into the intake of the engine. The system enhances the air flow and drops the induction air temperature into the engine. An air valve may be used to control the flow of compressed air into the vortex tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Thermo-Tec High Performance Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. White
  • Patent number: 7107974
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the ratio of air to fuel of engine is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing air to fuel injection mechanism by fan; adjusting the speed of fan by the voltage generated by the generator a car so that the corresponding air from the fan is based on the depression of the accelerator of the car; thereby the air to fuel ratio of engine is increased and the engine provides the best efficiency. The device is characterized in that the front side of the housing is a hollow storage cylinder and a passage is provided to the housing, and a fan is mounted at the passage, and the fan is controlled by a controller based on the speed of rotation of the engine and the storage cylinder is mounted with a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Chin-Yu Yang
  • Patent number: 7096860
    Abstract: In a charge-air cooling circuit for a multicylinder internal-combustion engine 1 with a turbo-supercharger 2, downstream from the turbo-supercharger 2 the charge air fed to two separate charge-air coolers 6, 6?, whereby the first charge-air cooler 6 divides the charge air into two flow branches I, II, cools the first of the two flow branches I, and allows the second of the two flow branches II to pass uncooled, and whereby the second charge-air cooler 6? allows the first of the two flow-branches I to pass uncooled, cools the second of the two flow branches II, and then recombines the two flow branches I, II.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Thomas Reuss
  • Publication number: 20040255876
    Abstract: A secondary air supplying apparatus of the present invention comprises a secondary air supplying device for supplying secondary air to upstream of an emission purifying device in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, a coolant temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a coolant for the engine, an intake air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of intake air, a supply controller for actuating the secondary air supplying device in accordance with a predetermined secondary air supply condition, and a summing unit for summing an actuation period of the secondary air supplying device and storing a sum. The supply controller stops the secondary air supply by the secondary air supplying device when the sum stored by the summing unit reaches a predetermined upper limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigemasa Hirooka
  • Patent number: 6796134
    Abstract: An intercooler for a vehicle engine incorporating an exhaust gas turbocharger and an air conditioning system, the intercooler comprising: a charge air cooler loop operatively connected to cool heated, pressurized air from the turbocharger before it flows into the vehicle engine; and an air conditioning system bypass loop operatively connecting the air conditioning system to the charge air cooler loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bucknell, Marc Musial