A GAS FEEDING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A gas feeding arrangement for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank includes a feeding conduit assembly and a dedicated feeding valve. The feeding valve is adapted to assume an open condition in which it provides for gas transport in a direction from the cylinder chamber towards the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly. The gas feeding arrangement includes a one-way valve adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly.

Claims

1. A gas feeding arrangement for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank, the gas feeding arrangement comprising a feeding conduit assembly and a dedicated feeding valve, the feeding valve being adapted to assume an open condition in which it provides for gas transport in a direction from the cylinder chamber towards the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly, wherein the gas feeding arrangement comprises a one-way valve adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly, wherein the feeding valve is adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber, wherein the one-way valve allows fluid to flow through it in only one direction.

2. The gas feeding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the feeding valve is adapted for being arranged in a cylinder head and comprises a moveable valve member adapted for being arranged for movement relative to a valve seat for opening and closing, respectively, the feeding valve.

3. The gas feeding arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the valve member is adapted for a linear movement between the open condition and a closed condition.

4. The gas feeding arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the moveable valve member comprises a valve head adapted for contacting the valve seat and an elongated valve stem extending from the valve head.

5. The gas feeding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is arranged downstream of the gas feeding valve in a direction from the cylinder chamber towards the gas tank.

6. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein, when the feeding valve assumes the open condition, the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to only provide fluid transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly.

7. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein the feeding valve is an electrically controlled valve, preferably the feeding valve is a solenoid valve.

8. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein the feeding valve is a poppet valve.

9. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein the feeding conduit assembly comprises a gas filter.

10. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein the gas tank is a closable vehicle pressure tank.

11. The gas feeding arrangement according claim 1, wherein the gas feeding arrangement is for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder combustion chamber.

12. A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises a gas feeding arrangement according to claim 1.

13. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises a head surface adapted to at least partially define the cylinder chamber, the feeding valve being arranged with respect to the head surface such that the feeding valve is adapted not to extend into a portion of the cylinder chamber adapted to accommodate a piston.

14. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises at least one exhaust valve adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the cylinder chamber and an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, the feeding valve being arranged separate from the at least one exhaust valve.

15. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises an inlet valve adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between an air inlet system of the internal combustion engine and the cylinder chamber, the feeding valve being arranged separate from the at least one inlet valve.

16. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 14, wherein the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly, when the feeding valve assumes the open condition, independently of the operating state of the exhaust valve.

17. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises a gas discharge conduit assembly adapted to provide a selective fluid communication between the gas tank and a gas discharge valve arrangement adapted to discharge into the cylinder chamber.

18. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the gas discharge conduit assembly comprises a discharge control valve, preferably the discharge control valve being electronically controlled.

19. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, when dependent on claim 15, wherein the e inlet valve comprises an inlet valve member moveable relative to a valve seat to thereby control the fluid communication between the air inlet system and the cylinder chamber via the inlet valve, the gas discharge conduit assembly being in fluid communication with a valve passage extending through at least a portion of the inlet valve member for supplying gas from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, the gas discharge valve arrangement comprising a gas discharge valve arrangement member moveable relative to the inlet valve member.

20. The cylinder head assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises a cold side adapted to be located adjacent the air inlet system, the feeding valve being located in the cold side.

21. An internal combustion engine comprising a gas feeding arrangement according to claim 1, internal combustion engine comprising the cylinder chamber and the gas tank.

22. The internal combustion engine according to claim 21, wherein the cylinder chamber is a cylinder combustion chamber.

23. A vehicle comprising a gas feeding arrangement according to claim 1.

24. A method for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank using a gas feeding arrangement comprising a feeding conduit assembly and a dedicated feeding valve, wherein the feeding valve is in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber, the gas feeding arrangement comprising a one-way valve adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly, the method comprising controlling the feeding valve so as to assume an open condition in which the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly, the one-way valve allowing fluid to flow through it in only one direction.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the cylinder chamber is a cylinder chamber, adapted to receive fuel, the method comprising preventing fuel supply to the cylinder combustion chamber when the feeding valve assumes the open condition.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises alternately keeping the feeding valve in the open condition for a predetermined open time and keeping the feeding valve in a closed condition, preventing gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, for a predetermined close time.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the predetermined close time is at least two times greater than the predetermined open time.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the predetermined open time is within the range of 0.1 to 3 seconds, and the predetermined close time is within the range of 0.5 to 8 seconds.

29. A computer comprising a computer program for performing the steps of claim 24 when the program is run on the computer.

30. A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying a computer program for performing the steps of claim 24 when the program product is run on a computer.

31. A control unit for controlling gas feeding from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a closable gas tank, the control unit being configured to perform the steps of the method according to claim 24.

32. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0045] In the drawings:

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle with an internal combustion engine;

[0047] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an internal combustion engine;

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates a cylinder head assembly with a gas feeding arrangement;

[0049] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another embodiment of an internal combustion engine, and

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The invention will be described below for a vehicle in the form of a truck 10 such as the truck illustrated in FIG. 1. The truck 10 should be seen as an example of a vehicle which could comprise a gas feeding arrangement, a cylinder head assembly and/or an internal combustion engine according to the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in a plurality of different types of vehicles. Purely by way of example, the present invention could be implemented in a truck, a tractor, a car, a bus, a seagoing vessel such as a ship or a boat, a work machine such as a wheel loader or an articulated hauler, or any other type of construction equipment. Moreover, the present invention may be implemented in an internal combustion engine that need not be associated with any vehicle.

[0052] The FIG. 1 vehicle 10 comprises an internal combustion engine 12.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of the internal combustion engine 12 indicated in FIG. 1. The FIG. 2 embodiment of the internal combustion engine 12 comprises a cylinder chamber 14. In the FIG. 2 embodiment, the cylinder chamber 14 is defined by a cylinder wall 16, a head surface 17 of a cylinder head assembly 18 and a piston 20. The piston 20 is connected to a crank shaft 22 to thereby be reciprocally moveable relative to the head surface 17. The FIG. 2 cylinder chamber 14 is a cylinder combustion chamber since the FIG. 2 cylinder head assembly 18 comprises a fuel injector 23 adapted to discharge fuel into the cylinder chamber 14. However, it is also envisioned that the present invention may be used for cylinder chambers not being a combustion chamber. For instance, embodiments of an internal combustion engine 12 may comprise a cylinder chamber dedicated to produce pressurized gas, such as pressurized air.

[0054] Although only one cylinder chamber 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2, it is envisioned that embodiments of the internal combustion engine 12 may comprise a plurality of cylinder chambers.

[0055] FIG. 2 further illustrates that the cylinder head assembly 18 comprises at least one exhaust valve 24 adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the cylinder chamber 14 and an exhaust system 26 of the internal combustion engine 12. Purely by way of example, the exhaust system 26 may comprise an exhaust gas after treatment system (not shown).

[0056] Moreover, FIG. 2 indicates that the cylinder head assembly 18 may comprise an inlet valve 28 adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between an air inlet system 30 of the internal combustion engine and the cylinder chamber 14.

[0057] The FIG. 2 internal combustion engine 12 further comprises a gas tank 32. Purely by way of example, the gas tank 32 may be adapted to store pressurized air that can be injected into the cylinder chamber 14 in order to ensure an appropriate combustion even at low engine speeds and/or at low engine loads. To this end, and as is exemplified in FIG. 2, the cylinder head assembly may comprise a gas discharge conduit assembly 34 adapted to provide a selective fluid communication between the gas tank 32 and a gas discharge valve arrangement 36 adapted to discharge into the cylinder chamber 14. Purely by way of example, the gas tank 32 may be a closable vehicle pressure tank.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the inlet valve 28 comprises an inlet valve member 38 moveable relative to a valve seat 40 to thereby control the fluid communication between the air inlet 30 system and the cylinder chamber 14 via the inlet valve 28. The gas discharge conduit assembly 34 is in fluid communication with a valve passage 42 extending through at least a portion of the inlet valve member 30 for supplying gas from the gas tank 32 to the cylinder chamber 14. The gas discharge valve arrangement 36 comprises a gas discharge valve arrangement member 44 moveable relative to the inlet valve member 38.

[0059] Purely by way of example, the gas discharge valve arrangement 36 may be electronically controlled. To this end, and as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the gas discharge valve arrangement 36 may be in communication with a control unit 46, preferably an electronic control unit.

[0060] In order to feed gas, preferably air, to the gas tank 32, the internal combustion engine 12 preferably comprises a gas feeding arrangement 48 for feeding gas from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32. As may be gleaned from FIG. 2, the gas feeding arrangement 48 comprises a feeding conduit assembly 50 and a dedicated feeding valve 52. The feeding valve 52 is adapted to assume an open condition in which it provides for gas transport in a direction from the cylinder chamber 14 towards the gas tank 32, via the feeding conduit assembly 50.

[0061] Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 2, the gas feeding arrangement 48 comprises a one-way valve 54 adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank 32 to the cylinder chamber 14, via the feeding conduit assembly 50. Purely by way of example, the one-way valve 54 may comprise or even be constituted by a check valve, such as a ball check valve. As a non-limiting example, the one-way valve 54 may comprise a spring loaded steel ball (not shown) with a silicone O-ring (not shown) as seat for the ball in the one-way valve 54.

[0062] Purely by way of example, and as is indicated in FIG. 2, the gas feeding arrangement 50 is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32, via the feeding conduit assembly 50, when the feeding valve 52 assumes the open condition, independently of the operating state of the exhaust valve 24. As a non-limiting example, when the feeding valve 52 assumes the open condition, gas may be fed from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32, via the feeding conduit assembly 50, even when the exhaust valve 24 assumes a closed condition, i.e. a condition preventing fluid transport from the cylinder chamber 14 to the exhaust system 26.

[0063] Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 2, the feeding valve 52 may be arranged separate from the at least one exhaust valve 24. Further, the feeding valve 52 may be arranged separate from the at least one inlet valve 28.

[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a part of a cylinder head assembly 18 comprising an embodiment of the gas feeding arrangement 50. In the FIG. 3 gas feeding arrangement 50, the feeding valve 52 is adapted for being arranged in a cylinder head 19 of the cylinder head assembly 18. Moreover, the implementation of the feeding valve 52 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a poppet valve. As such, the FIG. 3 feeding valve 52 comprises a moveable valve member 56 adapted for being arranged for movement relative to a valve seat 58 for opening and closing, respectively, the feeding valve 52.

[0065] As is exemplified in FIG. 3, the feeding valve 52 may comprise a sleeve 60 extending through at least a portion of the cylinder head 19. Purely by way of example, the sleeve 60 may have a diameter being within the range of 5 to 15 mm. The portion of the sleeve 60 being adapted to be closest to the cylinder chamber 14 may be adapted to comprise the valve seat 58 of the valve member 56.

[0066] Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 3, the portion of the sleeve 60 being adapted to be closest to the cylinder chamber 14 may comprise a shoulder 62 adapted to abut a portion of the cylinder head 19 in order to ensure that the sleeve 60 does not move upwards in the FIG. 3 view.

[0067] The FIG. 3 sleeve 60 may be arranged in a sleeve opening of the cylinder head 19. The cylinder head 19 has an axial extension along an axial direction A being parallel to an intended direction of movement of the piston (not shown) in the cylinder chamber 14. As is indicated in FIG. 3, the sleeve opening may be such that a centre line of the sleeve 60 forms an angle with the axial direction A. Purely by way of example, the above angle may be in the range of 2-5.

[0068] Purely by way of example, the cylinder head assembly 18, and in particular the cylinder head 19, comprises a cold side adapted to be located adjacent the air inlet system (not shown in FIG. 3). The feeding valve 52 is located in the cold side.

[0069] The valve member 56 may be adapted for linear movement between the open condition and a closed condition. With reference to the FIG. 3 implementation of the feeding valve 52, the valve member 56 may be adapted for linear movement relative to the sleeve 60. Furthermore, as is indicated in FIG. 3, the valve member 56 may comprise a valve head 64 adapted for contacting the valve seat 58 and an elongated valve stem 66 extending from the valve head 64.

[0070] As another example, and as is indicated in FIG. 3, the feeding valve 52 is arranged with respect to the head surface 17 of the cylinder head assembly 18 such that the feeding valve 52 is adapted not to extend into a portion of the cylinder chamber 14 adapted to accommodate a piston. In the implementation of the feeding valve 52 illustrated in FIG. 3, the valve head 64 is adapted not to extend into the cylinder chamber 14 even when the feeding valve 52 is in the open condition.

[0071] The feeding valve 52 may be an electrically controlled valve, preferably the feeding valve 52 is a solenoid valve. The FIG. 3 implementation of the feeding valve 52 comprises an actuator 68, such as a solenoid, adapted to move the valve member 56 relative to the sleeve 60. Purely by way of example, and as is illustrated in FIG. 3, the actuator 68 may be in communication with the control unit 46.

[0072] As a non-limiting example, the feeding valve 52 may be adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber 14. In the FIG. 3 implementation of the feeding valve 52, at least the valve head 64 is adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber 14.

[0073] Purely by way of example, the one-way valve 54 of the gas feeding arrangement 50 may be arranged downstream of the gas feeding valve 52 in a direction from the cylinder chamber 14 towards the gas tank 32. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, the sleeve 60 comprises a side opening 70 in fluid communication with the one-way valve 54. In fact, in the FIG. 3 embodiment, the side opening 70 of the sleeve is in fluid communication with the one-way valve 54 via a conduit 72 in the cylinder head 19. As such, when the valve member 56 does not abut the valve seat 58, gas from the cylinder chamber 14 may enter an interior cavity 73 of the sleeve 60, exit the sleeve 60 via its side opening 70 and thereafter reach the one-way valve 54 via a conduit 72.

[0074] As is indicated in FIG. 3, when the feeding valve 52 assumes the open condition, the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to only provide fluid transport from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32, via the feeding conduit assembly 50. As such, as a non-limiting example, the feeding valve 52 assuming the open condition does not result in a fluid transport from the cylinder chamber 14, via the feeding conduit assembly 50, to any other portion of an internal combustion engine, such as an exhaust system or an inlet system (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0075] As another non-limiting example, the feeding conduit assembly 50 may comprise a gas filter 74. As is exemplified in the FIG. 3 embodiment, the gas filter 74 may be located between the one-way valve 54 and the gas tank 32, as seen in an intended direction of flow from the one-way valve 54 to the gas tank 32.

[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of another embodiment of an internal combustion engine 12 according to the present invention. As compared to the FIG. 2 embodiment, the gas discharge conduit assembly 34 of the FIG. 4 embodiment is adapted to discharge air into the air inlet system 30. To this end, the FIG. 4 gas discharge valve arrangement 36 is adapted to discharge air into the air inlet system 30 for subsequent discharge into the cylinder chamber 14.

[0077] Furthermore, FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the gas feeding arrangement 48. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the feeding valve 52 is located between the one-way valve 54 and the gas tank 32, as seen in an intended direction of flow from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the feeding valve 52 need not be a poppet valve, but may be another type of valve, such as an on-off valve (not shown).

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber 14 to a gas tank 32 using a gas feeding arrangement 48 comprising a feeding conduit assembly 50 and a dedicated feeding valve 52. The gas feeding arrangement 48 comprising a one-way valve 54 adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank 32 to the cylinder chamber 14, via the feeding conduit assembly 50. The method comprises: S10 controlling the feeding valve 52 so as to assume an open condition in which the gas feeding arrangement 48 is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32, via the feeding conduit assembly 50.

[0079] The FIG. 5 embodiment further envisions that the cylinder chamber 14 may be a cylinder combustion chamber, adapted to receive fuel, for instance using a fuel injector 23 such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2. The method may further comprise S12 preventing fuel supply to the cylinder combustion chamber 14 when the feeding valve 52 assumes the open condition.

[0080] As a non-limiting example, the method may comprise alternately keeping the feeding valve in the open condition for a predetermined open time and keeping the feeding valve in a closed condition, preventing gas transport from the cylinder chamber 14 to the gas tank 32, for a predetermined close time. Purely by way of example, the predetermined close time may be at least two times greater, alternatively at least three times greater, than the predetermined open time.

[0081] As a further non-limiting example, the predetermined open time may be within the range of 0.1 to 3 seconds, preferably 0.5 to 2 seconds, and the predetermined close time is within the range of 0.5 to 8 seconds, preferably 1.5 to 7 seconds.

[0082] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.