Heat Recovery System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat recovery system comprising a device which allows the connection between the elements of said system, such as a heat exchanger and an actuator controlling a valve of the present system. Said actuator is in turn configured such that its operation depends on the behavior of a substance due to the action of the temperature of a fluid, for example the liquid coolant used in the heat exchanger of the system, which is arranged in an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine.

Additionally, the invention also relates to a method of assembly of a system having these features.

Claims

1. A system (4) comprising: an exhaust duct (8), a heat exchanger (6) for the exchange of heat between a hot gas coming from the exhaust duct (8) and a liquid coolant, comprising at least one fluid connection (6.1) for entry/exit of the liquid coolant, a valve actuated through a shaft (5) for opening or closing the passage of hot gas through the heat exchanger (6), an actuator (7) comprising a drive rod (7.2) actuated by a substance the specific volume of which changes in the event of changes in temperature, the actuator (7) further comprising: an inlet/outlet port (7.1) for the entry/exit of a fluid; an internal chamber (7.4) in fluid communication with the inlet/outlet port (7.1) and in thermal communication with the substance such that in operating mode, the substance is in thermal communication with the fluid entering the internal chamber (7.4) through the inlet/outlet port (7.1); a metal fluid coupling device (1), attached at a first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) by means of welding to the at least one fluid connection (6.1) of the heat exchanger (6) and at a second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) to the inlet/outlet port (7.1) of the actuator (7) such that a fluid connection is established between the inlet/outlet port (7.1) of the actuator (7) and the fluid connection (6.1) of the heat exchanger (6) through the fluid coupling device (1), and wherein the drive rod (7.2) of the actuator (7) is connected with the shaft (5) of the valve for the actuation thereof according to the temperature of the liquid coolant.

2. The system (4) according to claim 1, wherein the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is made of stamped metal sheet.

3. The system (4) according to claim 1, wherein the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is a structural element which supports the actuator (7).

4. The system (4) according to claim 1, wherein the metallic fluid coupling device (1) comprises a plurality of parts.

5. The system (4) according to claim 4, wherein the metallic fluid coupling device (1) comprises: a first part (2) comprising: a first support region (2.2); a first inner space (2.1) with a first opening (2.1.1) wherein the first opening (2.1.1) is peripherally demarcated by the first support region (2.2); the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1); a second part (3) comprising: a second support region (3.2); a second inner space (3.1) with a second opening (3.1.1) wherein the second opening (3.1.1) is peripherally demarcated by the second support region (3.2); the second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1); wherein: the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2) are attached, the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) is in fluid communication with the second inner space (3.1), the second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) is in fluid communication with the first inner space (2.1), and the first inner space (2.1) and second inner space (3.1) are in fluid communication through the first opening (2.1.1) and second opening (3.1.1).

6. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the attachment of the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2) is configured as follows: before the attachment, the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2) establish a sliding support with one support region (2.2) on top of the other support region (3.2), such that the first inner space (2.1) is in fluid communication with the second inner space (3.1); and after the attachment between the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2), the attachment establishes the leak-tight closure of the space generated by the attachment of the first inner space (2.1) and second inner space (2.1) and the fluid communication between the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) and second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2).

7. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2) of the metallic coupling device (1) are flat.

8. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the first inner space (2.1) of the first part (2) is concave, the second inner space (3.2) of the second part (3) is concave, and after the attachment of the first support region (2.2) and second support region (3.2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1), the concavity of the first inner space (2.1) is opposite the concavity of the second inner space (3.2).

9. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the attachment between the first part (2) and second part (3) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is made by welding.

10. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the space generated by the attachment of the first inner space (2.1) and second inner space (3.1) for fluid communication between the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) and second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is configured according to a zigzag-type conduit.

11. The system (4) according to claim 5, wherein the inlet/outlet port (7.1) of the actuator (7) is fluidically connected with the second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) of the second part (3) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1), and wherein the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) of the first part (2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is furthermore fluidically connected with the fluid connection (6.1) of the heat exchanger (6).

12. A method of assembly of a system (4) according to claim 1, which method comprises carrying out the following steps a) to d) in any order: a) building the heat exchanger (6) with the fluid connection (6.1) for the liquid coolant, the exhaust duct (8), and the valve actuated through a shaft (5) for opening or closing the passage of hot gas; b) building the actuator (7) with the drive rod (7.2) and the inlet/outlet port (7.1); c) attaching the fluid connection (6.1) of the heat exchanger (6) with the metallic fluid coupling device (1) by means of welding; d) attaching the inlet/outlet port (7.1) of the actuator (7) with the fluid coupling device (1) by means of welding.

13. The method of assembly according to claim 12, wherein step c) comprises attaching the fluid connection (6.1) of the heat exchanger (6) with the second part (3) of the metallic coupling device (1) by means of welding, and step d) comprises attaching the inlet/outlet port (7.1) of the actuator (7) with the first part (2) of the metallic coupling device (1) by means of welding, and wherein the following steps are carried out sequentially after step d): e) placing the assembly formed by the heat exchanger (6) and the second part (3) with respect to the second assembly formed by the actuator (7) and the first part (2) such that the first support region (2.2) of the first part (2) and the second support region (3.2) of the second part (3) are in sliding contact, f) attaching the first part (2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) and the second part (3) of the device.

14. The method of assembly according to claim 12, wherein the attachments are established by means of brazing.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent based on the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment given only by way of illustrative and non-limiting example in reference to the attached drawings.

[0078] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a particular embodiment of the system according to the first inventive aspect.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a system according to the second inventive aspect, according to a particular embodiment thereof.

[0080] FIGS. 3A/3B show a front view and section view, respectively, of a system according to the same particular embodiment as FIG. 2.

[0081] FIGS. 4A-4B show a perspective view as well as a section view of a particular example of a metallic fluid coupling device.

[0082] FIGS. 4C-4D show a perspective view of each part of the metallic fluid coupling device of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] FIG. 1 shows a diagram in which a particular example of a system (4) like the one of the first inventive aspect of the present application is defined.

[0084] Said system (4) is formed by a tube heat exchanger (6) through which tubes there circulates an exhaust gas coming from the exhaust duct (8), and therefore from the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, as well as an actuator (7) which, by means of a rod (7.2), allows the operation of the shaft (5) of a valve not shown in the present figure. This operation involves the change in position of the flap of the valve, allowing passage of the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger (6) in a first position, such that this may heat up the coolant circulating outside the tubes (while at the same time it is cooled by said coolant), or allowing passage of all of the exhaust gas through the exhaust duct or bypass duct (8) in a second position, thereby preventing the heating of the coolant by said exhaust gas as the latter is expelled directly into the atmosphere.

[0085] The attachment between the actuator (7) and the heat exchanger (6) is established through an intermediate element, a metallic fluid coupling device (1), which allows supporting said actuator (7) on the exchanger (6).

[0086] In particular, a first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is attached to the fluid connection through which the coolant enters/exit the heat exchanger (6), whereas a second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) of the metallic fluid coupling device (1) is attached to the inlet/outlet port (7.1) through which said coolant enters/exits the actuator (7).

[0087] A closed circuit is thereby formed for the liquid coolant circuit which, in this case, goes from the actuator (7), where it causes the operation of the rod (7.2) by the action of its temperature on the substance of the actuator (7), through the metallic fluid coupling device (1), to the heat exchanger (6), in order to thereby cool the exhaust gas going through the tubes of said exchanger (6).

[0088] In an additional particular example, this circuit could be configured in the opposite manner, the liquid coolant thereby flowing from the heat exchanger (6) to the actuator (7).

[0089] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a particular example of a metallic fluid coupling device (1), particularly formed by a first part (2) and a second part (3) which are attached to one another through a flat surface of each of the two parts (2, 3), thereby forming an internal path by means of concave cavities in each of these parts (2, 3) which allow the liquid coolant to pass therethrough.

[0090] FIG. 4B shows a section of this same metallic fluid coupling device (1), wherein the parts (2, 3) comprise a first inner space (2.1, 3.1), respectively, or internal cavity through which the coolant circulates as it passes through the device (1).

[0091] The liquid coolant accesses the metallic fluid coupling device (1) through the second fluid inlet (1.2) of the device (1) from the actuator (7), and it exits said device (1) towards the exchanger (6) through the first fluid outlet (1.1). In other words, access of the coolant to the device (1) occurs through the second fluid inlet (1.2) located in the second part (3), in fluid connection with the actuator (7), and its access from the device (1) to the exchanger (6) occurs through the first fluid outlet (1.1) located in the first part (2) forming the device (1).

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, which show a perspective view of each of the parts (2, 3) forming the device (1), each part (2, 3) has a flat support region (2.2, 3.2), respectively. Said attachment of parts (2, 3) is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, being welded to one another by means of brazing to achieve closure of the device (1), thereby preventing leakage of the coolant as it passes through said device (1).

[0093] Additionally, FIG. 4C shows the first inner space (2.1) of the first part (2), which is demarcated by the first opening (2.1.1).

[0094] The first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) is, in turn, a punched opening on the first part (2).

[0095] The first support region (2.2) peripherally demarcates both the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) and the first opening (2.1.1).

[0096] Similarly, FIG. 4D shows the second inner space (3.1) of the second part (3), which is demarcated by the second opening (3.1.1).

[0097] The second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) is, in turn, a punched opening on the second part (3).

[0098] The second support region (3.2) peripherally demarcates both the second fluid outlet/inlet (1.2) and the second opening (3.1.1).

[0099] FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B show perspective, front, and section views, respectively, of an already assembled complete heat recovery system (4).

[0100] In that sense, a tube heat exchanger (6) as well as the adjacent exhaust duct (8) through which the exhaust gas circulates, following the path demarcated by the valve comprised in the system (4), can be seen in said drawings.

[0101] An actuator (7) is arranged on the exchanger (6), such that it allows controlling the shaft (5) of the valve which offers access of the exhaust gas to the exchanger (6) itself at all times.

[0102] In this particular example, the actuator (7) is a wax actuator, this wax being a substance contained in the internal chamber (7.4) of the actuator (7) which, by means of reacting to the temperature upon contact with the coolant, operates the rod (7.2) on the shaft (5) of the valve.

[0103] The fluid connection which allows the passage of the coolant from the exchanger (6) to the actuator (7) is established through the metallic fluid coupling device (1) configured from two parts (2, 3) attached by respective support regions (2.2, 3.2), as can be seen in FIG. 3A.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 3B, the heat exchanger (6) has a fluid connection (6.1) which allows the passage of the fluid coolant, in this case coming from the actuator (7). In order to allow access of said fluid coolant, the actuator (7) has an outlet port (7.1), in connection with the metallic fluid coupling device (1), and in particular with the second part (3) of said device (1), which allows the fluid coolant to flow from the actuator (7) to the device (1), and from the latter to the exchanger (6) through the fluid connection (6.1).

[0105] As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the outlet port (7.1) is therefore in fluid connection with the second fluid inlet/outlet (1.2) of the device (1), whereas the fluid connection (6.1) is fluidically connected with the first fluid inlet/outlet (1.1) of the device (1).

[0106] FIG. 3A shows a spigot (7.3) as part of the actuator (7) from which the liquid coolant comes, said spigot (7.3) being fluidically connected with the cooling circuit of the engine (not shown).