Distribution module for distributing an inlet mixture

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution module (11) for distributing an inlet mixture to at least two cylinders of a heat engine, this inlet mixture selectively comprising:cooled inlet air, ornon-cooled inlet air, orrecirculation gas, ora combination of at least two of the above elements, the module (11) comprising:a first inlet (21) for conveying cooled inlet air into the module (11),a second inlet (22) for conveying non-cooled inlet air into the module (11),a third inlet (23) for conveying recirculation gas into the module (11), the module being arranged to distribute the inlet mixture substantially equally between said at least two cylinders.

Claims

1. A distribution module to distribute an intake mixture to at least two cylinders of a combustion engine, the intake mixture comprising: cooled intake air, uncooled intake air, and recirculation gas, the module comprising: a first inlet enabling cooled intake air to be conveyed into a mixing chamber; a second inlet enabling uncooled intake air to be conveyed into the mixing chamber; and a third inlet enabling recirculation gas to be conveyed into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber into which lead the first, second and third inlets, and in which the intake mixture is made, is arranged so as to distribute the intake mixture in a substantially equal manner between the at least two cylinders, the second inlet being connected to a first distribution organ arranged to distribute the uncooled intake air in the mixing chamber, the third inlet being connected to a second distribution organ arranged to distribute the recirculation gas in the mixing chamber.

2. The distribution module according to claim 1, at least one of the first and second distribution organs comprising a plurality of distribution orifices.

3. The distribution module according to claim 1, the first and second distribution organs being located one outside the other.

4. The distribution module according to claim 1, one of the first and second distribution organs being located one inside the other, or at least partially.

5. The distribution module according to claim 1, the first and second distribution organs being located at a non-zero distance from each other.

6. The distribution module according to claim 1, the first and second distribution organs being joined.

7. The distribution module according to claim 1, the first and second distribution organs being located on either side of the first inlet.

8. The distribution module according to claim 1, the first and second distribution organs being located on the same side as the first inlet.

9. The distribution module according to claim 1, arranged to enable the intake mixture to be achieved with uncooled intake air and recirculation gas, without cooled intake air.

10. The distribution module according to claim 1, further comprising a by-pass valve arranged to send intake air into the first inlet or the second inlet.

11. The distribution module according to claim 1, further comprising: a cooled path comprising a heat exchanger to convey the cooled intake air into the mixing chamber; an uncooled path to by-pass the heat exchanger; and an EGR loop to convey the recirculation gas into the mixing chamber, the by-pass valve enabling the selection either of the cooled path or of the uncooled path.

12. A distribution module to distribute an intake mixture to at least two cylinders of a combustion engine, the intake mixture comprising: cooled intake air, uncooled intake air, and recirculation gas, the module comprising: a first inlet enabling cooled intake air to be conveyed into a mixing chamber; a second inlet enabling uncooled intake air to be conveyed into the mixing chamber; a third inlet enabling recirculation gas to be conveyed into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber into which lead the first, second and third inlets, and in which the intake mixture is made, is arranged so as to distribute the intake mixture in a substantially equal manner between the at least two cylinders, the second inlet being connected to a first distribution organ arranged to distribute the uncooled intake air in the mixing chamber, the third inlet being connected to a second distribution organ arranged to distribute the recirculation gas in the mixing chamber, one of the first and second distribution organs being located inside the other, at least partially.

13. A distribution module to distribute an intake mixture to at least two cylinders of a combustion engine, the intake mixture comprising: cooled intake air, uncooled intake air, and recirculation gas, the module comprising: a first inlet enabling cooled intake air to be conveyed into a mixing chamber; a second inlet enabling uncooled intake air to be conveyed into the mixing chamber; a third inlet enabling recirculation gas to be conveyed into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber into which lead the first, second and third inlets, and in which the intake mixture is made, is arranged so as to distribute the intake mixture in a substantially equal manner between the at least two cylinders, the second inlet being connected to a first distribution organ arranged to distribute the uncooled intake air in the mixing chamber, the third inlet being connected to a second distribution organ arranged to distribute the recirculation gas in the mixing chamber, and the first and second distribution organs being joined.

14. A distribution module to distribute an intake mixture to at least two cylinders of a combustion engine, this intake mixture comprising: cooled intake air, uncooled intake air, and recirculation gas, the module comprising: a first inlet enabling cooled intake air to be conveyed into a mixing chamber; a second inlet enabling uncooled intake air to be conveyed into the mixing chamber; a third inlet enabling recirculation gas to be conveyed into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber into which lead the first, second and third inlets, and in which the intake mixture is made, is arranged so as to distribute the intake mixture in a substantially equal manner between the at least two cylinders, the second inlet being connected to a first distribution organ arranged to distribute the uncooled intake air in the mixing chamber, the third inlet being connected to a second distribution organ arranged to distribute the recirculation gas in the mixing chamber, the first and second distribution organs being located on the same side as the first inlet.

Description

(1) A detailed description of the different embodiments of a distribution module according to the invention now follows, referring to FIGS. 1 to 8. A better understanding of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 represent, in a schematic and partial manner, an intake circuit according to the invention, mounted on a turbocharged engine, according to two operating modes,

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic and partial perspective view of the distribution module of the circuit in FIGS. 1 and 2,

(4) FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic and partial perspective views of a distribution module according to other embodiments of the invention,

(5) FIG. 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view, along VII-VII, of the two distribution organs of a distribution module of FIG. 6, and

(6) FIG. 8 is a schematic partial perspective view of a distribution module according to another embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 show:

(8) a turbocharged engine 1 of a motor vehicle, this engine 1 comprising four cylinders 2,

(9) an exhaust circuit 3, leaving the turbocharged engine 1, towards which the burnt gases are directed, these gases passing into a turbine 4 which takes part of their residual energy to activate a corresponding compressor 5, through a mechanical connection 6,

(10) an intake circuit 10 according to the invention.

(11) The intake circuit 10 comprises:

(12) a distribution module 11,

(13) a bypass valve 12 arranged so as to send, selectively, the cooled intake air or the uncooled intake air to the distribution module 11,

(14) a cooled path 13 comprising a heat exchanger 14 to cool the intake air from the bypass valve 12,

(15) an uncooled path 15 to bypass this heat exchanger 14,

(16) an EGR loop 16 comprising a metering valve 17 to convey the recirculation gas into the distribution module 11.

(17) The bypass valve 12 enables the selection, either of the cooled path 13, or of the uncooled path 15, to convey the intake air to the distribution module 11.

(18) The intake air is compressed by the compressor 5.

(19) The EGR loop 16 is a high-pressure EGR loop arranged between the part upstream of the turbine 4 of the turbocharged engine 1 and the distribution module 11.

(20) The intake circuit 10 can operate in different modes, depending on the status of valves 12 and 17.

(21) In the operating mode shown in FIG. 1, the by-pass valve 12 enables the selection of the cooled path 13 and the metering valve 17 enables the recirculation gas to return to the distribution module 11. Thus, the cooled intake air and the recirculation gas mix together in the distribution module 11. This operating mode is used, for example, when the engine is already hot and when it is not used under full load. In this case, cold air is conveyed to the intake so as not further to increase the temperature of the engine, and recirculation gas is conveyed to the intake in order to limit the volume of air in each cylinder.

(22) In another mode shown in FIG. 2, the bypass valve 12 enables the selection of the uncooled path 15 and the metering valve 17 enables the recirculation gas to return to the distribution module 11. Thus the uncooled intake air and the recirculation gas mix together in the distribution module. This operating mode is used, for example, when the engine is cold and when it is not used under full load. This is the case, for example, when starting the vehicle.

(23) In another mode not shown, the by-pass valve 12 enables the selection of the cooled path 13 and the metering valve 17 prevents the recirculation gas from returning to the distribution module 11. Thus, only cooled intake air enters the distribution module 11. This operating mode is for example used when the engine is hot and when it is used under full load. This is the case, for example, when the turbo is at its maximum compression ratio.

(24) In another mode not shown, the by-pass valve 12 enables the selection of the uncooled path 15 and the metering valve 17 prevents the recirculation gas 16 from returning to the distribution module 11. Thus, only uncooled intake air enters the distribution module 11. This operating mode is used, for example, when the engine is cold and when it is used under full load. This is the case, for example, when starting the vehicle, the vehicle being on a hill and loaded.

(25) In another mode not shown, the bypass valve 12 enables the selection both of the uncooled path 15 and of the cooled path 13 and the metering valve 17 enables the recirculation gas 16 to return to the distribution module 11.

(26) In a last mode not shown, the bypass valve 12 enables the selection both of the uncooled path 15 and of the cooled path 13 and the metering valve 17 prevents the recirculation gas 16 from returning to the distribution module 11.

(27) The distribution module 11 will now be described in further detail, with reference to FIG. 3.

(28) The distribution module 11 enables an intake mixture to be distributed to the cylinders 2.

(29) This intake mixture comprises selectively:

(30) cooled intake air, or

(31) uncooled intake air, or

(32) recirculation gas, or

(33) a combination of at least two of the above elements.

(34) Module 11 comprises:

(35) a first inlet 21 enabling the cooled intake air to be conveyed into the module 11, this cooled intake air coming from the cooled path 13 and having previously passed through the heat exchanger 14, in the configuration where the by-pass valve 12 is configured to convey the intake air leaving the compressor 5 to the cooled path 13,

(36) a second inlet 22 enabling the uncooled intake air to be conveyed into the module 11, in the configuration where the by-pass valve 12 is configured so as to convey the intake air leaving the compressor 5 to the uncooled path 15,

(37) a third inlet 23 enabling the recirculation gas to be conveyed into the module 11, in the configuration where the metering valve 17 is configured to convey the recirculation gas to the third inlet 23, the module 11 being arranged to distribute the intake mixture in a substantially equal manner between the cylinders 2.

(38) The distribution module 11 comprises a mixing chamber 24 into which the first 21, second 22 and third 23 inlets lead and in which the intake mixture is made.

(39) The mixing chamber 24 comprises one compartment leading to the cylinder assembly 2.

(40) The distribution module 11 is arranged so that:

(41) the cooled intake air from the first inlet 21 and the uncooled intake air from the second inlet 22 flow into the mixing chamber 24 in converging directions,

(42) the cooled intake air and the recirculation gas flow into the mixing chamber 24 in converging directions,

(43) the uncooled intake air and the recirculation gas flow into the mixing chamber 24 in converging directions, and

(44) the uncooled intake air and the recirculation gas flow into the mixing chamber, in substantially opposite directions.

(45) The second inlet 22 is connected to a first distribution organ 25 arranged to distribute the uncooled intake air in the mixing chamber 24.

(46) The third inlet 23 is connected to a second distribution organ 26 arranged to distribute the recirculation gas in the mixing chamber 24.

(47) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 each comprise four orifices 27, 28 for distributing uncooled intake air and recirculation gas respectively in the mixing chamber 24.

(48) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 each comprise a channel 32 common to the four orifices 27, 28.

(49) The four orifices 27, 28 of each of the first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 are arranged substantially equidistant from each other.

(50) These orifices 27, 28 are substantially aligned along a line segment.

(51) The first distribution organ 25 has a cross-section and the four orifices 27 are smaller than the cross-section of the first organ 25.

(52) The four orifices 27 have the same surface area.

(53) The second distribution organ 26 has a cross-section and the four orifices 28 are smaller or of a smaller size than the cross-section of the second organ 26.

(54) The four orifices 28 have the same surface area.

(55) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 have a tubular form, with a circular and constant cross-section along this tubular form.

(56) The first distribution organ 25 has a cross-section whose surface area is greater that the surface area of the cross-section of the second distribution organ 26.

(57) The first distribution organ 25 is closed at the end opposite its inlet 22.

(58) The second distribution organ 26 is closed at the end opposite its inlet 23.

(59) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 each extend substantially along the entire length of the mixing chamber 24.

(60) The first inlet 21 has a rectangular form, and the first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 each extend in the longitudinal direction of this first inlet 21.

(61) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26, one outside the other, are arranged on either side of the first inlet 21, substantially parallel to each other, offset in relation to the first inlet 21.

(62) The distribution module 11 is arranged so that the cooled intake air leaves the first inlet 21 homogeneously over the entire surface area of this first inlet 21. The cooled intake air circulates in the mixing chamber, in the direction shown by the arrow 31.

(63) The first and second distribution organs 25 and 26 are made or are in the form of extruded tubes with drilled orifices, the tubes being inserted into the mixing chamber.

(64) Each orifice 27 of the first distribution organ 25 is facing an orifice 28 of the second distribution organ 26.

(65) The second inlet 22 and the third inlet 23 are arranged at either side of the first inlet 21.

(66) Clearly, the invention is not limited to the embodiment that has just been described.

(67) For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the two distribution organs 25 and 26 are not arranged on either side of the first inlet 21, but are arranged on the one and the same side of this inlet 21, being joined together. These two distribution organs 25 and 26 extend along the wall 29 of the mixing chamber 24.

(68) The uncooled intake air and recirculation gas flow into the mixing chamber 24, in substantially the same direction.

(69) In order to reduce the space occupied by the two distribution organs, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to envisage distribution organs 55 and 56 that are joined along a flat contact surface 57.

(70) In this example, the second inlet 22 and the third inlet 23 are arranged on the same side in relation to the first inlet 21.

(71) In this example, the orifices 27 of the first distribution organ 55 have different surface areas. More precisely, their surface area increases as their distance from inlet 22 increases.

(72) Similarly, the orifices 28 of the second distribution organ 56 have different surface areas. More precisely, their surface area increases as their distance from inlet 23 increases.

(73) In this example, the first and second distribution organs 55 and 56 have a cross-section with substantially the same surface area.

(74) In order further to reduce the space occupied by the two distribution organs, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to envisage distribution organs 65 and 66 where one 66 is arranged inside the other 65.

(75) In this example the cross-section of the distribution organ 65 is variable along the said distribution organ 65.

(76) In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, each orifice 27 of the first distribution organ 65 is opposite an orifice 28 of the second distribution organ 66. The orifice 27 here has a greater surface area than that of the orifice 28.

(77) FIG. 8 shows a distribution module 81 comprising a mixing chamber 84 into which lead the first 21, second 22 and third 23 inlets and in which the intake mixture is made.

(78) The mixing chamber 81 comprises four compartments 88, each compartment leading to one of the cylinders 2 of the combustion engine.

(79) Compartments 88 are substantially isolated from each other.

(80) The distribution module 81 comprises a first distribution organ 95.

(81) This first distribution organ 95 comprises four channels 85 independent of each other. Each channel 85 is associated with an orifice 87, each orifice 87 leading to one of the compartments 88 of the mixing chamber 24.

(82) Each channel 85 forms a right-angled elbow.

(83) The distribution module 81 also comprises a second distribution organ 26.

(84) In this example, this second distribution organ 26 comprises a common channel and also comprises four orifices 28, the orifices 28 each leading into one compartment 88 of the mixing chamber 24.