TUNABLE INTAKE SYSTEM FOR EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a tunable intake system for exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders. The system comprises an exhaust gas recirculation manifold arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine; wherein the manifold has an exhaust gas recirculation inlet and an intake air inlet as well as at least one outlet leading to the multiple cylinders of the engine. The system also comprises a first distribution pipe, which has a first pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold. The system further includes a second distribution pipe with a second pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold, and at least one of the first and second distribution pipes being rotatable with respect to the other.

Claims

1. A tunable intake system for exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders, the system comprising: an exhaust gas recirculation manifold arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine; the manifold having an exhaust gas recirculation inlet and an intake air inlet as well as at least one outlet leading to the multiple cylinders of the engine; a first distribution pipe connected to the exhaust gas recirculation inlet, said first distribution pipe having a first pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold; a second distribution pipe with a second pattern of flow distribution perforations for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold is fitted outside of said first distribution pipe whereby an interstitial gap is formed therebetween; and at least one of said first and second distribution pipes being rotatable with respect to the other in order to selectively tune the distribution of recirculated exhaust gas for multiple operational points of the engine.

2. A tunable intake system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second distribution pipes are independently rotatable with respect to each other.

3. A tunable intake system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second distribution pipes are concentrically arranged with respect to each other.

4. A tunable intake system according to claim 1, wherein an engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations for an optimal distribution of the recirculated exhaust gas depending on a given point of operation of the engine.

5. A tunable intake system according to claim 4, wherein the engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations via a first rotating means for rotating the first distribution pipe and a second rotating means for rotating the second distribution pipe.

6. A tunable intake system according to claim 1, wherein the perforations are shaped as ovals.

7. A tunable intake system according to claim 1, wherein the perforations are shaped as elongated slots.

8. An automotive vehicle having a tunable intake system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic overview of a tunable intake system for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) according to a first exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the concentrically arranged first and second distribution pipes which may be tuned by rotation with respect to each other.

[0016] FIG. 3 finally shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which an engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention will now be described with reference to embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended drawings. With initial reference to FIG. 1, this figure shows a schematic overview of a first exemplifying embodiment of a tunable intake system 1 for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders. The engine and its cylinders are not shown in the drawings as the invention is focussed on the intake system 1 itself.

[0018] The intake system 1 includes an exhaust gas recirculation manifold 2 which is arranged to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an intake air stream to be introduced into the combustion engine. The manifold 2 has an exhaust gas recirculation inlet 3 and an intake air inlet 4 as well as at least one outlet 5 leading to the multiple cylinders of the engine (not shown). A first distribution pipe 6 is connected to the exhaust gas recirculation inlet 3 and is provided with first pattern of flow distribution perforations 7 for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold 2. A second distribution pipe 8 with a second pattern of flow distribution perforations 9 for distributing the recirculated exhaust gas into the manifold 2 is fitted outside of said first distribution pipe 6 whereby an interstitial gap 10 is formed therebetween. According to the invention at least one of said first and second distribution pipes 6, 8 are rotatable with respect to the other in order to selectively tune the distribution of recirculated exhaust gas for multiple operational points of the engine. By the term operational points is meant specific points of engine speed and associated torque as known per se.

[0019] The first and second distribution pipes 6, 8 are preferably independently rotatable with respect to each other. Alternatively, only one of the distribution pipes 6, 8 is rotatable whilst the other is fixed. In a well-functioning embodiment of the invention one or both of the distribution pipes 6, 8 can be tuned and set at a desired degree of rotation during a planned service of the engine.

[0020] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the first and second distribution pipes 6, 8 are concentrically arranged with respect to each other, forming the interstitial gap 10 in between.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, an engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations 7, 9 for an optimal distribution of the recirculated exhaust gas depending on a given point of operation of the engine. The engine control unit (ECU) is arranged to adapt the relative positions of the first pattern and the second pattern of flow distribution perforations 7, 9 via a first rotating means 11 for rotating the first distribution pipe 6 and a second rotating means 12 for rotating the second distribution pipe 8. The first and second rotating means 11, 12 shown in the exemplifying embodiment includes electric servo motors 13 and 14 respectively. The servo motors 13, 14 are connected to pinion gears 15 and 16 that in turn rotate geared tuning discs 17 and 18 fixedly connected to the rotatable distribution pipes 6, 8 as schematically shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] In the exemplifying first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the perforations 7, 9 in the distribution pipes 6, 8 are shaped as ovals, but they may alternatively be shaped as elongated slots as shown in the second embodiment in FIG. 3.

[0023] The invention also refers to an automotive vehicle (not shown) that has a tunable intake system 1 as described above.

[0024] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings and a skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.