COOLING SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

A cooling system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a cylinder block and a cylinder head. The cooling system includes a cylinder head cooling circuit and a cylinder block cooling circuit. The cylinder block cooling circuit includes cylinder block core prints channels on an upper portion thereof. The cylinder head cooling circuit includes a groove connected to an outlet of the cooling system and at least one cylinder block core print channel provided with at least one passage connecting the cylinder block cooling circuit with the groove.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head, the cooling system comprising: a cylinder block cooling circuit including cylinder block core prints channels on an upper portion thereof; and a cylinder head cooling circuit including a groove connected to an outlet of the cooling system and at least one cylinder block core print channel provided with at least one passage connecting the cylinder block cooling circuit with the groove.

12. The cooling system according to claim 11, further comprising a gasket configured to seal an interface between the cylinder head cooling circuit and the cylinder block cooling circuit, said at least one passage being provided inside the gasket.

13. The cooling system according to claim 11, wherein the groove is connected to an outlet of the cylinder block cooling circuit.

14. The cooling system according to claim 11, wherein the passages are fluidically connected to an upper part of the cylinder block core prints channels.

15. The cooling system according to claim 11, wherein the cylinder head cooling circuit comprises cylinder head core print channels connecting the cylinder head cooling circuit with the groove.

16. The cooling system according to claim 11, wherein the groove is provided on a deckface of the cylinder head.

17. The cooling system according to claim 16, wherein the groove comprises a machined groove in the deckface of the cylinder head.

18. The cooling system according to claim 16, wherein the groove comprises a cast groove formed in the deckface of the cylinder head.

19. The cooling system according to claim 11, wherein the groove is separated and independent from other portions of the cylinder head cooling circuit.

20. An internal combustion engine comprising a cooling system according to claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an automotive system;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of an internal combustion engine belonging to the automotive system of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of a cooling system for the engine of FIGS. 1-2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is an axonometric view of a cooling circuit for a cylinder head of the engine of FIGS. 1-2;

[0017] FIG. 5 is view from below of a cylinder head of the engine of FIGS. 1-2, showing a deckface; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a close up view of the cooling system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the enclosed drawings without intent to limit application and uses.

[0020] Some embodiments may include an automotive system 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) 110 having a cylinder block 120 defining at least one cylinder 125 having a piston 140 coupled to rotate a crankshaft 145. A cylinder head 130 cooperates with the piston 140 to define a combustion chamber 150. A fuel and air mixture (not shown) is disposed in the combustion chamber 150 and ignited, resulting in hot expanding exhaust gasses causing reciprocal movement of the piston 140. The fuel is provided by at least one fuel injector 160 and the air through at least one intake port 210. The fuel is provided at high pressure to the fuel injector 160 from a fuel rail 170 in fluid communication with a high pressure fuel pump 180 that increases the pressure of the fuel received from a fuel source 190. Each of the cylinders 125 has at least two valves 215, actuated by a camshaft 135 rotating in time with the crankshaft 145. The valves 215 selectively allow air into the combustion chamber 150 from the port 210 and alternately allow exhaust gases to exit through a port 220. In some examples, a cam phaser 155 may selectively vary the timing between the camshaft 135 and the crankshaft 145.

[0021] The air may be distributed to the air intake port(s) 210 through an intake manifold 200. An air intake duct 205 may provide air from the ambient environment to the intake manifold 200.

[0022] In other embodiments, a throttle body 330 may be provided to regulate the flow of air into the manifold 200. In still other embodiments, a forced air system such as a turbocharger 230, having a compressor 240 rotationally coupled to a turbine 250, may be provided. Rotation of the compressor 240 increases the pressure and temperature of the air in the duct 205 and manifold 200. An intercooler 260 disposed in the duct 205 may reduce the temperature of the air. The turbine 250 rotates by receiving exhaust gases from an exhaust manifold 225 that directs exhaust gases from the exhaust ports 220 and through a series of vanes prior to expansion through the turbine 250. The exhaust gases exit the turbine 250 and are directed into an exhaust system 270. This example shows a variable geometry turbine (VGT) with a VGT actuator 290 arranged to move the vanes to alter the flow of the exhaust gases through the turbine 250. In other embodiments, the turbocharger 230 may be fixed geometry and/or include a waste gate.

[0023] The exhaust gases of the engine are directed into an exhaust system 270. The exhaust system 270 may include an exhaust pipe 275 having one or more exhaust aftertreatment devices 280. The aftertreatment devices may be any device configured to change the composition of the exhaust gases. Some examples of aftertreatment devices 280 include, but are not limited to, catalytic converters (two and three way), oxidation catalysts, lean NO.sub.x traps, hydrocarbon adsorbers, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, and particulate filters. Other embodiments may include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system 300 coupled between the exhaust manifold 225 and the intake manifold 200. The EGR system 300 may include an EGR cooler 310 to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases in the EGR system 300. An EGR valve 320 regulates a flow of exhaust gases in the EGR system 300.

[0024] The automotive system 100 may further include an electronic control unit (ECU) 450 in communication with one or more sensors and/or devices associated with the ICE 110 and with a memory system, or data carrier, and an interface bus. The ECU 450 may receive input signals from various sensors configured to generate the signals in proportion to various physical parameters associated with the ICE 110. The sensors include, but are not limited to, a mass airflow and temperature sensor 340, a manifold pressure and temperature sensor 350, a combustion pressure sensor 360, coolant and oil temperature and level sensors 380, a fuel rail pressure sensor 400, a cam position sensor 410, a crank position sensor 420, exhaust pressure and temperature sensors 430, an EGR temperature sensor 440, and an accelerator pedal position sensor 445. Furthermore, the ECU 450 may generate output signals to various control devices that are arranged to control the operation of the ICE 110, including, but not limited to, the fuel injectors 160, the throttle body 330, the EGR Valve 320, a Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT) actuator 290, and the cam phaser 155. Note, dashed lines are used to indicate communication between the ECU 450 and the various sensors and devices, but some are omitted for clarity.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of a cooling system 500 for the engine 110 of FIGS. 1-2. The cooling system 500 includes a cooling circuit 530 for the cylinder head 130 of the engine 100 (also represented in FIG. 4) and a cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120 of the engine 110. Each of these cooling circuits 520,530 allow the circulation of a coolant fluid, such as a mixture of water and antifreeze, into a plurality of cooling channels internally defined respectively in the cylinder block 120 and in the cylinder head 130, forming respective water jackets.

[0026] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling circuit 530 for the cylinder head 130 includes a groove 510 connected to an outlet of the cooling system 500. For example, the groove 510 may be connected to an outlet 590 of the cylinder block 120 cooling circuit 520. The cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120 includes a plurality of cylinder block core prints channels 550 on an upper portion thereof.

[0027] As it is known, in the casting process core prints are used to support the core element used to provide an empty volume within the cylinder block, used for example as a cooling circuit (water jacket). At the end of the casting process, the core prints are removed and create cylinder block core print channels 550. In particular, the cylinder block core prints channels 550 are shaped in such a way as to form upper parts 560 of the cylinder block cooling circuit. The upper parts 560 being located in a proximal position with respect to the groove 510 (FIG. 6) and are distanced from lower parts 570.

[0028] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of passages 600 are provided to fluidically connect the upper part 560 of the cylinder block core prints channels 550 with the groove 510. Each of the plurality of passages 600 connect the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120 of the engine 110 with the groove 510. In particular, each of the plurality of passages 600 connects the upper part 560 of the cylinder block core prints channels 550 with the groove 510. Each of the upper part 560 of the core prints channels 550 may have one or more passages 600.

[0029] The diameter of the passages 600 may be suitably calibrated (using specific holes in the head gasket 580) to allow passing of steam bubbles that may be formed in the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120 during operations of the engine 110. The diameter of the passages 600 may be equal for each hole 600, or in the alternative, may vary depending on the position of the respective hole 600. Moreover, the cylinder head 130 cooling circuit 530 also includes cylinder head 130 core print channels 610 connecting the cylinder head 130 cooling circuit 530 with the groove 510 (FIG. 6).

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5, a view from below of a cylinder head 130 of the engine 110 is represented, showing a deckface 540. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove 510 is provided on the deckface 540 of the cylinder head 130. More specifically, the groove 510 is machined on the deckface 540 of the cylinder head 130. According to another embodiment, the groove 510 is cast on the deckface 540 of the cylinder head 130. According to still another embodiment, the groove 510 may be separated and independent from other portions of the cylinder head cooling circuit 530.

[0031] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, a gasket 580 is provided in order to seal an interface between the cooling circuit 530 for the cylinder head 130 and the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120. The gasket 580 is provided with holes to allow space for the passages 600 connecting the cylinder block 120 cooling circuit 520 with the groove 510. During operation of the engine, air/steam bubbles may form in the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120. Such air/steam bubbles are then collected in the upper part 560 of the cylinder block core prints channels 550 and then exit from the calibrated passages 600. Therefore, air/steam bubbles flow through the sealed interface between the cooling circuit 530 for the cylinder head 130 and the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120 and are then collected into the groove 510. Finally, air/steam bubbles follow the path depicted by arrows F in FIG. 5 and exit towards an outlet of the cooling circuit 500, for example towards an outlet 590 of the cooling circuit 520 for the cylinder block 120.

[0032] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.