Exhaust gas recirculation system module with integral vacuum

• US 20080149079A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Daneliuk, Ted, Gagner, Natalie, Miller, Geoff, Jefford, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,814,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/568.11
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 47/08 the substances including exhaust gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/47 the characteristics being temperatures, pressures or flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/57 using electronic means, e.g. electromagnetic valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 137/907 Vacuum-actuated valves

Abstract

A system module is provided for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The module includes a body (12) including a passageway (41) between an exhaust gas inlet (32) and an exhaust gas outlet (34). An orifice (36) constricts the flow of exhaust gases proximate the exhaust gas outlet. A differential pressure sensor (38) is constructed and arranged to sense differential pressure across the orifice. A manifold absolute pressure sensor (42) is constructed and arranged to sense vacuum pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet. A first hose (40) is coupled with the body and provides the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice. A second hose (44) is coupled with the body and provides the manifold pressure sensor with vacuum pressure. The first and second hoses are integral with the system module.

Claims

1. A system module for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the system module comprising:

a body including a passageway between an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet,

an orifice constricting the flow of exhaust gases proximate the exhaust gas outlet,

differential pressure sensor constructed and arranged to sense differential pressure across the orifice,

a manifold absolute pressure sensor constructed and arranged to sense vacuum pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet,

a first hose coupled with the body and providing the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice, and

a second hose coupled with the body and providing the manifold pressure sensor with said vacuum pressure, the first and second hoses being integral with the system module.

2. The system module of claim 1, further comprising an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve constructed and arranged to regulate vacuum pressure in the body.

3. The system module of claim 2, wherein the first hose supplies both the differential pressure sensor and the EVR valve with vacuum pressure.

4. The system module of claim 2, wherein the differential pressure sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor are both part of sensor structure that is in fluid communication with the EVR valve.

5. The system module of claim 4, wherein a first end of the first hose is coupled with the body near the orifice and a second end of the first hose is associated with the sensor structure.

6. The system module of claim 4, wherein a first end of the second first hose is coupled with the body near the orifice and a second end of the second hose is associated with the sensor structure.

7. The system module of claim 1, wherein the differential pressure sensor is constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with a supply of vacuum on a second side of the orifice.

8. The system module of claim 2, wherein the EVR valve is solenoid operated.

9. A system module for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the system module comprising:

a body including a passageway between an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet,

first means for sensing differential pressure across an orifice associated with the body,

second means for sensing manifold absolute pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet,

means, directly coupled with the body, for providing the first means with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice, and

means, directly coupled with the body, for providing the second means with vacuum pressure.

10. The system module of claim 9, further comprising an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve constructed and arranged to regulate vacuum pressure in the body.

18. The system module of claim 9, wherein the first means is constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with a supply of vacuum on a second side of the orifice.

11. The system module of claim 11, wherein the means for providing the first means with vacuum pressure is a first hose that supplies both the first means and the EVR valve with vacuum pressure.

12. The system module of claim 11, wherein the first and second means are both part of sensor structure that is in fluid communication with the EVR valve.

13. The system module of claim 12, wherein the first means is a differential pressure sensor and the second means is a manifold absolute pressure sensor.

14. The system module of claim 12, wherein the means for providing the first means is a first hose, a first end of the first hose is coupled with the body near the orifice and a second end of the first hose is associated with the sensor structure.

17. The system module of claim 12, wherein the means for providing the second means is a second hose, a first end of the second first hose is coupled with the body near the orifice and a second end of the second hose is associated with the sensor structure.

19. The system module of claim 11, wherein the EVR valve is solenoid operated.

20. A method of supplying a differential pressure sensor and a manifold absolute pressure sensor of an exhaust gas recirculation system module with vacuum pressure, the method comprising:

providing a differential pressure sensor and a manifold absolute pressure sensor of an exhaust gas recirculation system module,

supplying the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure with a first hose, and

supplying the manifold absolute pressure sensor with vacuum pressure with a dedicated second hose, the first and second hoses being integral with the system module.