COMPOUND BRACKET SYSTEM

• US 20080223329A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Fenton, Donald M., Wu, Martin, Krishnaswami, Jayakumar, Mignery, Lezza, Tao, Zeguang, Preimesberger, Erich R., Koppireddy, Trinadh
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/195A
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 67/10 of charging or scavenging apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/12 characterised by means for attaching parts of an EGR system to each other or to engine parts

Abstract

A compound bracket system (400) for an internal combustion engine (100) includes a first bracket (112) that is rigidly connected to a crankcase(102) of the internal combustion engine (100). The first bracket (112) forms at least one mounting pad (310) that is arranged to connect to and support a first engine component (114). A second bracket (120) is connected to the crankcase (102) through at least one additional engine component (110). The second bracket (120) forms a component cavity (208) that is arranged to accept and support a second engine component (118). The first bracket (112) forms an interconnection pad (314), and the second component forms a strut (216) having a mounting tab (218). The mounting tab (218) is advantageously connected to the interconnection tab (314) with a fastener (422), thus increasing the rigidity of the second bracket (120) as mounted on the engine (100).

Claims

1. A compound bracket system for an internal combustion engine comprising:

a first bracket rigidly connected to a crankcase of the internal combustion engine, wherein the first bracket forms at least one mounting pad that is arranged to connect to and support a first engine component;

a second bracket that is connected to the crankcase through at least one additional engine component, wherein the second bracket is forms a component cavity that is arranged to accept and support a second engine component;

wherein the first bracket forms an interconnection pad, wherein the second component forms a strut having a mounting tab, and wherein the mounting tab is connected to the interconnection tab with a fastener.

2. The compound bracket of claim 1, wherein the first bracket is a turbocharger support bracket, and wherein the first engine component is a turbine.

3. The compound bracket of claim 1, wherein the second bracket forms a first brace, a second brace, and a third brace, the first, second, and third braces arranged around the component cavity.

4. The compound bracket of claim 1, further comprising an additional strut formed on the second bracket, wherein the additional strut forms an additional tab, and wherein the additional tab is connected to the interconnection tab of the first bracket by use of an additional fastener.

5. The compound bracket of claim 1, wherein the first bracket forms a mounting flange for connection to the crankcase, wherein a body portion is formed by the first bracket and is disposed between the mounting flange and a protrusion, wherein the interconnection pad is disposed at a distal end of the protrusion, and wherein a rib is formed by the body portion and connects the protrusion with the mounting flange.

6. The compound bracket of claim 1, wherein the tab is connected to the interconnection pad through a portion of a flange that is formed on the first engine component.

7. The compound bracket of claim 1, further comprising a third bracket having an additional side brace and a bottom brace, wherein the additional side brace and the bottom brace are disposed around the component cavity, and wherein a band clamp connects the second bracket and the third bracket.

8. The compound bracket of claim 7, wherein the third bracket has a plurality of mounting bosses formed therein that connect the third bracket to at least one additional engine component.

9. The compound bracket of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional engine component includes an intake manifold and a cylinder head.

10. An internal combustion engine comprising:

a crankcase having a cylinder head connected thereto;

a turbocharger support bracket connected to a valley portion of the crankcase through a mounting flange that is formed on the turbocharger support bracket, wherein the turbocharger support bracket forms at least one mounting pad and at least one interconnection pad;

a turbocharger that includes a turbine that is operably associated with a compressor, wherein the turbine is connected to the turbocharger support bracket at the at least one mounting pad;

an intake manifold connected to the cylinder head;

an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler support bracket connected to the intake manifold, wherein the EGR cooler support bracket is connected to an EGR cooler;

an interconnection tab disposed on a strut, wherein the strut is connected to the EGR cooler support bracket, and wherein the tab is connected to the interconnection pad of the turbocharger support bracket.

11. The internal combustion engine of claim 10, wherein the EGR cooler support bracket comprises a first bracket portion having the strut integrally formed therewith, and a second bracket portion that is connected to the intake manifold, further comprising a band clamp disposed around at least a portion of the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion, wherein the clamp is capable of connection the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion such that the EGR cooler is retained therebetween.

12. The internal combustion engine of claim 10, wherein the tab is connected to the interconnection tab with a fastener, wherein the fastener passes through a fastener opening in the tab, and wherein the fastener is threadably engaged with the turbocharger support bracket.

13. The internal combustion engine of claim 12, wherein a portion of a flange formed on the turbine is disposed between the tab and the interconnection tab.

14. A bracket for mounting a component onto an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a first brace, a top brace, and a second brace disposed around a component cavity;

at least one opening formed in at least one of the first brace, the top brace, and the second brace;

at least one guide formed on the bracket, wherein the at least one guide protrudes away from the component cavity, wherein the at least one guide is arranged to guide a band of a band clamp into a desired position around the bracket;

a strut integrally formed with the bracket, wherein the strut protrudes from the second brace;

a tab connected to the strut, wherein the tab is disposed at a distal end of the strut, wherein the tab extends away from the component cavity of the bracket, and wherein the tab has a fastener opening formed therein;

wherein the tab is disposed on an interconnection pad of an additional bracket, and wherein the additional bracket is connected to a base engine structure of the internal combustion engine.

15. The bracket of claim 14, further comprising a lower bracket portion formed around the component cavity, wherein the lower bracket portion is connected to the base engine structure through at least one other engine component.

16. The bracket of claim 15, further comprising a clamp disposed around the bracket and the lower bracket portion, wherein the clamp is arranged to tensionably retain the bracket and the lower bracket portion connected to each other.