Temperature control for turbocharged engine

• US 6,604,515 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Do, Vinh K., Marsh, Gregory A., Aggarwal, Mahesh C., Walter, Brian L., Valentine, Peter L., Armbruster, Robert A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richter, Sheldon J.
• Application Number:
  US10/050,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 123/563, 123/41.44, 123/41.31, 123/41.33, 605/99
• US Class Current: 123/563
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/02 Intercooler
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/04 Lubricant cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/04 by varying pump speed, e.g. by changing pump-drive gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/12 by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/165 characterised by systems with two or more loops
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0418 the intake air cooler having a bypass or multiple flow paths within the heat exchanger to vary the effective heat transfer surface
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0431 Details or means to guide the ambient air to the heat exchanger, e.g. having a fan, flaps, a bypass or a special location in the engine compartment
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0443 Layout of the coolant or refrigerant circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/10 by hot liquids, e.g. lubricants or cooling water
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A cooling apparatus (10) and method for a turbocharged internal combustion engine (12). The combustion air (16) exiting a turbocharger (18) is passed over an air-to-water intercooler (40) then over an air-to-air intercooler (42) for heat exchange with liquid coolant and with ambient air (32) respectively. During periods of low ambient air temperature, the combustion air may be directed through a bypass duct (80) around the air-to-air intercooler, and further, may be heated by the coolant in the air-to-water intercooler. A multi-speed fan (44) and/or shutters (48) may be used to control the flow of ambient air across the air-to-air intercooler. A cooling duct (68) provides a flow of ambient air to the fan motor (46) during periods of operation when the flow of ambient air over the air-to-air heat exchanger is restricted by the shutters. Coolant exiting a subcooler (28) has the lowest temperature in the system and is directed to a lube oil cooler (34) for engine lubricant cooling.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprising:

an intercooler receiving combustion air from a turbocharger, the intercooler comprising a liquid portion for exchanging heat between the combustion air and engine coolant, the intercooler further comprising an air portion for exchanging heat between the combustion air and ambient air;

a radiator exchanging heat between the engine coolant and ambient air; and

;

valving directing engine coolant from an engine to the radiator and then on to the liquid portion of the intercooler in series in a first mode and directing at least a portion of the engine coolant from the engine directly to the liquid portion of the intercooler and thus bypassing the radiator in a second mode.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the valving further prevents the flow of engine coolant to the radiator in a third mode.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a lube oil cooler fluidly connected upstream of the liquid portion of the intercooler for receiving the engine coolant from the radiator in the first mode and for receiving the engine coolant from the engine in the second mode.

4. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine providing enchanced cooling of engine lube oil, the system comprising:

a radiator receiving engine coolant from an engine for cooling the engine coolant;

a subcooler receiving engine coolant from the radiator and being exposed to a flow of ambient air, with the ambient air first flowing past the subcooler and then on to the radiator, with the subcooler further cooling the engine coolant received from the radiator; and

a lube oil cooler receiving the engine coolant from the subcooler for enchanced cooling of the engine lube oil.

5. The cooling system of claim 4, further comprising an intercooler receiving a portion of the engine coolant from the subcooler.

6. The cooling system of claim 4, further comprising an intercooler receiving coolant from the engine bypassing the radiator, subcooler and lube oil cooler.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a shutter disposed within a flow path of the ambient air upstream of the air-to-air heat exchanger, the shutter adapted to control a flow of ambient air passing through the air-to-air heat exchanger.

7. An apparatus for conditioning a flow of combustion air being supplied to the intake of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:

a control element for selecting between ambient air and heated ambient air as a source of combustion air intake to a turbocharger;

an air-to-water intercooler receiving compressed combustion air from the turbocharger; and

valving for selectively supplying coolant to the air-to-water intercooler at a temperature higher than that of the compressed combustion air passing through the air-to-water intercooler to heat the compressed combustion air in a heating mode, and supplying coolant to the air-to-water intercooler at a temperature lower than the compressed combustion air passing through the air-to-water intercooler to cool the compressed combustion air in a cooling mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an air-to-air intercooler downstream of the air-to-water intercooler for receiving the compressed combustion air from the air-to-water intercooler.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a bypass for selectively directing at least a portion of the compressed combustion air to bypass the air-to-air intercooler.

15. The cooling system of claim 8, further comprising a shutter associated with the air-to-air intercooler and having a plurality of positions for controlling the flow of ambient air through the air-to-air intercooler, the flow of ambient air to ventilate the fan motor being responsive to the shutter position.

10. An apparatus for conditioning a flow of combustion air being supplied to the intake of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:

an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed in the flow of combustion air for heat exchange between the combustion air and a liquid coolant; and

an air-to-air heat exchanger disposed in the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange between the combustion air and ambient air, and further comprising;

a coolant circuit for delivering liquid coolant to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger; and

wherein the coolant circuit comprises a control element for selecting the liquid coolant delivered to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to be of a predetermined temperature relationship to that of the combustion air entering the air-to-liquid intercooler.

17. The cooling system of claim 10, wherein the air-to-liquid intercooler receives coolant from an outlet of the lubricant cooler.

11. An apparatus for conditioning a flow of combustion air being supplied to the intake of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:

an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed in the flow of combustion air for heat exchange between the combustion air and a liquid coolant; and

an air-to-air heat exchanger disposed in the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange between the combustion air and ambient air, further comprising;

a motor powered fan for moving ambient air through the air-to-air heat exchanger; and

a flow path for supplying ambient air to the motor to ventilate the motor along a path other than through the air-to-air heat exchanger.

13. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the cooling system comprising:

a liquid coolant circuit comprising an air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between a liquid coolant and a flow of combustion air being supplied to an intake of an internal combustion engine; and

an air-to-air intercooler disposed within the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between the flow of combustion air and ambient air;

wherein the liquid coolant circuit further comprises at least one valve for controlling the liquid coolant delivered to the air-to-liquid intercooler to have a predetermined temperature relationship with the combustion air entering the air-to-liquid intercooler.

14. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the cooling system comprising:

a liquid coolant circuit comprising an air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between a liquid coolant and a flow of combustion air being supplied to an intake of an internal combustion engine; and

an air-to-air intercooler disposed within the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between the flow of combustion air and ambient air;

further comprising;

a fan motor disposed downstream of the air-to-air intercooler for driving a fan for forcing a flow of ambient air through the air-to-air intercooler; and

a duct for supplying a flow of ambient air to ventilate the fan motor along a flow path other than that through the air-to-air intercooler.

16. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the cooling system comprising:

a liquid coolant circuit comprising an air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between a liquid coolant and a flow of combustion air being supplied to an intake of an internal combustion engine; and

an air-to-air intercooler disposed within the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between the flow of combustion air and ambient air;

wherein the liquid coolant circuit further comprises;

a radiator for receiving coolant heated by the engine;

a subcooler for receiving coolant from the radiator; and

a lubricant cooler for receiving coolant from the subcooler and for providing heat exchange between the coolant and engine lubricant.

18. A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the cooling system comprising:

a liquid coolant circuit comprising an air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between a liquid coolant and a flow of combustion air being supplied to an intake of an internal combustion engine; and

an air-to-air intercooler disposed within the flow of combustion air downstream of the air-to-liquid intercooler for providing heat exchange between the flow of combustion air and ambient air;

wherein the liquid coolant circuit further comprises an interconnection between the air-to-liquid intercooler and an engine cooling device for providing a supply of coolant from the engine cooling device to the air-to-liquid intercooler; and

wherein the liquid coolant circuit further comprises a lubricant cooler for providing heat exchange between the coolant and an engine lubricant, the lubricant cooler connected between the engine cooling device and the air-to-liquid intercooler.

19. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

further comprising providing at least one valve in the engine cooling system for controlling a temperature of the liquid coolant provided to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to have a predetermined temperature relationship with the combustion air entering the air-to-liquid intercooler.

20. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

further comprising controlling the heat exchange between the combustion air and the ambient air by one of controlling the speed of a fan forcing ambient air through the air-to-air heat exchanger and controlling a position of a shutter disposed within a flow stream of the ambient air.

21. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

further comprising;

forcing ambient air through the air-to-air heat exchanger with a suction fan driven by a suction fan motor; and

providing cooling air to ventilate the suction fan motor along a flow path other than that through the air-to-air heat exchanger.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising directing the coolant from the engine water jacket to the engine lubricant cooler through a radiator and a subcooler in series.

22. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

forming the engine cooling system to include an engine water jacket; and

directing coolant from the engine water jacket to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger;

further comprising the directing coolant from the engine water jacket to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger through an engine lubricant cooler.

24. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

forming the engine cooling system to include an engine water jacket; and

directing coolant from the engine water jacket to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger;

further comprising directing coolant from the engine water jacket to an engine lubricant cooler in parallel to the coolant being directed from the engine water jacket to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising directing the coolant to the engine lubricant cooler through a radiator and a subcooler in series.

25. A method of conditioning the combustion air being supplied to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

directing compressed combustion air from a turbocharger to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger for heat exchange with a liquid coolant of an engine cooling system; and

directing the compressed combustion air from the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to an air-to-air heat exchanger for heat exchange with ambient air;

further comprising directing liquid coolant to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger through an engine lubricant cooler.

27. An internal combustion engine comprising:

an intake manifold for receiving combustion air into an engine;

a coolant loop for circulating coolant for heat exchange between the engine and ambient air;

an air-to-liquid intercooler having a combustion air side forming a first portion of a flow path of the combustion air to the intake manifold and having a liquid side forming a portion of the coolant loop for heat exchange between the combustion air and the coolant; and

an air-to-air intercooler having a combustion air side forming a second portion of the flow path of the combustion air disposed downstream of the first portion and having an ambient air side for heat exchange between the combustion air and ambient air;

further comprising a bypass for selectively directing the combustion air around the air-to-air intercooler.

28. An internal combustion engine comprising:

an intake manifold for receiving combustion air into an engine;

a coolant loop for circulating coolant for heat exchange between the engine and ambient air;

an air-to-liquid intercooler having a combustion air side forming a first portion of a flow path of the combustion air to the intake manifold and having a liquid side forming a portion of the coolant loop for heat exchange between the combustion air and the coolant; and

an air-to-air intercooler having a combustion air side forming a second portion of the flow path of the combustion air disposed downstream of the first portion and having an ambient air side for heat exchange between the combustion air and ambient air;

further comprising;

a motor powered fan for delivery of ambient air to the air-to-air intercooler; and

a duct for delivering air to ventilate the motor along a flow path other than that through the air-to-air intercooler.

29. An internal combustion engine comprising:

an intake manifold for receiving combustion air into an engine;

a coolant loop for circulating coolant for heat exchange between the engine and ambient air;

an air-to-liquid intercooler having a combustion air side forming a first portion of a flow path of the combustion air to the intake manifold and having a liquid side forming a portion of the coolant loop for heat exchange between the combustion air and the coolant; and

an air-to-air intercooler having a combustion air side forming a second portion of the flow path of the combustion air disposed downstream of the first portion and having an ambient air side for heat exchange between the combustion air and ambient air;

further comprising;

radiator and a subcooler having respective coolant sides forming a portion of the coolant loop and connected in series relationship, and having respective ambient air sides, a flow of ambient air passing respectively past the subcooler ambient air side and the radiator ambient air side; and

a lubricant cooler having a coolant side forming a portion of the coolant loop disposed downstream of the subcooler coolant side and having an engine lubricant side.

30. The engine of claim 29, wherein the air-to-liquid intercooler receives coolant from an outlet of the lubricant cooler.