Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Supercharger
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-11-06
Denion, Thomas (Department: 3748)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Supercharger
C060S599000, C165S051000, C165S154000, C165S164000, C165S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311676
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally pertains to motor vehicles. More particular, the present invention pertains to an intercooler arrangement for a turbocharged motor vehicle engine.
2. Discussion
The term “supercharging” refers to increasing the air or air/fuel mixture density of a motor vehicle engine by increasing its pressure prior to entering the engine cylinder. One method of increasing the pressure is by mechanical supercharging where a separate pump, blower or compressor provides the compressed air. The pump, blower or compressor is usually driven by power taken from the engine. A second method of increasing the pressure is turbocharging, where a turbocharger is used to boost inlet air or air/fuel mixture density. The turbocharger typically consists of a compressor and turbine on a single shaft. Energy available in the engine's exhaust stream is used to drive the turbocharger turbine which in turn drives the turbocharger compressor to raise the inlet fluid density prior to entry to the engine cylinders.
The power developed by an internal combustion engine is largely dependent on the amount of combustible mixture reaching the cylinders. The design of manifolds, carburetors, fuel injectors, the size of valves and the size of valve ports are all important factors in determining the amount of this mixture. To overcome friction losses in the intake system and to aid in scavengering the cylinders of burned gases, supercharging can be used to force the combustible mixture into the cylinders.
Compressed air forced into a cylinder is pressurized. Since pressure is directly related to heat, this increase in pressure functions to heat the air. It is desirable to cool down this compressed air before it is introduced into the intake manifold. The cool compressed air is packed tighter together in the cylinder than if it had not been cooled. As a result, more power is created when this air-fuel mixture explodes. This function is frequently accomplished with an intercooler.
While known intercooler arrangements have proven to be effective in cooling compressed air delivered to an engine cylinder, they nevertheless can be subject of certain improvements. In this regard, conventional intercooler arrangements are often larger structures which cause packaging concerns. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an intercooler arrangement, including a core and core housing of compact construction which reduces packaging concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved intercooler arrangement for a motor vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an intercooler arrangement having a core and core housing of compact construction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a core housing for an intercooler core which improves air flow and efficiency of the core to reduce the temperature of air passing by the core.
In one form, the present invention provides an arrangement for cooling the temperature of a source of air prior to introduction into a motor vehicle engine. The arrangement includes an intercooler core and an intercooler housing. The intercooler core has a generally cylindrical shape. The intercooler housing defines an inner chamber receiving the intercooler core. The intercooler housing has an intake side with at least one intake port in communication with the intercooler core and an outlet side with at least one outlet port in communication with the intercooler core. The intake side and the outlet side are spaced apart and parallel.
In another form, the present invention provides an arrangement for cooling the temperature of a source of air prior to introduction into a motor vehicle engine including a main body portion and an intercooler core. The main body portion is integrally formed to include a first end adapted to be interconnected with a turbocharger of the motor vehicle and a second end adapted to be interconnected to the engine. The main body portion defines a generally cylindrical opening extending therethrough along an axis. The cylindrical opening is in fluid communication with the first end through at least one intake port and in fluid communication with the second end through at least one outlet port. The intercooler core is generally cylindrical and disposed in the cylindrical opening.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Laminova brochure, copyright 1995, 8 pgs.
Oberg Erik J.
Woodard Robert P.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Denion Thomas
Trieu Thai-Ba
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