# US 10,865,744 B2 · Systems and methods for an exhaust gas recirculation mixer

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- Number: US 10,865,744 B2
- Document ID: US10865744B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/192,326
- Filed: 2018-11-15
- Published: 2019-03-21
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-29
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865744B2

## CPC

- F02M 26/19: Means for improving the mixing of air and recirculated exhaust gases, e.g. venturis or multiple openings to the intake system
- B01F 23/10: Mixing gases with gases
- B01F 25/31232: {used simultaneously}
- B01F 25/31242: {the main flow being injected in the central area of the venturi, creating an aspiration in the circumferential part of the conduit (B01F25/31243 takes precedence)}
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)

## Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for a mixer. In one example, a system may include an EGR mixing having a downstream surface with a plurality of venturi tubes extending therefrom.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for mixing intake and exhaust gases, the method comprising:
mixing the intake and exhaust gases via a plurality of venturi tubes in a mixer, wherein the plurality of venturi tubes is intersected by a plane including a vertical axis of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage, and wherein the EGR passage comprises a curved outlet spanning a portion of a circumference of a surface of the mixer, the surface being on a downstream side of the mixer with respect to a direction of an intake gas flow.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curved outlet is a volute shape and involutes toward an outer annular wall of the mixer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the surface of the mixer is impervious to gas and is in sealing contact with an interior surface of an intake pipe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of venturi tubes comprises a plurality of venturi throats intersected by the plane, each of the plurality of venturi throats comprising a plurality of perforations.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising flowing the intake gas through the plurality of venturi tubes, where flowing the intake gas includes flowing the intake gas through the plurality of venturi throats and generating a vacuum provided to portions of the mixer via the plurality of perforations of each of the plurality of venturi throats.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising flowing the exhaust gas into the plurality of venturi tubes, flowing the exhaust gas includes flowing the exhaust gas into the plurality of venturi tubes via the plurality of perforations of each of the plurality of venturi throats.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curved outlet decreases in height from an inlet of the curved outlet to an end point of the curved outlet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the circumference of the surface of the mixer is less than half of the circumference of the surface of the mixer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of venturi tubes fluidly couples the EGR passage to a portion of an intake pipe located downstream with respect to the direction of the intake gas flow from the downstream side of the mixer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the vertical axis is perpendicular to the direction of the intake gas flow.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising flowing the mixed intake and exhaust gases through outlets of the plurality of venturi tubes.

### Claim 12 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein mixing the intake and exhaust gases includes mixing the intake and exhaust gases via the generated vacuum.