Liquid-Cooled Exhaust Valve Assembly
AssigneeWescast Industries, Inc.
InventorsClayton A. SLOSS, Scott O. NELSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve assembly may include a valve body, a valve member, and a valve shaft. The valve body may include an inlet, an outlet, and first and second fluid paths in fluid communication with the inlet. The first fluid path may extend axially through at least a portion of the valve body. The second fluid path may be defined by first and second annular walls and may at least partially surround the first fluid path. The valve member is disposed in the valve body and may be movable between a first position preventing fluid flow through the first fluid path and a second position allowing fluid flow through the first fluid path. The valve shaft may be fixed to the valve member and mounted to the valve body for rotation relative to the valve body.
Claims20
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and first and second fluid paths in fluid communication with the inlet, the first fluid path extending axially through at least a portion of the valve body, and the second fluid path being defined by first and second annular walls and at least partially surrounding the first fluid path;
- a valve member disposed in the valve body and movable between a first position preventing fluid flow through the first fluid path and a second position allowing fluid through the first fluid path;
- and
- a valve shaft fixed to the valve member and mounted to the valve body for rotation relative to the valve body.
A vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- a valve assembly including a valve body and an adjustable valve member, the valve body having a first exhaust gas flow path and a second exhaust gas flow path, the adjustable valve member is selectively movable between a plurality of positions directing exhaust gas into at least one of the first and second exhaust gas flow paths;
- an emissions component mounted to the valve body and in selective fluid communication with the first and second exhaust gas flow paths;
- and
- a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the second exhaust gas flow path.
A vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and first and second exhaust gas paths in fluid communication with the inlet, the first fluid path extends axially through at least a portion of the valve body, and the second exhaust gas path is defined by first and second annular walls at least partially surrounding the first exhaust gas path;
- a valve plate disposed in the valve body and movable between a bypass position allowing fluid flow through the first exhaust gas flow path and a heat exchange position preventing fluid flow through the first exhaust gas flow path;
- a valve shaft fixed to the valve plate and mounted to the valve body for rotation relative to the valve body;
- a coolant passage extending through at least a portion of the valve body, the coolant passage being disposed proximate to the valve shaft to facilitate heat transfer between the valve shaft and a coolant flowing through the coolant passage;
- a catalytic converter mounted to the valve body and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a heat exchanger mounted to the valve body and in fluid communication with the second exhaust gas flow path and catalytic converter when the valve plate is in the heat exchange position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.