Recuperator device for recovering energy from exhaust gas heat
AssigneeBorgwarner Emissions Systems Spain, S.L.U.
InventorsXoan Xosé HERMIDA DOMÍNGUEZ, Iago González Tabarés, Xurxo Pérez Mauricio, Gonzalo Simo, César Carnero López, Ignacio Vidal
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Abstract
The present invention is a device for recovering energy from exhaust gas heat of an internal combustion engine. Particularly, the invention relates to a recuperator device which makes use of a temperature gradient between two conduits to generate an electric potential by means of a plurality of thermoelectric boards.
Claims18
A recuperator for recovering energy from exhaust gas heat of an internal combustion engine, there being a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein a temperature of the first fluid is higher than the temperature of the second fluid, wherein the recuperator comprises:
- at least a first inlet baffle (1) and a first outlet baffle (2) for the first fluid and a second inlet baffle (4) and a second outlet baffle (5) for the second fluid, wherein each of the baffles (1, 2, 4, 5) comprises openings for the passage of the corresponding fluid;
- a first tube bundle (3) for the passage of the first fluid, wherein these tubes (3)
- are arranged essentially parallel to one another and, the tubes (3) of the first tube bundle (3) extend from the first inlet baffle (1) to the first outlet baffle (2);
- a second tube bundle (6) for the passage of the second fluid,
- wherein these tubes (6):
- are arranged essentially parallel to one another and, the tubes (6) of the second tube bundle (6) extend from the second inlet baffle (4) to the second outlet baffle (5);
- a plurality of thermoelectric modules (7.1) comprising a first face (7.1.1) and a second face (7.1.2) arranged opposite the first face (7.1.1), wherein the thermoelectric modules (7.1) are adapted for generating an electric potential based on a temperature gradient between the first face (7.1.1) and the second face (7.1.2);
- wherein the first tube bundle (3), the second tube bundle (6) and the plurality of thermoelectric modules (7.1) form a stack such that each thermoelectric module (7.1) has the first face (7.1.1) in thermal contact with a tube (3) of the first tube bundle (3) and the second face (7.1.2) in thermal contact with a tube (6) of the second tube bundle (6);
- characterized in that
- the tubes (3) of the first tube bundle (3), the tubes (6) of the second tube bundle (6), or both (3, 6), comprise a support element (3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) at each end of the tube (3, 6) adapted for being supported on a face of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) corresponding to said end of the tube (3, 6) and establishing a fluid communication through one or more openings of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) between the inside of the tube (3, 6) and the side of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) arranged on the side opposite the tube (3, 6).
A construction method for constructing a recuperator for recovering energy from exhaust gas heat of an internal combustion engine, there being a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein the temperature of the first fluid is higher than the temperature of the second fluid, wherein the recuperator comprises:
- at least a first inlet baffle (1) and a first outlet baffle (2) for the first fluid and a second inlet baffle (4) and a second outlet baffle (5) for the second fluid, wherein each of the baffles (1, 2, 4, 5) comprises openings for the passage of a fluid;
- a first tube bundle (3) for the passage of the first fluid,
- wherein these tubes (3)
- are arranged essentially parallel to one another and, the tubes (3) of the first tube bundle (3) extend from the first inlet baffle (1) to the first outlet baffle (2);
- a second tube bundle (6) for the passage of the second fluid,
- wherein these tubes (6):
- are arranged essentially parallel to one another and, the tubes (6) of the second tubs bundle (6) extend from the second inlet baffle (4) to the second outlet baffle (5);
- a plurality of thermoelectric modules (7.1) comprising a first face (7.1.1) and a second face (7.1.2) arranged opposite the first face (7.1.1), wherein the thermoelectric modules (7.1) are adapted for generating an electric potential based on a temperature gradient between the first face (7.1.1) and the second face (7.1.2);
- wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- a) providing a support element (3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) at each end of the tube (3, 6) adapted for being supported on a face of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) corresponding to said end of the tube (3, 6);
- b) establishing a stack of the first tube bundle (3), the second tube bundle (6) and the plurality of thermoelectric modules (7.1) such that
- each thermoelectric module (7.1) has the first face (7.1.1) in thermal contact with a tube (3) of the first tube bundle (3), the second face (7.1.2) in thermal contact with a tube (6) of the second tube bundle (6) and,
- the support elements (3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) are supported on the baffles (1, 2, 4, 5) corresponding to each end of the tube (3, 6), establishing fluid communication through one or more openings of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) between the inside of the tube (3, 6) and the side of the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) arranged on the side opposite the tube (3, 6);
- to attach each of the support elements (3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) to the baffle (1, 2, 4, 5) on which it is supported.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.