Engine air charge system with branch conduits

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• first and second spaced banks of cylinders each defining a plurality of combustion chambers and a ‘V’ space therebetween;
• a compressor having a compressor outlet;
• a charge air cooler having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in communication with said compressor outlet;
• a charge air conduit connecting said compressor outlet and said charge air cooler inlet, said charge air conduit including a substantially straight portion disposed in the ‘V’ between said first and second spaced banks of cylinders for delivering air in a first direction;
• a first branch conduit in communication with said first bank of cylinders;
• a second branch conduit in communication with said second bank of cylinders;
• the first and second branch conduits delivering air in a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, to the first and second banks of cylinders;
• a flow control valve in communication with said outlet of said charge air cooler and in communication with said first and second branch conduits.

A charge air system for delivering charged air from a compressor to a ‘V’ configuration internal combustion engine having first and second spaced banks of cylinders each defining a plurality of combustion chambers, the system comprising:

• a compressor outlet;
• a charge air cooler having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in communication with said compressor outlet;
• a charge air conduit for connecting said compressor outlet and said charge air cooler inlet, said charge air conduit including a substantially straight portion for being disposed in the ‘V’ between said first and second spaced banks of cylinders for delivering air in a first direction;
• a first branch conduit for delivering air in a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, to said first bank of cylinders;
• a second branch conduit for delivering air in the second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, to said second bank of cylinders;
• a branch connector delivering air from said charge air cooler to said first and second branch conduits;
• and
• a flow control valve in communication with said outlet of said charge air cooler and in communication with said first and second branch conduits and located between said outlet of said charge air cooler and said branch connector.