# US 8,464,778 B2 · Heat exchanger for internal combustion engines

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,464,778 B2
- Document ID: US8464778B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/579,669
- Filed: 2005-05-04
- Published: 2008-04-24
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2004-05-07
- Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co.
- Applicants: Claus Beck; Hervé Palanchon; Jürgen Rosin
- Inventors: Claus Beck; Hervé Palanchon; Jürgen Rosin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464778B2

## CPC

- F02B 77/00: Component parts, details or accessories, not otherwise provided for
- F01N 3/043: {without contact between liquid and exhaust gases}
- F01N 2240/02: a heat exchanger
- F01N 2410/00: By-passing, at least partially, exhaust from inlet to outlet of apparatus, to atmosphere or to other device
- F02M 26/11: Manufacture or assembly of EGR systems; Materials or coatings specially adapted for EGR systems
- F02M 26/26: characterised by details of the bypass valve
- F02M 26/30: Connections of coolers to other devices, e.g. to valves, heaters, compressors or filters; Coolers characterised by their location on the engine
- F02M 26/32: Liquid-cooled heat exchangers
- Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies
- Y10T 137/87812: Pivoted valve or deflector
- F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G)
- F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16)
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine includes a first flow channel; a second flow channel arranged adjacent to the first flow channel; a line separate from the second flow channel; and a valve channel in which an adjustable valve element is disposed. The valve channel is arranged upstream of the first and second flow channels and an inlet channel is arranged upstream of the valve channel in a flow direction of exhaust gas. The valve element includes a baffle plate, the baffle plate having an end portion that extends diagonally in the valve channel with respect to the flow axis of the first flow channel. The valve element includes a flap that is pivotably mounted at the end portion of the baffle plate such that the flap is pivotable about an axis that extends in a direction of a width of a common housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A heat exchanger for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
a first flow channel for a passage of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine;
a second flow channel arranged adjacent to the first flow channel for the passage of the exhaust gas;
a line separate from the second flow channel for a passage of a coolant, wherein heat energy may be exchanged between the exhaust gas in the first flow channel and the coolant in the line, and wherein heat energy may not be exchanged at least to any significant degree between the exhaust gas in the second flow channel and the coolant in the line; and
a valve channel in which an adjustable valve element is disposed, wherein a distribution of the exhaust gas between the first flow channel and the second flow channel may be adjusted by adjustment of the valve element, wherein an inlet-side flow axis of the valve channel has a different direction from a flow axis of the first flow channel,
wherein the valve channel is arranged upstream of the first and second flow channels and an inlet channel is arranged upstream of the valve channel in a flow direction of the exhaust gas,
wherein the first flow channel and the second flow channel are arranged in a common housing,
wherein the valve element comprises a baffle plate, the baffle plate having an end portion that extends diagonally in the valve channel with respect to the flow axis of the first flow channel, and
wherein the valve element comprises a flap that is pivotably mounted at the end portion of the baffle plate such that the flap is pivotable about an axis that extends in a direction of a width of the common housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flow axis of the inlet channel has a different direction than the flow axis of the valve channel, and wherein the flow axis of the inlet channel has a different direction than the flow axis of the first flow channel and flow axis of the second flow channel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein an angle enclosed between the flow axis of the valve channel and the flow axis of the inlet channel is larger than 30 degrees.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mean flow length of one of the first and second flow channels is at least a factor of two larger than a mean flow length of the valve channel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mean flow length of one of the first and second flow channels is at least a factor of 2.5 larger than a mean flow length of the valve channel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle enclosed between the flow axis of the valve channel and the flow axis of the first flow channel is larger than 30 degrees.

### Claim 7

The heat exchanger as claimed in 1, wherein an angle enclosed between the flow axis of the valve channel and the flow axis of the first flow channel is larger than 40 degrees.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle enclosed between the flow axis of the valve channel and the flow axis of the first flow channel is smaller than 60 degrees.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve element has exactly one adjustable flap element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flap element is mounted on a driven rotatable shaft.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second flow channel is essentially parallel to the first flow channel over a whole length of the second flow channel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve element is pivotably mounted at a single bearing point on the valve channel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve element is pivotably mounted at two spaced bearing points on the valve channel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle plate has a second end portion, the second end portion including an opening that corresponds to a cross-section of the second flow channel, and the second end portion being attached to an end face around the second flow channel.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the baffle plate extends in the valve channel at a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle with respect to the flow axis of the first flow channel.