Engine arrangement

An engine arrangement includes a first engine unit, a second engine unit and at least one member for fastening the second engine unit to the first engine unit. The first unit and the second unit include fluid ports for achieving a fluid flow between the first and second unit. The engine arrangement further includes a valve for opening and closing at least one of the fluid ports and the fastening member is moveably arranged relative to the first unit and second unit and is arranged to act on the valve.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The invention relates to an engine arrangement. More particularly the present invention relates to a turbine arrangement of which a turbo unit is configured to be attached to an engine structure of the internal combustion engine.

The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment. Although the invention will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other applications utilizing turbo units such as aero or marine systems.

A turbo unit is a vehicle component used together with an associated internal combustion engine, typically a diesel engine. One example of a turbo unit is a turbocharger unit being configured to recover a part of the energy of the exhaust gas and to use that energy to compress intake air flowing into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. Turbocharger units are commonly provided for increasing the efficiency and power of the internal combustion engine.

A turbocharger unit has three main components; a turbine for converting energy of the exhaust gas flow tee a rotational movement of the turbine, a compressor rotationally connected to the turbine for compressing intake air, and a housing enclosing the turbine and the compressor as well as a rotating shaft, bearings, etc.

During operation the turbocharger unit is mounted to the cylinder head by connecting an exhaust gas inlet of the turbine side with a manifold of the internal combustion engine. One such example is shown in US2003005694, wherein the manifold has a flange for cooperation with a corresponding flange surface of the turbocharger unit. Sleeves are extending from the manifold flange, arranged at one side of the manifold, to the opposite side of the manifold, in which sleeves fastening screws are guided for the fastening of the turbocharger unit. The solution proposed in US2003005694 is taught to provide a simple and easily accessible mounting or demounting, of the turbocharger unit.

However, the turbocharger unit must not only receive exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine in order to operate, but fluid connections are also necessary for providing lubrication, and in some cases also cooling, of the rotating pans within the turbocharger unit. For this the housing of the turbocharger unit has one or more fluid ports which must be connected to corresponding ports of the internal combustion engine, for example for providing lubrication oil and cooling water to the turbocharger unit. Especially, when a turbocharger unit is removed for maintenance or replacement fluid may spill out and mix if the fluid ports are not closed properly. There is thus a need for an improved engine arrangement for reducing the risk for undesired fluid mixing and waste.

It is desirable to provide an engine arrangement overcoming the above mentioned, drawbacks of prior art systems.

By the provision of the valve being operable to close one of the fluid ports automatically when a second engine unit is removed from a first engine unit unintentional spill or mix of fluids is avoided. In particular, the valve ensures that the fluid port(s) is closed unless the second engine unit is securely attached to the first engine unit. During mounting of the second engine unit to the first engine unit the valve will open only once the second engine unit is securely attached, thus allowing fluid to flow from the first engine unit to the second engine unit. Correspondingly, during dismounting of the second engine unit from the first engine unit the valve will close before the second engine unit is actually removed from the first engine unit, thus preventing fluid to flow out from the first engine unit when the second engine unit is removed.

An engine arrangement is therefore provided, comprising a first engine unit, a second engine unit and at least one member for fastening the second engine unit to the first engine unit. The first unit and the second unit comprise fluid ports for achieving a fluid flow between the first and second unit. The engine arrangement further comprises a valve for opening and closing at least one of the fluid ports, and the fastening member is moveably arranged relative to the first unit and second unit and being arranged to act on the valve.

In an embodiment, the valve comprises a fluid inlet being aligned with the fluid port of the first engine unit, and a fluid outlet being aligned with the fluid port of the second engine unit, and a valve member arranged inside a valve housing and being moveable between an open position and a closed position for controlling fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. This is advantageous in that the valve member is protected by the valve housing, and in that the valve housing may be arranged between the first and second engine units.

In an embodiment the valve member comprises an engagement surface covering the fluid inlet or fluid outlet when the valve member is in its closed position, and wherein the valve member is arranged to move to its open position when the engagement surface is engaged by means of the fastening member when inserted into the fluid inlet or fluid outlet. Hence the valve is always closed when the second engine unit is dismounted from the first engine unit, thus ensuring that fluids will not escape or mix.

The valve member may be spring biased towards its closed position, for adding additional safety to the engine arrangement.

In an embodiment the engagement surface is a flat surface configured to receive a pressing force from the fastening member, and the valve member may be pivotally supported inside the valve housing or slidably supported inside the valve housing. A very simple and robust opening of the valve is thus achieved.

In another embodiment the valve member comprises a threaded bore configured to receive a threaded portion of the fastening member, which is advantageous in that the valve member may also form a counter surface for securing the position of the second engine unit relative the first engine unit.

In an embodiment the valve housing comprises means for attaching the valve to the first engine unit. Hence the second engine unit may be attached to the first engine unit via the valve, forming a robust connection between the first and second engine units.

In an embodiment the fluid inlet of the valve extends from an inlet support surface of the valve housing, said inlet support surface comprises sealing means for providing a fluid tight connection between the first engine unit and the valve. Leakage between the valve and the first engine unit is thus prevented.

In an embodiment the fluid outlet of the valve extends from an outlet support surface of the valve housing, said outlet support surface comprises sealing means for providing a fluid tight connection between the second engine unit and the valve. Leakage between the valve and the second engine unit is thus prevented.

In an embodiment the first engine unit is a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, and the second engine unit is a turbo unit. The turbo unit may e.g. be a turbocharger unit, a turbocompound unit, a super compound unit, or a super charger unit.

The turbo unit may comprise a bearing housing having a surface at which the hearing housing is attachable to the cylinder block. This facilitates mounting of the turbo unit, and removes the need for separate fluid channels between the cylinder block and the bearing housing; these are instead rimed within the beating housing.

The valve may be arranged between the cylinder block, and the baring housing, and the fastening member may extend through the bearing housing. This is advantageous in that the turbo unit may be attached to the cylinder block by accessing the fastening member from a side of the turbo unit facing away from the cylinder block.

A valve for a turbo unit is also provided. The valve comprises a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet wherein one of the fluid inlet or outlet is arranged to be aligned with a fluid port of a first engine unit and the other of the fluid inlet or fluid outlet is arranged to be aligned with a fluid port of the turbo unit, and a valve member arranged inside the valve housing and being moveable between an open position and a closed position for controlling fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. As mentioned above, the valve ensures that the fluid port(s) is closed unless the turbo unit is securely attached to the first engine unit. During mounting of the turbo unit to the first engine unit the valve will open only once the turbo unit is securely attached, thus allowing fluid to flow from the first engine unit to the turbo unit. Correspondingly, during dismounting of the turbo unit from the first engine unit the valve will close before the turbo unit is actually removed from the first engine unit, thus preventing fluid to flow out from the first engine unit when the turbo unit is removed.

The first engine unit may be a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, whereby there is no need for additional fluid channels between the cylinder block and the turbo unit.

In an embodiment the valve member comprises an engagement surface covering the fluid inlet or fluid outlet when the valve member is in its closed position, and wherein the valve member is arranged to move to its open position when the engagement surface is engaged by means of a protrusive structure of the turbo unit inserted into the fluid inlet or fluid outlet. Automatic closing of the valve when the turbo unit is removed is thus achieved.

The valve member may be spring biased towards its closed position, thus providing additional safety relating to automatic closing and prevention of waste or mixing of fluids inside the cylinder block.

In an embodiment the engagement surface is a flat surface configured to receive a pressing force from the protrusive structure. The valve member is pivotally supported inside the valve housing or slidably supported inside the valve housing.

In another embodiment the valve member comprises a threaded bore configured to receive a threaded portion of a fastening member forming the protrusive structure.

In an embodiment the valve housing comprises means for attaching the valve to the first engine unit.

In an embodiment the fluid inlet extends from an inlet support surface of the valve housing, said inlet support surface comprises sealing means for providing a fluid tight connection between the first engine unit and the valve. The fluid outlet may extend from an outlet support surface of the valve housing, said outlet support surface comprises, sealing means for providing a fluid tight confection between the turbo unit and the valve. The valve housing may be provided with a seal, such as an O-ring.

A turbine arrangement is also provided, comprising a turbo unit, said turbo unit including a turbine shaft supporting a turbine, a bearing housing enclosing said turbine shaft, the bearing housing comprising means for fastening the turbo unit to a first engine unit, wherein the first engine unit comprises a fluid port being in fluid communication with a fluid port of the bearing housing when the turbo unit is attached to the first engine unit. The turbine arrangement further comprises a valve for opening and closing at least one of the fluid ports. The bearing housing may be provided with a seal, such as an O-ring.

In an embodiment the first engine unit is formed by a cylinder block of an associated internal combustion engine.

In an embodiment the bearing housing comprises a protrusive structure being inserted in the fluid port of the first engine unit when the turbo unit is attached to the first engine unit. The protrusive structure is arranged to act on the valve.

In an embodiment the protrusive structure is a fastening member for attaching the turbo unit to the first engine unit.

The valve may be a valve in accordance with the second aspect described above.

A method for opening a valve of an engine arrangement is also provided. The engine arrangement comprises a first engine unit, a second engine unit, and at least one member fin fastening the second engine unit to the first engine unit. The method comprises: aligning a fluid port of the first engine unit with a fluid port of the second engine unit, and fastening the second engine unit to the first engine unit by moving the fastening member relative the first engine bruit and the second engine unit, whereby the valve is opened due to movement of the fastening member.

A method for opening a valve of a turbine arrangement is also provided. The turbine arrangement comprises a turbo unit, said turbo unit including a turbine shaft supporting a turbine, a bearing housing enclosing said turbine shaft, said hearing housing comprising means for fastening the turbo unit to a cylinder block of an associated internal combustion engine. The method comprises: aligning a fluid port of the cylinder block with a fluid port of the bearing housing, and opening the valve by fastening the bearing housing to the cylinder block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Starting withFIG. 1a vehicle1is shown. The vehicle1, which is illustrated as a truck, has an internal combustion engine10for driving the vehicle1. As will be further explained below the internal combustion engine10of the vehicle1is provided with an engine arrangement comprising an engine unit200in the form of a turbo unit according to various embodiments. The vehicle1may have additional propulsion units, such as electric drives etc. as long as it has at least one engine10providing a flow of exhaust gases interacting with the turbo unit200. Hence the vehicle1is not exclusively a truck but may also represent various vehicles such as buses, constructional equipment, etc.

InFIG. 2an example of an internal combustion engine10is shown. The internal combustion engine10includes a plurality of cylinders20operated to combust fuel, such as diesel or gasoline, whereby the motion of pistons reciprocating in the cylinders20is transmitted to a rotation movement of a crank shaft30. The cylinders20are provided in a cylinder block100, and the crank shaft30is further coupled to a transmission (not shown) for providing a torque to driving elements (not shown). In case of a heavy vehicle, such as a truck, the driving elements are wheels; however the internal combustion engine10may also be used for other equipment such as construction equipment, marine applications, etc.

The internal combustion engine10further comprises an exhaust gas system, which system serves the purpose of recovering at least some of the energy in the exhaust gas flow to improve the performance of the internal combustion engine10. In the shown example the exhaust vas exits the cylinders20and enters an exhaust manifold40which is further connected to an exhaust inlet of a turbo unit200. The turbo unit200is e.g. a turbocharger unit, having a bearing housing220in which a turbine shaft230is rotatably supported. A turbine232is attached to one end of the turbine shaft230. The exhaust gas flow causes the turbine232to rotate, which rotation is translated via the turbine shaft230to a corresponding rotation of a compressor233being used to compress incoming air before it is introduced in the cylinders20. The basic structural as well as functional specifications of a turbocharger unit200are well known in the art and will not be described in full details.

Now turning toFIG. 3an embodiment of a turbo unit200is shown. The turbo unit200, here being represented by a turbocharger unit, is attached to a cylinder block100of an internal combustion engine10via a bearing housing220. The bearing housing220, either integrally formed or formed by at least two connected parts, is provided between a turbine housing232aand the compressor housing233a. The bearing housing220forms a support for bearings, in order to allow the turbine shaft230to rotate with a minimum of friction and vibration.

As can be seen inFIG. 3the turbocharger unit200is connected to the cylinder block100of the internal combustion engine10by means of the bearing housing220. In an embodiment the bearing housing220may be attached to an adapter (not shown) forming an interface between the bearing housing220of the turbocharger unit200and the cylinder block100of the internal combustion engine10. In addition to this an exhaust inlet of the turbocharger unit200is connected to an exhaust outlet of the manifold40, e.g. by means of flexible johns such as bellows, lip seal, etc.

Now turning toFIG. 4a schematic view of a turbocharger unit200is shown, comprising the hearing housing220enclosing the turbine shaft230, as well as the turbine housing232aenclosing the turbine232and the compressor housing233aenclosing the compressor233. The turbocharger unit200further comprises fastening means300provided for fastening the turbocharger unit200to a cylinder block100. As can be seen inFIG. 4the fastening means300comprises one or more fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or studs received in a plurality of openings in the bearing housing220. Preferably the openings extend towards the cylinder block100. With reference to the embodiment ofFIG. 4showing four openings, all openings are positioned axially between the turbine housing and the compressor housing and on opposite sides of the shaft230, preferably being arranged on equal distance from the upper openings and the lower openings shownFIG. 4. The openings extend in parallel and form through holes in the hearing housing220. Hence, the openings has a first end on a first side of the bearing housing220, which first side is configured to face the cylinder block100, and a second end on a second side of the bearing housing220, which second side is on an opposite side of the bearing housing220in relation to the first side. The turbocharger unit100may thus be attached to the cylinder block100via the bearing housing220by using the fasteners300, such as screws, studs, bolts, etc received in said openings. As will be described below, one of the fasteners may be used to operate a valve400of an en engine arrangement according to various embodiment.

InFIGS. 5a-can embodiment of an engine arrangement is shown. The engine arrangement comprises a first engine unit100, a second engine unit200, and at least one member300for fastening the second engine unit200to the first engine unit100. With reference to the description relating toFIGS. 3 and 4the first engine unit100may represent a cylinder block, the second engine unit200may represent a turbo unit in the form of a turbocharger unit, and the at least one member300may represent a fastener, such as a stud, screw, or bolt used for attaching the turbocharger unit200to the cylinder block100via the valve400. Each one of the first unit100and the second unit200comprises fluid ports102,202for achieving a fluid flow between the first and second unit100,200. The fluid port102of the first engine unit100may e.g. be a coolant outlet, and the fluid port202of the second unit200may be a coolant inlet. The engine arrangement further comprises a valve400for opening and closing at least one of the fluid ports102,202automatically when the second engine unit200is dismounted from the first engine unit100. In order to achieve this, the fastening member300, preferably forming one of several attachment fasteners, is moveably arranged relative to the first unit100and second unit200and being arranged to act on the valve400. The valve400may be a separate component being attached to the first engine unit100or the turbo unit200. In other embodiments the valve400may be integrally formed with the first engine unit100or the second engine unit200.

In some embodiments, valid for all different configurations of the valve400as presented herein, the valve400may be inserted into a recess of the first engine unit100or the second engine unit200, in order to reduce the size of the engine arrangement as well as reducing the required sealings, since only one interface will be necessary to seal.

The second engine unit200, i.e. the turbo unit, includes the bearing housing220having a surface214at which the bearing housing220is attachable to the cylinder block100via the valve400. Hence, the valve400is arranged between the cylinder block100and the bearing housing220. In case of coolant the fluid will thus cool rotating parts within the bearing housing220. The bearing housing220, the valve400, and the cylinder block100may also be provided with additional fluid ports (not shown) for allowing a return flow of fluid. Hence a closed fluid circuit between the cylinder block100and the bearing housing220may be achieved.

InFIG. 5athree fastening members300are shown, each one extending through the bearing housing220. At least one of these fastening members300is projecting into the fluid port202of the second engine unit200when the second engine unit200is mounted to the first engine unit100. The fastening member300used for operating the valve400may extend through a bore of the bearing housing220being provided with a seal222, such as an O-ring or similar.

The valve400comprises a valve housing408having a fluid inlet402and a fluid outlet404. It should be realized that the ports may have opposite functionality, i.e. the fluid inlet may also represent a fluid outlet and vice versa depending on the flow direction between the first engine unit100and the second engine snit200. The fluid inlet402is arranged to be aligned with the fluid port102of the first engine unit100, e.g. the cylinder block, and the fluid outlet404is arranged to be aligned with the fluid port202of the second engine unit200, e.g. the turbo unit. The valve400further comprises a valve member406arranged inside the valve housing408and being moveable between an open position and a closed position for controlling fluid flow between the fluid inlet402and the fluid outlet404.

The fluid inlet402of the valve400extends from an inlet support surface408bof the valve housing408. Optionally, the inlet support surface408bcomprises sealing means408cfor providing a fluid tight connection between the first engine unit100and the valve400. In a similar manner the fluid outlet404of the valve400extends from an outlet support surface408dof the valve housing408. The outlet support surface408dis optionally provided with sealing means408efor providing a fluid tight connection between the turbo unit200and the valve400. In embodiments where the valve400is integrally formed with the first engine unit100or the second engine unit200, the second engine unit200, i.e. the turbo unit, may seal directly against the first engine100, i.e. the cylinder block.

The valve400is preferably attached to the first engine unit100by fasteners, such as screws, bolts, studs, or similar. For this purpose the valve housing408comprises means408a, such as fasteners and associated through holes, for attaching the valve400to the first engine unit100.

The valve member406has an engagement surface406acovering the fluid inlet402when the valve member406is in its closed position. Preferably, the valve member406is spring biased towards its closed position. As can be seen inFIG. 5athe valve member406comprises a threaded bore406bconfigured to receive a threaded portion of the fastening member300.

In order to attach the second engine unit, i.e. the turbo unit200to the first engine unit100, i.e. the cylinder block100to which the valve400is already attached, the bearing housing220is aligned with the cylinder block100. Fasteners are then tightened in order to secure the turbo unit200to the valve housing400, and hence to the cylinder block100. This is shown inFIG. 5b. Finally the fastening member300, indicated by the reference numeral inFIG. 5a, is moved relative the turbo unit200such that it moves towards the valve400. The fastening member300will then engage with the threaded bore406bof the valve member406which then urges to an open position as the fastening member300is tightened. The valve member406will be pressed against an inside of the fluid outlet404leaving the valve400in an open position for allowing fluid to flow through the valve400. This is shown inFIG. 5c.

As can be seen inFIG. 5cfluid flows into the valve400, and through the valve member406. For this interior channels are provided having inlets which are arranged at positions on the valve member being closed by the cylinder block100when the valve member406is in its closed position. Also, the interior channels have fluid outlets being in fluid communication with the fluid inlet202of the turbo unit200.

When dismounting the turbo unit200from the cylinder block100the same procedure is performed but in a reversed order; initially the fastening member300is removed, or un-tightened, for allowing the valve member406to return to its closed position. The turbo unit200may thereafter be removed from the cylinder block100without any risk for fluid spill or mixing.

Other embodiments of an engine arrangement are shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7. Here, no fastening member300is required to operate the valve into an open position. Instead, the valve member406is arranged to move to its open position when the engagement surface406ais engaged by means of a protrusive structure302of the turbo unit200inserted into the fluid outlet404. The fluid outlet404may for this purpose be provided with a seal410, such as an O-ring or similar. In these embodiments the engagement surface406ais a flat surface slidably supported inside the valve housing408and configured to receive a pressing force from the protrusive structure302. InFIG. 6the protrusive structure302is shown as a cylindrical member having a central bore for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. InFIG. 7the protrusive structure302is shown as a rod-like member having fluid channels arranged around it, such that fluid may flow around the protrusive structure300once the valve400is opened.

InFIG. 8aa yet further embodiment is shown in which the protrusive structure302corresponds to the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, but the valve member406is pivotally supported inside the valve housing408instead of being slidably supported. Hence when the protrusive structure302engages with the valve member406it will pivot backwards to open the fluid outlet404of the valve400.

InFIG. 8banother embodiment is shown, wherein the valve400operates in the same manner as the valve400shown inFIG. 8a. However, opening of the valve400is achieved by the fastening member300, which when inserted into the fluid port404of the valve400will engage with a threaded bore at the fluid port404. As the fastening member300moves axially inwards the valve400, the valve a ember406will be urged upwards by a pivoting movement for opening fluid channels arranged in the close proximity to the threaded bore.

FIG. 8cshows a yet further embodiment being similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 8b. However, the threaded bore and the adjacent fluid channels of the valve400are instead arranged at the fluid inlet402, whereby the fastening member300will be inserted into the valve400, pushing the valve member406in a pivoting movement for opening the fluid outlet404before the fastening member300engages with the threaded bore.

Another embodiment of an engine arrangement is shown inFIGS. 9a-c. In this embodiment the fastening member300is arranged to act on the valve400. The valve400is identical with the valves400shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. As compared to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5a-c, the fastening member300does not provide a pulling action of the valve member406; instead the fastening member300engages with a threaded bore inside the hearing housing220. When screwed into this threaded bore the fastening member300will protrude inside the fluid inlet202of the turbo unit200, and eventually come into contact with the valve member406. As the fastening member300is further tightened, the valve member406will be forced to move away from the fluid outlet404of the valve400, thus opening the valve400. Upon dismounting the turbo unit200from the cylinder block100the fastening member300is removed as a first step, closing the valve400. After this the other fasteners may be unscrewed for allowing the turbo unit200to be removed without risking any fluid spill or fluid mixing.

InFIG. 10another embodiment of an engine arrangement is shown. This embodiment shows a principle of having a single valve400to control opening and dosing of two or more fluid channels. The first engine unit100, i.e. the cylinder block, has two fluid ports402a,402bbeing aligned with associated fluid channels of the valve housing408. For example, port402amay be used as a fluid outlet, while port402bmay be used as a fluid inlet receiving return flow. In an idle position, as indicated inFIG. 10, the valve member406of the valve400is closing the fluid channels inside the valve housing408. However, when the fastening member300is tightened the valve member406will move towards the turbo unit200, thus aligning fluid channels406c,dinside the valve member406with the fluid channels of the valve housing408, and hence allowing fluid to flow from the cylinder block100into the fluid channel406cof the valve member406. At the same time the fluid channels inside the valve member406will align with fluid channels404a,404bof the valve housing408being in fluid communication with the bearing housing220. Hence, once the valve member406is urged towards the bearing housing220in the same manner as has been described with e.g.FIGS. 5a-c, the fluid will flow from the cylinder block100to the bearing housing20, as well as back from the bearing housing220to the cylinder block100. As is evident, more than two fluid ports of the first engine unit100may be controlled using only one valve member406, as several fluid channels406c,406dmay be provided inside the valve member406.

With reference toFIGS. 5-10various embodiments have been described for which the first engine unit100is a cylinder block, and for which the second engine unit200is a turbo unit such as a turbocharger unit. It should however be realized that the principle of having a fastener member300to operate the valve400could be implemented for various other engine arrangements not relying on the presence of cylinder blocks and turbo units.

InFIG. 11aa method500for opening a valve of an engine arrangement is schematically shown. The engine arrangement comprises a first engine unit100, a second engine unit200, and at least one member300for fastening the second engine unit200to the first engine unit100in accordance with the description above. The method500comprises aligning, in502, a fluid port102of the first engine unit102with a fluid port202of the second engine unit (200), and fastening, in504, the second engine unit200to the first engine unit100by moving the fastening member300relative the first engine unit100and the second engine unit200. In504, the valve400is opened due to movement of the fastening member300.

InFIG. 11bmethod510for opening a valve of a turbine arrangement is schematically shown. The turbine arrangement comprises a turbo unit200, the turbo unit200including a turbine shaft230supporting a turbine232, a bearing housing220enclosing said turbine shaft230and comprising means for fastening the bearing housing220to a cylinder block100of an associated internal combustion engine10. The method comprises aligning, in512, a fluid port102of the cylinder block100with a fluid port202of the bearing housing220, and opening the valve400, in514, by fastening the bearing housing220to the cylinder block100.