Patent Publication Number: US-2020300182-A1

Title: A gas feeding arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a gas feeding arrangement. Moreover, the present invention relates to a cylinder head assembly, an internal combustion engine and a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank. Additionally, the present invention relates to a computer program, a computer readable and a control unit. 
     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 vehicles such as buses, construction equipment or seagoing vessels such as boats. Moreover, the present invention may be used in an internal combustion engine not necessarily being located in or on a vehicle. 
     An internal combustion engine, or a component associated with an internal combustion engine, such as a vehicle component, may need to be supplied with pressurized air. For instance, pressurized air may be used for the suspension of a vehicle. As another alternative, pressurized air may be fed to an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber in addition to air fed from an air inlet system of an internal combustion engine. For instance, when an internal combustion engine is operated at a low engine speed and/or at low load, it may be desired to add pressurized air to the cylinder chamber from a source of pressurized air in order to improve the combustion efficiency of the internal combustion engine. 
     An example of a source of pressurized air may be a gas tank adapted to receive, store and discharge pressurized air. In order to supply pressurized air to such a gas tank, a cylinder chamber of the internal combustion engine, such as a cylinder combustion chamber thereof, may be used. 
     An example of a gas tank being supplied with pressurized air from an internal combustion chamber is illustrated in FR 26885769. The system presented in &#39;769 comprises a gas tank, a cylinder chamber and a valve for controlling the fluid communication between the gas tank and the cylinder chamber. However, the &#39;769 system requires a precise control thereof in order to avoid pressurized air being inadvertently directed to other components, such as an exhaust system, of the &#39;769 internal combustion engine. 
     It is desirable to provide a gas feeding arrangement for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank, which gas feeding arrangement is associated with a low risk of directing pressurized air to undesired components. 
     As such, an aspect of the present invention relates to a gas feeding arrangement for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank. The gas feeding arrangement comprises a feeding conduit assembly and a dedicated feeding valve. The feeding valve is adapted to assume an open condition in which it provides for gas transport in a direction from the cylinder chamber towards the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly. 
     According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gas feeding arrangement comprises a one-way valve adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly. 
     As used herein, the feature “one-way valve” is intended to encompass a valve that allows fluid, such as gas, to flow through it in only one direction. For instance, a one-way valve may be exemplified by a check valve, such as a ball check valve. 
     The above-mentioned one-way valve implies that there is a low risk that gas, such as air, retained in the gas tank will inadvertently be redirected back to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly. This in turn implies that the dedicated feeding valve need not necessarily be controlled such that the condition of the dedicated feeding valve is fully dependent on the condition of an intake valve and/or an exhaust valve. This in turn implies that the dedicated feeding valve may for instance be controlled independently of the condition of the inlet valve and/or the exhaust valve. Consequently, the feeding valve may be controlled with a focus on feeding gas, such as air, to the gas tank. 
     Optionally, the feeding valve is adapted for being arranged in a cylinder head and comprises a moveable valve member adapted for being arranged for movement relative to a valve seat for opening and closing, respectively, the feeding valve. 
     Optionally, the valve member is adapted for a linear movement between the open condition and a closed condition. 
     Optionally, the moveable valve member comprises a valve head adapted for contacting the valve seat and an elongated valve stem extending from the valve head. 
     Optionally, the one-way valve is arranged downstream of the gas feeding valve in a direction from the cylinder chamber towards the gas tank. Such a position of the one-way valve implies that the one-way valve may be implemented and/or positioned in a versatile manner. 
     Optionally, when the feeding valve assumes the open condition, the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to only provide fluid transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly. Such a dedicated fluid transport implies that the air fed to the gas tank may be appropriately clean, i.e. appropriately free from pollutants. Moreover, such a dedicated fluid transport also implies that the gas feeding to the gas tank may be controlled by the actuation of a limited number of control members, such as valves. 
     Optionally, the feeding valve is an electrically controlled valve, preferably the feeding valve is a solenoid valve. An electrically controlled valve implies that the feeding valve may be controlled in a flexible manner, for instance without necessarily having to take the condition of any intake valve and/or exhaust valve into account. 
     Optionally, the feeding valve is a poppet valve. A poppet valve implies an appropriate durability against large pressures that may occur in a cylinder chamber, such as a cylinder combustion chamber, of an internal combustion engine. 
     Optionally, the feeding conduit assembly comprises a gas filter. The gas filter implies that the gas, usually mostly comprising air, fed from the cylinder chamber is cleaned from pollutants, such as oil, before it reaches the gas tank. This is particularly useful if the gas supplied to the gas tank is intended to be directed to another component than an inlet system of an internal combustion engine. 
     Optionally, the feeding valve is adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber. A constant fluid communication implies that the fluid communication between the cylinder chamber and the gas tank can be controlled in an expedient manner. 
     Optionally, the gas tank is a closable vehicle pressure tank. 
     Optionally, the gas feeding arrangement is for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder combustion chamber. 
     A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine, wherein the cylinder head assembly comprises a gas feeding arrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention. 
     Optionally, the cylinder head assembly comprises a head surface adapted to at least partially define the cylinder chamber, the feeding valve being arranged with respect to the head surface such that the feeding valve is adapted not to extend into a portion of the cylinder chamber adapted to accommodate a piston. In other words, the feeding valve is adapted not to extend into a swept volume of the cylinder chamber. The ability not to extend into the above portion of the cylinder chamber implies that the feeding valve can be open throughout the stroke of the piston and this in turn implies an improved versatility of the control of the fluid communication between the cylinder chamber and the gas tank. 
     Optionally, the cylinder head assembly comprises at least one exhaust valve adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the cylinder chamber and an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. The feeding valve is arranged separate from the at least one exhaust valve. 
     Optionally, the cylinder head assembly comprises an inlet valve adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between an air inlet system of the internal combustion engine and the cylinder combustion chamber. The feeding valve is arranged separate from the at least one inlet valve. 
     Optionally, the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly, when the feeding valve assumes the open condition, independently of the operating state of the exhaust valve. 
     Optionally, the cylinder head assembly comprises a gas discharge conduit assembly adapted to provide a selective fluid communication between the gas tank and a gas discharge valve arrangement adapted to discharge into the cylinder chamber. As such, the gas, usually air, stored in the gas tank may be fed to the cylinder chamber to thereby improve the combustion in the cylinder chamber, for instance when the internal combustion engine is operating at low engine speeds and/or and low load. 
     Optionally, the gas discharge conduit assembly comprises a discharge control valve, preferably the discharge control valve being electronically controlled. 
     Optionally, the inlet valve comprises an inlet valve member moveable relative to a valve seat to thereby control the fluid communication between the air inlet system and the cylinder chamber via the inlet valve. The gas discharge conduit assembly is in fluid communication with a valve passage extending through at least a portion of the inlet valve member for supplying gas from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber. The gas discharge valve arrangement comprises a gas discharge valve arrangement member moveable relative to the inlet valve member. 
     Optionally, the cylinder head assembly comprises a cold side adapted to be located adjacent the air inlet system, the feeding valve being located in the cold side. Preferably, the feeding valve may be located closer to an inlet valve than to an exhaust valve of the cylinder head assembly. 
     A third aspect of the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a gas feeding arrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or a cylinder head assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention. The internal combustion engine comprises the cylinder chamber and the gas tank. 
     Optionally, the cylinder chamber is a cylinder combustion chamber. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a gas feeding arrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or a cylinder head assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention and/or an internal combustion engine according to the third aspect of the present invention. 
     A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a gas tank using a gas feeding arrangement comprising a feeding conduit assembly and a dedicated feeding valve. The gas feeding arrangement comprises a one-way valve adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank to the cylinder chamber, via the feeding conduit assembly. The method comprises controlling the feeding valve so as to assume an open condition in which the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, via the feeding conduit assembly. 
     Optionally, the cylinder chamber is a cylinder combustion chamber, adapted to receive fuel, the method comprising preventing fuel supply to the cylinder chamber when the feeding valve assumes the open condition. 
     Optionally, the method comprises alternately keeping the feeding valve in the open condition for a predetermined open time and keeping the feeding valve in a closed condition, preventing gas transport from the cylinder chamber to the gas tank, for a predetermined close time. 
     Optionally, the predetermined close time is at least two times greater, alternatively at least three times greater, than the predetermined open time. 
     Optionally, the predetermined open time is within the range of 0.1 to 3 seconds, preferably 0.5 to 2 seconds, and the predetermined close time is within the range of 0.5 to 8 seconds, preferably 1.5 to 7 seconds. 
     Optionally, the feeding valve is in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber. 
     A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of the fifth aspect of the present invention when the program is run on a computer. 
     A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of the fifth aspect of the present invention when the program product is run on a computer. 
     An eight aspect of the present invention relates to a control unit for controlling gas feeding from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber to a closable gas tank, the control unit being configured to perform the steps of the method of the fifth aspect of the present invention 
     Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle with an internal combustion engine; 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an embodiment of an internal combustion engine; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cylinder head assembly with a gas feeding arrangement; 
         FIG. 4  schematically illustrates another embodiment of an internal combustion engine, and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention will be described below for a vehicle in the form of a truck  10  such as the truck illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The truck  10  should be seen as an example of a vehicle which could comprise a gas feeding arrangement, a cylinder head assembly and/or an internal combustion engine according to the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in a plurality of different types of vehicles. Purely by way of example, the present invention could be implemented in a truck, a tractor, a car, a bus, a seagoing vessel such as a ship or a boat, a work machine such as a wheel loader or an articulated hauler, or any other type of construction equipment. Moreover, the present invention may be implemented in an internal combustion engine that need not be associated with any vehicle. 
     The  FIG. 1  vehicle  10  comprises an internal combustion engine  12 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of an embodiment of the internal combustion engine  12  indicated in  FIG. 1 . The  FIG. 2  embodiment of the internal combustion engine  12  comprises a cylinder chamber  14 . In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the cylinder chamber  14  is defined by a cylinder wall  16 , a head surface  17  of a cylinder head assembly  18  and a piston  20 . The piston  20  is connected to a crank shaft  22  to thereby be reciprocally moveable relative to the head surface  17 . The  FIG. 2  cylinder chamber  14  is a cylinder combustion chamber since the  FIG. 2  cylinder head assembly  18  comprises a fuel injector  23  adapted to discharge fuel into the cylinder chamber  14 . However, it is also envisioned that the present invention may be used for cylinder chambers not being a combustion chamber. For instance, embodiments of an internal combustion engine  12  may comprise a cylinder chamber dedicated to produce pressurized gas, such as pressurized air. 
     Although only one cylinder chamber  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it is envisioned that embodiments of the internal combustion engine  12  may comprise a plurality of cylinder chambers. 
       FIG. 2  further illustrates that the cylinder head assembly  18  comprises at least one exhaust valve  24  adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the cylinder chamber  14  and an exhaust system  26  of the internal combustion engine  12 . Purely by way of example, the exhaust system  26  may comprise an exhaust gas after treatment system (not shown). 
     Moreover,  FIG. 2  indicates that the cylinder head assembly  18  may comprise an inlet valve  28  adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between an air inlet system  30  of the internal combustion engine and the cylinder chamber  14 . 
     The  FIG. 2  internal combustion engine  12  further comprises a gas tank  32 . Purely by way of example, the gas tank  32  may be adapted to store pressurized air that can be injected into the cylinder chamber  14  in order to ensure an appropriate combustion even at low engine speeds and/or at low engine loads. To this end, and as is exemplified in  FIG. 2 , the cylinder head assembly may comprise a gas discharge conduit assembly  34  adapted to provide a selective fluid communication between the gas tank  32  and a gas discharge valve arrangement  36  adapted to discharge into the cylinder chamber  14 . Purely by way of example, the gas tank  32  may be a closable vehicle pressure tank. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the inlet valve  28  comprises an inlet valve member  38  moveable relative to a valve seat  40  to thereby control the fluid communication between the air inlet  30  system and the cylinder chamber  14  via the inlet valve  28 . The gas discharge conduit assembly  34  is in fluid communication with a valve passage  42  extending through at least a portion of the inlet valve member  30  for supplying gas from the gas tank  32  to the cylinder chamber  14 . The gas discharge valve arrangement  36  comprises a gas discharge valve arrangement member  44  moveable relative to the inlet valve member  38 . 
     Purely by way of example, the gas discharge valve arrangement  36  may be electronically controlled. To this end, and as is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the gas discharge valve arrangement  36  may be in communication with a control unit  46 , preferably an electronic control unit. 
     In order to feed gas, preferably air, to the gas tank  32 , the internal combustion engine  12  preferably comprises a gas feeding arrangement  48  for feeding gas from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 . As may be gleaned from  FIG. 2 , the gas feeding arrangement  48  comprises a feeding conduit assembly  50  and a dedicated feeding valve  52 . The feeding valve  52  is adapted to assume an open condition in which it provides for gas transport in a direction from the cylinder chamber  14  towards the gas tank  32 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 . 
     Moreover, as is indicated in  FIG. 2 , the gas feeding arrangement  48  comprises a one-way valve  54  adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank  32  to the cylinder chamber  14 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 . Purely by way of example, the one-way valve  54  may comprise or even be constituted by a check valve, such as a ball check valve. As a non-limiting example, the one-way valve  54  may comprise a spring loaded steel ball (not shown) with a silicone O-ring (not shown) as seat for the ball in the one-way valve  54 . 
     Purely by way of example, and as is indicated in  FIG. 2 , the gas feeding arrangement  50  is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 , when the feeding valve  52  assumes the open condition, independently of the operating state of the exhaust valve  24 . As a non-limiting example, when the feeding valve  52  assumes the open condition, gas may be fed from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 , even when the exhaust valve  24  assumes a closed condition, i.e. a condition preventing fluid transport from the cylinder chamber  14  to the exhaust system  26 . 
     Moreover, as is indicated in  FIG. 2 , the feeding valve  52  may be arranged separate from the at least one exhaust valve  24 . Further, the feeding valve  52  may be arranged separate from the at least one inlet valve  28 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross section of a part of a cylinder head assembly  18  comprising an embodiment of the gas feeding arrangement  50 . In the  FIG. 3  gas feeding arrangement  50 , the feeding valve  52  is adapted for being arranged in a cylinder head  19  of the cylinder head assembly  18 . Moreover, the implementation of the feeding valve  52  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is a poppet valve. As such, the  FIG. 3  feeding valve  52  comprises a moveable valve member  56  adapted for being arranged for movement relative to a valve seat  58  for opening and closing, respectively, the feeding valve  52 . 
     As is exemplified in  FIG. 3 , the feeding valve  52  may comprise a sleeve  60  extending through at least a portion of the cylinder head  19 . Purely by way of example, the sleeve  60  may have a diameter being within the range of 5 to 15 mm. The portion of the sleeve  60  being adapted to be closest to the cylinder chamber  14  may be adapted to comprise the valve seat  58  of the valve member  56 . 
     Moreover, as is indicated in  FIG. 3 , the portion of the sleeve  60  being adapted to be closest to the cylinder chamber  14  may comprise a shoulder  62  adapted to abut a portion of the cylinder head  19  in order to ensure that the sleeve  60  does not move upwards in the  FIG. 3  view. 
     The  FIG. 3  sleeve  60  may be arranged in a sleeve opening of the cylinder head  19 . The cylinder head  19  has an axial extension along an axial direction A being parallel to an intended direction of movement of the piston (not shown) in the cylinder chamber  14 . As is indicated in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve opening may be such that a centre line of the sleeve  60  forms an angle α with the axial direction A. Purely by way of example, the above angle α may be in the range of 2°-5°. 
     Purely by way of example, the cylinder head assembly  18 , and in particular the cylinder head  19 , comprises a cold side adapted to be located adjacent the air inlet system (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). The feeding valve  52  is located in the cold side. 
     The valve member  56  may be adapted for linear movement between the open condition and a closed condition. With reference to the  FIG. 3  implementation of the feeding valve  52 , the valve member  56  may be adapted for linear movement relative to the sleeve  60 . Furthermore, as is indicated in  FIG. 3 , the valve member  56  may comprise a valve head  64  adapted for contacting the valve seat  58  and an elongated valve stem  66  extending from the valve head  64 . 
     As another example, and as is indicated in  FIG. 3 , the feeding valve  52  is arranged with respect to the head surface  17  of the cylinder head assembly  18  such that the feeding valve  52  is adapted not to extend into a portion of the cylinder chamber  14  adapted to accommodate a piston. In the implementation of the feeding valve  52  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the valve head  64  is adapted not to extend into the cylinder chamber  14  even when the feeding valve  52  is in the open condition. 
     The feeding valve  52  may be an electrically controlled valve, preferably the feeding valve  52  is a solenoid valve. The  FIG. 3  implementation of the feeding valve  52  comprises an actuator  68 , such as a solenoid, adapted to move the valve member  56  relative to the sleeve  60 . Purely by way of example, and as is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the actuator  68  may be in communication with the control unit  46 . 
     As a non-limiting example, the feeding valve  52  may be adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber  14 . In the  FIG. 3  implementation of the feeding valve  52 , at least the valve head  64  is adapted to be in constant fluid communication with the cylinder chamber  14 . 
     Purely by way of example, the one-way valve  54  of the gas feeding arrangement  50  may be arranged downstream of the gas feeding valve  52  in a direction from the cylinder chamber  14  towards the gas tank  32 . In the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the sleeve  60  comprises a side opening  70  in fluid communication with the one-way valve  54 . In fact, in the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the side opening  70  of the sleeve is in fluid communication with the one-way valve  54  via a conduit  72  in the cylinder head  19 . As such, when the valve member  56  does not abut the valve seat  58 , gas from the cylinder chamber  14  may enter an interior cavity  73  of the sleeve  60 , exit the sleeve  60  via its side opening  70  and thereafter reach the one-way valve  54  via a conduit  72 . 
     As is indicated in  FIG. 3 , when the feeding valve  52  assumes the open condition, the gas feeding arrangement is adapted to only provide fluid transport from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 . As such, as a non-limiting example, the feeding valve  52  assuming the open condition does not result in a fluid transport from the cylinder chamber  14 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 , to any other portion of an internal combustion engine, such as an exhaust system or an inlet system (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     As another non-limiting example, the feeding conduit assembly  50  may comprise a gas filter  74 . As is exemplified in the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the gas filter  74  may be located between the one-way valve  54  and the gas tank  32 , as seen in an intended direction of flow from the one-way valve  54  to the gas tank  32 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of another embodiment of an internal combustion engine  12  according to the present invention. As compared to the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the gas discharge conduit assembly  34  of the  FIG. 4  embodiment is adapted to discharge air into the air inlet system  30 . To this end, the  FIG. 4  gas discharge valve arrangement  36  is adapted to discharge air into the air inlet system  30  for subsequent discharge into the cylinder chamber  14 . 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the gas feeding arrangement  48 . In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, the feeding valve  52  is located between the one-way valve  54  and the gas tank  32 , as seen in an intended direction of flow from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 . In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, the feeding valve  52  need not be a poppet valve, but may be another type of valve, such as an on-off valve (not shown). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of a method for feeding gas from an internal combustion engine cylinder chamber  14  to a gas tank  32  using a gas feeding arrangement  48  comprising a feeding conduit assembly  50  and a dedicated feeding valve  52 . The gas feeding arrangement  48  comprising a one-way valve  54  adapted to prevent gas transport from the gas tank  32  to the cylinder chamber  14 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 . The method comprises: S 10  controlling the feeding valve  52  so as to assume an open condition in which the gas feeding arrangement  48  is adapted to provide gas transport from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 , via the feeding conduit assembly  50 . 
     The  FIG. 5  embodiment further envisions that the cylinder chamber  14  may be a cylinder combustion chamber, adapted to receive fuel, for instance using a fuel injector  23  such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The method may further comprise S 12  preventing fuel supply to the cylinder combustion chamber  14  when the feeding valve  52  assumes the open condition. 
     As a non-limiting example, the method may comprise alternately keeping the feeding valve in the open condition for a predetermined open time and keeping the feeding valve in a closed condition, preventing gas transport from the cylinder chamber  14  to the gas tank  32 , for a predetermined close time. Purely by way of example, the predetermined close time may be at least two times greater, alternatively at least three times greater, than the predetermined open time. 
     As a further non-limiting example, the predetermined open time may be within the range of 0.1 to 3 seconds, preferably 0.5 to 2 seconds, and the predetermined close time is within the range of 0.5 to 8 seconds, preferably 1.5 to 7 seconds. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.