Patent Publication Number: US-10774727-B2

Title: Device for conducting air with cooling chamber venting for an internal combustion engine

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for conducting air, in particular an inlet air distributor pipe, for an internal combustion engine. 
     For cooling cylinder heads a coolant may be passed through the cylinder head. The coolant flows in a so-called coolant chamber or coolant core which, when water is used as the coolant, is also denoted as the water core. When using single cylinder-cylinder heads (single cylinder heads) each cylinder head comprises a separate coolant chamber. 
     In the coolant chamber of a cylinder head, at the points with a low flow velocity and a high local temperature, the coolant may boil locally in the coolant chamber. Bubbles of steam are formed at the same time. This steam has to be discharged from the coolant chamber, i.e. the coolant chamber has to be vented. 
     EP 1 514 020 A1 discloses a cylinder head of a reciprocating internal combustion engine with a cylinder head lower part, a cylinder head cover and a frame for mounting a shaft and axle of a gas exchange controller. The frame is mounted on the cylinder head lower part and the cylinder head cover is placed on the frame. The frame has a device for venting the cooling system of the internal combustion engine. In detail, a channel for venting the cooling system runs in the outer wall on the longitudinal side over the entire length of the frame, on each cylinder said channel having a flow connection to the highest geodesic point of the water chamber of the cylinder head and thus of the entire cylinder. 
     It is known to discharge the steam via venting channels which are connected to the coolant chamber. For example, when using single cylinder-cylinder heads, separate soldered pipelines are connected to the coolant chambers as venting lines. The pipelines lead to a container to which the discharged steam is conducted. 
     The assembly of the soldered pipelines may be costly. The assembly may require additional seals, connecting means, etc. Thus improvements to such systems are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object of the present disclosure is to provide improved venting for the coolant chambers, in particular in the case of a plurality of single cylinder-cylinder heads. The improved venting is intended to be easier to assemble and/or require fewer components. 
     The objects are achieved by a device for conducting air, in particular an inlet air distributor pipe, for an internal combustion engine according to the present disclosure. 
     The device for conducting air for the internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinder heads comprises a pipe body. The pipe body comprises an air distribution channel with a plurality of outlet openings for connecting to a plurality of inlet channels of the plurality of cylinder heads. The pipe body comprises a plurality of single venting channels for connecting to a plurality of coolant chambers of the plurality of cylinder heads for venting the plurality of coolant chambers. The pipe body comprises a collective venting channel, the plurality of single venting channels discharging therein. 
     The air distribution channel, the single venting channels and the collective venting channel are therefore all integrated in the pipe body. Thus it is no longer necessary to connect separate soldered pipelines to the individual cylinder heads for venting the respective coolant chambers. The inlet air distributor pipe is particularly suitable for receiving the venting channels since it is arranged in any case in the region of the cylinder heads for introducing the inlet air. 
     The air distribution channel serves for distributing the inlet air to the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. 
     The air distribution channel and/or the pipe body may be arranged downstream of an air inlet manifold (intake manifold) and/or upstream of inlet channels of the cylinder heads. 
     The air distribution channel may, in particular, be provided separately (separated and fluidically isolated) from the single venting channels and/or separately (separated and fluidically isolated) from the collective venting channel. 
     Opposing ends of the collective venting channel may be sealed in each case by a cover. 
     One end of the single venting channel may be sealed by a cover. The other end of the single venting channel may produce a connection with the coolant chamber. 
     In one embodiment, the collective venting channel extends in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body and/or parallel to the air distribution channel. This has the advantage that single venting channels may discharge into the collective venting channel along the (entire) length of the pipe body. 
     In a further embodiment, the collective venting channel is bored. The collective venting channel, in particular, is bored by a deep boring method. Alternatively, the collective venting channel is cast. The production of a bore is able to be implemented in a simple manner in terms of production technology. The use of a deep boring method permits a particularly long collective venting channel which, for example, may extend along the entire length of the pipe body. If the collective venting channel is cast, however, the production of the collective venting channel may be undertaken directly when casting the pipe body. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of single venting channels is bored. Alternatively, the plurality of single venting channels is cast. The boring of single venting channels is able to be implemented in a simple manner in terms of production technology. On the other hand, the single venting channels may also be configured directly when casting the pipe body. 
     In a further exemplary embodiment, the collective venting channel and/or the plurality of single venting channels in each case are bored on two sides. In other words, the respective channel is bored from both ends of the channel. 
     In one variant, the plurality of single venting channels is provided selectively for each cylinder, for each cooling chamber of the plurality of coolant chambers of each cylinder head of the plurality of cylinder heads. Thus each individual cooling chamber of the plurality of cylinder heads may be vented by the single venting channels and the collective venting channel. 
     In a further variant, the pipe body further comprises a venting outlet channel which is connected to the collective venting channel and/or is able to be connected to a collection container. By means of the venting outlet channel, the collective venting channel may be ventilated and the steam conducted to the collection container. 
     The venting outlet channel may be bored or cast as a tapping of the collective venting channel. This permits the venting outlet channel to be produced in a simple manner. 
     Advantageously, the venting outlet channel extends in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the pipe body. 
     In one development, the collective venting channel and/or the plurality of single venting channels extend in a pipe wall of the pipe body. The pipe wall may surround the air distribution channel. Thus the collective venting channel and the single venting channels may be provided in a space-saving manner in the pipe body. 
     In an advantageous development, the plurality of single venting channels in each case extends in a peripheral direction of the pipe body in the pipe wall of the pipe body. 
     In a further advantageous development, the collective venting channel extends in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body in the pipe wall of the pipe body. 
     The combination of the directions of extension of the single venting channels and of the collective venting channel permit a simple arrangement of the channels with short paths. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of single venting channels in each case comprise a first, in particular bored, portion and a second, in particular bored, portion. The first portion and the second portion meet at an angle, in particular an obtuse angle. This has the advantage that the single venting channels, in particular, may be arranged in a peripheral direction of the pipe wall of the pipe body without having to provide a complex geometry for the single venting channels. 
     The first portion of the single venting channel may extend, in particular, in a linear manner and/or the second portion of the single venting channel may extend, in particular, in a linear manner. 
     It is also conceivable that the collective venting channel extends, in particular, in a linear manner. 
     In a further embodiment, the first portion is arranged upstream of the second portion and the second portion discharges into the collective venting channel. The second portion may, for example, intersect with the collective venting channel. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of single venting channels is arranged at a uniform distance from one another in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body. This has the advantage that cylinder heads, which are uniformly spaced apart from one another and are of identical configuration, with corresponding coolant chambers may be connected to the single venting channels. 
     The present disclosure further relates to an arrangement. The arrangement comprises a plurality of single cylinder-cylinder heads (single cylinder heads) for covering a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The single cylinder-cylinder heads in each case have a coolant chamber, in particular a water core, for cooling the respective single cylinder-cylinder head. The arrangement additionally has a device for conducting air as disclosed herein. The plurality of single venting channels is connected in each case to one of the plurality of coolant chambers. 
     The single cylinder-cylinder heads may, in particular, be of identical construction and/or arranged uniformly spaced apart from one another. 
     The device for conducting air, in particular the pipe body, may be assembled on the single cylinder-cylinder heads. 
     The present disclosure further relates to a motor vehicle having a device for conducting air as disclosed herein or an arrangement as disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments and features of the present disclosure described above are able to be combined together in any manner. Further details and advantages of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary air distributor pipe; and 
         FIG. 2  shows a further perspective view of the exemplary air distributor pipe; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectional view through the exemplary air distributor pipe and a portion of a cylinder head. 
     
    
    
     The embodiments shown in the figures at least partially coincide with one another so that parts which are similar or identical are provided with the same reference numerals and for the explanation thereof reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments and/or figures in order to avoid repetition. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show different views of a device for conducting air configured as an inlet air distributor pipe  10 . The inlet air distributor pipe  10  is shown such that concealed elements or elements arranged inside the inlet air distributor pipe  10  are shown in dashed lines. The inlet air distributor pipe  10  may be part of an internal combustion engine (not shown) of a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle. The utility vehicle may, for example, be a bus or a truck. 
     The inlet air distributor pipe  10  has a pipe body  12 . An air distribution channel  14 , a plurality of single venting channels  16  and a collective venting channel  18  extend in the pipe body  12 . The pipe body  12  may, for example, be a metal cast part, for example made of an aluminium alloy. 
     The inlet air distributor pipe  10  may be assembled onto a cylinder head, in particular screwed thereto. In other embodiments, the inlet air distributor pipe  10  may be cast directly onto the cylinder head. In other words, the inlet air distributor pipe  10  and the cylinder head may be configured as an integral cast part. 
     The air distribution channel  14  extends between an inlet opening  20  and a plurality of outlet openings  22 . Each outlet opening  22  is able to be connected to an inlet channel in a cylinder head. In the assembled state, each outlet opening  22  discharges into one respective inlet channel of a plurality of single cylinder-cylinder heads (single cylinder heads). 
     The air distribution channel  14  extends in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body  12 . The air distribution channel  14  may be formed when casting the pipe body  12 . 
     The single venting channels  16  and the collective venting channel  18  are provided separately from the air distribution channel  14  in the pipe body  12 . In the embodiment shown, six single venting channels  16  are shown for ventilating six coolant chambers of the single cylinder heads. 
     The single venting channels  16  are arranged at a uniform spacing in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body  12 . The single venting channels  16  extend in a pipe wall (outer wall) of the air distribution channel  14 . The single venting channels  16  extend in a peripheral direction about a longitudinal axis of the pipe body  12 . The single venting channels  16  may be bored or cast. In particular, the single venting channels  16  may be bored on two sides (see exemplary embodiments thereof in the description of  FIG. 3 ). 
     The single venting channels  16  discharge into the collective venting channel  18 . The collective venting channel  18  extends in the pipe wall (outer wall) of the air distribution channel  14 . The collective venting channel  18  extends in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body  12  parallel to the air distribution channel  14 . The collective venting channel  18  may be bored or cast. In particular, the collective venting channel  18  may be bored on one side or preferably on two sides by a deep boring method. The two ends of the collective venting channel  18  may be provided for sealing with a cover. 
     The pipe body  12  has a venting outlet channel  24 , the steam being able to be discharged through said venting outlet channel from the coolant chamber of the cylinder head into a collection container (not shown). The venting outlet channel  24  may be bored or cast. In particular, the venting outlet channel  24  may be bored as a tapping of the collective venting channel  18 . The venting outlet channel  24  extends in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the pipe body  12 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the inlet air distributor pipe  10  in an assembled state on a single cylinder head  26 . The cutting plane of  FIG. 3  is selected such that a single venting channel  16  extends in the cutting plane. The remaining single venting channels and single cylinder heads may be of similar or identical construction. 
     The cylinder head  26  has an inlet channel  28  and a coolant chamber (cooling jacket)  30 . In  FIG. 3  the cylinder head  26 , the inlet channel  28  and the coolant chamber  30  are only partially shown. The inlet channel  28  leads to a combustion chamber of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The air distribution channel  14  leads into the inlet channel  28 . 
     During operation of the internal combustion engine, the cylinder head  26  is heated up. For cooling the cylinder head  26  and the components arranged therein a coolant, for example water, circulates in the coolant chamber  30 . 
     In the coolant chamber  30 , during operation of the engine, bubbles of steam are formed in the coolant due to local boiling of the coolant. These bubbles of steam are transported away as follows. A venting channel  32  connects an upper portion of the coolant chamber  30  to the single venting channel  16 . The venting channel  32  may, in particular, be bored by tapping the coolant chamber  30 . The resulting steam is transported from the coolant chamber  30  through the venting channel  32  of the cylinder head  26  and the single venting channel  16  of the inlet air distributor pipe  10  to the collective venting channel  18 . The steam is diverted from the collective venting channel  18  via the venting outlet channel  24  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     The single venting channel  16  has a first portion  16 A and a second portion  16 B. The first portion  16 A extends between the venting channel  32  of the cylinder head  26  and the second portion  16 B. The second portion  16 B extends between the first portion  16 A via the collective venting channel  18  to an opening  16 C. The opening  16 C may be sealed by a cover. The first portion  16 A is, in particular, bored starting from an end opposing the second portion  16 B. 
     The second portion  16 B is, in particular, bored starting from the opening  16 C. The first portion  16 A and the second portion  16 B extend through the pipe body  12 , meet at an obtuse angle to one another and together form the single venting channel  16 . 
     Although in  FIG. 3  only one individual single venting channel  16  is shown, the remaining single venting channels  16  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) may be configured in the manner of the single venting channel disclosed with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The first portion  16 A extends above an outlet region of the air distribution channel  14 . The venting channel  32  extends above the inlet channel  28 . 
     By the integration of the single venting channels  16  and the collective venting channel  18  in the pipe body  12  of the inlet air venting pipe  10 , it is no longer necessary to attach separate venting lines to the individual cylinder heads  26  for venting the coolant chambers. In other words, the inlet air distributor pipe  10  integrates the function of air distribution to the individual cylinders (cylinder heads) and the function of venting the coolant chambers to the individual cylinder heads. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed above. Instead a plurality of variants and modifications which also make use of the concepts and ideas of the present disclosure and, therefore, fall within the protected scope of the present disclosure are possible. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10  Inlet air distributor pipe (device for conducting air) 
       12  Pipe body 
       14  Air distribution channel 
       16  Single venting channel 
       16 A First portion of single venting channel 
       16 B Second portion of single venting channel 
       16 C Opening of single venting channel 
       18  Collective venting channel 
       20  Inlet opening 
       22  Outlet opening 
       24  Venting outlet channel 
       26  Cylinder head 
       28  (Air) inlet channel of cylinder head 
       30  Coolant chamber (cooling jacket) 
       32  Venting channel of cylinder head