Abstract:
An attachment assembly for coupling a turbocharger heat-shield to an exhaust manifold heat-shield is provided. The turbocharger heat-shield includes a flange portion extending therefrom. The attachment assembly includes a bracket and a coupling mechanism. The bracket defines through holes. The bracket is in contact with the flange portion of the turbocharger heat-shield. The coupling mechanism includes a number of fastening members. The fastening members are received through the through holes of the bracket and corresponding holes of the flange portion and the exhaust manifold heat-shield respectively. Therefore, the coupling mechanism sealably couples the bracket with the flange portion and the exhaust manifold heat-shield.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a heat-shield arrangement for a turbocharger and an exhaust manifold of an engine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an attachment assembly for coupling a turbocharger heat-shield to an exhaust manifold heat-shield of the heat-shield arrangement. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Engines, such as internal combustion engines, generally employ a turbocharger and an exhaust manifold for engine operation. The turbocharger is attached to the exhaust manifold to receive engine exhaust gases for turbocharger operation. The exhaust manifold and the turbocharger are heated up due to high temperatures of inflowing exhaust gases. Moreover, various inflatable fluids are used in the engine for different operational purposes. There may be situations when the inflatable fluid may leak within the engine and may drip on either of the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold. However, such dripping and contact of the leaked inflatable fluid with the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold may be unfavorable for the engines. 
         [0003]    In order to avoid the contact of the leaked inflatable fluid with the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold, the engine employs a heat-shield arrangement. The heat-shield arrangement includes a turbocharger heat-shield and an exhaust manifold heat-shield. The turbocharger heat-shield and the exhaust manifold heat-shield covers and insulates the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold respectively. Conventionally, the turbocharger heat-shield is made of a three-layered flexible fabric and the exhaust manifold heat-shield is made of a solid metallic insulator material. In conventional engines, the turbocharger heat-shield is attached to the exhaust manifold heat-shield via a spring and hook type attachment assembly 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,302 (the &#39;302 reference) describes a turbocharger connected to an exhaust manifold via a connection pipe. In the &#39;302 reference, a housing jacket covers and insulates the turbocharger. Both the housing jacket and the connection pipe are made of heat conductive material to reduce heat losses. 
         [0005]    However, in known solutions, some inflatable fluid may intrude through an interface between the turbocharger heat-shield and the exhaust manifold heat-shield, which is undesirable. Additionally, the turbocharger heat-shield may be loosely positioned and may displace relative to the exhaust manifold heat-shield. Hence, there is a need to provide an improved attachment assembly for coupling the turbocharger heat-shield to the exhaust manifold heat-shield of the heat-shield arrangement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an attachment assembly for coupling a turbocharger heat-shield to an exhaust manifold heat-shield. The turbocharger heat-shield includes a flange portion extending therefrom. The attachment assembly includes a bracket and a coupling mechanism. The bracket defines a plurality of through holes. The bracket is adapted to be in contact with the flange portion of the turbocharger heat-shield. The coupling mechanism is associated with the bracket. The coupling mechanism includes a plurality of fastening members. The fastening members are adapted to be received through the through holes of the bracket and corresponding holes of the flange portion and the exhaust manifold heat-shield respectively. Additionally, the coupling mechanism is adapted to sealably couple the bracket with the flange portion and the exhaust manifold heat-shield. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heat-shield arrangement, illustrating a turbocharger heat-shield and an exhaust manifold heat-shield, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of a portion of the heat-shield arrangement of  FIG. 1  taken along a section A-A′ of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an arrangement of an attachment arrangement with the turbocharger heat-shield and the exhaust manifold heat-shield, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the attachment arrangement of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the attachment arrangement of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an exemplary heat-shield arrangement  10 , is shown. The heat-shield arrangement  10  is adapted to cover and insulate an exhaust manifold (not shown) and a turbocharger (not shown) of an engine (not shown). The heat-shield arrangement  10  includes an exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 , a turbocharger heat-shield  14 , and an attachment assembly  16 . 
         [0012]    The exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  is a rectangular shaped structure made up of fabricated metallic sheets. The exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  is structured and arranged to cover and insulate the exhaust manifold (not shown). Further, the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  includes a first section  18 , a second section  20 , and an intermediate section  22 . The first section  18  is positioned proximal to a first side  24  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . The second section  20  is positioned proximal to a second side  26  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . The intermediate section  22  is disposed between the first section  18  and the second section  20 , adjacent to the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . Each of the first section  18 , the second section  20 , and the intermediate section  22  define a multiplicity of holes  28  (see  FIG. 3 ), which facilitate coupling of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  to the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of a portion  30  of the heat-shield arrangement  10  taken along an axis A-A′, illustrating various layers of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 , is shown. The turbocharger heat-shield  14  is made up of a three layered flexible material. More specifically, the turbocharger heat-shield  14  includes an inner layer  32 , a middle layer  34 , and an outer layer  36 . The inner layer  32  is a thin foil of steel material. The middle layer  34  is made of an insulating material. Examples of the insulating material may include, polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, cellulose, and fiberglass. The outer layer  36  is made up of a textile fabric. 
         [0014]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is structured and arranged to cover and insulate the turbocharger (not shown). More specifically, the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is shaped and sized to cover and insulate the turbocharger not shown). The turbocharger heat-shield  14  includes an extension portion  38 , a first flange portion  40 , and a second flange portion  42  (see  FIG. 3 ). The extension portion  38  is abutted and is coupled to the intermediate section  22  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . The first flange portion  40  is abutted and is coupled to the first section  18  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . The second flange portion  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) is abutted and is coupled to the second section  20  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Each of the extension portion  38 , the first flange portion  40 , and the second flange portion  42  (see  FIG. 3 ) define a multiplicity of holes  44  axially aligned with the multiplicity of holes  28  of the first section  18 , the second section  20 , and the intermediate section  22  respectively. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the attachment assembly  16  to seal an interface between the turbocharger heat-shield  14  and the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . More specifically, the attachment assembly  16  sealably couples the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Additionally, the attachment assembly  16  facilitates positive location of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . The attachment assembly  16  employs a first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46 , is shown. The first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  of the attachment assembly  16  sealably couples the first flange portion  40  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the first section  18  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Additionally, the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  of the attachment assembly  16  sealably couples a portion of the second flange portion  42  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the second section  20  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Although, the present disclosure describes the attachment assembly  16  to employ the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  to sealably couple the first flange portion  40  to the first section  18  and to couple a portion of the second flange portion  42  to the second section  20 , the attachment assembly  16  may also be contemplated to employ various other similar bracket and coupling mechanisms, to sealably couple various other portions of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to various other sections of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment assembly  16  may employ a similar second set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown) to sealably couple another portion of the second flange portion  42  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the second section  20  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Similarly, the attachment assembly  16  may employ a similar third set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown) and a similar fourth set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown), which in conjunction, sealably couple the extension portion  38  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the intermediate section  22  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . For ease in reference and understanding, structure and arrangement of the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46 , will be described hereinafter. The first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  includes a bracket  48  and a coupling mechanism  50 . 
         [0017]    The bracket  48  is U-shaped hold down bracket generally made of steel material. The bracket  48  includes a number of through holes  52 . The bracket  48  is positioned in abutment with the first flange portion  40  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 , such that one or more through holes  52  are axially aligned with one or more holes  44  of the first flange portion  40  and correspondingly with one or more holes  28  of the first section  18  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . In such arrangement, a portion of the bracket  48  is positioned in abutment with a portion of the second flange portion  42  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 , such that one of the through holes  52  is axially aligned with one of the holes  44  of the second flange portion  42  and correspondingly one of the holes  28  of the second section  20  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Although, the bracket  48  is described to be a U-shaped hold down bracket made of steel material, however various shapes, materials, and designs of the bracket  48  may also he contemplated. Shape, size, and design of the bracket  48  may vary based on corresponding shape, material, and design of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  and the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . 
         [0018]    The coupling mechanism  50  includes a number of fasteners  54 , The fasteners  54  pass through the through holes  52  of the bracket  48  and extend through the corresponding holes  44  of the first flange portion  40  and the corresponding holes  28  of the first section  18 . Additionally, one of the fasteners  54  passes through one of the through holes  58  of the bracket  48  and extends through one of the holes  44  of the second flange portion  42  and one of the holes  28  of the second section  20 . Therefore, the coupling mechanism  50  of the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  sealably couples the bracket  48  with the first flange portion  40  and a portion of the second flange portion  42 . Additionally, the coupling mechanism  50  sealably couples the bracket  48  with the first section  18  and the second section  20  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Such arrangement of the bracket  48  and the coupling mechanism  50  of the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46 , facilitates positive location of the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . 
       Industrial Applicability 
       [0019]    In operation, the heat-shield arrangement  10  is installed to cover and insulate the turbocharger (not shown) and the exhaust manifold (not shown) of the engine (not shown). More specifically, the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  is mounted on the engine housing (not shown) to cover and insulate the exhaust manifold (not shown). Additionally, the turbocharger heat-shield  14  covers and insulates the turbocharger (not shown). As the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is made of flexible three layered material, the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is flexible and easily conforms to the shape of the turbocharger (not shown). This increases a service life of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 , Further, as the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is positioned on the turbocharger (not shown), the first flange portion  40  abuts with the first section  18 , the second flange portion  42  abuts with the second section  20 , and the extension portion  38  abuts with the intermediate section  22  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . The turbocharger heat-shield  14  is so positioned that the holes  44  of the first flange portion  40 , the second flange portion  42 , and the extension portion  38  are axially aligned with the holes  28  of the first section  18 , the second section  20 , and the intermediate section  22  of the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the attachment assembly  16  sealably couples the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . For ease in reference and understanding, structure and arrangement of the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  to sealably couple the first flange portion  40  to the first section  18  and a portion of the second flange portion  42  to the second section  20 , will be described hereinafter. In an embodiment, the second set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown), the third set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown), and the fourth set of bracket and coupling mechanism (not shown), may be used in conjunction with the first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46 , to sealably couple the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . 
         [0021]    The first set of bracket and coupling mechanism  46  includes the bracket  48  and the coupling mechanism  50 . Initially, the bracket  48  is positioned in abutment with the first flange portion  40  and the portion of the second flange portion  42  of the turbocharger heat-shield  14 . The bracket  48  is on positioned that the through holes  52  of the bracket  48  are axially aligned with the holes  44  of the first flange portion  40  and with the hole  44  of the portion of the second flange portion  42 . Thereafter, the fasteners  54  are passed through the through holes  52  of the bracket  48  and are extended through the corresponding holes  44  of the first flange portion  40  and the corresponding holes  28  of the first section  18 . Additionally, the fastener  54  is passed through the through holes  52  of the bracket  48  and is extended through the hole  44  of the second flange portion  42  and the hole  28  of the second section  20 . Therefore, the fasteners  54  of the coupling mechanism  50  sealably couples the bracket  48  to the turbocharger heat-shield  14  and the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . Such an arrangement of the attachment assembly  16  sealably couples the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 . 
         [0022]    In certain situations of leakage of inflatable fluid, the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12  and the turbocharger heat-shield  14  prevent a contact of the inflatable fluid with the exhaust manifold (not shown and the turbocharger (not shown) respectively. As the attachment assembly  16  seals the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 , the attachment assembly  16  restricts fluid intrusion into the heat-shield arrangement  10 . Additionally, as the attachment assembly  16  couples the turbocharger heat-shield  14  to the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 , the turbocharger heat-shield  14  is fixedly positioned on the turbocharger (not shown) and may not be easily displaced and dislocated on the exhaust manifold heat-shield  12 .