Patent Description:
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system supplies engine exhaust back to the intake side of the engine. The recirculated exhaust gases may be cooled along the path to the intake side of the engine by an EGR cooler that receives engine coolant.

<CIT> discloses an EGR cooler and an EGR cooler support. The EGR cooler support includes a base and vertical plates connected with clamp straps. The clamp straps are used to fasten the EGR cooler onto the EGR cooler support. The upper ends of the clamp straps are hinged to the tops of the vertical plates. The lower ends of the clamp straps are provided with penetration slotted holes. Fasteners are arranged in the penetration slotted holes and coupled to fixing holes provided in the base.

<CIT> discloses an EGR cooler including a tube assembly formed by stacking a plurality of tubes in which exhaust gas flows and a cover plate having a mounting portion formed concavely to mount the tube assembly thereon. A baffle is mounted at the tube assembly and adjusts flow of coolant inflow from a cylinder block. An inlet cover is installed on a first side of an outer surface of the cover plate to supply the exhaust gas to each tube and an outlet cover is installed on a second side of outer surface of the cover plate to exhaust the exhaust gas from each tube. At least one coolant passage in which the coolant flows is formed between the plurality of tubes.

<CIT> discloses an exhaust re-circulation system which has at least two exhaust and two coolant openings, with at least one connected via a flange to a corresponding opening in the cylinder head. The remaining exhaust and/or coolant openings are each connected fluid- and gas-tight to a corresponding opening via a tube, which can be plugged-in positively on cylinder head side and heat exchanger side. The tube has a plug section at each end, with a radial recess, contain an O-shaped sealing ring. The tube is of a metal material, or of plastic.

<CIT> discloses a heat exchanger, especially for cooling exhaust gases. Said heat exchanger comprises at least one first flow channel of a first medium, especially a gas, at least one second flow channel of an at least second medium, especially a cooling medium, at least one first disk, at least one second disk, the first disk and the second disk being interconnected and defining the first flow channel of the first medium, at least one housing element, especially a first housing element and a second housing element defining, together with the first disk and the second disk, the second flow channel of the second medium, wherein the first housing element can be cooled by the second medium.

<CIT> discloses an exhaust gas cooler which includes tubes to convey an exhaust gas through the cooler, a header plate to receive ends of the tubes, and a diffuser. The diffuser and the header plate together define an inlet plenum for the exhaust gas. The diffuser includes a connection flange to join the diffuser to the header plate, and the connection flange is substantially shielded from the flow of exhaust gas passing through the inlet plenum.

The EGR system of the present disclosure may solve one or more problems in the art. The scope of the current disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability to solve any specific problem.

According to the present invention, a combination of an exhaust gas recirculation, EGR, cooler and a coolant collector bracket is provided as set forth in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may be gathered from the dependent claims.

In another unclaimed aspect useful for understanding the invention, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler for mounting to a coolant collector bracket may include a cooler body having a top, a bottom, and a length extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one mount coupled to a bottom of the cooler body. Each mount of the at least one mount may include a mount top opening at least partially aligning with an inlet or an outlet of the cooler body, and a mount bottom opening. Centers of the mount top opening and the mount bottom opening may be offset with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cooler body.

The cooler body may have a width extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A width of the at least one mount extending in the lateral direction of the cooler body may be less than or equal to the width of the cooler body.

The at least one mount may include a first mount and a second mount spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body. A distance between the mount bottom openings of the first and second mounts may be less than a distance between the mount top openings of the first and second mounts. The first mount and the second mount ay have a same structure. The first mount and the second mount may be symmetrical with respect to a lateral axis extending in a lateral direction at a position between the first and second mounts.

In another unclaimed aspect useful for understanding the invention, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler system may include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler having a length extending in a first direction and a width extending in a second direction, a coolant collector bracket configured to vertically support the cooler and configured to be coupled to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, and at least one mount coupling the cooler to the coolant collector bracket. Each mount of the at least one mount may have a passage to allow fluid communication between an interior of the cooler and an interior of the coolant collector bracket. Widths of the at least one mount and the coolant collector bracket extending in the second direction may be less than or equal to the width of the cooler.

The cooler may include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the coolant collector bracket may include a top surface having an EGR coolant inlet and an EGR coolant outlet, and the passage of the at least one mount may be configured to connect the coolant inlet to the EGR coolant outlet or to connect the coolant outlet to the EGR coolant inlet.

The coolant inlet may be spaced apart from the EGR coolant outlet with respect to the first direction, and the coolant outlet of the cooler may be spaced apart from the EGR coolant inlet with respect to the first direction. A longitudinal center axis of an extension portion of the coolant collector bracket may extend in the first direction and may be offset with respect to a center of the cooler in the second direction.

The mount may be brazed or welded to the cooler. The mount may be bolted to the coolant collector bracket via at least one bolt. The at least one bolt may be positioned directly under the cooler so as not to extend beyond the width of the cooler.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed.

<FIG> illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an engine system <NUM> including an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler <NUM>, a coolant collector bracket <NUM>, a cylinder block <NUM>, a cylinder head <NUM> attached to the cylinder block <NUM>, an exhaust manifold <NUM>, and a turbocharger system <NUM> having at least one compressor <NUM> and at least one turbine <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> includes a cooler body <NUM> and may include a pair of mounts <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>) to couple the cooler body <NUM> to the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. The cooler <NUM> may form a portion of an EGR flowpath described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The cooler body <NUM> extends longitudinally in a first direction (e.g., a front-rear direction per the coordinate system shown in <FIG>). The cooler body <NUM> may be a heat-exchanger having an EGR inlet <NUM> at one end and an EGR outlet <NUM> at an opposite end. The EGR inlet <NUM> may be coupled to the exhaust manifold via EGR bypass line <NUM> to receive exhaust.

The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be coupled or attached to a side of the cylinder head <NUM>. For example, the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be mounted to a generally vertical surface of the cylinder head <NUM>. The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may have a generally parallel and vertical mounting interface with cylinder head <NUM>, and a generally parallel and horizontal mounting interface with the cooler <NUM>.

The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may extend longitudinally in the first direction under the cooler body <NUM>. The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may vertically support the cooler <NUM> at the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>. An interior of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be in fluid communication with an interior of the cooler <NUM> via the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below.

The cylinder block <NUM> and cylinder head <NUM> may include a plurality of internal coolant passages or sumps (not shown) as part of a coolant circuit to cool the engine system <NUM>. The coolant circuit may take any appropriate form, and may include, for example, a coolant sump, one or more coolant pumps, and a radiator or similar device (not shown). Coolant may flow from the cylinder head <NUM> through the coolant collector bracket <NUM> and cooler <NUM> to cool exhaust flowing through the cooler body <NUM>.

The exhaust manifold <NUM> may be coupled to the cylinder head <NUM>. The turbine <NUM> may be connected to the exhaust manifold <NUM>, and the compressor <NUM> may be connected to the intake manifold of the engine. The turbine <NUM> and compressor <NUM> may be provided at a side of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> opposite a side having the cylinder head <NUM> (e.g., right side with respect to the coordinate system in <FIG>).

<FIG> schematically depicts an end view of the engine system <NUM>. The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be secured to a side of the cylinder head <NUM>, and the EGR cooler <NUM> may be secured to a top of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. Coolant may flow from the cylinder head <NUM> to the cylinder block <NUM> in a top-down flow, as indicated by arrow <NUM>. Coolant may flow from the cylinder head <NUM> to the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, as indicated by arrows <NUM>. Coolant may flow from the coolant collector bracket <NUM> to the EGR cooler <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>, and coolant may flow from the EGR cooler <NUM> back into the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>. Coolant may flow from coolant collector bracket <NUM> back to cylinder block <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the coolant in coolant collector bracket <NUM> may flow to a casted-in collector rail (not shown) in cylinder block <NUM>. This collector rail may be a cylinder block configured to receive coolant from coolant collector bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the EGR cooler <NUM> and coolant collector bracket <NUM> of <FIG> with the exhaust manifold <NUM> and turbocharger system <NUM> removed. The cooler body <NUM> may be an elongated container with, for example, a cylindrical shape. Aspects disclosed herein are not limited to a shape of the cooler body <NUM>. The cooler body <NUM> may be made of a rigid material with a high melting temperature (e.g., metal). The cooler body <NUM> has a top <NUM>, a bottom <NUM>, a length <NUM> extending in a longitudinal (or front-rear) direction, and a width <NUM> (<FIG>) extending in the transverse or lateral direction.

The mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may also be made of a rigid material with a high melting temperature (e.g., metal). The mounts <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled or fixed (e.g., welded, brazed, or fused) to the bottom <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM> and they may extend downward to couple the cooler body <NUM> to the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. While the EGR cooler <NUM> is shown with a front and rear mount <NUM>, <NUM>, more or less mounts may be included. The mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as undermounts or first and second mounts.

The coolant collector bracket <NUM> includes a bracket body <NUM> and a plurality of mounting legs <NUM>, <NUM> extending downward from the bracket body <NUM> to couple to the cylinder head <NUM>. The bracket body <NUM> is located vertically under the cooler body <NUM> and follows the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>.

The bracket body <NUM> has a top surface <NUM>, mounting interfaces or fasteners <NUM>, <NUM>, and a jumper tube <NUM>. The mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> form a part of the top surface <NUM>. The mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled (e.g., bolted or screwed) to the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> of the EGR cooler <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below.

The jumper tube <NUM> may be provided at an end (e.g., front end) of the bracket body <NUM>. The jumper tube <NUM> may be secured to the cylinder block <NUM>, allowing fluid communication between the coolant collector bracket <NUM> and the cylinder block <NUM>.

The plurality of mounting legs <NUM>, <NUM> may include front and rear legs, but aspects disclosed herein are not limited to a number of mounting legs <NUM>, <NUM>. When the exhaust manifold <NUM> (<FIG>) is coupled to the cylinder head <NUM>, the mounting legs <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be located between the exhaust manifold <NUM> and the cylinder head <NUM>.

The plurality of mounting legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be similarly configured and include a plurality of fastener connectors <NUM>, <NUM> to couple to the cylinder head <NUM>. The plurality of fastener connectors <NUM>, <NUM> may be sized and configured to receive appropriate cylinder head fasteners (e.g., cylinder head bolts). The plurality of fastener connectors <NUM>, <NUM> may form a top fastener connector <NUM> and a bottom fastener connector <NUM>.

The top fastener connector <NUM> may be located adjacent a junction or transition between the bracket body <NUM> and the mounting leg <NUM>. The top fastener connector <NUM> may include a generally round, threaded or non-threaded opening extending transversely through the mounting leg <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bracket body <NUM>. Alternatively, the top fastener connector <NUM> may have shaped other than round shapes.

The bottom fastener connector <NUM> may be located at a distal-most end of the mounting leg <NUM>. The bottom fastener connector <NUM> may form a round opening and include a bottom gap or slot <NUM> at a bottom surface of mounting leg <NUM> such that the bottom fastener connector <NUM> may have a generally C-shape. The bottom gap <NUM> may facilitate a sliding connection or snap-fitting onto a fastener of the cylinder head <NUM>. Aspects disclosed herein, however, are not limited to a mounting arrangement of the mounting legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the cylinder head <NUM>. As noted above, mounting leg <NUM> may include the same features described above with respect to mounting leg <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a top view of the mount <NUM> with the EGR cooler body <NUM> removed. Mount <NUM> may be similarly arranged. The mount <NUM> may include a top surface <NUM>, a bottom surface <NUM>, a side surface <NUM>, and a passage <NUM>. The mount <NUM> includes a width <NUM>. The top surface <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a mount top surface. The top surface may include a top opening <NUM>, which may alternatively be referred to as a mount top opening. The top surface <NUM> may define a rim or edge that has a shape similar to a rectangular or curved arc shape. For example, one edge of the top surface <NUM> may be straight, while an opposite edge of the top surface <NUM> may be curved (as shown in the top view of <FIG>), but aspects disclosed herein are not limited to a shape of the top surface <NUM>. The top surface <NUM> may have a curvature configured to surround a portion of the bottom <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>, as seen in a side view, or the perspective view of <FIG>. When the top surface <NUM> is coupled (e.g., welded) to the cooler body <NUM>, the top opening <NUM> may be defined within a coupled or welded portion of the top surface <NUM>.

The bottom surface <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a mount bottom surface. The bottom surface <NUM> may include a bottom opening <NUM>, which may alternatively be referred to as a mount bottom opening. The bottom surface <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>. The side surface <NUM> of mount <NUM> may vertically extend between the top surface <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM>. The side surface <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>. The passage <NUM> may extend between the top opening <NUM> and the bottom opening <NUM> to allow fluid communication between the top opening <NUM> and the bottom opening <NUM>.

The width <NUM> of the mount <NUM> may extend in a transverse or lateral direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. The width <NUM> may be defined by opposite sides (e.g., left and right sides) of the side surface <NUM>, the bottom surface <NUM>, and/or the top surface <NUM>. As is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the width <NUM> of the mount <NUM> is less than or equal to the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM> (<FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view of the mount <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> may be flat to facilitate coupling to the top surface of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> (<FIG>), which may also be flat, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited. A shape of the bottom surface <NUM> may be configured based on a shape of the mounting interface <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> (<FIG>). The bottom surface <NUM> may include a ring portion or surface <NUM> and a connection portion or contact surface <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> may define the bottom opening <NUM>.

The connection portion <NUM> may be configured to be coupled (e.g., bolted) to the mounting interface <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket. The connection portion <NUM> may be implemented as two wings or extensions laterally extending from the ring portion <NUM>. The wings of the connection portion <NUM> may lie along a same line and extend in a same (e.g., left-right) direction. The ring portion <NUM> and the bottom opening <NUM> may be provided between the pair of wings of the connection portion <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> may define the width <NUM> of the mount <NUM> (<FIG>).

The connection portion <NUM> may include a plurality of fastener holes <NUM> (e.g., stud or bolt holes). For example, when the connection portion <NUM> is implemented as a pair of wings, each wing of the connection portion <NUM> may include one fastener hole <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> and the bottom opening <NUM> may be provided between the pair of fastener holes <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each fastener hole <NUM> may be configured to receive one fastener <NUM> (e.g., posts, studs, bolts, screws, pins, rods, etc.) among a plurality of fasteners <NUM>. While mount <NUM> may be used with any appropriate fastener, such as studs, bolts, posts, etc., the use of bolts <NUM> and bolt holes <NUM> will be referenced hereinafter for ease of reference. The bolt <NUM> may be a threaded type. A top end of the bolt <NUM> may be inserted into the bolt hole <NUM>. A bottom end of the bolt <NUM> may be inserted into the mounting interface <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> (<FIG>).

The side surface <NUM> may include extension or post portions that extend vertically between the connection portion <NUM> and the top surface <NUM>. An interior space or recess for top ends of the bolts <NUM> may be formed within the extension portions of the side surface <NUM>, which may extend above the bolt holes <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cooler <NUM> may include two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> to support the cooler body <NUM>. The two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. As noted above, the two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may have a same or similar structure and may have a symmetrical arrangement with respect to a left-right axis (according to the coordinate system of <FIG>) extending between the two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> such that the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> are mirror images of each other. One of the two mounts, e.g., mount <NUM> may be coupled to a first or front end of the cooler body <NUM>, and the other of the two mounts, e.g., <NUM> may be coupled to a second or rear end of the cooler body <NUM>. However, aspects disclosed herein are not limited to a number and position of the mounts <NUM>. A position of the mount <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to allow fluid communication between the passage <NUM> of the mount <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) and an interior of the cooler body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view of the front end of cooler body <NUM>, including showing a coolant opening <NUM> formed in cooler body <NUM>. This coolant opening <NUM> forms a coolant outlet from EGR cooler body <NUM>. As shown, the mount <NUM> may be positioned under the coolant opening <NUM>. The position of the mount <NUM> may be configured such that the top opening <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) covers coolant opening <NUM> so as to be in fluid communication with the coolant opening <NUM>. In addition, the position of the mount <NUM> may be configured such that the mount <NUM> does not extend beyond the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>.

A center of the bottom opening <NUM> may be offset in a longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM> from a center of the top opening <NUM> of the mount <NUM>. The center of the bottom opening <NUM> may also be longitudinally offset with respect to a center of the coolant opening <NUM>. The bottom opening <NUM> may at least partially align or overlap with the coolant opening <NUM>, but alternatively, the mount <NUM> may be configured such that the bottom opening <NUM> may be completely behind the top opening <NUM> and/or coolant opening <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>. As another alternative, centers of the top opening <NUM> and the bottom opening <NUM> may be aligned, which may be offset or aligned with the center of the coolant opening <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>. As will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, a configuration of the passage <NUM> (<FIG>) and/or positions of the top opening <NUM> and bottom opening <NUM> of mount <NUM> may be adjusted based on a position of the coolant opening <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM> with respect to a position of an EGR coolant opening <NUM> (<FIG>) of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>.

Although <FIG> illustrates the coolant opening <NUM> at the front end of the cooler body <NUM>, the cooler body <NUM> may include another coolant opening <NUM> at the rear end of the cooler body <NUM> associated with mount <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may mirror or be opposite to each other. A distance between the top openings <NUM> of the two mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be less than a distance between the bottom openings <NUM> of the two mounts <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a shape of the top surface of the mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of coolant collector bracket <NUM> may correspond to a shape of the bottom surface <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>. The mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may include a ring portion <NUM> and a connection portion <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> may define the EGR coolant opening <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> may be configured to align with the ring portion <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The connection portions <NUM> (e.g., two wings) of mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to align with the connection portion <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the connection portion <NUM> may be implemented as two wings extending from the ring portion <NUM> in the transverse direction of the cooler body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the connection portion <NUM> may include a plurality of fastener holes <NUM> (e.g., bolt holes) configured to receive the plurality of bolts <NUM>, respectively. Each wing of the connection portion <NUM> may include a fastener hole <NUM>. The fastener holes <NUM> (hereinafter "bolt holes" for ease of description) of the connection portion <NUM> may be configured to align with the bolt holes <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>. One bolt <NUM> among the plurality of bolts <NUM> may penetrate one bolt hole <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> and a corresponding bolt hole <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the bracket body <NUM> may further include an extension portion <NUM> and two end portions <NUM>, <NUM> each end portion including one mounting interface, e.g., mounting interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The coolant collector bracket <NUM> may further include a maximum width <NUM>, a first longitudinal axis <NUM>, and a second longitudinal axis <NUM>. A configuration of the bracket body <NUM> may be configured to reduce space occupied by the coolant collector bracket <NUM> in the engine system <NUM>.

The extension portion <NUM> may be provided between the two end portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The extension portion <NUM> may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM> (<FIG>). The two end portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided at front and rear ends, respectively, of the extension portion <NUM>.

The end portions <NUM> may be wider, in a transverse direction of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, than the extension portion <NUM>. The end portions <NUM>, <NUM> may have curved edges <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The curved edges <NUM>, <NUM> may have a semicircular curvature.

The curved edges <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided on a side of the first longitudinal axis <NUM> (a right side in <FIG>) which is opposite to the side where the second longitudinal axis <NUM> is positioned. Widths of the end portions <NUM>, <NUM> in the transverse direction may gradually decrease in a direction toward the extension portion <NUM>. A side of the end portions <NUM> (a left side in <FIG>) opposite the curved edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the end portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be straight so as to lie along a same line as a corresponding side (left side) of the extension portion <NUM>. An empty space between curved edge <NUM> and curved edge <NUM> may provide room for other components (e.g., the turbocharger system include the turbine <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>) of the engine system <NUM> of <FIG>.

The maximum width <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may extend in the transverse direction. The maximum width <NUM> may be defined by opposite sides (i.e., left and right sides in <FIG>) of the mounting interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, or alternatively, by left and right sides of the end portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The width <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be less than or equal to the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM> (<FIG>).

The first longitudinal axis <NUM> may connect centers of the two EGR coolant openings <NUM>. The first longitudinal axis <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a longitudinal center axis of the mounting interfaces <NUM>. The second longitudinal axis <NUM> may lie along a center, in the transverse (or left-right) direction, of the extension portion <NUM>. The second longitudinal axis <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a longitudinal center axis of the extension portion <NUM>. The second longitudinal axis <NUM> may be offset, in the transverse direction, with respect to the first longitudinal axis <NUM>. For example, with respect to the coordinate system displayed in <FIG>, the second longitudinal axis <NUM> may be provided at a left side of the first longitudinal axis <NUM>.

The mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed separately and combined with the end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the bracket body <NUM>, or alternatively may be formed integrally with the end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of bracket body <NUM>. A top surface of the mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be flush with the top surface <NUM> of the bracket body <NUM>, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to an arrangement of the mounting interface <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective front view of the cooler <NUM> mounted to the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. As previously explained, the width <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be less than or equal to the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>. As an example, the widths <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>, mounts <NUM>, <NUM> and coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be equal, but embodiments disclosed herein are not so limited. As another example, the widths <NUM> and <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> and the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be less than the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>. As another example, the width <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be less than the width <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> which is equal to or less than the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>. In yet another example, the width <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be less than the width <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, which may be less than the width <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM>.

An entirety of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided directly under or below the cooler body <NUM> so as not to extend, in the transverse direction, beyond the cooler body <NUM>. The extension portions of the side surface <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> of the bottom surface <NUM>, and the bolts <NUM> may be provided at positions which do not extend beyond the width <NUM> of cooler body <NUM> with respect to the transverse direction and are directly under the cooler body <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> may include a plurality of tubes <NUM> inserted through the cooler body <NUM> and extending in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. The plurality of tubes <NUM> may be configured to receive exhaust or other gas. Coolant may flow through the coolant openings <NUM> (e.g., into a front opening <NUM> and out a rear opening <NUM>) of the cooler body <NUM> to surround the plurality of tubes <NUM> and remove heat from the exhaust.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the passages <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to connect coolant openings <NUM> of the cooler body <NUM> to respective EGR coolant openings <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM> so that coolant may be circulated from the cylinder head <NUM> through the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, mount <NUM>, and cooler body <NUM>. During operation, the coolant openings <NUM> may act as coolant inlets and outlets, and the EGR coolant openings <NUM> may act as EGR coolant inlets and outlets.

The coolant openings <NUM> of cooler body <NUM> may not be easily aligned with the respective EGR coolant openings <NUM>, and the passages <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> along with positions of the top and bottom openings <NUM> and <NUM>, may be configured based on positions of the coolant openings <NUM> and the EGR coolant openings <NUM>. For example, the cooler body <NUM> may have two openings <NUM> spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>, and the coolant collector bracket <NUM> may have two mounting interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> with two EGR coolant openings <NUM>, respectively, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. A distance between the coolant openings <NUM> of the cooler <NUM> may be different (e.g., greater than) a distance between the EGR coolant openings <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, and the coolant openings <NUM> may not vertically align with respective EGR coolant openings <NUM>.

The passage <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be shaped or oriented to connect a coolant opening <NUM> to a respective EGR coolant opening <NUM> of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. When a coolant opening <NUM> serves as a coolant inlet, the respective EGR coolant opening <NUM> to which the coolant opening <NUM> is connected via mount <NUM> may serve as an EGR coolant outlet, and the coolant inlet <NUM> may be spaced apart from the EGR coolant outlet <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. Similarly, when a coolant opening <NUM> serves as a coolant outlet, the respective EGR coolant opening <NUM> to which the coolant opening <NUM> is connected via mount <NUM> may serve as an EGR coolant inlet, and the coolant inlet <NUM> may be spaced apart from the EGR coolant outlet <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the cooler body <NUM>. The previously described offset between the top and bottom openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may account for this spacing between coolant openings <NUM> and respective EGR coolant openings <NUM>.

The disclosed aspects of the engine system <NUM> of the present disclosure may be used to cool and/or recirculate exhaust. The disclosed aspects of the EGR cooler <NUM>, mounts <NUM>, <NUM> and coolant collector bracket <NUM> may be used in any appropriate engine system <NUM> having a liquid cooling system, and may reduce space occupied in the engine system and also facilitate coolant flow within such engine systems.

Referring to <FIG>, during operation, the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to allow fluid communication of coolant between the coolant collector bracket <NUM> and an interior of the cooler body <NUM> to cool exhaust within the plurality of tubes <NUM>. Coolant may flow from the cylinder head <NUM> to the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, from the coolant collector bracket <NUM> through mount <NUM>, and through mount <NUM> to the EGR cooler <NUM>. Coolant may flow from the EGR cooler <NUM> through mount <NUM> back into the coolant collector bracket <NUM>, and to the cylinder block <NUM>.

The mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to facilitate this fluid communication even where inlets/outlets (coolant openings <NUM>) of the cooler body <NUM> may not perfectly align with outlets/inlets (EGR coolant openings <NUM>) of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>. In addition, the mounts <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to reduce an overall space occupied by the cooler <NUM> and coolant collector bracket <NUM> in the system by maintaining bolts <NUM> directly under the cooler body <NUM> and/or by configuring a shape of the coolant collector bracket <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A combination of an exhaust gas recirculation, EGR, cooler (<NUM>) and a coolant collector bracket (<NUM>), wherein the EGR cooler (<NUM>) is mounted to the coolant collector bracket (<NUM>), wherein the EGR cooler (<NUM>) comprises:
a cooler body (<NUM>) having a top (<NUM>), a bottom (<NUM>), a length (<NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction, and a width (<NUM>) extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and
at least one mount (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the bottom (<NUM>) of the cooler body (<NUM>), wherein:
an interior of the mount (<NUM>, <NUM>) is in fluid communication with an interior of the cooler body (<NUM>),
a width (<NUM>) of the at least one mount (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the lateral direction of the cooler body (<NUM>) is equal to or less than the width (<NUM>) of the cooler body (<NUM>), and
the at least one mount (<NUM>, <NUM>) is positioned such that the mount (<NUM>, <NUM>) does not extend beyond the width (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the cooler body (<NUM>); and
characterized in that
the coolant collector bracket (<NUM>) comprises:
a bracket body (<NUM>) and a plurality of mounting legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending downward from the bracket body (<NUM>) for coupling to a cylinder head (<NUM>), wherein:
the bracket body (<NUM>) is located vertically under the cooler body (<NUM>) and follows the longitudinal direction of the cooler body (<NUM>), and
the bracket body (<NUM>) has a top surface (<NUM>), mounting interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a jumper tube (<NUM>), wherein the mounting interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) form a part of the top surface (<NUM>) and are coupled to the mounts (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the EGR cooler (<NUM>).