DE102013012852A1 - Apparatus for recovering energy from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a medium circuit (2) with at least one pump, an evaporator (3), an expander and a condenser, wherein the evaporator (3) in or on an exhaust pipe (4) of an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine is arranged. According to the invention, the evaporator (3) in the exhaust gas flow direction after an exhaust aftertreatment device (5), wherein in the exhaust pipe (4) between the exhaust aftertreatment device (5) and the evaporator (3) a branch (6) is formed, wherein in the exhaust pipe (4 ) at the branch (6) or in the exhaust gas flow direction after the branch (6) a controllable and / or controllable first armature (9) is arranged, by means of which an evaporator (3) flowing through the exhaust gas flow amount is adjustable, and wherein the first armature (9) in a common housing (12) with the evaporator (3) and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device (5) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a device for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

• – in den Schalldämpfer integriert und dort entweder in das Auspuffendrohr eingebaut oder ersetzt dieses partiell, oder
• – außen am Schalldämpfer angebaut und das Auspuffendrohr schließt sich mit seinem Endabschnitt an, oder
• – in das vom Schalldämpfer abgehende und hinter dem Fahrerhaus hochgezogene Auspuffendrohr integriert und dabei entweder in dieses eingebaut oder ersetzt dieses partiell, oder
• – in einem Schalldämpfer integriert, der in ein hinter dem Fahrerhaus hochgezogenes Auspuffrohr eingebaut ist.

From the prior art, as in the EP 2 110 527 B1 described a commercial vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a heat recovery system utilizing its heat recovery system known. In the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, a silencer is arranged. In the medium circuit of the heat recovery system, at least one pump, an evaporator, an expander and a condenser are arranged. The waste heat of the internal combustion engine and / or hot engine units and hot operating media can be converted into performance-enhancing useful energy. The existing in the medium cycle of the heat recovery system evaporator is either

• - integrated into the muffler and installed either in the exhaust pipe or replaced this partially, or
• - Mounted on the outside of the muffler and the tailpipe joins with its end section, or
• - integrated into the silencer outgoing and raised behind the cab exhaust pipe and either installed in this or replaced this partially, or
• - Integrated in a silencer, which is installed in an exhaust pipe pulled up behind the cab.

The invention is based on the object to provide a comparison with the prior art alternative device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine.

The object is achieved by a device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device for recovering energy from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, in particular a vehicle, comprises a medium circuit with at least one pump, an evaporator, an expander and a condenser, wherein the evaporator is arranged in or on an exhaust line of an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine.

According to the invention, the evaporator is arranged in the exhaust gas flow direction downstream of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device. Here, a branch is formed in the exhaust pipe between the exhaust aftertreatment device and the evaporator, wherein in the exhaust pipe at the branch or in the exhaust gas flow direction after the branch a controllable and / or controllable first valve is arranged, by means of which an evaporator flowing through the exhaust gas flow is adjustable. The first fitting is arranged in a common housing with the evaporator and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device. At the position of the exhaust aftertreatment device may be provided as an alternative to the exhaust aftertreatment device or in addition to this, a muffler. If this is present, this silencer can also be arranged in the common housing. If both the exhaust aftertreatment device and the muffler are present, then the muffler is arranged in the exhaust gas flow direction before or after the exhaust aftertreatment device.

In the medium circuit through which the pump, the evaporator, the expander and the condenser are interconnected, a working medium is feasible, wherein a process performed in the medium circuit process corresponds to a Clausius-Rankine cycle. The pump is also referred to as a delivery unit. The expander is also referred to as an expansion device. In the expander, which is designed, for example, as a turbine, screw, scroll or piston expansion machine, a thermal energy of the working medium is converted by cooling in a mechanical energy, which is useful for example for driving an electric generator. With the device for energy recovery thus, in particular according to the Clausius-Rankine cycle, resulting heat loss of the exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine by an evaporative cooling can be dissipated and converted.

The inventive solution allows by arranging the first valve together with the evaporator and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device in the common housing a particularly compact design of this area of the exhaust system. Furthermore, this arrangement achieves a significant reduction of heat losses. This results in an increased energy recovery and thus an improved efficiency of the inventive device for energy recovery compared to known from the prior art devices. Furthermore, this arrangement in a common housing improved noise insulation is achieved. The housing can be provided for example with a corresponding insulation material for noise isolation and / or thermal insulation, thereby providing additional noise insulation and / or a to achieve additional reduction of heat losses. This insulating material is arranged, for example, on the outside of the common housing and / or in the common housing, for example in intermediate spaces between the respective components arranged in the common housing and the housing wall.

In addition, a modularity is achieved by this inventive design, d. H. the common housing with the components arranged therein, in particular the first fitting and the evaporator and / or the exhaust aftertreatment device, may be formed as a module, which is very easy to install in this way and, for example, to exchange in a simple manner, since the individual components not to be mounted individually and disassembled in the case of replacement, but the module is to use as a whole and fasten. As a result, an assembly, time and cost is reduced. Furthermore, such a module can be used as a common part for a plurality of vehicle types. This allows a serial or mass production of this module with correspondingly large numbers, whereby a cost reduction per module is achieved.

Through the branch and the controllable and / or controllable first fitting, it is possible to limit or completely suppress heat input into the Clausius-Rankine cycle by passing part of the exhaust gas flow or the entire exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine past the evaporator , d. H. the flow through the evaporator with the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is to be partially or completely prevented. Such a reduction of the heat input may be required, for example, if a cooling system of the vehicle can not dissipate the additional heat from the Rankine cycle, or if such heat dissipation can not be efficient because, for example, a cooling power required to drive a fan device is higher is the extra power generated by the Rankine cycle.

In a method for operating such a device, at least the controllable and / or controllable first valve is controlled and / or regulated in dependence on a respectively predetermined heat input into the Rankine cycle process such that the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine is completely passed through the evaporator , or is partially passed through the evaporator and is partially derived via the branch or is completely derived via the branch. The only partial discharge via the branch is carried out only if at least the first fitting is designed such that this procedure is possible. In this way, the flow of exhaust gas flowing through the evaporator is adjusted. The heat input is expediently set in each case such that a sufficient heat dissipation of the additional heat from the Rankine cycle is ensured by the cooling system of the vehicle. Furthermore, the heat input is expediently predetermined such that the additional power generated by the Clausius-Rankine cycle process is greater than the power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process. Preferably, the heat input is predetermined such that a difference of the additional power generated by the Rankine cycle and the power required to cool the Rankine cycle is maximized, i. H. It is generated at the smallest possible power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process as large as possible additional power through the Clausius-Rankine cycle.

Particularly preferably, the branch is arranged in the common housing with the first fitting and with the evaporator and / or with the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. In this way, this branch is part of the module formed by these parts, so that only one inlet opening and one outlet opening of the module located in the part of the exhaust pipe to be connected to the corresponding parts of the exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine to the module in the exhaust system of Install internal combustion engine.

Conveniently, the branch forms the beginning of a bypass line bypassing the evaporator. This bypass line is advantageously arranged completely or at least partially within the common housing. In a merely partial arrangement within the common housing, the bypass line is led out of the common housing or guided into the common housing. ie the beginning or the end of the bypass line is arranged in the common housing and the bypass line leads out of the housing or into the housing. It is of course also possible that the bypass line penetrates a housing wall not only once, but several times. Then, both the beginning and the end of the bypass line can be arranged in the common housing and one or more other areas of the bypass line are arranged outside the housing. As an alternative to the bypass line, this branch forms an exhaust gas outlet in an external environment. This exhaust outlet may be formed, for example, as an opening or as a conduit. In a design of the exhaust outlet as a conduit is this Conduit advantageously arranged completely in the common housing and connected to an opening in a housing wall to guide the exhaust gas in the external environment, or the conduit is partially disposed in the common housing, that is guided through an opening in the housing wall in the external environment to direct the exhaust gas into the external environment in this way. As a result of this preferably complete or at least partial arrangement of the bypass line or the exhaust outlet designed as a line, the bypass line or the exhaust outlet is a complete or at least partial component of the module, so that no separate assembly or disassembly is required, but this takes place as a module together with the other already described components of the module. Furthermore, a heat and / or sound insulation of the bypass line or the exhaust outlet is made possible in this way by the housing, so that heat losses and / or noise degradation are further reduced.

If the first fitting is not arranged at the branch, but in the exhaust gas flow direction after the branch, then the first fitting can be arranged in the exhaust gas flow direction upstream of the evaporator or downstream of the evaporator. If the first fitting is arranged downstream of the evaporator in the exhaust gas flow direction and the branch forms the beginning of the bypass line bypassing the evaporator, then the first valve can be arranged at an opening of the bypass line in the exhaust line or in the exhaust gas flow direction upstream of the junction. If the first valve is arranged at the branch, which forms the beginning of the bypass line bypassing the evaporator or the exhaust gas outlet into the external environment, or if the first valve is arranged at the junction of the bypass line in the exhaust line, the first valve is expediently used as a 2-way valve designed. By way of such a 3/2-way valve, both the exhaust gas flow quantity flowing through the evaporator and the exhaust gas flow amount flowing through the bypass line or the exhaust gas outlet can be set, depending on whether the device has the bypass line or the exhaust gas outlet. Another fitting is then not required.

Otherwise, the first fitting is expediently designed as a flow valve or as a closure flap. The term flow valve is understood to mean that this valve has exactly one input and exactly one output. This flow valve or the closure flap is expediently at least completely open and completely close. In an advantageous embodiment, this flow valve is also partially open.

The first fitting can be continuously or discretely adjustable, in particular binary. A binary adjustment of the first fitting here means that only a fully open and a fully closed position are adjustable on the first fitting. A continuous adjustment means that the first valve is infinitely adjustable, d. H. in any position on an adjustment between the fully open and the fully closed position. Discreet means that the first valve is adjustable in this adjustment in a plurality of positions, in the case of binary adjustment in two positions, fully open and fully closed, but advantageously deviating from this binary adjustment in at least one other position or in several positions in between , In this case, the continuous adjustability and the discrete adjustability with more than two positions, preferably with the highest possible number of positions, allow a very accurate metering of the exhaust gas flow, more precisely the proportion of the exhaust gas flow, which flows through the evaporator, and accordingly the proportion of the exhaust gas flow which flows through the bypass line or the exhaust outlet. By such an exact control and / or regulation of the first fitting a correspondingly accurate control of the heat ingestion in the Clausius-Rankine cycle is possible.

If the first valve is designed as a 3/2-way valve, then it has an input and two outputs or one output and two inputs, the described adjustment at two outputs for each of the two outputs and at two inputs for each of the two Inputs applies. The adjustment of the two outputs or inputs is advantageously carried out in opposite directions, d. H. If one of the two outputs or inputs is closed, the other output or input is open. If a continuous adjustment or a discrete adjustment with more than two valve positions, one of the outputs or inputs opens the more, the more the other output or input closes, in order to divide the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator and to reach the bypass line or the exhaust outlet.

In an advantageous embodiment, a controllable and / or controllable second valve is arranged in the bypass line or in the exhaust outlet. By means of this second valve, the exhaust gas flowing through the bypass line or the exhaust gas outlet is adjustable. This second fitting can also be designed as such a flow valve already explained in more detail above or, alternatively, as a closure flap. The second valve is particularly useful if the first valve is not designed as a 3/2-way valve, but for example as a flow control valve or as a closure flap. When using a 3/2-way valve, such a second valve is not required, since the distribution of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator and the bypass or the exhaust gas outlet is controlled and / or regulated by means of the 3/2-way valve. In a design of the first valve as a flow control valve or as a shutter, such a second valve in the bypass line or the exhaust outlet is useful to close or at least partially close at an opening or at least partial opening of the first fitting the second valve and thereby ensure the flow through the evaporator according to the respective opening position of the first valve.

Particularly preferably, this second fitting is arranged in the common housing. In this way, this second fitting belongs to the module and is thus together with the other belonging to the module parts, which, as already described above, are arranged in the housing, as a common unit in a simple way quickly and inexpensively in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine install and, if necessary, expand again, for example for repair purposes.

Also, this second valve can be continuously or discretely adjustable, in particular binary, analogous to the above described adjustment of the first valve. As described above, the continuous adjustability and the discrete adjustability with more than two positions, preferably with the highest possible number of positions, allow a very precise meterability of the exhaust gas flow, more precisely the proportion of the exhaust gas flow flowing through the evaporator, and accordingly of the Proportion of the exhaust stream, which flows through the bypass line or the exhaust outlet. By such an exact control and / or regulation of the first fitting a correspondingly accurate control of the heat ingestion in the Clausius-Rankine cycle is possible. If this second fitting is present, it is expedient to carry out a common, d. H. coordinated, control and / or regulation of the first valve and the second valve.

In the method for operating the device with the first and second controllable and / or controllable fitting, the two valves are then controlled and / or regulated depending on the respective predetermined heat input in the Rankine cycle process such that the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine completely through the Evaporator is passed, or is partially passed through the evaporator and is partially derived via the branch or is completely derived via the branch. In this way, the flow of exhaust gas flowing through the evaporator is adjusted. The partial discharge via the branch is carried out only when the two valves are designed to allow a partial opening. The heat input is expediently set in each case such that a sufficient heat dissipation of the additional heat from the Rankine cycle is ensured by the cooling system of the vehicle. Furthermore, the heat input is expediently predetermined such that the additional power generated by the Clausius-Rankine cycle process is greater than the power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process.

Preferably, the heat input is predetermined such that a difference of the additional power generated by the Rankine cycle and the power required to cool the Rankine cycle is maximized, i. H. It is generated at the smallest possible power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process as large as possible additional power through the Clausius-Rankine cycle.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Showing:

1 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine,

2 2 schematically shows a second embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine,

3 3 schematically shows a third embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine,

4 schematically a fourth embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine,

5 schematically a fifth embodiment of an apparatus for Energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine,

6 schematically a sixth embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine,

7 schematically a seventh embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine,

8th schematically an eighth embodiment of a device for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine, and

9 schematically a ninth embodiment of an apparatus for energy recovery from an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

The 1 to 9 show, schematically greatly simplified, various embodiments of a device 1 for energy recovery from an exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, not shown here. The internal combustion engine is designed, for example, as a diesel engine or as a gasoline engine.

The device 1 includes a medium circuit 2 with at least one pump, one evaporator 3 , an expander and a capacitor. In the examples shown here, for reasons of clarity, in each case only the evaporator 3 shown, the pump, the expander and the capacitor are not shown. The medium circuit 2 is in the form of one in the evaporator 3 opening and one from the evaporator 3 leading arrow indicated schematically. The evaporator 3 is in or on an exhaust pipe 4 arranged an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system further includes an exhaust aftertreatment device 5 on, which in the exhaust gas flow direction upstream of the evaporator 3 is arranged. The exhaust gas flow direction is indicated by arrows on the exhaust pipe 4 shown.

In the medium cycle 2 over which the pump, the evaporator 3 , The expander and the capacitor are interconnected, a working medium is feasible, with a in the medium circuit 2 completed process corresponds to a Rankine cycle. The pump is also referred to as a delivery unit. The expander is also referred to as an expansion device. In the expander, which is designed for example as a turbine or piston expansion machine, a thermal energy of the working medium is converted by cooling into a mechanical energy, which is useful for example for driving an electric generator. With the device 1 For energy recovery thus, in particular according to the Clausius-Rankine cycle, resulting heat loss of the exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine by an evaporative cooling can be dissipated and converted.

Between the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 and the evaporator 3 is in the exhaust pipe 4 a branch 6 educated. This branch 6 forms in the embodiments, which in the 1 . 3 and 4 such as 6 to 9 are shown, the beginning of the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 , In the embodiments, which in the 2 and 5 are shown, this branch forms 6 an exhaust outlet 8th in an external environment. This exhaust outlet 8th For example, it may be formed as an opening or as a conduit.

In the exhaust pipe 4 is a controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 arranged, by means of which a the evaporator 3 flowing through the exhaust gas flow amount is adjustable. In the 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 is this first fitting 9 designed as a 3/2-way valve, which in the 1 . 2 and 7 to 9 at the junction 6 is arranged in 1 and in the 7 to 9 the beginning of the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 forms and in 2 the beginning of trained as a line exhaust outlet 8th forms. In 3 this is designed as a 3/2-way valve first fitting 9 at a junction 10 the bypass line 7 in the exhaust pipe 4 arranged, ie in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 , The 3/2-way valve has in the in the 1 . 2 and 7 to 9 illustrated embodiment and arrangement on an input and two outputs. In the in 3 illustrated embodiment and arrangement, the 3/2-way valve on two inputs and an output. The 3/2-way valve with two outputs is so controllable and / or controllable that each outlet is fully open and fully closed. It is also preferable to control and / or regulate such that each output is partially openable and closable. Analogously, this applies to the 3/2-way valve with two inputs, ie this is controllable and / or adjustable so that each input to open completely and completely close. It is also preferable to control and / or regulate such that each entrance is partially openable and closable. In this way it is by an appropriate control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 allows the exhaust gas flow completely through the evaporator 3 to conduct or completely on the evaporator 3 past the bypass line 7 or through the exhaust outlet 8th to conduct or, in the case of a partial closing of the two outputs or the two inputs, partly through the evaporator 3 through and partly past this over the bypass line 7 or the exhaust gas outlet 8th to lead. This is the evaporator 3 to adjust flowing exhaust gas flow.

In the 4 to 6 is this first fitting 9 designed as a flow valve or as a closure flap. The term flow valve is understood to mean that this valve has exactly one input and exactly one output. This flow valve or the closure flap is expediently at least completely open and completely close. In an advantageous embodiment, this flow valve or the closure flap can also be partially opened further. This embodiment of the first fitting 9 is in the 4 and 5 in the exhaust gas flow direction after the branch 6 and in front of the evaporator 3 and in 6 in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 and before the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 in the exhaust pipe 4 arranged. In this in the 4 to 6 illustrated embodiment of the first fitting 9 is like in the 4 and 6 shown in the bypass line 7 , or, as in 5 shown in the line formed exhaust outlet 8th a controllable and / or controllable second fitting 11 arranged. This second fitting 11 is expediently also designed as such a flow valve already explained in more detail above or alternatively as a closure flap.

The second fitting 11 is like in the 4 to 6 shown, especially useful if the first fitting 9 is not formed as a 3/2-way valve, but for example as a flow control valve or as a shutter. When using a 3/2-way valve is such a second fitting 11 not necessary, since the distribution of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator 3 and the bypass line 7 or the exhaust gas outlet 8th is controlled and / or regulated by means of the 3/2-way valve. In a training of the first fitting 9 as a flow control valve or as a flap is such a second fitting 11 in the bypass line 7 or in the exhaust outlet 8th makes sense to open at least one or at least partially opening the first fitting 9 the second fitting 11 close or at least partially close and thereby the flow through the evaporator 3 according to the respective opening position of the first valve 9 sure.

Through the branch 6 and the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 and, if present, the controllable and / or controllable second fitting 11 , it is possible to limit a heat input in the Clausius-Rankine cycle or to completely stop by a portion of the exhaust stream or the entire exhaust stream of the internal combustion engine to the evaporator 3 is to pass, ie the flow through the evaporator 3 with the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is to be partially or completely prevented. Such a reduction of the heat input may be required, for example, if a cooling system of the vehicle can not dissipate the additional heat from the Rankine cycle, or if such heat dissipation can not be efficient because, for example, a cooling power required to drive a fan device is higher is the extra power generated by the Rankine cycle.

In a method of operating such a device 1 becomes the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 and, in the embodiments with controllable and / or controllable second fitting 11 also this second fitting 11 in such a way controlled and / or regulated as a function of a respective predetermined heat input in the Clausius-Rankine cycle such that the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine completely through the evaporator 3 is passed, or partially through the evaporator 3 is guided and partly over the branch 6 is derived or completely over the branch 6 is derived. The derivative via the branch 6 takes place, depending on the design of the device 1 , via the bypass line 7 or via the exhaust outlet 8th ,

The heat input is expediently in each case predetermined such that a sufficient heat dissipation of the additional heat from the Rankine cycle is ensured by the cooling system of the vehicle. Furthermore, the heat input is expediently predetermined such that the additional power generated by the Clausius-Rankine cycle process is greater than the power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process. Preferably, the heat input is predetermined such that a difference of the additional power generated by the Rankine cycle and the power required to cool the Rankine cycle is maximized, i. H. It is generated at the smallest possible power required for cooling the Clausius-Rankine cycle process as large as possible additional power through the Clausius-Rankine cycle.

The first fitting 9 and, if present, the second fitting 11 , may be continuous or discretely adjustable, especially binary. A binary adjustment of the first fitting 9 or the second valve 11 means here that at the first fitting 9 or at the second fitting 11 only a fully open and a fully closed position are adjustable. A continuous adjustment means that the first fitting 9 or the second fitting 11 is infinitely adjustable, ie in any position on an adjustment between the fully open and the fully closed position. Discreet means that the first fitting 9 or the second fitting 11 in this adjustment in a plurality of positions is adjustable, in the case of the binary adjustment in two positions, fully open and fully closed, but advantageously different from this binary adjustment in at least one other position or in several positions in between. In this case, the continuous adjustability and the discrete adjustability with more than two positions, preferably with the highest possible number of positions, allow a very accurate metering of the exhaust gas flow, more precisely the proportion of the exhaust gas flow passing through the evaporator 3 flows, and accordingly the proportion of the exhaust gas flow, which through the bypass line 7 or the exhaust outlet 8th flows. By such an exact control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 and, if present, the second fitting 11 , a correspondingly accurate control of the heat in the Clausius-Rankine cycle is possible. Is the second fitting 11 available, as in the 4 to 6 illustrated, it is expediently a common, ie coordinated, control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 and the second fitting 11 ,

Is the first fitting 9 designed as a 3/2-way valve, the described adjustment applies to two outputs for each of the two outputs and two inputs for each of the two inputs. The adjustment of the two outputs or inputs is expediently opposite, ie if one of the two outputs or inputs is closed, the other output or input is open. If a continuous adjustment or a discrete adjustment with more than two valve positions, one of the outputs or inputs opens the more, the more the respective other output or input closes, in order in this way to divide the exhaust gas flow onto the evaporator 3 and the bypass line 7 or the exhaust gas outlet 8th to reach.

Advantageously, the first fitting 9 in a common housing 12 with the evaporator 3 and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 arranged. Furthermore, advantageously, if this is present, and the second fitting 11 in this common housing 12 arranged. Depending on the embodiment is advantageously also the bypass line 7 or the exhaust outlet designed as a line 8th completely or at least partially in this housing 12 arranged.

This solution made possible by the arrangement of the first valve 9 together with the evaporator 3 and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 and advantageously together with the other components mentioned above in the common housing 12 a particularly compact design of this area of the exhaust system. Furthermore, this arrangement achieves a significant reduction of heat losses, as caused by the common housing 12 a thermal insulation is achieved. This results in an increased energy recovery and thus an improved efficiency of the device 1 for energy recovery in comparison to devices known from the prior art. Furthermore, by this arrangement in a common housing 12 achieved an improved noise reduction. The housing 12 can be provided for example with a suitable insulation material for noise isolation and / or thermal insulation, thereby achieving additional noise reduction and / or an additional reduction in heat losses. This insulation material is, for example, outside the common housing 12 arranged and / or in the common housing 12 For example, in spaces between the respective in the common housing 12 arranged components and a housing wall.

In addition, a modularity is achieved by this training, ie the common housing 12 with the components arranged therein, in particular the first fitting 9 as well as the evaporator 3 and / or the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 , Can be designed as a module, which in this way is very easy to install and, for example, to replace in a simple manner, since the individual components are not to be mounted individually and dismantled in case of replacement, but the module is to use as a whole and to fix. As a result, an assembly, time and cost is reduced. Furthermore, such a module can be used as a common part for a plurality of vehicle types. This allows a serial or mass production of this module with correspondingly large numbers, whereby a cost reduction per module is achieved.

In the 1 to 9 Different designs of this modular design are shown schematically. In 1 has the device 1 the the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 on. The controllable and / or adjustable first fitting 9 is designed here as a 3/2-way valve, which at the branch 6 is arranged, which is the beginning of the bypass line 7 forms. The second fitting 11 is not required here. The bypass line 7 branches at the junction 6 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction before the evaporator 3 from the exhaust pipe 4 from and flows in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 back into the exhaust pipe 4 a, so that by means of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 the Flow through with the exhaust gas of the evaporator 3 completely or preferably also partially avoidable. By an appropriate control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 is the entire exhaust flow through the evaporator 3 to conduct or the entire exhaust stream is via the bypass line 7 on the evaporator 3 to pass or preferred is the first fitting 9 to control and / or regulate such that a portion of the exhaust gas flow through the evaporator 3 to guide and the other part via the bypass line 7 on the evaporator 3 is to be led over. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , the first fitting 9 , the entire bypass line 7 as well as the branch 6 and the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module. This in 2 illustrated embodiment is analogous to the in 1 illustrated embodiment, with the difference that this embodiment instead of the bypass line 7 the exhaust outlet 8th having. This exhaust outlet 8th is as from the common housing 12 leading out line formed. The controllable and / or adjustable first fitting 9 is also designed here as a 3/2-way valve, which at the branch 6 is arranged, the beginning of this designed as a line exhaust outlet 8th forms, by means of which, depending on the respective position of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 , Part of the exhaust gas or all the exhaust gas can be conducted into the external environment. The second fitting 11 is not necessary here either. The exhaust outlet 8th branches at the junction 6 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction before the evaporator 3 from the exhaust pipe 4 from, so that by means of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 the flow with the exhaust gas of the evaporator 3 completely or preferably also partially avoidable. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , the first fitting 9 and the branch 6 into the exhaust outlet 8th within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The designed as a line exhaust outlet 8th is completely or at least partially within the common housing 12 arranged and thus also component of the module. The the exhaust outlet 8th forming line can be attached to an opening of the housing 12 be connected or passed through this opening to direct the exhaust gas in the external environment. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

This in 3 illustrated embodiment is analogous to the in 1 formed embodiment, with the difference that designed as a 3/2-way valve first fitting 9 not here at the branch 6 is arranged, but at the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 in the exhaust pipe 4 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 , The functioning of the first fitting 9 however, it resembles the one in 1 illustrated first fitting 9 , So is this first fitting 9 so controlled and / or regulated that only the bypass line 7 is completely closed, allowing the exhaust gas completely through the evaporator 3 flows, or such that only the exhaust pipe 4 is completely closed, leaving the exhaust gas at the evaporator 3 past the bypass line 7 flows. Furthermore, the first fitting 9 Here, too, advantageously also controllable and / or controllable such that the exhaust pipe 4 and the bypass line 7 each partially closed, so that a division of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator 3 and the bypass line 7 is reached. The second fitting 11 is not necessary here either. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , the first fitting 9 , the entire bypass line 7 as well as the branch 6 and the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module. This in 4 illustrated embodiment is analogous to the in 1 formed embodiment, with the difference that the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 is designed as a flow control valve or closure flap and that in addition the controllable and / or controllable second valve 11 is available. The second fitting 11 is due to the training of the first fitting 9 required as a flow control valve or closing flap. The first fitting 9 is here in the exhaust gas flow direction between the branch 6 and the evaporator 3 arranged. The second fitting 11 is in the bypass line 7 arranged. In this embodiment, a common control and / or regulation of the first valve expediently takes place 9 and the second fitting 11 to the respective desired flow of exhaust gas through the evaporator 3 or through the bypass line 7 through. This is done by closing the second fitting 11 and opening the first fitting 9 the evaporator 3 subjected to the entire exhaust gas flow. By closing the first fitting 9 and opening the second fitting 11 the entire exhaust flow around the evaporator 3 around by the bypass line 7 directed. By partially opening both valves 9 . 11 if their training allows this, is a division of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator 3 and the bypass line 7 reached. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , both fittings 9 . 11 , the entire bypass line 7 as well as the branch 6 and the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

This in 5 illustrated embodiment is analogous to the in 2 formed embodiment, with the difference that the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 is designed as a flow control valve or closure flap and that therefore in the line of the exhaust outlet 8th the controllable and / or controllable second fitting 11 is arranged. The first fitting 9 is here in the exhaust gas flow direction between the branch 6 and the evaporator 3 arranged. Analogous to 4 Conveniently, a common control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 and the second fitting 11 to the respective desired flow of exhaust gas through the evaporator 3 or through the exhaust outlet 8th through. This is done by closing the second fitting 11 and opening the first fitting 9 the evaporator 3 subjected to the entire exhaust gas flow. By closing the first fitting 9 and opening the second fitting 11 is the entire exhaust flow upstream of the evaporator 3 branched off and via the exhaust outlet 8th directed into the external environment. By partially opening both valves 9 . 11 if their training allows this, is a division of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator 3 and the exhaust outlet 8th reached. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , both fittings 9 . 11 , which is designed as a conduit exhaust outlet 8th completely or at least partially and the branch 6 into the exhaust outlet 8th within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The the exhaust outlet 8th forming line can be attached to an opening of the housing 12 be connected or passed through this opening to direct the exhaust gas in the external environment. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

This in 6 illustrated embodiment is analogous to the in 4 formed embodiment, with the difference that the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 in the exhaust pipe 4 is arranged, in front of the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 in the exhaust pipe 4 , The operation corresponds to the operation of the in 4 illustrated example, ie it is advantageously carried out a common control and / or regulation of the first valve 9 and the second fitting 11 to the respective desired flow of exhaust gas through the evaporator 3 or through the bypass line 7 through. This is done by closing the second fitting 11 and opening the first fitting 9 the evaporator 3 subjected to the entire exhaust gas flow. By closing the first fitting 9 and opening the second fitting 11 the entire exhaust flow around the evaporator 3 around by the bypass line 7 directed. By partially opening both valves 9 . 11 if their training allows this, is a division of the exhaust gas flow to the evaporator 3 and the bypass line 7 reached. In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 , both fittings 9 . 11 , the entire bypass line 7 as well as the branch 6 and the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The exhaust aftertreatment device 5 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

In not shown alternative embodiments 1 to 6 is the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 and the bypass line 7 at least partially outside the common housing 12 arranged. It can in the alternative embodiments to 4 to 6 also the second fitting 11 outside the common housing 12 be arranged. It can in the alternative embodiment to 6 also the first fitting 9 outside the common housing 12 be arranged.

This in 7 illustrated embodiment is with respect to the exhaust gas flow analogous to the in 1 formed embodiment, ie, the device 1 points the the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 on. The controllable and / or adjustable first fitting 9 is designed as a 3/2-way valve, which at the branch 6 is arranged, which is the beginning of the bypass line 7 forms. The second fitting 11 not necessary. The bypass line 7 branches at the junction 6 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction before the evaporator 3 from the exhaust pipe 4 from and flows in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 back into the exhaust pipe 4 a, so that by means of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 the flow with the exhaust gas of the evaporator 3 completely or preferably also partially avoidable. The modular structure, however, deviates from the in 1 example shown, because in the in 7 Example shown are the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 , the first fitting 9 , the branch 6 and an exhaust flow direction front part of the bypass passage 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The evaporator 3 and the rear part of the bypass line 7 with the junction 10 in the exhaust pipe 4 after the evaporator 3 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

In alternative variants, not shown here, the exhaust gas flow can also be analogous to 4 or 6 be formed, ie with a designed as a flow control valve or flap controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 in the exhaust pipe 4 or between evaporators 3 and junction 10 and a controllable and / or controllable second valve designed as a flow valve or closing flap 11 in the bypass line 7 with that too 4 described operation. The first fitting 9 and the second fitting 11 can independently in the common housing 12 arranged and thus be a component of the module, or they are outside of the housing 12 arranged. Alternative to the bypass line 7 can also be the exhaust outlet here 8th be provided in the outer environment, with the exhaust gas flow analogous to 2 ie with the 3/2-way valve as the first valve 9 , or with the exhaust gas flow analogous to 5 , ie with the first valve designed as a flow control valve or closing flap 9 in the exhaust pipe 4 and the second valve designed as a flow valve or closure flap 11 in the line of the exhaust outlet 8th , The functionality is already in accordance with 2 respectively. 5 described. In this variant, the first fitting is expediently 9 in the common housing 12 arranged. The second fitting 11 can in the case 12 arranged and thus be a component of the module, or it may be outside of the housing 12 be arranged. The pipe of the exhaust outlet 8th is suitably completely in the housing 12 arranged and to an opening of the housing 12 connected to the exhaust gases in the external environment, or it is through this opening in the housing 12 passed through.

This in 8th illustrated embodiment is with respect to the exhaust gas flow analogous to the in 1 formed embodiment, ie, the device 1 points the the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 on. The controllable and / or adjustable first fitting 9 is designed as a 3/2-way valve, which at the branch 6 is arranged, which is the beginning of the bypass line 7 forms. The second fitting 11 not necessary. The bypass line 7 branches at the junction 6 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction before the evaporator 3 from the exhaust pipe 4 from and flows in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 back into the exhaust pipe 4 a, so that by means of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 the flow with the exhaust gas of the evaporator 3 completely or preferably also partially avoidable. The modular structure, however, deviates from the in 1 example shown, because in the in 8th Example shown are the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 , the evaporator 3 , the first fitting 9 , the branch 6 and an exhaust flow direction front part of the bypass passage 7 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. The rear part of the bypass line 7 with the junction 10 in the exhaust pipe 4 after the evaporator 3 in this example is outside this enclosure 12 arranged and thus not part of the module.

In an alternative variant, not shown here, the exhaust gas flow can also be analogous to 4 be formed, ie with a designed as a flow control valve or flap controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 and a controllable and / or controllable second valve designed as a flow valve or closing flap 11 in the bypass line 7 with that too 4 described operation. In this case, the first fitting is expediently 9 also in the common housing 12 arranged. The second fitting 11 can in common housing 12 arranged and thus be a component of the module, or it is outside the housing 12 arranged. Alternative to the bypass line 7 can also be the exhaust outlet here 8th be provided in the outer environment, with the exhaust gas flow analogous to 2 ie with the 3/2-way valve as the first valve 9 , or analogous to 5 , ie with the first valve designed as a flow control valve or closing flap 9 in the exhaust pipe 4 and the second valve designed as a flow valve or closure flap 11 in the line of the exhaust outlet 8th , The functionality is already in accordance with 2 respectively. 5 described. In this variant, the first fitting is expediently 9 in the common housing 12 arranged. The second fitting 11 can in the case 12 arranged and thus be a component of the module, or it may be outside of the housing 12 be arranged. The pipe of the exhaust outlet 8th is suitably completely in the housing 12 arranged and to an opening of the housing 12 connected to the exhaust gases in the external environment, or it is through this opening in the housing 12 passed through.

This in 9 shown particularly advantageous embodiment is analogous to the in FIG 1 formed embodiment, ie, the device 1 points the the evaporator 3 immediate bypass line 7 on. The controllable and / or adjustable first fitting 9 is designed as a 3/2-way valve, which at the branch 6 is arranged, which is the beginning of the bypass line 7 forms. The second fitting 11 not necessary. The bypass line 7 branches at the junction 6 and thus in the exhaust gas flow direction before the evaporator 3 from the exhaust pipe 4 from and flows in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 back into the exhaust pipe 4 a, so that by means of the controllable and / or controllable first fitting 9 the flow with the exhaust gas of the evaporator 3 completely or preferably also partially avoidable. The modular structure, however, deviates from the in 1 example shown, because in the in 9 Example shown are the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 , the evaporator 3 , the first fitting 9 and the entire bypass line 7 with the branch 6 and the confluence 10 within the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. This allows a particularly simple and quick installation of these components as a module in the exhaust system. Also a possible exchange, d. h the removal of this module and the installation of another module, is particularly easy in this way possible. In addition, a particularly effective thermal insulation and / or noise insulation is made possible in this way.

In not shown here alternative variants of in 9 illustrated embodiment, which also have the described advantages, the Abgastromführung can also analogous to the 2 to 6 be formed, ie it is for example designed as a 3/2-way valve first fitting 9 in the exhaust gas flow direction after the evaporator 3 arranged, at the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 in the exhaust pipe 4 , with the way of working analogous to 3 , or the device 1 indicates as the first and second fitting 9 . 11 in each case a flow control valve or a closure flap, wherein the first fitting 9 in front of the evaporator 3 is arranged, analogous to 4 , or after the evaporator 3 , analogous to 6 , with the corresponding functioning, or the device 1 indicates the exhaust outlet 8th up, analogous to 2 or 5 , where the first fitting 9 is designed as a 3/2-way valve, analogous to 2 , with the corresponding functioning, or being the first fitting 9 is designed as a flow control valve or closure flap and in the line of the exhaust outlet 8th designed as a flow control valve or flap second fitting 11 is arranged, analogous to 5 and with the corresponding functionality.

In all these variants of in 9 illustrated embodiment, the first fitting 9 , the exhaust aftertreatment device 5 , the evaporator 3 and the branch 6 in the common housing 12 arranged and thus components of the module. In the variants in which the second fitting 11 is present, is also this second fitting 11 in the common housing 12 arranged and thus a component of the module. Is designed as a line exhaust outlet 8th present, so this line is also completely in the housing 12 arranged or out of the housing 12 led out and thus at least partially in the housing 12 arranged as a component of the module. Is instead the bypass line 7 present, so is the bypass line 7 completely in the housing 12 arranged, as well as the confluence 10 in the exhaust pipe 4 so that also has the complete bypass line 7 and the confluence 10 in the exhaust pipe 4 Components of the module are. This in 9 shown module and its variants are therefore only to be connected to each of the terminals of the exhaust system to install all the components of the module in the exhaust system. In this way, a particularly quick and easy installation is thus possible.

In alternative embodiments too 9 is the confluence 10 the bypass line 7 and the bypass line 7 at least partially outside the common housing 12 arranged. In the embodiments, the first fitting 9 and a second fitting 11 Provide the first fitting 9 and the second fitting 11 independently of each other outside the case 12 or as a component of the module in the housing 12 be arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

Medium circuit

3

Evaporator

4

exhaust pipe

5

exhaust aftertreatment device

6

junction

7

bypass line

8th

exhaust outlet

9

first fitting

10

junction

11

second fitting

12

casing

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2110527 B1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 1 ) for energy recovery from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a medium circuit ( 2 ) with at least one pump, an evaporator ( 3 ), an expander and a condenser, wherein the evaporator ( 3 ) in or on an exhaust pipe ( 4 ) is arranged an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, characterized in that the evaporator ( 3 ) in the exhaust gas flow direction after an exhaust aftertreatment device ( 5 ) is arranged, wherein in the exhaust pipe ( 4 ) between the exhaust aftertreatment device ( 5 ) and the evaporator ( 3 ) a branch ( 6 ) is formed, wherein in the exhaust pipe ( 4 ) at the branch ( 6 ) or in the exhaust gas flow direction after the branch ( 6 ) a controllable and / or controllable first fitting ( 9 ) is arranged, by means of which a the evaporator ( 3 ) is adjustable, and wherein the first valve ( 9 ) in a common housing ( 12 ) with the evaporator ( 3 ) and / or with the exhaust aftertreatment device ( 5 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the branch ( 6 ) the beginning of the evaporator ( 3 ) bypass line ( 7 ) or an exhaust outlet ( 8th ) into an external environment. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first fitting ( 9 ) in the exhaust gas flow direction in front of the evaporator ( 3 ) or after the evaporator ( 3 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first fitting ( 9 ) at a junction ( 10 ) of the bypass line ( 7 ) in the exhaust pipe ( 4 ) or in the exhaust gas flow direction in front of the junction ( 10 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fitting ( 9 ) is designed as a 3/2-way valve, as a flow valve or as a closure flap. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fitting ( 9 ) is continuously adjustable or discrete, in particular binary, is adjustable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in the bypass line ( 7 ) or in the exhaust outlet ( 8th ) a controllable and / or controllable second fitting ( 11 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second fitting ( 11 ) in the common housing ( 12 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second fitting ( 11 ) is designed as a flow valve or as a closure flap. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second fitting ( 11 ) is continuously adjustable or discrete, in particular binary, is adjustable.

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