DE102016112232B4 - Hot gas utilization device, vehicle and method for operating a hot gas utilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot gas utilization apparatus comprising hot gas guide means (40), hot gas catalyst means (44) fluidly connected to said guide means (40) and downstream of said guide means (40), thermoelectric module means (54) which thermally adhere to said Guide device (40), a cold heat transfer device (56), which is thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module device (54), and an electrical heater (58), which thermally to the thermoelectric module device (54) and thermally to the guide device (40) wherein the electrical heating device (58) comprises a heat storage device (70) in which a heat storage material (72) is arranged, characterized in that the heat storage material (72) is a phase change medium, that the heat storage material (72) in thermal communication with the fluid guide device (40) and the thermoelectric module device (54), and that the electrical heating device (58) comprises one or more Stromdurchflusselemente (74) which are surrounded by heat storage material (72).

Description

The invention relates to a hot gas utilization device, comprising a guide device for hot gas, a hot gas catalyst device, which is fluidly connected to the guide means and downstream of the guide means, a thermoelectric module means, which is thermally coupled to the guide means, a cold heat transfer means, which thermally to the thermoelectric module device is coupled, and an electric heater which is thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module means and thermally coupled to the guide means, wherein the electrical heating means comprises a heat storage device in which a heat storage material is arranged.

From the DE 10 2010 012 629 A1 an apparatus for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is known, wherein the device comprises at least one housing, the housing has a longitudinal axis and a first end side and a second end side, and an inlet and an outlet for exhaust gas and at least one inlet and an outlet for a cooling medium , In the housing, a catalyst support body can be flowed through by exhaust gas having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, wherein the exhaust enters the housing via the first end face and radially flows through the catalyst carrier body via the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface and leaves the housing via the second end face. Downstream of the catalyst carrier body are arranged a plurality of tube elements with outer sides and inner sides, wherein the tube elements are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis along the outer peripheral surface and the outer sides are exposed to exhaust gas and the inner sides of the cooling medium, wherein between the outside and inside of the tubular elements thermoelectric elements are arranged ,

The WO 02/40838 A1 discloses a radially permeable, segmented honeycomb body.

The DE 10 2006 040 853 B3 discloses a thermoelectric device with a thermoelectric generator, and with means for limiting the temperature at the thermoelectric generator.

The DE 10 2013 214 826 A1 discloses a vehicle with a integrated in an exhaust line of the vehicle in a coolant circuit of the vehicle and in an electrical system of the vehicle thermoelectric generator, wherein the thermoelectric generator from a falling over the thermoelectric generator temperature gradient for supplying voltage to the electrical system can be generated. The thermoelectric generator has an internal resistance. At the thermoelectric generator, an electrical voltage can be applied by the electrical system, and generated at applied voltage in the thermoelectric generator heat is transferable to a cooling medium of the coolant circuit.

From the DE 10 2010 035 480 A1 For example, a catalyst temperature control system is known, comprising a vehicle starter maintenance module that determines whether a vehicle start is expected based on at least one of a plurality of vehicle conditions before an ignition switch is turned on. There is further provided a control module for an electrically heatable catalyst which activates an electrically heatable catalyst based on the determination.

From the WO 2010/112958 A1 For example, an internal combustion engine is known which comprises regeneration means.

From the US 2003/0223919 A1 a supplemental power generation system is known, which is integrated in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and comprises a catalytic converter. There is also provided a cooling channel. Furthermore, a thermoelectric generator system is provided.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and a hot gas utilization device, which is supplied as a hot gas exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a Heißgasn utzu ngsvorrichtu ng.

The invention has for its object to provide a hot gas utilization device of the type mentioned, which has extensive uses.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the hot gas utilization apparatus mentioned above in that the heat storage material is a phase change medium, that the heat storage material is in thermal communication with the fluid guide device and the thermoelectric module device, and that the electric heater comprises one or more Stromdurchflusselemente which are surrounded by heat storage material ,

The hot gas utilization device according to the invention has a multiplicity of different operating modes. For example, the hot gas utilization device can be used to, too if no hot gas is present to allow heating operation by a corresponding operation of the heater.

If hot gas is provided which does not have the required temperature, the electric heating device can be used to further heat the corresponding hot gas and / or to heat a catalyst device accordingly, so that optimum hot gas purification by the catalyst device is possible.

If hot gas is provided at a suitable temperature, then the hot gas utilization device may be utilized via the thermoelectric module device to generate a usable electrical current.

If the hot gas utilization device is operated with hot gas, which is performed by the guide device and the catalyst device, and the hot gas during coupling has a too high temperature, then the thermoelectric module device can be used via the Peltier effect to cool the hot gas or to cool the catalyst device to reach an optimal operating temperature.

By means of the hot gas utilization device according to the invention, transient states in the hot gas can be compensated for, wherein this compensation is possible via "internal" means of the hot gas utilization device. In a normal operation, the thermoelectric module device can be used to generate usable electric power. If the hot gas is too hot, the thermoelectric module device can be used for cooling.

The electric heater can be used for heating purposes both for an external application such as a heating system of a vehicle and for an internal application for further heating of the hot gas and / or the Katalysatorei device.

The hot gas utilization device according to the invention can be optimally used in vehicles such as hybrid vehicles, vehicles with automatic start-stop, or vehicles with exhaust gas turbochargers. When using exhaust gas turbochargers to increase efficiency often the problem arises that the necessary temperature of the catalyst device is not or only slowly achieved. By enriching a fuel-air mixture this problem could be met. In the solution according to the invention can be achieved by using the electric heater, the necessary temperature at the catalyst device without enriching the fuel-air mixture, so that no increased fuel consumption is caused or no increased emissions are caused.

In hybrid vehicles or vehicles with automatic start-stop, a shutdown of the internal combustion engine saves fuel. However, this can cause a temperature drop at the catalyst device, so that it is no longer operated optimally and has a poor conversion rate. By using the electric heater this problem can be met.

For example, in hybrid vehicles, no heat source is available for controlling the temperature of the passenger compartment or other components of the vehicle during electrical operation. The electric heater can provide heat in this case.

It is advantageous if the thermoelectric module device has at least one thermoelectric module layer and the electric heating device has at least one heating layer, wherein the at least one heating layer is arranged between the guide device and the at least one thermoelectric module layer and is thermally connected to the guide device and the at least one thermoelectric module layer is. This results in a compact design, a plurality of operating modes. Depending on the operating mode, the thermoelectric module device can be used to generate electric current or as a cooling device.

Depending on the operating mode, the electrical heating device can be used to heat up hot gas in the guide device and / or to heat the catalytic converter device, or to heat up coolant in the cold-heat transfer device.

For the same reason, it is favorable if the cold heat transfer device has at least one cold heat transfer layer, wherein the at least one thermoelectric module layer between the at least one cold heat transfer layer and the at least one heating layer is arranged and is thermally connected to the at least one cold heat transfer layer and the at least one heating layer. As a result, heat can be released through the thermoelectric module layer to the cold heat transfer device, which is provided by the at least one heating layer. As a result, for example, a kind of auxiliary heating can be realized.

The electrical heating device has a heat storage device in which a heat storage material is arranged, wherein the heat storage material is a phase change medium. This can be optimized heat store or enter heat and then unsubscribe from the electric heater. Furthermore, an effective thermal coupling can be easily achieved via the electrical heating device between the guide device and the thermoelectric module device.

The heat storage material is in thermal communication with the fluid routing device and the thermoelectric module device to achieve effective thermal coupling and also to enable effective heat transfer.

The electrical heating device has one or more current flow elements, which are surrounded by heat storage material. This makes it possible to record and discharge heat optimally.

In one embodiment, the electric heater and catalyst material of the catalyst device are thermally connected to each other. In principle, it is possible for heat to be transferred from the electrical heating device to the catalyst device in that the electrical heating device has hot gas in the fluid guiding device, which then flows to the catalyst device. By a thermal connection of the electric heater with the catalyst device can be heated directly by the electric heater. This makes it possible, for example, in a simple manner, to bring about the electric heater, the catalyst device to a required temperature or in a required temperature range to allow optimized hot gas cleaning.

It is advantageous if the fluid guiding device is arranged or formed on a diffuser for hot gas. This allows optimally supplying hot gas. For the same reason, it is favorable if the catalyst device is coupled to a hot gas concentrator. As a result, hot gas can be removed in an optimized manner, with this hot gas being purified in particular by the catalyst device.

The hot gas utilization device according to the invention has, in particular, an operating mode without hot gas flow, in which the electric heating device is in a heating mode and heats cooling medium of the cold heat transfer device and / or thermally charges a heat storage material of the electric heating device. This makes it possible, for example, to realize a type of auxiliary heating or to provide an integrated heating source in a vehicle in purely electrical operation. The corresponding electric current for operating the electric heating device can come from a vehicle battery or from a charging station when charging a vehicle battery.

It is also advantageously an operation mode in which the electric heater is in a heating operation and hot gas is supplied to the catalyst device, wherein hot gas is heated by the electric heater and / or the electric heater heats catalyst material of the catalyst device. For example, if the temperature of the hot gas is not sufficient to bring the catalyst device to its optimized temperature range, then the electric heater can ensure that this optimized temperature range is achieved. This results in an effective emission control. Such an operating mode is advantageous, for example, when using an exhaust gas charger or during start-stop operation or a hybrid operation of a vehicle.

It is furthermore advantageous if an operating mode is provided in which the electric heating device is not in operative operation and hot gas flows through the fluid guiding device, wherein the fluid guiding device acts as a hot heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device and usable electrical current is generated at the thermoelectric module device. The heat energy in the hot gas is then used to generate a usable electric current via the Seebeck effect on the thermoelectric module device. In this case, the fluid guide device acts as a hot heat exchanger and the cold heat transfer device as a cold heat exchanger.

It is also advantageous if an operating mode is provided, in which the electric heating device is not in operative operation and the fluid guiding device is flowed through with hot gas, which by energizing the thermoelectric module device acts as a cooling device and cools hot gas and / or catalyst material of the catalyst device cools. If the hot gas has too high a temperature at which the optimum temperature range for the catalyst device is exceeded, in this operating mode, the catalyst device can be brought directly into the optimum temperature range and / or by cooling the hot gas or be held there.

It is advantageous if the hot gas utilization device according to the invention is used in a vehicle which has an internal combustion engine includes, being used as the hot gas exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine.

In particular, the cold heat transfer device is then connected to an air conditioning device of the vehicle. It can thereby dissipate heat from the cold heat transfer device in a simple manner. Furthermore, for example, heating in the air-conditioning device can then also take place in an electrical heating operation in order, for example, to realize a parking heater or to realize a heating operation in times when no hot gas (exhaust gas) is provided.

For the reasons mentioned above, it is favorable if the vehicle has an automatic start-stop system and / or an exhaust gas turbocharger and / or an additional electric drive assigned to the internal combustion engine. It can then be selected depending on the operating mode of the vehicle, the corresponding operating mode of the hot gas utilization device.

1. (i) Die elektrische Heizeinrichtung wird in einem Heizbetrieb betrieben und Kühlmedium der Kaltwärmeübertragungseinrichtung wird mittels der elektrischen Heizeinrichtung aufgeheizt, wobei keine Heißgasdurchströmung der Fluidführungseinrichtung erfolgt;
2. (ii) Die elektrische Heizeinrichtung wird in einem Heizbetrieb betrieben und heizt Heißgas auf, welches der Katalysatoreinrichtung zugeführt wird und/oder die elektrische Heizeinrichtung heizt Katalysatormaterial der Katalysatoreinrichtung auf;
3. (iii) Die elektrische Heizeinrichtung wird nicht operativ betrieben, die Fluidführungseinrichtung wirkt als Heißwärmeübertrager für die thermoelektrische Moduleinrichtung und die thermoelektrische Moduleinrichtung wird mit einem elektrischen Strom beaufschlagt, wobei dann die thermoelektrische Moduleinrichtung als Kühleinrichtung für das Heißgas und/oder die Katalysatoreinrichtung wirkt.

According to the invention, a method for operating the hot gas utilization device according to the invention is provided, in which, during operation of the electric heating device at the electric heating device, a heat storage material is heated, which releases heat to the cold heat transfer device and / or gives off heat to hot gas in the fluid guiding device and / or heat to catalyst material Catalyst device, wherein the heat storage material is a phase change medium, the heat storage material is in thermal communication with the fluid guide device and the thermoelectric module device, and the electric heater comprises one or more Stromdurchflusselemente which are surrounded by heat storage material and which has at least one of the following operating modes:

1. (i) The electric heater is operated in a heating operation and cooling medium of the cold heat transfer device is heated by means of the electric heater, wherein no hot gas flowing through the fluid guide means takes place;
2. (ii) The electric heater is operated in a heating operation and heats up hot gas supplied to the catalyst device and / or the electric heater heats catalyst material of the catalyst device;
3. (iii) The electric heating device is not operatively operated, the fluid guiding device acts as a heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device and the thermoelectric module device is subjected to an electric current, in which case the thermoelectric module device acts as a cooling device for the hot gas and / or the catalyst device.

The method according to the invention has the advantages already explained in connection with the hot gas utilization device according to the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been explained in connection with the hot gas utilization device according to the invention.

In particular, there is another operating mode in which the fluid guiding device acts as a hot heat exchanger and the thermoelectric module device provides a usable electric current. As a result, the thermal energy content of the hot gas can be used.

It is favorable if, via the electrical heating device and / or the thermoelectric module device, it is favorable to control and / or regulate that the catalyst device is operated at a certain operating point range with respect to the catalyst temperature. This results in an energy-saving operation optimized exhaust gas purification.

In particular, a heat storage material is heated in the operation of the electric heater to the electric heater, which gives off heat to the cold heat transfer device and / or gives off heat to hot gas in the fluid guide device and / or gives off heat to the catalyst material of the catalyst device. This results in an optimized heating operation, wherein the corresponding heat can be used, for example, for heating purposes on a passenger compartment or the like, or depending on the operating mode can be used to warm hot gas in the hot gas utilization device or directly heat catalyst material of the catalyst device.

• 1 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Heißgasnutzungsvorrichtung (wobei Steuerungskomponenten beziehungsweise Regelungskomponenten nicht gezeigt sind);
• 2 eine schematische Teilschnittansicht der Heißgasnutzungsvorrichtung gemäß 1 mit weiteren Komponenten;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung ausgehend von 2 für einen Betriebsmodus ohne Heißgasdurchströmung;
• 4 eine ähnliche Ansicht wie 3 für einen Betriebsmodus, bei welchem eine elektrische Heizeinrichtung in einem Heizbetrieb ist;
• 5 eine ähnliche Ansicht wie 3, bei dem eine thermoelektrische Moduleinrichtung elektrische Leistung bereitstellt; und
• 6 eine ähnliche Ansicht wie 3 in einem Betriebsmodus, bei welchem eine thermoelektrische Moduleinrichtung als Wärmepumpe wirkt.

The following description of preferred embodiments is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation of the invention. Show it:

• 1 a perspective schematic representation of an embodiment of a hot gas utilization device (wherein control components or control components are not shown);
• 2 a schematic partial sectional view of the hot gas utilization device according to 1 with other components;
• 3 a schematic representation starting from 2 for an operating mode without hot gas flow;
• 4 a similar view as 3 for an operation mode in which an electric heater is in a heating operation;
• 5 a similar view as 3 in which a thermoelectric module device provides electrical power; and
• 6 a similar view as 3 in an operating mode in which a thermoelectric module device acts as a heat pump.

An embodiment of a hot gas utilization device according to the invention, which in 1 schematically in a perspective view and in 2 is shown in a schematic sectional view, comprises a housing 20 , which can be flowed through by hot gas. The housing 20 has an entrance 22 for coupling hot gas on, and an output 24 for the extraction of hot gas, the housing 20 between the entrance 22 and the housing 24 closed is.

The exit 24 is in a (longitudinal) direction 26 spaced to the entrance 22 , At least with regard to the coupling of hot gas into the inlet 22 and the extraction of hot gas from the outlet 24 a main flow direction of hot gas is at least approximately parallel to the direction 26 ,

In one embodiment, the input is 22 and the exit 24 aligned with each other in the direction 26 arranged.

The housing 20 includes a first area 28 at which the entrance 22 is formed. The first area 28 is as a diffuser 30 educated. A cross section of the first area 28 in a direction perpendicular to the direction 26 widens starting from the entrance 22 or an area 32 at the entrance 22 to an end 34 of the first area 28 , A cross-sectional area of the housing 20 at the end 34 of the first area 28 is greater than a cross-sectional area of the housing 20 at the entrance 22 ,

In the embodiment shown, the housing 20 in the first area 28 in a first direction ( 62 ) perpendicular to the direction 26 a substantially constant height on and in a second direction ( 36 ) perpendicular to this first direction ( 62 ) and the direction 26 the diffuser formation takes place with the cross-sectional widening.

At the first area 28 closes at the end 34 a second area 38 on. The second area 38 forms a guide device 40 for hot gas. The second area 38 has a substantially cuboidal configuration. Its width in the second direction 36 corresponds to the width of the first area 28 at the end 34 , Its height in the first direction 62 corresponds to the height of the first area 28 at the end 34 ,

The management device 40 has a guiding function for the flow of hot gas.

To the second area 38 joins a third area 42 of the housing 20 on. The third region in one embodiment has the same width in the second direction 36 on like the second area 38 and has the same height in the first direction as the second area 36 ,

In the third area 42 is a catalyst device 44 arranged for the hot gas. This is arranged and designed so that it can be flowed through by hot gas and thereby substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the third area 42 covers. Hot gas, which from the guide device 40 the third area 42 flows, must on the catalyst material of the catalyst device 44 to flow along.

To the third area 42 in which the catalyst device 44 is arranged, closes a fourth area 46 on. At this fourth area 46 is the exit 24 educated. The fourth area 46 has an end 48 on which the third area 42 and to which the fourth area 46 with the third area 42 connected is. At this end 48 indicates the fourth area 46 the same cross section as the third area 42 ,

The fourth area 46 is as a concentrator 50 educated. At this concentrator 50 the cross section decreases in the second direction 36 , so that hot gas corresponding to the output 24 can be dissipated.

The exit 24 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the fourth area 46 at the end 48 ,

The concentrator 50 forms the counterpart to the diffuser 30 ,

On the case 20 is at the second area 38 with the guide device 40 a functional unit 52 arranged, which thermally to the guide device 40 is coupled. The functional unit 52 itself is not directly flowed through by hot gas. In the functional unit 52 can be due to the thermal coupling to the guide device 40 Add heat or from her can dissipate heat and hot gas, which in the guide means 40 is guided, or in the catalyst device 44 enter.

The functional unit 52 has a thermoelectric module device 54 on. It has a cold heat transfer device 56 on. It also has an electric heater 58 on. The electric heater 58 is right on the second area 38 of the housing 20 positioned and sits in particular on an outside 60 of the housing 20 in the second area 38 , It is directly thermally coupled to the guide device 40 ,

In particular, a material for a wall of the housing 20 which is the outside 60 forms, a material with metallic thermal conductivity. In particular, the thermal conductivity of this material is at least 10 W (m · K).

The thermoelectric module device 54 sits at the electric heater 58 and is thermally coupled to these. The cold heat transfer device 56 sits on the thermoelectric module device 54 and is thermally coupled to these.

The management device 40 forms a hot heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device 54 and the cold heat transfer device 56 forms a cold heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device 54 ,

The management device 40 , the electric heater 58 , the thermoelectric module device 54 and the cold heat transfer device 56 are in the first direction 62 arranged stacked.

In one embodiment, the thermoelectric module device 54 , the cold heat transfer device 56 and the electric heater 58 multi-layered, so that they components on both sides of the guide device 40 related to the first direction 62 having.

In one embodiment, the electric heater comprises 58 a first location 64a (first heating layer) and a second layer 64b (second heating layer). The first location 64a is related to the first direction 62 on one side of the guide device 40 arranged and the second layer 64b is on the other side facing away from the first location 64a arranged. The management device 40 is thereby between the first position 64a and the second location 64b the electric heater 58 positioned, with both the first layer 64a as well as the second location 64b a direct thermal contact with the guide means 40 over their respective outside 60 to have.

The thermoelectric module device 54 has a first location 66a (first thermoelectric module layer) and a second layer 66b (second thermoelectric module layer). The first location 66a is at the first location 64a the electric heater 58 positioned and in direct thermal contact with this. In particular, the first location 66a the thermoelectric module device 54 also mechanically directly with the first layer 64a the electric heater 58 connected.

The second location 66b the thermoelectric module device 54 sits at the second location 64b the electric heater 58 and is connected to this thermally and in particular also mechanically.

In particular, the first location 66a and the second location 66b the thermoelectric module device 54 the same education.

The management device 40 sits between the first position 66a and the second location 66b the thermoelectric module device 54 ,

Accordingly, the electric heater sits 58 with her first situation 64a and their second location 64b between the first location 66a and the second location 66b the thermoelectric module device 54 ,

The cold heat transfer device 56 has a first location 68a (first cold heat transfer layer) and a second layer 68b (second cold heat transfer layer) on. The first location 68a the cold heat transfer device 56 sits at the first location 66a the thermoelectric module device 54 and is thermally linked to it. In particular, it is also mechanically connected to this.

The second location 68b the cold heat transfer device 56 sits at the second location 66b the thermoelectric module device 54 and is thermally connected to this and in particular mechanically connected.

The thermoelectric module device 54 is between the first location 68a and the second location 68b the cold heat transfer device 56 positioned. Corresponding to the electric heater 58 with her first situation 64a and their second location 64b as well as the leadership facility 40 between the first location 68a and the second location 68b the cold heat transfer device 56 positioned.

The first location 68a and the second location 68b the cold heat transfer device 56 are basically the same.

The electric heater 58 points in their heating layers 64a . 64b each a heat storage 70 on. The heat storage 70 includes a heat storage material 72 ,

In particular, the heat storage material 72 a phase change medium (PCM), so that in the corresponding heat storage 70 Also latent heat can be stored.

The electric heater 58 has one or more current flow elements 74 For example, in coil form, wherein such a flow element 74 especially in heat storage material 72 is positioned or embedded.

A current flow element 74 can be charged with electric current. It can thereby generate Ohmic heat. For controlling the current flow elements 74 the electric heater 58 is a control and / or regulating device 76 provided at which the Stromdurchflusselemente 74 the first heating layer 64a and second heating layer 64b are connected.

In particular, by the control and / or regulating device 76 a synchronous current application of the electric heater 58 at their heating positions 64a and 64b realizable.

In a variant of an embodiment, it is provided that the electric heater 58 directly thermally to the catalyst device 44 is coupled. Such a coupling is in 2 by the reference numeral 78 indicated.

For example, then extends the first heating layer 64a and extends the second heating layer 64b also in the third area 42 of the housing 20 , in which case also here the material of a housing wall has a correspondingly high thermal conductivity and, in particular, metallic thermal conductivity, in order to achieve a corresponding thermal coupling of the electrical heating device 58 to the third area 42 with the catalyst device 44 to enable.

The thermoelectric module device 54 points in their thermoelectric module positions 66a . 66b in particular a plurality of thermoelectric modules. The respective thermoelectric modules have a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the first side thermally the cold heat transfer device 56 contacted and the second side thermally the electric heater 58 contacted. In particular, for example, alternating n-conductors and p-conductors are arranged connected to each other via an electrically conductive bridge. The bridge is made of a metallic material, for example. About the thermoelectric modules of the thermoelectric module device 54 is in certain operating modes of the hot gas utilization device 10 a heat flow can be generated, which in particular at least approximately parallel to the first direction 62 is oriented. This heat flow is applied to the corresponding thermoelectric modules. A usable electric current can be generated from this via the Seebeck effect.

In 2 is a lead 80 indicated, on the usable electric power can be dissipated.

It is also possible in principle, as will be described in more detail below, the thermoelectric module device 54 to apply an electric current and by means of the Peltier effect, the thermoelectric module device 54 for cooling purposes.

In particular, there is a control 82 provided, which in turn by the control and / or regulating device 76 is controllable. With appropriate control can then be via the control 82 a current application of the thermoelectric module device 54 reach, or it can be a usable electric power decouple.

The thermoelectric module device 54 has corresponding electrical connections.

The layers 68a . 68b the cold heat transfer device 56 can be flowed through with a cooling medium. Accordingly, the cold heat transfer device 56 at their respective positions 68a . 68b fluid connections 84 on.

The cold heat transfer device 56 is in a corresponding coolant circuit 86 integrated, in particular a pump 88 is arranged.

In one embodiment, the coolant circuit is 86 with the pump 80 an air conditioning device or a part of an air conditioning device, in particular of a vehicle.

The hot gas utilization device 10 can be operated in different operating modes as needed. These various modes of operation result from the described arrangement of the components guide means 40 , Catalyst device 44 , thermoelectric module device 54 , Cold heat transfer device 56 and electric heater 58 as described above.

In particular, the hot gas utilization device 10 in a vehicle while being in a hybrid vehicle or a vehicle with automatic start-stop or a vehicle with exhaust gas turbocharger used, in which case the hot gas, which by the hot gas utilization device 10 can be used, is an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine.

In an operating mode, which is schematically shown in FIG 3 is explained, the electric heater 58 operated by her electric power Pel is supplied in particular from a battery. For example, it is also possible to carry out a heating operation by supplying electric current from a stationary charging station.

At the electric heater 48 in this mode of operation, the heat storage 70 charged. He can then through the thermoelectric module device 54 through thermal energy to the cold heat transfer device 56 submit.

It can thereby enter thermal energy in an air conditioning system of the vehicle. As a result, for example, even when the vehicle is not in a driving operation, a tempered vehicle can reach when driving. It can thereby realize a kind of parking heater function, wherein the heating operation electrically via the electric heater 58 is.

In an electric driving operation of the vehicle is by the heating device 58 provided a heat source.

In another operating mode, which in 4 is shown schematically, the housing 20 and thus also the management facility 40 and the catalyst 44 flows through hot gas (in particular exhaust gas). This flow is in 4 by the arrows with the reference numeral 90 indicated.

Before or when introducing hot gas, the electric heater 58 operated by their corresponding electric power Pel is supplied. By this process, the guide device can be 40 and warm up the hot gas. Alternatively or additionally, the catalyst device 44 warmed up.

As a result, in a transient process (for example for a transition from an electric driving operation to an internal combustion engine driving operation), the catalytic converter device is reached 44 faster its optimum operating temperature, as it is heated directly, or you through the hot gas utilization device 10 preheated hot gas is provided. This heating is done via the electric heater 58 ,

In another operating mode, which in 5 is shown schematically, the hot gas utilization device 10 Stable hot gas provided.

For example, the vehicle is in an internal combustion engine operation with permanent generation of exhaust gas. The temperature of the catalyst 44 is high enough.

In this mode of operation, the electric heater 58 not operated.

Heat is transferred to the thermoelectric module device via the hot gas 54 through the electric heater 58 with the heat storage material 72 entered through. With appropriate cooling via the cold heat transfer device 56 creates a heat flow (in 5 by the reference numeral 92 indicated), which due to the Seebeck effect leads to the fact that the thermoelectric module device 54 generates a usable electric current, that is from this electric power Pel can be tapped.

This electrical power is used, for example, to operate electrical loads in the vehicle or to charge a battery.

The catalyst device 44 Ensures exhaust gas purification during the flow of exhaust gas.

In another operating mode, which in 6 is indicated, is the electric heater 58 not in operation.

The management device 40 Hot gas flows through it, with hot gas coupled into a starting material having too high a temperature which would lead to the catalyst device 44 reached a limit temperature. (In 6 this is indicated by the reference numeral 90 ' indicated.)

This operation case can be achieved in an internal combustion engine driving operation of the vehicle.

The thermoelectric module device 54 is now used as a cooling system. It is subjected to an electric current (by the action of the control and / or regulating device 76 on the control 82 ) to achieve a cooling effect via the Peltier effect. The thermal coupling of the thermoelectric module device 54 over the electric heater 58 through to the guide device 40 causes a cooling of the hot gas, wherein the cooling is controlled or regulated such that a threshold temperature or a Threshold temperature range for the catalyst device 44 is not exceeded.

In this mode of operation, the thermoelectric module device 54 used the temperature of the hot gas, which is the guide device 40 flows through, lower, and thus the temperature of the catalyst device 44 lower.

The corresponding operating modes can be controlled via the control and / or regulating device 76 adjust or control and / or regulate.

The hot gas utilization device according to the invention makes it possible to realize different operating modes. For example, different modes of operation may be used in a vehicle and in particular a hybrid vehicle.

Further, a transient behavior as it is in particular in an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine in a driving cycle, be detected and compensated in a sense. For example, at a sufficient and not too high temperature of the hot gas, a usable electric current can be generated and at too high a temperature can by energizing the thermoelectric module device 54 a temperature reduction to be performed, in particular a threshold temperature or a threshold temperature range for the catalyst 44 not to be exceeded.

By an operation mode with heating of the hot gas to the hot gas utilization device 10 For example, the required catalyst temperature can be achieved on a vehicle with an exhaust-gas turbocharger without it being necessary to enrich a fuel-air mixture. This achievement of the catalyst temperature can be achieved with "internal" means of the hot gas utilization device 10 achieve.

Even with hybrid vehicles, frequent shutdown of an internal combustion engine can lead to low catalyst temperatures and a resulting poor conversion rate for exhaust aftertreatment. By means of the solution according to the invention, as described above, the required temperature can be achieved by means of "internal" means and can also be adjusted or maintained in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, the hot gas utilization device 10 over the electric heater 58 a heat source, which can be used effectively when no hot gas operation is present. Thus, for example, a type of auxiliary heating for the temperature control of a passenger compartment and other components of a vehicle can be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Hot gas utilization device

20

casing

22

entrance

24

exit

26

direction

28

First area

30

diffuser

32

Area

34

The End

36

Second direction

38

Second area

40

guide means

42

Third area

44

catalyst device

46

Fourth area

48

The End

50

concentrator

52

functional unit

54

Thermoelectric module device

56

Cold heat transfer device

58

Electric heater

60

outside

62

First direction

64a

First heating position

64b

Second heating layer

66a

First thermoelectric module layer

66b

Second thermoelectric module position

68a

First cold heat transfer layer

68b

Second cold heat transfer layer

70

heat storage

72

Heat storage material

74

Power Flow Element

76

Control and / or regulating device

78

coupling

80

management

82

control

84

fluid port

86

Coolant circuit

88

pump

90

flow

90 '

flow

92

heat flow

Claims (15)

A hot gas utilization apparatus comprising hot gas guide means (40), hot gas catalyst means (44) fluidly connected to said guide means (40) and downstream of said guide means (40), thermoelectric module means (54) which thermally adhere to said Guide device (40), a cold heat transfer device (56), which is thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module device (54), and an electrical heater (58), which thermally to the thermoelectric module device (54) and thermally to the guide device (40) wherein the electrical heating device (58) comprises a heat storage device (70) in which a heat storage material (72) is arranged, characterized in that the heat storage material (72) is a phase change medium, that the heat storage material (72) in thermal communication with the fluid guide means (40) and the thermoelectric module means (54), and that the electric heater (58) comprises one or more Stromdurchflusselemente (74) which are surrounded by heat storage material (72). Hot gas utilization device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the thermoelectric module device (54) has at least one thermoelectric module layer (66a; 66b) and the electric heating device (58) has at least one heating layer (64a; 64b), the at least one heating layer (64a; Guiding device (40) and the at least one thermoelectric module layer (66a, 66b) is arranged and thermally connected to the guide device (40) and the at least one thermoelectric module layer (66a, 66b). Hot gas utilization device according to Claim 2 characterized in that the cold heat transfer device (56) comprises at least one cold heat transfer layer (68a; 68b), wherein the at least one thermoelectric module layer (66a; 66b) between the at least one cold heat transfer layer (68a; 68b) and the at least one heating layer (64a; 64b ) and is thermally connected to the at least one cold heat transfer layer (68a; 68b) and the at least one heating layer (64a; 64b). Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric heating device (58) and catalyst material of the catalyst device (44) are thermally connected to each other. Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid guiding device (40) is arranged or formed on a diffuser (30) for hot gas. Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an operating mode without hot gas flow, wherein the electric heater (58) is in a heating operation and heating the cooling medium of the cold heat transfer device (56) and / or thermally charges a heat storage material (72) of the electric heater (58) , Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an operating mode in which the electric heater (58) is in a heating operation and hot gas is supplied to the catalyst device (44), wherein hot gas is heated by the electric heater (58) and / or the electrical Heating device (58) heats catalyst material of the catalyst device (44). Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an operating mode in which the electrical heating device (58) is not in operative operation and the fluid guiding device (40) is flowed through by hot gas, wherein the fluid guiding device (40) as a hot heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device (54 ) and generates usable electric current on the thermoelectric module device (54). Hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an operating mode in which the electrical heating device (58) is not in operative operation and the fluid guide means (40) is flowed through with hot gas, wherein by energizing the thermoelectric module means (54) acts as a cooling device and Hot gas cools and / or catalyst material of the catalyst device (44) cools. A vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and a hot gas utilization device according to one of the preceding claims, which is known as Hot gas is supplied to the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. Vehicle after Claim 10 , characterized in that the cold heat transfer device (56) is connected to an air conditioning device of the vehicle. Vehicle after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the vehicle associated with the internal combustion engine has a start-stop system and / or an exhaust gas turbocharger and / or an additional electric drive. Method for operating the hot gas utilization device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 in which, during operation of the electric heating device (58) on the electric heating device (58), a heat storage material (72) is heated which gives off heat to the cold heat transfer device (56) and / or gives off heat to hot gas in the fluid guiding device (40) and / or or heat to catalyst material of the catalyst device (44), wherein the heat storage material (72) is a phase change medium, wherein the heat storage material (72) in thermal communication with the fluid guide means (40) and the thermoelectric module means (54), and the electric heater ( 58) comprises one or more current flow elements (74) surrounded by heat storage material (72) and having at least one of the following modes of operation: (i) the electric heater (58) operates in a heating mode and becomes cooling medium of the cold heat transfer device (56) aufhe by means of the electric heater izt, wherein no hot gas flow through the fluid guide device (40) takes place; (ii) the electric heater (58) is operated in a heating operation and heats hot gas supplied to the catalyst device (44) and / or the electric heater (58) heats catalyst material of the catalyst device (44); (iii) The electrical heating device (58) is not operated operationally, the fluid guiding device (40) acts as a heat exchanger for the thermoelectric module device (54) and an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric module device (54), in which case the thermoelectric module device (54 ) acts as a cooling device for the hot gas and / or the catalyst device (44). Method according to Claim 13 characterized by a further mode of operation in which the fluid guide means (40) acts as a hot heat exchanger and the thermoelectric module means (54) provides a useable electrical current. Method according to Claim 13 or 14 characterized in that controlled and / or regulated via the electrical heating device (58) and / or the thermoelectric module device (54) that the catalyst device (44) is operated at a certain operating point range with respect to a catalyst temperature.

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