FR3008175A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE CIRCULATION OF A COOLANT FOR A HEAT EXCHANGER, PARTICULARLY A MOTOR VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE SUPERCORDITION AIR COOLER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (11) for regulating the circulation of a cooling liquid (L) for a heat exchanger (3), in particular a charge air cooler for a motor vehicle engine, said device comprising a body (17) configured to be secured to said exchanger, said body defining at least one liquid circulation chamber (19), said device further comprising means for dispensing (12) said liquid in the chamber to modulate the temperature and / or the flow of coolant in the exchanger.

Description

The invention relates to a device for regulating the circulation of a cooling liquid. The invention relates to a device for regulating the circulation of a coolant. for a heat exchanger, in particular a vehicle engine charge air cooler and the heat exchanger obtained. In this field, it is known exchangers, said charge air coolers, allowing a heat exchange between the charge air, for supplying the engine of the vehicle, and a coolant. They include a heat exchange bundle defining alternate circulation channels for the charge air and for the coolant. Such exchangers have the advantage of being freely disposed under the hood, especially near the engine of the vehicle, unlike the charge air exchangers cooled with an outside air beam that need to be disposed on the front of the vehicle or at least close to an air supply. To ensure thermal regulation of the charge air, it is now known to pass the charge air either through the exchanger or through a bypass circuit. In this way it is possible to modify the temperature of the air sent to the engine according to the fraction of air passing through the exchanger and the fraction of air passing through the bypass route.

Because of the sections necessary for the flow of air, these solutions are however relatively bulky. The aim of the invention is to remedy this drawback and proposes for this purpose a device for regulating the circulation of a cooling liquid for a heat exchanger, in particular a motor vehicle engine supercharging air cooler, device comprising a body configured to be secured to said exchanger, said body defining at least one liquid circulation chamber, said device further comprising means for dispensing said liquid into the chamber for modulating the temperature and / or the flow rate of the liquid cooling in the exchanger. By regulating using a coolant circuit, the device of the invention thus offers the possibility, in a small footprint, to provide a thermal regulation of the charge air of the exchanger. The integration of said device to the exchanger also provides a module ready to mount.

Advantageously, said body comprises at least one inlet for said liquid in the chamber, a first and a second outlet of said liquid from the chamber, said first outlet being configured to be connected to the inlet of the exchanger, said device being configured to allowing the coolant to bypass at least part of the exchanger by said second outlet, said dispensing means being configured to effect a distribution of the coolant between said first and second chamber outlets. The device thus makes it possible to distribute in said chamber the flow rate of the liquid circulating at the inlet between said first and second chamber outlets and thereby to regulate the flow rate of the cooling liquid circulating in the exchanger, and thus, d adjust this circulation to the cooling needs of the charge air to either cross the entire exchanger to cool, or to partially cross the exchanger to cool partially, or bypass the exchanger to not cool it . It also makes it possible to operate the liquid circulation pump at its nominal speed and therefore with minimal fatigue. Other features of the invention that may be taken together or separately are indicated below: said control device comprises a bypass duct connected to said second outlet and configured to be connected to the outlet of the exchanger, said regulating device comprises a liquid circulation pump, and by doing so, it is possible to control the circulation of the cooling liquid in the exchanger as close as possible to it, in a fine regulation, -said means of distribution of said liquid is suitable to be actuated by an actuator linked to a regulation setpoint of the flow rate and / or the temperature of the said liquid in the exchanger, notably as a function of the need for cooling the exchanger. said device and / or the distribution means houses said actuator and comprises means for kinematic connection between the actuator and the distribution means; said actuator is electrically and / or pneumatically controlled; said actuator is rotary; dispensing means is a valve, in particular a rotary type valve, said valve comprises a plug allowing said distribution of the coolant between said first and second chamber outlets, said body comprises two inlets for cooling liquids, different temperatures in the chamber, for example an inlet of a liquid of a low temperature circuit and an inlet of a liquid of a high temperature circuit, said dispensing means being configured to effect in the chamber a mixture of said liquids at a predetermined temperature, for example by slaving to a temperature sensor of the liquid in the chamber, which allows a r equalization of the heat exchange in the exchanger according to the temperature of the coolant. said body is configured to be connected, in particular mechanically, to the exchanger, for example to a wall of a housing or a cover or a bundle of the exchanger, said body being in one piece, for example from molding, in particular 25 plastic. The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a control device as described above. According to different characteristics that may be taken together or separately: said exchanger comprises a heat exchange bundle, said bundle being configured to allow an inlet and an outlet of said coolant on the same side of said bundle; the regulator is configured to be connected to the exchanger at the same side, - said exchanger comprises at least two boxes, one of the inlet of the liquid in the exchanger and the other outlet of the liquid of the exchanger said regulating device being configured to be disposed between said two liquid inlet and outlet boxes in the exchanger, said control device is configured to be integrated with said boxes, the exchanger comprises a cover configured for assembled to the beam at said same side, said cover defining said liquid inlet and outlet boxes and said body, The invention further relates to an air intake module for a vehicle engine comprising a heat exchanger as described above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures: - Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an air intake module for a vehicle engine according to the prior art; - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an air intake module according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an air intake module according to the invention and having a coolant circulation pump included in the module; - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an air intake module according to the invention and having a double-stage heat exchanger and a dual control device; - Figures 5 and 6 illustrate in perspective an air intake module according to the invention, respectively according to an external view and a view in which the lids of liquid boxes of the exchanger are illustrated in transparency; Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a dual regulating device, and Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a two-way coolant control device with different temperatures. There is illustrated in FIG. 1 an air intake module 1 for a vehicle engine according to the prior art, comprising a heat exchanger 3 forming a charge air cooler A of the engine. This module 1 is here intended to be integrated with the engine to feed it directly, being mounted on a cylinder head of the engine, not shown, so as to distribute the cooled air A to the intake pipes of the cylinder head by a collector intake 4 attached to the exchanger.

The exchanger 3 receives hot compressed air, for example from a turbo compressor, which enters the exchanger via an air intake manifold 5 of said exchanger. This air is cooled as it passes through the exchanger 3 and leaves said exchanger at said intake manifold 4. The heat exchange takes place between the air and a cooling liquid L circulating in the exchanger. More precisely, this cooling of the air is carried out by a heat exchange bundle 7 of the exchanger, consisting of a stack of plates 8 between them defining alternating circulation channels for the charge air and for the cooling liquid. Coolant L is circulated in the exchanger, more precisely its beam, by means of a pump 9 operated at a distance from the exchanger 3 as seen in the figure. An engine intake module 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. The exchanger 3 is similar to that of FIG.

According to the invention, as shown in Figure 2, there is arranged on the flow path of the coolant L a control device 11 of the circulation of the coolant L in the heat exchanger 3. This device 11 is mounted on the exchanger 3, which is provided here as is also seen in Figures 5 and 6 of an inlet 13 and an outlet 15 of said coolant L on the same side of the exchanger. Said device comprises a body 17 configured to be secured to said exchanger, said body defining at least one chamber 19 for circulating the liquid. Said device further comprises a distribution means 12 of said liquid in the chamber for modulating the temperature and / or the flow rate of the cooling liquid in the exchanger. In this way, it is possible to provide a thermal regulation of the charge air by the coolant, and this by means of a device integrated in the exchanger.

Said body 17 here comprises an inlet 21 for said liquid in the chamber 19, a first outlet 23 and a second outlet 25 of said liquid from the chamber. Said first outlet 23 is connected to the inlet 13 of the exchanger, while the device is configured to allow the coolant to bypass at least part of the exchanger by said second outlet 25, for example by a duct. bypass 27 of the device connected to the second output 25 and the outlet 15 of the exchanger. The distribution means 12 is configured here to effect a distribution of said liquid in the chamber, by means of distribution 29, between said first and second outlets 23, 25 of the chamber, so as to distribute the liquid between the inlet 21 of the exchanger and the bypass duct 27. Thus, the liquid circulating pump 9, arranged at a distance or not from the device 11, can operate at its nominal speed, while the device makes it possible to regulate the flow rate of the coolant. L circulating in the exchanger 3, closer to the latter in a fine regulation, to adjust this circulation, according to the direction of the arrows, to the cooling needs of the supercharging air A to either cross the entire exchanger for cool it, either partially through the exchanger to cool partially or bypass the heat exchanger to not cool it. This regulation is advantageously controlled in correspondence with the cooling need of the supercharging air of the engine A. Said dispensing means comprises in particular a valve 12, here a three-way valve, comprising the chamber 19 and said means 29 for distributing said liquid disposed in the chamber 19. This distribution means 29 is, for example, a plug rotatably actuated in said valve chamber for distributing the coolant L between said first and second outputs of the chamber 23, 25. This distribution liquid is controlled by a regulation of the flow rate of said liquid, possibly the temperature of the liquid in the exchanger, for example delivered by a computer device of the vehicle. Said device may comprise an actuator of said dispensing means, for example provided in a housing of said body, parallel to said chamber 19. The control of the actuator is particularly electrical and / or pneumatic. It may be driven by said vehicle calculating device, in connection with the needs of the engine.

Said valve 12 is here of rotary type. It is actuated via its distribution means 29 by the actuator which may also be rotatable, in particular by means of a kinematic linkage gearing, which gives the valve a compact structure, easy to integrate with the regulating device.

The regulation device 11, namely here comprising the valve 12 and the conduit 27 is advantageously in one piece, for example from plastic molding, as shown in Figure 5. As already mentioned, said exchanger 3 here comprises an inlet 13 and an outlet 15 of said coolant on the same side of said beam 7, said device 11 being configured to be connected to the exchanger 3 at said same side. More specifically, the exchanger comprises, as mentioned above, a heat exchanger beam 7 provided with blades 30 for circulating said liquid and at least one inlet column 31 of said liquid in communication with said blades, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The valve 12 may be disposed, at least through the chamber 19, in said inlet column of the liquid 31 or be attached thereto. Said exchanger being more precisely in the example of the lateral arrivals type, it comprises two boxes 33 of liquid on the same side of the bundle, these boxes of liquid housing for one of said column 31 for entering the liquid into the bundle and for the other an outlet column 35 of the beam liquid. Said valve and / or the device is then configured to be disposed between said two columns 31, 35 of liquid in the exchanger and / or between said boxes 33 of liquid, or integrated with said boxes 33. More particularly, the exchanger may comprising a lid configured to be assembled to the bundle 7 at said same side, said lid defining said liquid inlet and outlet boxes 33 and said body, especially said chamber 19 for the dispensing means and / or said housing for the actuator.

The lid is connected to the heat exchanger, for example to the heat exchanger bundle 7, as here, at its periphery, for example by welding, brazing, crimping or the like, or to a wall of a housing or a lid of the exchanger (not shown). Optionally, a cover 36 can be mounted, screwed on said body 17 as shown, which allows access to the distribution means 29.

As indicated above, the conduit 27 (Figure 6) allows the coolant to bypass at least part of the exchanger 3 to bring it from the second outlet 25 to the outlet 15 of the exchanger.

Said duct 27 is disposed at the upper part of the chamber 19 and is connected to an outlet duct 37 of the exchanger. The conduit 27 may further be connected to said outlet box 33 of the liquid. It should be noted that said valve is preferably of the fail-safe type. In other words, it is advantageously configured to let the coolant in the exchanger in case of malfunction. According to the embodiment of Figure 3, the device comprises a pump 9 for circulating the coolant or coolants, which is mounted here integrated to said control device 11, for example integral with the regulating device. In this case, the control device allows a modulation of the coolant flow rate in the exchanger, with a reduced response time relative to the driving of the pump.

According to the embodiment variant of the regulating device 11 of FIG. 8, the chamber 19 comprises two coolant inlet 21, 21 'of different temperatures, for example an inlet 21 of a liquid L of a low temperature circuit and an inlet 21 'of a liquid of a high temperature circuit L'. The dispensing means 12 then comprises a distribution means 29 'of the inlet 21, 21' of each of said liquids in the chamber 19, besides said liquid distribution means 29 in the chamber between the first and the second outlet 23 , 25 of the room. It may also include a temperature sensor 39 of the liquid in the chamber, so as to produce in the chamber a mixture of said liquids L, L 'at a predetermined temperature, which allows additional regulation of the exchanger according to the temperature of the liquid cooling. According to the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the regulating device 11 is double and comprises two chambers 19, as previously described, each containing a temperature-specific cooling liquid from the mixture of two liquids L and L ', respectively a low temperature circuit and a high temperature circuit. The exchanger may be double-stage 40, each of the chambers being configured to supply one of the stages 40 of the exchanger with one of the temperature-controlled coolants. The invention thus provides a possibility of precisely and rapidly regulating a heat exchanger, in particular a vehicle engine supercharging air cooler, in a fine adjustment of the flow rate and, optionally, the temperature of the coolant circulating in the engine. the échangeur.30

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant (L) for a heat exchanger (3), in particular a motor vehicle supercharging air cooler, said device (11) comprising a body ( 17) configured to be secured to said exchanger (3), said body (17) defining at least one liquid circulation chamber (19), said device further comprising means for dispensing (12) said liquid in the chamber to modulate the temperature and / or the flow rate of the coolant in the exchanger. 2. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant for heat exchanger according to claim 1, said body (17) comprising at least one inlet (21) for said liquid in the chamber, a first and a second outlets (23, 25) of said chamber liquid, said first outlet (23) being configured to be connected to the inlet (13) of the exchanger, said device being configured to allow the coolant to bypass at least in part the exchanger by said second outlet (25), said dispensing means (12) being configured to effect a distribution of the coolant between said first and second outlets (23, 25) of the chamber. 3. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant for heat exchanger according to claim 2, comprising a bypass duct (27) connected to said second outlet (25) and configured to be connected to the outlet (15) of the exchanger. 4. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant for a heat exchanger according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an actuator of said distribution means (12), linked to a flow regulation setpoint and / or the temperature of said liquid in the exchanger. 3008 1 75 11 5. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant for a heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein said actuator is electrically and / or pneumatically controlled. 5 6. Device (11) for regulating the circulation of a coolant for a heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pump (9) for circulating the liquid. 7. Apparatus (11) for regulating the flow of a coolant 10 for a heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (17) comprises two inlets (21, 21 ') of liquids. cooling L, L 'of different temperatures in the chamber (19), said dispensing means (12) being configured to effect in the chamber a mixture of said liquids L, L' at a predetermined temperature. 15 8. Heat exchanger (3) comprising a device (11) for regulating the circulation of a cooling liquid for a heat exchanger according to any one of the preceding claims. 20 9. Heat exchanger (3) according to claim 8, comprising a heat exchange beam (7), said beam being configured to allow an inlet and an outlet of said coolant on the same side of said beam. 10. Heat exchanger (3) according to claim 9, wherein the device (11) is configured to be connected to the exchanger (3) at said same side. 11. Heat exchanger (3) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising at least two boxes (33), one of the liquid inlet into the exchanger and the other outlet of the liquid of the exchanger, said device (11) being configured to be disposed between said two boxes (33) for entering and leaving liquid in the exchanger. 12. heat exchanger (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein said device (11) is configured to be integrated with said boxes (33). 13. heat exchanger (3) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, comprising a cover configured to be assembled to the beam at said same side, said cover defining said boxes (33) inlet and outlet liquid and said chamber (19) of the regulating device. 14. heat exchanger (3) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein said regulating device (11) is dual and comprises two said chambers (19) each adapted to contain a cooling liquid at a predetermined temperature and the exchanger (3) is double-stage (40, 40), each of the chambers (19) being configured to supply one of the stages (40) of the exchanger with one of the temperature-controlled coolants. 15. Air intake module (1) comprising a heat exchanger (3) according to any one of claims 8 to 14.