GB2521942A - Air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle - Google Patents
Air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2521942A GB2521942A GB1423097.3A GB201423097A GB2521942A GB 2521942 A GB2521942 A GB 2521942A GB 201423097 A GB201423097 A GB 201423097A GB 2521942 A GB2521942 A GB 2521942A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- air
- thermoelectric generator
- intake system
- combustion engine
- internal combustion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B29/00—Engines characterised by provision for charging or scavenging not provided for in groups F02B25/00, F02B27/00 or F02B33/00 - F02B39/00; Details thereof
- F02B29/04—Cooling of air intake supply
- F02B29/0406—Layout of the intake air cooling or coolant circuit
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
- F02M31/20—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for cooling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B29/00—Engines characterised by provision for charging or scavenging not provided for in groups F02B25/00, F02B27/00 or F02B33/00 - F02B39/00; Details thereof
- F02B29/04—Cooling of air intake supply
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B37/00—Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
Abstract
Disclosed is an air intake system 1 for an internal combustion engine. The air intake system comprises an air suction channel 2 to provide air 6 to the internal combustion engine, at least one compressor 3 configured to compress the air 6 flowing though the suction channel 2, a cooling unit 4 to cool the compressed air 6 and a thermoelectric generator 5 to generate electric energy 7 from the heat of the compressed air 6. The thermoelectric generator 5 comprises at least one of the elements bismuth, tellurium, lead, silicon, and germanium in order to increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The thermoelectric generator may be located downstream of the compressor and upstream of the cooling unit or may be integral with the cooling unit.
Description
Air Intake System for an Internal Combustion Engine of a Vehicle The invention relates to an air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.
Until today, the automobile engine efficiency using an internal combustion engine is not more than about 35 %. Around 65 % of the energy is wasted by exhaust, coolant and lubricants. It is a general idea to recover parts of the waste heat energy into electric energy.
For example, the Daimler GB 2013 076386 A describes an intercooler arranged between a turbo charger and an engine. Here, a thermoelectric element for generating electric energy by taking advantage of a temperature difference is provided. The thermoelectric element is used to generate electric energy from heat of the compressed air from the turbo charger.
It is an object of the present invention to increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, to take advantage of waste heat energy.
According to the invention there is provided an air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle according to independent claim 1.
Further advantages and embodiments are set out according to dependent claims, the
detailed description, and the figures.
The inventive air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprises an air suction channel to provide air to the internal combustion engine, at least one compressor that is configured to compress the air flowing through the suction channel and provide the internal combustion engine with said air, a cooling unit to cool the compressed air before it is provided to the internal combustion engine, and a thermoelectric generator to generate electric energy from heat of the compressed air. In order to raise or enhance the efficiency, the thermoelectric generator comprises at least one of the elements bismuth, tellurium, lead, silicon, and germanium. This can be in the form of Bi2Te3, PbTe, and Si1Ge. As the intake air pressure is increased by the compressor, the air temperature rises by about 150°C to 230°C in diesel engines, for instance. Here, the thermoelectric material of the thermoelectric generator can be placed in such a way that the hot member is exposed to compressed air and the cold member is exposed to a cooler environment of the air intake system. As a consequence, when compressed air passes by the thermoelectric material, electric energy will be generated duo to the temperature gradient across the thermoelectric material. This gives the advantage that electric energy is provided and the efficiency is increased. Thus, for instance, the size of an alternator of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, better fuel economy is achieved due to less power consumption by the alternator. This leads to less CO2 emissions. Finally, engine performance and volumetric efficiency can be increased by the additional cooling of the compressed air by the thermoelectric generator.
In a preferred embodiment, the thermoelectric generator comprises nanoscale or nanostructured thermoelectric materials, in particular with a maximum figure of merit of more than 1, preferably more than 1.5. These thermoelectric materials are in particular useful for a temperature difference between compressed air and environment of around 150°C to 230°C, as it is achieved in diesel engines with two stage turbo chargers, for instance. Hence, the efficiency of the combustion engine is improved specifically well.
In another embodiment, the thermoelectric generator is arranged downstream of the compressor and upstream of the cooling unit. This gives the advantage that the heat of the compressed air can be utilized for the gain of electric energy directly, i.e. without being dissipated when flowing downstream through the suction channel towards the cooling unit. Hence, the thermoelectric generator can be used with a maximal temperature of the compressed air.
In an alterative embodiment, the thermoelectric generator is part of the cooling unit. That is, the thermoelectric generator can be integrated in the cooling unit, for instance within a common housing with the cooling unit. This gives the advantage that the thermoelectric generator is one building block with the cooling unit and hence easy to integrate in the air intake system. Furthermore, the thermoelectric generator can be arranged at a specific location of the cooling unit with a pre-given temperature that need not be the maximal temperature of the compressed air. So, the thermoelectric generator can be optimized to a specific temperature regime. As a consequence, the thermoelectric generator can be optimized to this specific pre-given temperature and generate electric energy from heat with a maximal efficiency.
By considering the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the teachings of the present invention ca be readily understood, and at least some additional specific details will appear.
Herein, the only Fig. shows a schematic overview of an exemplary embodiment of an air intake system.
The air intake system 1 comprises a cooling unit 4 and a thermoelectric generator 5. An air suction channel 2 is configured to provide air 6 to an internal combustion engine, and the compressor 3 is configured to compress the air 6 flowing through the suction channel 2 and push it through the suction channel 2. In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric generator 5 is arranged in the air suction channel 2 downstream of the compressor 3 and upstream of the cooling unit 4 in order to generate electric energy 7 from heat of the compressed air 6. The cooling unit 4 may, however, in an alternative embodiment, integrate the thermoelectric generatorS, for instance in a common housing that protects both cooling unit 4 and thermoelectric generator 5.
When the air intake system 1 is active, air 6 is entering the suction channel 2 from an environment of the intake system 1. In the compressor 3, the air 6 is then compressed.
The compressor may for instance be a simple turbocharger, or a supercharger. Additional compressors may be placed up-or downstream of the thermoelectric generator 5. As a consequence of the air 6 being compressed, the temperature of the air 6 is raised.
Typically, the compression of the air 6 leads to a raise in the temperature of the air 6 between 150°C and 230°C with respect to the temperature of the air 6 in the environment of the intake system 1, for instance. As this compressed air 6 with increased temperature is flowing downstream through the air suction channel 2, it passes the thermoelectric generator 5. As the thermoelectric generator 5 is thermodynamically coupled to the environment of the air intake system 1, heat is dispersed into the environment while gaining electric energy 7. The elements bismuth, tellurium, lead, silicon, and germanium, at least one of which is comprised by the thermoelectric generator 5 result in a specifically efficient gaining of electric energy 7.
While passing by the thermoelectric generator 5, the air 6 looses the part of its heat that is converted into electric energy 7. The air 6, compressed and still with a temperature that is exceeding the original temperature of the air 6 in the environment of the air suction channel 2 is then passing the cooling unit 4, where the compressed air is cooled to a temperature suitable for use in an internal combustion engine intake.
In this example, the thermoelectric generator 5 is located close to the compressor 3 and can, as a consequence, benefit from the maximal temperature of the airS without the air 6 having cooled off to some extent on its way downstream towards the cooling unit 4. This is advantageous for thermoelectric materials of the thermoelectric generator 5 being optimized for maximal temperatures of the air 6. Alternatively, the thermoelectric generator 5 may comprise thermoelectric materials that are optimized for a specific temperature beneath the maximal temperature of the air 6. Then, it may be advantageous to arrange the thermoelectric generator 5 further downstream the suction channel 2 of even integrate it into the cooling unit 4. There, the thermoelectric generator 5 may be placed in a part of the cooling unit 4 with a predefined working temperature that suits the optimal temperature range of the thermoelectric materials of the thermoelectric generator at hand.
List of reference signs 1 air intake system 2 suction channel 3 compressor 4 cooling unit thermoelectric generator 6 air 7 electric energy
Claims (4)
- Claims An air intake system (1) for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising -an air suction channel (2) to provide air (6) to the internal combustion engine, -at least one compressor (3) configured to compress the air (6) flowing though the suction channel (2), -a cooling unit (4) to cool the compressed air (6), -a thermoelectric generator (5) to generate electric energy (7) from heat of the compressed air (6), characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (5) comprises at least one of the elements bismuth, tellurium, lead, silicon, and germanium.
- 2. The air intake system (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (5) comprises nanoscale or nanostructured thermoelectric materials, in particular with a maximum figure of merit of more than 1, preferably more than 1.5.
- 3. The air intake system (1) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (5) is arranged downstream of the compressor (2) and upstream of the cooling unit (4).
- 4. The air intake system (1) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thermoelectric generator (5) is part of the cooling unit (4).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1423097.3A GB2521942A (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2014-12-23 | Air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1423097.3A GB2521942A (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2014-12-23 | Air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2521942A true GB2521942A (en) | 2015-07-08 |
Family
ID=53370298
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1423097.3A Withdrawn GB2521942A (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2014-12-23 | Air intake system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2521942A (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3496027A (en) * | 1965-05-03 | 1970-02-17 | Rca Corp | Thermoelectric generator comprising thermoelements of indium-gallium arsenides or silicon-germanium alloys and a hot strap of silicon containing silicides |
| JPH0738158A (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 1995-02-07 | Vacuum Metallurgical Co Ltd | Integral sintered silicon germanium thermoelectric conversion device and manufacture thereof |
| WO2011121163A1 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2011-10-06 | Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (Csic) | Thermoelectric generation device, thermoelectric generator, and method for producing said thermoelectric generation device |
| US20120103380A1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-03 | Basf Se | Thermoelectric module and process for the production thereof |
| JP2013050062A (en) * | 2011-08-30 | 2013-03-14 | Daimler Ag | Inter-cooler |
-
2014
- 2014-12-23 GB GB1423097.3A patent/GB2521942A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3496027A (en) * | 1965-05-03 | 1970-02-17 | Rca Corp | Thermoelectric generator comprising thermoelements of indium-gallium arsenides or silicon-germanium alloys and a hot strap of silicon containing silicides |
| JPH0738158A (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 1995-02-07 | Vacuum Metallurgical Co Ltd | Integral sintered silicon germanium thermoelectric conversion device and manufacture thereof |
| WO2011121163A1 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2011-10-06 | Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (Csic) | Thermoelectric generation device, thermoelectric generator, and method for producing said thermoelectric generation device |
| US20120103380A1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-03 | Basf Se | Thermoelectric module and process for the production thereof |
| JP2013050062A (en) * | 2011-08-30 | 2013-03-14 | Daimler Ag | Inter-cooler |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |