GB2528258A

GB2528258A - A fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system

Info

Publication number: GB2528258A
Application number: GB1412480.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Banks
Original assignee: Caterpillar NI Ltd
Current assignee: Caterpillar NI Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-14
Filing date: 2014-07-14
Publication date: 2016-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-14
Also published as: GB2543435A; GB2528258B; GB201620927D0; GB201412480D0; GB2543435B

Abstract

A fluid, eg natural gas fuel, distribution apparatus for an engine system comprises an inlet 51, a chamber 45 and a plurality of outlets 91-94. The chamber is configured to receive a flow of fluid from the inlet. The outlets are disposed at a periphery of the chamber 51, and each of the plurality of outlets configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber. The apparatus is configured to induce a substantially circular flow (swirl) of the fluid in the chamber, eg the outlets may be arranged tangentially with respect to the chamber. The chamber 45 may comprise a conduit 52 between an end wall 53 and an outlet plate 54. The outlet plate may have apertures (83-86, figs.8,10,11) each of which is part-elliptical and part-circular. The chamber 45 may contain turbulence-inducing elements eg fins, fans or spirals. The outlets 91-94 may lead to conduits (21-24, fig.2) supplying gaseous fuel to engine inlet air conduits (29-32).

Description

A FLUID DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS FOR AN ENGINE SYSTEM

Technical Field

This disclosure is directed to a fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system.

Background

In recent times it has become common to adapt internal combustion engines to be able to operate using an alternative fluid fuel souroe. In particular, an engine may be retrofitted with a fluid supply arrangement in order for it to operate using a biogas or natural gas as a fuel source rather than diesel. Typically, a reservoir of fluid is fluidly oonnected by separate conduits to each engine air intake passage. Control valves are located in each conduit for regulating the amount of fluid supplied to the engine cylinders in order to control the engine power output.

However, the control valves must be carefully controlled in order to ensure that the same amount of fluid is supplied to each engine cylinder and avoid unbalanoing the engine or causing efficiency losses. Such control is complex to set up when retrofitting the arrangement to an engine and adds further costs to the retrofit. Furthermore, such an arrangement occupies a relatively large amount of space, which may be problematic when trying to fit it around a compactly-built engine or an engine boated in a relatively small compartment.

Summary

In a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, the fluid distribution apparatus comprising: an inlet; a chamber configured to receive a flow of fluid from the inlet; and a plurality of outlets disposed at a periphery of the chamber, each of the plurality of outlets configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber, wherein the apparatus is configured to induce a substantially circular flow of the fluid in the chamber.

In a further aspect of the disclosure there is provided a fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, the apparatus comprising: a chamber comprising an inlet towards a first end of the chamber and a plurality of outlets towards a second end of the chamber, the second end being substantially opposite the first end, the chamber having a longitudinal axis in a direction between the first and second ends; and wherein a downstream conduit is mounted over each outlet and projects tangentially from the chamber.

In a still further aspect of the disclosure there is provided an engine arrangement comprising: an engine comprising at least one air filter arranged to direct air to at least one turbocharger, each at least one turbocharger arranged to direct compressed air to at least one engine cylinder; and a fluid supply arrangement comprising: the fluid distribution apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims; a fluid inlet arrangement configured to direct fluid to the fluid distribution apparatus; and a fluid outlet arrangement configured to receive fluid from the fluid distribution apparatus and direct the fluid to the engine downstream of the at least one air filter and upstream of the at least one turbocharger.

By way of example only, embodiments of a fluid distribution apparatus and a fluid supply arrangement comprising such a fluid distribution apparatus are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. :is

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an engine arrangement

of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fluid supply arrangement of the engine arrangement of Figure 1 comprising the fluid distribution arrangement of the present

disclosure;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fluid distribution arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the fluid distribution arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the fluid distribution

arrangement of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of downstream conduits and an outlet plate of the fluid distribution arrangement of the

present disclosure;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the downstream conduits

and outlet plate of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fluid distribution arrangement of the present disclosure with downstream conduits hidden from view; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the fluid distribution arrangement of the present disclosure with downstream conduits and an outlet plate hidden from view; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an outlet plate of the fluid distribution arrangement of the present

disclosure; and

Figure 11 is a plan view of the outlet plate of the

present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is generally directed towards a fluid distribution apparatus for receiving fluid from an inlet arrangement and supplying it to an outlet arrangement having a plurality of outlets. The fluid distribution arrangement promotes the equal distribution of the fluid to each of the plurality of outlets. The fluid may be a gas, but the fluid distribution apparatus of the present disclosure is also suitable for distributing a liquid.

Figure 1 illustrates an engine arrangement 100 comprising a fluid supply arrangement 10 and an engine 101 having a plurality of cylinders. The fluid supply arrangement 10 is shown in Figure 2 in more detail and comprises the fluid distribution apparatus 50 of the present disclosure. The fluid supply arrangement 10 may comprise a fluid inlet arrangement 11 fcr receiving fluid from a reservoir (not shown in the Figures) of a fluid fuel and supplying it to the fluid distribution apparatus 50. The fluid supply arrangement 10 cay be a controllable fluid supply and may comprise at least one valve for selectively supplying fluid to the fluid distribution apparatus 50.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the fluid inlet arrangement 11 may comprise an inlet 12, a first inlet conduit 13, a manual shutoff valve 14, a second inlet conduit 15, an emergency shutoff valve 16, a third inlet conduit 17 and an actuator valve 18 in fluid communication with one another. The inlet 12 may form part of the first inlet conduit 13 and may direct fluid thereto. The first inlet conduit 13 may be arranged to direct fluid to the manual shutoff valve 14, which, for example, may comprise a ball valve and may allow an operator to manually shutoff the fluid supply. The manual control valve 14 may be arranged to direct fluid to the emergency shutoff valve 16 via the second inlet conduit 15. The second inlet conduit 15 may direct fluid through a right angle turn. The emergency shutoff valve 16 may be arranged to automatically shutoff the fluid supply when certain conditions, such as a rapid pressure loss, are detected by sensing means in communication therewith. The emergency shutoff valve 16 may direct fluid to the actuator valve 18 via the third inlet conduit 17. The actuator valve 18 may be controlled by a controller (not shown).

The fluid supply arrangement 10 may further comprise an outlet arrangement 20 for directing fluid from the fluid distribution apparatus 50 towards the engine 101. The outlet arrangement 20 may comprise first, second, third and fourth outlet conduits 21, 22, 23, 24 arranged to supply fluid from the fluid distribution apparatus 50 to first, second, third and fourth fluid flow arrangements 25, 26, 27, 28. As illustrated, the outlet conduits 21, 22, 23, 24 may be shaped, for example by comprising certain bends, to fit around other components of the engine arrangement 100.

Each of the fluid flow arrangements 25, 26, 27, 28 may allow fluid supplied from the respective outlet conduits 21, 22, 23, 24 to mix with an air flow directed from the atmosphere and towards the engine 101 and its cylinders. In particular, each outlet conduit 21, 22, 23, 24 may be connected to a respective air conduit 29, 30, 31, 32 via a respective connector 33, 34, 35, 36. Each air conduit 29, 30, 31, 32 may be arranged to direct air from a respective air filter 37, 38, 39, 40 to a respective turbocharger 105, 106, 107, 108. Each turbocharger 105, 106, 107, 108 may be arranged to supply compressed air and fluid fuel to one or more cylinders of the engine 101. Therefore, the fluid may be supplied to the fluid flow arrangements 25, 26, 27, 28 between the air filters 37, 38, 39, 40 and the turbochargers 105, 106, 107, 108 where the air flow is at substantially atmospheric pressure.

The fluid distribution apparatus 50 is illustrated in further detail in Figures 3 to 11. The fluid distribution apparatus 50 may comprise an upstream conduit 51, a chamber and first, second, third and fourth downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58. The downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be tangentially arranged with respect to the chamber 45, as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 8. The chamber 45 may comprise an intermediate conduit 52, an end wall 53 and an outlet plate 54.

An upstream conduit flange 59 may be provided at an upstream, inlet end 60 of the upstream conduit 51. At an opposing outlet end 61 the upstream conduit 51 may be attached to the intermediate conduit 52, for example by welding. The upstream conduit flange 59 may comprise fixing means, for example bolt holes 62 for receiving bolts, for attaching the upstream conduit 51 to the actuator valve 18.

An internal passageway 66 of the upstream conduit 51 may extend from the inlet end 60 to the outlet end 61 along an elongate axis 67, which may be defined as the centre of the fluid flow through the upstream conduit 51. The elongate axis 67 may extend between the centre of the internal passageway 66 at the inlet end 60 and the centre of the internal passageway 66 of the outlet end 61. The internal passageway 66 may be rotationally symmetrical about the elongate axis 67, for example defining a cylinder, frustocone or the like shape.

The intermediate conduit 52 may extend from a first end to a second end 71 along a longitudinal axis 72 (best shown in Figure 9) , which may be defined as the centre of the fluid flow through the intermediate conduit 52. An inlet aperture 73 may be located in the intermediate conduit 52 for receiving the outlet end 61 of the upstream conduit 51 and may be substantially adjacent to the first end 70. As illustrated in Figure 9, the upstream conduit 51 may extend inside the intermediate conduit 52 through the inlet aperture 73. However, the outlet end 61 of the upstream conduit 51 may alternatively be flush with the wall of the intermediate conduit 52.

The intermediate conduit 52 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The length of the intermediate conduit 52, i.e. the dimension of the intermediate conduit 52 parallel to the longitudinal axis 72, may vary. As shown in Figure 5, the first end 70 may be elliptical in shape and formed in a plane at an acute angle 74 to the longitudinal axis 72. The acute angle 74 may be 60 degrees. The second end 71 may be circular in shape and formed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72. Thus the cross-sectional shape of the interm.ediate conduit 52 in a plane on the longitudinal axis 72 may be a right-angled trapezium.

The first end 70 of the intermediate conduit 52 may be closed and sealed by the end wall 53. The end wall 53 may comprise a plate and may be attached to the intermediate conduit 52 by welding. The end wall 53 may be elliptical in shape to cooperate with the elliptical shape of the first end 70.

The outlet plate 54 may be attached to the second end 71 of the intermediate conduit 52, for example by welding and/or other suitable fixing means. The outlet plate 54 may comprise alignment notches 75 for assisting in the correct alignment of the outlet plate 54 during welding. As illustrated in more detail in Figures 8, 10 and 11, the outlet plate 54 may be substantially circular with first, second, third and fourth protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 extending outwardly from the circle and disposed rotationally symmetrically about the periphery of the circle. The protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 may be a part of an ellipse having a primary axis through its largest dimension.

The primary axis may not be coaxial with a radial chord of the circle forming the majority of the outlet plate 54. For each part-ellipse the angle between its primary axis and the radial chord may be the same for each protrusion 79, 80, 81, 82.

The outlet plate 54 may further comprise first, second, third and fourth outlet apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 extending therethrough and disposed towards a periphery of the outlet plate 54. The outlet apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 may be provided at a fixed radial distance with respect to a centre point of the outlet plate 54 and may be regularly spaced from one another so that they have a rotational symmetry.

In some examples, the centre point of each aperture 83, 84, 85, 86 may be at a radius of at least half of, or at least a three-quarters of, the radius of the circle of the outlet plate 54. The outlet apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 may be sized and shaped so as to correspond with the downstream conduits with which they may communicate. Accordingly, each aperture 83, 84, 85, 86 may have an inner boundary that may be part elliptical and an outer boundary that may be part circular so as to conform with a respective downstream conduit. In a similar manner to the protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82, a primary axis through the largest dimension of the part-ellipse may not be coaxial with the radial chord of the circle forming the majority of the outlet plate 54. The angle between the primary axis and the radial chord may be the same for each aperture 83, 84, 85, 86. The apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 and protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 may be disposed adjacent to one another to together form ellipses for cooperation with the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58, as will be described below.

-10 -The outlet plate 54 may be substantially planar such that the apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 lie in one plane. This plane may be substantially parallel to the elongate axis 67 of the upstream conduit 51 and may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 72 of the intermediate conduit 52.

The downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be mounted over the apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 and protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 at first ends 87, 88, 89, 90. Connectors 91, 92, 93, 94 may be provided at second ends (not shown) of the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 for providing sealed fluid communication with the outlet conduits 21, 22, 23, 24.

The downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 and connectors 91, 92, 93, 94 may be cylindrical in shape.

The internal passageways of the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be cylindrical in shape and extend from the first ends 87, 88, 89, 90 to the second ends substantially symmetrically about longitudinal axes 96. Each longitudinal axis may be defined as the centre of the fluid flow through each downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58. As shown in Figure 6, the first ends 87, 88, 89, 90 of the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be in a plane at an angle 95 of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes 96. Thus the first ends 87, 88, 89, 90 may be elliptical in shape to cooperate with the apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 and protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 of the outlet plate 54.

Each longitudinal axis 96, and thus each downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58, may comprise first and second -11 -directional components of projection. The arrangement may therefore be such that the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58, and thus the fluid flow path within them, extend tangentially from the outlet plate 54. The first directional component of projection may be along the plane in which the apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 lie (i.e. along the planes of the major faces of the outlet plate 54) . The second directional component of projection may be orthogonal to this plane.

The first component of projection may not be coincident with the centre point or radius of the circle forming part of the outlet plate 54. Hence the first directional component of projection does not lead directly away from the centre point of the outlet plate 54. In addition, the first directional component of projection of eaoh downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58 may extend away from the periphery of the outlet plate 54 at 90 degrees to the first direotional component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58 when viewed from the top of the outlet plate 54 (as best illustrated in Figure 7) The downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be curved rather than straight. The aforementioned references to the first and second directional components of projection of such curved downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 may be considered to refer to the first and second directional components of projection at the end of the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 adjacent the outlet plate 54.

As illustrated, the cross-sectional area of the chamber may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the chamber 45 inlet, being the oross-seotional area of the -12 -upstream conduit 51 in a plane orthogonal to the elongate axis 67. The cross-sectional area of the chamber 45 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of each of the chamber outlets, i.e. the cross-sectional area of each aperture 83, 84, 85, 86. The cross-sectional area of the chamber 45 may be taken to be the smallest cross-sectional area of an internal volume of the intermediate conduit 52 about the centre-point of the internal volume (which may be along the longitudinal axis 72) . The cross-sectional area of the chamber 45 inlet may be the same as the sum of the cross-sectional area of the piurality of chamber 45 outiets. Thus the flow of fluid may pass through an increase in "throat area" as it enters the chamber 45 and a decrease in "throat area" as it exits the chamber 45.

In some configurations, turbulence inducing elements may be disposed within the chamber 45 so as to induce a turbulence, which may enhance the ability of the fluid distribution apparatus 50 to distribute fluid equally to the downstream conduits. For example fins, fans or spiral-shaped elements, may be provided and may be fixed to the inner wall of the intermediate conduit 52, the end wail 43 and/or the outlet plate 54.

The fluid distribution apparatus 50 may be formed from cast or machined parts and may be fixed together by fixing means and/or welding. The fluid distribution apparatus 50 may comprise a material suitable for the fuel to be used, such as poiyethyiene, steel or stainless steel for natural gas.

-13 -The above disclosure provides an example of a fluid distribution apparatus 50 having four downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 and one upstream conduit 51 extending from/to the fluid distribution apparatus 50. However, any other suitable number of upstream conduits 51 may supply fluid from one or more fluid inlet arrangements 11 to the chamber 45. Furthermore, the fluid distribution apparatus 50 may comprise any other suitable number of downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 and thus any other number of corresponding apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 and protrusions 79, 80, 81, 82 in the outlet plate 54. Where n apertures and n downstream conduits are provided, the first component of projection of each downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58 may be at 360/n degrees to the first component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit 55, 56, 57, 58 when viewed from the top of the outlet plate 54. The number n may depend upon, for example, the number of cylinders in the engine, the required fluid flow rate and/or the engine size.

Industrial Applicability

The fluid supply arrangement 10, including the fluid distribution apparatus 50, may be retrofitted to an existing engine arrangement 100 or other arrangement suitable for the fluid distribution apparatus 50. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a retrofit and egually applies to the manufacture of an engine arrangement 100 or other suitable arrangement including the fluid distribution apparatus 50.

In operation of the engine arrangement 100, a pressure differential may be created across the fluid distribution apparatus 50 such that the downstream pressure is less than -]_4 -the upstream pressure. In particular, a pcsitive pressure may be created upstream by the fluid inlet arrangement 11 and a negative pressure may be created downstream as a consequence cf the turbochargers 105, 106, 107, 108. The pressure differential may encourage the fluid to flow from the upstream conduit 51, through the chamber 45 and through the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58.

When the manual shutoff valve 14 and emergency shutoff valve 16 are opened, the controller may control the fluid inlet arrangement 11, and particularly the actuator valve 18, to adapt the flow rate of fluid supply to meet the power output demand of the engine 101. The fluid flow exits the actuator valve 18 and enters the upstream conduit 51. The chamber 45 receives the fluid flow from the upstream conduit 51 and directs the fluid towards the chamber 45 outlets at the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58.

The arrangement of the inlet aperture 73, upstream conduit 51, intermediate conduit 52, apertures 83, 84, 85, 86, outlet plate 54 and/or downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58, may induce a substantially circular flow of fluid, for example, in a vortex-like or oyolonio type manner. This flow may be induced as a consequence of one or more elements of the engine arrangement 100. For example, the tangential arrangement of the downstrearr. conduits with respect to the chamber may contribute to such inducement. This may, for example, be a consequence of the pressure differential across the apparatus causing fluid flow to move along the tangentially arranged downstream conduits, which may in turn have the consequence of creating a "swirl" in the chamber.

The size and shape of the apertures 83, 84, 85, B6may also

--

contribute to the aforementioned inducement. The combination of the swirl and the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 being positioned near a periphery of the chamber may cause a substantially even distribution of the fluid flow through the downstream conduits.

Thus the fluid within the chamber 45 may have a centrifugal momentum in a direction substantially parallel to the outlet plate 52. This centrifugal momentum may result in the fluid adjacent the apertures 83, 84, 85, 86 and outlet plate 52 being at a substantially similar pressure.

The centrifugal momentum may, therefore, negate any pressure variations created in the chamber 45 adjacent the inlet. As a result, the flow rate of fluid may be split substantially equally between the downstream conduits 55, 56, 57, 58 upon exit from the chamber 45. Furthermore, the centrifugal momentum may assist in directing the fluid out of the chamber 45 and into the downstream conduits 45.

The fluid flow may continue through the outlet arrangement 20 to the fluid flow arrangements 25, 26, 27, 28, where it may be mixed with air at substantially atmospheric pressure from the air filters 37, 38, 39, 40, supplied to the turboohargers 105, 106, 107, 108 and then subsequently into the cylinders of the engine 101. The equal flow rate of fluid will ensure that the engine 101 remains balanced and operates efficiently as the same amount of fuel will reach each cylinder. By the use of only a single actuator valve 18, the control may be relatively simple and more cost effective.

-16 -A consequence of the induced swirl of fluid flow may be that a "dynamic imbalance" between fluid flow paths from the plurality of filters and oorresponding turbochargers towards the engine has a negligible effect on the distribution of fluid from the fluid inlet arrangement 11 to the downstream conduits. For example, the dynamic imbalance may be a consequence of one air filter performing less efficiently than another air filter, such as when it is clogged with dirt, thereby causing a restricted air flow towards the assooiated turbooharger. In another example, the dynamic imbalance may be caused by a turbocharger performing less efficiently than another turbocharger. Consequently, the fluid flow along one fluid flow path may be faster than the fluid flow along another fluid flow path. Accordingly, there may be a higher pressure differential across one downstream conduit compared with another downstream conduit.

However, the effect of these different pressure differentials may be negligible in relation to the distribution of fluid in the downstream conduits due to the induced swirl being able to continue encouraging a substantially equal distributed flow amongst the downstream conduits.

Claims

--CLAIMS: 1. A fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, the fluid distribution apparatus comprising: an inlet; a chamber configured to receive a flow of fluid from the inlet; and a plurality of outlets disposed at a periphery of the chamber, each of the plurality of outlets configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber, wherein the apparatus is configured to induce a substantially circular flow of the fluid in the chamber.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a downstream conduit projects from each outlet in a direction configured to induce a circular flow in the fluid in the chamber.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of outlets are disposed at an end of the chamber and each downstream conduit projects from each outlet in a direction tangential to the centre-point of the end.
4. A fluid distribution apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of outlets are regularly spaced from one another.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising an outlet plate in which the plurality of outlets are formed.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outlets lie in a single plane of the outlet plate.

-18 -
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the downstream conduits has a longitudinal axis that is not coincident with a centre point of the outlet plate.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each downstream conduit projects from the outlet plate in a directicn having a first directional component along the plane of the outlets and wherein n -outlets and n downstream conduits are provided, the first directional component of projection of each downstrearr conduit being at 360/n degrees to the first directional component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the cross-sectional area of each outlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the chamber.
10. A fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, the apparatus comprising: a chamber comprising an inlet towards a first end of the chamber and a plurality of outlets towards a second end of the chamber, the second end being substantially opposite the first end, the chamber having a longitudinal axis in a direction between the first and second ends; and wherein a downstream conduit is mounted over each outlet and projects tangentially from the chamber.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising an upstream conduit in fluid corr.munication with the inlet of the chamber, the upstream conduit having an elongate axis in a direction of flow towards the inlet of the chamber, -19 -wherein the elongate axis intersects the longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising an outlet plate provided at the second end of the chamber, the outlet plate having a plurality of outlets.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the outlets lie in a single plane of the outlet plate.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the downstream conduits have a lcngitudinal axis that is not coincident with a centre point of the outlet plate.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 each downstream conduit projects from the outlet plate in a direction having a first directional component along the plane of the outlets and wherein n outlets and n downstream conduits are provided, the first directional component of projection of each downstream conduit being at 360/n degrees to the first directional component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit.
16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the chamber is enclosed by an intermediate ccnduit, an end wall sealing a first end of the intermediate conduit and an outlet plate located cver an opposing second end of the intermediate conduit.
17. An engine arrangement comprising: -20 -an engine comprising at least one air filter arranged to direct air to at least one turbocharger, each at least one turbocharger arranged to direct compressed air to at least one engine cylinder; and a fluid supply arrangement comprising: the fluid distribution apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims; a fluid inlet arrangement configured to direct fluid to the fluid distribution apparatus; and a fluid outlet arrangement configured to receive fluid from the fluid distribution apparatus and direct the fluid to the engine downstream of the at least one air filter and upstream of the at least one turbocharger.
18. An engine arrangement as claimed in claim 17 wherein the at least one turbocharger and/or the fluid inlet arrangement are operable to induce a pressure differential across the apparatus.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, the fluid distribution apparatus comprising: an inlet; a chamber configured to receive a flow of fluid from the inlet; and a plurality of outlets disposed at a periphery of the chamber and formed in an outlet plate, each of the plurality of outlets configured to receive a flow of fluid from the chamber, wherein the apparatus is configured to induce a substantially circular flow of the fluid in the chamber.LU 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a downstream conduit projects from each outlet in a direction configured to induce a circular flow in the fluid in the chamber.3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality r of outlets are disposed at an end of the chamber and each downstream conduit projects from each outlet in a direction tangential to the centre-point of the end.4. A fluid distribution apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of outlets are regularly spaced from one ancther.5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlets lie in a single plane of the outlet plate.6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of the downstream conduits has a longitudinal axis that is not coincident with a centre point of the outlet plate.7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each downstream conduit projects from the outlet plate in a directicn having a first directional component along the plane of the outlets and wherein n -outlets and n downstream conduits are provided, the first directional component of projection of each downstrearr conduit being at 360/n degrees to the first directional component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit.LU 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the cross-sectional area of each outlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the chamber.9. A fluid distribution apparatus for an engine system, r the apparatus comprising: a chamber comprising an inlet towards a first end of the chamber and a plurality of outlets in a second end of the chamber, the second end being substantially opposite the first end, the chamber having a longitudinal axis in a direction between the first and second ends; and wherein a downstream conduit is mounted over each outlet and projects tangentially from the chamber.10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising an upstream conduit in fluid oorr.munioation with the inlet of the chamber, the upstream conduit having an elongate axis in a direction of flow towards the inlet of the chamber, wherein the elongate axis intersects the longitudinal axis at a non-zero angle.11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising an outlet plate provided at the second end of the chamber, the outlet plate having a plurality of outlets.12. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the outlets lie in a single plane of the outlet plate.13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of the downstream conduits have a longitudinal axis that is not coincident with a centre point of the outlet plate. IC)14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 each downstream conduit projects from the outlet plate in a direction having a first directional component along the plane of the outlets and wherein n outlets and n downstream conduits are r provided, the first directional component of projection of each downstream conduit being at 360/n degrees to the first directional component of projection of each adjacent downstream conduit.15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the chamber is enclosed by an intermediate conduit, an end wall sealing a first end of the intermediate conduit and an outlet plate located over an opposing second end of the intermediate conduit.16. An engine arrangement comprising: an engine comprising at least one air filter arranged to direct air to at least one turbocharger, each at least one turbocharger arranged to direct compressed air to at least one engine cylinder; and a fluid supply arrangement comprising: the fluid distribution apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims; a fluid inlet arrangement configured to direct fluid to the fluid distribution apparatus; and a fluid outlet arrangement configured to receive fluid from the fluid distribution apparatus and direct the fluid to the engine downstream of the at least one air filter and upstream of the at least one turbocharger.17. An engine arrangement as claimed in claim 16 wherein the LU at least one turbocharger and/or the fluid inlet arrangement are operable to induce a pressure differential across the apparatus. aD r