GB2568908A

GB2568908A - Cylinder head apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2568908A
Application number: GB1719912.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fowler Gavin
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2017-11-30
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: GB201719912D0

Abstract

A cylinder head 6 for an internal combustion engine has an intake side with at least one air intake 9, an exhaust side with at least one exhaust outlet 10, and a plurality of cylinder head recesses arranged in at least one row. The cylinder head 6 also includes means for transmitting torque from a turbine 16 on the exhaust side to a compressor 15 on the intake side. Housings 18, 20 for the compressor 15 and turbine 16, respectively, may be fastened directly to the cylinder head 6 or may be integrally formed, eg cast, with the cylinder head. The torque transmitting means may be a rotatable shaft 25 extending transversely through an oil chamber 26 in the cylinder head or between the head and the block. The disclosure also relates to an internal combustion engine incorporating a cylinder head 6 having torque transmitting means and to a vehicle.

Description

CYLINDER HEAD APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cylinder head apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a cylinder head comprising an integrated turbocharger. The present disclosure also relates to a cylinder block, an internal combustion engine and a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A known internal combustion engine 101 for a vehicle, such as an automobile, is illustrated in Figure 7. The internal combustion engine 1 comprises a cylinder block 105, a charge cooler 107, a throttle assembly 108, an intake manifold 109 and an exhaust manifold 110. The internal combustion engine 101 comprises a plurality of cylinders 111-n. The internal combustion engine 101 is a forced induction engine and comprises a turbocharger 114 operable to deliver compressed air to the intake manifold 109. The turbocharger 102 comprises a compressor 115 and a turbine 116. The compressor 115 is driven by exhaust gases exhausted from the exhaust manifold 110 and drives the turbine 116 via a connecting shaft 125. The compressor 115 and the turbine 116 are disposed proximal to the exhaust manifold 110 to reduce energy losses from the exhaust gases. However, this arrangement may be compromised since ducting is required to supply compressed air from the compressor 115 to the charge cooler 107 which may in turn cause energy losses.

The present invention, at least in certain embodiments, seeks to overcome or ameliorate some of the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a cylinder head, an internal combustion engine and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head comprising:

an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

a plurality of cylinder head recesses for forming a plurality of cylinders in the internal combustion engine, the cylinder head recesses being arranged in at least one row; and means for transmitting torque from a turbine disposed on the exhaust side to a compressor disposed on the intake side. In use, air is introduced into the cylinders from said intake side of the internal combustion engine; and exhaust gases are expelled from the cylinders on said exhaust side of the internal combustion engine. The cylinder head may comprise at least one exhaust outlet disposed on said exhaust side; and/or the cylinder head may comprise at least one air intake on said intake side.

The torque transmitting means may comprise at least one mechanical coupling. The mechanical coupling may comprise at least one drive member. The at least one drive member may comprise: one or more gears; and/or an endless drive member, such as a drive chain or a drive belt. The at least one drive member may be arranged to transmit torque to a shaft disposed external to the cylinder head, for example extending over the top of the cylinder head.

Alternatively, the torque transmitting means may comprise a shaft. The shaft may be arranged to extend through the cylinder head. The torque transmitting means may consist of a shaft. The shaft may extend in a transverse direction. For example, the shaft may extend between cylinders in the cylinder head.

The cylinder head recesses in each said row may extend in a first direction. The shaft may extend in a second direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to each other. The first direction may be substantially parallel to a rotational axis (drive axis) of a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine.

The shaft may extend between the cylinder head recesses in the cylinder head.

The shaft may extend through an oil chamber formed in said cylinder head.

At least one rotary bearing may be provided for mounting the shaft.

The cylinder head may comprise first mounting means for mounting the turbine. The cylinder head may comprise second mounting means for mounting the compressor.

The cylinder head may comprise a turbine housing; and/or a compressor housing.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head comprising:

an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

a plurality of cylinder head recesses for forming a plurality of cylinders in the internal combustion engine, the cylinder head recesses being arranged in at least one row; and wherein the cylinder head comprises a turbine housing disposed on the exhaust side of the internal combustion engine; and/or a compressor housing disposed on the intake side of the internal combustion engine.

The turbine housing may be integrated into the cylinder head; and/or the compressor housing may be integrated into the cylinder head.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head as described herein.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an internal combustion engine comprising:

an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

a plurality of cylinders arranged in at least one row; and means for transmitting torque from a turbine disposed on the exhaust side to a compressor disposed on the intake side.

The torque transmitting means may comprise at least one mechanical coupling. The torque transmitting means may comprise a shaft.

The cylinders in the or each said row may extend in a first direction. The shaft may extend in a second direction. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The shaft may extend between the cylinders.

The internal combustion engine may comprise a cylinder head and a cylinder block. The shaft may extend through the cylinder head or the cylinder block. Alternatively, the shaft may be disposed at an interface between the cylinder head and the cylinder block.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder block comprising:

a plurality of cylinders arranged in at least one row; and means for transmitting torque from a turbine disposed on an exhaust side of the internal combustion engine to a compressor disposed on an intake side of the internal combustion engine. Each cylinder is configured to receive a piston.

The cylinders in the or each said row may extend in a first direction. The shaft may extend in a second direction. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

The shaft may extend between the cylinders in the cylinder block. The cylinder block may comprise first and second rotary bearings for supporting the shaft. The first and second rotary bearings may be provided on opposing sides of the cylinder block.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine as described herein.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle incorporating an internal combustion engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the internal combustion engine shown in Figure 1 comprising an integrated turbocharger;

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of the cylinder head shown in Figure 3 illustrating the position of the transverse shaft connecting the turbine and compressor;

Figure 5 shows an isometric sketch illustrating the position of the transverse shaft between adjacent cylinders in the internal combustion engine;

Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the sketch shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an internal combustion engine and a known turbocharger configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An internal combustion engine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. As shown in Figure 1, the internal combustion engine 1 is installed in a vehicle 3 having a plurality of wheels 4. The vehicle 3 may, for example, be an automobile. In the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine 1 is illustrated in a longitudinal (North South) configuration in the vehicle

3. It will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable when the internal combustion engine 1 is mounted in a transverse (East West) configuration in the vehicle 3.

As shown in Figure 2, the internal combustion engine 1 comprises a cylinder block 5, a cylinder head 6, a charge cooler 7, a throttle assembly 8, an intake manifold 9 and an exhaust manifold 10. The internal combustion engine 1 comprises a plurality of cylinders 11 n formed in the cylinder block 5 and the cylinder head 6. The cylinder block 5 comprises bores 12-n and the cylinder head 6 comprises corresponding cylinder head recesses 13-n. The cylinders 11-n each have a central axis Pn (extending perpendicular to the plane of the page in Figure 2). A piston (not shown) is disposed in each cylinder 11-n and, in use, reciprocates along the central axis Pn. In the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine 1 comprises four (4) cylinders 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 arranged along a longitudinal axis X of the internal combustion engine 1 in a single bank. The internal combustion engine 1 in the present embodiment may be referred to as an in-line four (I4) engine. In use, fuel and air are introduced into combustion chambers (not shown) formed by the bores 12-n and the cylinder head recesses 13-n. The fuel is combusted in the combustion chambers to propel the pistons in conventional manner. The exhaust gases from the combustion process are expelled through the exhaust manifold 10. The intake manifold 9 is disposed on a first side IN of the internal combustion engine 1, referred to herein as the “intake side”. The exhaust manifold 10 is disposed on a second side EX of the internal combustion engine 1, referred to herein as the “exhaust side”. Air is introduced through the intake manifold 9; and exhaust gases are expelled through the exhaust manifold 10.

The internal combustion engine 1 is a forced induction engine and comprises a turbocharger 14 operable to deliver compressed air to the intake manifold 9. As described herein, the turbocharger 14 is integrated with the internal combustion engine 1. The turbocharger 14 comprises a compressor 15 and a turbine 16. The compressor 15 comprises a rotatable compressor wheel 17 disposed in a chamber (not shown) formed in a compressor housing

18. The compressor 15 may, for example, comprise a centrifugal compressor. In use, the compressor 15 pumps compressed air to the charge cooler 7 for cooling prior to introduction into the intake manifold 9. The turbine 16 comprises a rotatable turbine wheel 19 disposed in a chamber (not shown) formed in a turbine housing 20. The turbine 16 may, for example, comprise a radial turbine. The turbine wheel 19 is configured to convert energy from the exhaust gases into a mechanical force to drive the compressor wheel 17. As illustrated in Figure 1, the compressor 15 and the turbine 16 are disposed on opposing sides of the internal combustion engine 1. The compressor 15 is disposed on the inlet side IN of the internal combustion engine 1. The turbine 16 is disposed on the exhaust side EX of the internal combustion engine 1.

The compressor housing 18 may be fastened directly to the cylinder head 6 on the intake side IN of the internal combustion engine 1. The compressor housing 18 may be fastened using mechanical fasteners, for example. In a variant, the compressor housing 18 (or part thereof) may be formed integrally with the cylinder head 6. The compressor housing 18 may be cast with the cylinder head 6, for example using an appropriate sand cast core. As illustrated in Figure 3, the turbine housing 20 may be fastened directly to the cylinder head 6 on the exhaust side EX of the internal combustion engine 1. The turbine housing 20 may be fastened directly to the exhaust manifold 10 using mechanical fasteners, for example. In a variant (not shown), the turbine housing 20 (or part thereof) may be formed integrally with the exhaust manifold 10. The turbine housing 20 may be cast with the exhaust manifold 10, for example using an appropriate sand cast core. It will be understood that the exhaust manifold 10 may be formed integrally with the cylinder head 6; or may be formed as a separate component mounted to the cylinder head 6.

The internal combustion engine 1 comprises means for transmitting torque from the turbine 16 to the compressor 15. In the present embodiment, the compressor 15 and the turbine 16 are mechanically connected to each other by a connecting assembly 21. In use, the turbine wheel 19 is rotated by the exhaust gases expelled from the exhaust manifold 10. Since the compressor 15 and the turbine 16 are mechanically connected to each other, the rotation of the turbine wheel 19 drivingly rotates the compressor wheel 17. The rotation of the compressor wheel 17 draws air into the compressor housing 18 and pumps compressed air into the charge cooler 7. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a blow-off valve 22 (also known as a dump valve) is provided to release excess pressure. An actuator 23, such as a solenoid, is provided to control the blow-off valve 22 in dependence on a control signal received from an electronic control unit (not shown).

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connecting assembly 21 comprises a rotatable shaft 25 extending through the cylinder head 6. The rotatable shaft 25 extends along a transverse axis Y substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the internal combustion engine

1. In the present embodiment, the rotatable shaft 25 extends substantially perpendicular to the central axis Pn of the cylinders 11-n. The shaft 25 is supported by first and second rotary bearings 27, 28 disposed at the respective ends thereof. The first and second rotary bearings 27, 28 are sealed to prevent leakage from the oil chamber 26. As shown in Figure 4, the shaft 25 extends through the cylinder head 6. In particular, the shaft 25 extends through an oil chamber 26 (comprising two adjacent sections) formed in the cylinder head 6. In the present embodiment, the shaft 25 is disposed above the cylinder head recesses 13-n.

The turbocharger 14 is integrated into the internal combustion engine 1. An isometric view of the internal combustion engine 1 is shown in Figure 5 illustrating the orientation of the shaft

25. The shaft 25 connecting the compressor 15 and the turbine 16 is disposed between the second and third cylinders 11-2, 11-3. A side elevation of the internal combustion engine 1 is shown in Figure 6. In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6, the shaft 25 is disposed at the interface between the cylinder block 5 and the cylinder head 6. In a variant the shaft 25 may be rotated mounted in the cylinder block 5 or in the cylinder head 6.

The turbine 16 is positioned on the exhaust side EX of the internal combustion engine 1 proximal to the exhaust manifold 10 to maximise the usage of exhaust gases. Heat loss from the exhaust gases may be reduced or minimised to promote operation of aftertreatment systems (not shown) disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the turbine 16. The compressor 15 is positioned on the intake side IN of the internal combustion engine proximal to the intake. The air intake losses from an outlet of the compressor 15 to the Water Charged Air Cooler (WCAC) may be reduced or minimised. It will be understood, that, at least in certain embodiments, the integrated turbocharger 14 may enable more efficient use of exhaust gases in the turbine 16 on the exhaust side EX; and reduced losses from the compressor 15 on the intake side IN. By positioning the turbine 16 and the compressor 18 on opposing sides of the internal combustion engine 1, the need for connecting air ducts extending from one side of the internal combustion engine 1 to the other may be avoided. At least in certain embodiments, this may reduce energy losses.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiment(s) described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head comprising:

an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

a plurality of cylinder head recesses for forming a plurality of cylinders in the internal combustion engine, the cylinder head recesses being arranged in at least one row; and means for transmitting torque from a turbine disposed on the exhaust side to a compressor disposed on the intake side.

2. A cylinder head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torque transmitting means comprises at least one mechanical coupling.

3. A cylinder head as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the torque transmitting means comprise a shaft.

4. A cylinder head as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cylinder head recesses in each said row extend in a first direction; and said shaft extends in a second direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to each other.

5. A cylinder head as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the shaft extends between the cylinder head recesses in the cylinder head.

6. A cylinder head as claimed in any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein the shaft extends through an oil chamber formed in said cylinder head.

7. A cylinder head as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 comprising at least one rotary bearing for mounting said shaft.

8. A cylinder head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising first mounting means for mounting the turbine; and/or second mounting means for mounting the compressor.

9. A cylinder head as claimed in any one of 1 to 7 comprising a turbine housing; and/or a compressor housing.

10. A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head comprising: an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

11. A cylinder head as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the turbine housing is integrated into the cylinder head; and/or the compressor housing is integrated into the cylinder head.

12. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. An internal combustion engine comprising:

an intake side having at least one air intake;

an exhaust side having at least one exhaust outlet;

14. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the torque transmitting means comprises at least one mechanical coupling.

15. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the torque transmitting means comprise a shaft.

16. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cylinders in each said row extend in a first direction; and said shaft extends in a second direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to each other.

17. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the shaft extends between the cylinders.

18. An internal combustion engine as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder head and a cylinder block.

19. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shaft extends through the cylinder head or the cylinder block.

5

20. An internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shaft is disposed at an interface between the cylinder head and the cylinder block.

21. A vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20.