WO2008000774A1

WO2008000774A1 - Device for increasing the mass flow of air admitted inside an air intake chamber of a thermal motor and air supply circuit integrating such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2008000774A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/056443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane TONDELLI; Bertrand Gessier
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2006-06-30
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: FR2903146A1; FR2903146B1

Abstract

A method (200) and apparatus for updating a square root matrix of a covariance matrix when sample sets are added to or removed from a received signal. When a sample set is added to the received signal (220), a processor augments the square root matrix (230) to generate an updated square root matrix for future processing. When a sample set is no longer present in the received signal (240), the processor reduces the square root matrix (250) to generate the updated square root matrix.

Description

Device for increasing the mass flow rate of air admitted into an air intake chamber of a heat engine and an air supply circuit incorporating such a device

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of thermal engines, especially for motor vehicles. It relates to a device for increasing the mass flow rate of air introduced into an air intake chamber of a heat engine, θt an air supply circuit of this chamber incorporating such a device.

State of the art

A heat engine equipping including a vehicle automobile, is likely to be requested to provide various drive couples. There are stable operating modes of the engine where the torque to be delivered is desired substantially constant; and the transient operating modes where the torque to be delivered is likely to vary significantly between two respectively low and high operating modes. In transient mode, the driver wants the fastest torque variation available. In addition, to meet the requirements of drivers, engines are frequently oversized compared to current needs, resulting in overconsumption of fuel.

Devices have been proposed to enable rapid torque variation to be obtained from an arrangement of the air supply modes of the heat engine. Such devices are likely to equip the air supply circuit of a small displacement engine, to provide the driver with the possibility of obtaining a rapid torque variation while having a vehicle of low fuel consumption , Among these devices, it has been proposed to place a compressor upstream of the air inlet of the heat engine, to increase the air pressure inside an air supply circuit of the air chamber. air intake of the engine, to finally increase the mass flow of air it receives. This compressor is for example a compressor of the volumetric type, which is driven from the shaft of the engine. Such an arrangement has the drawback of insufficient efficiency, because of the power necessarily used for the drive of the compressor. For example, the compressor is of the centrifugal type called turbocharger. Such a turbocharger exploits the exhaust gases of the engine to drive a turbine and increase the mass flow of air admitted into the air intake chamber of the engine. However, the use of a turbocharger in particular at low rotational speed of the motor induces a too long response time before the exhaust gas can provide sufficient energy to satisfactorily drive the turbine of the turbocharger. A common reaction of the driver is to try to increase the engine torque from an excessive acceleration request, which occurs late and in inappropriate proportions. This problem is even more important when the engine is initially idling at a particularly low speed, since the exhaust gases produced are low. To overcome the lack of energy provided by the exhaust gas at low engine speed, i! It has been proposed to assist the turbocharger with an auxiliary compressor operated until the exhaust gas can be used efficiently. It will be possible for example to refer to the documents US2003192313 (HOECKER et al!) And US4453381 (MOTOREN TURBINEN UNION) which describe such assisted turbochargers.

Moreover and generally speaking of compressors, their structure is expensive and fragile. In addition, the compression of the air induces a significant heating thereof, with the effect of limiting the amount of usable air for a given capacity of the engine and hinder a rapid increase in speed in the case in particular where the volume cylinders of the engine is small. Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to propose a device intended to increase the air mass flow rate admitted inside an air intake chamber of a heat engine, and an air supply circuit of this chamber incorporating such a device. It is more particularly the object of the present invention to propose such a device and circuit offering such an increase in transient operation mode of the heat engine with a response time as low as possible, especially less than 200 ms, including for a passage of engine from a low idle speed to a higher engine speed. It is even more particularly targeted by the present invention to provide such a device and circuit offering such an increase in transient operating mode of the thermal engine that are reliable and durable, inexpensive and compact, which induce reduced energy consumption of the engine compared to devices and circuits of the prior art. According to a particular purpose, the device proposed by the present invention aims to assist a turbocharger especially when its operation is of lesser effectiveness.

The device of the present invention is a device for increasing the mass flow rate of air admitted inside the air intake chamber of a thermal engine including a motor vehicle. By air is meant a supply of the intake chamber of the heat engine mainly in outside air, which is incidentally accompanied by recycled exhaust gas. In general, the fluid admitted into the air intake chamber, mainly composed of air taken from outside the circuit and incidentally at least one other gas, especially said exhaust gases recycled in from the engine, is particularly exploited at least partly as an oxidant to the combustion operated in the engine.

According to the present invention, such a device is mainly recognizable in that it comprises a pump, this pump comprising an enclosure and a membrane, said membrane being confined inside said enclosure and being equipped with means of maneuver to cause its ripple so as to compress the air circulating through the said enclosure. This corrugation is in particular carried out in the direction of the flow of air flowing inside said confinement chamber of the membrane. The operating means more particularly cause a ripple of the membrane at a periodic excitation frequency substantially normal to its surface, the membrane being disposed substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the air flow. The membrane is in particular kept inside the enclosure being maneuvered from its upstream end, so that the undulations caused propagate between the two ends of the membrane in the direction of flow of the air flow. The displacement of the corrugations causes a transfer of mechanical energy between the membrane and the air in the form of a pressure variation of the air flow. It follows from these provisions that such a device placed on a channel for conveying air to the air intake chamber of the engine, increases the pressure of the air carried by this channel and finally d to increase the mass flow rate of the air admitted into the air intake chamber.

The device advantageously comprises means for controlling the implementation of the pump. An implementation of the pump corresponds in particular to a control of the implementation of the operating means and / or to a control of a passage through the pump of at least a portion of the air flow admitted into the device. These control means are more particularly means for controlling means for inhibiting the implementation of the pump, which in particular associates means for directing an air flow towards the pump and / or means for placing the pump. implementing maneuvering means.

The control means are in particular placed under the control of a computer in relation to reference information memory means, and with means for measuring parameters relating to said setpoint information. These parameters are for example at least one of the following parameters: *) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air at the outlet of the device, *) a pressure and / or a mass air flow rate at the inlet of the device, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow of air at the outlet of the pump, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air entering the pump, *) Pressure and / or an inlet air mass flow rate and / or the air intake _chamber, engine

*) a pressure and / or a mass flow of air at the input of the device, *) a total implementation time of the inhibiting means, and / or individual means for directing the flow of air to the pump and means for implementing the maneuvering means,

*) a separation time between the implementation of the means for directing the air fiow to the pump and the implementation of the means of implementation of the maneuvering means. *) the amplitude of an acceleration request by the driver. *) a motor torque delivered.

*) the voltage likely to be delivered by the vehicle's electrical energy source, *) the engine speed.

The list of parameters listed is however not exhaustive, the control means being able to be dependent on other parameters and measuring devices of these parameters without departing from the scope of the invention.

The dependence of the control means as a function of the parameters stated is in particular achieved by means of measuring means that comprises the device, such as pressure and / or flow sensors, and / or such as chronometric means, and / or such as means for detecting the maneuvering of an accelerator control device, particularly a pedal, and / or such as dynamometric means for measuring a torque delivered by the heat engine and / or measuring the speed of the motor, and / or such as a potentiometer for measuring the voltage delivered by the electrical energy source of the vehicle.

The setpoint information is likely to be predetermined from the design of the device, but are preferably adapted according to the air supply circuit to be equipped with the device. The set times correspond in particular to a use of the device in association with a compressor, turbocharger more particularly, so that the implementation of the pump corresponds to the latency required for reliable and efficient operation of the compressor following a request by the driver to change the speed of the engine,

In particular, the implementation of the pump maneuvering means is devolved under the control of at least one of an acceleration request detection, the flow rate and / or the pressure inside the pump. air intake chamber of the engine, a delivered engine torque, the flow rate and / or the air pressure at the inlet and / or at the outlet of the device and / or the pump, or, if appropriate, at the output a turbocharger. A stopping of the implementation of the operating means of the pump is also placed under the control of at least one of an operating time of the pump operating means, a duration of detection of the pump. implementation of the means for directing an air flow to the pump, the flow rate and / or the outlet pressure of the device and / or the corrected pump according to a set point.

More particularly still, the implementation of the means for directing an air flow towards the pump is placed under the control of at least one of them, for their putting into operation a duration of detection of the setting implementing means for operating the pump, the flow rate and / or the air pressure at the corrected pump outlet according to a setpoint threshold, and for stopping a possibly corrected operating time according to a threshold of setpoint of the speed of the engine, the engine torque delivered, the flow rate and / or the pressure inside the air intake chamber of the engine, the flow rate and / or the outlet pressure and / or at the input of the device, or even possibly at the output of a turbocharger.

More particularly, finally, the global implementation of the inhibition means is placed under the control of a sufficient power supply capacity by the vehicle's electrical energy source and / or a tolerated threshold of the engine speed. .

The means for directing an air flow towards the pump are indifferently progressive maneuvering, allowing or not an at least partial passage of the air flow admitted inside the device to the pump, and / or maneuver in all or nothing allowing or not rigorously a passage of such a flow of air through the pump.

The implementation of the operating means is likely to correspond to a variation in the amplitude and / or frequency of the undulations of the membrane.

According to an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a main air flow duct on which is placed bypass a secondary pipe on which is placed the pump.

According to another variant embodiment, the device comprises two air supply ducts, one main and the other secondary on which the pump is placed, these ducts being joined downstream of the pump,

The inhibition means, and more particularly the means for directing an air flow towards the pump, comprise at least one air distribution member which is for example placed on any one of the main ducts or else which is placed in series with the pump on any of the secondary lines. In the case of a bypass mounting of the pump, the air distribution member is placed indifferently between the two junction zones in branch of the secondary pipe and / or in any one at least of these two zones junction, or upstream and / or downstream junction areas respectively upstream or downstream. The air distribution member is for example constituted by at least one proportional flap, such as butterfly flap or drum flap or similar member, or at least one valve or the like at least two channels, such as clamshell.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a valve with at least three channels, one of the channels of which is in connection with an additional duct, regardless of whether the air is discharged from the device and / or the admission of a device. gas from outside the device. The device is capable of being equipped with each of such air evacuation valves and / or admission of a gas, at least one of these valves being able to constitute the means for orienting a flow air to the pump. The device preferably comprises at least one heat exchanger placed in series with the pump indifferently downstream and / or upstream of the latter.

The pump and at least one of the means for directing an air flow towards the pump and of the heat exchanger are advantageously integrated within the same assembly provided with junction means with at least an outside channel. The device may comprise connecting means to different external channels between its downstream junction and its upstream junction. As described below, such an outer channel may be a main airflow channel to the air intake chamber of the engine on which the device is interposed. The outer channel may also be a main and / or secondary air supply channel placed in a direction relative to each other. The outer channel may also be an air exhaust channel to a remote device, such as an exhaust gas apparatus from the heat engine manifold. The outer race can also be an exhaust gas inlet channel from the heat engine manifold.

According to a particular arrangement of the flow volume of the air flow inside the chamber, it is preferably restricted regularly between its upstream and downstream ends. More specifically, the enclosure comprises at least one section area progressively restricted in the direction of flow of the air flow.

A gap is preferably formed between the membrane and at least one wall of the enclosure superimposed on the membrane, between which wall and membrane circulates the air flow. Such a gap is preferably maintained between the wall and the membrane notwithstanding its undulation. It emerges from the association between the restriction of section of the chamber and the gap formed between the membrane and the corresponding wall of the chamber, an acceleration of the air flow without this air being at a single moment confined, or compressed, in the space individually between a corrugation of the membrane and the wall of the enclosure. The membrane operating means are particularly electrical energy, such as for example consisting of an electric motor and / or electromagnetic. These means of maneuver are for example equipped with connection means to the main source of electrical energy of the vehicle. According to another variant, the operating means are powered from an autonomous power source.

The invention also relates to an air supply circuit of the air intake chamber of a heat engine. According to the present invention, such a circuit is mainly recognizable in that it is equipped with a device as just described.

The device can be used in isolation for supplying air to the air intake chamber of the engine. However, the device is advantageously associated with a compressor, turbocharger in particular.

According to a variant, the device is placed in series indifferently upstream and / or downstream with the turbocharger on an air circulation duct towards the air intake chamber.

According to another variant, the device is placed on a secondary channel bypass of the turbocharger, the latter being located on a main air supply channel to the air intake chamber.

If necessary, the three-way valve that includes the device is in connection with a channel for discharging the air out of the supply circuit of the air intake chamber. Such evacuation is likely to occur in case of overpressure inside the circuit, or when the operation of the device is desired to be inhibited.

The exhaust air is also likely to be exploited to improve the operation of an exhaust gas treatment apparatus from the engine. In this case, the evacuation channel is advantageously in communication with such an apparatus. If necessary, the three-way valve included in the device is in connection with an exhaust gas inlet duct coming from the exhaust manifold of the heat engine, for conveying these exhaust gases into the combustion chamber. air intake for exploitation for combustion.

Description of the figures.

The present invention will be better understood, and details will arise from reading the description which will be made of embodiments in connection with the figures of the attached plates, in which:

Fig.1 is an illustration of a device of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the mounting of various respective embodiments of a device of the present invention, in isolation equipping an air supply circuit of a heat engine vehicle. Fig.1O to Fig.21 are diagrams illustrating the mounting of various respective embodiments of a device of the present invention, equipping an air supply circuit of a heat engine vehicle in combination with a turbocharger.

In FIG. 1, a device 1 is intended to increase the mass flow rate of air introduced into the air intake chamber of a combustion engine of a vehicle following a request for a torque increase of this thermal motor. This device 1 is adapted to reduce the response time between an acceleration request by the driver, and the corresponding effective increase of the torque delivered by the heat engine. In particular, this device 1 has the advantage of allowing an almost immediate increase in the mass quantity of air admitted inside the air intake chamber following the request of the driver, if necessary the time. the latency required for the efficient operation of a more powerful device, including turbocharger.

This device 1 comprises a pump 2 mainly consisting of an enclosure 3 with rigid walls 4 housing in its internal volume a flexible membrane 5. An orifice 6 and an air outlet port 7 are formed vis-à-vis one of the other in two opposite walls 4 of the chamber 3. I! As a result, an air stream 8 coming from a supply line 9 in communication with the air inlet orifice 6 circulates through the chamber 3 until it is discharged out of the chamber 3. through the air outlet port 7 which is in communication with an exhaust pipe 10 of air to an air intake chamber of the engine. The operation of such a pump 2 makes it possible to increase the mass air flow admitted into the air intake chamber, with the advantage of allowing a rapid increase in the torque delivered by the heat engine for a given capacity of its cylinders.

The flexible membrane 5 is kept more or less under tension in the interior volume of the chamber 3 by being fixed by means of at least its upstream end 11, or even by its downstream end 12. The fixing means of the membrane 5 are for example of the type by interlocking, by clipping, gluing, overmoulding or other similar technique, These arrangements are such that the air flow 8 flows into the chamber 3 on either side of the flexible membrane 5 until discharged from the enclosure 3 through the air outlet port 7,

To increase the air pressure between its intake inside the enclosure 3 and its evacuation out of it, the upstream end 11 of the flexible membrane 5 is subjected to periodic mechanical excitation delivered by an engine electromagnetic 13 or the like for example. This excitation can be delivered at a frequency corresponding to the first natural frequency of the flexible membrane 5 for example.

The electromagnetic motor 13 is in particular supplied with electrical energy from the power supply source 14 of the vehicle. The periodic excitation, which the electromagnetic motor 13 applies in the vicinity of the upstream end 11 of the flexible membrane 5, causes a ripple of the membrane 5 which propagates from its upstream end 11 to its downstream end 12. Notwithstanding the corrugations of the membrane 5 in the chamber 3, a minimum distance e is maintained between the ridges of the corrugations of the flexible membrane 5 and the rigid walls 4 of the enclosure 3 along which the air flow 8 flows. 8 air circulates substantially evenly between the air inlet port 6 and the air outlet port 7, without being at any moment locally confined between two corrugations of the flexible membrane 5. Moreover, the chamber 3 comprises a section S, taken orthogonally to the air flow 8 therethrough, which is progressively decreasing from the air inlet port 6 towards the air outlet port 7. As an indication, such a pump 2 used for the circulation of a physiological liquid in the biomedical field, and various alternative embodiments of this pump 2, are for example described in the document WO97 / 29282 (DREVET). According to a preferred embodiment of the pump 2, the latter is arranged to circulate the air through a discoidal path.

The implementation of the pump 2 is placed under the control of control means 15 to adapt its operation to the constraints of efficiency, accuracy, control, robustness and sustainability, specific to the field of thermal motorization of vehicles. These control means are more particularly means for controlling means for inhibiting the implementation of the pump 2, associating means 16 for operating the operating means 13 of the pump and means 21 for orienting the pump. an air flow admitted inside the device 1 to the pump 2.

These control means 15 are associated with a computer 19 and are placed under the control of information memory means 17 and measurement means 18 of various parameters relating to this setpoint information, and are implemented in accordance with FIG. desired operation of the engine, and more particularly according to a torque that it must deliver consecutively to an acceleration request made by the driver.

The measuring means are, for example, means for measuring a flow rate and / or an air pressure inside and / or at the inlet and / or at the outlet of the device and / or inside the device. air intake chamber of the engine and / or where appropriate at the outlet of a turbocompressor, chronometric means and / or dynamometric means,

From the information relating to the measurements transmitted to the control means 15, these implement the pump 2 from a complete operation or partial of its capacities, or prohibit an implementation of the pump 2. Such operations are in particular carried out by the implementation of the operating means 13 of the pump 2, and / or by the implementation of the means 21 of directing the flow of air towards the pump 2, which makes it possible to deflect at least partially the air flow 8 capable of passing through the pump 2. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the means 21 for directing the flow of air to pump 2 consist of an air distribution member whose maneuver on opening, complete or partial, and / or closure is placed under the control of the control means 15. Such a distribution member d air is for example placed on the supply line 9 to allow, completely or partially, and / or to prevent a passage of the air flow 8 inside the chamber 3 of the pump 2.

All these arrangements, taken alone or in combination, allows the device 1 to increase the air pressure conveyed by an air supply circuit of the air intake chamber of the engine on which it is interposed, with a brief response time in particular less than 200 ms, including for a request by the driver of an increase in the torque of the engine while it is at low speed, and that the exhaust gases are in small amount. Such a device 1 has the advantages of being reliable, durable and inexpensive, compact and low energy consumption.

In Fig.2 to Fig.8, a device 1 of the type described in Fig.1 is installed on an air supply circuit of the air intake chamber 22 of the engine, and more particularly on a 23 air circulation channel feeding this room. According to these installation variants, the device 1 is operated in isolation to supply air to the chamber 22, and is equipped at its upstream and downstream ends with connecting means 24, 25 to the air circulation channel 23.

In FIG. 2, the device 1 consists mainly of the pump 2, which is placed in series on the air circulation channel 23 upstream of the chamber 22. This results in a simple and inexpensive architecture enabling if necessary increase the pressure of the air to be introduced into the chamber 22. In FIGS. 3 to 8, the pump 2 is placed on a secondary pipe 26 that the device 1 comprises. This secondary pipe 26 is placed in a bypass on a main pipe 27. The means 21 for orienting a flow air to the pump 2 consist of an air distribution member. In fig. 3, the air distribution member is a proportional flap placed on the main pipe 27. In Fig.4 to Fig.6, the air distribution member consists of a two-way valve or the like placed in a junction zone of the secondary pipe 26 with the main pipe 27, this junction zone being either the downstream zone 28, as represented in FIG. 4, or the upstream zone 29 as represented in FIGS. fig.6. In Fig.6, the main pipe 27 and the secondary pipe 26 are each equipped with a non-return valve 30, to prevent a backflow of air into the device 1, and prevent a pressure drop inside. of the air intake chamber 22.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the air distribution member consists of a three-way valve 31 placed on the main line 27. One of the channels 32, 33 of this valve 31 is in relation with an additional pipe 34, the device 1 being equipped with connecting means 35 with an outer channel 36,37. According to alternative embodiments not shown, the three-way valves 31 are likely to be placed downstream of the downstream junction zone 28 and to be used separately and in addition to other air distribution means.

In FIG. 7, the three-way valve 31 is located in the downstream junction zone 28 of the secondary conduit 26. The additional conduit 34 is for an air outlet from the device 1, to the outer channel which is a channel 36 for evacuating this air in communication with an apparatus 38 for treating the exhaust gases coming from the heat engine. These provisions are intended to provide an air intake inside a catalytic exhaust gas to promote the operation of the latter.

In Fig. 8, the three-way valve 31 is placed in the upstream junction zone 29 of the secondary conduit 26. The additional conduit 34 is intended for an inlet exhaust gases from a manifold 39 of the engine, from the outer channel which is a channel 37 carrying these gases. This intake of exhaust gas is intended to allow their transport to the air intake chamber 22 for use during combustion.

In FIG. 9, the device 1 is placed in series with the air intake chamber 22, being in relation to its upstream end with two air supply channels, respectively secondary 40 and main 41. Secondary channel 40 is assigned to an air supply of the pump 2 erected on a secondary line 42 while the main channel 41 is assigned to a main line 43 of the device 1 which is related to the secondary line 42. The device 1 comprises means 21 for directing an air flow to the pump 2, consisting of a proportional car located in a junction zone 44 between the main pipe 43 and the secondary pipe 42. The device 1 is equipped with 45.46 junction respectively between the main channel 41 and the main pipe 43 and secondly the secondary channel 40 and the secondary pipe 42. The device 1 is also equipped with connecting means 25 with a circulation channelof air 23 to the air intake chamber 22.

In Fig.1O to Fig.21, the device 1 is associated with a turbocharger 47. The air supply of the air intake chamber 22 is performed by the device 1 while waiting for efficient operation turbocharger 47 following a request by the driver to increase the torque to be delivered by the engine.

In FIGS. 10 to 13, the device 1 and the turbocharger 47 are connected in parallel upstream of the air intake chamber 22.

In FIG. 10, the device 1 is of the type shown in FIG. 2, and is placed on an air circulation channel 23 upstream of the connection of the turbocharger 47 with this channel 23.

In Fig.11 to Fig.13, the device 1 is of the type shown in Fig.9. The means 21 for directing the flow of air towards the pump 2 consist of a shutter proportional for fig.11 and fig.12, and a three-way valve 31 for fig.13. The turbocharger 47 is placed on the main channel 41. Compared to the turbocharger 47, the means 21 for directing the flow of air to the pump 2 are placed in series while the pump 2 is placed in parallel. In these figures, the turbocharger 47 is shown disposed upstream of the device 1. According to similar embodiments not shown, the turbocharger 47 may be interposed between the air intake chamber 22 and the device 1, being placed on the air circulation channel 23 supplying the chamber 22.

In FIG. 12, the device comprises a heat exchanger 48 placed on the main pipe 43 downstream of the means 21 for directing an air flow towards the pump 2. This heat exchanger 48 is intended in particular to cool the flow 8 air from the turbocharger 47, for an admission of an air ie coldest possible in the cylinders of the engine. According to an embodiment variant not illustrated, this heat exchanger 48 is capable of being disposed upstream of the means 21 for directing the flow of air towards the pump 2.

On fig.14 to fig.21, the device 1 and the turbocharger 47 are connected in series on the air circulation channel 23, upstream of the air intake chamber 22. In fig.14 and 1, the device 1 is of the type shown in Fig.2 and is placed relative to the turbocharger 47 respectively downstream for Fig.14 and upstream for Fig.15. In Figs. 16 to Fig. 21, the device 1 is placed downstream of the turbocharger 47. In Fig. 16 to Fig. 19, the device 1 is of the type shown in Fig. 3. In FIG. 20 the device is of the type shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 21, the device is of the type combining the characteristics of the devices represented in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 17 to FIG. 21, the device 1 comprises at least one heat exchanger 48 intended to cool the air coming from the turbocharger 47. The heat exchanger 48 is placed with respect to the pump 2 respectively upstream to the devices shown in Fig.17, Fig.20 and Fig.21 and downstream for the device shown in Fig.18. In Fig.19, the device 1 comprises two heat exchangers 48 respectively placed upstream and downstream of the pump 2. In Figs 20 and Fig. 21, the inlet channel 37 is preferably equipped with a cooling device 49 of the exhaust gas that it conveys. The exhaust gas cooled by the cooling device 49 is directed by the device 1 to the air intake chamber 22, after accelerating the flow through the pump 2. The combustion at the The interior of the engine is slowed down and the combustion temperature is reduced, whereby the amount of nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas is reduced. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the cooling device 49 can be integrated into the device 1 by being placed on the additional intake duct 34.

The various means, organs and conduits constituting the device are advantageously grouped at least partly in the same set provided with junction means to the different external channels. However, these means and members may be installed independently on the air supply circuit of the air intake chamber.

Claims

claims

1.- Device for increasing the flow of air admitted inside the air intake chamber (22) of a heat engine, especially of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a pump ( 2), said pump (2) comprising an enclosure (3) and a membrane (5), said membrane (5) being confined within said enclosure (3) and being provided with operating means (13) for causing its ripple so as to compress the air flowing through said enclosure (3).

2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises control means (15) means for inhibiting the implementation of the pump associating means (21) for orienting a flow of air to the pump (2) and / or means (16) for operating the operating means (13),

3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means (15) are placed under the control of a computer (19) in relation to memory means (17) of set information, and with means (18) for measuring parameters relating to said setpoint information, comprising at least one of the following parameters:

*) a pressure and / or a mass flow of air at the outlet of the device, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air at the inlet of the device, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air in pump outlet, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air entering the pump, *) a pressure and / or a mass flow of air at the inlet and / or in the inlet chamber of engine air

*) a pressure and / or a mass flow rate of air at the inlet of the device, *) a total time of implementation of the means of inhibition, and / or individual means (21) of orientation of the air flow to the pump and means of implementation of the maneuvering means,

*) a separation time between the implementation of the means (21) for directing the flow of air to the pump and the implementation of the means for implementing the operating means. *) the amplitude of an acceleration request by the driver. *) a motor torque delivered,

4.- Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the means (21) for directing an air flow to the pump are indifferently to progressive maneuver and / or maneuvering in all or nothing.

5.- Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the implementation of the operating means (13) corresponds to a variation of ampiitude and / or the frequency of the corrugations of the membrane (5). ).

6.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a main duct (27) for circulating the air flow (8) on which is placed bypass a secondary duct (26) on which is placed the pump (2).

7.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two air supply lines, one main (41) and the other secondary (40) on which is placed the pump these lines (41, 40) being joined downstream of the pump (2).

8.- Device according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the means (21) for directing an air flow to the pump (21) comprise at least one air distribution member placed on any of the main lines (27,41).

9.- Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the means (21) for directing an air flow to the pump comprise at least an air distribution member placed in series with the pump (2) on any one of the secondary lines (26, 40).

10.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a valve with at least three channels (31), one (32) of the channels is in connection with an additional pipe (34) indifferently exhausting the air out of the device (1) and / or admitting a gas from outside the device (1).

11, - Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the three-way valve (31) is constitutive means (21) for directing an air flow to the pump (21).

12, - Device seion any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat exchanger (48) placed in series with the pump (2) indifferently downstream and / or upstream of the latter.

13.- Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the pump (2) and any at least means (21) for directing an air flow to the pump and the heat exchanger ( 48) are integrated within the same assembly provided with connecting means (24,25,35,45,46) with at least one external channel

(23,40,41, 36,37).

14.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure (3) comprises at least one section area (S) gradually restricted in the direction of flow of the air flow (8).

15.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gap (e) is provided between the membrane (5) and at least one wall (4) of the enclosure (3) superimposed on the membrane (5), between which wall (4) and membrane (5) circulates the flow of air (8), a said gap (e) being maintained between the wall

(4) and the membrane (5) notwithstanding its undulation.

16.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating means (13) are electrically powered and are equipped with connection means to the main source (14) of electrical energy of the vehicle.

17.- circuit for supplying air to the air intake chamber (22) of a heat engine, characterized in that it is equipped with a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. .

18, - Air supply circuit according to claim 17, characterized in that the device (1) is associated with a turbocharger (47).

19.- air supply circuit according to claim 18, characterized in that the device (1) is placed in series indifferently upstream and / or downstream with the turbocharger (47) on an air circulation channel ( 23) to the air intake chamber (22).

20.- air supply circuit according to claim 18, characterized in that the device (1) is placed on a secondary channel (40) bypass of the turbocharger (47), the latter (47) being placed on a channel main (41) supplying air to the air inlet chamber (22).

21, - air supply circuit according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the three-way valve (31) that comprises the device (1) is in connection with a channel (36) of evacuation air out of the supply circuit of the air intake chamber (22).

22.- Air supply circuit according to claim 21, characterized in that the exhaust channel (36) is in communication with one of an apparatus (38) for treating exhaust gases from the engine .

23.- Air supply circuit according to any one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the three-way valve (31) that comprises the device is in connection with a channel (37) for the admission of the gases of exhaust from the exhaust manifold (39) of the engine.