U.S. patent application number 11/247233 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for fuel cooler, automotive vehicle comprising such a fuel cooler and method for producing such a fuel cooler.
This patent application is currently assigned to Veritas AG. Invention is credited to Sergio Pascuzzi.
Application Number | 20060076128 11/247233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35058761 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060076128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pascuzzi; Sergio |
April 13, 2006 |
Fuel cooler, automotive vehicle comprising such a fuel cooler and
method for producing such a fuel cooler
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fuel cooler comprising at
least one cooling module having a flow channel formed therein, the
cooling module comprising at least one joining means for joining
with at least one further cooling module.
Inventors: |
Pascuzzi; Sergio;
(Griesheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PC;(INCLUDING BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS)
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Veritas AG
Gelnhausen
DE
|
Family ID: |
35058761 |
Appl. No.: |
11/247233 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/172 ;
165/178 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 2275/14 20130101;
Y02T 10/126 20130101; F28F 1/16 20130101; F28D 2021/0087 20130101;
F02M 31/20 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101; F28F 9/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/172 ;
165/178 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/10 20060101
F28F001/10; F28F 9/04 20060101 F28F009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 049 670.6 |
Claims
1. A fuel cooler comprising at least one cooling module having a
flow channel formed therein, the cooling module comprising at least
one joining means for joining with at least one further cooling
module.
2. The fuel cooler according to claim 1, wherein said cooling
module comprises two joining means.
3. The fuel cooler according to claim 2, wherein the two joining
means have the same shape.
4. The fuel cooler according to claim 3, wherein there are at least
two cooling modules joined by a joining element which is in
engagement with one of the two joining means of the one cooling
module and with one of the two joining means of the other cooling
module.
5. The fuel cooler according to claim 2, wherein the one joining
means is configured in the form of a tongue and the other joining
means in the form of a groove.
6. The fuel cooler according to claim 5, wherein there are at least
two cooling modules which are directly joined with one another, the
tongue of the one cooling module engaging into the groove of the
other cooling module.
7. The fuel cooler according to claim 1, wherein the cooling
module(s) is/are at made tubular.
8. The fuel cooler according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of
cooling modules are each connected at the end side by a connecting
piece in which a flow channel is formed, the connecting piece
including at least a number of connecting sections corresponding to
the number of cooling modules.
9. The fuel cooler according to claim 8, wherein the connecting
piece is made of plastics or metal.
10. The fuel cooler according to claim 1, wherein the cooling
module(s) comprise(s) cooling fins.
11. An automotive vehicle comprising a fuel cooler according to
claim 1.
12. A method for producing a fuel cooler according to claim 1,
wherein the cooling module is produced by extrusion molding or
impact extrusion.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cooler, an
automotive vehicle comprising such a fuel cooler, and a method for
producing such a fuel cooler.
[0002] In diesel engines, diesel fuel returned from the engine into
the tank may have temperatures of up to 135.degree. C., whereby
especially during long operation periods the temperature of the
fuel inside the tank may rise. That is why the diesel fuel returned
into the tank is cooled.
[0003] A fuel cooler for automotive vehicles with diesel engines is
known from DE 197 02 440 A1.
[0004] Said fuel cooler is composed of a tube which is bent several
times and forms a plurality of parallel-arranged flow channels
integrally connected to the U-bent tube sections. This repeatedly
bent tube is mounted on a built-on plate which comprises a recess
corresponding to the contour of the tube. The tube is fitted into
said recess and soldered therewith. In a further fuel cooler
suggested in DE 197 02 440 A1, the parallel flow channels are made
integral with the built-on plate, the respectively open ends of the
flow channels being interconnected by tube bends.
[0005] The known fuel cooler is intended for mounting in the area
of the longitudinal sills of an automotive vehicle or at another
suitable place on the vehicle bottom in such a manner that headwind
can flow towards the cooling fins provided on the fuel cooler.
[0006] The known fuel cooler has the drawback that it requires a
predetermined fixed constructional space and can only be provided
in the area of the vehicle bottom due to its geometry. In the area
of the vehicle bottom, however, the fuel cooler is exposed to parts
possibly thrown up by the wheels.
[0007] Furthermore, many manufacturing steps are needed for
producing the known fuel cooler, e.g. bending the tube, stamping
the built-on plate, and soldering the tube to the plate. Moreover,
the known fuel cooler is not very flexible with respect to the
design of the cooling capacity and the flow resistance.
[0008] It is the object of the present invention to provide a fuel
cooler which can be easily adapted to the given constructional
space inside the automotive vehicle. Furthermore, an automotive
vehicle with such a fuel cooler and a method for producing such a
fuel cooler shall be provided.
[0009] As for the fuel cooler, the object is achieved according to
the invention by the subject matter of claim 1. As for the
automotive vehicle and the method, respectively, the object is
achieved according to the invention by the subject matters of
claims 11, 12.
[0010] The invention has the advantage that due to its modular
construction the fuel cooler can be flexibly adapted to the
constructional space given in the automotive vehicle, so that said
space can be used in an optimum manner. Due to the modular
construction of the fuel cooler the range of possible
constructional designs is enlarged on the whole because the
arrangement of the cooling fins, for instance, can be freely
configured, so that the construction of the fuel cooler can be
adapted to the constructional conditions or special requirements of
the customers. Furthermore, the cooling capacity and the flow
resistance can be varied easily, for instance by realizing a
meandering construction of the fuel cooler with several cooling
modules, which may also be arranged in parallel or in series.
Moreover, the manufacturing steps which have so far been required,
i.e. soldering, stamping or punching, are not needed because the
individual cooling modules are produced by extrusion molding or
impact extrusion and are combined with one another to form the fuel
cooler. In addition, inexpensive semifinished products can be used
as cut goods from which the individual cooling modules can be made,
resulting in further economic advantages.
[0011] Preferably, the cooling module comprises two joining means.
It is thereby possible to join any desired number of cooling
modules with one another.
[0012] The two joining means may have the same shape, so that the
cooling module or cooling modules can be produced in a particularly
simple manner. It may here be that at least two cooling modules are
joined by a joining element which is in engagement with one of the
two joining means of the one cooling module and with one of the two
joining means of the other cooling module. The use of a joining
element for joining the cooling modules makes it possible to
improve the mechanical stabilization of the fuel cooler.
[0013] Alternatively, the one joining means may be configured in
the form of a tongue and the other joining means in the form of a
groove. Said configuration of the cooling module(s) permits a
direct joining of the cooling modules with one another, the tongue
of the one cooling module engaging into the groove of the other
cooling module. Said embodiment of the invention is inexpensive
because comparatively few components are needed for producing the
fuel cooler.
[0014] The cooling module(s) may be made tubular, so that
continuous semifinished products can be used for producing the
individual cooling modules, particularly by extrusion molding or
impact extrusion.
[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a
plurality of cooling modules are each connected at the end side by
a connecting piece having a flow channel formed therein, the
connecting piece comprising at least a number of connecting
sections corresponding to the number of the cooling modules. Thanks
to the use of such connecting pieces any desired number of cooling
modules can be combined with one another in a flexible manner.
[0016] The cooling module(s) may comprise cooling fins for
improving the cooling capacity.
[0017] The invention will now be explained with further details and
with reference to the attached schematic drawings, of which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling module for a fuel
cooler according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section of the joining means of the
cooling module according to FIG. 1 with a joining element;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of a connecting piece of a fuel
cooler;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view on the connecting piece according to
FIG. 3; and
[0022] FIG. 5 shows an example of a restricted available
constructional space which can be optimally used by the fuel cooler
according to the invention.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a cooling module 1 of a fuel cooler as is e.g.
used in diesel engines of automotive vehicles. The illustrated
cooling module 1 is not limited to cooling diesel fuel, but can in
general be used for cooling fuel also in other engines.
[0024] The cooling module 1 has formed therein a flow channel 2
through which fuel is transported during operation of the engine,
with the fuel discharging heat to the environment through the wall
of the cooling module 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
cooling module 1 has an elongated shape, the flow channel 2 being
made tubular, i.e. provided with a circular cross-section. Other
geometries of the flow channel are possible with respect to both
cross-section and longitudinal shape.
[0025] The individual cooling module 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be
combined with further cooling modules of a similar structure to
obtain a fuel cooler. It is also possible to use the cooling module
shown in FIG. 1 without the cooling module being combined with
further cooling modules.
[0026] Two joining means 3, 4 are provided on the cooling module 1
for joining with further cooling modules. The joining means 3, 4
are made symmetrical, offset by 180.degree., at both sides of the
cooling module 1. Another arrangement of the two joining means 3,
4, e.g. offset by 90.degree. or by another angle, is also possible
and depends on the desired geometrical shape of the fuel cooler or
on the predetermined form of the available constructional space.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide more than two joining means
3, 4, for instance three or four joining means that are mounted in
spaced-apart relationship on the cooling module 1 for joining with
further cooling modules. It is thereby possible to build up a
package of several cooling modules, the form of said package being
variable in almost any desired way. Moreover, cooling modules of
different lengths may be combined.
[0027] The joining means 3, 4 are arranged in the longitudinal
direction of the cooling module 1, particularly in parallel with
the longitudinal axis. The tubular configuration of the cooling
module 1 and the arrangement of the joining means 3, 4 in the
longitudinal direction of the cooling module 1 permit an easy
manufacture of the cooling module 1, e.g. by extrusion molding or
by impact extrusion. To this end the cooling module 1 consists of
metal, preferably of aluminum. Furthermore, alloys which can be
subjected to extrusion molding or impact extrusion can be used.
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the joining means 3, 4
are configured as a groove-and-tongue system. The joining means 3
which is configured as a tongue is an extension which is T-shaped
in cross section and which is integrally connected to the cooling
module 1, particularly to the wall of the flow channel 2. The
joining means 4 which is arranged opposite to the joining means 4
formed as a tongue is provided as a groove in the example shown in
FIG. 1, the groove being made complementary to the tongue of the
joining means 3. The groove of the joining means is here formed by
two groove walls 4a, 4b extending in the longitudinal direction of
the cooling module 1, the two groove walls being formed on the
cooling module 1.
[0029] The cooling module 1 shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to be
directly connected to further cooling modules of the same
construction; the joining means 3 which is designed as the tongue
is here joined with a joining means 4 of a further cooling module,
the joining means 4 being configured as a groove.
[0030] Instead of the groove-and-tongue system shown in FIG. 1, the
joining means 3 may be of a similar configuration, as shown in FIG.
2. For instance, the two joining means 3 may each be formed as
extensions of a T-shaped cross-section on the cooling module 1. A
joining element 5 which comprises two grooves 5a, 5b made
complementary to the T-shaped joining means 3 is provided for
joining the cooling module 1 with a further cooling module.
[0031] In the mounted state, the T-shaped joining means 3 of the
one cooling module 1 engages into the complementary groove 5a of
the joining element 5. At the other side of the joining element 5,
the T-shaped joining element of a further cooling module (not
shown) engages into the complementary groove 5b, thereby
establishing a connection between two cooling modules.
[0032] It is also possible to provide T-shaped extensions on the
joining element 5 and joining means in the form of complementary
grooves on the cooling modules.
[0033] The joining element 5 shown in FIG. 2 has side walls of a
concave configuration which are adapted to the profile of the
cooling module. The connection between two cooling modules is
thereby stabilized mechanically. Moreover, the joining element can
be made from a heat-insulating material, so that a heat transfer
between adjoining cooling modules is prevented. The joining element
5 can also be produced by extrusion molding or impact
extrusion.
[0034] The cooling module 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality
of cooling fins 9. It is also possible to construct the cooling
module 1 without cooling fins, i.e. as a smooth tube. The
illustrated number of five cooling fins 9 at both sides of the
cooling module 1 is by way of example. Any desired number of
cooling fins is possible. Moreover, position and length of the
cooling fins can be varied. For instance, it is possible to arrange
the cooling fins of a cooling module in a direction towards the
vehicle and the cooling fins of the next cooling module in a
direction towards the road surface. Furthermore, a hedgehog-like
arrangement of the cooling fins is possible.
[0035] The individual cooling modules 1 of a fuel cooler are
connected by a connecting piece 6, which is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, at
the end side, i.e. at their open ends, the connecting piece 6
comprising a flow channel 7, so that the individual cooling modules
1 communicate with one another. The connecting piece 6 comprises a
number of connecting sections 8 corresponding to the number of the
cooling modules to be connected. Two cooling modules 1 may be
connected by the connecting piece 6 shown in FIGS. 3, 4. A
connecting piece 6 with three connecting sections 8 is outlined in
FIGS. 3, 4 by broken lines.
[0036] Moreover, the connecting piece 6 comprises two free
connecting sections 8 provided for connection to a return line
leading from the injection pump of the engine to the tank, so that
the fuel cooler can be installed between engine and tank.
[0037] The connecting piece 6 may be made from plastics by
injection molding or also from metal and may have any desired
shape. In the present example, the connecting piece 6 is
substantially U-shaped. When two cooling modules 1 of different
lengths are connected, the connecting piece 6 is provided with
connecting sections having different lengths each dimensioned such
that the difference in length between the cooling modules is
compensated.
[0038] The modular construction of the fuel cooler permits an
optimum exploitation of the available constructional space. For
instance, when the constructional space shown in FIG. 5 has a
longer section A and a shorter section B, the available
constructional space can be fully exploited by using corresponding
long cooling modules 1 adapted to the long section A and shorter
cooling modules 1 adapted to the shorter section B.
[0039] Of course, the constructional space can be optimally
occupied not only in terms of area, but also in terms of space by
adapting the individual cooling modules 1 accordingly.
[0040] Moreover, the cooling capacity and the flow resistance can
be varied through a corresponding selection of the number of the
cooling modules 1 used or the length or the flow cross-section of
the individual cooling modules.
[0041] The cooling modules 1 are produced by extrusion molding or
impact extrusion and consist, for this purpose, of alloys which can
be subjected to extrusion molding or impact extrusion. For the
manufacture of the fuel cooler several cooling modules of the same
construction are combined with one another. However, it is also
possible to combine different cooling modules with one another,
such cooling modules being adapted, for instance, with respect to
the arrangement or configuration of the cooling fins 9, to the
respective constructional conditions.
* * * * *