Title of Invention

VARIABLE GEOMETRY EXHAUST COOLER

Abstract The present invention provides an exhaust cooler mounted to a tailpipe for receiving exhaust gas. The exhaust cooler includes a jet pump connectable to the tailpipe and a nozzle connectable to the tailpipe. The nozzle defines a nozzle opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump. A first member is included that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, the open position defining a first opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
Full Text VARIABLE GEOMETRY EXHAUST COOLER
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to exhaust coolers, and more
particularly to a variable geometry exhaust cooler.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior
art.
[0003] Diesel engine systems are popular due to their generally high
efficiency relative to other kinds of internal combustion engines. This efficiency
is due, in part, to the increased compression ratio of the Diesel combustion
process and the higher energy density of Diesel fuel. However, the Diesel
combustion process does produce particulates that are carried in the exhaust
gas produced by the Diesel engine system.
[0004] A Diesel particulate filter is often used to remove these
particulates from the exhaust gases. Typically, the Diesel particulate filter is
coupled to the exhaust system downstream of the Diesel engine. The Diesel
particulate filter receives the exhaust gas and filters particulates out of the
exhaust gas. While useful for its intended purpose, the Diesel particulate filter
can become full over time, and if not cleaned, the operating effectiveness of the
Diesel particulate filter can be degraded.
1

[0005] Another solution known in the art is to use a regeneration
process to remove particulates trapped in the Diesel particulate filter. These
regeneration processes may take various forms, such as, for example, exhaust
gas recirculation or using post-combustion fuel injected into the cylinder in order
to raise the temperature of the exhaust gas stream. An exemplary regeneration
process is found in commonly owned U.S. Patent Number 7,104,048 B2, hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. These regeneration
processes typically heat the exhaust gasses to a high temperature in order to
burn the particulates from the Diesel particulate filter.
[0006] During conditions when the Diesel engine system is in an idle
state, it is desirable to cool the exhaust gasses before they are expelled into the
environment. Accordingly, an exhaust gas cooler may be coupled to the Diesel
engine system downstream of the Diesel particulate filter to cool the exhaust gas.
The exhaust gas cooler is operable to mix the hot exhaust gas with the cooler
ambient air, thereby reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas. To do so,
however, the amount of exhaust gas entering the exhaust cooler is typically
restricted such that sufficient cooling can take place. This restriction of the
exhaust gas can lead to back pressure, lowered horsepower, and other
inefficiencies in the Diesel engine system when the Diesel engine system is
running at a non-idle state and producing large amounts of exhaust gas.
Accordingly, there is room in the art for an exhaust cooler that is operable to vary
the amount of exhaust gas entering the exhaust cooler based on the operating
state of the Diesel engine system.
2

SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention provides an exhaust cooler mounted to a
tailpipe for receiving exhaust gas.
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention the exhaust cooler
includes a jet pump connectable to the tailpipe and a nozzle connectable to the
tailpipe. The nozzle defines an opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for
communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump. A first member
is included that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, the
open position defining a first opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for
communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention the first member is a
plate pivotally connectable to the tailpipe.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention a hinge is
connectable between the tailpipe and the first member to allow the first member
to pivot between the open and the closed positions.
[0011] In still another aspect of the present invention a second member
is included that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, the
open position defining a second opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump
for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
[0012] In still another aspect of the present invention the first member
and the second member are each semi-circular in shape and are sized to fit
overtop the nozzle opening.
3

[0013] In still another aspect of the present invention the first opening
and the second opening are each semi-circular in shape.
[0014] In still another aspect of the present invention when the first
member and the second member are in the closed position, the first opening and
the second opening cooperate to form a circular shaped opening.
[0015] In still another aspect of the present invention the circular
shaped opening has a diameter less than a diameter of the nozzle opening.
[0016] In still another aspect of the present invention a biasing member
is connectable to the tailpipe to bias the first member to the closed position.
[0017] In still another aspect of the present invention the biasing
member is a torsional spring.
[0018] In still another aspect of the present invention the first member
is a valve.
[0019] In still another aspect of the present invention the valve is a
reed type valve.
[0020] In still another aspect of the present invention the nozzle has a
frusto-conical shape and the valve is positioned on an outer surface of the frusto-
conical nozzle.
[0021] In still another aspect of the present invention a plurality of reed
valves are spaced equidistance along the outer surface of the frusto-conical
nozzle.
[0022] In still another aspect of the present invention the jet pump is
connectable to the tailpipe by a plurality of struts.
4

[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and
specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0024] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary Diesel engine
system having a variable exhaust cooler according to the principles of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2A is an enlarged schematic side view of the variable
exhaust cooler of the present invention having throttle plates in a closed position
when the exemplary Diesel engine system is in an idle state;
[0027] FIG. 2B is an enlarged schematic side view of the variable
exhaust cooler of the present invention having throttle plates in an open position
when the exemplary Diesel engine system is in a non-idle state;
[0028] FIG. 3A is an enlarged schematic side view of a second
embodiment of the variable exhaust cooler of the present invention having valves
in a closed position when the exemplary Diesel engine system is in an idle state;
and
[0029] FIG. 3B is an enlarged schematic side view of the second
embodiment of the variable exhaust cooler of the present invention having valves
5

in an open position when the exemplary Diesel engine system is in a non-idle
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is
not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary Diesel engine system is
illustrated and generally indicated by reference number 10. The Diesel engine
system 10 is preferably employed in a motor vehicle (not shown), though the
Diesel engine system 10 may be used in various other applications without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The Diesel engine system 10
generally includes a Diesel engine 12. The Diesel engine 12 is in electronic
communication with an engine controller 14. The engine controller 14 is
operable to control the Diesel engine 12 based on various parameters.
[0032] The Diesel engine 12 is operable to combust Diesel fuel (not
shown) in a combustion process within the Diesel engine 12. The by-product of
this combustion process is an exhaust gas. The exhaust gas is discharged from
the Diesel engine 12 as an exhaust gas stream into an exhaust pipe 16, as
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1.
[0033] The exhaust pipe 16 includes a first section 18 that
communicates the exhaust gas from the Diesel engine 12 to a catalyst 20 located
downstream of the Diesel engine 12. The catalyst 20 is mounted to the exhaust
pipe 16. The catalyst 20 may be any exhaust scrubbing device, such as, for
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example, an NOx filter. The catalyst 20 is operable to filter the exhaust gas to
meet applicable emissions standards.
[0034] A second section 22 of the exhaust pipe 16 carries the exhaust
gas from the catalyst 20 to a Diesel particulate filter 24. The Diesel particulate
filter 24 is mounted to the exhaust pipe 16 and is located downstream of the
catalyst 20 and the Diesel engine 12. The Diesel particulate filter 24 filters the
exhaust gas stream and traps particulates therein. The Diesel particulate filter 24
may take various forms without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, the Diesel particulate filter 24 may include a ceramic
structure through which the exhaust gas stream passes. The particulates are
trapped and accumulate on the walls of the ceramic structure until such time as
they are burned off in a regeneration process using hot exhaust gasses.
[0035] The exhaust gas stream passes from the Diesel particulate filter
24 to a tailpipe section 26 of the exhaust pipe 16. An exhaust cooler 30 is
mounted to an end of the tailpipe section 26. As will be described in greater
detail below, the exhaust cooler 30 acts to cool the exhaust gas stream before
the exhaust gas stream enters the surrounding environment.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 2A, the exhaust gas cooler 30 generally
includes a variable geometry nozzle assembly 32 coupled with a jet pump 34.
The nozzle assembly 32 is disposed on an end of the tailpipe section 26 and
defines an opening 36. Preferably, the opening 36 has a diameter equal to the
diameter of the tailpipe section 26. However, it should be appreciated that the
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opening 36 may have a diameter different than the diameter of the tailpipe
section 26 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0037] The nozzle assembly 32 further includes a first throttle plate 38A
and a second throttle plate 38B. The throttle plates 38A and 38B are each
generally semi-circular in shape and each have an outer diameter larger than the
diameter of the opening 36. Alternatively, the throttle plates 38A and 38B could
have an outer diameter less than the opening 36 such that the throttle plates 38A
and 38B fit within the opening 36. The throttle plates 38A and 38B each
respectively include a semi-circular opening or cut out 42A and 42B. The semi-
circular cut outs 42A and 42B are concentric with the generally semi-circular
shape of the throttle plates 38A and 38B, and each semi-circular cut out 42A and
42B has a diameter less than the outer diameter of the throttle plates 38A and
38B.
[0038] The throttle plates 38A and 38B are each pivotally mounted to
the tailpipe section 26 at the opening 36. In the example provided, a first hinge
44A pivotally couples the first throttle plate 38A to the tailpipe section 26. The
first hinge 44A is mounted to the tailpipe section 26 and is mounted to the
circumferential center, or apex, of the semi-circular outer edge of the first throttle
plate 38A. A second hinge 44B pivotally couples the second throttle plate 38B to
the tailpipe section 26. The second hinge 44B is mounted to the tailpipe section
26 at a position opposite the first hinge 44A. The second hinge 44B is also
mounted to the circumferential center, or apex, of the semi-circular outer edge of
the second throttle plate 38B. While hinges 44A and 44B have been illustrated
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as pivotally coupling the throttle plates 38A and 38B to the tailpipe section 26, it
should be appreciated that various other mechanisms that allow the throttle
plates 38A and 38B to pivot relative to the tailpipe section 26 may be employed
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0039] The throttle plates 38A and 38B are respectively biased to a
closed position by a first biasing member 48A and a second biasing member
48B. In the preferred embodiment, the biasing members 48A and 48B are
torsional springs, though various other biasing devices may be employed without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0040] The closed position of the throttle plates 38A and 38B is
illustrated in FIG. 2A. When in the closed position, the throttle plates 38A and
38B are positioned to at least partially cover the opening 36. Furthermore, the
cut outs 42A and 42B cooperate to define a reduced opening 50. The reduced
opening 50 has a diameter less than the diameter of the opening 36.
[0041] The jet pump 34 includes a cylindrical pipe portion 56. An
intake portion 58 is mounted on one end of the cylindrical pipe portion 56. The
intake portion 58 is generally frusto-conical in shape and defines an intake
opening 60. An output portion 62 is mounted on an opposite end of the
cylindrical pipe portion 56. The output portion 62 is also generally frusto-conical
in shape and defines an exhaust output 64 at an end thereof. In an alternate
embodiment, the jet pump 34 includes only the cylindrical pipe portion 56.
[0042] The jet pump 34 is mounted to the tailpipe section 26 by struts
66. The struts 66 extend from the intake portion to the tailpipe section 26. The
9

jet pump 34 extends out from the tailpipe section 26 away from the nozzle
assembly 32.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 1 and continued reference to FIG. 2A, in
order to clean the Diesel particulate filter 24, hot exhaust gas is passed through
the exhaust pipe 16, through the Diesel particulate filter 24, and on to the
exhaust cooler 30. When the Diesel engine 12 is in an idle state, the hot exhaust
gas passes through the nozzle opening 50. Cooler ambient air is sucked through
the intake opening 60 of the jet pump 34. The hot exhaust gas and the cooler
ambient air circulate and mix within the cylindrical pipe portion 56 and the output
portion 62. The hot exhaust gas is cooled and exits the exhaust cooler 30 from
the exhaust output 64. Hot exhaust ranging in temperature from 450-600
degrees Celsius at the nozzle opening 50 may be cooled to less than 300
degrees Celsius at the exhaust output 64.
[0044] As the exhaust gas stream leaves the Diesel engine 12, the
exhaust gas stream flows through the exhaust pipe 16. As the exhaust gas
stream 12 reaches the exhaust cooler 30, the exhaust gas stream exerts a
pressure on the throttle plates 38A and 38B. During idle conditions, the exhaust
gas stream pressure is less than the force exerted on the throttle plates 38A and
38B by the biasing members 46A and 46B. Accordingly, the throttle plates 38A
and 38B remain in the closed position and the nozzle opening 50 speeds up the
exhaust gas as it passes through the restricted nozzle opening 50, thereby
entraining more air in the jet pump 34 and achieving increased cooling from the
increased volume of entrained ambient air.
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[0045] When the Diesel engine 12 is running at non-idle conditions, the
amount of exhaust gas produced by the Diesel engine 12 increases, and
accordingly the pressure of the exhaust gas stream on the throttle plates 38A
and 38B increases. This exhaust gas pressure is operable to move the throttle
plates 38A and 38B into an open position. The open position of the throttle
plates 38A and 38B is illustrated in FIG. 2B. When the exhaust stream pressure
exceeds the force exerted by the biasing members 46A and 46B on the throttle
plates 38A and 38B, the throttle plates 38A and 38B are pivoted against the
biasing members 46A and 46B on the hinges 44A and 44B. As the throttle plates
38A and 38B are pivoted away from each other, the opening from the tailpipe
section 26 into the jet pump 34 increases in size from the area provided by the
nozzle 50 to the area provided by the opening 36. Accordingly, a larger amount
of exhaust gas is allowed to pass from the nozzle assembly 30 into the jet pump
34, thereby reducing back pressure and other inefficiencies at non-idle speeds.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 3A, a second embodiment of the exhaust
gas cooler is generally indicated by reference number 130. The exhaust gas
cooler 130 generally includes the jet pump 34, as described in FIG.'s 2A and 2B,
and a nozzle assembly 132.
[0047] The nozzle assembly 132 is disposed on an end of the tailpipe
section 26 and includes a nozzle 134. The nozzle 134 has a generally frusto-
conical shape and is hollow such that an interior of the nozzle 134 communicates
with the tailpipe section 26 to receive the exhaust gas stream. The nozzle 134
further defines an outlet 136 at an end thereof. The outlet 136 has a diameter
11

less than the diameter of the tailpipe section 26 and therefore restricts the
amount of exhaust gas passing from the tailpipe section 26 to the jet pump 34.
[0048] A plurality of valves 140, only two of which are shown, are
located around an outer surface 142 of the nozzle 134. The valves 140 are in
communication with the interior of the nozzle 134 and in turn the exhaust gas
stream within the tailpipe section 26. In the preferred embodiment, six to eight
valves are spaced evenly around the outer surface 142 of the nozzle 134.
However, it should be appreciated that any number of valves 140 may be
employed with the present invention. The valves 140 are moveable between a
closed position, as shown in FIG. 3A, and an open position, as shown in FIG. 3B.
The valves 140 are biased toward the closed position. In the preferred
embodiment, the valves 140 are reed type valves. However, it should be
appreciated that various other types of valves may be employed with the present
invention.
[0049] During idle conditions, the exhaust gas stream pressure is not
sufficient to open the valves 140, and the valves remain in the closed position as
illustrated in FIG. 3A. Accordingly, the outlet 136 speeds up the exhaust gas
stream as it passes through the restricted opening of the outlet 136, thereby
entraining more air in the jet pump 34 and achieving increased cooling from the
increased volume of entrained ambient air. When the Diesel engine 12 is
running at non-idle conditions, the amount of exhaust gas produced by the Diesel
engine 12 increases, and accordingly the pressure of the exhaust gas stream on
the valve 140 increases. This exhaust gas pressure is operable to move the
12

valves 140 into the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Accordingly, a larger
amount of exhaust gas is allowed to pass from the nozzle assembly 130 into the
jet pump 34, thereby reducing back pressure and other inefficiencies at non-idle
speeds. This allows the exhaust gas cooler 130 to automatically adjust to the
operating state of the engine 12.
[0050] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature
and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be
within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
13

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An exhaust cooler mounted to a tailpipe for receiving exhaust gas, the
exhaust cooler comprising:
a jet pump connectable to the tailpipe;
a nozzle connectable to the tailpipe, the nozzle defining a nozzle opening
between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust gas from
the tailpipe to the jet pump; and
a first member moveable between a closed position and an open position,
the open position defining a first opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump
for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
2. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 1 wherein the first member is a plate
pivotally connectable to the tailpipe.
3. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 2 further comprising a hinge
connectable between the tailpipe and the first member to allow the first member
to pivot between the open and the closed positions.
4. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 2 further comprising a second member
moveable between a closed position and an open position, the open position
14

defining a second opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for
communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
5. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 4 wherein the first member and the
second member are each semi-circular in shape and are sized to fit overtop the
nozzle opening.
6. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 5 wherein the first opening and the
second opening are each semi-circular in shape.
7. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 6 wherein when the first member and
the second member are in the closed position, the first opening and the second
' opening cooperate to form a circular shaped opening.
8. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 7 wherein the circular shaped opening
has a diameter less than a diameter of the nozzle opening.
9. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member
connectable to the tailpipe to bias the first member to the closed position.
10. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 9 wherein the biasing member is a
torsional spring.
15

11. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 1 wherein the first member is a valve.
12. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 11 wherein the valve is a reed type
valve.
13. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 12 wherein the nozzle has a frusto-
conical shape and the valve is positioned on an outer surface of the frusto-
conical nozzle.
16
14. The exhaust gas cooler of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of
reed valves spaced equidistance along the outer surface of the frusto-conical
nozzle.
15. The exhaust cooler of claim 1 wherein the jet pump is connectable to
the tailpipe by a plurality of struts.

The present invention provides an exhaust cooler mounted to a tailpipe for
receiving exhaust gas. The exhaust cooler includes a jet pump connectable to
the tailpipe and a nozzle connectable to the tailpipe. The nozzle defines a nozzle
opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust
gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump. A first member is included that is moveable
between a closed position and an open position, the open position defining a first
opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust
gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.

Documents:

00231-kol-2008-abstract.pdf

00231-kol-2008-claims.pdf

00231-kol-2008-correspondence others.pdf

00231-kol-2008-description complete.pdf

00231-kol-2008-drawings.pdf

00231-kol-2008-form 1.pdf

00231-kol-2008-form 2.pdf

00231-kol-2008-form 3.pdf

00231-kol-2008-form 5.pdf

00231-kol-2008-translated copy of priority document.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM-3.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-DRAWINGS.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-PA.pdf

231-KOL-2008-(14-02-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

231-KOL-2008-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

231-KOL-2008-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.1.pdf

231-KOL-2008-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.2.pdf

231-kol-2008-form 18.pdf

231-KOL-2008-OTHERS.pdf

abstract-00231-kol-2008.jpg


Patent Number 258226
Indian Patent Application Number 231/KOL/2008
PG Journal Number 51/2013
Publication Date 20-Dec-2013
Grant Date 18-Dec-2013
Date of Filing 08-Feb-2008
Name of Patentee GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Applicant Address 300 GM RENAISSANCE CENTER DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 JIANWEN LI 1783 COLUMBUS DRIVE, NO. 102 CANTON, MICHIGAN 48188
2 RAHUL MITAL 2706 BROADMOOR DRIVE ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309
PCT International Classification Number F01N3/02; F01N3/02
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 11/677,133 2007-02-21 U.S.A.