Engine heater and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler ( 111 ) fluidly communicating with an intake system ( 117 ) and an exhaust system ( 109 ) of an engine ( 100 ). An EGR valve ( 113 ) is in fluid communication with the EGR cooler ( 111 ). A turbocharger turbine ( 103 ) has an inlet in fluid communication with the exhaust system ( 109 ) and an outlet in fluid communication with a vehicle exhaust system ( 177 ). A bypass valve ( 115 ) is in fluid communication with the EGR cooler ( 111 ) and the outlet of the turbine ( 103 ). A cooling system ( 200 ) includes a heater supply passage ( 222 ) and a heater return passage ( 224 ). A vehicle heater ( 220 ) is in fluid communication with the cooling system ( 200 ), wherein a flow path of coolant is defined between the EGR cooler ( 111 ), the heater supply passage ( 222 ), the heater ( 220 ), the heater return passage ( 224 ), and the engine ( 100 ).
1. An apparatus for warming an internal combustion engine comprising:
an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler fluidly communicating with an intake system and an exhaust system;
an EGR valve in fluid communication with the EGR cooler;
a turbocharger turbine having an inlet disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust system and an outlet in fluid communication with a vehicle exhaust system;
a bypass valve in fluid communication with the EGR cooler and the outlet of the turbine;
a cooling system integrally disposed with the internal combustion engine and having a heater supply passage and a heater return passage;
a heater in fluid communication with the cooling system, wherein a flow path of coolant is defined between the EGR cooler, the heater supply passage, the heater, the heater return passage, and the engine.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cooling system further includes an EGR cooler supply passage and an EGR cooler return passage, wherein the EGR cooler supply passage and the EGR cooler return passage fluidly connect a coolant side of the EGR cooler with the cooling system of the engine.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the flow path of coolant further includes the EGR cooler supply passage and the EGR cooler return passage.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a connecting passage that is part of the flow path of coolant, wherein the connecting passage fluidly connects the EGR cooler return passage directly to the heater supply passage.
5. A method for reducing a time required to warm-up an engine, comprising the steps of:
determining whether cold conditions exist when the engine is first started;
when the engine is first started under cold conditions, determining an operational state of the engine;
when the engine is in an idling mode, opening a bypass valve;
passing exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler to heat a flow of coolant passing through the EGR cooler, wherein the exhaust gas passing through the EGR cooler does not enter an intake system of the engine;
routing the flow of coolant from the EGR cooler to a cabin heater of a vehicle.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of determining whether cold conditions exist includes determining at least one engine operating parameter selected from: coolant temperature, oil temperature, intake air temperature, exhaust temperature, and ambient temperature; and
comparing the at least one engine operating parameter to a predetermined value.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of closing the bypass valve when it is determined that the engine has reached a sufficiently warm operating temperature.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of closing the bypass valve when it is determined that the engine is no longer in the idling mode.
9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of resuming normal engine operation when the engine has reached a sufficiently warm operating temperature.
10. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of resuming normal engine operation when the engine is no longer in the idling mode.
11. A method of operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
determining that the engine requires warming by comparing an engine operating parameter to a predetermined value;
actuating a valve to divert a flow of exhaust gas through a first heat exchanger without passing through a turbine of an engine turbocharger;
using the first heat exchanger to warm a flow of coolant passing therethrough;
routing the flow of coolant from the first heat exchanger into a second heat exchanger disposed in a cabin of a vehicle, wherein the step of rerouting is accomplished by opening a bypass valve.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of closing the bypass valve when the engine is warm.
13. A method of operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
determining that the engine requires warming by comparing an engine operating parameter to a predetermined value;
actuating a valve to divert a flow of exhaust gas through a first heat exchanger without passing through a turbine of an engine turbocharger;
using the first heat exchanger to warm a flow of coolant passing therethrough;
routing the flow of coolant from the first heat exchanger into a second heat exchanger disposed in a cabin of a vehicle, wherein the first heat exchanger is an EGR cooler having a coolant outlet that is directly connected to a coolant inlet of the second heat exchanger.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of determining is accomplished in an electronic engine controller, wherein the electronic engine controlled is arranged and constructed to receive at least one input from a sensor disposed on the engine.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one input is at least one of a coolant temperature, an oil temperature, an intake air temperature, and exhaust temperature, and an ambient temperature.