IP Library Granted Patent US 12,359,610
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,610 · App. 18/038,329 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Control method for an air intake intercooler that heats or cools intake air of an engine and a control system thereof

Inventors: Ling Bai (Shandong, CN); Deli Zhao (Shandong, CN)
Assignee: WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
F02B29/0493F02B29/0462F02B29/0481F02M31/13F25B21/02H10N10/13
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,610
App. No.
18/038,329
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are a control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine and a control system thereof, which relates to the technical field of intercoolers. The air intake intercooler includes a primary thermal management unit that can heat and cool intake air. The control method for the air intake intercooler includes acquiring real-time air intake temperature of an air inlet of the intake intercooler; controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on a heating mode in response to the real-time air intake temperature being lower than a set minimum temperature limit value; and controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on a cooling mode in response to the real-time air intake temperature being higher than the set maximum temperature limit.

Claims (24)

1. A control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine, wherein the air intake intercooler comprises a primary thermal management unit and a secondary thermal management unit, wherein the secondary thermal management unit and the primary thermal management unit are arranged in sequence in a direction from an air inlet of the air intake intercooler to an air outlet of the air intake intercooler, and the primary thermal management unit is configured to heat and cool intake air, and the control method for an air intake intercooler comprises:

cooling, by the secondary thermal management unit, the intake air, wherein the intake air enters the secondary thermal management unit through the air inlet of the air intake intercooler;

acquiring real-time air intake temperature of an air inlet of the air intake intercooler, and controlling the primary thermal management unit to start a cooling mode, a heating mode, or to stop working according to the real-time air intake temperature;

in response to the real-time air intake temperature being within a set temperature range, controlling the primary thermal management unit to stop working, and cooling the intake air through the secondary thermal management unit;

controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on the heating mode in response to the real-time air intake temperature being lower than a set minimum temperature limit value; and

controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on the cooling mode in response to the real-time air intake temperature being higher than a set maximum temperature limit value;

wherein the primary thermal management unit comprises a thermocouple composed of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor, and the secondary thermal management unit comprises a water-cooled intercooler or an air-cooled structure intercooler.

2. The control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 1 , wherein the set temperature range is between the set minimum temperature limit value and the set maximum temperature limit value.

3. The control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 1 , wherein

the controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on a heating mode comprises:

controlling electrons of the N-type semiconductor to move towards the P-type semiconductor.

4. The control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 3 , wherein the controlling the primary thermal management unit to turn on a cooling mode comprises:

controlling electrons of the P-type semiconductor to move towards the N-type semiconductor.

5. The control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 1 , wherein the set minimum temperature limit value is between 15° C. to 25° C.

6. The control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 1 , wherein the set maximum temperature limit value is between 65° C. to 75° C.

7. A control system of an air intake intercooler of an engine adopting the control method for an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 1 , the secondary thermal management unit is configured to cool the intake air;

wherein the engine comprises an engine electronic control unit (ECU), the air inlet of the air intake intercooler is provided with a temperature sensor configured to detect the real-time air intake temperature of the air inlet of the air intake intercooler,

the primary thermal management unit and the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the engine ECU, and the engine ECU is configured to acquire real-time air intake temperature of an air inlet of the air intake intercooler controller, and control the primary thermal management unit to start a cooling mode, a heating mode, or to stop working according to the real-time air intake temperature;

the engine ECU is configured to, in response to the real-time air intake temperature being within a set temperature range, control the primary thermal management unit to stop working, and the intake air is cooled through the secondary thermal management unit;

the engine ECU is configured to, in response to the real-time air intake temperature being lower than a set minimum temperature limit value, control the primary thermal management unit to turn on the heating mode;

the engine ECU is configured to, in response to the real-time air intake temperature being higher than a set maximum temperature limit value, control the primary thermal management unit to turn on the cooling mode;

wherein the primary thermal management unit comprises a thermocouple composed of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor, and the secondary thermal management unit comprises a water-cooled intercooler or an air-cooled structure intercooler.

8. The control system of an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 7 , wherein the engine ECU comprises a power supply and a switch control module, the switch control module is configured to switch a direction of an output current of the power supply, and the P-type semiconductor and the N-type semiconductor are connected to two electrodes of the power supply respectively.

9. The control system of an air intake intercooler of an engine according to claim 8 , wherein the switch control module comprises a relay configured to control connection and disconnection of the power supply to the thermocouple.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2023
From: BAI, LING; ZHAO, DELI
To: WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063731/0065 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202210538457.2 · May 17, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240352886A1 · Oct 24, 2024
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