WO2014093215A1

WO2014093215A1 - Resonator with liner

Info

Publication number: WO2014093215A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/073853
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodney Champlin GLOVER III
Original assignee: Eaton Corporation
Priority date: 2012-12-10
Filing date: 2013-12-09
Publication date: 2014-06-19

Abstract

A resonator for an intake system includes: a conduit portion having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of chambers in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and a liner positioned within the conduit portion and over the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures.

Description

RESONATOR WITH LINER

[0001] This application is being filed on 09 December 2013, as a PCT International Patent Application and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/735,244 filed on 10 December 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Supercharger and turbocharger compressors, such as roots-type air blowers, can emit a distinctive noise, often referred to as a whine, during operation, especially at high loadings. These high loadings typically occur when the compressor is compressing air for an internal combustion engine at a compression ratio that is on the higher end of a compression ratio range.

[0003] The air running through the roots-type air blowers is audible and can be amplified by the typical housing and bearing plate materials used to manufacture blowers. The noise may attain an undesirable level if uncorrected.

A resonator, such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 7,934,581 to Kim, can be used to attenuate the noise associated with the air entering and/or leaving the roots-type blowers. SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a resonator for an intake system includes: a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of chambers in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and a liner positioned within the conduit portion and over the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures.

[0005] In another aspect, an intake system includes: a compressor, and a resonator coupled to the compressor, the resonator being configured to attenuate a noise signature of the compressor, the resonator including: a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of chambers positioned about the conduit portion and in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and a liner positioned within the conduit portion and over the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures.

[0006] In yet another aspect, an intake system includes: a compressor, and a resonator coupled to the compressor, the resonator being configured to attenuate a noise signature of the compressor, the resonator including: a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of chambers positioned about the conduit portion and in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and a liner adhered to an inner surface of the conduit portion and extending from the inlet to the outlet of the conduit portion to cover the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an engine and intake system.

[0008] Figure 2 is a sectional view of a resonator of the engine and intake system of Figure 1.

[0009] Figure 2A is an enlarged view of a portion 2A of Figure 2.

[0010] Figure 2B is an enlarged view of a portion 2B of Figure 2.

[0011] Figure 3 is perspective view of an inner portion of the resonator of

Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 4 is a side view of the inner portion of Figure 3.

[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the resonator of Figure 1 with a two- piece liner exploded therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure is directed towards resonators for roots-type air blowers. In examples described herein, an inner surface of the resonators is lined with a material to minimize particulates from disrupting the acoustic properties of the resonators. It will be appreciated that side designations are used herein for convenience only and are not intended to limit how the device may be used. In this regard, it will be appreciated that embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can be used in any orientation. [0015] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an engine and intake system 10, including an engine E, a compressor C, and a noise resonator 20.

[0016] In the embodiment illustrated, the engine E is an internal combustion engine, and the compressor C is a portion of a supercharger. The compressor C can be a roots-type air blower, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application

Publication No. 2009/0148330 to Swartzlander, entitled "Optimized Helix Angle Rotors for Roots-Style Supercharger," the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0017] In example embodiments, the fluid provided to the compressor C includes exhaust gas (referred to as exhaust gas recirculation or "EGR") that is recirculated into the engine cylinders.

[0018] The resonator 20 generally operates to reduce the noise transmitted by the compressor C that may resonate through the intake. Although attached to the inlet of the compressor C in the example shown, another resonator 20 can also be connected to the outlet of the compressor C between the compressor C and the engine E.

[0019] The resonator 20 generally defines an axis A-A and includes an outer shell 22, an inlet 24 and an outlet 26. The noise resonator 20 is further illustrated in Figures 2-4 to include an inner member 30 having a conduit portion 32, a first annular wall 34, a second annular wall 36, and a generally annular mating end

38.

[0020] In the embodiment illustrated, the shell 22 is a generally cylindrical housing and includes a first end 40, a second end 42, a shell outside surface 44, and a shell inside surface 46. As best seen in Figure 2, the conduit portion 32 includes a first conduit portion 50, a second conduit portion 52, an outside conduit surface 54, an inside conduit surface 56, a plurality of first conduit apertures 58, and a plurality of second conduit apertures 60. In the illustration of Figure 2, all of the apertures shown in the sectioned portion of the first conduit portion 50 are first conduit apertures 58, while all of the apertures shown in the sectioned portion of the second conduit portion 52 are second conduit apertures

60.

[0021] The outlet 26 includes a generally annular inside surface 70 for sealing with the mating end 38. The first annular wall includes a generally annular first surface 72, a generally annular second surface 74, and a generally cylindrical wall outer surface 76. The second annular wall 36 includes a generally annular surface 78.

[0022] The shell inside surface 46, the outside conduit surface 54, the second surface 74 of the first annular wall 34 and the annular surface 78 of the second annular wall 36 define a first chamber 64. The shell inside surface 46, the outside conduit surface 54, the first surface 72 of the first annular wall 34 and the annular inside surface 70 of the outlet 26 define a second chamber 66. As illustrated, the distance between the second surface 74 of the first annular wall 34 and the annular surface 78 of the second annular wall 36 is a length LI . The distance between the first surface 72 of the first annular wall 34 and the annular inside surface 70 is a length L2.

[0023] In the embodiment illustrated, the first chamber 64 and the second chamber 66 have generally the same volume. In the embodiment illustrated, the shell inside surface 46 and the outside conduit surface each have generally consistent diameters along the lengths LI and L2. Also in the embodiment illustrated, the length LI is equal to the length L2. That is, the distance between the first annular wall 34 and the second annular wall 36 is equal to the distance between the first annular wall 34 and the outlet 26.

[0024] Although the two chambers 64, 66 are shown in this example, more or fewer chambers can be used in other examples. For instance, in other examples, a resonator can have 1, 3, 4, 5, etc. chambers configured in the manners described herein.

[0025] In the embodiment illustrated, each first conduit aperture 58 is generally cylindrical and defined by an axis F-F, while each second conduit aperture 60 is generally cylindrical and defined by an axis G-G, although the first conduit apertures 58 and the second conduit apertures 60 need not be cylindrical. Each first conduit aperture 58 is generally the same diameter as each second conduit aperture 60.

[0026] Additionally, the number of second conduit apertures 60 is greater than the number of the first conduit apertures 58. In one embodiment, the resonator 20 has twenty-four (24) first conduit apertures 58 and thirty-four (34) second conduit apertures 60, where the first conduit apertures 58 are generally the same diameter as the second conduit apertures 60. Also in the embodiment illustrated, the axes F-F and G-G intersect the axis A-A. As best seen in FIGS. 2- 4, the first conduit apertures 58 are generally evenly distributed within the first conduit portion 50, and the second conduit apertures 60 are generally evenly distributed within the second conduit portion 52.

[0027] The inlet 24 is defined by a throat 80 for directing fluid flow from a first inlet end 82 to a second inlet end 84. The outlet 26 is defined by a throat 90 for directing fluid flow from a first inlet end 92 to a second inlet end 94.

[0028] As best seen in Figure 2A, an example first conduit aperture 58 generally defines a first diameter Dl and a thickness Tl, which is generally the thickness of the first conduit portion 50 (distance between the outside conduit surface 54 and the inside conduit surface 56). Referring to Figure 2B, an example second conduit aperture 60 generally defines a second diameter D2 and a thickness T2, which is generally the thickness of the second conduit portion 52. The total area provided between the interior of the conduit portion 32 and the first chamber 64 is equal to the number of first conduit apertures 58 multiplied by the area of each first conduit aperture 58. Similarly, the total area provided between the interior of the conduit portion 32 and the second chamber 64 is equal to the number of second conduit apertures 60 multiplied by the area of each second conduit aperture 60.

[0029] Additional details regarding the resonator 20 and other similar resonators are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,934,581 to Kim entitled

"Broadband noise resonator," the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Although the example resonator 20 is shown herein, other configurations for a resonator can also be used.

[0030] Referring now to Figures 2-3 and 6, a liner 100 is positioned within the conduit portion 32 of the inner member 30. The liner 100 extends from a first end 102 to a second end 104 and is generally the same length as the conduit portion 32. In other embodiments, the liner 100 can be of various lengths, as described further below.

[0031] As illustrated, the liner 100 includes an outer surface 108 that is positioned inside the conduit portion 32. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the liner 100 is positioned to generally occlude the first conduit apertures 58 and the second conduit apertures 60.

[0032] In this configuration, the liner 100 generally minimizes or blocks the flow of fluid from the internal area of the conduit portion 32 into the first and second chambers 64 and 66. However, the forces or pulses that contribute to the undesired noise may be transmitted to the first and second chambers 64 and 66 without allowing fluid to flow from the conduit portion 32 to the first and second chambers 64 and 66.

[0033] In this manner, any particulate carried by the fluid passing through the conduit portion 32 is deflected by the liner 100 so that the particulate entering the first and second chambers 64 and 66 through the first and second apertures 58 and 60 is minimized. This allows the first and second chambers 64 and 66 to remain free of such particulate, which can be included in such fluid as exhaust gases used in EGR.

[0034] In other words, the liner 100 functions as a physical barrier for particulates and other undesired material from entering the first and second chambers 64 and 66. However, the liner 100 is generally acoustically transparent, so that the resonator 20 continues to function to attenuate noise.

[0035] Referring to Figure 6, in one embodiment, the liner 100 is formed of two hemispherical components 1 14, 1 16. Each of the components 114, 116 is separately positioned within the conduit portion 32 and snapped or otherwise connected to form the liner 100. A diameter D3 of the liner 100 is sized so the outer surface 108 of the liner 100 is positioned adjacent to the inside conduit surface 56.

[0036] In some examples, the outer surface 108 of the liner 100 can be coupled to the inside conduit surface 56 of the conduit portion 32 using an adhesive or can be held by friction. In others, the liner 100 can be laminated to the inside conduit surface 56. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the liner 100 can be formed as a single sheet that is bent to follow the contour of the conduit portion 32. The liner 100 can thereupon be laminated to the inside conduit surface 56 to hold the liner in place.

[0037] In another example, the inner member 30 can be made of two pieces. The liner 100 can be laminated to the conduit portion 32 as the inner member 30 is assembled, thereby allowing for greater access to the inner member 30 during lamination of the liner 100. Other configurations are possible.

[0038] In yet other examples, the liner 100 can be formed of multiple pieces, each have a length equal to or less than that of the conduit portion 32. For example, the liner 100 can be formed of individually-sized components that are each sized to plug a single one of the first and second apertures 58 and 60. In other examples, the liner 100 can be a liquid or other fluid that is applied and allowed to harden to form the liner. Other configurations are possible.

[0039] The liner 100 can be formed of different materials. In some examples, the liner 100 is formed of materials that can withstand the operating temperature range for the resonator 20, such as at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for the outlet of the compressor C. Such materials include, without limitation, Mylar and Kevlar. Other materials, such as urethane, can be used in some instances.

[0040] In these examples, the liner 100 can be flexible or rigid. In the example depicted in Figure 6, the material is formed of two components that are rigid and coupled together. However, in other examples, the material can be flexible and adhered to the inside conduit surface 56, as described.

[0041] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A resonator for an intake system, comprising:

a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures; a plurality of chambers in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and

a liner positioned within the conduit portion and over the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures.

2. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner is adhered to an inner surface of the conduit portion.

3. The resonator of claim 2, wherein the liner is laminated to the inner surface of the conduit portion.

4. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner blocks each of the plurality of apertures in the conduit portion.

5. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner includes two components that are coupled to form the liner.

6. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner is made of Mylar.

7. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner physically blocks one or more of the apertures.

8. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner including multiple components, each of which is configured to block one or more of the apertures.

9. The resonator of claim 1, wherein the liner extends from the inlet to the outlet of the conduit portion.

10. The resonator of claim 1, wherein a fluid flows through the conduit portion from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid including exhaust gas.

1 1. An intake system, comprising:

a compressor, and

a resonator coupled to the compressor, the resonator being configured to attenuate a noise signature of the compressor, the resonator including:

a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures;

a plurality of chambers positioned about the conduit portion and in communication with the conduit portion through the plurality of apertures; and

12. The intake system of claim 1 1, wherein the liner is adhered to an inner surface of the conduit portion.

13. The intake system of claim 11, wherein the liner blocks each of the plurality of apertures in the conduit portion.

14. The intake system of claim 11, wherein the liner includes two components that are coupled to form the liner.

15. The intake system of claim 11, wherein the liner is made of Mylar.

16. The intake system of claim 1 1, wherein the liner extends from the inlet to the outlet of the conduit portion.

17. The intake system of claim 11, wherein a fluid flows through the conduit portion from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid including exhaust gas.

18. An intake system, comprising: a compressor, and

a conduit portion defining an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of apertures;

a liner adhered to an inner surface of the conduit portion and extending from the inlet to the outlet of the conduit portion to cover the apertures, the liner minimizing any particulate within the conduit portion from entering the plurality of chambers through the apertures;

wherein a fluid flows through the conduit portion from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid including exhaust gas.

19. The intake system of claim 18, wherein the liner blocks each of the plurality of apertures in the conduit portion.

20. The intake system of claim 18, wherein the fluid is created by exhaust gas recirculation.