DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a heat absorbent device. Particularly relates to an oil cooler unit installed in automobiles for absorbing the heat from the oil during operating conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Lubrication and cooling are critical aspects of an internal combustion engine. Since the internal combustion engine develops considerable amount of heat during its working process, it is of vital importance to keep the engine parts well lubricated and temperature under acceptable limits. Internal combustion engines generally use oil for lubrication and also as a medium for dissipating heat generated from the internal combustion engine. This aids in keeping the engine under operating conditions and also increases the efficiency of the engine.

Oil used in the internal combustion engines have to be periodically changed after an amount of service period. Moreover, the life of the engine improves drastically by regularly changing oil at right intervals. Internal combustion engines are equipped with oil filters to filter out the debris particles and other dust particles which get circulated around cooling and lubricating jackets provided within the internal combustion engine. The oil filters are built such that, there is continuous filtration process of the oil which gets filtered and recirculated for lubrication and cooling purposes. Oil filters equipped in internal combustion engines also need to have controlled oil temperature inlet and outlet for efficient working and increased durability.

In view of the above, modern internal combustion engines are equipped with oil filters which consist of a cooler to cool the heated oil entering the oil filter for filtration. The oil cooler or heat absorbent device consists of coolant inlet and coolant outlet ports for allowing the coolant to absorb the heat from the oil. The coolant that is being circulated within the oil cooler has no particular direction and is randomly distributed around or across the cooling jacket provided in the oil cooler core. Also, in other cases the coolant is jetted or sprayed onto a cooling core which absorbs the heat efficiently. However, random distribution of the coolant fluid within the oil cooler causes a short circuit to the coolant fluid wherein, the heat dissipated by the oil is not absorbed by the coolant. In other words, close proximity of the coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port may lead to inefficient cooling due to the change in coolant flow circuit or short circuiting of the coolant fluid. Short circuiting of the coolant fluid refers to a flow path which is shorter than the actual flow path. In other words, the coolant fluid as described in Figure 1 of the prior art enters through the inlet port and exits through the outlet port without circulating around a core compartment. This non-absorption of heat due to short circuiting of coolant fluid leads to high engine oil temperature. This leads to lower viscosity of oil possibly resulting in metal to metal contact due to boundary lubrication and causing more wear of moving parts of engine and reduced engine performance and engine life in the long run.

Figure 1 illustrates the existing oil cooler or heat absorbent device (100’) placed over the oil filter (not shown). The oil cooler (100’) has two coolant openings or ports, a coolant inlet port (16’) for inletting the coolant from a reservoir (not shown in figure) and a coolant outlet port (17’) placed proximal to the coolant inlet port (16’). Coolant fluid enters the oil cooler (100’) through the coolant inlet port (16’) and exits through the coolant outlet port (17’). The coolant fluid entering from the coolant inlet port (16’) distributes disproportionately within the oil cooler (100’). The coolant fluid short circuits and returns through the coolant outlet port (17’). This leads to insufficient absorption of the heat dissipated from the oil coming through the internal combustion engine. The oil cooler (100’) has two openings on top surface wherein, oil inlet port (11’) ingresses the pressurized high temperature oil from the engine oil pump and the oil outlet port (12’) supplies the cooled and filtered oil back to the engine components through main oil galleries (not shown in the figure). The oil inlet port (11’) and the oil outlet port (12’) are fluidically connected to the oil filter.

In view of the above, there is a need to develop an oil cooler or heat absorbent device which provides an adequate circulation of the coolant fluid for improved heat absorption from the oil.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an oil cooler comprising: a core component having an oil inlet port and an oil outlet port provided proximal to each other wherein, the oil inlet port and the oil outlet port are fluidically connected to an oil filter. A core component shell configured concentrically around the core component forming a heat sink wherein, an inlet port and an outlet port are provided on outer surface of the core component shell for coolant fluid flow. A barricade element configured in-between the core component and the core component shell wherein, the barricade element barricades coolant fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port and directs coolant fluid flow around the core component via a second flow path.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second flow path is longer in comparison to a first flow path for the coolant fluid flow from the inlet port to reach the outlet port.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the barricade element configured in-between the inlet port and outlet port extends from top end up to bottom end of the core component.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, heat from the core component is absorbed by the coolant fluid flow around the core component within the heat sink.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil inlet port and the oil outlet port are provided on a top surface of the core component.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top surface of the core component is fixed to an adapter and bottom surface of the core component is fixed to the oil filter.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the concentric gap in-between the core component and the core component shell forms a heat sink.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling an oil cooler comprising steps of: configuring a core component having an oil inlet port and an oil outlet port provided proximal to each other wherein, the oil inlet port and the oil outlet port are fluidically connected to an oil filter. Configuring a core component shell concentrically around the core component forming a heat sink wherein, an inlet port and an outlet port are provided on outer surface of the core component shell for coolant fluid flow. Configuring a barricade element in-between the core component and the core component shell wherein, the barricade element barricades coolant fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port and directs coolant fluid flow around the core component via a second flow path.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the existing oil cooler and the coolant fluid flow circuit according to the prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates an oil cooler with coolant fluid inlet port and outlet port mounted on outer surface of core component shell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates exploded view of the oil cooler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates perspective view of the oil cooler according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates perspective view of the oil cooler with barricade element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

The oil cooler consists of a core component having an oil inlet port and an oil outlet port provided on the top surface of the core component. The core component is concentrically bound by a core component shell which resembles a cooling jacket over the core component. The core component shell consists of an inlet port and an outlet port for the coolant fluid flow. The inlet and outlet ports are connected to a coolant reservoir which delivers continuous coolant fluid for absorbing heat from the oil. The core component shell is provided concentrically around the core component in such a manner that, a concentric gap in-between the core component and the core component shell forms a heat sink. The coolant fluid enters the heat sink through the inlet port and flows around the core component. The coolant fluid while flowing around the core component absorbs heat from the oil flowing through the core component and exits through the outlet port. A barricade element provided in-between the inlet port and the outlet port prevents short circuiting of the coolant fluid flow and directs the coolant fluid flow towards the second flow path. The coolant fluid flow circuit in the second flow path absorbs the heat emanating from the core component and avoids short circuiting of the coolant fluid flow.

Figure 2 illustrates an oil cooler or heat absorbent device (100) herein referred to as oil cooler (100) having an inlet port (16) and an outlet port (17) located on the outer surface of a core component shell (14). The oil cooler (100) is provided in-between an oil filter (13) and an adapter (20). The top surface (19a) (shown in Figure 5) of the oil cooler (100) is connected to the adapter (20) and bottom surface (19b) is connected to the oil filter (13). Inlet port (16) and outlet port (17) are provided on the outer surface of the core component shell (14). Coolant fluid is supplied from a coolant reservoir (not shown in figure) and is in a perpetual circuit flow from the coolant reservoir into the oil cooler (100). The adapter (20) is connected to the oil pump through oil galleries of an internal combustion engine which has inlet port and an outlet port which inlets the oil from the oil pump into the oil filter (13) via the oil cooler (100).

Figure 3 illustrates exploded view of the oil cooler (100). The pressurized oil from the adapter (20) passes through the oil inlet port (11). The top surface (19a) of the oil cooler (100) is installed to the adapter (20) and bottom surface (19b) is fixed to the oil filter (13). A spigot (21) aids in transferring the cooled and filtered oil from the oil filter (13) back to the adapter (20). During oil circulation, the heated oil enters the oil cooler (100) to dissipate heat to the surrounding of the oil cooler (100). The oil cooler (100) has a core component (10) and a core component shell (14) located concentrically to the core component (10) (as shown in figures 4 and 5). The core component shell (14) forms a concentric gap between the core component (10) forming a heat sink (15). When the coolant fluid flows within the concentric gap, the heat from the core component (10) is absorbed by the coolant fluid and hence the concentric gap acts as a heat sink (15). The oil cooler (100) receives heated oil from the adapter (20) connected to the oil pump through oil galleries and this heated oil dissipates heat into the oil cooler (100) as it makes its way into the oil filter (13).

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate perspective views of the oil cooler (100). The oil cooler (100) has two openings or ports on the top surface (19a). The oil inlet port (11) and the oil outlet port (12) are located on the top surface (19a) of the core component (10). The oil inlet port (11) and the oil outlet port (12) are located proximal to each other. Both the inlet and outlet ports (11 and 12) are fluidically connected to the oil filter (13) via a spigot (21). The core component (10) is surrounded by a core component shell (14) concentrically. This concentric construction of the core component shell (14) around the core component (10) forms a concentric gap in-between the core component (10) and the core component shell (14). The concentric gap forms a heat sink (15) wherein, coolant fluid flows within the concentric gap in a second flow path (B). Also, first flow path (A) is blocked by a barricade element (18) such that, when the coolant fluid from the inlet port (16) enters the heat sink (15), the barricade element (18) blocks the coolant fluid flowing into the first flow path (A) and deflects the coolant fluid flow into the second flow path (B). The first flow path (A) has a short circuit flow path wherein, the coolant fluid entering the heat sink (15) from the inlet port (16) exits through the outlet port (17) without circulating around the core component (10). The second flow path (B) has a path tracing from the inlet port (16) all around the core element (10) and then exits out through the outlet port (17). During the coolant fluid flow in the second flow path (B), the heat emanating from the core component (10) is absorbed by the coolant fluid flowing through the heat sink (15). As the coolant fluid is continuously flowing from the reservoir and into the heat sink (15) through the inlet port (16), the barricade element (18) deflects the coolant fluid into the second flow path (B).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the barricade element (18) is placed in such a way that, it prevents the coolant fluid flow from short circuiting into the first flow path (A) and ensuring adequate coolant fluid circulation around the heat sink (15) of the oil cooler (100). Such a coolant circulation along the entire heat sink (15) increases the heat absorption capabilities of the oil cooler (100).

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the barricade element (18) can be configured at any location between the inlet port (16) and the outlet port (17) such that, the barricade element (18) extends from top surface (19a) of the core component (10) up to bottom surface (19b) of the core component (10).

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the barricade element (18) configured in-between the inlet port (16) and the outlet port (17) is joined by at least one of welding technique, soldering technique, brazing technique or any other technique which serves the purpose.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the Barricade element (18) is at least one of sheet metal plate, stopper plate and the like.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the coolant fluid after circulation is drained out from the outlet port (17) and back to the coolant reservoir.
ADVANTAGES

In one embodiment, the barricade element prevents coolant fluid from short circuiting from the inlet port to the outlet port.
In one embodiment, heat dissipation within the oil cooler is improved due to the flow of coolant around the core component.

In one embodiment, manufacturing cost of the oil cooler is reduced due to limited usage of materials.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The oil cooler as described in the specification and claims find its industrial applicability in internal combustion engines, generators, or in any other application wherein heat has to be efficiently dissipated to a medium.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

Oil cooler 100
Core component 10
Oil inlet port 11
Oil outlet port 12
Oil filter 13
Core component shell 14
Heat sink 15
Inlet port 16
Outlet port 17
Barricade element 18
Top surface 19a
Bottom surface 19b
Adapter 20
Spigot 21
First flow path A
Second flow path B
Oil cooler according to the prior art 100’
Oil inlet port according to the prior art 11’
Oil outlet port according to the prior art 12’
Inlet port according to the prior art 16’
Outlet port according to the prior art 17’
,CLAIMS:1. An oil cooler (100), comprising:
a core component (10) having an oil inlet port (11) and an oil outlet port (12) provided proximal to each other wherein, the oil inlet port (11) and the oil outlet port (12) are fluidically connected to an oil filter (13);
a core component shell (14) configured concentrically around the core component (10) forming a heat sink (15) wherein, an inlet port (16) and an outlet port (17) are provided on outer surface of the core component shell (14) for coolant fluid flow; and
a barricade element (18) configured in-between the core component (10) and the core component shell (14) wherein, the barricade element barricades coolant fluid flow from the inlet port (16) to the outlet port (17) and directs coolant fluid flow around the core component (10) via a second flow path (B).

2. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second flow path (B) is longer in comparison to a first flow path (A) for the coolant fluid flow from the inlet port (16) to reach the outlet port (17).

3. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barricade element (18) configured in-between the inlet port (16) and outlet port (17) extends from top end up to bottom end of the core component (10).

4. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein heat from the core component (10) is absorbed by the coolant fluid flow around the core component (10) within the heat sink (15).

5. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil inlet port (11) and the oil outlet port (12) are provided on a top surface (19a) of the core component (10).

6. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface (19a) of the core component is fixed to an adapter (20) and bottom surface (19b) of the core component is fixed to the oil filter (13).

7. The oil cooler (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentric gap in-between the core component (10) and the core component shell (14) forms a heat sink (15).

8. A method of assembling an oil cooler (100) comprising steps of:
configuring a core component (10) having an oil inlet port (11) and an oil outlet port (12) provided proximal to each other wherein, the oil inlet port (11) and the oil outlet port (12) are fluidically connected to an oil filter (13);
configuring a core component shell (14) concentrically around the core component (10) forming a heat sink (15) wherein, an inlet port (16) and an outlet port (17) are provided on outer surface of the core component shell (14) for coolant fluid flow; and
configuring a barricade element (18) in-between the core component (10) and the core component shell (14) wherein, the barricade element barricades coolant fluid flow from the inlet port (16) to the outlet port (17) and directs coolant fluid flow around the core component (10) via a second flow path (B).