Claims:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A system 100 for cooling exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, said system 100 comprising:
at least one duct 102 having at least one first inlet 102f, at least one second inlet 102s and at least one outlet O,
wherein
the first inlet 102f is adapted to facilitate entry of air from a grill G of the vehicle to said duct 102;
the second inlet 102f is adapted to facilitate entry of air from a radiator fan F of the vehicle to said duct 102; and
the outlet O is adapted to facilitate exit of air from said duct 102 to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B.

2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C are disposed to a rear portion of the engine compartment B.
3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting brackets adapted to facilitate mounting of said duct 102 to an intercooler frame of the vehicle.

4. A system 100 for cooling exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, said system 100 comprising:
at least one duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O; and
at least one electric fan 104 adapted to be disposed inside said duct 102, said electric fan 104 configured to be connected to a power source,
wherein
the inlet I of said duct 102 is adapted to facilitate entry of air from a grill G of the vehicle to said duct 102; and
said electric fan 104 is adapted to draw air through the inlet I of said duct 102 and provides the air to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C through the outlet O of said duct 102 thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B.

5. The system 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the power source is at least one of a rechargeable battery and a main battery of the vehicle.
6. The system 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C are disposed to a rear portion of the engine compartment B.

7. A system 100 for cooling exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, said system 100 comprising:
at least one duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O,
wherein
the inlet I is adapted to facilitate entry of air from a radiator fan F of the vehicle to said duct 102; and
the outlet O is adapted to facilitate exit of air from said duct 102 to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B.

8. The system 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vehicle comprises a turbo-charged gasoline engine E.

9. A method 200 for cooling exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, said method 200 comprising:
providing a system 100 comprising a duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O;
allowing the air from at least one of a grill G and a radiator fan F of the vehicle to flow to said duct 102 through the inlet I; and
allowing the air from said duct 102 to flow to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C through the outlet O of said duct 102 thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B.

10. A method 300 for cooling exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, said method 300 comprising:
providing a system 100 comprising a duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O; and an electric fan 104;
allowing the air from a grill G of the vehicle to flow to the inlet I of said duct 102 and the air flows to the outlet O; and
allowing said electric fan 104 to draw air through the inlet I of said duct 102 and providing the air to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C through the outlet O of said duct 102 thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to cooling of exhaust systems in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to system and method for cooling rear exhaust components to reduce temperature in an engine compartment of vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, an exhaust system in a vehicle is used to discharge the exhaust gases of an engine to the atmosphere in a controlled manner. The exhaust components such as exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter of the vehicle which are disposed in an engine compartment of the vehicle are subjected to high temperature and dissipates heat to the surroundings of the engine compartment thereby increasing the temperature in the engine compartment which in turn would lead to failure of components that are located under hood of the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the exhaust components to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment in order to avoid failure of components located under the hood of the vehicle. The two types of exhaust system arrangement in the vehicle are front exhaust layout and rear exhaust layout. In front exhaust layout, the exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) are disposed to a front portion of the engine compartment, where the exhaust components are adjacent to a grill of the vehicle. The front exhaust layout facilitates effective cooling of the exhaust components thereby reducing the temperature in the engine compartment. However, the packaging and arrangement of exhaust components in the front exhaust layout is complex due to limited under-hood space of the vehicle and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). In rear exhaust layout, the exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) are disposed to a rear portion of the engine compartment, where the exhaust components are adjacent to firewall of the vehicle. Conventional solutions for cooling the rear exhaust components (rear exhaust layout) include providing heat shields to the exhaust components to reduce the temperature of the exhaust components thereby reducing the temperature in the engine compartment. However, the flow of cool air to the exhaust components of the aforementioned layout is required for flushing out the heat from the engine compartment in order to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment. But, sufficient amount of cool air is not provided to the exhaust components due to the packaging and the arrangement of the exhaust components thereby increasing the temperature in the engine compartment. Further, in the front exhaust layout and in the rear exhaust layout, the exhaust components are not effectively cooled when the engine is shut off immediately after running for a long time thereby increasing the temperature in the engine compartment.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a system for cooling rear exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) in a vehicle, which reduces the temperature in an engine compartment of the vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for cooling rear exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) in a vehicle, which reduces the temperature in an engine compartment of the vehicle.
[006] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a duct for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the first embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a duct for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a duct for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment of a vehicle, according to the first embodiment and the third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment of a vehicle, according to the second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a system for cooling rear exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) in a vehicle, which reduces the temperature in an engine compartment of the vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for cooling rear exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) in a vehicle, which reduces the temperature in an engine compartment of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a duct 102 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the first embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle includes at least one duct 102 and a plurality of mounting brackets (not shown). The rear exhaust components includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe (not shown) and catalytic converter C, which are disposed to a rear portion of an engine compartment B of the vehicle.
[0019] In an embodiment, the duct 102 includes at least one first inlet 102f, at least one second inlet 102s and at least one outlet O. The first inlet 102f of the duct 102 is used to facilitate entry of air from a grill G of the vehicle to the duct 102, when the vehicle is in motion. The first inlet 102f of the duct 102 is adjacent to the grill G. The second inlet 102s of the duct 102 is used to facilitate entry of air from a radiator fan F of the vehicle to the duct 102, when an engine E of the vehicle is in idling condition or when the engine E is shut off immediately after running for a long time or when the engine E is operating at a high temperature. The second inlet 102s of the duct 102 is adjacent to the radiator fan F. The outlet O of the duct 102 is used to facilitate exit of air from the duct 102 to at least one of the exhaust manifold (not shown), the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter C of the vehicle thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B of the vehicle.
[0020] The plurality of mounting brackets (not shown) is used to mount the duct 102 to an intercooler frame (not shown) of the vehicle. Each mounting bracket (not shown) is connected to corresponding portion of the duct 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each mounting bracket (not shown) to the duct 102 by adhesive bonding, riveting or through any other means. Each mounting bracket (not shown) defines an opening (not shown) adapted to receive a locking element (not shown) therein to removably connect the duct 102 to the intercooler frame (not shown), wherein the locking element (not shown) is at least one of a fastener and a plastic scrivet. Each bracket (not shown) is a L-shaped bracket. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of mounting brackets irrespective of shape and size for mounting the duct 102 without other otherwise deterring the intended function of each mounting bracket (not shown) as can be deduced from the description.
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a duct 102 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle includes at least one duct 102, at least one electric fan 104 and a plurality of mounting brackets (not shown). The rear exhaust components includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe (not shown) and a catalytic converter C, which are disposed to a rear portion of an engine compartment B of the vehicle.
[0022] In an embodiment, the duct 102 includes at least one inlet I, and at least one outlet O. The inlet I of the duct 102 is used to facilitate entry of air from a grill G of the vehicle to the duct 102, when the vehicle is in motion. The inlet I of the duct 102 is adjacent to the grill G. The outlet of the duct 102 is used to facilitate exit of air from the duct 102 to at least one of the exhaust manifold (not shown), the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter C of the vehicle thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B of the vehicle.
[0023] The electric fan 104 is adapted to draw the atmosphere air through the inlet I of the duct 102 and provide the air to the exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter) through the outlet O of the duct 102, when the an engine E of the vehicle is in idling condition or when the engine E is shut off immediately after running for a long time or when the engine E is operating at a high temperature. It is also within the scope of the invention to operate the electric fan 104 to provide the air to the rear exhaust components, when the vehicle is in motion. The electric fan 104 is disposed inside the duct 102. The electric fan 104 is connected to a power source (not shown). The power source (not shown) is used to provide electric current to the electric fan 104. The power source is at least one of a rechargeable battery and a main battery of the vehicle. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other power source for powering the electric fan 104.
[0024] The plurality of mounting brackets (not shown) is used to mount the duct 102 to an intercooler frame (not shown) of the vehicle. Each mounting bracket (not shown) is connected to corresponding portion of the duct 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each mounting bracket (not shown) to the duct 102 by adhesive bonding, riveting or through any other means. Each mounting bracket (not shown) defines an opening (not shown) adapted to receive a locking element (not shown) therein to removably connect the duct 102 to the intercooler frame (not shown), wherein the locking element (not shown) is at least one of a fastener and a plastic scrivet. Each bracket (not shown) is a L-shaped bracket. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of mounting brackets irrespective of shape and size for mounting the duct 102 without other otherwise deterring the intended function of each mounting bracket (not shown) as can be deduced from the description.
[0025] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a duct 102 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle, according to a third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a front portion of the vehicle, according to the third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 for cooling rear exhaust components in a vehicle includes at least one duct 102 and a plurality of mounting brackets M. The rear exhaust components includes an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe (not shown) and a catalytic converter C, which are disposed to a rear portion of an engine compartment B of the vehicle. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the system 100 is explained herein below with reference to vehicles having turbo-charged gasoline engines. It is also within the scope of the invention to use the system 100 in vehicles having any other type of engines.
[0026] In an embodiment, the duct 102 includes at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O. The inlet I of the duct 102 is used to facilitate entry of air from a radiator fan F of the vehicle to the duct 102. The inlet I of the duct 102 is adjacent to the radiator fan F. The outlet of the duct 102 is used to facilitate exit of air from the duct 102 to at least one of the exhaust manifold (not shown), the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter C of the vehicle thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe (not shown) and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B of the vehicle. As the vehicle is having a turbo-charged gasoline engine with a torque of 330 nm, the fan duty cycle in the vehicle of this type is very high thereby facilitating cooling of rear exhaust components in all driving conditions of the vehicle.
[0027] The plurality of mounting brackets M is used to mount the duct 102 to an intercooler frame (not shown) of the vehicle. Each mounting bracket M is connected to corresponding portion of the duct 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each mounting bracket M to the duct 102 by adhesive bonding, riveting or through any other means. Each mounting bracket M defines an opening (not shown) adapted to receive a locking element (not shown) therein to removably connect the duct 102 to the intercooler frame (not shown), wherein the locking element (not shown) is at least one of a fastener and a plastic scrivet. Each bracket M is a L-shaped bracket. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of mounting brackets irrespective of shape and size for mounting the duct 102 without other otherwise deterring the intended function of each mounting bracket M as can be deduced from the description.
[0028] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 200 for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, according to the first embodiment and the third embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 200 for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle is as follows, the method 200 comprising, providing a system 100 comprising a duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O (step 202); allowing the air from at least one of a grill G and a radiator fan F of the vehicle to flow to the duct 102 through the inlet I (step 204); and allowing the air from the duct 102 to flow to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C through the outlet O of the duct 102 thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B (step 206).
[0029] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 300 for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle, according to the second embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 300 for cooling rear exhaust components in an engine compartment B of a vehicle is as follows, the method 300 comprising, providing a system 100 comprising a duct 102 having at least one inlet I and at least one outlet O; and an electric fan 104 (step 302); allowing the air from a grill G of the vehicle to flow to the inlet I of the duct 102 and the air flows to the outlet O (step 304); and allowing the electric fan 104 to draw air through the inlet I of the duct 102 and providing the air to at least one of an exhaust manifold, an exhaust front pipe and a catalytic converter C through the outlet O of the duct 102 thereby cooling at least one of the exhaust manifold, the exhaust front pipe and the catalytic converter C to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B (step 306).
Base System 100 System 100 (with electric fan 104)
Idling Idling Idling
Turbo Heat shield(LH) 183 110 62
Turbo Heat shield(RH) 280 103 79
Air Above engine rear 144 72 65
Brake booster (Plastic cap) 115 78 73
Firewall 147 78 73
Firewall tunnel air temp 120 67 65
Cradle RR LH isolator 88 70 75

[0030] The aforementioned table shows the values of temperature of components that are disposed in the engine compartment B of the vehicle, which are tested during idling condition of the engine E. It is clearly evident from the table that the system 100 effectively cools the rear exhaust components to reduce the temperature in the engine compartment B of the vehicle thereby reducing the temperature of components that are disposed under the hood of the vehicle. Therefore, a system 100 for effective cooling of rear exhaust components (exhaust manifold, exhaust front pipe and catalytic converter C) which are disposed to a rear portion of an engine compartment B is provided for a vehicle.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.