FORM-2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
& THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
VORTEX TUBE ASSISTED COOLING OF ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
KIRLOSKAR OIL ENGINES LTD.,
an Indian Company of
Laxmanrao Kirloskar Road,
Khadki,Pune-411003
Maharashtra, India.
Inventor: Vaze Abhijeet, an Indian National of Laxmanrao Kirloskar Road, Khadki, Pune - 411 003, Maharashtra, India.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to the field of cooling of electronic components used in internal combustion engines.
In particular, it relates to vortex cooling of electronic control units.
More particularly, it relates to vortex cooling of electronic control units used in automatic control of Diesel/gasoline/gas engines.
BACKGROUND
Electronic control units (ECU) form an integral part of control systems of diesel petroleum gas and gasoline operated internal combustion engines to control the combustion injection and post injection timing events in an internal combustion engine. Since this forms a central control based on embedded logic into the controller, a lot of heat is generated and it is also well known that the life of Electronic Control Units depend on temperature. Thus, means for cooling ECUs and maintaining their surface temperature becomes necessary. The problem is further aggravated by the location of the ECU on Vee engines used for generator set applications. These ECUs are located on the engines, where there is a stagnation of air, because a pusher type cooling fan configuration is used. The air flows over the hot engine and the engine acts as a bluff body and the air flow cannot be diverted to the ECU in some cases because the envelope of the engine or the component parts completely encompasses the ECU. Engine fuel is used for cooling the surfaces of such ECUs and therefore, the fuel system has to be designed for adequacy of this additional cooling load. Operational life of ECU is

inversely proportional to ECU temperature and therefore, cooling of ECU surface becomes necessary.
Vortex refrigeration system is known in the art. It consists of a vortex tube which if supplied with air at high pressure can generate a refrigerating effect by cooling the air depending on the pressure and flow rate. The principal of cooling is that two vortices rotate in opposite directions, one inside the other, producing a refrigerating effect. The two exiting air paths are at different temperatures and therefore, the cooled air stream can be used for cooling the ECU surface.
The problem of reduced service life/inoperability of the ECUs due to their increased surface temperature is well known and the effectiveness of vortex refrigeration system is also studied and well documented. However, use of vortex refrigeration system for cooling ECU surface has not been studied in prior art.
Therefore, the present application seeks to overcome the limitations of the prior art by using the principle of vortex tube for cooling ECUs. In particular, the present disclosure discloses using vortex cooling of ECUs, typically used in internal combustion engines for automotive or generator set applications in order to increase service life of the ECUs, and thereby to increase service life of such engines.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment is adapted to provide, are described herein below:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling system for cooling electronic components used in internal combustion engines, particularly for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compact cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an effective cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and increasing their effective service life.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a cost effective cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
An additional object of the present disclosure is to provide a practically maintenance free cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a vortex tube assisted cooling system for cooling at least one Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

> at least one fluid pressurizing unit adapted to pressurize a predetermined quantity of an intake fluid to provide a high pressure fluid having a predetermined pressure;
> at least one vortex tube coupled to the fluid pressurizing unit, the vortex tube adapted to receive the high pressure fluid, the vortex tube having a swirl chamber adapted to convert heat energy in the high pressure fluid to kinetic energy to provide a high pressure fluid having a pre-determined low temperature; and
> at least one diffuser adapted to cooperate with the vortex tube and further adapted to diffuse the high pressure fluid having the pre-determined low temperature from the vortex tube onto the surface of the at least one ECU, thereby reducing the temperature of the ECU(s).
Optionally, the vortex tube assisted cooling system described herein above further
comprises:
a pre-cooling means fluidly connected between the fluid pressurizing unit and the
vortex tube, the pre-cooling means adapted to receive the high pressure fluid from
the fluid pressurizing unit and further adapted to reduce the temperature of the high
pressure fluid to an intermediate predetermined low temperature.
Typically, the fluid pressurizing unit is selected from the group consisting of . turbocharger, reciprocating compressor, rotary compressor and supercharger.
Optionally, the diffuser is adapted to diffuse the high pressure fluid having a low temperature from the vortex tube to cool at least one of hot engine oil and fuel which subsequently reduces the temperature of the ECU.

Preferably, the pre-cooling means is a charge air cooler selected from the group consisting of inter-cooler and after-cooler and further adapted to use a method selected from the group consisting of air codling and water cooling.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-cooling means is adapted to pre-cool the high pressure fluid from the fluid pressurizing unit by ambient air using at least one of forced convection and natural convection.
Typically, the intake fluid is selected from the group consisting of exhaust gas and atmospheric air.
Preferably, the diffuser is coupled to the vortex tube with an insulated pipe.
Again, the diffuser is preferably positioned in close proximity to the vortex tube.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vortex tube assisted cooling system further comprises:
> a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of the temperature of the ECU, ambient temperature, engine oil temperature and fuel temperature at the fuel outlet port; and
> a controller adapted to receive the sensed temperature and accordingly control the fluid pressurizing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The vortex tube assisted cooling of ECU of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawing, in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the vortex tube assisted cooling system, in accordance with the present disclosure, for cooling at least one ECU of an internal combustion engine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A preferred embodiment of a vortex tube assisted cooling system for cooling at least one ECU will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein the components are referenced generally as indicated. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.

The following description of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiment 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 embodiment herein has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiment herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiment as described herein.
In accordance with the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, a vortex tube assisted cooling system for at least one ECU 20 of internal combustion engine 12, generally used for automotive or generator set applications is envisaged.
The system comprises at least one fluid pressurizing unit 10 configured to pressurize a predetermined quantity of an intake fluid to provide a high pressure fluid having a predetermined pressure. The fluid pressurizing unit 10 is selected from the group consisting of turbocharger, reciprocating compressor, rotary compressor and supercharger. The intake fluid is at least one of exhaust gas and atmospheric air.
At least one vortex tube 18 is coupled to the fluid pressurizing unit 10, the vortex tube 18 for receiving the high pressure fluid. The vortex tube 18 is provided with a swirl chamber to convert heat energy in the high pressure fluid to kinetic energy to provide a high pressure fluid having a pre-determined low temperature.

At least one diffuser 14 is provided at the outlet of the vortex tube 18 for diffusing the high pressure fluid having the pre-determined low temperature from the vortex tube 18 onto the surface of the ECU 20, thereby reducing the temperature of the ECU 20. The diffuser 14 is preferably coupled to the vortex tube with an insulated pipe and positioned in close proximity to the vortex tube 18. Optionally, the diffuser 14 is configured to diffuse the high pressure fluid having a low temperature from the vortex tube 18 to cool at least one of hot engine oil and fuel which subsequently reduces the temperature of the ECU. This is an indirect cooling method as envisaged by the system of the present disclosure.
Optionally, the vortex tube assisted cooling system described herein above further comprises: a pre-cooling means 16 fluidly connected between the fluid pressurizing unit 10 and the vortex tube 18. The pre-cooling means receives the high pressure fluid from the fluid pressurizing unit 10 and reduces the temperature of the high pressure fluid to an intermediate predetermined low temperature. This would result in still further reduced temperature at the outlet of the vortex tube 18.
Preferably, the pre-cooling means 16 is a charge air cooler selected from the group consisting of inter-cooler and after-cooler. The charge air cooler uses a method selected from the group consisting of air cooling and water cooling.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-cooling means 16 is configured to pre-cool the high pressure fluid from the fluid pressurizing unit 10 by ambient air using at least one of forced convection and natural convection.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vortex tube assisted cooling system further comprises:
> a temperature sensor (not shown) configured to sense at least one of the temperature of the ECU 20 , ambient temperature, engine oil temperature and fuel temperature at the fuel outlet port; and
> a controller (not shown) configured to receive the sensed temperature and accordingly control the fluid pressurizing unit 10.
A typical value of pressure obtained from the fluid pressurizing unit 10 is in the range of 0 to 5 bar and its temperature is in the range of 200° C to 45° C. The ECU surface temperature is typically in the range of 45° C to 80° C.
The advantage of vortex tube assisted cooling of the ECU surface is that the hot surface of the ECU can be maintained at a considerably lower temperature either directly by means of the cooled air received from the vortex tube or the cooled air can be indirectly used for cooling hot engine oil/fuel, which subsequently cools the ECU. Therefore, the service life of the ECU is increased and consequently this leads to a longer engine life and reliability of operation thereof.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:
> a cooling system for cooling electronic components used in internal combustion
engines, particularly for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs);

> a compact cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs);
> an effective cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and increasing their effective service life;
> a cost effective cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs); and
> a practically maintenance free cooling system for cooling Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities than those given herein, fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
Wherever a range of values is specified, a value up to 10% below and above the lowest and highest numerical value respectively, of said specified range, is included within the scope of the disclosure.
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 preferred 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.

WE CLAIM:
1. A vortex tube assisted cooling system for cooling at least one Electronic
Control Unit (ECU) of an internal combustion engine,
said system comprising:
> at least one fluid pressurizing unit adapted to pressurize a predetermined quantity of an intake fluid to provide a high pressure fluid having a predetermined pressure;
> at least one vortex tube coupled to said fluid pressurizing unit, said vortex tube adapted to receive said high pressure fluid, said vortex tube having a swirl chamber adapted to convert heat energy in said high pressure fluid to kinetic energy to provide a high pressure fluid having a pre-determined low temperature; and
> at least one diffuser adapted to cooperate with said vortex tube and further adapted to diffuse said high pressure fluid having the predetermined low temperature from said vortex tube onto the surface of the at least one ECU, thereby reducing the temperature of the ECU(s).
2. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising:
a pre-cooling means fluidly connected between said fluid pressurizing unit and said vortex tube, said pre-cooling means adapted to receive said high pressure fluid from said fluid pressurizing unit and further adapted to reduce the temperature of said high pressure fluid to an intermediate predetermined low temperature.

3. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid pressurizing unit is selected from the group consisting of turbocharger, reciprocating compressor, rotary compressor and supercharger.
4. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diffiiser is adapted to diffuse said high pressure fluid having a low temperature from said vortex tube to cool at least one of hot engine oil and fuel which subsequently reduces the temperature of the ECU.
5. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pre-cooling means is a charge air cooler selected from the group consisting of inter-cooler and after-cooler and further adapted to use a method selected from the group consisting of air cooling and water cooling.
6. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pre-cooling means is adapted to pre-cool said high pressure fluid from said fluid pressurizing unit by ambient air using at least one of forced convection and natural convection.
7. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intake fluid is selected from the group consisting of exhaust gas and atmospheric air.
8. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diffuser is coupled to said vortex tube with an insulated pipe.

9. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diffuser is positioned in close proximity to said vortex tube.
10. The vortex tube assisted cooling system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

> a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of the temperature of the ECU, ambient temperature, engine oil temperature and fuel temperature at the fuel outlet port; and
> a controller adapted to receive the sensed temperature and accordingly control said fluid pressurizing unit.