Heat exchange assembly

Abstract

A heat exchange assembly ( 12 ) for engines ( 10 ) having cylinders arranged in two banks forming a V-configuration and having inlet ports ( 18 ) from each bank of cylinders ( 16 ) opening toward each other. The assembly ( 12 ) including a generally rectangular housing ( 34 ) having a top ( 36 ) and a bottom ( 38 ) extending between two opposed longitudinal sides ( 40,42 ). The opposed longitudinal sides ( 40,42 ) include openings ( 46 ) for communication with the inlet ports ( 18 ) of the engine ( 10 ). An inlet ( 44 ) in the top ( 36 ) receives a pressurised airflow from a compressor ( 24 ). A heat exchanger ( 56 ) formed by at least two mutually inclined components ( 58,60 ) each also inclined with respect to the top ( 36 ) and bottom ( 33 ) of the housing ( 34 ) extends across and along the housing ( 34 ) to define an inlet region ( 62 ) adjacent the top ( 36 ) of the housing and one or more outlet region(s) ( 64,66 ) adjacent the bottom ( 33 ) of the housing ( 34 ) and the openings ( 46 ). Air passing from the inlet ( 62 ) to the openings ( 46 ) passes through the heat exchange element ( 56 ).

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A heat exchange assembly for engines having cylinders arranged in two banks forming a V-configuration and having inlet ports from each bank of cylinders opening toward each other, said assembly including a generally rectangular housing having a top and a bottom extending between two opposed longitudinal sides, said opposed longitudinal sides including openings for communication with the inlet ports of said engine, an inlet in said top to receive a pressurised airflow from a compressor, and a heat exchanger formed by at least two mutually inclined components each also inclined with respect to the top and bottom of said housing to extend across and along said housing to define an inlet region adjacent said top of the housing and one or more outlet region(s) adjacent the bottom of the housing and said openings in each of said longitudinal sides, whereby air passing from said inlet to said openings passes through said heat exchange element.  
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange assembly wherein the components of said heat exchange element define a V-shape with the adjacent ends of the components located toward the bottom of the housing.  
     
     
         3 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in either  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein each of said components is inclined at about 30° to the bottom of said housing.  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3  wherein the components of said heat exchange element extend adjacent the bottom of said housing to substantially define two outlet regions each respectively adjacent one of said longitudinal sides.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the components of said heat exchange element are interconnected to form a single unit.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein each component of said heat exchange element includes a respective heat exchange fluid flow path.  
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said respective fluid flow paths are configured to direct incoming heat exchange fluid to a central region of said housing and said fluid flow paths subsequently direct flow of heat exchange fluid toward respective regions adjacent said longitudinal sides.  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  7  wherein said housing is adapted to mount directly to one or more cylinder heads of said engine.  
     
     
         9 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said housing does not extend substantially beyond the volume between the banks of cylinders.  
     
     
         10 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  9  wherein said compressor mounts directly to the top of said housing.  
     
     
         11 . A heat exchange assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said compressor is a supercharger.