Device for cooling waste gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cooling waste gas, comprising an inlet area ( 1 ) for guiding a flow of waste gas, an outlet area ( 2 ) for discharging the optionally cooled waste gas, and a longitudinal housing ( 1 ) for receiving exchanging means ( 13 ) for heat exchange. The flow of waste gas flows through the exchanging means ( 13 ) on the way from the inlet area to the outlet area. The inlet area ( 2 ) and the outlet area ( 3 ) are arranged respectively on end areas of the housing ( 1 ) which are opposite in relation to the longitudinal direction. The flow of waste gas flows through the exchanging means ( 13 ) on a first flow path ( 16 ) and also on a second flow path ( 17 ) which is counter thereto.

1 . A device for cooling waste gas, comprising an inlet region for supplying a flow of waste gas, an outlet region for discharging the optionally cooled waste gas, and a longitudinal housing for receiving exchanger means for exchanging heat, the flow of waste gas flowing through the exchanger means on a route from the inlet region to the outlet region, the inlet region and the outlet region each being arranged at end regions of the housing which are opposite in relation to the longitudinal direction, wherein the flow of waste gas flows through the exchanger means on a first flow path and also on a second flow path which is counter thereto. 
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is a waste gas cooler for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. 
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exchanger means comprise a plurality of tubes for guiding waste gas which extend in the longitudinal direction and are arranged in the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the housing has connections through which a liquid coolant can flow. 
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the tubes are each secured in their end regions in common head pieces. 
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a first group of the tubes is associated with the first flow path and a second group of tubes is associated with the second flow path. 
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a waste gas channel is provided and is arranged in the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the tubes. 
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the waste gas channel is connected directly to the inlet region. 
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the device comprises a deflection means for deflecting the flow of waste gas from the waste gas channel into the first flow path. 
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the device comprises a further deflection means for deflecting the flow of waste gas from the first flow path into the second flow path. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the further deflection means is configured as a curved sheet metal part. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises an adjustment device for selectively guiding the flow of waste gas. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment device in a first end position leads the flow of waste gas into the first flow path and in a second end position leads it into an outlet opening. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the flow of waste gas in the second end position is not guided by the exchanger means, so that cooling of the flow of waste gas is substantially avoided in the second end position. 
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment device comprises a flap which can rotate about an axis. 
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein a maximum angle of rotation of the flap is not more than approximately 40 degrees, in particular not more than approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the adjustment device can be driven via an actuator. 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment device comprises a spring, the spring allowing a restoring force to be exerted in the direction of an end position of the adjustment device. 
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the spring is configured as a coil spring. 
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein a rotatable shaft of the adjustment device is arranged within the coil spring. 
   
   
       21 . The device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the spring has a coating, in particular made of a plastics material. 
   
   
       22 . The device as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer based on a fluorinated hydrocarbon, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene. 
   
   
       23 . The device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the spring is arranged within a sleeve covering the spring. 
   
   
       24 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of a length of the housing in the longitudinal direction to a largest diameter of the housing is less than approximately 3.5, in particular less than approximately 3.