Intercooler having a condensate collector

Abstract

An intercooler may include a condensate collector configured to collect condensate precipitated in the intercooler. The condensate collector may be separate from the intercooler and disposed below the intercooler. The condensate collector may include at least one expansion chamber, the at least one expansion chamber arranged above an inlet and an outlet of the condensate collector during operation of the intercooler.

1 . An intercooler comprising:
 a condensate collector configured to collect condensate precipitated in the intercooler;   wherein the condensate collector is separate from the intercooler and disposed below the intercooler; and   wherein the condensate collector includes at least one expansion chamber, the at least one expansion chamber arranged above an inlet and an outlet of the condensate collector during operation of the intercooler.   
     
     
         2 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein a volume of the at least one expansion chamber comprises at least 10% of a volume of the condensate collector. 
     
     
         3 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expansion chamber defines an integral part of the condensate collector. 
     
     
         4 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall of the expansion chamber is elastic. 
     
     
         5 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein a wall of the condensate collector is elastic. 
     
     
         6 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one expansion chamber is arranged externally with respect to the condensate collector. 
     
     
         7 . The intercooler according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one expansion chamber is connected to the condensate collector via a hose connection. 
     
     
         8 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one expansion chamber and the condensate collector comprise plastic or aluminum. 
     
     
         9 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein the condensate collector is secured to an air-outlet tank of the intercooler, or the condensate collector defines an integral part of the air-outlet tank. 
     
     
         10 . A condensate collector of an intercooler, comprising: at least one expansion chamber, the at least one expansion chamber disposed above an inlet and an outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The condensate collector according to  claim 10 , wherein a volume of the at least one expansion chamber comprises at least 10% of a volume of the condensate collector. 
     
     
         12 . The condensate collector according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the at least one expansion chamber defines an integral part of the condensate collector, or   the at least one expansion chamber is disposed externally with respect to the condensate collector.   
     
     
         13 . The condensate collector according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of:
 at least one of a wall of the condensate collector and the expansion chamber are elastic; and   at least one of the expansion chamber and the condensate collector comprise at least one of plastic or aluminum.   
     
     
         14 . An internal combustion engine comprising: a condensate collector configured to collect condensate precipitated in the intercooler;
 wherein the condensate collector is separate from the intercooler and disposed below the intercooler; and   wherein the condensate collector includes at least one expansion chamber, the at least one expansion chamber arranged above an inlet and an outlet of the condensate collector during operation of the intercooler.   
     
     
         15 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein a volume of the at least one expansion chamber comprises 10-15% of a volume of the condensate collector. 
     
     
         16 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein the condensate collector is secured to an air-outlet tank of the intercooler. 
     
     
         17 . The intercooler according to  claim 16 , wherein the condensate collector is secured to the air-outlet tank of the intercooler via at least one of a weld, solder, glue, a screw, or a clip. 
     
     
         18 . The intercooler according to  claim 1 , wherein the condensate collector defines an integral part of an air-outlet tank. 
     
     
         19 . The condensate collector according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one expansion chamber defines an integral part of the condensate collector. 
     
     
         20 . The condensate collector according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one expansion chamber is disposed externally with respect to the condensate collector.