JP2006266212A - Exhaust heat power generation plant of internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform power generation by sufficiently utilizing the high temperatures of exhaust gases. <P>SOLUTION: A storage recessed part 11 opened into an exhaust port 6 and to an exhaust manifold mounting surface 1a is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port 6, and a thermoelectric transducer 10 is fixed stored in the storage recessed part 11. The thermoelectric transducer 10 generates power by a temperature difference between a high temperature side face 10a and a low temperature side face 10b, and its high temperature side face 10a is brought into such as state that faces the radial center of the exhaust port 6. The thermoelectric transducer 10 is stored in the storage recessed part 11 from the mounting face 1a side, and its extraction is restricted by the flange part 7a of an exhaust manifold 7. An annular insert member 20 (20B) formed of a material with excellent heat conductivity is fitted to an annular mounting recessed part 23 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port 6, and the thermoelectric transducer 10B is stored in the storage recessed part 21 formed in the inner or outer peripheral surface of the insert member 20 (20B). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine.

In an internal combustion engine, the loss of heat energy due to the discharge of high-temperature exhaust gas to the atmosphere is large. For this reason, Patent Document 1 proposes using a thermoelectric conversion element (thermoelectric conversion module) to recover a part of the wasted heat energy as electric energy. In other words, a thermoelectric conversion element is configured using a semiconductor, and one surface side is a high temperature side surface and the other surface side is a low temperature side surface, and power is generated by a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface. In the thing of patent document 1, such a thermoelectric conversion element is interposed between the internal combustion engine main body and the exhaust manifold. More specifically, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the high temperature side surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is positioned on the exhaust manifold side, and the low temperature side surface is positioned on the internal combustion engine body side (opening end surface side of the exhaust port). It is arranged so that the high heat of the exhaust manifold is released to the cooling water in the cooling water passage formed in the internal combustion engine body through the thermoelectric conversion element. Thus, in the thing of patent document 1, when producing a temperature difference in a thermoelectric conversion element, the internal combustion engine main body cooled with the cooling water which flows through a cooling water path is utilized as a low temperature side object, The exhaust manifold, which has a high temperature, is used as a high temperature side object.
JP 2000-73754 A

  However, in the thing of patent document 1, since the exhaust manifold which receives air | atmosphere cooling effect | action largely is utilized as a high temperature side object on the relationship exposed greatly to air | atmosphere, and exhaust gas is discharged to an exhaust manifold. However, in order to bring about a temperature drop, the power generation does not take full advantage of the high temperatures of exhaust gas.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can perform power generation utilizing the high temperature of exhaust gas more fully. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the scope of claims,
A storage recess opening in the exhaust port is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine,
In the housing recess, a thermoelectric conversion element that generates electricity by a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface with the one surface side being a high temperature side surface and the other surface side being a low temperature side surface, the high temperature side surface is in the exhaust port. Arranged in a state of facing
It is like that. According to the above solution, the high temperature side surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is effectively subjected to high temperature from the exhaust gas that maintains the high temperature flowing in the exhaust port, and therefore the thermoelectric conversion element has a very large temperature difference. Effective power generation using power will be performed. In particular, since the high temperature side surface is directly exposed to the exhaust gas, the high temperature side surface is extremely effectively heated by the exhaust gas, which is preferable for improving the power generation capacity. Furthermore, since the thermoelectric conversion element is housed in the housing recess, it is possible to prevent the surrounding surface of the thermoelectric conversion element, particularly the low temperature side, from being exposed to the exhaust gas while ensuring that the thermoelectric conversion element is firmly attached. This is also preferable.

A preferred mode based on the above solution is as described in claim 2 and the following claims. That is,
A plurality of the storage recesses may be formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the exhaust port, and the thermoelectric conversion element may be disposed in each of the storage recesses (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, it is preferable to dispose the thermoelectric conversion element along the cross section (circumferential shape) of the exhaust port without curving as much as possible. In addition to facilitating the formation of the thermoelectric conversion element itself, the number of thermoelectric conversion elements is increased as much as possible to improve the overall power generation capacity.

The cross-sectional shape of the exhaust port is set to a shape having a straight part and an arcuate part,
The storage recess is formed in the straight portion, and the bottom wall portion is entirely flat;
The thermoelectric conversion element is generally flat.
(Claim 3). In this case, the thermoelectric conversion element is preferably a flat plate that can be manufactured at low cost without a complicated shape in terms of cost reduction.

The storage recess is open to the mounting surface of the exhaust manifold;
The thermoelectric conversion element is set in a shape corresponding to the storage recess, and is set to be slidably attached to the storage recess from the mounting surface side;
Displacement of the thermoelectric conversion element disposed in the storage recess in each direction on the back side of the exhaust port, each side in the circumferential direction, and each side in the radial direction is regulated by the wall surface of the storage recess. ,
The flange portion of the exhaust manifold attached to the attachment surface restricts removal of the thermoelectric conversion element from the storage recess.
(Claim 4). In this case, the thermoelectric conversion element can be mounted from the exhaust manifold mounting surface side where a large working space can be easily secured while restricting unnecessary displacement of the thermoelectric conversion element using the storage recess, and the existing exhaust manifold Therefore, the removal of the thermoelectric conversion element from the housing recess can be regulated. Further, the exhaust manifold mounting surface side of the storage recess is closed by the flange portion of the exhaust manifold, which is preferable in preventing exhaust gas from flowing into the storage recess as much as possible.

The high temperature side surface is set to a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
(Corresponding to claim 5). In this case, it is preferable for ensuring a smooth flow of the exhaust gas by preventing the thermoelectric conversion element from resisting the flow of the exhaust gas.

An insert member having an annular cross section made of a material having high thermal conductivity is fitted into the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine.
A thermoelectric conversion element for generating electric power due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface on one side of the inner surface of the insert member is a high temperature side surface and the other surface side is a low temperature side surface. Held in a state facing the exhaust port,
(Corresponding to claim 6). In this case, the thermoelectric conversion element is preferable for reliably arranging the thermoelectric conversion element at a predetermined position of the exhaust port by using the insert member. Further, since the high temperature side surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is directly exposed to the exhaust gas, it is preferable for improving the power generation capacity by increasing the temperature of the high temperature side surface as much as possible. Furthermore, thermoelectric conversion elements that require careful handling can be attached to the internal combustion engine after the insert members have been held in advance. This is preferable.

A housing recess that opens into the exhaust port is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insert member,
The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed in the storage recess with the high temperature side faced in the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is set to a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
(Corresponding to claim 7). In this case, since the thermoelectric conversion element is housed in the housing recess, it is preferable to protect the peripheral surface of the thermoelectric conversion element, particularly the low-temperature side surface, from the exhaust gas while ensuring a firm attachment of the thermoelectric conversion element. It will be a thing. In addition, it is preferable for ensuring a smooth flow of the exhaust gas by preventing the thermoelectric conversion element from resisting the flow of the exhaust gas.

The output terminal portion of the thermoelectric conversion element is positioned on the low temperature side surface,
The insert member is formed with a notch facing the output terminal portion,
A lead wire for taking out the electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element is connected to the output terminal portion through the notch,
(Claim 8). In this case, the connection of the lead wire to the output terminal portion of the thermoelectric conversion element can be easily performed using the cutout portion formed in the insert member.

An insert member having an annular cross section made of a material having high thermal conductivity is fitted into the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine.
A thermoelectric conversion element for generating electric power due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface with one surface side being a high temperature side surface and the other surface side being a low temperature side surface on the outer peripheral surface side of the insert member. It is held with the port facing the radial center.
(Corresponding to claim 9). In this case, the thermoelectric conversion element is preferable for reliably arranging the thermoelectric conversion element at a predetermined position of the exhaust port by using the insert member. In addition, a thermoelectric conversion element that requires careful handling can be attached to an internal combustion engine after it is held in advance by an insert member. This is preferable. Further, it is preferable to prevent the thermoelectric conversion element from being directly exposed to the exhaust gas by the insert member and to prevent the thermoelectric conversion element from being damaged by the exhaust gas.

A storage recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insert member,
The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed in the storage recess,
(Corresponding to claim 10). In this case, since the thermoelectric conversion element is housed in the housing recess, it is preferable for the exhaust gas to protect the peripheral surface of the thermoelectric conversion element while securing the thermoelectric conversion element to be firmly attached.

The inner peripheral surface shape of the insert member is set to be a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The inner peripheral surface of the insert member is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
(Corresponding to claim 11). In this case, the insert member does not become a resistance to the flow of the exhaust gas, which is preferable for ensuring a smooth flow of the exhaust gas.

On the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port, a mounting recess with an annular cross section opened on the mounting surface side of the exhaust manifold is formed.
The insert member is slidably fitted into the mounting recess from the mounting surface side, and the escape from the mounting recess is restricted by the flange portion of the exhaust manifold mounted on the mounting surface.
(Corresponding to claim 12). In this case, the insert member and the thermoelectric conversion element held by the insert member can be performed from the exhaust manifold mounting surface side where it is easy to secure a wide working space, which is preferable for facilitating the mounting work. In addition, the existing exhaust manifold can be used to restrict the insertion member, that is, the thermoelectric conversion element held by the exhaust member from the exhaust manifold mounting surface side.

  According to the present invention, power can be generated more effectively by making full use of the high temperature of the exhaust gas.

  In FIG. 1, E is a reciprocating spark ignition internal combustion engine, 1 is a cylinder head, 2 is a cylinder block, 3 is a piston, and 4 is a combustion chamber. As shown in FIG. 2, the intake port 5 connected to the combustion chamber 4 includes two independent port portions 5A and 5B that are opened and closed by an intake valve (not shown), and upstream ends of the two independent port portions 5A and 5B. And the collective port portion 5C is connected to an intake manifold (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust port 6 connected to the combustion chamber 4 includes two independent port portions 6A and 6B that are opened and closed by an exhaust valve (not shown), and downstream ends of the two independent port portions 6A and 6B. The collection port portion 6 </ b> C is assembled with each other, and the collection port portion 6 </ b> C is connected to the exhaust manifold 7. Thus, in the embodiment, the internal combustion engine E has two intake valves and two exhaust valves for one cylinder.

  A cooling water passage 8 is formed at the upper and lower sides of the pipe wall of the exhaust port 6, more specifically, around the collecting port portion 6 </ b> C of the exhaust port 6. It is designed to be cooled sufficiently. The other cooling water passages are indicated by reference numeral 9, but the cooling water passages 8 and 9 communicate with each other.

  A thermoelectric conversion element (thermoelectric module) 10 is attached to the inner wall surface (inner peripheral surface) of the collecting port portion 6C. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 is formed into a flat plate as a whole using a semiconductor, and one surface side thereof is a high temperature side surface 10a for receiving a high temperature, and the other surface side is a low temperature side surface 10b for receiving a low temperature. . Then, power is generated according to the temperature difference between the high temperature side surface 10a and the low temperature side surface 10b, and in the embodiment, a material having extremely high heat resistance of about 500 ° C. is used. As such a thermoelectric conversion element 10, for example, a trade name “GIGA TOPAZ” (registered trademark) manufactured by Toshiba Corporation can be used.

  The detail of the attachment aspect of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is demonstrated referring FIG. 4, FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the collective port portion 6C is an oblong shape that is horizontally long (cylinder arrangement direction), and the upper surface 6a and the lower surface 6b are substantially straight, The side surfaces 6c and 6d are substantially semicircular. The upper surface 6a and the lower surface 6b are respectively formed with storage recesses 11 extending in the direction of the collecting port portion 6C. The storage recess 11 is open to the outer opening end face of the collective port portion 6C, that is, the mounting face 1a of the exhaust manifold 7. The storage recess 11 is formed so that the opening width toward the inside of the collecting port portion 6C is gradually narrowed (a dovetail type), and the low-temperature side surface 10b of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 inserted therein is set to a predetermined width. It can be brought into contact with the housing recess 11 (the bottom wall surface thereof) with a surface pressure (preferably about 1 MPa) (improvement of heat transfer coefficient). Furthermore, the bottom wall surface of the storage recess 11 (the surface on the side facing the low temperature side surface 10b of the thermoelectric conversion element 10) is a flat surface. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 is set to have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the storage recess 11 and is slidably fitted into the storage recess 11 from the external opening end face side of the collective port portion 6C. Is done. The cooling water passage 8 described above is positioned along the storage recess 11 in the immediate vicinity of the storage recess 11 above or below.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 10 housed in the housing recess 11 abuts against the back side wall surface of the housing recess 11, thereby restricting displacement toward the back side (side toward the combustion chamber 4) of the collecting port portion 6 </ b> C. , By contacting the left and right side surfaces of the storage recess 11, the displacement of the collective port portion 6 </ b> C in each circumferential direction is restricted, and the opening width of the storage recess 11 into the collective port portion 6 </ b> C is gradually reduced. Displacement of the collecting port portion 6C toward the center in the radial direction is restricted, and contact with the bottom wall surface of the storage recess 11 restricts displacement of the collecting port portion 6C to the radially outward side. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 housed in the housing recess 11 is restricted from being removed from the housing recess 11 by the exhaust manifold 7. That is, in a state where the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is housed in the housing recess 11, an opening portion to the outside of the housing recess 11 (mounting surface 1 a) is covered with the gasket 12 seated on the mounting surface 1 a, and the top of the gasket 12 is covered. In the state where the flange portion 7a of the exhaust manifold 7 is seated, the flange portion 7a is fastened to the cylinder head 1 (the mounting surface 1a thereof) by the bolt 13. As described above, the attachment of the exhaust manifold 7 to the internal combustion engine E, which has been conventionally performed, is effectively used to regulate the removal of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 from the housing recess 11. The storage recess 11 is formed at the same time when the cylinder head 1 is manufactured (at the time of casting), and the depth thereof is slightly larger than the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 at the time of casting. After the cylinder head 1 is manufactured, when the inner surface of the collective port portion 6C is finished by grinding or the like, the depth of the storage recess 11 is reduced to a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 10 housed in the housing recess 11 is configured such that its high temperature side surface 10a is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the collecting port portion 6C. Thus, the high temperature side surface 10a is directly exposed to the high temperature exhaust gas flowing through the collecting port portion 6C without hindering the flow of the exhaust gas by the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The low-temperature side surface 10 b of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 has the cooling water passage 8 positioned in the immediate vicinity thereof, and is sufficiently cooled by the cooling water flowing in the cooling water passage 8. In this way, the high temperature side surface 10a and the low temperature side surface 10b of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 are set so as to obtain a very large temperature difference.

  In the thermoelectric conversion element 10, the output terminal portion 10c (there are two on the plus side and the minus side) of the generated power is positioned on the low temperature side surface 10b side. The exhaust port pipe wall is formed with an opening 14 having one end facing the output terminal portion 10 c and the other end opening to the outside of the cylinder head 1. The opening portion to the outside of the opening portion 14 is a position offset in the crankshaft direction with respect to the flange portion 7a of the exhaust manifold 7 (a position offset upward or downward with respect to the flange portion 7a). . A lead wire 15 for taking out the electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is disposed through the opening 14, and its tip is connected to the output terminal portion 10 c of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the leading end portion of the lead wire 15 is covered with a cover member 16 made of a heat-resistant insulating material such as ceramics, leaving the leading end, and the cover member 16 is placed in the opening portion 14. It is designed to be fitted without rattling. By inserting the cover member 16 deeply into the opening 14, the leading end of the lead wire 15 is brought into contact with the output terminal portion 10 c of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, and the electric power from the output terminal portion 10 c is externally passed through the lead wire 15. Will be taken out. The cover member 16 is fixed to the exhaust port pipe wall with a heat resistant adhesive or the like.

  The opening 14 and the lead wire 15 are provided for each thermoelectric conversion element 10 (two sets are provided in the embodiment). In addition, it is conceivable that the position of the external opening of the opening 14 is offset in the left-right direction (cylinder arrangement direction) with respect to the external opening of the collecting port 6C. In many cases, the gasket 12 is one continuous in the cylinder arrangement direction, so that the gasket 12 does not get in the way, as shown in the embodiment, the vertical direction with respect to the external opening position of the collective port portion 6C. It is preferable that the opening is made at a position offset at a distance. Further, the opening 14 is formed obliquely so as to approach the mounting surface 1a side toward the outside (so as to move away from the cylinder head wall), whereby the opening 14 is formed by a rotary tool such as a drill. When forming (processing), interference with the cylinder head wall is prevented, and the lead wire 15 can be easily inserted.

  In the configuration as described above, the high temperature side surface 10a of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is directly exposed to high temperature exhaust gas and becomes extremely high temperature. On the other hand, the low-temperature side surface 10b of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is a low temperature near the cylinder head temperature, and is particularly low because the cooling water passage 8 is located nearby. For this reason, the temperature difference between the high temperature side surface 10a and the low temperature side surface 10b becomes extremely large, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 performs extremely effective power generation. The electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is taken out by the lead wire 15 and used for an appropriate application such as battery charging. Since the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is housed in the housing recess 11, it is preferable to prevent the peripheral surface (particularly the low temperature side surface 10b) of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 from being exposed to exhaust gas as much as possible. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 is press-fitted into the housing recess 11 to eliminate the gap with the housing recess 11 or with a heat resistant adhesive (filler) between the housing recess 11. You may make it fill up.

  The exhaust port 6 is curved so as to change the direction in the horizontal direction in the middle after extending substantially upward from the vicinity of the combustion chamber 4 in the flow direction of the exhaust gas. Exhaust gas flows through the outer portion of the curved portion of the exhaust port and the extended portion connected to the outer portion. That is, when the flow of the exhaust gas in the cross section of the exhaust port 6 (collection port portion 6C) is seen, a large amount of exhaust gas flows especially to the thermoelectric conversion element 10 positioned above the collective port portion 6C. Power generation by the thermoelectric conversion element 10 positioned above is performed more effectively.

  7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted (this is the following third embodiment). The same applies to the embodiment of the above). In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 </ b> B is separately incorporated into the exhaust port pipe wall using an insert member (holder) 20. That is, the insert member 20 is formed of, for example, an alloy mainly composed of copper or an alloy mainly composed of iron, and has excellent heat conductivity and sufficient heat resistance, and is generally cylindrical. It is said that. Two storage recesses 21 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insert member 20 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The housing recess 21 is opened only on one end side in the axial direction of the insert member 20. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 </ b> B is also entirely curved in an arc shape because the storage recess 21 has an arc shape in the circumferential direction of the insert member 20. The thermoelectric conversion element 10B is housed in the housing recess 21. In this housed state, the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the insert member 20 to form a part thereof. It has become. In addition, the opening width to the radially outer side of the insert member 20 in the storage recess 21 may be set to be gradually reduced. In this case, the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is connected to one end in the axial direction of the insert member 20. To the storage recess 11 in a sliding manner.

  The collective port portion 6C has a circular cross-sectional shape, and an attachment recess 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof (corresponding to the storage recess 11 in the above embodiment). The mounting recess 23 has an annular cross section and is open to the exhaust manifold mounting surface 1a. The insert member 20 is fitted into the mounting recess 23 from the mounting surface 1a side. The inner peripheral surface of the insert member 20 housed in the mounting recess 23 is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the collective port portion 6C to constitute a part thereof. Also in this embodiment, an output terminal portion 10c is formed on the low temperature side surface 10b of each thermoelectric conversion element 10B, and the lead wire 15 (FIGS. 7 and 8) disposed through the opening 14 formed in the exhaust port pipe wall. ), The generated power is taken out to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the high-temperature side surface 10a of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is positioned on the collecting port portion 6C side via the insert member 20 and becomes high temperature to generate power. The portion of the insert member 20 facing the high temperature side surface 10a of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is thin due to the formation of the housing recess 21, which is preferable for transmitting the high heat of the exhaust gas to the high temperature side surface 10a. . In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion element 10B, which requires careful handling, is assembled in the insert member 20 in advance, so that the assembly operation to the exhaust port pipe wall is performed in a state protected by the insert member 20. Can do. In addition, the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is prevented from coming into direct contact with the dirty exhaust gas (only the insert member 20 which is extremely inexpensive as compared with the thermoelectric conversion element 10B can be replaced at the time of the contamination).

  9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a cylindrical insert member 20B is used as in the second embodiment of FIGS. However, in this embodiment, the storage recess 21 in which the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is stored is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insert member 20B. In a state where the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is housed in the housing recess 21, the inner peripheral surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the insert member 20B to form a part thereof (thermoelectric conversion). The inner peripheral surface of the element 10B is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the collective port portion 6C and constitutes a part thereof). A notch 25 is formed in a part of the insert member 20B at a position facing the output terminal 10c of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B housed in the housing recess 2. By arranging the lead wire 15 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) from the opening 14 through the notch 25, the tip end portion can be brought into contact with the output terminal portion 10c. In the present embodiment, while protecting the thermoelectric conversion element 10B by the insert member 20B, the high temperature side surface 10a of the thermoelectric conversion element 10B is directly exposed in the collecting port portion 6C so that the high temperature side surface 10a is sufficiently exhausted by the exhaust gas. It is set to be high temperature.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the scope of claims, and includes the following cases, for example. . The internal combustion engine E may be a compression ignition type represented by a diesel engine or a rotary piston engine. Further, one cylinder may have only one exhaust valve or three or more exhaust valves. In particular, when a plurality of exhaust valves are provided for one cylinder, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 (10B) may be disposed around a plurality of independent port portions that are individually opened and closed by the respective exhaust valves. Good. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 (10B) may be annularly formed along the cross-sectional shape of the collective port portion 6C as a whole, and disposed so as to surround the entire circumference of the collective port portion 6C. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 (10B) may be provided for each cylinder in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, or may be provided only for some cylinders. Of course, the objects of the present invention are not limited to those specified, but implicitly include providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage.

The side sectional view showing an example of an internal combustion engine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line X2-X2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line X3-X3 in FIG. 1. The principal part expanded sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion element vicinity in FIG. FIG. 5 is a left side view of FIG. 4 with the exhaust manifold removed. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front-end | tip part of a lead wire. Sectional drawing which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention and respond | corresponds to FIG. The principal part disassembled perspective view of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention and respond | corresponds to FIG. The principal part disassembled perspective view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

E: Internal combustion engine 1: Cylinder head 1a: Exhaust manifold mounting surface (external opening end surface of exhaust port)
4: Combustion chamber 5: Intake port 6: Exhaust port 6A, 6B: Independent port portion 6C: Collecting port portion 7: Exhaust manifold 8, 9: Cooling water passage 10: Thermoelectric conversion element 10B: Thermoelectric conversion element (FIGS. 7 to 5) Ten embodiments)
10a: High temperature side surface 10b: Low temperature side surface 10c: Output terminal portion 11: Storage recess 12: Gasket 14: Opening portion (for lead wire arrangement)
15: Lead wire 16: Cover member 20: Insert member (the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8)
20B: Insert member (the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10)
21: Storage recess (the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10)
23: Mounting recess (the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10)
25: Notch (the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8)

Claims (12)

A storage recess opening in the exhaust port is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine,
A thermoelectric conversion element in which the one side is a high temperature side and the other side is a low temperature side and the power is generated by a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side in the storage recess, the high temperature side is in the exhaust port. Arranged in a state of facing
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In claim 1,
An exhaust heat power generator for an internal combustion engine, wherein a plurality of the storage recesses are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the exhaust port, and the thermoelectric conversion element is disposed in each of the storage recesses. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The cross-sectional shape of the exhaust port is set to a shape having a straight part and an arcuate part,
The storage recess is formed in the straight portion, and the bottom wall portion is entirely flat;
The thermoelectric conversion element is generally flat.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In any one of Claims 1 to 3,
The storage recess is open to the mounting surface of the exhaust manifold;
The thermoelectric conversion element is set in a shape corresponding to the storage recess, and is set to be slidably attached to the storage recess from the mounting surface side;
Displacement of the thermoelectric conversion element disposed in the storage recess in each direction on the back side of the exhaust port, each side in the circumferential direction, and each side in the radial direction is regulated by the wall surface of the storage recess. ,
The flange portion of the exhaust manifold attached to the attachment surface restricts removal of the thermoelectric conversion element from the storage recess.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The high temperature side surface is set to a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. An insert member having an annular cross section made of a material having high thermal conductivity is fitted into the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine.
A thermoelectric conversion element for generating electric power by a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface on one side of the inner surface of the insert member is a high temperature side surface and the other surface side is a low temperature side surface. Held in a state facing the exhaust port,
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In claim 6,
A housing recess that opens into the exhaust port is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insert member,
The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed in the storage recess with the high temperature side faced in the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is set to a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The high temperature side surface is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In claim 6 or claim 7,
The output terminal portion of the thermoelectric conversion element is positioned on the low temperature side surface,
The insert member is formed with a notch facing the output terminal portion,
A lead wire for taking out the electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element is connected to the output terminal portion through the notch,
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. An insert member having an annular cross section made of a material having high thermal conductivity is fitted into the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine.
A thermoelectric conversion element for generating electric power due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side surface and the low temperature side surface with one surface side being a high temperature side surface and the other surface side being a low temperature side surface on the outer peripheral surface side of the insert member. It is held with the port facing the radial center.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In claim 9,
A storage recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insert member,
The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed in the storage recess,
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In claim 9 or claim 10,
The inner peripheral surface shape of the insert member is set to be a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface shape of the exhaust port,
The inner peripheral surface of the insert member is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port and constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine. In any one of Claims 6 thru | or 11,
On the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust port, a mounting recess with an annular cross section opened on the mounting surface side of the exhaust manifold is formed.
The insert member is slidably fitted into the mounting recess from the mounting surface side, and the escape from the mounting recess is restricted by the flange portion of the exhaust manifold mounted on the mounting surface.
An exhaust heat power generation apparatus for an internal combustion engine.

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