Heat recuperation device for an exhaust line

Abstract

The heat recuperation device for an exhaust line comprises a valve body having at least one exhaust gas inlet and at least one exhaust gas outlet. A shutter element is able to move at least between a position of blocking off a cutoff section of a path along which the exhaust gases pass and an uncovering position. The valve body has an inlet zone situated between the inlet and the cutoff section, and an outlet zone situated between the cutoff section and the outlet. The device further comprises a plurality of heat-exchange tubes, with each tube having an upstream end connected directly to the inlet zone, a downstream end connected directly to the outlet zone, and at least one curved portion between the upstream and downstream ends.

1 . A heat recuperation device for an exhaust line, comprising:
 a valve body having at least one exhaust gas inlet and at least one exhaust gas outlet, the valve body inwardly defining a direct passage pathway for exhaust gases from the inlet to the outlet;   a shutter element positioned in the valve body and able to move relative to the valve body at least between a blocking off position in which the shutter element blocks off a cutoff section of the direct passage pathway along which the exhaust gases pass and thereby prohibits the circulation of the exhaust gases from the inlet toward the outlet along the direct passage pathway, and an uncovering position in which the shutter element frees said cutoff section of the direct passage pathway along which the exhaust gases pass and thereby allows the circulation of the exhaust gases from the inlet toward the outlet along the direct passage pathway;   wherein the valve body has an inlet zone situated along the direct passage pathway between the inlet and the cutoff section, and an outlet zone situated along the direct passage pathway between the cutoff section and the outlet; and   a plurality of heat exchange tubes provided for circulation of the exhaust gases, each heat exchange tube having an upstream end connected directly to the inlet zone and communicating with the direct passage pathway, a downstream end connected directly to the outlet zone and communicating with the direct passage pathway, and at least one curved portion between the upstream and downstream ends.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter element prohibits the circulation of the exhaust gases in the heat exchange tubes in the uncovering position. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shutter element covers the upstream ends the heat exchange tubes or the downstream ends of the heat exchange tubes the uncovering position. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange tubes are U-shaped tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each heat exchange tube, the at least one curved portion covers an angular sector comprised between 90° and 225°. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein in each heat exchange tube the upstream and downstream ends extend in a first plane, a central part of the heat exchange tubes extending in a second plane that is inclined relative to the first plane, the second plane preferably forming an angle comprised between 30° and 90° relative to the first plane. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust gases flow along the inlet and outlet zones in general respective directions, the upstream and downstream ends of the heat exchange tubes forming an angle comprised between 45° and 135° with said respective general directions. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet zones are situated on a same side wall of the valve body, the shutter element being rotatably mounted with respect to the valve body around an axis of rotation situated in an immediate vicinity of said side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , including an enclosure having a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an opening turned toward the valve body, the heat exchange tubes extending in the enclosure, the opening being defined by a peripheral edge sealably connected to the valve body around the inlet and outlet zones. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , including an enclosure having a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an opening turned toward the valve body, and including a wall covering the opening, the wall being passed through by the heat exchange tubes and not coming into direct contact with the valve body.