Engine and engine refrigerant discharge method

Abstract

The application discloses an engine and an engine refrigerant discharging method, which comprises an engine body, a water pump, a bottom water outlet, a freezing point instrument, a control unit and at least one pipeline water outlet. The bottom water outlet is arranged at the bottom of the engine body, and the pipeline water outlet is arranged at the corner of the pipeline in the engine body. The water inlet of the water pump is connected with each pipeline water outlet. The freezing point instrument is used for measuring the actual freezing point value of the refrigerant in the engine. When the user injects the refrigerant into the engine, the control unit determines that the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold interval to which the actual freezing point value belongs is higher than the ambient temperature, controls the bottom water outlet to discharge the first refrigerant in the engine, and controls the water pump to extract the second refrigerant in the engine through the pipeline water outlet. Thus, the problem that the refrigerant discharging rate of the engine does not meet the requirements due to the complex structure of the engine waterway and the water storage in some areas is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of engine equipment technology, and in particular to an engine and a method for draining engine coolant. Background Technology

[0002] The requirements for cryogenic storage capabilities of engines are becoming increasingly stringent. Before cryogenic storage, the coolant inside the engine must be completely drained. However, the engine's water system has a complex structure, and water may remain in some areas. This can lead to insufficient coolant drainage, posing a risk that the water may freeze, expand in volume, and crack the engine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an engine and a method for draining engine coolant. This addresses the problem that existing engine water systems have complex structures, leading to water accumulation in some areas, resulting in insufficient coolant drainage and posing a risk of engine cracking due to the expansion of frozen water.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an engine, comprising: Engine body, water pump, bottom drain port, freezing point gauge, control unit, and at least one pipe drain port; The bottom drain outlet is located at the bottom of the engine body, the pipe drain outlet is located at the corner of the internal pipe of the engine body, and the water inlet of the water pump is connected to each of the pipe drain outlets. The freezing point meter is used to measure the actual freezing point value of the coolant in the engine; The control unit is used to, when a user injects coolant into the engine, determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs, and determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range based on a pre-set correspondence between the freezing point threshold range and the standard freezing point value; and when it is determined that the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, control the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine, and control the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the pipe drain outlet.

[0005] In some possible embodiments, each of the pipe outlets is provided with a first control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the pipe outlets; The bottom drain outlet is equipped with a second control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the bottom drain outlet.

[0006] In some possible embodiments, the control unit is specifically used for: The system controls the opening of a second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine; and controls the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of a first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to pump out the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

[0007] In some possible embodiments, the control unit is specifically used for: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the first control valve and the second control valve are opened simultaneously, and the water pump is controlled to work.

[0008] In some possible embodiments, the control unit is specifically used for: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the second control valve is opened. After a preset time, each of the first control valves is opened, and the water pump is operated simultaneously.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a method for draining engine coolant, applied to the engine described in the first aspect above, the method comprising: When the user injects the coolant into the engine, the actual freezing point value of the coolant is monitored by a freezing point meter; Determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs; Based on the pre-defined correspondence between freezing point threshold ranges and standard freezing point values, the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range is determined. When the target standard freezing point value is determined to be higher than the ambient temperature, the first coolant in the engine is discharged through the bottom drain outlet, and the second coolant in the engine is extracted through the drain outlet of the pipeline by the water pump.

[0010] In some possible embodiments, controlling the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine, and controlling the water pump to draw out the second coolant from the engine through the drain outlet, includes: The system controls the opening of a second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine; and controls the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of a first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to pump out the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

[0011] In some possible embodiments, the control is provided to open the second control valve at the bottom drain outlet; and to control the water pump to operate while simultaneously controlling the first control valve at each pipe drain outlet to open, including: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the first control valve and the second control valve are opened simultaneously, and the water pump is controlled to work.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, the control is provided to open the second control valve at the bottom drain outlet; and to control the water pump to operate while simultaneously controlling the first control valve at each pipe drain outlet to open, including: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the second control valve is opened. After a preset time, each of the first control valves is opened, and the water pump is operated simultaneously.

[0013] In this embodiment of the application, in order to solve the problem that the engine water circuit is complex and water can accumulate in some areas, resulting in the engine coolant discharge rate not meeting the requirements and the risk of the engine cracking due to the volume expansion of the water after freezing, this embodiment of the application implements a low-temperature warning to the customer for coolant discharge, and simplifies the customer's operation and control unit to discharge coolant from the entire engine, so as to avoid engine cracking failure caused by failure to discharge coolant at low temperatures or incomplete discharge of coolant.

[0014] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an engine device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an engine coolant draining method according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall detailed process of an engine coolant draining method according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and thoroughly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in the text is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0018] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similarly understood. The preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this application. Furthermore, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0019] To further illustrate the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, a detailed description is provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. Although the embodiments of this application provide method operation steps as shown in the following embodiments or drawings, more or fewer operation steps may be included in the method based on conventional or non-inventive effort. For steps that do not logically have a necessary causal relationship, the execution order of these steps is not limited to the execution order provided in the embodiments of this application. In actual processing or when the control device executes the method, it may be executed sequentially or in parallel according to the method shown in the embodiments or drawings.

[0020] Given the complex structure of engine water channels in related technologies, water may accumulate in some areas, leading to insufficient coolant drainage and a risk of engine cracking due to the expansion of frozen water. This application proposes an engine and a method for draining engine coolant. This method provides a low-temperature warning to the customer regarding coolant drainage and simplifies customer operation. The control unit drains coolant from the entire engine, preventing engine cracking caused by incomplete or undrained coolant drainage at low temperatures.

[0021] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings.

[0022] The following describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an engine and a method for draining engine coolant according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] See Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an engine device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the engine includes an engine body 101, a water pump 102, a bottom drain port 103, an ice point meter 105, a control unit 106, and at least one pipe drain port 107. The bottom drain port 103 is located at the bottom of the engine body 101, and the pipe drain port 107 is located at the corner of the pipe inside the engine body 101. The inlet of the water pump 102 is connected to each of the pipe drain ports 107. The freezing point meter 105 is used to measure the actual freezing point value of the coolant in the engine; The control unit 106 is configured to, when a user injects coolant into the engine, determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs, and determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range based on a pre-set correspondence between the freezing point threshold range and the standard freezing point value; and when it is determined that the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, control the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine, and control the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the pipe drain outlet.

[0025] Specifically, in the engine provided in this application, the location of the freezing point meter is not limited, as long as the freezing point meter can measure the actual freezing point value of the engine coolant; the number of drain ports is also not limited, and can be set according to the specific test before the engine leaves the factory. When the coolant is discharged through the bottom drain port during engine testing, if too much coolant is still accumulated inside the engine, such as at the corner of the pipe, several drain ports can be set at the corner of the engine pipe. One end of the drain port is placed at the lowest point of water accumulation, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the water pump. It should be noted that the method for judging excessive coolant accumulation is that the volume of accumulated coolant is greater than or equal to a preset accumulation threshold. The engine provided in this application is equipped with a water pump, the inlet of which is connected to each drain port, for use in pumping out excess coolant through the drain ports when coolant accumulates in the engine.

[0026] As an optional implementation, each of the engine's drain ports is provided with a first control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain port; the bottom drain port is provided with a second control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the bottom drain port.

[0027] Specifically, each drain outlet is equipped with a corresponding first control valve 108, which is used to open and close according to the instructions of the control unit, thereby controlling whether the coolant flows out of the drain outlet. A second control valve 109 is provided at the bottom drain outlet to control the opening and closing of the bottom drain outlet. That is, the engine provided in this application has two drain outlets, one is the bottom drain outlet 103, and the other is the suction drain outlet 104. Part of the coolant in the engine is discharged from the bottom drain outlet 103 by gravity, and part of it is discharged through the suction drain outlet 104 via the water pump, thereby achieving rapid and complete drainage of the coolant in the engine.

[0028] As an optional implementation, the control unit is specifically used to: control the opening of the second control valve provided at the bottom drain port to control the discharge of the first coolant from the engine through the bottom drain port; and control the operation of the water pump, while simultaneously controlling the opening of the first control valve provided at each pipe drain port to control the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain port.

[0029] Specifically, when a user adds coolant to the engine, it triggers a freezing point meter to monitor the actual freezing point of the coolant, and also triggers an ambient temperature sensor to monitor the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment.

[0030] Based on the pre-defined correspondence between freezing point threshold intervals and standard freezing point values, the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold interval to which the actual freezing point value belongs is determined.

[0031] The control unit first determines the target freezing point threshold range to which the received actual freezing point value belongs. Then, it determines the standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range through a correspondence. For example, if the actual freezing point value is -42℃, which falls within the pre-set freezing point threshold range of -38℃ to -42℃, the standard freezing point value corresponding to the -38℃ to -42℃ freezing point threshold range is determined to be -40℃ based on the correspondence. That is, the standard freezing point value corresponding to this actual freezing point value is -40℃. This method avoids the user being unsure of the specific freezing point value of the added refrigerant.

[0032] In this application, if the first control valve and the second control valve need to be opened to discharge coolant from the engine, the controller has two control strategies for opening and closing the first control valve and the second control valve. However, this application is not limited to these two strategies, as long as the coolant can be discharged through the first control valve and the second control valve.

[0033] Method 1: As an optional implementation method, the control unit is specifically used to: simultaneously open the first control valve and the second control valve, and control the water pump to work when the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature.

[0034] Specifically, when the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, it proves that the coolant in the engine is at risk of freezing if stored at this ambient temperature for a long time. The first control valve and the second control valve, as well as the water pump, can be opened simultaneously to drain the coolant from the engine and prevent the coolant from freezing in the engine after long-term storage.

[0035] Method 2: As an optional implementation method, the control unit is specifically used to: control the second control valve to open when the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature; after a preset time, control each of the first control valves to open, and simultaneously control the water pump to work.

[0036] Specifically, the control unit can first control the second control valve to open, so as to control the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant in the engine. After a preset time, it can then control each first control valve to close and the water pump to start working, so as to control the water pump to extract the second coolant in the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

[0037] In this application, a freezing point meter is used to monitor and determine the coolant's low-temperature resistance. All water accumulation points in the engine's pipes are equipped with drain ports and a first control valve. The first and second control valves are normally closed, not affecting normal engine operation. When coolant needs to be drained, a water pump can increase the coolant drainage rate, effectively preventing engine damage caused by water accumulation in low-temperature environments.

[0038] See Figure 2 This document illustrates a schematic flowchart of an engine coolant draining method according to an embodiment of this application, including: Step 201: When the user adds coolant to the engine, monitor the actual freezing point of the coolant using a freezing point meter.

[0039] Step 202: Determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs; based on the pre-set correspondence between the freezing point threshold range and the standard freezing point value, determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range; when the target standard freezing point value is determined to be higher than the ambient temperature, control the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine, and control the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the pipe drain outlet.

[0040] As an optional implementation, controlling the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine and controlling the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the drain outlet includes: The system controls the opening of a second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine; and controls the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of a first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to pump out the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

[0041] As an optional implementation, the control of opening the second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet; and controlling the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of the first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet, includes: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the first control valve and the second control valve are opened simultaneously, and the water pump is controlled to work.

[0042] As an optional implementation, the control of opening the second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet; and controlling the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of the first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet, includes: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the second control valve is opened. After a preset time, each of the first control valves is opened, and the water pump is operated simultaneously.

[0043] See Figure 3 The diagram shown is a detailed overall schematic of the engine coolant drainage method provided in this application.

[0044] Step 301: When the user adds coolant to the engine, monitor the actual freezing point of the coolant using a freezing point meter.

[0045] Step 302: Based on the pre-set correspondence between freezing point threshold intervals and standard freezing point values, determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold interval to which the actual freezing point value belongs.

[0046] Step 303: Determine whether the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature. If yes, proceed to step 304; otherwise, proceed to step 305. Step 304: Control the second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to open; and control the water pump to operate, while simultaneously controlling the first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to open.

[0047] Step 305: Monitor the ambient temperature in real time and repeat the process until step 303.

[0048] This application enables customers to receive a warning about coolant discharge at low temperatures, and simplifies customer operation and control unit to discharge coolant from the entire engine, thus avoiding engine cracking caused by failure to discharge coolant at low temperatures or incomplete discharge of coolant.

[0049] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0050] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An engine, characterized in that, include: Engine body, water pump, bottom drain port, freezing point gauge, control unit, and at least one pipe drain port; The bottom drain outlet is located at the bottom of the engine body, the pipe drain outlet is located at the corner of the internal pipe of the engine body, and the water inlet of the water pump is connected to each of the pipe drain outlets. The freezing point meter is used to measure the actual freezing point value of the coolant in the engine; The control unit is used to, when a user injects coolant into the engine, determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs, and determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range based on a pre-set correspondence between the freezing point threshold range and the standard freezing point value; and when it is determined that the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, control the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine, and control the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the pipe drain outlet.

2. The engine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned pipe outlets is equipped with a first control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the pipe outlets; The bottom drain outlet is equipped with a second control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the bottom drain outlet.

3. The engine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit is specifically used for: The system controls the opening of a second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine; and controls the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of a first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to pump out the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

4. The engine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit is specifically used for: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the first control valve and the second control valve are opened simultaneously, and the water pump is controlled to work.

5. The engine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit is specifically used for: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the second control valve is opened. After a preset time, each of the first control valves is opened, and the water pump is operated simultaneously.

6. A method for draining engine coolant, characterized in that, Applied to the engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprises: When the user injects the coolant into the engine, the actual freezing point value of the coolant is monitored by a freezing point meter; Determine the target freezing point threshold range to which the actual freezing point value belongs; based on the pre-set correspondence between the freezing point threshold range and the standard freezing point value, determine the target standard freezing point value corresponding to the target freezing point threshold range; When the target standard freezing point value is determined to be higher than the ambient temperature, the first coolant in the engine is discharged through the bottom drain outlet, and the second coolant in the engine is extracted through the drain outlet of the pipeline by the water pump.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control of draining the first coolant from the engine through the bottom drain port and controlling the water pump to extract the second coolant from the engine through the drain port includes: The system controls the opening of a second control valve located at the bottom drain outlet to discharge the first coolant from the engine; and controls the operation of the water pump while simultaneously controlling the opening of a first control valve located at each pipe drain outlet to pump out the second coolant from the engine through each pipe drain outlet.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control is set to open the second control valve at the bottom drain outlet; and to control the water pump to operate, while simultaneously controlling the first control valve at each pipe drain outlet to open, including: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the first control valve and the second control valve are opened simultaneously, and the water pump is controlled to work.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control is set to open the second control valve at the bottom drain outlet; and to control the water pump to operate, while simultaneously controlling the first control valve at each pipe drain outlet to open, including: When the target standard freezing point value is higher than the ambient temperature, the second control valve is opened. After a preset time, each of the first control valves is opened, and the water pump is operated simultaneously.

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