Engine crankcase ventilation system and vehicle

Abstract

This invention discloses an engine crankcase ventilation system and a vehicle. The ventilation system includes: a crankcase, a turbocharger, a vacuum pump, a make-up air pump, an oil-gas separator, an air filter, a hydrogen sensor, and a gas storage tank. The first air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the first air outlet of the air filter via the turbocharger. The make-up air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the second air outlet of the air filter via the make-up air pump. The third air outlet of the crankcase is connected to the turbocharger via the oil-gas separator and the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump and the make-up air pump are also adapted to be connected to the gas storage tank, which is used to separate hydrogen and air. The hydrogen sensor is located inside the crankcase and is used to obtain the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase. If the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to a first concentration threshold, the vacuum pump is adapted to pump the gas inside the crankcase to the gas storage tank, and the make-up air pump is adapted to pump the air inside the gas storage tank and the air filtered by the air filter to the crankcase. This avoids an explosion in the crankcase due to excessively high hydrogen concentration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of crankcase ventilation technology, and in particular to an engine crankcase ventilation system and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, during the operation of a hydrogen engine, some combustible mixture and combustion products leak from the cylinder into the crankcase. Since the blow-by gas in a hydrogen engine mainly consists of incompletely burned hydrogen, water from combustion products, and engine oil, these substances dilute the engine oil, accelerate its oxidation and deterioration, and the water vapor condensing in the engine oil can form sludge that blocks the oil passages. In more serious cases, it can lead to an excessively high concentration of hydrogen in the crankcase, which can cause an explosion inside the crankcase, thereby affecting the operating performance of the hydrogen engine and severely impacting its service life. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, the first objective of this invention is to provide an engine crankcase ventilation system. When the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is too high, a vacuum pump is used to extract the gas from the crankcase to a gas storage tank, and a make-up air pump is used to extract air from the gas storage tank and air filtered by an air filter to the crankcase. This reduces the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase, preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration. Simultaneously, extracting the gas from the crankcase to the gas storage tank via a vacuum pump also reduces water vapor condensation in the crankcase, preventing serious problems such as severe oil emulsification and oil oxidation that significantly affect engine lifespan. This improves the ventilation quality of the crankcase and the lifespan of the hydrogen engine.

[0004] The second objective of this invention is to provide a vehicle.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an engine crankcase ventilation system, comprising: a crankcase, a turbocharger, a vacuum pump, a make-up air pump, an oil-gas separator, an air filter, a hydrogen sensor, and a gas storage tank.

[0006] The first air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the first air outlet of the air filter through the turbocharger. The air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the second air outlet of the air filter through the air inlet pump. The third air outlet of the crankcase is connected to the turbocharger through the oil-gas separator and the vacuum pump in sequence. The vacuum pump and the air inlet pump are also suitable for being connected through the air storage tank, which is used to separate hydrogen and air.

[0007] A hydrogen sensor is installed inside the crankcase and is used to obtain the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase. If the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to a first concentration threshold, a vacuum pump is adapted to pump the gas inside the crankcase to a gas storage tank, and a make-up air pump is adapted to pump the air inside the gas storage tank and the air filtered by the air filter to the crankcase.

[0008] According to the engine crankcase ventilation system of the present invention, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is too high, a vacuum pump is used to pump the gas in the crankcase to a gas storage tank, and a make-up air pump is used to pump the air in the gas storage tank and the air filtered by the air filter to the crankcase, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase and preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration. At the same time, pumping the gas in the crankcase to the gas storage tank by the vacuum pump can also reduce water vapor condensation in the crankcase, avoiding serious problems such as severe oil emulsification and oil oxidation that seriously affect the service life of the engine, thus improving the ventilation quality of the crankcase and the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0009] According to some examples of the invention, the vacuum pump is also adapted to pump hydrogen from a gas storage tank to a booster.

[0010] According to some examples of the invention, the make-up air pump is also adapted to draw air filtered by an air filter into the crankcase.

[0011] According to some examples of the invention, the hydrogen sensor is located on top of the crankcase.

[0012] According to some examples of the invention, there are multiple hydrogen sensors.

[0013] According to some examples of the invention, the gas storage tank has a gas separator for separating hydrogen and air.

[0014] According to some examples of the invention, the gas storage tank has a display for displaying the volume and pressure of the gas inside the storage tank.

[0015] According to some examples of the invention, the gas storage tank has a drain valve located on the bottom wall of the gas storage tank.

[0016] According to some examples of the invention, it also includes a throttle valve, which communicates between the crankcase and the turbocharger.

[0017] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including the engine crankcase ventilation system of the first aspect embodiment.

[0018] According to the vehicle of the present invention, by providing the above-mentioned engine crankcase ventilation system, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is too high, a vacuum pump is used to pump the gas in the crankcase to the gas storage tank, and a make-up air pump is used to pump the air in the gas storage tank and the air filtered by the air filter to the crankcase, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase and preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration in the crankcase. At the same time, pumping the gas in the crankcase to the gas storage tank by the vacuum pump can also reduce water vapor condensation in the crankcase, avoiding serious problems such as severe oil emulsification and oil oxidation in the crankcase that seriously affect the service life of the engine, which is beneficial to improving the ventilation quality of the crankcase and the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an engine crankcase ventilation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure label:

[0023] Engine crankcase ventilation system 100;

[0024] Crankcase 1; First air inlet 11; Air supply port 12; Third air outlet 13;

[0025] Supercharger 2;

[0026] Vacuum pump 3;

[0027] Air supply pump 4;

[0028] Oil-gas separator 5;

[0029] Air filter 6; First air outlet 61; Second air outlet 62;

[0030] Hydrogen sensor 7;

[0031] Gas storage tank 8;

[0032] Throttle body 9. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates an engine crankcase ventilation system 100 and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, an engine crankcase ventilation system 100 according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes: a crankcase 1, a turbocharger 2, a vacuum pump 3, a make-up air pump 4, an oil-gas separator 5, an air filter 6, a hydrogen sensor 7, and an air tank 8. The first air inlet 11 of the crankcase 1 is connected to the first air outlet 61 of the air filter 6 via the turbocharger 2. The make-up air outlet 12 of the crankcase 1 is connected to the second air outlet 62 of the air filter 6 via the make-up air pump 4. The third air outlet 13 of the crankcase 1 is connected to the make-up air outlet 12 of the air filter 6. The gas is connected to the oil-gas separator 5, the vacuum pump 3 and the booster 2. The vacuum pump 3 and the make-up air pump 4 are also connected to the gas storage tank 8. The gas storage tank 8 is used to separate hydrogen and air. The hydrogen sensor 7 is located in the crankcase 1 and is used to obtain the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1. If the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to the first concentration threshold, the vacuum pump 3 is adapted to pump the gas in the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8, and the make-up air pump 4 is adapted to pump the air in the gas storage tank 8 and the air filtered by the air filter 6 to the crankcase 1.

[0036] Specifically, the application of the engine crankcase ventilation system 100 in a hydrogen engine will be used as an example for explanation. Figure 1 As shown, the air filter 6 of the engine crankcase ventilation system 100 is connected to the outside air. After being filtered by the air filter 6, the outside air is discharged from the first outlet 61. The first outlet 61 is connected to the first intake 11 of the crankcase 1 through the turbocharger 2 to form an intake airflow path. Furthermore, the air filter 6 also has a second outlet 62, which is connected to the intake 12 of the crankcase 1 through the make-up air pump 4 to form a make-up airflow path. Furthermore, the third outlet 13 of the crankcase 1 is connected to the turbocharger 2 in sequence through the oil-gas separator 5 and the vacuum pump 3 to form an exhaust airflow path.

[0037] When the hydrogen engine is operating normally, fresh air is filtered by the air filter 6 and enters the turbocharger 2 through the first outlet 61. Under the action of the turbocharger 2, the air is delivered to the combustion chamber inside the hydrogen engine to participate in combustion. The mixture after combustion enters the crankcase 1 and is discharged through the third outlet 13. The gas discharged from the crankcase 1 is separated into oil and gas by the oil-gas separator 5. The separated gas is then re-entered into the turbocharger 2 by the vacuum pump 3 (at this time, the vacuum pump 3 is not working) to achieve gas recirculation. At the same time, the second outlet 62 of the air filter 6 also replenishes the air inlet 12 of the crankcase 1. However, some of the mixture after combustion (including incompletely combusted hydrogen, combustion product water, and engine oil) will dilute the engine oil and accelerate the oxidation and deterioration of the engine oil after entering the crankcase 1 of the hydrogen engine. In addition, water vapor condenses in the engine oil and forms sludge that blocks the oil passages. In more serious cases, it will lead to excessively high hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1, thereby causing an explosion inside the crankcase 1, which will affect the operating performance of the hydrogen engine and seriously affect the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0038] Based on this, the engine crankcase ventilation system 100 in this application has a hydrogen sensor 7 installed inside the crankcase 1, and a gas storage tank 8 is installed between the vacuum pump 3 and the gas supply pump 4. The gas storage tank 8 is used to connect the vacuum pump 3 and the gas supply pump 4, and the gas storage tank 8 is also used to separate hydrogen and air.

[0039] Specifically, the hydrogen sensor 7 is used to acquire the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase 1 in real time. When the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase 1 is too high, for example, when the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to the first concentration threshold (4%), the vacuum pump 3 starts working to quickly pump the gas inside the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8. Optionally, the crankcase 1 can be evacuated to a vacuum state. Furthermore, the gas pumped into the gas storage tank 8 can be separated into hydrogen and air after standing. It should be noted that while the vacuum pump 3 is working, the air replenishment pump 4 also works to pump the air in the gas storage tank 8 and the air filtered by the air filter 6 to the crankcase 1, thereby replenishing the crankcase 1 with fresh air. This reduces the hydrogen concentration and balances the pressure inside the crankcase 1. It can be understood that the air pumped by the air replenishment pump 4 from the gas storage tank 8 is the air from the previous vacuum pump 3. The vacuum pump 3 extracts the gas from the crankcase 1 and the air separated from it into the gas storage tank 8. In other words, while the vacuum pump 3 is extracting the current gas mixture from the crankcase 1, the make-up air pump 4 pumps the air that was previously extracted into the gas storage tank 8 and separated, as well as the fresh air flowing out from the second outlet 62 of the air filter 6, into the crankcase 1. With this setup, the discharge of the gas mixture from the crankcase 1 and the inflow of fresh air greatly reduce the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1, preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration. At the same time, the vacuum pump 3 also reduces water vapor condensation in the crankcase 1, preventing serious problems such as oil emulsification and oil oxidation that seriously affect the engine's service life. This is beneficial for improving the ventilation quality of the crankcase 1 and the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0040] According to the engine crankcase ventilation system 100 of the present invention, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1 is too high, the vacuum pump 3 is used to pump the gas in the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8, and the make-up air pump 4 is used to pump the air in the gas storage tank 8 and the air filtered by the air filter 6 to the crankcase 1, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1 and preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1. At the same time, pumping the gas in the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8 by the vacuum pump 3 can also reduce water vapor condensation in the crankcase 1, avoid serious problems such as severe oil emulsification and oil oxidation in the crankcase 1 that seriously affect the service life of the engine, and improve the ventilation quality of the crankcase 1 and the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the vacuum pump 3 is also adapted to pump hydrogen gas from the gas storage tank 8 to the booster 2.

[0042] Specifically, as described above, while vacuum pump 3 is drawing the mixed gas from the current crankcase 1, make-up air pump 4 draws the air previously drawn into the storage tank 8 and separated, as well as the fresh air flowing out from the second outlet 62 of air filter 6, into the crankcase 1 to reduce the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1. The air newly drawn into the storage tank 8 by vacuum pump 3 begins to settle and separate, becoming hydrogen and air. At this time, vacuum pump 3 can reverse its operation to draw the hydrogen separated from storage tank 8 into turbocharger 2. Turbocharger 2 can... Hydrogen is mixed with air and sent into the combustion chamber of the hydrogen engine for combustion, thus realizing the reuse of hydrogen and improving combustion efficiency. At the same time, after the hydrogen separated from the gas storage tank 8 is sent into the engine for combustion, only air and a small amount of hydrogen remain in the gas storage tank 8. Therefore, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1 is too high and the vacuum pump 3 draws out the mixed gas in the crankcase 1 again, the air drawn out by the make-up air pump 4 from the gas storage tank 8 is only mixed with a small amount of hydrogen, thus avoiding the delivery of more hydrogen into the crankcase 1 and helping to reduce the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase 1.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the make-up air pump 4 is also adapted to draw air filtered by the air filter 6 into the crankcase 1. That is, when the hydrogen engine is working normally, fresh air can be drawn from the second outlet 62 of the air filter 6 by the make-up air pump 4 to actively replenish the crankcase 1, thereby increasing the air content in the crankcase 1. This is beneficial to improving the ventilation efficiency of the crankcase 1 ventilation system. While increasing the amount of air flowing into the crankcase 1, it also allows the hydrogen gas accumulated in the crankcase 1 to be discharged as soon as possible, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1. This is beneficial to further prevent the crankcase 1 from exploding due to excessively high internal hydrogen concentration.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrogen sensor 7 is disposed at the top of the crankcase 1. It should be noted that, since hydrogen is relatively light, it usually accumulates in the upper part of the crankcase 1. Based on this, the hydrogen sensor 7 in this application can be disposed at the top of the crankcase 1. Optionally, the hydrogen sensor 7 can be disposed on the inner top wall of the crankcase 1 or near the inner top wall. It is understood that the top of the crankcase 1 refers to the upper part of the crankcase 1 or above the center plane of the crankcase 1. This application does not impose specific limitations. Such a configuration allows the hydrogen sensor 7 to be located at a position with a higher hydrogen concentration, which is beneficial to ensuring the accuracy of hydrogen concentration measurement.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple hydrogen sensors 7. That is, the crankcase 1 can be equipped with multiple hydrogen sensors 7. For example, the number of hydrogen sensors 7 is 2, 3, 4, or 5, depending on actual needs. By setting multiple hydrogen sensors 7, multiple hydrogen concentrations in the crankcase 1 can be obtained. The maximum value can be compared with a first concentration threshold, or the average value can be compared with the first concentration threshold. This setting helps to improve the accuracy of hydrogen concentration.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gas storage tank 8 has a gas separator for separating hydrogen and air. That is, the gas storage tank 8 has a built-in integrated gas separator for separating hydrogen and air. Optionally, the gas separator can also separate water vapor from the mixed gas and condense it into liquid water. This configuration enables the separation of the gas drawn from the crankcase 1, thereby achieving the reuse of the separated hydrogen and air.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gas storage tank 8 has a display for displaying the volume and pressure of the gas inside the gas storage tank 8. That is, the display can show the volume and pressure of the gas inside the gas storage tank 8, thereby facilitating observation of the gas storage status inside the gas storage tank 8 and facilitating control of the discharge and storage of the gas inside the gas storage tank 8.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gas storage tank 8 has a drain valve, which is located on the bottom wall of the gas storage tank 8. That is, a drain valve can be provided on the bottom wall of the gas storage tank 8, which facilitates the discharge of the separated condensate liquid water from the gas storage tank 8.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, it also includes a throttle valve 9, which connects the crankcase 1 and the turbocharger 2. That is, a throttle valve 9 can be installed between the intake port of the crankcase 1 and the turbocharger 2. The main function of the throttle valve 9 is to control the amount of air entering the engine. Specifically, when we press / release the accelerator pedal, the system controls the opening of the throttle valve 9, thereby determining the amount of air entering and thus affecting the engine's power output and engagement.

[0050] The vehicle according to a second aspect embodiment of the present invention includes the engine crankcase ventilation system 100 of the first aspect embodiment.

[0051] According to the vehicle of the present invention, by providing the above-mentioned engine crankcase ventilation system 100, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1 is too high, the vacuum pump 3 is used to pump the gas in the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8, and the air in the gas storage tank 8 and the air filtered by the air filter 6 are used to pump the air in the gas storage tank 8 to the crankcase 1, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1 and preventing an explosion due to excessive hydrogen concentration in the crankcase 1. At the same time, pumping the gas in the crankcase 1 to the gas storage tank 8 by the vacuum pump 3 can also reduce water vapor condensation in the crankcase 1, avoiding serious problems such as severe oil emulsification and oil oxidation in the crankcase 1 that seriously affect the service life of the engine, which is beneficial to improving the ventilation quality of the crankcase 1 and the service life of the hydrogen engine.

[0052] It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0053] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An engine crankcase ventilation system characterized by, include: Crankcase, turbocharger, vacuum pump, make-up air pump, oil-gas separator, air filter, hydrogen sensor, and gas storage tank. The first air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the first air outlet of the air filter through the supercharger. The air inlet of the crankcase is connected to the second air outlet of the air filter through the air inlet pump. The third air outlet of the crankcase is connected to the supercharger through the oil-gas separator and the vacuum pump in sequence. The vacuum pump and the air inlet pump are connected through the air storage tank. The air storage tank has a gas separator for separating hydrogen and air. The hydrogen sensor is located inside the crankcase and is used to obtain the hydrogen concentration inside the crankcase. If the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to a first concentration threshold, the vacuum pump starts to work. The vacuum pump quickly pumps the gas in the crankcase to the gas storage tank. The air newly pumped into the gas storage tank by the vacuum pump begins to settle and separate. The air newly pumped into the gas storage tank is separated into hydrogen and air. At this time, the vacuum pump works in reverse, pumping the hydrogen separated from the gas storage tank to the supercharger. The supercharger sends the hydrogen mixed with air into the combustion chamber inside the hydrogen engine to participate in combustion. At the same time as the vacuum pump is working, the make-up air pump also works, pumping the air in the gas storage tank and the air filtered by the air filter to the crankcase.

2. An engine crankcase ventilation system according to claim 1, characterised in that, The hydrogen sensor is located on the top of the crankcase.

3. An engine crankcase ventilation system according to claim 1 wherein, There are multiple hydrogen sensors.

4. An engine crankcase ventilation system according to claim 1 wherein, The gas storage tank has a display for showing the volume and pressure of the gas inside the tank.

5. An engine crankcase ventilation system according to claim 1 wherein, The gas storage tank has a drain valve, which is located on the bottom wall of the gas storage tank.

6. An engine crankcase ventilation system according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that, Also includes: A throttle valve, which connects between the first air intake of the crankcase and the turbocharger.

7. A vehicle characterized by comprising: Includes an engine crankcase ventilation system according to any one of claims 1-6.

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