Multi-piston engine having engine block with recess for receiving oil filter, marine vessel and power plant
By setting a notch on the outer surface of the multi-piston engine cylinder and receiving the oil filter part therein, combined with the shorter bracket fixing, the problems of easy wear and large space occupancy of traditional oil filters are solved, and a stronger fixing arrangement and a longer service life are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202280099100.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
AI Technical Summary
In traditional multi-piston engines, the oil filter is prone to wear or damage due to vibrations, and its arrangement causes an increase in the space occupied by the engine.
A notch is provided on the outer surface of the engine cylinder block so that the oil filter is at least partially received within the notch and is attached to the engine cylinder block through a bracket, thereby reducing the length of the bracket and enhancing support rigidity.
Through this arrangement, the oil filter is closer to the engine cylinder and is fixed with a shorter bracket, which reduces the impact on engine vibration, extends the life of the oil filter, and facilitates its repair and maintenance without increasing the engine space occupation.
Smart Images
Figure CN119731413A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-piston engine, and more particularly to the placement of an oil filter on a multi-piston engine. The present disclosure also relates to a marine vessel and a power plant equipped with such a multi-piston engine. Background Art
[0002] Conventional large multi-piston engines, such as those used in offshore vessels or power plants, have an oil filter attached to one side of the engine block by a bracket in order to include as many components as possible required to run the engine within the engine assembly. However, it has been found that the vibrations associated with such larger engines can excessively wear or even damage the oil filter.
[0003] Furthermore, in current arrangements, a large portion of the oil filter protrudes beyond the engine block, resulting in an increase in the space occupied by the engine. Summary of the invention
[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-piston engine that provides a more robust arrangement for attaching an oil filter thereto without increasing the space occupied by the engine, while increasing the life of the oil filter and facilitating its repair and / or maintenance. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a marine vessel and a power plant equipped with such a multi-piston engine.
[0005] The objects of the invention are achieved by a multi-piston engine, a marine vessel and a power plant, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0006] The present disclosure is based on the idea of providing a recess on the outer surface of the engine block, such that the oil filter is at least partially received in the recess and attached to the engine block by a bracket.
[0007] This arrangement allows the oil filter to be attached closer to the engine block, which in turn allows a relatively shorter bracket to be used to secure the oil filter, resulting in a more rigid support that is less susceptible to engine vibrations.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-piston engine is provided. The engine includes an engine block having a plurality of combustion cylinders arranged along the longitudinal direction of the engine block. The engine also includes a plurality of separate cylinder heads, each cylinder head corresponding to a corresponding combustion cylinder. Suitably, such cylinder heads can also be removed from the engine individually. In addition. The engine includes a common exhaust passage extending longitudinally. Such exhaust passage is connected in fluid communication with a plurality of cylinder heads so as to receive exhaust gas from the combustion cylinders during operation of the engine. The engine also includes a common charge air receiver extending longitudinally, the common charge air receiver being connected in fluid communication with a plurality of cylinder heads for guiding charge air to the combustion cylinders. This arrangement enables a turbocharger to be arranged at a longitudinal end of the engine, the meaning of which will be discussed in more detail below.
[0009] The engine block comprises a recess on the outer surface of the engine block. The recess comprises at least a bottom surface and a side surface. Preferably, but not necessarily, the recess comprises at least a bottom surface and two side surfaces. Most suitably, the recess opens from above.
[0010] In particular, the engine further comprises an oil filter which is at least partially received in said recess. That is, at least a portion of the oil filter is located in the space defined by the surface of the recess. Furthermore, the oil filter is attached to the engine block by means of brackets extending between the oil filter and the engine block. It should be noted that such brackets may be provided as separate components or they may be an integrated component of, for example, a housing or a frame of the oil filter. Most suitably, the oil filter is an oil filter for filtering impurities from lubricating oil circulating in the engine.
[0011] Advantageously, the multi-piston engine is a reciprocating internal combustion engine and is preferably also suitable for use in marine vessels or power plants. Typically, such engines have a power output of 2 MW to 7 MW and operate at a nominal operating speed of 250 to 1500 rpm. Furthermore, the engine block itself is suitably provided as a single unitary structure, such as a casting.
[0012] Suitably, the multi-piston engine has a modular construction corresponding to the number of pistons provided. This modular construction of the engine is adapted to correspond to the number of pistons. That is, certain parts or components of the engine are provided in a quantity corresponding to the number of pistons: the quantity either directly corresponds to the number of pistons, or is a multiple of the number of pistons. Suitably, the parts or components provided in this modular way are identical to each other. Typically, such an engine with a modular architecture is configured by providing a plurality of power groups based on the requirements of the intended application. The number of power groups corresponds to the number of cylinders and pistons, which determines the shape and size of the engine block and crankshaft. The power groups are then modularly equipped by providing a plurality of required components dedicated to each individual power group. For example, the power group can be set as a cylinder-specific component group equipped for each cylinder. That is, such a power group can include, for example, a cylinder head, a cylinder liner, a piston, a crank arm, etc.
[0013] From a maintenance perspective, oil filter repair (e.g., replacing the entire oil filter or its internal filter element) can be performed using the same lifting device (e.g., vertical lifting) as used for repair operations that require removal of a single cylinder head of modular construction.
[0014] Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, in the context of the present disclosure, the term "longitudinal" is used to describe a direction parallel to the crankshaft of the engine, while the term "transverse" is used to describe a horizontal direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Respectively, the word "vertical" is used to describe a direction transverse to the horizontal. That is, the longitudinal ends of the engine block are the sides of the engine block corresponding to the opposite axial ends of the crankshaft, and the transverse faces of the engine block extend between the longitudinal ends of the engine block.
[0015] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oil filter is attached to the engine block at least from the bottom surface of the recess. This allows minimizing the length of the bracket associated with the bottom surface of the recess, because the oil filter is at least partially located above the recess and the associated bracket does not need to extend that far laterally or longitudinally.
[0016] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oil filter is attached to the engine block from at least a lateral face of the engine block, a longitudinal end of the engine block, or both.
[0017] Particularly in combination with attaching the oil filter to the engine block from the bottom surface of the recess, it has been found that this provides a fixing arrangement that is able to withstand vibrations very well.
[0018] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the recess is arranged at an outer corner between a transverse face of the engine block and a longitudinal side of the engine block. That is, the recess protrudes inwardly from the longitudinal end and transverse face of the engine block. This arrangement minimizes the transverse and longitudinal protrusion of the oil filter from the engine block.
[0019] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the engine block comprises an internal charge air receiver, which extends longitudinally from a longitudinal end of the engine block to a distance from the opposite end of the engine block. That is, the charge air receiver is arranged as an internal duct of the engine block, which extends longitudinally from one end to a distance from the opposite end. In this case, the recess is appropriately arranged on a linear extension of the charge air receiver. More specifically, the recess can be arranged on a linear extension of the charge air receiver on a longitudinal end, the charge air receiver extending to a distance from the longitudinal end.
[0020] Preferably, but not necessarily, the engine further comprises a turbocharger operatively coupled to the charge air receiver. In this case, the recess is arranged at a longitudinal end of the engine block opposite to the turbocharger.
[0021] This arrangement allows minimizing the longitudinal protrusion of the oil filter beyond the longitudinal end of the engine block opposite to the turbocharger. Therefore, this allows the main power output at the longitudinal end opposite to the turbocharger without the intermediate support of the main power shaft.
[0022] Furthermore, arranging the turbocharger and the oil filter at opposite longitudinal ends provides the additional benefit of maximizing the flow path of the hot oil received from the turbocharger before being reintroduced into the oil filter. This improves the life of the oil filter in at least two ways. First, the temperature of the oil received from the turbocharger is sufficiently stable because the oil flows through the oil pan or tank before being reintroduced into the oil filter. In addition, this arrangement allows contaminants (such as carbon deposits) to settle to the bottom of the oil pan or tank before the oil is reintroduced into the oil filter. Therefore, lubricating oil with a more uniform consistency and temperature extends the life of the oil filter.
[0023] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the space above the oil filter is unobstructed. This allows the oil filter to be removed by lifting from above the engine, which in turn greatly facilitates maintenance of the engine. In particular, lifting from above prevents potential hot oil contaminants from escaping the engine compartment when changing the oil filter, as opposed to removing the oil filter from below.
[0024] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a vertical projection of the center of mass of the oil filter intersects the bottom surface of the recess. This allows a major portion of the weight of the oil filter to be supported on the bottom surface of the recess.
[0025] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the center of mass of the oil filter is located within the recess. This in turn further allows for a more rigid support that is less susceptible to vibrations of the engine.
[0026] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, in the transverse direction of the engine, at least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter is located in the recess. This ensures that the lateral protrusion of the oil filter beyond the engine block is minimized, thereby minimizing the required length of the bracket and the space occupied by the engine.
[0027] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, in the longitudinal direction of the engine, at least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter is located in the recess. This ensures that the longitudinal protrusion of the oil filter beyond the engine block is minimized, thereby minimizing the required length of the bracket and the space occupied by the engine.
[0028] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least 1 / 3, preferably at least 1 / 2 of the oil filter is located in the recess in the height direction of the engine. This ensures that the vertical protrusion of the oil filter beyond the engine block is minimized, thereby minimizing the required length of the bracket and the space occupied by the engine.
[0029] In an embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the width of the recess defined in the lateral direction of the engine block is between 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 of the width of the engine block. Preferably, the width of the recess defined in the lateral direction of the engine block is 1 / 2 of the width of the engine block.
[0030] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the height of the recess defined in the vertical direction of the engine block is between 1 / 4 and 1 / 2 of the height of the engine block. Preferably, the height of the recess is preferably 1 / 3 of the width of the engine block.
[0031] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the capacity of the engine oil sump or engine oil tank is 1m 3 or above. This is considered to be a sufficiently large volume to allow for stabilization of the oil temperature as well as settling of the contaminants. In addition to the settling of the contaminants, the remaining oil (including the unsettled contaminants) mixes during the flow path from the oil sump or tank to the oil filter, thereby also ensuring a uniform composition of the oil received at the oil filter.
[0032] Suitably, the engine comprises a lubricating oil passage having a total volume no greater than 15%, preferably no greater than 10%, more preferably no greater than 5% of the capacity of the engine lubricating oil sump or engine lubricating oil tank. This is further believed to allow sufficient retention time of the oil in the sump or tank to stabilise the oil temperature and composition and to settle contaminants.
[0033] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the weight of the oil filter is 50% to 200% of the weight of a single cylinder head. This ensures that the oil filter can be maintained using a lifting device (such as a vertical crane for removing and replacing each cylinder head).
[0034] It should be noted that the first aspect of the present disclosure covers any combination of two or more embodiments or variations thereof as described above.
[0035] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a marine vessel is provided. In particular, the marine vessel comprises an engine as discussed above in conjunction with the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the engine may be configured to at least partially provide power for a propulsion system of the marine vessel.
[0036] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a power plant. In particular, the power plant comprises an engine as discussed above in conjunction with the first aspect of the present disclosure. Suitably, the engine is configured to operate a generator of the power plant. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0038] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a multi-piston engine according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is depicted as a plan view from above;
[0039] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A portion of an engine block of an engine is shown, viewed in perspective.
[0040] Figure 3a Shows Figure 1 an engine block of the illustrated engine as viewed from a longitudinal end thereof;
[0041] Figure 3b Shows Figure 3a The engine block and oil filter;
[0042] Figure 4a Shows Figure 1 the engine block of the engine shown, as viewed from its side;
[0043] Figure 4b Shows Figure 4a A portion of the engine block and the oil filter;
[0044] Figure 5a Shows Figure 1 a portion of an engine block of the illustrated engine, as viewed from above; and
[0045] Figure 5b Shows Figure 5a Engine block and oil filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Figure 1 A multi-piston engine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown, which is depicted as a plan view from above. The multi-piston engine comprises an engine block 1 having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being equipped with a separate cylinder head 1d. A recess 2 is provided at a longitudinal end 1b of the engine block 1, and an oil filter 3 is at least partially received in the recess 2. A turbocharger 7 is provided at a longitudinal end 1b' opposite to the recess 2. In addition, the engine block 1 comprises an internal charge air receiver 5 extending longitudinally, which is located at the inner portion of the charge air receiver 5. Figure 1 1 is shown as a partial section, and the position of the internal charge air receiver 5 is further shown by a dotted line. A turbocharger 7 is coupled to the charge air receiver 5 so as to supply charge air to each cylinder via the cylinder head 1d, which is also coupled to the charge air receiver 5. In addition, the cylinder head 1d is also coupled to a longitudinally extending common exhaust passage 6 for receiving exhaust gas from the cylinders. The exhaust passage 6 is also coupled to the turbocharger so as to rotate the turbine of the turbocharger.
[0047] Figure 2 Schematically shows the Figure 1 A portion of an engine block 1 of a multi-piston engine, which is viewed from a perspective angle. In particular, the engine block 1 comprises a recess 2 on its outer surface. The recess 2 comprises a bottom surface 2a and two side surfaces 2a, 2b, which are transverse to each other and to the bottom surface 2a. Furthermore, the recess 2 is arranged at an outer corner of the engine block 1 between a transverse face 1a of the engine block 1 and a longitudinal end 1b of the engine block. That is, the recess 2 is open from above and towards both the transverse face 1a and the longitudinal end 1b of the engine block 1.
[0048] Figure 3a , Figure 4a and Figure 5a Shows Figure 21 , which is respectively viewed from a longitudinal end 1 b of the engine block 1, from a transverse face 1 a of the engine block 1 and from above the engine block 1. In particular, the position of the internal charge air receiver 5 within the engine block 1 is indicated by a dashed line. The internal charge air receiver extends longitudinally from the opposite longitudinal end 1 b' until a distance from the longitudinal end 1 b, at which the recess 2 is located. Furthermore, the recess 2 is arranged on a linear extension of the charge air receiver 5. In other words, the charge air receiver 5 does not reach the recess 2.
[0049] Figure 3b , Figure 4b and Figure 5b Shown with Figure 3a , Figure 4a and Figure 5a A similar configuration is provided, wherein an oil filter 3 is added and installed in a suitable position. In particular, the oil filter 3 is partially fitted in the recess 2. In addition, Figure 3b , Figure 4b and Figure 5b Brackets 4a, 4b are shown, by which the oil filter 3 is attached to the engine block 1. Bracket 4a is fixed between the bottom of the oil filter 3 and the bottom surface of the recess, while bracket 4b is fixed between the oil filter 3 and the transverse face 1a of the engine block. More specifically, bracket 4b is attached between the middle parts of the oil filter 3 along its height, but other attachment positions can be provided. Furthermore, on the transverse face 1a of the engine block, bracket 4b is attached at the highest position of said transverse face 1a.
[0050] Reference numerals list
[0051] 1 Engine block
[0052] 1a Transverse surface of the engine block
[0053] 1b Longitudinal end of engine block
[0054] 1b' Opposite side end of engine block
[0055] 1d Cylinder head
[0056] 2 Notches
[0057] 2a Bottom surface of the notch
[0058] 2b, 2c Side surface of the notch
[0059] 3 Oil filter
[0060] 4a bracket
[0061] 4b bracket
[0062] 5 Internal charge air receiver
[0063] 6 exhaust channels
[0064] 7 Turbocharger
Claims
1. A multi-piston engine, comprising: An engine block (1), the engine block (1) having a plurality of combustion cylinders arranged along a longitudinal direction of the engine block (1); a plurality of separate cylinder heads (1d), each cylinder head corresponding to a respective combustion cylinder; a longitudinally extending common exhaust passage (6) coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder heads for receiving exhaust gas from the combustion cylinders; a longitudinally extending common charge air receiver (5) coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder heads (1d) for directing charge air to the combustion cylinders, The invention is characterized in that the engine block (1) comprises a recess (2) on the outer surface of the engine block (1), wherein the recess (2) comprises at least a bottom surface (2a) and side surfaces (2a, 2b), The engine further comprises an oil filter (3) at least partially received in the recess (2), the oil filter (3) being attached to the engine block (1) via a bracket (4) extending between the oil filter (3) and the engine block (1).
2. The multi-piston engine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil filter (3) is attached to the engine block (1) at least from a bottom surface (2a) of the recess (2).
3. The multi-piston engine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The oil filter (3) is attached to the engine block (1) at least from a transverse surface (1a) of the engine block (1), a longitudinal end (1b) of the engine block (1), or both.
4. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The recess (2) is arranged at an outer corner between a transverse surface (1a) of the engine block (1) and a longitudinal end (1b) of the engine block (1).
5. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The engine block (1) comprises an internal charge air receiver (5), which extends longitudinally from opposite longitudinal ends of the engine block to a distance from the longitudinal end (1b) of the engine block (1), wherein the recess (2) is arranged on a linear extension of the charge air receiver (5) at the longitudinal end (1b) of the engine block (1).
6. The multi-piston engine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The engine further comprises a turbocharger (7) operatively coupled to the charge air receiver (5), wherein the recess (2) is arranged at the longitudinal end (1b) of the engine block opposite to the turbocharger (7).
7. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The space above the oil filter (3) is unobstructed, allowing the oil filter (3) to be removed by lifting from above the engine.
8. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that A vertical projection of the center of mass of the oil filter (3) intersects with the bottom surface (2a) of the recess.
9. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The center of mass of the oil filter (3) is located in the recess (2).
10. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that In the transverse direction of the engine, at least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter (3) is located in the recess (2).
11. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that In the longitudinal direction of the engine, at least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter (3) is located in the recess (2).
12. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterised in that In the height direction of the engine, at least 1 / 3, preferably at least 1 / 2, of the oil filter (3) is located in the recess.
13. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterised in that The width of the recess (2) defined in the transverse direction of the engine block (1) is between 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 of the width of the engine block (1), preferably 1 / 2 of the width of the engine block (1).
14. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, characterised in that The height of the recess (2) defined in the vertical direction of the engine block (1) is between 1 / 4 and 1 / 2 of the height of the engine block (1), preferably 1 / 3 of the height of the engine block (1).
15. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterised in that The capacity of the engine oil pan or engine oil tank is 1m 3 or above.
16. The multi-piston engine according to claim 15, characterized in that: The engine comprises lubricating oil passages, the total volume of which is no more than 15%, preferably no more than 10%, and more preferably no more than 5% of the capacity of the engine lubricating oil sump or engine lubricating oil tank.
17. A multi-piston engine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, characterised in that The weight of the oil filter (3) is 50% to 200% of the weight of a single cylinder head (1d).
18. A multi-piston engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, characterised in that The engine is a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine.
19. A marine vessel, characterized in that: The marine vessel comprises an engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 17.
20. A power plant, characterized in that: The power plant comprises an engine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 17.