Heater and oil-gas separator

Abstract

The present invention discloses a heater and an oil-gas separator, and relates to the technical field of oil-gas separators. The heater is used to be arranged on the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, and comprises a pipe body, a sealing connector, a heating element and a connector. The sealing connector is arranged at one end of the pipe body, and the sealing connector has a heater inlet connecting the pipe body with the outside, and the other end of the pipe body is a heater outlet; the connector is arranged on the pipe body, one end of the heating element is arranged in the pipe body and electrically connected to the connector, and the other end of the heating element extends out from the heater inlet. The heater and oil-gas separator provided by the present invention solve the problem of ice blockage of the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, and ensure the normal operation of the oil-gas separator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of oil-gas separators, and in particular to a heater and an oil-gas separator. Background Art

[0002] When a natural gas engine is working, part of the combustible mixture and combustion products will leak into the crankcase through the cylinder and piston ring. Due to the drop in temperature, part of the leaked gas will condense in the engine oil, making the engine oil thinner and the performance worse, and forming foam, affecting the lubrication quality; the other part will generate acidic substances when it comes into contact with water, corroding machine parts and causing the engine oil to deteriorate; at the same time, the leaked gas will cause the crankcase pressure and temperature to rise, causing the engine oil to leak from the oil seal and gasket. Therefore, the crankcase is equipped with a crankcase ventilation system to discharge the leaked gas and recover the engine oil, while allowing fresh air to enter the crankcase to form continuous convection and balance the pressure in the crankcase.

[0003] Due to the high water content in the crankcase blowby gas of natural gas engines, the ambient temperature in some cold areas in Northeast China can often drop to -40℃ in winter. When natural gas heavy trucks are used in this environment, the crankcase ventilation system often becomes blocked by ice, which in turn causes the crankcase ventilation system to fail, resulting in an abnormal increase in crankcase pressure, which in turn causes oil leakage from the oil seals and gaskets at various joints of the engine, resulting in rapid engine oil consumption and blue smoke from the exhaust. In severe cases, it can even cause oil splashing from the oil dipstick, oil pan cracking, cylinder scratching and other serious faults.

[0004] The oil-gas separator is a major component of the crankcase ventilation system. Its function is to efficiently separate the oil in the crankcase blowby gas. Its separation performance has an important impact on the reliability and emissions of the engine. Based on our company's failure analysis of natural gas engines in cold areas, ice blockage often occurs at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator. The water vapor and oil in the crankcase blowby gas are separated and gathered in the lower shell of the oil-gas separator. Because the ambient temperature is too low, it gradually freezes and blocks the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, causing the entire crankcase ventilation system to fail over time. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above defects in the prior art, the first purpose of the present invention is to provide a heater, which can heat the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, solve the problem of ice and blockage of the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, and ensure the normal operation of the oil-gas separator.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A heater comprises a tube body, a sealing connector, a heating element and a connector, wherein the sealing connector is arranged at one end of the tube body and has a heater inlet connecting the tube body with the outside, and the other end of the tube body is a heater outlet; the connector is arranged on the tube body, one end of the heating element is arranged in the tube body and electrically connected to the connector, and the other end of the heating element extends out from the heater inlet.

[0008] Wherein, the heating element is a PTC thermistor heating rod, and a metal heat sink is arranged on the PTC thermistor heating rod.

[0009] Wherein, the sealing connector includes a connecting sleeve, on which an axial limit boss, a connecting structure and a sealing structure are provided, and the connecting sleeve is coaxially arranged on the end of the tube body; the axial limit boss is radially protruding and arranged on the end of the connecting sleeve close to the tube body; the connecting structure and the heater inlet are located at the end of the connecting sleeve away from the tube body, and the heater inlet is located on the inner side of the connecting structure; the sealing structure is located between the axial limit boss and the connecting structure.

[0010] Wherein, the connection structure comprises a plurality of elastic claws, and all the elastic claws are arranged on the connection sleeve in a ring array with the axis of the connection sleeve as the central axis.

[0011] Wherein, the sealing structure comprises an annular sealing groove arranged on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve, and a sealing ring arranged in the annular sealing groove.

[0012] Wherein, the tube body includes a first tube body, and a second tube body obliquely arranged at one end of the first tube body and connected to the first tube body, the sealing connection piece and the heater inlet are arranged at the other end of the first tube body, the connector is arranged at one end of the second tube body, and the other end of the second tube body is the heater outlet.

[0013] Wherein, the heater further comprises a heating control device, and the heating control device is electrically connected between the heating element and the connector.

[0014] Wherein, the heating control device includes a temperature control switch.

[0015] Wherein, the heating control device includes a temperature controller and a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature change at the inlet of the heater and transmit an electrical signal to the temperature controller, and the temperature controller is used to control the working state of the heating element according to the signal change of the temperature sensor.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] The heater provided by the present invention can be directly installed on the existing oil return port of the oil-gas separator through a sealing connector, without the need to modify the oil-gas separator, and has a simple structure, is easy to use, and is easy and quick to implement; the installed heater heats the oil return port of the oil-gas separator by energizing the heating element to generate heat, and the heating element continuously conducts heat to the lower shell of the oil-gas separator, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing the oil-water mixture inside the oil-gas separator from freezing, thereby solving the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator and ensuring the normal operation of the oil-gas separator.

[0018] The second object of the present invention is to provide an oil-gas separator, which solves the problem of ice blockage of the oil return port and ensures normal operation.

[0019] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0020] An oil-gas separator, wherein the heater described in the above technical solution is arranged on the oil return port of the oil-gas separator.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] The oil-gas separator provided by the present invention solves the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port because the heater described in the above technical solution is arranged at the oil return port, thereby ensuring normal operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is an axonometric diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Control schematic diagram;

[0026] Figure 4 is an axonometric diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A circuit diagram of a structure;

[0030] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Circuit diagram of another structure;

[0031] Fig. 9 is a structural diagram of Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0032] Fig.10 is a structural diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0033] Fig.11 is a structural diagram of Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

[0034] In the figure: 100, heater; 1, tube body; 11, first tube body; 12, second tube body; 2, sealing connector; 21, connecting sleeve; 22, elastic claw; 23, annular sealing groove; 24, axial limit boss; 25, sealing ring; 3, heating element; 4, connector; 5, heating control device; 51, temperature control switch; 52, overload protection fuse; 53, temperature controller; 531, temperature controller control unit; 532, relay; 54, temperature sensor; 200, oil-gas separator; 201, lower shell; 202, air inlet; 203, air outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0036] Embodiment 1:

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 as well as Fig.10 As shown, this embodiment provides a heater 100, including a tube body 1, a sealing connector 2, a heating element 3 and a connector 4, the sealing connector 2 is arranged at one end of the tube body 1, and the sealing connector 2 has a heater inlet connecting the tube body 1 with the outside, and the other end of the tube body 1 is a heater outlet; the connector 4 is arranged on the tube body 1, one end of the heating element 3 is arranged in the tube body 1 and is electrically connected to the connector 4, and the other end of the heating element 3 extends out of the heater inlet.

[0038] The heater 100 in this embodiment can be directly installed on the existing oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 through the sealing connector 2, without the need to modify the oil-gas separator 200. It has a simple structure, is easy to use, and is easy and quick to implement. The installed heater 100 heats the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 by energizing the heating element 3 to generate heat, and the heating element 3 continuously conducts the heat to the lower shell 201 of the oil-gas separator 200, thereby preventing the oil-water mixture inside the oil-gas separator 200 from freezing, thereby solving the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 and ensuring the normal operation of the oil-gas separator 200.

[0039] Since the PTC thermistor is a typical temperature-sensitive semiconductor resistor, when the temperature exceeds a certain level, its resistance value increases in a step-like manner as the temperature rises, and the current decreases accordingly until it stagnates, which provides high safety. Therefore, the heating element 3 in this embodiment is preferably a PTC thermistor heating rod in the shape of a rectangle or a cylinder. The designer can set the maximum heating temperature of the PTC thermistor heating rod according to the maximum allowable operating temperature of the oil-gas separator 200, which can both meet the heating requirements and ensure reliability.

[0040] In order to make it easier to dissipate the heat on the PTC thermistor heating rod, a metal heat sink (not shown in the figure) is provided on the PTC thermistor heating rod in this embodiment.

[0041] In order to facilitate manufacturing, the tube body 1 in this embodiment adopts a straight tube. The sealing connector 2 in this embodiment includes a connecting sleeve 21, on which an axial limiting boss 24, a connecting structure and a sealing structure are arranged. The connecting sleeve 21 is coaxially arranged on the end of the tube body 1; the axial limiting boss 24 is radially protruding and arranged on the end of the connecting sleeve 21 close to the tube body 1; the connecting structure and the heater inlet are located at the end of the connecting sleeve 21 away from the tube body 1, and the heater inlet is located on the inner side of the connecting structure; the sealing structure is located between the axial limiting boss 24 and the connecting structure. With such a configuration, the sealing connector 2 realizes the functions of connection, axial limiting and sealing at the same time, and improves the reliability of the connection.

[0042] Specifically, the connecting structure includes a plurality of elastic claws 22, and all the elastic claws 22 are arranged in a circular array on the connecting sleeve 21 with the axis of the connecting sleeve 21 as the center axis; the sealing structure includes an annular sealing groove 23 arranged on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 21, and a sealing ring 25 arranged in the annular sealing groove 23; and an axial limiting boss 24 is arranged on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 21.

[0043] Since the O-type sealing ring is suitable for axial reciprocating motion, has a simple design, a compact structure, is easy to assemble and disassemble, and has a low cost, the sealing ring 25 in this embodiment is preferably an O-type sealing ring.

[0044] The connector 4 in this embodiment is used to supply power to the heating element 3, and the power supply is usually 24V.

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, the heater 100 in this embodiment is only used as an actuator, and the temperature control of the heater 100 can be achieved through the engine's ambient temperature sensor and the ECU electronic control unit: the ambient temperature sensor is used to provide the ambient temperature of the vehicle to the ECU electronic control unit, and the ECU electronic control unit determines whether the relay closes the power supply circuit of the heater 100 according to the temperature signal provided by the ambient temperature sensor. The power supply circuit of the heater 100 is also provided with an overload protection fuse. When the current abnormally rises to a certain height and temperature, the overload protection fuse will melt and cut off the current to protect the safe operation of the circuit. If the ambient temperature is set to ≤A, the ECU electronic control unit controls the relay to close, the power supply circuit of the heater 100 is connected, and the heater 100 starts to work; when the ambient temperature is ≥B, the ECU electronic control unit controls the relay to disconnect, the power supply circuit of the heater 100 is disconnected, and the heater 100 stops working. Among them, A and B can be set according to actual needs, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Embodiment 2:

[0047] This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and the only difference is that:

[0048] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Fig.11 As shown, the tube body 1 in this embodiment includes a first tube body 11, and a second tube body 12 obliquely arranged at one end of the first tube body 11 and connected to the first tube body 11, the sealing connector 2 and the heater inlet are arranged at the other end of the first tube body 11, the connector 4 is arranged at one end of the second tube body 12, and the other end of the second tube body 12 is the heater outlet. Such an arrangement meets the different position requirements of the heater outlet.

[0049] Embodiment three:

[0050] This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, and the only difference is that:

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the heater 100 in this embodiment further includes a heating control device 5, which is electrically connected between the heating element 3 and the connector 4. With this arrangement, the temperature control of the heater 100 itself is realized, meeting the use requirements of some application scenarios that cannot be controlled by the ECU electronic control unit.

[0052] Figure 7As shown, a structure of the heating control device 5 is: the heating control device 5 includes a temperature control switch 51 for sensing temperature changes, the temperature control switch 51 is arranged on the power supply circuit of the heater 100, and at the same time, an overload protection fuse 52 is also arranged on the power supply circuit of the heater 100, the temperature control switch 51 is used to control the disconnection and closing of the power supply circuit of the heater 100, and the overload protection fuse 52 is used to improve the safety of the use of the equipment.

[0053] In this embodiment, the temperature control switch 51 is preferably arranged inside the heater 100 to detect the temperature inside the internal channel of the heater 100. Of course, the temperature control switch 51 can also be arranged outside the heater 100 to detect the ambient temperature. The selection of the position of the temperature control switch 51 depends on the specific application conditions and the structural limitations of the heater 100. Whether the temperature control switch 51 is arranged inside or outside the heater 100, it is intended to realize automatic control of the operation of the heater 100 through the detected temperature: if the temperature control switch 51 is set to be closed when the temperature is ≤ A, the power supply circuit of the heater 100 is connected and the heater 100 starts to work; if the temperature control switch 51 is set to be disconnected when the temperature is ≥ B, the power supply circuit of the heater 100 is disconnected and the heater 100 stops working. A and B can be set according to actual needs and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] The heater 100 of the above structure does not rely on the ECU electronic control unit of the engine, is easy to implement and has low cost. Although the temperature control accuracy of the temperature control switch 51 is slightly poor, it is still suitable for most application scenarios.

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, another structure of the heating control device 5 is: the heating control device 5 includes a temperature controller 53 and a temperature sensor 54, the temperature sensor 54 is used to detect the temperature change at the inlet of the heater and transmit an electrical signal to the temperature controller 53, and the temperature controller 53 is used to control the working state of the heating element 3 according to the signal change of the temperature sensor 54. In this embodiment, the temperature controller 53 and the temperature sensor 54 are preferably integrated inside the heater 100.

[0056] Specifically, the temperature controller 53 is internally provided with a temperature controller control unit 531, a relay 532 and an overload protection fuse 52. The temperature controller control unit 531 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 54. The temperature sensor 54 detects changes in the measured ambient temperature and transmits them to the temperature controller control unit 531. The temperature controller control unit 531 controls the working state of the relay 532 according to the signal changes of the temperature sensor 54, thereby controlling the working state of the heater 100.

[0057] The heater 100 of the above structure is also independent of the engine's ECU electronic control unit and is suitable for most application scenarios. Figure 7The heating control device 5 shown, Figure 8 The heating control device 5 shown has high control accuracy, and the user can select the corresponding heating control device 5 according to the needs, and there is no limitation here.

[0058] Embodiment 4:

[0059] This embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment, and the only difference is that:

[0060] like Fig. 9 As shown, the tube body 1 in this embodiment includes a first tube body 11, and a second tube body 12 obliquely arranged at one end of the first tube body 11 and connected to the first tube body 11, the sealing connection 2 and the heater inlet are arranged at the other end of the first tube body 11, the connector 4 is arranged at one end of the second tube body 12, and the other end of the second tube body 12 is the heater outlet.

[0061] Embodiment five:

[0062] like Fig.10 As shown, this embodiment discloses an oil-gas separator 200 , and the heater 100 described in any of the first and third embodiments is arranged on the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 .

[0063] Specifically, the heater 100 is connected to the oil return port of the lower shell 201 of the oil-gas separator 200 through a sealing connector 2. After the connection is completed, the heater inlet connects the pipe body 1 and the inner cavity of the lower shell 201 of the oil-gas separator 200, and the heating element 3 extends into the inner cavity of the lower shell 201 of the oil-gas separator 200.

[0064] After the sealing connector 2 is connected to the lower shell 201, the elastic claw 22 is clamped on the clamping table inside the lower shell 201; the axial limiting boss 24 cooperates with the oil return port end of the oil-gas separator 200 to realize the axial limiting of the sealing connector 2; the annular sealing groove 23 and the inner wall of the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 form a sealing cavity, and a sealing ring 25 is installed in the sealing cavity to ensure the sealing between the lower shell 201 and the heater 100.

[0065] In order to further improve the heating efficiency, the heater 100 may be selectively installed at the required positions such as the air inlet 202 and the air outlet 203 of the oil-gas separator 200 . The specific installation is performed according to the requirements, which will not be elaborated in this embodiment.

[0066] Embodiment six:

[0067] This embodiment is basically the same as the fifth embodiment, and the only difference is that:

[0068] like Fig.11As shown, this embodiment discloses an oil-gas separator 200 , and the heater 100 described in any of the second and fourth embodiments is arranged on the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 .

[0069] The above are some embodiments of the heater and the oil-gas separator of the present invention. There are more embodiments which will not be elaborated here. In summary, the oil-gas separator 200 of the present invention has a heater 100 disposed on its oil return port, thus solving the problem of ice blockage at its oil return port and ensuring normal operation.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation modes. Various changes made by ordinary technicians in this field based on the above-mentioned concepts without creative work all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heater, characterized in that: Including pipe body, sealing connector, heating element and connector, The sealing connector is arranged at one end of the tube body, and the sealing connector has a heater inlet connecting the tube body with the outside world, and the other end of the tube body is a heater outlet; the connector is arranged on the tube body, one end of the heating element is arranged in the tube body and electrically connected to the connector, and the other end of the heating element extends out from the heater inlet.

2. The heater according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating element is a PTC thermistor heating rod, and a metal heat sink is arranged on the PTC thermistor heating rod.

3. The heater according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing connector includes a connecting sleeve, on which an axial limit boss, a connecting structure and a sealing structure are provided, and the connecting sleeve is coaxially arranged on the end of the tube body; the axial limit boss is radially protruding and arranged on an end of the connecting sleeve close to the tube body; the connecting structure and the heater inlet are located at an end of the connecting sleeve away from the tube body, and the heater inlet is located on the inner side of the connecting structure; the sealing structure is located between the axial limit boss and the connecting structure.

4. The heater according to claim 3, characterized in that The connection structure comprises a plurality of elastic claws, and all the elastic claws are arranged on the connection sleeve in a ring array with the axis of the connection sleeve as the central axis.

5. The heater according to claim 3, characterized in that The sealing structure comprises an annular sealing groove arranged on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve, and a sealing ring arranged in the annular sealing groove.

6. The heater according to claim 1, characterized in that The tube body includes a first tube body, and a second tube body obliquely arranged at one end of the first tube body and connected to the first tube body, the sealing connection piece and the heater inlet are arranged at the other end of the first tube body, the connector is arranged at one end of the second tube body, and the other end of the second tube body is the heater outlet.

7. The heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The heater further includes a heating control device electrically connected between the heating element and the connector.

8. The heater according to claim 7, characterized in that The heating control device comprises a temperature control switch.

9. The heater according to claim 7, characterized in that The heating control device includes a temperature controller and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature change at the inlet of the heater and transmit an electrical signal to the temperature controller. The temperature controller is used to control the working state of the heating element according to the signal change of the temperature sensor.

10. An oil-gas separator, characterized in that: The oil return port of the oil-gas separator is provided with a heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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