External air ventilation system for top engine and bottom engine

Abstract

A ventilation device (1) for an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle includes at least one external air inlet (3), an external air filter (4), and at least one common duct (5) connected to the filter (4) and capable of distributing filtered external air to distribution members (6a, 6b, 6c) for supplying external air to the engine. The ventilation device (1) includes at least two distribution members (6a, 6b) for distributing external air to the engine crankcase, preferably located at two opposite points; and at least one distribution member (6c) for distributing external air to the engine cylinder head cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to internal combustion engines for motor vehicles, and more particularly to spark-ignition internal combustion engines that operate on hydrogen fuel. Background Technology

[0002] Each fuel has a lower explosive limit and an upper explosive limit. The explosive limits define the range of concentrations at which the fuel will ignite in air. Below the lower explosive limit, there is not enough fuel to ignite the mixture; above the upper explosive limit, there is not enough air to ignite the mixture.

[0003] The lower explosive limit of hydrogen is 4%, meaning that when the concentration of hydrogen in the air is 4% or higher, hydrogen will ignite and may cause an explosion. Its upper explosive limit is 75%, meaning that when the concentration of hydrogen in the air is at least 75%, the mixture will not ignite.

[0004] LPG fuel, whose main component is methane, has an explosive range of 5% to 15%; diesel fuel, whose main component is diesel oil, has an explosive range of 0.6% to 6.5%.

[0005] Hydrogen is an extremely flammable and reactive fluid; for example, it is more flammable than gasoline, diesel, LPG, or CNG fuels due to its wide explosive range. Therefore, hydrogen is a particularly dangerous fluid, especially when used in enclosed spaces. During engine operation, leakage can occur, releasing fuel into the lower part of the engine (also known as the "lower engine"), which is defined by the crankcase and the lower engine housing, which is sealed at the bottom of the crankcase.

[0006] To prevent combustion in the enclosed engine space, an effective ventilation system is needed to dilute the gases in the crankcase and reduce the fuel concentration.

[0007] Currently, no system is known from patent application FR2300437 that utilizes a pump located in the engine oil decanting circuit to dilute crankcase gases with fresh air. Downstream of the air filter, the pump draws clean air from the engine's intake circuit and delivers it to the lower crankcase of the engine to dilute the gases.

[0008] However, such a system is difficult to implement both technically and economically. More importantly, the system is primarily used to regulate airflow, rather than to distribute airflow as evenly as possible throughout the engine crankcase, and the upper part of the engine (also known as the "upper engine"), defined by the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover that tops the cylinder head, is unaffected by ventilation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and in particular, to effectively dilute the gas in the engine crankcase, taking into account the distribution of air throughout the engine.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one external air inlet, an external air filter mechanism, and at least one common duct connected to the filter mechanism and capable of distributing filtered external air to a distribution member for supplying external air to the engine.

[0011] The device includes at least two distribution devices for distributing outside air into the engine crankcase, and at least one distribution device for distributing outside air into the engine cylinder head cover.

[0012] Advantageously, the dispensing device includes at least one external air pipe equipped with at least one check valve.

[0013] The distributor includes at least one connection point for connecting to the engine connector.

[0014] According to one embodiment, two connection points of two distribution components that distribute external air into the engine crankcase are connected to two connectors in the engine crankcase, which are located at two opposite points on the engine.

[0015] Advantageously, one crankcase connector is located at or near the engine's distribution surface, and another crankcase connector is located at or near the engine's mating surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, the connection point of the distribution member that distributes outside air into the engine cylinder head cover is connected to a connector on the engine cylinder head cover.

[0017] Advantageously, the external air inlet allows fresh air to be injected into the engine interior, particularly into the engine's isolated spaces, such as the crankcase and cylinder head cover.

[0018] The external air inlet and the external air filter are separate from the external air inlet and external air filter of the engine intake circuit, which fills the engine combustion chamber with air.

[0019] In one embodiment, the engine is an internal combustion engine for a hydrogen-powered motor vehicle.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an engine that includes a ventilation device as defined above.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an engine as defined above, the engine including ventilation devices as defined above. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: —【 Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the engine ventilation system, which includes three external air distribution components; —【 Figure 2A [This is a schematic diagram of the connector on the engine crankcase;] —【 Figure 2B [This is a schematic diagram of the connector on the engine cylinder head cover;] —【 Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of a ventilation system integrated on the engine, with the connection point of the ventilation system connected to the engine connector. —【 Figure 3B [Image 1] is a schematic diagram of a ventilation system integrated into the engine, with its connection point connected to the engine connector; and —【 Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of an engine ventilation system, which includes five external air distribution components. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 A ventilation device for an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle is shown, indicated by reference numeral 1. This device 1 is designed to ventilate a spark-ignition internal combustion engine 2, particularly a hydrogen-powered spark-ignition internal combustion engine 2.

[0024] Hydrogen is a fuel with a high explosive range and is particularly flammable and reactive. During the operation of engine 2, fuel leaks into the crankcase of engine 2. In order to prevent abnormal combustion of the hydrogen-fueled engine 2, an effective ventilation system 1 is needed to dilute the gas in the crankcase of engine 2 and reduce the fuel concentration in the enclosed spaces at the bottom and top of engine 2.

[0025] The ventilation device 1 includes at least one air inlet 3, an external air filter 4, at least one common duct 5 communicating with the filter 4, and at least three distribution components 6a, 6b, and 6c for distributing external air to the engine 2.

[0026] Air inlet 3 allows outside air to be collected and injected into the engine 2, more specifically into the crankcase 7 at the bottom of the engine and the cylinder head cover 8 at the top of the engine. The engine crankcase and cylinder head cover are as follows: Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown.

[0027] The filter mechanism 4 recovers and filters the outside air captured by the air inlet 3. In particular, it prevents dirt and dust particles that are harmful to engine operation from seeping into the engine 2.

[0028] The public duct 5 is connected to the filter mechanism 4 and can distribute the filtered outside air to the distribution components 6a, 6b and 6c via the distribution mechanism 9.

[0029] Advantageously, the air inlet 3 and filter 4 of the ventilation system 1 are independent, i.e., different from the air inlet and filter of the intake circuit that allows the combustion chamber of the engine 2 to be filled with air. In practice, when the ventilation system 1 shares the same air inlet 3 and the same filter 4 with the intake circuit, the common duct 5 installed downstream of the common filter 4 will experience greater negative pressure due to the pressure drop in the filter and the air drawn in by the engine 2. As a result, the circulation of ventilation air to the lower and upper engines becomes more difficult.

[0030] Figure 1 The ventilation system 1 shown includes two distribution components 6a and 6b that distribute outside air into the crankcase 7 of the engine 2, and a distribution device 6c that distributes outside air into the cylinder head cover 8 of the engine 2. The distribution components 6a, 6b, and 6c are capable of distributing filtered outside air into the engine 2, distributing it to both the lower and upper engines. The ventilation system 1 may include more than three distribution components 6a, 6b, and 6c.

[0031] Each distribution component 6a, 6b, 6c includes at least one external air pipe 10 equipped with at least one check valve 11, thereby enabling control of the direction of external air. Advantageously, the pipe 10 is a flexible hose.

[0032] Each distribution component 6a, 6b, 6c also includes at least one connection point 12a, 12b, 12c for connecting to a connector of the engine 2. The connection point 12a, 12b, 12c is a connector, which may include a beaded end, a cedar-shaped end, or a corrugated end.

[0033] The engine includes multiple connectors 13a, 13b, and 13c for connection to connection points 12a, 12b, and 12c of external air distribution components 6a, 6b, and 6c. In one embodiment, these connectors 13a, 13b, and 13c are as follows: Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown.

[0034] exist Figure 2A The diagram shows two engine connectors 13a and 13b related to the lower engine ventilation. These connectors 13a and 13b are located in the crankcase 7 of engine 2 at two opposite points. The distance between the connectors allows the ventilation system 1 to ventilate engine 2 more efficiently. In effect, by injecting outside air into engine 2 at two different locations, the fuel is diluted more quickly throughout the crankcase 7 of engine 2.

[0035] Preferably, the first connector 13a is located on the distribution surface of the crankcase (e.g., Figure 2A (As shown) or alternatively located on the crankcase side near the distribution surface, the second connector 13b is located on the engine mating surface or alternatively located on the crankcase side near the mating surface (as shown). Figure 2A (As shown). This arrangement of connectors 13a and 13b enables more efficient ventilation of the engine's central cylinder.

[0036] refer to Figure 2B The engine connector 13c is located in the cylinder head cover 8 of the engine 2, thereby allowing ventilation to the upper space of the engine 2.

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The integration of the ventilation device 1 on the engine 2 is shown. When the connection points 12a, 12b, and 12c of the ventilation device 1 are connected to the connectors 13a, 13b, and 13c of the engine 2, the lower part of the engine 2 is ventilated through the connection points 12a and 12b connected to the cylinder crankcase 7, and the upper part of the engine 2 is ventilated through the connection point 12c connected to the cylinder head cover 8.

[0038] Figure 3A The ventilation device 1 is shown to be integrated into the engine 2 via connection point 12b of connector 13b connected to the crankcase 7 of the engine 2.

[0039] Figure 3B The ventilation device 1 is shown to be integrated into the engine 2 via connection point 12a of connector 13a connected to the crankcase 7 of the engine 2 cylinder and connection point 12c of connector 13c connected to the cylinder head cover 8 of the engine 2.

[0040] Figure 4 Another embodiment is shown in which the ventilation device 1 includes five distribution members 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, thereby enabling more rapid ventilation of the engine 2. The connection points 12 of the distribution members 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are connected, for example, to connectors 13 located in high-risk areas of the engine 2.

[0041] Figure 4 The ventilation device 1 shown also includes a duct 14 located between the external air inlet 3 and the external air filter 4. For example, this configuration allows the ventilation device 1 to be adapted to the layout of the engine 2 in the vehicle.

[0042] The ventilation device 1 may include several pipes and / or conduits and / or check valves, which are positioned in different configurations to facilitate the integration of the ventilation device 1 onto the engine 2.

[0043] It should be noted that the ventilation device 1 just described can be advantageously used to ventilate all types of internal combustion engines 2 in motor vehicles.

Claims

1. A ventilation device (1) for an internal combustion engine (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one external air inlet (3), an external air filter (4), and at least one common duct (5), said at least one common duct (5) being connected to said filter (4) and capable of distributing filtered external air to distribution members (6a, 6b, 6c) for supplying external air to the engine, characterized in that, It includes at least two distribution members (6a, 6b) in the crankcase (7) of the engine (2) for distributing external air to the engine (2), and at least one distribution member (6c) in the cylinder head cover (8) of the engine (2) for distributing external air to the engine (2).

2. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The distribution components (6a, 6b, 6c) include at least one external air pipe (10) equipped with at least one check valve (11).

3. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distribution components (6a, 6b, 6c) include at least one connection point (12) for connecting to the connector (13) of the engine (2).

4. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to claim 3, wherein, The two connection points (12a, 12b) of the two distribution components (6a, 6b) are connected to the two connectors (13a, 13b) of the cylinder crankcase (7) of the engine (2), the connectors (13a, 13b) being located at two opposite points of the engine (2).

5. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to claim 4, wherein, The crankcase (7) connector (13a) is located at or near the distribution surface of the engine, and the crankcase (7) connector (13b) is located at or near the mating surface of the engine.

6. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The connection point (12c) of the distribution component (6c) is connected to the connector (13c) of the cylinder head cover (8) of the engine (2).

7. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The external air inlet (3) enables fresh air to be injected into the interior of the engine (2), particularly into the isolation spaces of the engine (2), such as the crankcase (7) and the cylinder head cover (8).

8. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The external air inlet (3) and the external air filter (4) are separate from the external air inlet and external air filter of the engine (2) intake circuit, which allows the combustion chamber of the engine (2) to be filled with air.

9. The ventilation device (1) of the engine (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engine (2) is a hydrogen-powered motor vehicle internal combustion engine (2).

10. An engine (2) comprising a ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A motor vehicle comprising an engine (2) according to claim 10, the engine comprising a ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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