Crankshaft ventilation system of hydrogen engine
By employing an electrically driven oil-gas separator and a hydrogen concentration sensor in the crankshaft ventilation system of a hydrogen engine, the problems of hydrogen retention and detection accuracy were solved, achieving efficient hydrogen venting and accurate detection.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423303443.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydrogen engine crankcase ventilation systems pose a risk of hydrogen retention when the engine is stopped, and hydrogen concentration sensors are susceptible to corrosion from oil-water mixtures, leading to decreased detection accuracy.
It adopts an electrically driven oil-gas separator and a hydrogen concentration sensor. The oil-gas separator operates independently, and the hydrogen concentration sensor in the outlet pipe is far away from the oil-water mixture, so as to realize hydrogen venting and accurate detection.
Effectively venting hydrogen from the crankcase after engine shutdown prevents hydrogen accumulation, improves the detection accuracy of the hydrogen concentration sensor, and extends the sensor's lifespan.
Smart Images
Figure CN223497975U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of engine exhaust technology, and more specifically, it relates to a crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine. Background Technology
[0002] In hydrogen engines, unburned hydrogen leaks into the crankcase through the gap between the piston rings and the engine block. Because hydrogen is less dense, it tends to rise and accumulate in the high-temperature areas at the top of the crankcase, such as the cylinder head cover. If the hydrogen concentration at the top of the crankcase exceeds 4%, there is a risk of explosion. Therefore, it is necessary to vent the hydrogen from the crankcase promptly and monitor the hydrogen concentration.
[0003] The following problems still exist in the existing crankcase ventilation system of hydrogen engines:
[0004] (1) The crankcase ventilation system drives the exhaust through the engine belt system. When the engine stops, there will be hydrogen stagnation in the crankcase, which may cause an explosion.
[0005] (2) Existing hydrogen concentration sensors are generally installed inside the crankcase. The crankcase is filled with an oil-water mixture, which can cause the hydrogen concentration sensor to be corroded by the oil-water mixture, resulting in abnormal data.
[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a new type of crankshaft ventilation system for hydrogen engines to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content
[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to address the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art by providing a hydrogen engine crankshaft ventilation system that can vent hydrogen from the crankcase after the engine is stopped and improve the accuracy of hydrogen concentration detection.
[0008] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: a crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine, including an engine ECU, an oil-gas separator, and a hydrogen concentration sensor. The oil-gas separator is an electrically driven oil-gas separator, which is installed on one side of the engine body. The air inlet of the oil-gas separator is connected to an intake pipe, which is connected to the cylinder head cover of the engine. The air outlet of the oil-gas separator is connected to an outlet pipe, which bypasses the engine body and is connected to the vehicle's air filter. The middle parts of the intake pipe and the outlet pipe cross and fit together. The liquid outlet of the oil-gas separator is connected to a return oil pipe, which is connected to the engine's oil pan. The hydrogen concentration sensor is installed on the outlet pipe. Both the hydrogen concentration sensor and the oil-gas separator are electrically connected to the engine ECU.
[0009] As a further improvement, the intake pipe extends first towards one end of the engine body along the airflow direction, then extends downward and backward at an angle, then extends downward and forward at an angle and intersects with the exhaust pipe, and finally extends horizontally to the intake port of the oil-gas separator.
[0010] Furthermore, the exhaust pipe extends first along the airflow direction to the front outer wall of the engine body, then extends horizontally to one end of the engine body, then extends upward at an angle and intersects with the intake pipe, and finally extends horizontally to the rear side of the engine body.
[0011] Furthermore, the hydrogen concentration sensor is located on the horizontal section of the exhaust pipe at one end of the engine body.
[0012] Furthermore, the oil return pipe extends downwards and towards one end of the engine body along the direction of liquid flow, then bends downwards and extends to the corresponding position of the oil pan.
[0013] Furthermore, fixing members are provided at the intersection of the intake pipe and the exhaust pipe, as well as on the inclined extension of the oil return pipe toward the engine body, and the fixing members are connected to the engine body.
[0014] Furthermore, a wiring terminal is integrated on one side of the top of the oil-gas separator.
[0015] Beneficial effects
[0016] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:
[0017] 1. The hydrogen engine crankshaft ventilation system of this utility model adopts an electrically driven oil-gas separator, which makes the operation of the oil-gas separator not constrained by the engine operation. After the engine stops, the oil-gas separator can still operate independently, which makes it convenient for the engine ECU to control the oil-gas separator to delay the shutdown. It can vent the hydrogen in the crankcase after the engine stops and avoid hydrogen accumulation.
[0018] 2. In the hydrogen engine crankshaft ventilation system of this utility model, the hydrogen concentration sensor is installed on the outlet pipe corresponding to the oil-gas separator to detect the hydrogen concentration in the outlet pipe. Since the gas in the outlet pipe is the gas flow after oil-gas separation, there is no influence from the oil-water mixture, so the detection accuracy of the hydrogen concentration sensor at this position is greatly improved. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the oil-gas separator in this utility model.
[0021] Among them: 1-oil-gas separator, 2-hydrogen concentration sensor, 3-engine body, 4-intake pipe, 5-cylinder head cover, 6-exhaust pipe, 7-oil return pipe, 8-oil pan, 9-fixture, 10-terminal. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0023] See Figure 1-2 This utility model discloses a crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine, comprising an engine ECU (not shown in the figure), an oil-gas separator 1, and a hydrogen concentration sensor 2. The oil-gas separator 1 is an electrically driven type, a product of the prior art. When the hydrogen engine is running, the oil-gas separator starts operating simultaneously to actively vent the gas inside the crankcase. The oil-gas separator 1 is installed on one side of the engine body 3. An intake pipe 4 is connected to the intake port of the oil-gas separator 1, and this intake pipe 4 is connected to the cylinder head cover 5 of the engine. An outlet pipe 6 is connected to the outlet of the oil-gas separator 1, and one end of the outlet pipe 6 bypasses the engine body 3 and connects to the vehicle's air filter. Gas collected in the top of the crankcase (i.e., the cylinder head cover 5) enters the oil-gas separator 1 through the intake pipe 4. Oil-gas separation is performed in the oil-gas separator 1, separating the oil and water. Finally, the dry gas is discharged through the outlet pipe 6. The inlet pipe 4 and the outlet pipe 6 cross and fit together in the middle. This cross-fitting not only makes the pipeline layout more compact, but also improves the stability of the two pipes and reduces the impact of engine vibration. The outlet of the oil-gas separator 1 is connected to the return oil pipe 7, which is connected to the oil pan 8 of the engine. The separated liquid flows back to the oil pan 8 through the return oil pipe 7. The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 is installed on the outlet pipe 6, keeping the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 away from the oil-water mixture. The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 and the oil-gas separator 1 are both electrically connected to the engine ECU, which allows the engine ECU to control the operation of the oil-gas separator 1 based on the hydrogen concentration.
[0024] The present invention relates to a hydrogen engine crankshaft ventilation system that uses an electrically driven oil-gas separator. This allows the oil-gas separator to operate independently without being constrained by engine operation. After the engine stops, the oil-gas separator can still operate independently, which facilitates the engine ECU to control the oil-gas separator to delay shutdown. This system can vent the hydrogen in the crankcase after the engine stops, avoiding the problem of hydrogen remaining in the crankcase.
[0025] Meanwhile, its hydrogen concentration sensor is installed on the corresponding gas outlet pipe of the oil-gas separator to detect the hydrogen concentration in the gas outlet pipe. Since the gas in the gas outlet pipe is the gas flow after oil-gas separation, there is no influence from the oil-water mixture, so the detection accuracy of the hydrogen concentration sensor at this position is greatly improved.
[0026] Preferably, the intake pipe 4 extends along the airflow direction first towards one end of the engine body 3, then extends downward and backward at an angle, then extends downward and forward at an angle and intersects with the exhaust pipe 6, and finally extends horizontally to the air inlet of the oil-gas separator 1. This layout of the intake pipe 4 can avoid the engine's exhaust manifold, avoid interference problems, and also facilitate further reinforcement of the exhaust pipe 4.
[0027] Preferably, the exhaust pipe 6 extends along the airflow direction first to the front outer wall of the engine body 3, then extends horizontally to one end of the engine body 3, then extends upward at an angle and intersects with the intake pipe 4, and finally extends horizontally to the rear side of the engine body 3. This exhaust pipe 6 pipeline layout enables the exhaust pipe 6 to connect with the vehicle air filter, while making the pipeline layout more reasonable and also facilitating further reinforcement of the exhaust pipe 6.
[0028] Preferably, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 is located on the horizontal section of the exhaust pipe 6 at one end of the engine body 3, so that the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 is located at the axial end of the engine body 3. Since the axial end of the engine body 3 is usually equipped with structural components such as gear chambers or water tanks, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be surrounded and protected. Compared with the installation on the front or rear side of the engine body 3, it can effectively prevent the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 from being damaged by collision or contaminated by rainwater, mud, etc., thereby extending its service life.
[0029] Preferably, the return oil pipe 7 extends downward along the direction of liquid flow towards one end of the engine body 3 and then bends downward to the corresponding position of the oil pan 8, which facilitates further reinforcement of the pipeline.
[0030] Preferably, a fixing member 9 is provided at the intersection of the intake pipe 4 and the exhaust pipe 6, and on the inclined extension of the return oil pipe 7 towards the engine body 3. This fixing member 9 is connected to the engine body 3, allowing one fixing member 9 to simultaneously fix the intake pipe 4 and the exhaust pipe 6, reducing the number of parts and further optimizing the pipeline layout. The fixing member 9 can be a U-shaped clamp, with the intake pipe 4 and exhaust pipe 6 simultaneously inserted into the U-shaped clamp, or the return oil pipe 7 inserted into the U-shaped clamp. The U-shaped clamp is then fixed to the engine body 3 via a threaded connection. Alternatively, the fixing member 9 can be a wire ring, which is fitted over the intake pipe 4, exhaust pipe 6, or return oil pipe 7 before being welded to the engine body 3.
[0031] Preferably, a wiring terminal 10 is integrated on one side of the top of the oil-gas separator 1 to facilitate the connection between the oil-gas separator 1 and the engine ECU via wires, thereby enabling rapid circuit connection.
[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the structure of the present utility model. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present utility model or the practicality of the patent.
Claims
1. A crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine, characterized in that, The system includes an engine ECU, an oil-gas separator (1), and a hydrogen concentration sensor (2). The oil-gas separator (1) is an electrically driven oil-gas separator. The oil-gas separator (1) is installed on one side of the engine body (3). The air inlet of the oil-gas separator (1) is connected to an air inlet pipe (4). The air inlet pipe (4) is connected to the cylinder head cover (5) of the engine. The air outlet of the oil-gas separator (1) is connected to an air outlet pipe (6). One end of the air outlet pipe (6) bypasses the engine body (3) and is connected to the vehicle air filter. The middle parts of the air inlet pipe (4) and the air outlet pipe (6) intersect and fit together. The liquid outlet of the oil-gas separator (1) is connected to a return oil pipe (7). The return oil pipe (7) is connected to the oil pan (8) of the engine. The hydrogen concentration sensor (2) is installed on the air outlet pipe (6). The hydrogen concentration sensor (2) and the oil-gas separator (1) are both electrically connected to the engine ECU.
2. The crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intake pipe (4) extends along the airflow direction first to one end of the engine body (3), then extends downward and backward at an angle, then extends downward and forward at an angle and crosses with the exhaust pipe (6), and finally extends horizontally to the intake port of the oil-gas separator (1).
3. The crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The exhaust pipe (6) extends along the airflow direction first to the front outer wall of the engine body (3), then extends horizontally to one end of the engine body (3), then extends upward at an angle and crosses with the intake pipe (4), and finally extends horizontally to the rear side of the engine body (3).
4. A crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hydrogen concentration sensor (2) is located on the horizontal section of the exhaust pipe (6) at one end of the engine body (3).
5. A crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil return pipe (7) extends downward along the direction of liquid flow, first towards one end of the engine body (3) and then bends downward to the corresponding position of the oil pan (8).
6. A crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to claim 5, characterized in that, Fixing members (9) are provided at the intersection of the intake pipe (4) and the exhaust pipe (6), as well as on the inclined extension of the return oil pipe (7) toward the engine body (3). The fixing members (9) are connected to the engine body (3).
7. A crankshaft ventilation system for a hydrogen engine according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The oil-gas separator (1) has a wiring terminal (10) integrated on one side of its top.