Heater and oil-gas separator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a heater and an oil-gas separator, and relates to the technical field of oil-gas separators, the heater is used for being arranged on an oil return opening of the oil-gas separator, the heater comprises a pipe body, a sealing connecting piece, a heating element and a connector, the sealing connecting piece is arranged at one end of the pipe body, and the sealing connecting piece is arranged at the other end of the pipe body. The sealing connecting piece is provided with a heater inlet for communicating the pipe body with the outside, and the other end of the pipe body is a heater outlet; the connector assembly is arranged on the pipe body, one end of the heating element is arranged in the pipe body and electrically connected with the connector assembly, and the other end of the heating element extends out of the heater inlet. According to the heater and the oil-gas separator, the problem that an oil return opening of the oil-gas separator is iced and blocked is solved, and normal work of the oil-gas separator is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oil-gas separator technology, specifically to a heater and an oil-gas separator. Background Technology

[0002] When a natural gas engine is running, some of the combustible mixture and combustion products can seep into the crankcase through the cylinder and piston rings. Due to the drop in temperature, some of the infiltrated gas will condense in the engine oil, making the oil thinner and less effective, and will also form foam, affecting lubrication quality. The other part will react with water to form acidic substances, which will corrode engine parts and deteriorate the engine oil. At the same time, the infiltrated gas will cause the crankcase pressure and temperature to rise, causing engine oil to leak from the oil seals and gaskets. Therefore, crankcases are equipped with crankcase ventilation systems to expel the infiltrated gas and recover the engine oil, while allowing fresh air to enter the crankcase, creating continuous convection to balance the pressure inside the crankcase.

[0003] Natural gas engines often suffer from high water content in the crankcase blow-by. In some cold regions of Northeast China, where winter temperatures can often reach -40°C, natural gas heavy-duty trucks operating in such environments are prone to crankcase ventilation system blockage due to icing. This can lead to the failure of the crankcase ventilation system, causing abnormally high crankcase pressure. Consequently, oil leaks can occur at various engine joints, such as oil seals and gaskets, resulting in excessively rapid oil consumption, blue smoke from the exhaust, and in severe cases, even serious malfunctions such as oil splashing from the dipstick, oil pan cracking, and cylinder scoring.

[0004] The oil-gas separator is a key component of the crankcase ventilation system, responsible for efficiently separating engine oil from crankcase blow-by gases. Its separation performance significantly impacts engine reliability and emissions. Based on our analysis of natural gas engine malfunctions in cold regions, icing blockages often occur at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator. Water vapor and oil sludge from the crankcase blow-by gases are separated and accumulate in the lower housing of the oil-gas separator. Due to the low ambient temperature, these gradually freeze and block the oil return port, eventually causing the entire crankcase ventilation system to malfunction. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects in the existing technology, the first objective of this utility model is to provide a heater that can heat the oil return port of the oil-gas separator, 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.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A heater includes a tube body, a sealing connector, a heating element, and a connector. The sealing connector is disposed at one end of the tube body and has a heater inlet communicating with the outside of the tube body. The other end of the tube body is a heater outlet. The connector is disposed on the tube body. One end of the heating element is disposed within the tube body and electrically connected to the connector. The other end of the heating element extends out from the heater inlet.

[0008] The heating element is a PTC thermistor heating rod, and the PTC thermistor heating rod is provided with a metal heat sink.

[0009] The sealing connector includes a connecting sleeve, which is provided with an axial limiting boss, a connecting structure, and a sealing structure. The connecting sleeve is coaxially disposed on the end of the tube body. The axial limiting boss protrudes radially from the end of the connecting sleeve near 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 inside the connecting structure. The sealing structure is located between the axial limiting boss and the connecting structure.

[0010] The connecting structure includes multiple elastic claws, all of which are arranged in a ring array on the connecting sleeve with the axis of the connecting sleeve as the central axis.

[0011] The sealing structure includes an annular sealing groove disposed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve, and a sealing ring disposed within the annular sealing groove.

[0012] The tube body includes a first tube body and a second tube body that is inclinedly disposed at one end of the first tube body and connected to the first tube body. The sealing connector and the heater inlet are disposed at the other end of the first tube body, the connector is disposed at one end of the second tube body, and the other end of the second tube body is the heater outlet.

[0013] The heater further includes a heating control device, which is electrically connected between the heating element and the connector.

[0014] The heating control device includes a temperature control switch.

[0015] The heating control device includes a temperature controller and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is used to detect temperature changes at the heater inlet and transmit electrical signals to the temperature controller. The temperature controller is used to control the working state of the heating element according to the signal changes from the temperature sensor.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] The heater provided by this utility model can be directly installed on the existing oil return port of the oil-gas separator through a sealing connector, without requiring any modification to the oil-gas separator. It has a simple structure, is easy to use, and is easy to implement quickly. The installed heater heats the oil return port of the oil-gas separator by energizing the heating element, and the heating element continuously conducts the heat to the lower shell of the oil-gas separator, thereby preventing the oil-water mixture inside the oil-gas separator from freezing. This solves the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator and ensures the normal operation of the oil-gas separator.

[0018] The second objective of this invention is to provide an oil-gas separator that solves the problem of icing and blockage at the oil return port, thus ensuring normal operation.

[0019] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

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

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0022] The oil-gas separator provided by this utility model has a heater as described in the above technical solution installed on its oil return port, thus solving the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port and ensuring normal operation. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A sectional view;

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

[0026] Figure 4 This is an isometric view of Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A sectional view;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of this utility model;

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

[0030] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Another circuit diagram;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 4 of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 5 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment Six of this utility model;

[0034] In the diagram: 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 limiting 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 housing; 202, air inlet; 203, air outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0036] Example 1:

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 as well as Figure 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 disposed at one end of the tube body 1 and has a heater inlet that connects the tube body 1 to the outside. The other end of the tube body 1 is a heater outlet. The connector 4 is disposed on the tube body 1. One end of the heating element 3 is disposed inside the tube body 1 and is electrically connected to the connector 4. The other end of the heating element 3 extends out from the heater inlet.

[0038] In this embodiment, the heater 100 can be directly installed on the existing oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 through the sealing connector 2, without requiring any modification to the oil-gas separator 200. The structure is simple, easy to use, and easy to implement quickly. The installed heater 100 heats the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 by energizing the heating element 3, and the heating element 3 continuously conducts the heat to the lower housing 201 of the oil-gas separator 200, thereby preventing the oil-water mixture inside the oil-gas separator 200 from freezing. This solves the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 and ensures the normal operation of the oil-gas separator 200.

[0039] Since a PTC thermistor is a typical temperature-sensitive semiconductor resistor, its resistance increases stepwise with increasing temperature above a certain temperature, and the current decreases until it stops, thus exhibiting high safety. Therefore, in this embodiment, the heating element 3 is preferably a PTC thermistor heating rod in the shape of a cuboid or 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] To facilitate heat dissipation from 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] For ease of manufacturing, the pipe body 1 in this embodiment is a straight pipe. The sealing connector 2 in this embodiment includes a connecting sleeve 21, which is provided with an axial limiting boss 24, a connecting structure, and a sealing structure. The connecting sleeve 21 is coaxially disposed on the end of the pipe body 1. The axial limiting boss 24 protrudes radially from the end of the connecting sleeve 21 closest to the pipe body 1. The connecting structure and the heater inlet are located at the end of the connecting sleeve 21 away from the pipe body 1, and the heater inlet is located inside the connecting structure. The sealing structure is located between the axial limiting boss 24 and the connecting structure. This arrangement allows the sealing connector 2 to simultaneously achieve the functions of connection, axial limiting, and sealing, improving the reliability of the connection.

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

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

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

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the heater 100 serves only as an actuator. 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 provides the vehicle's operating ambient temperature to the ECU. The ECU determines whether to close the relay to power the heater 100 based on the temperature signal provided by the sensor. The heater 100's power supply circuit also includes an overload protection fuse. This fuse will melt and cut off the current when the current abnormally rises to a certain level and temperature, protecting the circuit's safe operation. For example, if the ambient temperature is set to ≤A, the ECU controls the relay to close, connecting the heater 100's power supply circuit, and the heater 100 begins operation. If the ambient temperature is ≥B, the ECU controls the relay to open, disconnecting the heater 100's power supply circuit, and the heater 100 stops operating. A and B can be set according to actual needs and will not be elaborated here.

[0046] Example 2:

[0047] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that:

[0048] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the tube 1 includes a first tube 11 and a second tube 12 inclinedly disposed at one end of the first tube 11 and connected to the first tube 11. The sealing connector 2 and the heater inlet are disposed at the other end of the first tube 11, and the connector 4 is disposed at one end of the second tube 12. The other end of the second tube 12 is the heater outlet. This arrangement satisfies the different position requirements of the heater outlet.

[0049] Example 3:

[0050] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that:

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the heater 100 in this embodiment also includes a heating control device 5, which is electrically connected between the heating element 3 and the connector 4. This configuration enables the heater 100 to control its own temperature, meeting the needs of some application scenarios that cannot be controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0052] Figure 7As shown, one structure of the heating control device 5 is as follows: the heating control device 5 includes a temperature control switch 51 for sensing temperature changes. The temperature control switch 51 is installed on the power supply circuit of the heater 100. At the same time, an overload protection fuse 52 is also installed on the power supply circuit of the heater 100. The temperature control switch 51 is used to control the opening 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 equipment.

[0053] In this embodiment, a temperature control switch 51 is preferably installed inside the heater 100 to detect the temperature within the internal channels of the heater 100. Alternatively, the temperature control switch 51 can be installed outside the heater 100 to detect the ambient temperature. The choice of location for 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 installed inside or outside the heater 100, its purpose is to achieve automatic control of the heater 100's operation through the detected temperature: for example, if the temperature control switch 51 is set to close when its temperature is ≤ A, the power supply circuit of the heater 100 is connected, and the heater 100 begins to work; if the temperature control switch 51 is set to open when its 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 elaborated here.

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

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, another structure of the heating control device 5 is as follows: 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 heater inlet and transmit an electrical signal to the temperature controller 53. 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 equipped 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 the temperature change of the measured environment and transmits it 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 change of the temperature sensor 54, thereby controlling the working state of the heater 100.

[0057] The heater 100 described above also does not rely on the engine's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and is suitable for most applications. Compared to Figure 7The heating control device 5 shown is shown. Figure 8 The heating control device 5 shown has high control precision. Users can select the appropriate heating control device 5 according to their needs, and there are no restrictions here.

[0058] Example 4:

[0059] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 3, except that:

[0060] like Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the tube 1 includes a first tube 11 and a second tube 12 that is inclinedly disposed at one end of the first tube 11 and connected to the first tube 11. The sealing connector 2 and the heater inlet are disposed at the other end of the first tube 11, the connector 4 is disposed at one end of the second tube 12, and the other end of the second tube 12 is the heater outlet.

[0061] Example 5:

[0062] like Figure 10 As shown, this embodiment discloses an oil-gas separator 200, and the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 is provided with a heater 100 as described in any of the embodiments of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3.

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

[0064] After the sealing connector 2 is connected to the lower housing 201, the elastic claw 22 is engaged with the locking platform inside the lower housing 201; the axial limiting boss 24 cooperates with the oil return port end of the oil-gas separator 200 to achieve 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 housing 201 and the heater 100.

[0065] To further improve heating efficiency, heaters 100 can be installed at desired locations such as the air inlet 202 and air outlet 203 of the oil-gas separator 200. The specific installation will be determined according to requirements, and will not be elaborated in this embodiment.

[0066] Example 6:

[0067] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment five, except that:

[0068] like Figure 11As shown, this embodiment discloses an oil-gas separator 200, and the oil return port of the oil-gas separator 200 is provided with a heater 100 as described in any of the embodiments of embodiment two and embodiment four.

[0069] The above are some embodiments of the heater and oil-gas separator of this utility model. There are many other embodiments, which will not be described in detail here. In summary, the oil-gas separator 200 of this utility model has a heater 100 installed on its oil return port, which solves the problem of ice blockage at the oil return port and ensures normal operation.

[0070] This utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Any modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the above concept without creative effort shall fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A heater, characterized in that, Includes the pipe body, sealing connections, heating elements, and connectors. The sealing connector is disposed at one end of the tube body, and the sealing connector has a heater inlet that connects the tube body to the outside. The other end of the tube body is a heater outlet. The connector is disposed on the tube body. One end of the heating element is disposed in the tube body and electrically connected to the connector. 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 the PTC thermistor heating rod is provided with a metal heat sink.

3. The heater according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing connector includes a connecting sleeve, which is provided with an axial limiting boss, a connecting structure, and a sealing structure. The connecting sleeve is coaxially disposed on the end of the tube body. The axial limiting boss protrudes radially from the end of the connecting sleeve near 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 inside the connecting structure. The sealing structure is located between the axial limiting boss and the connecting structure.

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

5. The heater according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sealing structure includes an annular sealing groove disposed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve, and a sealing ring disposed within 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 that is inclinedly disposed at one end of the first tube body and connected to the first tube body. The sealing connector and the heater inlet are disposed at the other end of the first tube body, the connector is disposed 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 also 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 includes 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 temperature changes at the heater inlet and transmit electrical signals to the temperature controller. The temperature controller is used to control the operating state of the heating element according to the signal changes from 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 as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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