Multi-piston engines, ships and power plants having an engine block with a recess for receiving an oil filter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a multi-piston engine including an engine block (1) having a plurality of combustion cylinders and a plurality of individual cylinder heads (1d), a longitudinally extending common exhaust channel (6), and a longitudinally extending common intake receiver (5). The engine block (1) includes a recess (2) on an outer surface of the engine block (1), the recess (2) having at least a bottom surface (2a) and side surfaces (2a, 2b). The engine further includes an oil filter (3) at least partially received within the recess (2), the oil filter (3) being attached to the engine block (1) by a bracket (4) extending between the oil filter (3) and the engine block (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to multi-piston engines, and more particularly to the placement of oil filters therein. The present disclosure further relates to ships and power plants equipped with such multi-piston engines. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional large multi-piston engines, such as those used in ships or power plants, mount the oil filter to the side of the engine block with a bracket to contain as many components necessary for the engine to operate as possible within the engine assembly, but the vibrations associated with such large engines have been found to cause excessive wear or even damage to the oil filter.

[0003] Additionally, in current configurations, the oil filter protrudes largely beyond the engine block, thereby increasing the space occupied by the engine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a multi-piston engine that provides a more robust arrangement for mounting an oil filter without increasing the space occupied by the engine, while at the same time improving the life of the oil filter and facilitating its service and / or maintenance. It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a ship and a power plant equipped with such a multi-piston engine.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is achieved by a multi-piston engine, a ship and a power plant, which are characterized in that they are set forth in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present disclosure is based on the idea of ​​providing an indentation on the outer surface of the engine block, whereby an oil filter can be at least partially received within the recess and attached to the engine block by means of a bracket.

[0007] Such an arrangement allows the oil filter to be mounted closer to the engine block, thereby allowing a shorter bracket to be used to secure the oil filter, thereby providing a stiffer support that is less susceptible to engine vibrations.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multi-piston engine. The engine includes an engine block having a plurality of combustion cylinders arranged along a longitudinal direction of the engine block. The engine further includes a plurality of individual cylinder heads, each corresponding to a respective combustion cylinder. Preferably, the cylinder heads are also individually removable from the engine. The engine further includes a longitudinally extending common exhaust channel. The exhaust channel is coupled in flow communication with the plurality of cylinder heads to receive exhaust from the combustion cylinders during engine operation. The engine further includes a longitudinally extending common charge air receiver coupled in flow communication with the plurality of cylinder heads to direct charged air to the combustion cylinders. Such a configuration allows for turbochargers to be provided at the longitudinal ends of the engine, as will be described below.

[0009] The engine block has a recess in its outer surface. The recess has at least a bottom surface and a side surface. Preferably, but not necessarily, the recess has at least a bottom surface and two side surfaces. Most preferably, the recess is open from above.

[0010] In particular, the engine further comprises an oil filter at least partially received within the recess, i.e., at least a portion of the oil filter is located within the space bounded by the surface of the recess. Furthermore, the oil filter is attached to the engine block by a bracket extending between the oil filter and the engine block. It should be noted that such a bracket may be provided as a separate component or may be an integral part, for example, of the housing or frame of the oil filter. Most preferably, the oil filter is an oil filter intended to filter impurities from the lubricating oil circulating within the engine.

[0011] Advantageously, the multi-piston engine is a reciprocating internal combustion engine, preferably suitable for use in ships or power plants. Typically, such engines have an output of 2 MW-7 MW and operate at a nominal operating speed of 250-1500 revolutions per minute. Furthermore, the engine block itself is preferably provided as a single monolithic structure, e.g., a cast piece.

[0012] Preferably, the multi-piston engine has a modular configuration corresponding to the number of pistons provided. Such a modular configuration of the engine is adapted to correspond to the number of pistons. That is, certain parts or components of the engine are provided in numbers corresponding to the number of pistons, either exactly or multiples thereof. Preferably, such modularly provided parts or components are identical to each other. Typically, such engines with a modular structure are constructed by providing several power packs based on the requirements of the intended application. The number of power packs corresponds to the number of cylinders and pistons, which in turn dictates the shape and size of the engine block and crankshaft. The power packs are then modularly equipped by providing multiple necessary components dedicated to each individual power pack. For example, power packs can be provided as cylinder-specific groups of components equipped with each cylinder. That is, such power packs can include, for example, a cylinder head, cylinder sleeve, piston, crank arm, etc.

[0013] From a maintenance point of view, maintenance of the oil filter (e.g., replacement of the entire oil filter or its internal filter element) can be carried out using the same lifting means (e.g., vertical hoist lifting) as intended for maintenance work requiring, for example, removal of individual cylinder heads of a modular configuration.

[0014] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, in the context of this disclosure, the term longitudinal is used to refer to directions parallel to the engine crankshaft, and the term lateral is used to refer to directions horizontally transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the term vertical is used to refer to directions transverse to the horizontal, respectively. That is, the longitudinal ends of the engine block are the sides corresponding to the opposite axial ends of the crankshaft, and the lateral sides of the engine block extend between its longitudinal ends.

[0015] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oil filter is attached to the engine block from at least the bottom surface of the recess, which allows the length of the bracket associated with the bottom surface of the recess to be minimized because the oil filter is at least partially located above the recess, and the associated bracket does not need to extend as 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 side of the engine block, a longitudinal end of the engine block, or both.

[0017] Particularly in combination with mounting the oil filter to the engine block from the bottom of the recess, this has been found to provide a fixing arrangement that is very able to withstand vibrations.

[0018] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the recess is located at an outer corner between a lateral side of the engine block and a longitudinal end of the engine block. That is, the recess protrudes inward from both the longitudinal end and the lateral side of the engine block. This arrangement minimizes both lateral 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 includes an internal intake air receiver that extends longitudinally from a longitudinal end of the engine block to a distance from the opposite end of the engine block. That is, the intake air receiver is arranged as an internal duct of the engine block and extends longitudinally from one end to a distance from the opposite end. In such a case, the recess is preferably arranged on a linear extension of the intake air receiver. More specifically, the recess may be arranged on a linear extension of the intake air receiver at the longitudinal end from the distance the intake air receiver extends.

[0020] Preferably, but not necessarily, the engine further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the air charge receiver, and in such case the recess is located at a longitudinal end of the engine block opposite the turbocharger.

[0021] Such an arrangement makes it possible to minimize the longitudinal protrusion of the oil filter beyond the longitudinal end of the engine block opposite the turbocharger, which in turn makes it possible to have a main power take-off at the longitudinal end opposite the turbocharger without intermediate support of the main power shaft.

[0022] Furthermore, locating the turbocharger and oil filter at opposite longitudinal ends provides the added benefit of maximizing the flow route of the hot oil received from the turbocharger before being reintroduced to 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 stabilized as the oil flows through the oil sump or oil tank before being reintroduced to the oil filter. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows contaminants (such as carbon deposits) to settle to the bottom of the oil sump or oil tank before the oil is reintroduced to the oil filter. This results in a more uniform viscosity and temperature of the lubricating oil, thereby extending 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 for removal of the oil filter by lifting it from above the engine, thereby greatly facilitating engine maintenance. In particular, lifting the oil filter from above, as opposed to removing it from below, prevents potentially hot oil contamination from escaping from the engine compartment when replacing the oil filter.

[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 with the bottom surface of the recess, which allows a major portion of the weight of the oil filter to be supported by 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, which further allows for a more rigid support that is less susceptible to engine vibrations.

[0026] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one-half, preferably at least two-thirds, of the oil filter is located within the recess in the lateral direction of the engine, which 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, at least one-half, preferably at least two-thirds, of the oil filter is located within the recess in the longitudinal direction of the engine, which 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 one-third, and preferably at least one-half, of the oil filter is recessed in the engine height direction, ensuring 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 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the width of the recess defined in the transverse 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 transverse 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, as determined in the vertical direction of the engine block, is between 1 / 4 and 1 / 2 the height of the engine block. Preferably, the height of the recess is 1 / 3 the width of the engine block.

[0031] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the engine lubricant sump or tank has a holding capacity of 1 m 3 That's it. This is believed to be a large enough volume to allow for oil temperature stabilization and contaminant settling. In addition to contaminant settling, the residual oil (including unsettled contaminants) is mixed during its passage from the oil sump or tank to the oil filter, thereby also ensuring a uniform composition of oil received by the oil filter.

[0032] Suitably, the engine is provided with lubricant channels having a total volume of no more than 15%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5% of the holding volume of the engine lubricant sump or tank, which is believed to further allow sufficient oil retention time in the sump or tank for stabilization of oil temperature and composition and for settling of contaminants.

[0033] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oil filter has a weight that is 50%-200% of the weight of the individual cylinder heads, which ensures that the oil filter can be serviced using lifting means such as a vertical hoist intended for removal and replacement of the individual cylinder heads.

[0034] It should be noted that the first aspect of the present disclosure encompasses any combination of two or more of the embodiments or variations thereof, as described above.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a marine vessel. In particular, the marine vessel includes an engine as described above in relation to the first aspect of the present disclosure. For example, the engine may be configured to at least partially power 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 comprising an engine as described above in relation to the first aspect of the present disclosure, preferably the engine being configured to operate a generator of the power plant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in more detail by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-piston engine according to an embodiment of the present invention in a plan view from above;

[0039] [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the engine block of the engine shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] [Figure 3a] 2 shows the engine block as seen from the longitudinal end of the engine shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] [Figure 3b] The engine block of Figure 3a is shown with an oil filter.

[0042] [Figure 4a] 2 shows the engine block as seen from the lateral side of the engine shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] [Figure 4b] A portion of the engine block in Figure 4a is shown with an oil filter.

[0044] [Figure 5a] 2 shows a portion of the engine block of the engine shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

[0045] [Figure 5b] The engine block of Figure 5a is shown with an oil filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic top plan view of a multi-piston engine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multi-piston engine includes an engine block 1 having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having an individual 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 within the recess 2. A turbocharger 7 is provided at a longitudinal end 1b' opposite the recess 2. The engine block 1 further includes a longitudinally extending internal charge air receiver 5, shown partially cut away in FIG. 1 and with its position indicated by a dashed line. The turbocharger 7 is coupled to the charge air receiver 5 to supply charge air to each of the cylinders via the cylinder head 1d, which is also coupled to the charge air receiver 5. The cylinder head 1d is further coupled to a longitudinally extending common exhaust channel 6 for receiving exhaust air from the cylinders. The exhaust channel 6 is also coupled to the turbocharger to rotate its turbine.

[0047] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a part of the engine block 1 of the multi-piston engine according to FIG. 1. In particular, the engine block 1 has a recess 2 on its outer surface. The recess 2 has a bottom surface 2a and two side surfaces 2a, 2b that 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 lateral side 1a of the engine block 1 and a longitudinal end 1b of the engine block 1. That is, the recess 2 is open from above and towards both the lateral side 1a and the longitudinal end 1b of the engine block 1.

[0048] 3a, 4a, and 5a show the engine block of FIG. 2 as viewed from a longitudinal end 1b of the engine block 1, from a lateral side 1a of the engine block 1, and from above the engine block 1, respectively. In particular, the position of the internal charge air receiver 5 within the engine block 1 is indicated by dotted lines. The internal charge air receiver extends longitudinally from the opposite longitudinal end 1b' to a distance from longitudinal end 1b at which recess 2 is located. Furthermore, recess 2 is located on a linear extension of charge air receiver 5; that is, charge air receiver 5 stops short of recess 2.

[0049] FIGS. 3b, 4b, and 5b show a configuration similar to that of FIGS. 3a, 4a, and 5a, with the addition of an oil filter 3 mounted in place. In particular, the oil filter 3 is partially mounted within the recess 2. Additionally, FIGS. 3b, 4b, and 5b show brackets 4a, 4b, by which the oil filter 3 is mounted to the engine block 1. The bracket 4a is secured between the bottom of the oil filter 3 and the bottom surface of the recess, and the bracket 4b is secured between the oil filter 3 and a lateral side 1a of the engine block. More specifically, the bracket 4b is mounted between the center of the oil filter 3 along its height, although other mounting positions may be provided. Furthermore, the bracket 4b is attached to the lateral side 1a of the engine block at the top position of the lateral side 1a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 engine block 1a Lateral side of engine block 1b Longitudinal end of engine block 1b' Opposite longitudinal end of engine block 1d Cylinder head 2 recesses 2a Bottom of the recess 2b, 2c Side of the recess 3 Oil filter 4a Bracket 4b Bracket 5 Internal air receiver 6 Exhaust Channel 7. Turbocharger

Claims

1. an engine block having a plurality of combustion cylinders arranged along a longitudinal axis of the engine block; a plurality of individual cylinder heads, each corresponding to a respective one of the combustion cylinders; a longitudinally extending common exhaust channel coupled in flow communication with the plurality of cylinder heads for receiving exhaust from the combustion cylinders; a longitudinally extending common intake receiver coupled in flow communication with the plurality of cylinder heads for directing charge air to the combustion cylinders; Equipped with the engine block has a recess in an outer surface of the engine block, the recess having at least a bottom surface and a side surface; an oil filter at least partially received within the recess, the oil filter being attached to the engine block by a bracket extending between the oil filter and the engine block; Multi-piston engine.

2. The oil filter is attached to the engine block from at least the bottom surface of the recess.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

3. The oil filter is attached to the engine block from at least a lateral side of the engine block, a longitudinal end of the engine block, or both.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

4. the recess is located at an outer corner between a lateral side of the engine block and a longitudinal end of the engine block.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

5. the engine block includes an internal air intake receiver extending longitudinally from an opposite longitudinal end of the engine block to a distance from the longitudinal end of the engine block, the recess being located in a linear extension of the air intake receiver at the longitudinal end of the engine block.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

6. the engine further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the air charge receiver, the recess being located at the longitudinal end of the engine block opposite the turbocharger.

6. A multi-piston engine according to claim 5.

7. The space above the oil filter is unobstructed, allowing the oil filter to be removed by lifting it from above the engine.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

8. a vertical projection of the center of mass of the oil filter intersects with the bottom surface of the recess; 2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

9. The center of mass of the oil filter is located within the recess.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

10. At least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter is located within the recess in the lateral direction of the engine.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

11. At least 1 / 2, preferably at least 2 / 3 of the oil filter is located in the recess in the longitudinal direction of the engine.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

12. 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.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

13. the width of the recess defined in the transverse direction of the engine block is 1 / 4-3 / 4 of the width of the engine block, preferably 1 / 2 of the width of the engine block; 2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

14. The height of the recess defined in the vertical direction of the engine block is 1 / 4-1 / 2 of the height of the engine block, preferably 1 / 3 of the height of the engine block.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

15. The engine lubricating oil sump or tank has a holding capacity of 1 m 3 That's all.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

16. the engine is provided with lubricant channels having a combined volume of no more than 15%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5% of the holding volume of the engine lubricant sump or engine lubricant tank; 16. A multi-piston engine according to claim 15.

17. The weight of the oil filter is between 50% and 200% of the weight of an individual cylinder head.

2. A multi-piston engine according to claim 1.

18. the engine is a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine; A multi-piston engine according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A watercraft comprising an engine according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A power plant comprising an engine according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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