Adjustable Windage Tray Deflectors for Engine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windage trays in engines face issues with oil aeration at high speeds and interference with oil draining at low speeds, leading to reduced lubrication efficiency and crankcase ventilation losses.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable windage tray with deflectors that can be dynamically adjusted based on engine speed to reduce turbulence and enhance lubricant drainage, by opening or closing the deflectors depending on the engine speed, thereby optimizing flow characteristics across a wide range of operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a windage tray is used to reduce oil aeration during high-speed operation, then oil aeration is decreased, but oil draining is interfered with during low-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The windage tray incorporates adjustable deflectors that can change their position based on engine operating conditions. During high-speed operation, the deflectors are positioned to reduce crankcase turbulence and minimize oil aeration. During low-speed operation, the deflectors are adjusted to allow free oil drainage, eliminating the interference problem. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same windage tray structure to serve opposing functions under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The windage tray system changes the flow profile parameter of the deflectors based on engine speed. By adjusting the deflector position parameter, the system optimizes performance for either high-speed aeration control or low-speed drainage, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If deflectors are closed to decrease crankcase turbulence, then oil aeration is reduced, but oil draining is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors are designed to be dynamically adjustable between open and closed positions. When closed, they effectively block crankcase turbulence from reaching the oil reservoir, reducing oil aeration. When opened, they create unobstructed drainage paths for oil to flow back to the oil pan. The system dynamically selects the appropriate position based on real-time operating conditions.
3Reliability
If windage tray is positioned to interrupt flow during high speeds, then oil aeration is reduced, but flow interference increases during low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The windage tray system uses adjustable deflectors that can be positioned to either interrupt or permit flow based on engine speed. During high-speed operation, the deflectors are positioned to interrupt turbulent flow and stabilize the oil free surface. During low-speed operation, they are repositioned to minimize flow interference, allowing natural oil drainage patterns to prevail.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively decreases lubricant aeration during high-speed operations and increases lubricant draining during low-speed operations, enhancing lubrication system efficiency and engine reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the momentum of the crankcase flowfield and oil leakage via component bearings, perturb and impinge with high velocity on the free surface of the oil within the oil reservoir. Aeration is an inherent consequence of the oil interacting with the highly turbulent flowfield within the crankcase.
Implementation Method 2
Aeration is an inherent consequence of the oil interacting with the highly turbulent flowfield within the crankcase.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a flow profile of a windage tray. In one example, a method for operation an engine system is provided that includes operating an engine to perform combustion, determining an engine speed, and adjusting a flow profile of a plurality of deflectors in a windage tray positioned in a crankcase based on the engine speed.