Alternating Rib Coolant Passage for Engine Cylinder Head Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling apparatuses for water-cooled engines do not effectively increase the heat received by the coolant regardless of the coolant's flow direction, leading to insufficient cooling capacity, especially in complex engine cylinder head designs.
Innovation Solution
The cooling apparatus features a coolant passage with alternately arranged first and second ribs on its wall surface, extending in different directions, which generates turbulence and increases the surface area for heat transfer, ensuring efficient heat reception from the cylinder head regardless of the coolant's flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant passage has simple smooth wall surface, then manufacturing is easy, but heat transfer coefficient is low and cooling capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming rib structures that protrude from the wall surface of the coolant passage. These ribs create a non-smooth, textured surface that increases turbulence in the coolant flow, thereby enhancing the heat transfer coefficient and improving cooling capacity without fundamentally changing the overall passage geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional smooth surface to a three-dimensional structured surface by adding rib protrusions. This dimensional change increases the effective surface area and creates flow disturbances that enhance heat transfer, resolving the contradiction between simple geometry and high cooling performance.
2Temperature
If coolant flow direction is fixed, then passage design is simple, but cooling efficiency varies with different flow directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric rib arrangements where ribs are positioned at specific angles and orientations to effectively disrupt coolant flow from multiple directions. This asymmetric configuration ensures that regardless of the incoming flow direction, the ribs will create turbulence and enhance heat transfer, making the cooling system adaptable to varying flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structures serve multiple functions: they increase surface area for heat transfer, generate turbulence regardless of flow direction, and maintain effective cooling performance across different operating conditions. This multi-functionality allows the same passage design to be universally effective for various coolant flow patterns.
3Temperature
If ribs are densely arranged, then heat transfer area increases, but pressure loss of coolant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning ribs in specific regions of the coolant passage where they can maximize heat transfer enhancement while minimizing overall pressure loss. The ribs are not uniformly distributed but placed in locations that provide the greatest thermal benefit with the least hydraulic penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a moderate density of ribs rather than maximum possible density, applying partial action to achieve sufficient heat transfer enhancement without incurring excessive pressure losses. This balanced approach provides adequate cooling improvement while maintaining acceptable coolant flow characteristics.
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
This design enhances the coefficient of heat transfer, improving the cooling capacity, suppressing abnormal combustion, advancing ignition timing, and enhancing fuel economy by effectively cooling the combustion chamber and exhaust port, while also accelerating engine and transmission warming.
Implementation Method 1
The first ribs and the second ribs are disposed alternately when viewed in at least one direction... generates turbulence and increases the surface area for heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
Water-cooled engines are cooled by circulating coolant through a coolant passage... an amount of heat received from the cylinder head by the coolant is desirably increased
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes a coolant passage provided in a device to be cooled. The coolant passage is configured in such a manner that coolant passes through the coolant passage. The coolant passage includes a wall surface, first ribs, and second ribs. The first ribs and the second ribs are provided on at least a part of the wall surface. The first ribs protrude from the wall surface toward inside of the coolant passage and extend in a first direction. The second ribs protrude from the wall surface toward the inside of the coolant passage and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first ribs and the second ribs are disposed alternately when viewed in at least one direction.