Angled Lamella Water Separator for Combustion Air
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water separators for internal combustion engines are inefficient in separating water from combustion air due to design limitations that lead to incomplete water removal and increased flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a housing with parallel separation lamellae held at an angle of attack and inclination, forming flow channels that enhance water separation and drainage, with adjustable opening angles and curved surfaces to optimize water collection and discharge, and integrated water drainage channels to prevent re-entrainment of separated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel separation lamellae are used with deflection sections to increase water separation efficiency, then water separation efficiency is improved, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the separation lamellae by designing them with a specific profile shape that is curved rather than straight. This curved geometry allows the lamellae to effectively capture water droplets through their surface area while maintaining smooth airflow paths that minimize turbulence and pressure losses, thus resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustability to the separation lamellae through a setting mechanism that allows the opening angle between adjacent lamellae to be varied. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of the balance between water separation performance and air flow resistance according to different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptable rather than fixed
2Reliability
If separation lamellae are held at an angle of attack to improve water separation, then water separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing structure into modular sections where each separation lamella is an independent, identically structured unit. This segmentation allows the complex angled configuration to be achieved through repetition of simple modular elements rather than requiring a complex custom-designed housing structure, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the separation lamellae by holding them at a specific angle of attack relative to the airflow direction rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes water droplet impact and separation while the regular repeating pattern of the asymmetric units keeps the overall structure manageable and not overly complex
3Ease of manufacture
If vertical separating lamellae are used to simplify design, then manufacturing is easier, but water drainage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tilts the separation lamellae at an angle relative to the vertical direction rather than keeping them perfectly vertical. This asymmetric angular positioning facilitates water drainage by allowing condensed water to flow downward along the inclined surface under gravity, improving drainage efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple flat plate geometry that is still easy to manufacture
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 effectively increases the impact surface for moisture-laden air, improves water separation efficiency, and ensures complete drainage of water without increasing air flow resistance, effectively addressing the inefficiencies of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the incoming, moisture-laden air hits the lamella wall at an angle and water droplets can accumulate on the wall
Implementation Method 2
the separating lamellae are arranged at an angle in the housing and enclose an angle of inclination with respect to the perpendicular or vertical, so that water which accumulates on the separating lamellae can flow off through the inclined position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A device for separating water from the air to be fed to an internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of parallel separating lamellae which are arranged in a housing and form intermediate flow ducts. The separating lamellae are held at an angle of attack or opening angle.