Bipolar Electrode Intermittent Voltage for Oil Filter Blockage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In oil removal apparatuses for internal combustion engines, constant voltage application leads to premature collection of oil particles in the upstream portion of the filter, causing blockages and uneven particle collection across the filter.
Innovation Solution
Applying voltage intermittently to the bipolar electrode, with alternating voltage application and stoppage periods, ensures that oil particles are collected evenly throughout the filter, preventing blockages and optimizing particle collection ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant voltage is applied to the bipolar electrode, then oil particles are collected efficiently in the filter, but oil particles accumulate in the upstream portion causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies voltage to the bipolar electrode periodically rather than continuously. The voltage application is interrupted at predetermined intervals, allowing oil particles that have accumulated in the upstream portion of the filter to be redistributed or removed during the non-voltage periods. This periodic action maintains collection efficiency while preventing blockages by creating cycles of collection and redistribution.
2Quantity of substance
If voltage is applied constantly to collect oil particles, then collection ratio is high, but upstream portion of filter becomes blocked
Solution Approach 1:
By applying voltage intermittently rather than constantly, the system maintains high oil particle collection ratios during voltage application periods while preventing filter blockages through non-voltage periods that allow particle redistribution. This periodic operation mode resolves the contradiction between maximizing collection quantity and preventing harmful blockages.
3Productivity
If voltage application period is extended, then more oil particles are collected in upstream portion, but blockage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the duration and frequency of voltage application periods to balance collection productivity with blockage prevention. By controlling the duty cycle of periodic voltage application, the system achieves sufficient oil particle collection while ensuring that non-voltage periods are long enough to prevent upstream portion blockages, thereby maintaining continuous filter operation.
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 approach prevents blockages in the upstream filter portion while maintaining a high oil particle collection ratio across the entire filter, even at varying flow rates and engine loads, ensuring efficient oil removal.
Implementation Method 1
dielectric polarization is generated in the filter by applying a voltage to the bipolar electrode such that dielectric polarization force acts on the oil particles flowing through the filter
Implementation Method 2
when a voltage is applied to the bipolar electrode, Coulomb force acts on the charged oil particles in addition to the dielectric polarization force
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8(b)
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to suppress a blockage caused by oil particles in an upstream side (5a) of a filter (63, 67) in an oil removal apparatus (6) that collects oil particles in a filter (63, 67) disposed between an anode (61a, 62a) and a cathode (61b, 62b). While an internal combustion engine (1) is operative, application of a voltage to a bipolar electrode (61, 62) is controlled such that a voltage application period (ton), in which the voltage is applied to the bipolar electrode (61, 62), and a voltage application stoppage period (toff), in which application of the voltage to the bipolar electrode (61, 62) is stopped, are repeated alternately at predetermined periodic intervals (tc).