Crankcase Blow-By Particle Separator With Closed-Valve Leakage Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle separators for blow-by gases in internal combustion engines have limited separation efficiency, particularly in both open and closed valve positions, due to restricted gas passage openings and lack of additional energy input.
Innovation Solution
A passive particle separator with a valve seat and movable valve element that allows gas flow through a flow passage opening, featuring contoured abutting surfaces and a spring mechanism to enhance separation efficiency, even in the closed position, by allowing a controlled leakage gas volume flow and utilizing a separating nozzle for improved particle separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gas passage openings are provided in the valve disk to allow gas flow through the closed valve seat opening, then gas passage is enabled in closed position, but the separation effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is divided into multiple functional zones: a first region with a first abutting contact surface for sealing, a second region with a second abutting contact surface for fluid passage, and a third region forming a separation space. This segmentation allows the valve to simultaneously provide sealing when closed and maintain separation functionality, resolving the contradiction between gas passage availability and separation rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional planar valve disk with holes to a three-dimensional valve element with multiple surfaces and regions. The valve element extends beyond the valve seat in the axial direction, creating additional abutting contact surfaces and a separation space. This dimensional expansion enables both sealing and fluid passage functions without compromising separation efficiency.
2Productivity
If the valve element is designed with multiple abutting contact surfaces and a separation space, then separation efficiency is improved in both open and closed positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sealing surface (first abutting contact surface), provides fluid passage (second abutting contact surface), and creates a separation space for particle-gas separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving separation rate without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sealing function, fluid passage function, and separation function into a single integrated valve element. The first and second abutting contact surfaces are combined on the same valve element, as is the separation space, eliminating the need for separate sealing rings, passage holes, and separation chambers, thus improving separation efficiency while limiting complexity increase.
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
Significantly improves particle separation efficiency in both open and closed positions of the valve element, ensuring effective removal of particles like oil from blow-by gases without additional energy input, thereby enhancing the cleanliness of the gas flow for internal combustion engines.
Implementation Method 1
featuring contoured abutting surfaces and a spring mechanism to enhance separation efficiency
Implementation Method 2
passive separators utilize the kinetic energy of the gas flow. In this case, the particles are conveyed, for example, through a labyrinth or a cyclone such that they can be separated from the gas flow due to their mass inertia
Data Source
AI summary
A device separates particles such as oil particles from a gas flow, from a blow-by gas of a crankcase ventilation, in an internal combustion engine. The device includes a valve seat that defines a flow passage opening and a movable valve element that can be displaced between a closed position, in which the valve element is in abutting contact with the valve seat and the abutting contact defines an axial abutting point, and at least one open position, in which the valve element is moved from the axial abutting point in an axial actuating direction, wherein at least one abutting contact surface of the valve element and/or the valve seat is contoured in such a way that a fluid passage is allowed in the closed position.