Bore Bridge Cooling Passage and Gasket Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

In internal combustion engines, the bore bridge area experiences increased thermal and mechanical stresses due to high temperatures, leading to material weakening, fatigue reduction, bore distortion, and reliability issues with gaskets, causing leaks and reduced engine performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a v-shaped or specific passage across the bore bridge to fluidly connect the block and head cooling jackets, increasing pressure drop and coolant velocity for enhanced heat transfer, using a gasket to direct coolant flow from the block to the head jacket on one side of the bore bridge while preventing flow on the other side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling passages are added to the bore bridge area, then heat transfer is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore bridge temperatureVSAvoidcooling passage configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling passage is nested within the bore bridge structure itself, utilizing the existing spatial framework. The passage is formed by removing material from the bore bridge to create a cooling channel that is integrated into the bridge geometry, allowing coolant to flow directly through the thermal stress zone without requiring external cooling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The head gasket serves as an intermediary component that facilitates coolant flow from the block cooling jacket to the head cooling jacket through the bore bridge. The gasket contains openings that align with cooling passages in both the block and head, creating a fluid pathway that transfers cooling fluid across the bore bridge region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If coolant flow path is extended across the bore bridge, then heat transfer is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore bridge temperatureVSAvoidcoolant pressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling passage is positioned specifically in the bore bridge region where thermal stress is highest, concentrating cooling resources where they are most needed. The passage geometry is optimized locally to provide adequate cooling while minimizing unnecessary pressure drop in other engine regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the gasket covers the second passage, then coolant flow is directed, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow directionVSAvoidgasket manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is segmented into functional zones with different openings and coverages. The first opening allows coolant flow from the block to the head, while the second opening is covered to block flow in the opposite direction. This segmentation of the gasket into flow-permitting and flow-blocking regions enables precise control of coolant direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing open passages in both directions and using valves to control flow, the design inverts the approach by providing open passages only where flow is needed and using covered passages to prevent flow in unwanted directions. This inversion simplifies the flow control mechanism while achieving the same functional result.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration reduces bore bridge and cylinder temperatures, minimizes vertical displacement, and increases heat transfer rates, thereby improving engine reliability and performance by effectively managing thermal stresses.

Implementation Method 1

coolant flows from the first passage, through the bridge cooling passage, and to the fourth passage to cool the associated bore bridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the bore bridge cooling passage and head gasket provide for an increased pressure drop across the bore bridge, providing for increased coolant velocity and increased heat transfer of the bore bridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The bore bridge cooling passage and head gasket provide for an increased pressure drop across the bore bridge, providing for increased coolant velocity and increased heat transfer of the bore bridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS9470176B2Bore bridge and cylinder cooling

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An engine includes a cylinder block having first and second passages intersecting a block face on opposed sides of a bore bridge defining a bore bridge cooling passage. A cylinder head has third and fourth passages intersecting a head face. The first and fourth passages are opposed from one another. A gasket is placed between the block and the head. The gasket adapted to fluidly connect the first and fourth passages via the bore bridge cooling passage, and cover the second passage.