Continuous Lubricating Oil Discharge System for Combustion Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high operational costs of combustion engines due to lubricating oil consumption and frequent oil changes, which account for a significant portion of maintenance costs, particularly in stationary engines, where oil quality degrades over time and requires regular replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A method where a partial amount of lubricating oil is continuously discharged from the crankshaft and replaced with fresh oil, maintaining the quality of the operational oil by controlling the refill amount based on oil reservoir levels, using an airflow to separate and dispose of degraded oil fractions, thereby reducing downtime and oil consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricating oil is continuously circulated in the engine, then the engine components are adequately lubricated, but the oil quality degrades over time requiring frequent oil changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous discharge of degraded lubricating oil from the crankcase and replaces it with fresh oil. The oil separator removes oil particles from the air stream, and the discharged oil is replaced by supplying fresh lubricating oil to the oil reservoir, thereby maintaining oil quality without complete oil changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous circulation and partial replacement of lubricating oil through the crankcase ventilation system. The air stream continuously flows through the crankcase, carrying away degraded oil particles, while fresh oil is continuously supplied to maintain the operational oil level and quality
2Stress or pressure
If open crankcase venting is used to discharge blow-by gases, then pressure increase in the crankcase is prevented, but oil particles are discharged into the environment requiring additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the crankcase ventilation system multi-functional by integrating the oil separation function into the existing air circulation path. The air stream that serves to equalize crankcase pressure also carries away degraded oil particles, which are then separated and removed. This eliminates the need for separate oil separation equipment while maintaining pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The crankcase ventilation system serves itself by using the necessary air flow for pressure equalization to also perform oil particle removal. The system automatically separates and discharges degraded oil through the existing ventilation pathway without requiring additional active components or complex control mechanisms
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 method reduces lubricating oil consumption and extends the interval between oil changes, maintaining oil quality within acceptable limits, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced waste oil disposal, while minimizing the discharge of usable oil.
Implementation Method 1
a) a partial amount of lubricating oil is discharged with an air stream from the crankcase
Implementation Method 2
downstream of which a suction blower and an oil separator are arranged
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a combustion engine having a crankcase, a piston group and a crankshaft, wherein the crankcase has an oil reservoir and an operational amount of lubricating oil is provided, wherein i) a partial amount of the lubricating oil is continuously discharged from the crankshaft and ii) a refill amount of new lubricating oil is continuously supplied, so that the operational amount of lubricating oil remains essentially the same; as well as a combustion engine for carrying out the method.