Crankcase Gas Cleaning Device with Controllable Centrifugal Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cleaning crankcase gases from combustion engines struggle to maintain a desired gas pressure, leading to potential damage from either excessively low or high pressures, which can compromise gasket sealing and lead to leakage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a controllable rotary speed drive and an export/import conduit system, including one-way valves and throttling members, allows for dynamic adjustment of gas flow to maintain desired crankcase pressure by bypassing the centrifugal separator or introducing air, ensuring pressure remains within safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the centrifugal separator operates at high speed to efficiently clean crankcase gases, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the gas pressure in the crankcase may decrease to an unallowably low level
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is made controllable with variable rotary speed, allowing dynamic adjustment based on operating conditions. The control equipment monitors crankcase gas pressure and adjusts the centrifugal separator's rotary speed accordingly, reducing speed when pressure drops to prevent gasket damage while maintaining efficient cleaning during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
A control equipment is introduced that receives input from pressure sensors monitoring crankcase gas pressure and automatically adjusts the drive device's rotary speed. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the separator operates at optimal speed to maintain pressure within safe limits while preserving cleaning efficiency
2Stress or pressure
If the centrifugal separator operates at low speed to maintain gas pressure, then the gas pressure stability is improved, but the cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable speed drive device allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions. During idle or low-load operation, the separator runs at reduced speed to prevent excessive pressure drops. During full-load operation, the speed increases to maintain high cleaning efficiency, with automatic adjustment based on real-time pressure monitoring
3Productivity
If the centrifugal separator removes too much crankcase gas, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the gas pressure may increase to an unallowably high level
Solution Approach 1:
The control equipment continuously monitors crankcase gas pressure and adjusts the separator's rotary speed in response. When pressure approaches unsafe levels, the system automatically reduces the separator's gas removal rate, preventing pressure buildup while maintaining adequate cleaning effectiveness through optimized operation
4Stress or pressure
If the centrifugal separator removes too little crankcase gas, then the gas pressure remains stable, but the cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses pressure sensor feedback to optimize the separator's operation. When pressure indicates adequate gas removal, the system increases the separator's rotary speed to enhance cleaning effectiveness. This ensures the system maintains stable pressure while achieving maximum cleaning performance
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
The solution reliably prevents gas pressure from dropping below minimum or rising above maximum levels, protecting gaskets and ensuring stable operation in engines with sub- or over-pressure conditions, suitable for various combustion engine types.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal separator, which receives crankcase gases from the crankcase via the inlet conduit and which comprises a centrifuge rotor for centrifuging the crankcase gases
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes a device for cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine, and a combustion engine having such a device. An inlet conduit is connected to a crankcase of the combustion engine. A centrifugal separator receives a flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase via the inlet conduit and comprises a routable centrifuge rotor for centrifuging the crankcase gases. A drive device drives the centrifuge rotor. An outlet conduit discharges cleaned crankcase gases from the centrifugal separator. The rotary speed of the drive device, and thus the rotary speed of the centrifuge rotor, is controllable depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase. An export conduit may be connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable discharge of a flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase by-passing the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase. An import conduit may be connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable feeding of a flow of air from the surroundings to the crankcase depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase.