Crankcase Ventilation Flow Restriction for Breach Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crankcase ventilation systems in automotive engines require expensive and space-consuming solenoid-powered gate valves for pressure integrity checks, which is not cost-effective and occupies engine space, and lacks a compact solution for detecting breaches without electrical actuation.
Innovation Solution
A crankcase ventilation breach detection system utilizing a flow control system with parallel conduits, including a normally closed check valve and a restriction profile, which allows for pressure integrity checks without electrical connections, enabling detection of breaches by monitoring pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-powered gate valve is used for pressure integrity checks, then the crankcase ventilation system can detect breaches, but the system becomes more expensive, heavier, and occupies more engine space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical actuation component (solenoid) from the valve system, replacing it with a purely mechanical flow control system using check valves and restriction profiles. This removes the need for electrical connections while maintaining breach detection capability through pressure sensor monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valves automatically respond to pressure differentials without external control signals. The system uses the natural pressure variations in the crankcase ventilation to open/close valves and drive flow through restriction profiles, enabling self-regulating operation for breach detection.
2Reliability
If a solenoid-powered gate valve is used for pressure integrity checks, then the crankcase ventilation system can detect breaches, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive solenoid actuators with inexpensive mechanical components (check valves, restriction profiles) that have no moving electrical contacts or complex actuation mechanisms, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electrical-mechanical actuation (solenoid) with a purely mechanical passive system using check valves and pressure-driven flow control, eliminating the need for expensive electrical components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If a solenoid-powered gate valve is used for pressure integrity checks, then the crankcase ventilation system can detect breaches, but the system occupies more engine space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow control system (check valves, restriction profiles) directly into the existing crankcase ventilation tube structure, nesting the breach detection functionality within the existing ventilation pathway rather than adding separate external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the bulky solenoid actuator and associated electrical mounting hardware, extracting the active control element from the system and replacing it with compact passive mechanical flow control elements that occupy minimal space within the ventilation tube.
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 system effectively detects breaches in the crankcase ventilation system, ensuring minimal restriction and maintaining pressure integrity without the need for electrical actuation, providing a cost-effective and compact solution.
Implementation Method 1
a first conduit having a normally closed check valve that opens under a first preselected pressure drop in a first direction from the air intake to the crankcase
Implementation Method 2
a restriction profile having a third preselected pressure drop that is the same in both the first and second direction
Implementation Method 3
When the pressure sensor detects no pressure drop there is a breach in the system
Data Source
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AI summary
A breach detection system for an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, an intake manifold, a positive crankcase ventilation valve, a crankcase ventilation tube with a flow control system therein, and a pressure sensor between the flow control system and the crankcase. The flow control system subdivides the crankcase ventilation tube into a plurality of parallel conduits - a first conduit having a normally closed check valve that opens under a first preselected pressure drop in a first direction from the air intake to the crankcase, and a second conduit having either a second check valve that opens under a second preselected pressure drop in a second direction opposite the first direction or a restriction profile having a third preselected pressure drop that is the same in both the first and second direction. When the pressure sensor detects no pressure drop there is a breach in the system.