Cylinder Block Ringed Coolant Passage Thermal Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines require specialized cylinder blocks for either breadthwise or lengthwise coolant water circulation techniques, limiting flexibility and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder block design with a ringed coolant water passage that can be converted between breadthwise and lengthwise flowing configurations using partitioning members with different thermal expansion coefficients, allowing for elastic deformation and gap formation to manage thermal stress and improve durability and cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cylinder block is designed with two independent coolant water passages for breadthwise flowing, then coolant water circulation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single ringed coolant water passage is segmented into first and second passages by partitioning members, enabling independent flow paths for breadthwise cooling while maintaining a unified cylinder block structure. This segmentation allows efficient coolant circulation without requiring completely separate passage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ringed coolant water passage design serves multiple functions: it can operate as a single passage for lengthwise flowing when partitioning members are absent, or be divided into separate passages for breadthwise flowing when partitioning members are installed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for completely different cylinder block designs for different cooling methods.
2Ease of operation
If partitioning members are attached to divide the ringed coolant water passage, then coolant water flow control is improved, but thermal stress and durability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between partitioning members and the cylinder block changes with temperature - larger at operating temperature due to thermal expansion differences. This parameter change accommodates thermal stress while maintaining effective flow control during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design exploits differential thermal expansion between the partitioning members and the cylinder block. The gap formed by different thermal expansion coefficients allows the partitioning members to expand freely with temperature changes without generating excessive thermal stress that would compromise durability.
3Productivity
If specialized cylinder blocks are manufactured for different cooling methods, then cooling performance is optimized, but manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single cylinder block design with a ringed coolant water passage can serve both lengthwise and breadthwise cooling methods by simply adding or removing partitioning members. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture completely different cylinder blocks for different cooling applications, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The partitioning members can be installed or removed based on the desired cooling method, allowing the same cylinder block to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring specialized manufacturing for each configuration.
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
Enables flexible coolant water circulation methods, enhances durability by preventing overheating and stress, and reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for specialized blocks.
Implementation Method 1
regardless the thermal expansion coefficients of the both are different
Implementation Method 2
the cylinder block and the partitioning members do not suffer the breaking stress even under a wormed up state
Implementation Method 3
coolant water supplied from the inlet flows through inside of the coolant water passage
Implementation Method 4
coolant water circulates around the cylinder and the valve system
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A ringed coolant water passage 16 formed to surround a plurality of cylinders #1-#4 is provided. Two partitioning members having a larger thermal expansion coefficient as compared to that of a cylinder block 10, and separating the ringed coolant water passage 16 into first passage 22 and second passage 24 is provided. The first passage 22 exists mainly at one side of a longitudinal bore center plane which extends along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder block 10 while the second passage 24 exists mainly at the other side. An inlet which communicates with the first passage and an outlet which communicates with the second passage are provided. A cylinder head including a coolant water passage which opens to both of the first passage 22 and the second passage 24 is attached to the cylinder block 10. The cylinder block 10 and the partitioning members 12, 14 are formed so that stress acting between both of them in a condition where the internal combustion engine is warmed up does not reach to a breaking stress of the partitioning members 12, 14.