Cylinder Head Flame Deck Profile for Pre-Chamber Tip Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines face efficiency decreases and pre-chamber tip degradation due to high ignition pressures and temperatures, leading to increased NOx emissions and injector wear, as the cylinder head deforms and the pre-chamber tip is exposed to combustion heat.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder head design with a through-hole and flame deck surface profile that shields the pre-chamber tip from combustion temperatures by ensuring it does not extend beyond the apex portion of the flame deck surface, using additional material to absorb heat and prevent deformation, while maintaining unobstructed fuel paths through internal passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pre-chamber tip extends into the combustion chamber to introduce burning fuel jets, then the combustion efficiency is improved, but the tip is exposed to high combustion temperatures causing wear and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidpre-chamber tip durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the pre-chamber assembly into two distinct components: the pre-chamber body and the tip. This segmentation allows the tip to be designed specifically for optimal fuel injection performance while being replaceable, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining combustion efficiency and ensuring tip durability under high temperature exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire pre-chamber assembly replaceable, the invention inverts the approach by making only the tip section replaceable. This allows the expensive pre-chamber body to be retained while only replacing the worn tip component, thereby improving reliability without excessive cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Power

If the cylinder head is exposed to high ignition pressures and temperatures, then the combustion process is maintained, but the cylinder head deforms and degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion powerVSAvoidcylinder head geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by providing enhanced cooling specifically to the cylinder head regions exposed to high temperatures. The cooling channels are strategically positioned to target the flame deck surface and adjacent areas, allowing the cylinder head to maintain its geometric integrity in critical zones while still permitting combustion to proceed at high temperatures for power generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the pre-chamber tip is shielded from high temperatures, then tip wear is reduced, but the fuel injection path may be obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-chamber tip longevityVSAvoidfuel flow through pre-chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a single integrated pre-chamber design to a multi-component assembly with distinct functional zones. The tip is designed as a separate component that can be optimized for fuel injection (maintaining ease of operation) while being protected from high temperatures through strategic positioning and material selection, thus extending tip longevity without compromising fuel flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 pre-chamber tip wear, prolongs its life, and minimizes NOx emissions by absorbing high combustion temperatures, thereby enhancing engine efficiency and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

the depth of extension of the profile 138 into the main combustion chamber 116 increases towards a through-hole 150. In such an assembly, the pre-chamber 160 is received within the through-hole 150 such that the tip 168 of the pre-chamber 160 does not extend beyond the flame deck surface 124 adjacent to the through-hole 150, wherein the flame deck surface 124 absorbs high temperatures of combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3495636B1Cylinder head for engine
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS
  • EP3495636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cylinder head (104) configured to be assembled to one end of a cylinder block of an engine (100) is disclosed. The cylinder block (106) has a cylinder bore (108) and a piston (114) received therein to define a main combustion chamber (116). The cylinder head (104) includes an internal surface (144) defining a through-hole (150) that extends through a width of the cylinder head (104) and is configured to receive a tip (168) of a pre-chamber (160) therein. The cylinder head (104) further includes a flame deck surface (124) defining a profile (138) extending into the main combustion chamber (116) and defining an outer periphery (140), wherein a depth of extension of the profile (138) into the main combustion chamber (116) is minimum at the outer periphery (140) and a said depth of the flame deck surface (124) increases towards the through-hole (150).