Cylinder Head Pre-Separator for Oil Aerosol Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engine oil separators are not effective enough in separating oil aerosols from crankcase gases, leading to oil leakage and maintenance issues with open crankcase ventilation systems.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a pre-separator within the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, utilizing the installation space for the fuel rail as a pre-separation chamber for oil aerosol separation, combined with a calming space for oil drop agglomeration and a deflector plate for optimized gas transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing oil separators are used to separate oil aerosols from crankcase gases, then oil separation is achieved, but the separation effectiveness is insufficient leading to oil leakage and maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separation process is divided into multiple stages: a coarse separation chamber that removes large oil droplets first, followed by a fine separation chamber that captures smaller aerosol particles. This segmented approach achieves comprehensive oil separation where single-stage separators fail, preventing oil leakage while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If open crankcase ventilation is used to discharge crankcase gases, then ventilation is achieved, but oil-containing gases reach the outside causing soiling and oil losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary oil separation system between the crankcase and the external environment. Crankcase gases pass through the multi-chamber separator where oil aerosols are captured, and only purified gases are discharged externally. This intermediary mechanism enables easy ventilation operation while preventing oil losses and environmental contamination.
3Productivity
If high pressure differential is used in microfilters for oil separation, then separation rate is improved, but leak-tightness problems occur at the engine
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-pressure differential filter that causes leakage, the patent segments the separation into two chambers operating at different pressure differentials. The coarse separation chamber handles bulk oil removal with lower pressure differential, while the fine separation chamber handles aerosol particles with controlled pressure differential, achieving high separation rate without compromising leak-tightness.
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 solution achieves efficient oil aerosol separation, reducing the risk of oil leakage, minimizing maintenance needs, and enhancing the overall compactness and efficiency of the engine system.
Implementation Method 1
installation space d surrounding fuel rail 5 serves as a calming space for the agglomeration or coagulation of the oil drops
Implementation Method 2
installation space d surrounding fuel rail 5 serves as a calming space for the agglomeration or coagulation of the oil drops
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine-includes at least one cylinder crankcase, at least one cylinder head (2) including at least one valve cover (1), charge-cycle valves, a valve train-assembly, injectors (3), an injector cable harness, injection lines (4), a fuel rail (5) and a pre-separator for separating the oil aerosols present in the blow-by volume flow being situated in the cylinder head (2).