Cylinder Liner Flow Guide Structure for Uniform Engine Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylinder liners in internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving effective cooling, particularly in areas subject to high thermal and mechanical stress, leading to non-uniform temperature distribution and potential stagnation zones.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder liner with a protruding flow guide device on its outer surface, featuring axial openings, is aligned to correspond with the position of exhaust valves, forming inflow and outflow channels, and a cavity for improved coolant flow direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional cylinder liner without flow guide device is used, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and temperature distribution is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidcylinder liner structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide device is positioned at specific locations on the cylinder liner corresponding to exhaust valve areas, creating localized flow guidance only where thermal stress is highest. This applies local quality by modifying the cooling flow characteristics specifically in high-temperature zones rather than uniformly across the entire cylinder liner, thereby improving temperature distribution uniformity without requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide device divides the cooling medium flow into specific paths using multiple flow guide surfaces and openings. The cooling flow is segmented and directed toward different high-stress areas, creating multiple localized cooling zones that collectively improve overall temperature distribution. This segmentation allows targeted cooling without requiring a completely new cooling system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If coolant flow is not directed to high-stress areas, then the cooling system is simple, but temperature peaks occur in exhaust valve areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature peak reductionVSAvoidflow control structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide device creates localized flow direction changes at specific angular positions corresponding to exhaust valve locations. By concentrating cooling medium flow precisely where thermal stress is highest, temperature peaks are reduced in these critical areas. The local quality principle is applied by making the flow guidance function location-specific rather than uniform, targeting only the high-temperature zones without complicating the entire cooling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If stagnant zones are not prevented, then the cooling system is simple, but cooling efficiency is reduced in certain areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidflow guidance structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide device with its multiple flow guide surfaces and openings creates dynamic flow patterns that adapt to the cooling medium's movement. The inclined flow guide surfaces actively direct the flowing coolant toward high-stress areas, preventing stagnation through continuous flow redirection. This dynamic approach to flow management improves cooling efficiency by ensuring continuous coolant movement in critical zones without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances cooling efficiency by directing coolant flow to high-stress areas, reducing temperature peaks and preventing stagnation zones, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution.

Implementation Method 1

Heat is dissipated from the cylinder formed by the cylinder liner into the crankcase via heat conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the flow guide device is provided in the cavity axially between the at least one inflow channel and the at least one outflow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3317565B1Cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP3317565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3317565B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3317565B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cylinder liner (1) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a collar (2), wherein the cylinder liner (1) has a protruding flow-guiding device (5) on the lateral surface (3) of the cylinder liner, which flow-guiding device is axially spaced apart from the collar (2) and provided with at least one axial opening (4).