Electrically Driven Lubrication Valve for Precise Two-Stroke Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lubrication systems for large slow-running two-stroke marine engines face challenges in precise timing and volume control of lubricant ejection, particularly due to uncertainties introduced by long lubricant conduits and the high pressure required for Swirl Injection Principle (SIP) systems, which affect the accuracy and efficiency of lubrication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrically-driven inlet-valve system in conjunction with an outlet-valve system, where the inlet-valve is electronically controlled to regulate lubricant flow, reducing mass and reaction time, and eliminating the need for a return line, thereby enhancing precision and reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long lubricant conduits are used to supply lubricant to multiple injectors, then the lubrication system can cover multiple cylinder positions, but uncertainty in timing and volume control of lubricant ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lubrication delivery into separate segments: each injector has its own electrically-driven inlet-valve system located at or near the injector, rather than using long common conduits. This segmentation allows precise local control of timing and volume at each injection point while maintaining the ability to lubricate multiple cylinder positions through coordinated control of multiple injectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically-driven inlet-valve systems act as intermediaries between the lubricant supply and the injectors. These valves are positioned close to the injectors and provide precise control of lubricant flow timing and volume, eliminating the timing uncertainties associated with long conduits while still enabling distribution to multiple locations.
2Productivity
If high pressure is used in SIP systems to achieve atomized spray, then lubricant delivery efficiency is improved, but the mass and reaction time of valve members increase causing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional high-pressure mechanical valve actuation with an electrically-driven inlet-valve system. This substitution allows for faster response times because electrical actuation has lower inertia and can be controlled more precisely, while still achieving the necessary high pressure for atomized spray delivery through the outlet-valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve systems are designed with dynamic characteristics optimized for rapid response. The electrically-driven inlet-valve and the outlet-valve system work together to create a dynamic control mechanism that can quickly open and close, minimizing reaction delay while maintaining the high pressure needed for efficient atomized lubricant delivery.
3Ease of operation
If traditional outlet-valve systems are used at the nozzle, then lubricant flow can be controlled, but the system requires a return line which increases complexity and risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the return line component from the traditional lubrication system. The outlet-valve system is designed to control lubricant flow without requiring a return path, simplifying the overall system architecture, reducing the number of potential leak points, and lowering maintenance complexity while retaining full lubricant flow control capability.
4Ease of operation
If electromechanical outlet-valves with long valve members are used, then lubricant flow can be controlled at the nozzle, but the mass of the valve member causes slight delay in action
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the traditional electromechanical outlet-valve with a lighter, faster-acting outlet-valve system that is integrated with the electrically-driven inlet-valve. This substitution reduces the mass of moving parts and eliminates the delay associated with heavier electromechanical valve members, while maintaining precise lubricant flow control at the nozzle through coordinated electrical actuation.
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 improves the speed and volume control of lubricant ejection, providing precise timing and reduced uncertainty in injection, leading to more efficient lubrication with increased reliability and reduced operational costs and risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
each of the injectors comprises an electrically-driven inlet-valve system, wherein the inlet-valve system is electrically connected to the controller and arranged in the flow path between the lubricant inlet and outlet-valve system at the nozzle for regulating the lubricant that is dispensed through the nozzle aperture by opening or closing for lubricant flow from the lubricant inlet to the nozzle in dependence of an electrical control-signal received from the controller
Implementation Method 2
an outlet-valve system at the nozzle configured for opening for flow of lubricant to the nozzle aperture during an injection-phase upon pressure rise above a predetermined limit at the outlet-valve system and for closing the outlet-valve system after the injection-phase when the pressure drops
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A large slow-running two-stroke engine and a method of lubricating the engine with an injector (4) that comprises an electrically-driven inlet-valve system (13), for example in which an electrically-driven rigid push-rod (31) is used to push a ball (26) from its seat in a non-return valve (25) for lubricant injection. Optionally, the push rod (31) is accelerated prior to impact with the ball (26) in order to achieve a quick response time for the injection.