Engine Block Cooling System with Integrated Oil Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems often require significant packaging space and introduce slightly higher temperatures into the lubricating system, which can lead to inefficiencies in engine performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The cooling system integrates coolant and oil flow passages within the engine block, where the oil flow passage surrounds the coolant flow passage for heat transfer, enhancing cooling efficiency while minimizing packaging requirements, and includes ridges to increase surface area for improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an external cooling system is used, then cooling capability is provided, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling system with the engine block by integrating coolant flow passages directly into the engine block structure. The coolant passages are formed within the engine block material, eliminating the need for separate external cooling components and reducing overall packaging space while maintaining effective cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the oil flow passage inside or adjacent to the coolant flow passage within the engine block. The oil passage is positioned to be surrounded by coolant passages, allowing the cooling system to be nested within the engine structure itself rather than occupying separate external space.
2Temperature
If coolant passages are positioned adjacent to oil passages, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning coolant flow passages specifically adjacent to oil flow passages only in the regions where heat transfer is most needed. The coolant passages are strategically located to maximize thermal contact with oil passages while maintaining practical manufacturing considerations, rather than uniformly distributing cooling throughout the entire engine block.
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 effectively removes thermal energy from the lubricating system at minimal cost and space, improving engine performance, preventing knock and pre-ignition, and enhancing fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block
Implementation Method 2
The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.