Engine Lubricant Centrifuge Pump Ramping for Rotor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with centrifuges experience rotor instability and increased wear due to sudden loss of lubrication when the centrifuge pump is switched off, leading to vibrations and damage.
Innovation Solution
A control or regulating device gradually changes the target value for the centrifuge pump when it is switched off or started, allowing for a smooth transition in operation to prevent sudden pressure drops and maintain rotor stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the centrifuge pump is switched off suddenly, then the productivity is improved by stopping the cleaning process, but the reliability deteriorates due to rotor instability and severe friction
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the target value for the centrifuge pump's volume flow rate, enabling smooth transitions between operating states. When switching off the pump, the target value is gradually reduced rather than abruptly changed, allowing the rotor to decelerate smoothly and maintain lubrication, thus preventing rotor instability and friction damage while still stopping the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
Before completely switching off the centrifuge pump, the control device preliminarily reduces the volume flow rate to a lower level, ensuring that the rotor remains sufficiently lubricated during the transition period. This preliminary action prevents the sudden loss of lubrication that would otherwise cause rotor instability and bearing friction.
2Loss of time
If the centrifuge pump is switched off suddenly, then the loss of time is reduced by immediate shutdown, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to strong vibrations and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements dynamic control of the pump's volume flow rate during shutdown, gradually reducing it over time rather than immediate cutoff. This dynamic approach minimizes harmful vibrations and wear by maintaining adequate lubrication during the transition, while still achieving timely shutdown of the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device rapidly establishes the gradual reduction profile and quickly transitions through the deceleration phases, minimizing the overall shutdown time while still preventing harmful effects. The system rushes through the controlled deceleration process efficiently, balancing speed with rotor protection.
3Productivity
If the centrifuge pump is started suddenly, then the productivity is improved by immediate operation, but the reliability deteriorates due to pressure drops and rotor instability
Solution Approach 1:
Before fully activating the centrifuge pump, the control device preliminarily establishes a gradual increase profile for the volume flow rate. This preliminary action ensures that pressure builds up smoothly and the rotor receives adequate lubrication from the start, preventing rotor instability and bearing damage while initiating the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically increases the target value for the centrifuge pump's volume flow rate during startup, allowing the system to transition smoothly into operation. This dynamic approach maintains rotor stability and adequate lubrication during the acceleration phase, preventing friction damage while enabling the cleaning process to begin.
4Productivity
If the centrifuge pump operates at high speed, then the productivity is improved by efficient particle separation, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to severe friction on bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the operating state of the centrifuge pump and adjusts the volume flow rate to maintain optimal conditions. During high-speed operation, the feedback control ensures that the lubricant volume flow remains sufficient to reduce friction on the rotor and spindle bearings, allowing efficient particle separation to continue without excessive wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device optimizes the lubricant volume flow rate parameter as a function of the pump's operating speed. When the pump operates at high speeds for efficient particle separation, the control device simultaneously increases the lubricant flow parameter to maintain adequate lubrication, thereby reducing friction on the bearings while preserving separation efficiency.
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 prevents rotor instability and wear by ensuring a gradual change in lubricant flow, reducing vibrations and extending the lifespan of the centrifuge components.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant volume flow directed into the at least one centrifuge generates and/or maintains a rotational movement of the at least one centrifuge
Implementation Method 2
Centrifuges are particularly well suited to separating foreign particles in the lubricant that are present in large quantities in the lubricant, depending on the density difference between the medium and the particle
Implementation Method 3
It is also known to design the centrifuge to be self-lubricated, i.e. to also use the lubricant to be centrifuged to lubricate the centrifuge rotor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one centrifuge (2) for separating particles of foreign matter from a lubricant, the at least one centrifuge (2) being designed in such a way that a lubricant volumetric flow directed into the at least one centrifuge (2) produces and/or maintains rotational motion of the at least one centrifuge (2); at least one centrifuge pump (3) for producing and/or boosting the lubricant volumetric flow directed into the at least one centrifuge (2); and an open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) for the open-loop or closed-loop control of the at least one centrifuge pump (3) according to a setpoint value for a kinematic operating parameter and/or for a setting parameter of the centrifuge pump (3), the open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) being designed to gradually change the setpoint value for the open-loop or closed-loop control of the at least one centrifuge pump (3) when the centrifuge pump (3) is switched off or started.