Engine Cooling via Intake Valve Lift Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems may fail to maintain engine temperature below a threshold, especially when liquid coolant is insufficient or the thermostat degrades, leading to potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
The method involves deactivating engine cylinders and adjusting the lift of intake valves in response to excessive engine temperature, allowing controlled air flow to cool the engine without excessive air circulation, thereby maintaining catalyst efficiency and preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If excessive air flows through the engine to cool the engine, then engine temperature is reduced, but catalyst efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve lift is dynamically adjusted based on engine temperature conditions. During normal operation, valves operate at standard lift. When cooling is needed, the valve lift is increased to allow greater air flow through the engine for cooling, while still maintaining catalyst efficiency by controlling the amount of air flow.
2Temperature
If air flow through the engine is increased to cool the engine, then engine temperature is reduced, but air flow control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The existing intake valve lift mechanism serves as an intermediary to control air flow for engine cooling. By adjusting the valve lift, the system can regulate air flow through the engine without requiring a separate air flow control system, thereby avoiding additional complexity.
3Temperature
If liquid coolant system is used to cool the engine, then engine cooling is effective under normal conditions, but the system becomes unreliable when coolant is lost or thermostat degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The engine uses its own existing components (intake valves, cylinders, and air intake system) to provide cooling when the liquid coolant system fails. By directing air flow through the engine cylinders and utilizing the valve mechanisms already present, the system creates a self-contained backup cooling method without requiring external cooling equipment.
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 approach effectively reduces the risk of engine temperature exceeding safe limits, improves catalyst efficiency, and adjusts air flow to suit cooling needs, ensuring consistent engine cooling.
Implementation Method 1
The air that flows through the engine may carry heat from the engine out the engine's exhaust system, thereby cooling the engine
Implementation Method 2
The liquid coolant may pass through the engine where it is heated
Implementation Method 3
the coolant may flow to a radiator where it may be cooled via ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for cooling an internal combustion engine via flowing air through the internal combustion engine during select conditions are presented. In one example, lift of intake and/or exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature. In addition, opening and closing timings of intake and exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature.