Engine Head Fastener With Sealed Fluid Conduit for High-Pressure Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently conveying high-pressure fluid within the cylinder head due to structural complexities, leading to performance losses and space inefficiencies in the fluid circuit.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system with a shank and integral elastomeric seal is used to create a fluid conduit between the cylinder block and head, preventing fluid leakage by sealing against a bore, allowing for efficient fluid circulation and pressure management within the valvetrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate fluid conduit and seal components are used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid conduit and seal into a single integrated fastener component. The seal is formed as an integral part of the fastener shank, eliminating the need for separate conduit and seal components. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and decreases space requirements while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through integral formation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical fastening to join the cylinder head to the block, simultaneously forms a fluid conduit for coolant flow, and incorporates an integral seal to prevent fluid leakage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If complex fluid circuit arrangements are used to maximize performance, then fluid circulation efficiency is improved, but space requirements and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid conduit is nested within the fastener shank itself, utilizing the internal structure of the fastener for fluid flow. The seal is nested as an integral part of the shank, creating a compact, space-efficient configuration that maximizes fluid circulation efficiency without increasing cylinder head volume.
3Ease of repair
If multiple separate components are used for fluid conduit and seal, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the conduit and seal into a single integral fastener component, the patent reduces assembly time and simplifies the overall structure. While separate components would allow individual replacement, the integral design maintains reliability through unified construction and reduces assembly complexity.
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
The solution effectively seals high-pressure fluid conduits, minimizing leakage and space requirements while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacturing, enhancing engine performance and fluid circulation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The seal may include an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
a seal fixed to the shank sealing the fluid conduit to prevent a fluid disposed in the fluid conduit from flowing across the seal
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes a block having at least one cylinder, a head joined to the block, a fastener coupling the head to the block and comprising a shank extending along a fastener axis between the block and the head, a fluid conduit extending parallel to the fastener axis and having an inner surface defined by the shank, and a seal fixed to the shank sealing the fluid conduit to prevent a fluid disposed in the fluid conduit from flowing across the seal in the fluid conduit.