Ferrule Fluid Passage Seal Assembly for Engine Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in sealing the joint between the cylinder head and engine block, leading to leakage of high-pressure air and combustion gases into fluid passages due to movement and pressure differences, which can cause detrimental effects on engine performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a seal assembly using ferrules or jumper tubes that form a fluid passage coupling between the cylinder head and engine block, allowing for movement while maintaining a seal and preventing gas leakage, with a configuration that includes a ferrule assembly and seal positioned in counter bores to exert compression and prevent gas intrusion into fluid passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a combustion seal or gasket is used to seal the joint between cylinder head and engine block, then sealing is provided, but high pressure air and combustion gases can still flow into fluid passages when the cylinder head moves relative to the engine block
Solution Approach 1:
A ferrule assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the cylinder head and engine block fluid passages. The ferrule includes a body portion positioned in the engine block fluid passage and a cap portion positioned in the cylinder head fluid passage, with a seal member between them. This intermediary structure prevents charge leakage into fluid passages while accommodating relative movement between the cylinder head and engine block.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple components: the head gasket for general sealing, and the ferrule assembly with separate body and cap portions for preventing charge leakage. The ferrule assembly is further segmented with the seal member positioned between the body and cap portions, allowing each segment to perform its specific sealing function while accommodating movement.
2Reliability
If the cylinder head is attached to the engine block with rigid sealing, then sealing is maintained, but the cylinder head cannot accommodate movement due to forces pushing the components apart
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule assembly is designed to be movable relative to both the engine block and cylinder head. The body portion moves within the engine block fluid passage while the cap portion moves within the cylinder head fluid passage. This dynamic design allows the ferrule to accommodate relative movement between the cylinder head and engine block while maintaining sealing through the seal member.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a ferrule assembly with seal member is used to prevent charge leakage, then sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferrule assembly combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated component. The body portion, cap portion, and seal member work together as one assembly to prevent charge leakage into fluid passages. This merging of functions reduces the need for additional separate sealing components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while effectively preventing charge leakage.
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 effectively prevents charge and combustion gases from entering fluid passages, maintaining seal integrity and engine reliability even during excessive pressure events, and allows for retrofitting or integration into new engine designs with minimal design impact.
Implementation Method 1
The outside diameter of the ferrule and the inside diameter of the counter bore exert a compression force on the seal
Data Source
AI summary
An interface between an engine block and a cylinder head is provided. The interface includes a ferrule that accommodates relative movement between the cylinder head and the engine block while maintaining sealing of fluid passages that extend between the cylinder head and the engine block. The interface thus forms a fluid passage seal assembly.