Motor Float Air Intake Sealing Rib and Partition Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for air intake systems in motor floats fail to effectively prevent water leakage into the engine compartment during dynamic movements, such as turns and waves, leading to engine performance issues and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a partitioned engine compartment with a sealing rib and a rear pump to separate water from air, utilizing a labyrinth air passage and dual pumps for efficient water removal, including a mechanical and electrical pump for effective water suction, ensuring continuous air supply and preventing water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a suction pump or reverse valve is used at the suction inlet, then water leakage into the engine compartment is reduced, but during dynamic rides with large angles in turns and jumps, water still leaks into the engine compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater leakage preventionVSAvoidperformance during dynamic rides
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The float body is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for air intake and a second compartment for engine housing. A partition wall with a water seal structure separates these compartments, preventing water from the first compartment from entering the second compartment where the engine is located. This segmentation allows the air intake system to be isolated from water contamination during dynamic rides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water seal structure (labyrinth seal) is introduced as an intermediary element between the air intake compartment and the engine compartment. This seal structure allows air to pass through while preventing water from entering the engine compartment, effectively mediating between the need for air supply and the need for water protection during dynamic operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If water suction arrangements are added to prevent water leakage, then water removal capability is improved, but the volume of the water separator decreases and air supply to the engine is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater removal capabilityVSAvoidair supply volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an air intake compartment, an engine compartment, and separate water collection areas. The partition wall creates independent spaces that allow water to be collected and removed without interfering with the air supply pathway to the engine, maintaining sufficient air volume while enabling effective water removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Water is extracted from the air intake compartment through dedicated water outlet openings in the partition wall, which lead to external drainage. This extraction mechanism removes water from the system without occupying space that would be needed for air supply to the engine, resolving the conflict between water removal and air supply volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If long pipes are used for underpressure suction, then water suction coverage is increased, but pressure losses from friction between air and pipe walls increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater suction coverageVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Water is extracted directly at the source through water outlet openings positioned in the partition wall, eliminating the need for long suction pipes. The water removal occurs at the interface between compartments rather than requiring extended piping, thus minimizing friction losses while maintaining effective water suction coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall with water outlet openings acts as an intermediary that enables direct water removal at the compartment boundary. This eliminates the need for long internal piping by providing direct access points for water extraction, reducing pressure losses while maintaining effective water removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively prevents water from entering the engine compartment, maintaining engine performance and reliability even during tilting or overturning, by utilizing a labyrinth air passage and dual pumps for efficient water removal, ensuring sufficient air supply and minimizing engine damage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one back pump for sucking out the leaked water is arranged in the rear part of the inner space of the float

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a sealing rib extends from the front part of the partition towards the tip of the float separating the air supply and suction opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLabyrinth air passage:

Data Source

PatentEP3261919B1System for air supply to the engine of a motor float
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 SULA MARTIN
  • EP3261919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3261919B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3261919B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5c

AI summary

The present invention is a system for air supply to the engine of a motor float comprising a bottom part and an upper part of the body defining the inner space of the float, in which a combustion engine is arranged, wherein the upper part of the body is in its front part provided with an air supply, characterized in that the combustion engine is arranged in the engine compartment and separated from the rest of the inner space of the float by means of a partition provided with a suction opening in its front part, wherein to provide the circulation of air in the inner space of the float a sealing rib extends from the front part of the partition towards the tip of the float, separating the air supply and suction opening from one another, wherein at least one rear pump for sucking the leaking water is arranged in the rear part of the inner space of the float. The main object of the invention is thus to use the interspace of the float to provide separation of water and air, when eventual separated water may be sucked away by a pump operating on any principle (electric, vacuum, etc.).