Elastomeric Fuel Gas Seal for Pre-Chamber Pipe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing methods for fuel gas supply pipes in internal combustion engines are technically demanding, expensive, and prone to leakage, with difficulties in accurate alignment and maintenance, especially due to the porosity of cylinder head materials and the risk of damaging soft O-rings during installation.
Innovation Solution
A seal comprising a wall with first and second portions, each with sealing regions that engage the chamber body and pipe respectively, made from elastomeric material with optional reinforcement, allowing for compression between the engine body and chamber body, and between the engine body and pipe, to create a gas-tight interface without damaging the seal during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal-to-metal interference contact sealing is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric seal member is introduced as an intermediary between the fuel gas supply pipe and the pre-combustion chamber, replacing direct metal-to-metal contact. This elastomeric material deforms under compression to create effective sealing, eliminating the need for high-precision dimensional and surface quality control while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from rigid metal-to-metal interference contact to elastomeric deformation under compression. By changing the physical state and mechanical properties of the sealing interface, the system achieves reliable sealing with relaxed manufacturing tolerances and reduced surface quality requirements.
2Reliability
If separate O-ring seals are used for pipe and chamber body, then sealing is achieved, but installation complexity increases and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate O-ring seals are merged into a single integrated elastomeric seal member that simultaneously seals both the pipe connection and the pre-combustion chamber connection. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate sealing components, reducing installation steps and minimizing the risk of damage during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal member is designed with distinct sealing regions that correspond to different connection points (pipe and chamber body), allowing each sealing function to be integrated within a single component. This segmentation within unity simplifies installation while maintaining effective sealing at multiple interfaces.
3Reliability
If accurate alignment is required for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism uses elastomeric deformation under compression rather than rigid alignment, allowing the seal to accommodate positional variations. This parameter change from rigid to flexible sealing eliminates the need for precise alignment procedures, simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal member dynamically adapts to slight misalignments through deformation, rather than requiring static perfect alignment. This dynamic capability allows the sealing system to tolerate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations without compromising sealing effectiveness.
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 seal provides a reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-install solution that prevents fuel gas leakage by ensuring proper alignment and sealing of the fuel gas supply pipe with the pre-combustion chamber, accommodating small variations in position and facilitating simpler assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A seal comprising a wall with first and second portions, each with sealing regions that engage the chamber body and pipe respectively, made from elastomeric material with optional reinforcement, allowing for compression between the engine body and chamber body, and between the engine body and pipe, to create a gas-tight interface
Data Source
AI summary
Fuel gas (G) is supplied via a pipe to a pre-combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The pre-combustion chamber is formed inside a chamber body which is received in a cavity of the engine body, while the pipe is received in a passageway of the engine body which communicates with the cavity. A seal which may be made from an elastomer comprises a wall defining an interior space opening through the wall at first, second and third openings. A first portion of the wall defining the first and second openings is arranged in the cavity so that the chamber body can be inserted through the openings into the interior space of the seal, while a second portion of the wall comprising the third opening is received in the passageway so that the pipe can be inserted into the interior space of the seal via the third opening. The pipe is sealed in fluid communication with the pre-combustion chamber via an inlet in the chamber body by sealing regions of the seal.