Cylinder Head Gasket Membrane for Coolant Degassing Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cylinder head gaskets with degassing openings in internal combustion engines suffer from coolant leaks, which disrupt coolant circulation and prevent optimal temperature control between the cylinder block and cylinder head, especially in split cooling systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder head gasket with a membrane that has a porosity greater than the plates, allowing gas passage while preventing liquid passage through the degassing openings, ensuring the membrane is waterproof and breathable, and is fixed around the degassing opening to prevent coolant circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If two distinct cooling branches are used to cool cylinder block and cylinder head separately, then temperature control is improved, but coolant leaks through degassing openings cause the two branches to communicate preventing temperature differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
The porous membrane with controlled pore sizes (0.01 to 10 micrometers) physically separates the two cooling branches while allowing air evacuation. The pore size is specifically selected to be smaller than coolant droplets but larger than air molecules, maintaining branch separation and preventing temperature equalization while enabling gas passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the two cooling branches and the degassing system. It mediates the conflicting requirements of branch separation and air evacuation, allowing the system to maintain distinct temperature zones while still permitting gas escape from the cooling circuit.
2Device complexity
If conventional degassing openings without membrane are used, then air evacuation is simple, but coolant circulation is disrupted due to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex mechanical valves or multi-component systems, the patent uses a simple porous membrane that inherently provides both air evacuation and coolant sealing functions. The membrane's pore structure naturally filters air bubbles while blocking coolant, achieving reliable coolant circulation with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous membrane performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a seal, a filter, and a structural component. The membrane's inherent properties (porosity, hydrophobicity, mechanical strength) enable it to self-regulate air and coolant passage without external control systems, maintaining coolant circulation integrity automatically.
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 prevents coolant leaks through degassing openings, ensuring proper coolant circulation and temperature control between the cylinder block and cylinder head, enhancing engine cooling efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the porosity of which is strictly greater than the porosity of said at least one plate
Implementation Method 2
the porosity of the membrane allows the passage of fluids in the gas phase but it prevents the passage of fluids in the liquid phase through said degassing opening
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cylinder head gasket intended for being inserted between a cylinder casing and a cylinder head of an engine block which is provided with a coolant circulation circuit, including at least one plate (10, 11, 12) crossed by: at least one wide opening, suitable for being aligned with a cylinder bore of a cylinder casing; and at least one small opening, referred to as degassing opening (21), suitable for being aligned with a degassing pipe of said circulation circuit. According to the invention, the cylinder head gasket includes a membrane (30) which seals said degassing opening, with a porosity strictly higher than the porosity of said at least one plate.