Engine Intake Sump Heat Source Vaporizes Condensate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Engine intake systems face challenges in managing condensate accumulation, which can lead to water slugging due to condensation during high humidity conditions or from combustion by-products, affecting air flow and engine performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a false floor in the inlet manifold to define a plenum separated from a sump with a heat source, where the sump vaporizes condensate to prevent liquid accumulation, directing steam into the plenum and shielding the heat source from air flow to maintain efficient air intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sump is provided in the inlet manifold to collect condensate, then condensate accumulation is managed, but water slugging may occur due to condensation during high humidity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by introducing a heat source in the sump to vaporize liquid condensate into steam. The heating element raises the temperature of the condensate, causing it to change from liquid to gas phase, thereby preventing water slugging while maintaining condensate collection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of condensate accumulation into a beneficial process by using the heat source to vaporize the condensate. The steam generated is then directed into the plenum where it mixes with the air stream, transforming the problematic liquid condensate into a harmless or even beneficial vapor phase substance.
2Reliability
If a heat source is added to the sump to vaporize condensate, then water slugging is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the sump to serve multiple purposes: it collects condensate, houses the heat source for vaporization, and directs the resulting steam into the plenum. This integrated design reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable prevention of water slugging.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heat source is exposed to air flow, then heating efficiency increases, but air intake efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating a physical separation between the heat source and the main air flow path. The false floor structure divides the inlet manifold into distinct regions, allowing the heat source to be positioned in a location where it can effectively vaporize condensate without being directly exposed to the primary air stream, thus balancing heating efficiency with air intake efficiency.
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 configuration prevents condensate slugging, ensuring continuous air flow and efficient engine operation by vaporizing condensate and channeling steam away from the air intake, thus enhancing engine performance under various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sump vaporizes condensate to prevent liquid accumulation
Implementation Method 2
A false floor may direct condensate into the sump
Data Source
AI summary
A number of variations may include a product including an intake system to provide air to an engine, the intake system including an inlet manifold to provide an air flow pathway to an inlet port; wherein the inlet manifold includes a false floor at least partially defining a plenum, the plenum at least partially separated from a sump, the sump at least partially defined in a lower portion of the inlet manifold; and wherein the sump includes a heat source.