Engine Lubricant Centrifuge Pump Control for Rotor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with centrifuges experience instability and increased wear due to abrupt changes in lubricant pressure when the centrifuge pump is shut down or started, leading to rotor wobbling and severe vibrations.
Innovation Solution
An open-loop or closed-loop control device is adapted to gradually change the setpoint value for the centrifuge pump during shutdown or startup, allowing for a controlled transition in rotational speed to prevent pressure peaks and maintain rotor stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the centrifuge pump is shut down abruptly, then the shutdown time is reduced, but the lubricant pressure decreases suddenly causing rotor instability and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The control device initiates a gradual reduction of the centrifuge pump's rotational speed before complete shutdown, allowing the rotor to decelerate smoothly and maintain lubrication pressure until the pump is fully stopped, thus preventing rotor instability and bearing wear
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pump's operational parameters during shutdown by gradually changing the setpoint value over time, transitioning the pump from full operation to complete shutdown in a controlled manner rather than an abrupt stop
2Loss of time
If the centrifuge pump is started abruptly, then the startup time is reduced, but pressure peaks occur causing rotor instability and severe vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
Before full operation, the control device gradually increases the centrifuge pump's rotational speed from zero, allowing the rotor to accelerate smoothly and build lubrication pressure progressively, thus avoiding pressure peaks and severe vibrations during startup
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the pump's acceleration during startup by gradually increasing the setpoint value, enabling a smooth transition from stationary to full operational speed while maintaining rotor stability and preventing harmful vibrations
3Speed
If the lubricant volumetric flow is reduced abruptly, then the flow adjustment is faster, but the rotor becomes unstable due to inadequate lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the lubricant volumetric flow by gradually changing the centrifuge pump's setpoint value over time, ensuring the rotor maintains adequate lubrication during flow reduction while still achieving relatively fast adjustment compared to static systems
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 gradual control of the centrifuge pump's setpoint value reduces rotor instability and wear by smoothing the transition between operational and shutdown states, preventing damage and noise associated with abrupt changes in lubricant flow.
Implementation Method 1
at least one centrifuge for separating foreign particles from a lubricant, wherein the at least one centrifuge is so designed that a lubricant volumetric flow directed into the at least one centrifuge produces and/or maintains a rotational movement of the at least one centrifuge
Implementation Method 2
It is also known for the centrifuge to be of a self-lubricated design, that is to say, the lubricant to be centrifuged is also used for lubricating the centrifuge rotor
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes a centrifuge, a centrifuge pump, and a controller. The centrifuge is configured to separate foreign particles from a lubricant, wherein the centrifuge is so designed that a lubricant volumetric flow directed into the centrifuge produces and/or maintains a rotational movement of the centrifuge. The centrifuge pump is configured to produce and/or increase the lubricant volumetric flow directed into the centrifuge. A controller is configured to provide control of the centrifuge pump according to a setpoint value for a kinematic operating parameter and/or for a setting parameter of the centrifuge pump. The controller is configured to gradually change the setpoint value for control of the centrifuge pump upon shutdown or starting of the centrifuge pump.