Integrated Lubricant Filter Housing With Built-In Cooling Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant filter housings for internal combustion engines face challenges with space constraints, increased assembly costs, and parasitic power losses due to separate cooling assemblies for lubricant coolers, which complicate packaging and increase parasitic power losses.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant filter housing design that integrates a filter element housing and lubricant cooling features within a single unit, utilizing a plurality of plates to define separate fluid channels for lubricant and coolant, allowing for efficient cooling of the lubricant while reducing the number of parts and plumbing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cooling assemblies are mounted on or near the filter housing, then lubricant cooling function is provided, but space requirements increase and packaging is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter housing and cooling assembly into a single integrated unit. The cooling plates are positioned within the filter housing, with coolant flow channels formed between the plates. The lubricant flows through the filter element while the coolant flows through the channels between plates, enabling simultaneous filtration and cooling functions in one compact assembly, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining effective lubricant cooling.
2Temperature
If separate cooling assemblies are mounted on or near the filter housing, then lubricant cooling function is provided, but assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of cooling plates within the filter housing eliminates the need for separate cooling assemblies and their associated mounting hardware. The cooling plates are positioned between the filter element and the housing base, with coolant inlet and outlet ports integrated into the housing structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while providing effective lubricant cooling.
3Temperature
If separate cooling assemblies are used, then lubricant cooling is achieved, but parasitic power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design allows the lubricant to be cooled immediately after filtration without requiring separate cooling loops or additional pumping power. The coolant flow channels are positioned to maximize heat exchange efficiency between the coolant and lubricant. This integration reduces the total flow path length and minimizes pressure drops, thereby reducing parasitic power losses associated with lubricant circulation while maintaining effective cooling.
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 integrated design reduces space requirements, assembly time, manufacturing costs, and parasitic power losses by providing a more efficient cooling path for the lubricant, improving packaging and service intervals.
Implementation Method 1
a second set of fluid channels structured to communicate a coolant around the first set of fluid channels so as to cool the lubricant flowing therewithin
Data Source
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AI summary
A lubricant filter housing comprises a top plate defining a first opening. A base plate is positioned opposite the top plate. The lubricant filter housing further comprises at least one sidewall which cooperatively with the top plate and the base plate defines an internal volume. A plurality of plates are axially positioned in the internal volume between the top plate and the base plate. Each plate defines a plate opening axially aligned with the first opening which cooperatively with the first opening and a portion of the base plate, defines an internal cavity for housing a filter element. The plates define a first set of fluid channels structured to deliver a lubricant to the internal cavity, and a second set of fluid channels structured to provide a coolant around the first set of fluid channels.