Intake Manifold Heat Exchanger With Offset Double-Seal Leakage Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake manifold designs with integrated heat exchangers face challenges in maintaining both airtight and liquid-tight seals, particularly at the connecting pieces, where a failure in one seal can compromise the other, leading to potential leaks and inefficiencies in heat transfer and air circulation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates separate and offset liquid-tight and airtight seals for each connecting piece, with the liquid-tight seal positioned externally to the airtight seal, and a leak path configured to direct any liquid leaks away from the airtight seal, ensuring that a failure in one seal does not compromise the other, and utilizing O-rings or similar sealing means for effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double seal (liquid-tight and airtight) is implemented at the connecting pieces, then fluid-tightness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two distinct sealing means: a first sealing means (liquid-tight seal) and a second sealing means (airtight seal). Each sealing means is positioned at different locations along the connecting piece, with the first sealing means closer to the external environment and the second sealing means closer to the interior volume. This segmentation allows each seal to independently perform its specific function without interfering with the other, thereby improving fluid-tightness while managing complexity through functional division.
2Temperature
If the liquid-tight seal is positioned internally, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but risk of liquid infiltration into the manifold increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first sealing means (liquid-tight seal) is positioned to preemptively block liquid from reaching the second sealing means (airtight seal). By placing the liquid-tight seal closer to the external environment and the liquid circuit, it creates a preliminary barrier that prevents liquid infiltration before it can compromise the airtight seal or enter the manifold interior, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining heat transfer efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connecting pieces pass through the manifold wall, then integration is improved, but seal management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two distinct sealing means positioned at different locations along the connecting piece. The first sealing means addresses liquid-tightness where the connecting piece interfaces with the liquid circuit, while the second sealing means addresses airtightness where the connecting piece interfaces with the manifold interior. This segmentation simplifies seal management by assigning specific sealing functions to specific locations, making the system more manageable despite the connecting pieces passing through the manifold wall.
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 ensures a reliable double seal between the connecting pieces and external components, preventing liquid infiltration into the manifold and maintaining air circulation benefits, while allowing for efficient heat transfer and air flow without compromising the airtight seal.
Implementation Method 1
an air intake manifold comprising a heat exchanger that is entirely integrated into its body
Implementation Method 2
utilizing O-rings or similar sealing means for effective sealing
Implementation Method 3
a leak path configured to direct any liquid leaks away from the airtight seal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air intake manifold including a heat exchanger built into its body and including at least two ducts for supplying and removing heat-exchange liquid, the ducts extending through the wall of the body of the manifold with a liquid-tight seal and an airtight seal, which are distinct and mutually offset along the longitudinal axis of the relevant duct being created on each of the ducts. The unit creating the liquid tight seal is arranged between the relevant duct and a circulation pipe connected to the free end of the duct. The unit creating the airtight seal is positioned between the relevant duct and the body of the distributor. A leakage path associated with the liquid-tight seal is created between the latter and the airtight seal.