Mechanical Valve Pressurizes Cooling Circuit to Prevent Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern cooling circuits of internal combustion engines face cavitation issues due to pressure drops, leading to rapid corrosion and engine damage, which existing solutions attempt to address by introducing air or using servo-assisted valves and pressure sensors, but these methods are inefficient and require complex control systems.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical valve system taps compressed air from the braking or suspension circuit to pressurize the cooling circuit, using a mechanical regulating valve and an air expansion reservoir to modulate pressure without servo assistance or pressure sensors, ensuring controlled air introduction into the expansion tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors and servo control units are used to pressurize the cooling circuit, then the pressure control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical valve automatically regulates cooling circuit pressure using spring force and calibrated orifices without requiring external sensors or control units. The valve self-adjusts based on pressure differential across the membrane, eliminating the need for electronic control systems while maintaining precise pressure control through mechanical design parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic pressure sensors and servo control units with a purely mechanical valve system. The mechanical valve uses spring force, membrane deflection, and calibrated orifices to achieve pressure regulation that previously required electronic measurement and control systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision.
2Use of energy by moving object
If compressed air from braking circuit is used to pressurize cooling circuit, then the use of energy is improved, but the pressure stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical valve acts as an intermediary between the compressed air source and the cooling circuit. It regulates the flow of compressed air through calibrated orifices and uses spring force to maintain stable pressure in the cooling circuit, preventing direct transmission of pressure fluctuations from the braking air tank while still utilizing the stored compressed air energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical valve changes the flow parameters of compressed air through calibrated orifices of specific dimensions. By controlling the orifice size and spring force, the system transforms the high-pressure, fluctuating compressed air from the braking circuit into stable, regulated pressure suitable for the cooling circuit, maintaining pressure stability while utilizing the energy source.
3Device complexity
If mechanical valve is used without servo assistance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical valve achieves precise pressure control by carefully selecting and calibrating physical parameters such as spring force, orifice dimensions, and membrane properties. These parameters are designed to provide accurate pressure regulation at the target setpoint without requiring electronic sensors or servo mechanisms, maintaining control precision through optimized mechanical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve automatically maintains precise pressure control through its mechanical design. The spring force and calibrated orifices create a self-regulating system that precisely controls pressure without external intervention, achieving accurate pressure maintenance at the target setpoint while eliminating the need for electronic control systems.
4Reliability
If air is introduced into the cooling circuit to increase pressure, then the cavitation resistance is improved, but the pressure control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical valve automatically introduces compressed air into the cooling circuit when pressure drops below the target setpoint and stops introducing air when the setpoint is reached. This self-regulating mechanism prevents cavitation by maintaining adequate pressure without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or electronic intervention, thereby improving reliability while minimizing control complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents cavitation by maintaining optimal pressure in the cooling circuit, reducing corrosion and engine damage, while eliminating the need for complex control units and pressure sensors, thus enhancing operational reliability and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
A mechanical valve modulates a flow of compressed air coming from a braking circuit of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The system comprises a mechanical valve which modulates a flow of compressed air coming from a braking circuit of the vehicle and an air expansion reservoir which stores the compressed air tapped from the braking circuit
Implementation Method 3
A mechanical valve system taps compressed air from the braking or suspension circuit to pressurize the cooling circuit, using a mechanical regulating valve and an air expansion reservoir to modulate pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
System for pressurizing a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine for industrial vehicles equipped with a compressed air tank (18) with relative pressure comprised between 9 and 13 bar, the cooling circuit comprising an expansion tank (12) partially filled with air in an upper part and partially filled with liquid in a lower part, the system comprising a pneumatic connection (10b) between said compressed air tank and said upper part of the expansion tank (12), wherein said pneumatic connection comprises one single regulating valve (10) of the mechanical type.