Modular Starting Air Pipe Element for Standardized Engine Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of large internal combustion engines, such as ship engines, requires engine-specific piping arrangements for starting air systems due to varying cylinder configurations and distances, leading to a large number of different components needed for different engines.
Innovation Solution
A modular pipe element with integrated control air conduits and a connecting element that allows for concentric connection of pipe elements, enabling the same components to be used across different engines, with a central conduit for pressurized air and transfer/conducting conduits for control air, facilitating a standardized starting air system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If engine-specific piping arrangements are used for different cylinder configurations and distances, then the starting air system can be properly adapted to each engine type, but the number of different components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe element is designed as a universal component that can be used across different engine types and configurations. The standardized design with consistent conduit arrangements allows the same pipe element to serve multiple engine variants, eliminating the need for engine-specific custom piping and thereby reducing the total number of different components required
Solution Approach 2:
The starting air system is divided into modular pipe elements that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows standardized modules to be combined to meet various engine requirements without requiring custom components for each engine type
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different components are used for different engine types, then each engine can have optimized piping, but the manufacturing and inventory complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized pipe element design serves multiple engine types, allowing manufacturers to produce one component design in volume rather than many different designs in small batches. This universality simplifies manufacturing processes, reduces tooling requirements, and lowers inventory complexity while still meeting the needs of different engine configurations through modular assembly
3Device complexity
If standardized pipe elements are used across different engines, then the number of components is reduced, but adaptation to specific cylinder distances and configurations must be achieved through arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented, modular pipe elements that can be arranged in different sequences and configurations to match specific engine layouts. By dividing the piping into standardized segments, the system achieves adaptability through arrangement rather than through custom-designed components, thereby reducing the total number of different part types while maintaining configuration flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
The pipe element (15) for a starting air system (1) of a piston engine (20) comprises a longitudinal central conduit (14) for conveying pressurized air, the central conduit (14) comprising a branch (14a) for connecting cylindrical outer surface of the pipe element (15) to the central conduit (14), a group of longitudinal transfer conduits (12.1, 12.2, 2.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 12.10) for control air, all the transfer conduits having the same diameter and being arranged at the same radial distance from the outer surface of the pipe element (15), and a longitudinal connecting conduit (12.11) for control air, the connecting conduit (12.11) comprising a branch (12.11a) for connecting cylindrical outer surface of the pipe element (15) to the connecting conduit (12.11).