Multi-Walled Exhaust Pipe Segments with Independent Coolant Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust pipes for internal combustion engines face issues with coolant leakage due to potential seal failures at connection points, which can lead to uncontrolled coolant flow and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

The design features multiple-walled line segments with separate closed coolant circuits for each segment, eliminating the need for seal transitions between segments and integrating coolant inlets and outlets into a single connection point, thereby reducing the risk of leakage and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple line segments are connected with seals at overlapping areas, then the exhaust line can be assembled in sections, but seal failures occur leading to coolant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular assemblyVSAvoidcoolant sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust line is divided into multiple line segments that can be assembled separately, but each segment has its own independent coolant circuit. This allows modular assembly while eliminating the need for seals at connection points between segments, thus preventing coolant leakage while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If seals are arranged at connection points of line segments, then coolant flow between segments can be controlled, but wear leads to significant coolant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant flow controlVSAvoidseal service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The seals are completely removed from the system by designing independent coolant circuits in each line segment. The coolant flow control function is achieved through the segment design itself rather than through seals at connection points, eliminating wear-related failures while maintaining coolant flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If each line segment has its own closed coolant circuit, then coolant leakage is prevented, but the number of connection points to the cooling system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant leakage preventionVSAvoidnumber of connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coolant connections (inlets and outlets) are merged into a single integrated connection point on each line segment. This reduces the number of separate connections to the cooling system while maintaining independent closed coolant circuits in each segment, thus preventing leakage without significantly increasing connection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If coolant inlets and outlets are integrated into a single connection point, then assembly is simplified, but the connection structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single connection point on each line segment serves multiple functions: it provides both coolant inlet and outlet connections, and serves as the mounting interface for attaching the line segment to the exhaust system. This multi-functionality simplifies assembly by reducing the number of separate connection operations needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively prevents coolant leakage and simplifies the assembly process by reducing the number of connections required, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the exhaust system.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature on the outer surface of the exhaust pipe can be reduced to the range of the coolant temperature of the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

coolant flows through a coolant passage running in the line segments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2669485B1Exhaust pipe for a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 MAN ENERGY SOLUTION SE
  • EP2669485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2669485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2669485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Exhaust pipe (10) for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of combustion cylinders, each having an exhaust outlet, comprising: a plurality of pipe segments (20), each of which is multi-walled, so that each defines an exhaust passage (21) and a coolant passage (25) surrounding the exhaust passage, wherein the pipe segments each have an exhaust inlet and are arranged longitudinally in a sealing manner towards each other, so that the exhaust passages of the respective pipe segments are connected to each other and the respective exhaust inlets of the pipe segments are each aligned towards one of the exhaust outlets of the internal combustion engine.To reliably prevent coolant leakage, each of the pipe segments has a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for its coolant passage, and the coolant passages of the respective pipe segments are separated from each other, so that each of the pipe segments has its own closed coolant circuit.