Oil Mist Separator With Movable Impact Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil mist separators for crankcase ventilation in internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining efficient separation while minimizing pressure loss, especially at varying flow rates.

Innovation Solution

The oil mist separator incorporates a control protrusion that adjusts the flow cross-section of the nozzle aperture in response to flow rate changes, maintaining constant flow velocity and reducing pressure loss by increasing the distance between the nozzle and impact surfaces as flow rate increases, using a pretension force and biasing elements to control the movement of the impact surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the distance between the nozzle plate and impact surface is reduced to improve separation efficiency, then oil particle separation efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The impact surface is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the nozzle plate based on flow rate. At high flow rates, the impact surface moves closer to maintain separation efficiency while minimizing pressure loss. At low flow rates, it moves away to reduce unnecessary pressure drop across the separator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The distance parameter between the nozzle plate and impact surface is changed dynamically based on operating conditions. The system transitions from a fixed geometric configuration to a variable one where the spacing adapts to flow rate, optimizing both separation efficiency and pressure loss characteristics across different operating ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the flow cross-section of the nozzle aperture is reduced to maintain constant flow velocity, then flow velocity remains constant, but pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow velocityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flow cross-section of the nozzle aperture is made dynamically adjustable through the control protrusion mechanism. As flow rate increases, the control protrusion reduces the effective flow cross-section to maintain constant flow velocity through the nozzle, preventing excessive pressure loss while ensuring proper separation conditions are maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the impact surface is moved away from the nozzle plate to reduce pressure loss, then pressure loss is reduced, but separation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impact surface position is dynamically adjusted based on flow rate conditions. At high flow rates where pressure loss is the primary concern, the impact surface moves away from the nozzle plate. At low flow rates where separation efficiency is more critical, the impact surface moves closer to the nozzle plate, ensuring optimal separation performance across all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for efficient oil mist separation across a wide range of flow rates with reduced pressure loss, ensuring consistent flow velocity and minimizing pressure drop, thereby enhancing the separator's performance under different engine conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a flow of the gaseous fluid through at least one aperture... can be moved away from the at least one nozzle plate in an opening direction against a pretension force by influence and dependent on a flow of the gaseous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

control protrusion for controlling a flow cross-section of at least one valve aperture is attached to at least one impact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow rate control:

Implementation Method 3

at least one impact surface, which is arranged downstream of the nozzle plate relating to the flow of the gaseous fluid... for separating oil particles from a gaseous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial impact: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3161283B1Oil mist separator for a crankcase ventilation and device for a crankcase ventilation
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3161283B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3161283B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3161283B1 patent drawingFigure 4~9

AI summary

The present invention relates to an oil mist separator (10), in particular of a device for a crankcase ventilation (11), in particular of an internal combustion engine (13), in particular of a motor vehicle, for separating oil particles from a gaseous fluid, in particular blow-by gas, and a device for crankcase ventilation (11). The oil mist separator (10) has at least one nozzle plate (24). The at least one nozzle plate (24) is arranged in a flow way of the gaseous fluid. The nozzle plate (24) has at least one aperture (26; 126) for the gaseous fluid. The oil mist separator (10) further has at least one impact surface (32; 132). The at least one impact surface (32; 132) is arranged downstream of the nozzle plate (24) relating to the flow of the gaseous fluid. The at least one impact surface (32; 132) can be moved away from the at least one nozzle plate (24) in an opening direction (36) against a pretension force by influence and dependent on a flow of the gaseous fluid through the at least one aperture (26; 126). At least one aperture is formed as a nozzle aperture (26) and at least one control protrusion (42; 142) for controlling the flow cross-section of at least one aperture (26; 126) is attached to at least one impact surface (32).