Oil Recovery Device Using Nested Chambers to Prevent Re-Entrainment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil separation devices for internal combustion engines face inefficiencies due to reduced space in engine compartments, leading to re-entrainment of oil droplets by high-speed blow-by gases, resulting in increased engine oil consumption and pollution.

Innovation Solution

A device with a first and second recovery chamber, where the recovered oil is reinjected into the engine's oil circuit upstream of the first chamber, and blow-by gases pass through a volume of oil to retain droplets, using a concave wall and gutter system to prevent re-entrainment, with drain holes for additional oil recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the space dedicated to the engine compartment is reduced to enlarge the passenger compartment, then the passenger compartment space is increased, but the space for the oil separation device is reduced, leading to high gas speed and re-entrainment of oil droplets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger compartment spaceVSAvoidoil separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a first chamber for initial oil separation and a second chamber for further separation of fine droplets. This segmentation allows the device to maintain effective separation functionality even in reduced space, preventing re-entrainment by handling different droplet sizes in separate stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the first chamber, with the gas outlet of the first chamber serving as the gas inlet of the second chamber. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space while ensuring that gas flows through both separation stages sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a single chamber is used for oil separation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the separation efficiency is insufficient, causing oil droplets to be re-entrained by high-speed gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of separation chambersVSAvoidoil separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation device is divided into two distinct chambers: the first chamber handles initial oil separation where larger droplets settle, and the second chamber handles fine droplet separation. This segmentation improves overall separation efficiency without requiring excessive complexity in each individual chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first chamber performs preliminary separation of larger oil droplets before the gas enters the second chamber. This preliminary action reduces the load on the second chamber, allowing it to focus on separating finer droplets that would otherwise be difficult to remove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the first chamber is made larger to improve initial separation, then the first separation efficiency is increased, but the available space for the second chamber is reduced, limiting fine droplet separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirst chamber separation efficiencyVSAvoidsecond chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The second chamber is arranged within the spatial envelope of the first chamber, utilizing the vertical or radial space efficiently. The gas outlet of the first chamber directly connects to the gas inlet of the second chamber, ensuring compact integration while maintaining sufficient volume for fine droplet separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes vertical dimension for chamber arrangement, with the first chamber positioned above or around the second chamber. This dimensional arrangement allows both chambers to have adequate volume for their respective functions while fitting within the constrained engine compartment space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution effectively reduces engine oil consumption and pollution by ensuring most recovered oil is returned to the circuit without re-entrainment, enhancing separation efficiency within a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

passage causing a retention of the drops of oil entrained by the gases in the volume of oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

channel for recovering the oil deposited on said wall, a dividing wall between said recovery channel and the incoming gas flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2260188B1Improved-efficiency device for recovering the oil contained in the combustion gases
Publication Date: 2011.09.28 RENAULT SA
  • EP2260188B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2260188B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2260188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for recovering the oil contained in the combustion gases leaving the engine comprising at least one incoming gases collection port (6), a flow duct (10) for the said incoming gases, an outlet port for the gases at least, a wall (12) closing off the said flow duct (10), a duct (14) for recovering the oil deposited on the said wall (12), a partition separating the said recovery duct (14) from the incoming gases flow duct (10), the flow duct (10) being delimited by a first cylinder (16), the oil recovery duct (14) being delimited by the first cylinder (16) and a second cylinder (18) surrounding the first cylinder (16), the separating partition being formed by the first cylinder (16), the wall (12) forming a closed end of the second cylinder (18).