Locomotive Oil Separator Splash Shield Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oil separators in locomotive diesel engines are inefficient due to saturation from heavy particle oil droplets splashed from cam shaft drive gears, leading to increased particulate matter emissions into the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A heavy particle oil separator splash shield is positioned between the cam shaft drive gears and the oil separator to deflect and prevent heavy oil droplets from entering the oil separator, maintaining its efficiency and reducing environmental pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cam shaft drive gears are lubricated through oil passages in close proximity to the oil separator, then proper lubrication is achieved, but heavy particle oil droplets are splashed into the oil separator causing saturation and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a baffle plate that segments the crankcase interior into distinct zones: a lubrication zone where oil is splashed onto cam shaft drive gears, and a clean zone where the oil separator operates. This physical segmentation prevents oil droplets from the lubrication zone from contaminating the oil separator, resolving the contradiction between maintaining effective lubrication and preserving oil separator efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle plate acts as an intermediary barrier between the oil splash zone and the oil separator. It intercepts and redirects heavy particle oil droplets away from the separator inlet, allowing the oil separator to process only vapor-phase contaminants while the baffle handles the liquid oil droplets, thus maintaining separator efficiency without compromising lubrication
2Quantity of substance
If the oil separator element is exposed to heavy particle oil droplets from gear lubrication, then comprehensive oil collection is achieved, but the element becomes saturated and particulate matter emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle plate segments the oil separation process into two pathways: heavy particle oil droplets are deflected by the baffle and return to the crankcase for reuse, while only vapor-phase oil and fine particulate matter proceed to the oil separator element for filtration. This segmentation prevents element saturation from heavy droplets while maintaining emission control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heavy particle oil droplet removal function from the oil separator element by introducing the baffle plate as a separate mechanical separation device. This extraction allows the element to focus solely on vapor-phase filtration, preventing saturation from heavy droplets while maintaining comprehensive oil collection through the combined baffle-element system
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 splash shield effectively minimizes the saturation of the oil separator, enhancing its efficiency and reducing exhaust particulate emissions by preventing heavy oil droplets from contaminating the oil separator element, thereby reducing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
A heavy particle oil separator splash shield is positioned between the cam shaft drive gears and the oil separator to deflect and prevent heavy oil droplets from entering the oil separator
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a locomotive diesel engine and, more particularly, to a heavy particle oil separator splash shield. Specifically, provided is a system and method for reducing exhaust particulate emissions. The present shield prevents large oil droplets in close proximity to the oil separator from easily entering the element, thus preventing less saturation of the oil separator and increasing the efficiency of the oil separator. As a result, environmental pollution is reduced.