Passive Diverter Fitting for Engine Cooling Flow Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine cooling systems face inefficiencies and space constraints due to the need for large external coolers, such as shell and tube style transmission and brake coolers, which are too large to fit directly on the engine, leading to suboptimal coolant distribution and potential over-cooling or power wastage.
Innovation Solution
A passive diverter fitting that splits coolant flow within the engine block, allowing a portion to bypass the external cooler and directly enter the engine block's coolant passage, thereby controlling the amount of coolant sent to the external cooler and optimizing coolant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If shell and tube style coolers are used for engine accessories, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but the coolers are too large to fit on the engine and must be located elsewhere in the machine chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple pathways: a first pathway through the external cooler for auxiliary cooling, and a second pathway through the engine block's coolant passages for engine cooling. The diverter fitting divides the coolant flow between these two pathways, allowing the external cooler to be smaller while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity for accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
A diverter fitting is introduced as an intermediary component that controls the distribution of coolant between the external cooler and the engine block. This mediator allows precise control over coolant allocation, enabling the external cooler to be optimized for accessory cooling while the engine block handles engine cooling, thus reducing the overall cooler size requirement.
2Temperature
If excessive coolant flow is used through external coolers, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but pressure restrictions on the pump increase and power is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing all coolant through the external cooler, the system uses partial action by directing only the necessary portion of coolant through the external cooler pathway via the diverter fitting. This optimizes cooling capacity for accessories while avoiding excessive coolant flow that would cause pump pressure restrictions and energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter fitting changes the flow distribution parameter by providing a controlled split between the external cooler pathway and the engine block pathway. This parameter adjustment ensures that coolant flow is optimized for the actual cooling needs of accessories, preventing both over-cooling and associated energy losses.
3Temperature
If all coolant is routed through external coolers, then accessory cooling is sufficient, but engine cooling may be compromised and overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate pathways: one through the external cooler for accessory cooling and another through the engine block for engine cooling. The diverter fitting manages the split between these pathways, ensuring both accessory cooling and engine cooling receive appropriate coolant flow, thereby maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cooling system are assigned different functions: the external cooler pathway is optimized for accessory cooling, while the engine block pathway is optimized for engine cooling. The diverter fitting provides local control over coolant distribution, ensuring each component receives the appropriate cooling based on its specific thermal needs.
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 reduces the need for excessive coolant flow through external coolers, preventing over-cooling, minimizing pressure restrictions on the pump, and conserving power by allowing only necessary coolant to be used, while also being modular for adaptability and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
Coolant received in the interior cavity of the passive diverter fitting via the inlet opening is split, such that a first portion of the coolant moves through the outlet opening and a second portion of the coolant moves through the bypass opening
Implementation Method 2
The coolant then moves through a radiator such that the coolant loses the heat to the atmosphere before moving back through the engine block
Implementation Method 3
the coolant captures the heat from the engine to cool the engine
Data Source
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AI summary
A passive diverter fitting (108) for a cooling system (100) of an engine (102) includes a base (320) defining an interior cavity (322), an inlet opening (224) extending through the base that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, an outlet opening (226) that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, and a bypass opening (228) that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The base is configured to be removably disposed in a cavity of an engine block (238). The inlet opening is positioned to receive coolant when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The outlet opening is in fluid communication with the area exterior to the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The bypass opening is in fluid communication with an interior coolant passage (240) of the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block.