Engine Piston Cooling Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the supply of cooling fluid to internal combustion engine pistons are inefficient in reducing fluid consumption, particularly at varying engine speeds, leading to increased fluid usage and potential waste.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a single-direction valve controlled by pressure, combined with an electrically controlled solenoid valve, allows for precise regulation of fluid supply, ensuring the valve closes regardless of pressure levels, thereby simplifying interruption of fluid supply and reducing consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a pressure-controlled valve is used to supply cooling fluid to jets, then fluid consumption is reduced compared to permanent supply, but the valve cannot close at all pressure levels and fluid supply interruption is complex
Solution Approach 1:
A control line is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the main fluid supply to the second face of the closure member. This control line allows pressure to be transmitted selectively to the closure member's second face, enabling precise control of valve opening and closing actions. The control line acts as a mediator that decouples the direct relationship between main supply pressure and valve operation, allowing the valve to respond to controlled pressure signals rather than raw supply pressure alone.
2Loss of substance
If a spring-loaded piston valve is used, then the valve opens at high engine speed when cooling fluid pressure exceeds threshold, but the valve can only close by reducing pressure below threshold and cannot be actively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The passive spring-loaded piston mechanism is enhanced by introducing an electrically controllable solenoid valve that replaces pure mechanical pressure control with electromechanical control. The solenoid valve can actively open or close the fluid passage based on electrical signals, transforming the system from purely pressure-reactive to electrically controllable. This substitution enables the valve to respond to engine operating conditions through electronic control rather than relying solely on pressure thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system transitions from a static pressure-threshold response to a dynamic, multi-state control system. The closure member can now be positioned in different states (open, closed, or partially open) based on combined signals from the spring mechanism and solenoid valve. This dynamic control allows the valve to adapt continuously to varying engine conditions rather than switching at fixed pressure points.
3Reliability
If cooling fluid is supplied continuously to jets, then piston cooling is ensured at all times, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid supply is transformed from continuous to periodic or conditional delivery. The valve system opens the fluid passage only when engine conditions require cooling (high speed, high load) and closes it when conditions permit reduction. This periodic action pattern matches the actual thermal demands of the engine, delivering cooling fluid in targeted intervals rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall consumption while maintaining reliability when needed.
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 enables efficient fluid management, allowing for continuous piston cooling even in failure scenarios, with reduced fluid consumption and adaptable design for various configurations, resulting in lower operational costs and improved engine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve able to allow said fluid under pressure to be injected so as to cause the valve to close
Implementation Method 2
an elastic means of return movement supported on a second face of the closure member
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cooling internal combustion engine pistons comprising an oil pump driven by the engine, jets projecting oil on the pistons, and a control device (2) interposed between the oil pump and the jets, where the control device comprises a valve (14) positioned between an oil inlet pipe (8) connected to the pressurised oil pump and a jet supply pipe (10), where said valve allows the oil to flow out from the pump to the jets when the oil pressure is at least equal to a threshold pressure, and where the device also comprises a solenoid valve (22) capable of causing the valve (14) to close by permitting the pressurised oil to be brought into contact with the closure member (16), in a direction of closure of the valve (14).