Active Piston Cooling Nozzle Flow Control for Engine Warm-Up
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles in internal combustion engines leads to inefficient cooling, increased oil consumption, and delayed engine warm-up, as cooling fluid is diverted when not needed or during higher priority usage.
Innovation Solution
An actively controlled fluid flow control device is integrated into the piston cooling system, which connects the reservoir to the piston cooling nozzle and includes an electronically controllable valve. This valve opens and closes in response to engine operating conditions, ensuring fluid is only supplied when needed and prioritized for higher usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles is used, then cooling fluid is supplied during high engine speeds, but cooling fluid is diverted during low engine speeds causing increased oil consumption and delayed engine warm-up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from passive to active control of the fluid flow system. The electronically controllable valve dynamically adjusts fluid flow based on real-time engine operating conditions, enabling the system to adapt its behavior to match actual cooling needs rather than relying on fixed passive control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from engine speed-only (passive) to multiple engine operating parameters including load, temperature, and speed (active). This multi-parameter control approach allows more precise determination of when cooling is actually needed, preventing unnecessary fluid diversion during conditions like cold starts or low-load operation.
2Temperature
If passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles is used, then cooling fluid is supplied during high engine speeds, but pumping losses increase due to continuous fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using the electronically controllable valve to intermittently supply cooling fluid only during periods when cooling is actually required. This on-demand periodic supply eliminates continuous fluid circulation, thereby reducing unnecessary pumping losses while maintaining effective cooling when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The active control system provides self-service by automatically determining when cooling is needed based on monitored engine parameters and independently controlling fluid flow accordingly. The system serves its own cooling needs efficiently without wasteful continuous operation, optimizing the balance between cooling provision and energy consumption.
3Temperature
If passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles is used, then cooling fluid is supplied during high engine speeds, but cooling fluid is diverted from higher priority usage such as cam phaser control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control approach from single-parameter (engine speed) to multi-parameter monitoring including engine load, temperature, and operating conditions. This enables the system to recognize and prioritize higher-demand situations such as cam phaser control needs, adapting fluid distribution based on the most critical requirements at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The active control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor engine operating parameters and use this information to make real-time decisions about fluid distribution. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to changing conditions and prioritize fluid flow to components with the highest immediate needs, improving overall system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to piston cooling nozzles with a fluid flow control device. The fluid flow control device includes a valve that is electronically controlled to open or close a piston cooling nozzle rifle to one or more piston cooling nozzles based on one or more engine operating parameters.