Piston Ring Assembly for Condensation Fluid Removal in Engines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of residual water in internal combustion engines, resulting from the combustion of fuels like natural gas and hydrogen, leads to increased wear and potential damage, as this water can interfere with the engine's operation.
Innovation Solution
The internal combustion engine incorporates a second scraper ring, a condensation fluid scraper ring, which is arranged between the piston and the cylinder wall to scrape off condensation fluid formed on the cylinder wall, preventing it from mixing with lubricating oil and ensuring its removal from the combustion chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single oil scraper ring is used to scrape lubricating oil from the cylinder wall, then the lubricating oil can be collected and reused, but the condensation fluid accumulates and mixes with the lubricating oil causing wear and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil scraper ring is divided into two separate scraper rings: a first scraper ring for collecting lubricating oil and a second scraper ring for removing condensation fluid. This segmentation allows each ring to perform its specific function independently, preventing mixing of condensation fluid with lubricating oil and eliminating the harmful effects of water accumulation in the engine
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful condensation fluid is extracted from the system by introducing a second scraper ring specifically dedicated to removing water/condensation from the cylinder wall. This extracted condensation fluid is then channeled separately through a condensation fluid drain channel, preventing it from mixing with the lubricating oil and causing engine damage
2Temperature
If the cylinder wall is kept cold to prevent overheating, then thermal damage is reduced, but water vapour condenses on the cylinder wall forming harmful liquid water
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation fluid that forms on the cylinder wall due to combustion water vapour is not simply discarded as waste, but is actively removed by the second scraper ring and channeled through a dedicated drain. This converts the harmful condensation into a controlled removal process, preventing water accumulation and mixing with lubricating oil while maintaining the thermal benefits of a cooler cylinder wall
Solution Approach 2:
The second scraper ring acts as an intermediary between the cold cylinder wall and the combustion chamber, actively removing the harmful condensation fluid that forms on the cylinder surface. This intermediary component allows the cylinder wall to remain cool for thermal protection while preventing the accumulation and harmful effects of condensed water
3Device complexity
If residual water from combustion is allowed to remain in the combustion chamber, then the combustion process is simplified, but increased wear and potential damage occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The piston ring assembly is segmented into multiple specialized rings including compression rings, an oil scraper ring, and a condensation fluid scraper ring. This segmentation allows for targeted removal of different substances (oil and condensation fluid) from the cylinder wall, maintaining engine durability while managing the complexity through functional specialization
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper rings are designed to automatically remove condensation fluid and lubricating oil from the cylinder wall during normal engine operation. The condensation fluid is self-channeled through the piston structure to a dedicated drain channel, creating a self-service system that continuously protects the engine from water accumulation without requiring external intervention
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 effectively prevents the accumulation of condensation fluid in the combustion chamber, reducing wear on the engine and preventing damage, while maintaining the separation of lubricating oil and condensation fluid.
Implementation Method 1
a further portion of this water vapour comes into contact with the cylinder wall of the cylinder. In particular when this cylinder wall is still relatively cold when the internal combustion engine has only just been started and has not warmed up yet. On this relatively cold cylinder wall, the water vapour condensates to form a film of liquid water extending over a surface of the cylinder wall
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder defining a combustion chamber enclosed by a cylinder wall, a piston that is arranged inside the combustion chamber and moveable in a reciprocating motion away from and towards a crankshaft, and at least one first scraper ring defining an oil scraper ring that is arranged between the piston and the cylinder wall and configured to scrape oil off from the cylinder wall when the piston moves towards the crankshaft. The internal combustion engine further includes at least one second scraper ring defining a condensation fluid scraper ring that is arranged between the piston and the cylinder wall and configured to scrape a condensation fluid off from the cylinder wall when the piston moves away from the crankshaft.