Pre-Chamber Tip Seal Assemblies for Coolant Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional natural gas engines experience leakage of liquid coolant into the fuel stream due to compromised seals between the pre-chamber body and tip, leading to frequent replacement of pre-chamber assembly parts.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of seal assemblies that include a combination of hard seals and elastomeric seals, with the elastomeric seals positioned on both sides of the hard sealing surfaces, and a fuel discharge passage drilled at an angle to enhance sealing and prevent coolant intrusion, along with cooling fins and thermal transfer materials to manage heat and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional seals are used between pre-chamber body and tip, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seals are compromised over time due to heat, resulting in coolant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing durabilityVSAvoidseal assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a hard seal (copper or composite material) for structural sealing, elastomeric seals (O-rings or gaskets) for flexible sealing, and cooling fins for thermal management. Each component addresses specific aspects of the sealing problem under high temperature and pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite sealing structures combining hard seal materials (copper or composite) with elastomeric materials. The hard seal provides structural integrity and heat resistance, while the elastomeric seals provide flexible sealing that compensates for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, creating a composite sealing system that withstands high temperatures and pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the pre-chamber assembly operates under high temperature and pressure conditions, then the engine performance is maintained, but the seals are compromised over time leading to frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-chamber assembly lifespanVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses parameter changes by incorporating cooling fins that actively manage temperature parameters at the seal location. The cooling fins dissipate heat away from the seal assembly, maintaining lower temperatures that prevent elastomeric degradation and hard seal expansion, thereby preserving seal integrity under high temperature operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric seals are positioned to provide beforehand cushioning against thermal expansion and pressure variations. The elastomeric materials are selected to maintain flexibility at operating temperatures, providing a cushioning effect that compensates for dimensional changes in the hard seal and mating surfaces, preventing leakage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of energy

If coolant leakage is prevented through improved sealing, then combustion efficiency is maintained, but the seal assembly complexity increases with multiple seal types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant lossVSAvoidseal assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated seal assembly that attaches to the pre-chamber tip. The hard seal and elastomeric seals are combined in a unified structure that simultaneously provides structural sealing and flexible sealing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and simplifying installation while preventing coolant leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 seal assemblies provide a durable, fluid-tight seal that withstands high pressures and temperatures, reducing coolant leakage and extending the lifespan of pre-chamber assembly components by maintaining effective sealing even under operational conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastomeric seal between the seal covering area of the pre-chamber tip and the pre-chamber body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

cooling fins and thermal transfer materials to manage heat and pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9631579B1Seal assemblies and methods for removable precombustion chamber tip

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 POWERS CHARLES S

AI summary

Seal assemblies for a pre-chamber assembly include a pre-chamber body having an outer chamber surface; a pre-chamber tip; a seal covering area carried by the pre-chamber tip; at least one hard seal between the seal covering area of the pre-chamber tip and the pre-chamber body; at least one elastomeric seal between the seal covering area of the pre-chamber tip and the pre-chamber body; a fuel inlet passage in the pre-chamber body; a fuel discharge passage disposed in fluid communication with the fuel inlet passage; and a drill passage in the pre-chamber body adjacent to the seal covering area and aligned with the fuel discharge passage, the drill passage and the fuel discharge passage disposed at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the outer chamber surface of the pre-chamber body.