Crankcase Ventilation System for Rollover Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crankcase ventilation systems for ship and boat engines fail to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber during high inclines or rollover operations, leading to engine damage.

Innovation Solution

A crankcase ventilation system designed with a blow-by separator tank connected to the blow-by separator, featuring a shut-off mechanism and oil return system to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber, and equipped with sensors to detect and respond to high inclinations, ensuring oil is diverted to a collection container if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the engine operates at high inclines or rolls over, then the engine can perform in dynamic conditions, but oil is entrained by the crankcase ventilation and enters the combustion chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine capability to roll over and/or high bankingVSAvoidoil entering combustion chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The crankcase ventilation system is segmented into multiple functional components: a blow-by separator that divides the ventilation stream into gas and oil-containing liquid phases, and a separate oil collection container. This segmentation allows oil to be isolated from the combustion chamber intake path while maintaining engine operation in dynamic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blow-by separator acts as an intermediary device between the crankcase and the combustion chamber intake. It processes the blow-by gases by separating oil droplets from the gas stream before the cleaned gases are recirculated, preventing oil from reaching the combustion chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a blow-by separator is used to separate oil from blowby gases, then oil separation is improved, but during high inclines rollover can occur and oil may still enter the combustion chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation effectivenessVSAvoidoil entry into combustion chamber during rollover
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a vertical dimension to oil separation by incorporating a blow-by separator tank positioned above the separator. During normal operation, the tank collects oil that rises with the blow-by gases. During rollover, gravity causes oil to drain into the tank from alternative pathways, providing multi-directional protection against oil entering the combustion chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil collection container is pre-positioned and pre-configured to receive oil before it can reach the combustion chamber. The separator and collection system are designed in advance to handle both normal operation and abnormal rollover conditions, preventing oil entry proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Prevents oil from entering the combustion chamber during rollover or high-banking operations, thereby preventing engine damage and ensuring safe engine operation in dynamic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a blowby line from the extraction point to a blowby separator with a pressure membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure membrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

the blow-by separator tank acts as a collection volume, coarse and/or pre-separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3095975B1Crankcase ventilation system for motors capable of rolling over and/or banking
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3095975B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a crankcase ventilation system (K), preferably for an engine capable of being rolled over and/or tilted during operation, and/or to enable this. The crankcase ventilation system (K) comprises a crankcase, preferably at least one extraction point (1) for blow-by, and at least one blow-by separator (3). In addition to the at least one blow-by separator (3), the crankcase ventilation system (K) comprises a blow-by separator container (8), wherein the at least one blow-by separator (3) and the blow-by separator container (8) are interconnected.