Rotary Plug Valve for Simultaneous Gas Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for metering recirculated burnt gases in internal combustion engines are complex, costly, and unreliable, often requiring two valves and actuators, which are subjected to high temperatures and do not allow for continuous mixing of fresh air and burnt gases.
Innovation Solution
A single rotary plug valve system that integrates fresh air and recirculated burnt gas inlets, with a regulating groove allowing simultaneous entry and outlet of both gases into the engine intake manifold, enabling variable passage sections and efficient mixing using a single actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate valves are used to control fresh air and recirculated burnt gases, then the metering of both gas streams can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to more components subjected to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate valve functions into a single rotary plug valve that simultaneously controls both fresh air and recirculated burnt gas flows. The rotary plug with axially offset inlets and a regulating groove allows one component to perform the function of two separate valves, reducing system complexity while maintaining full metering capability for both gas streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotary plug valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it regulates fresh air flow, controls recirculated burnt gas flow, and enables their mixing, all through one component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valuation systems for each gas stream, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate valves are used to control fresh air and recirculated burnt gases, then the metering of both gas streams can be achieved, but the reliability decreases due to more components subjected to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two high-temperature exposed valves into a single rotary plug valve, the patent reduces the number of critical components subjected to thermal stress. Fewer components mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining the capability to meter both gas streams independently.
3Productivity
If a single rotary plug valve is used to mix fresh air and recirculated burnt gases continuously, then the mixing efficiency improves, but the valve design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces axial offset between the fresh air inlet and burnt gas inlet, creating a three-dimensional flow path arrangement. The regulating groove connects these axially separated inlets to a common outlet, enabling continuous mixing in a single component. This spatial arrangement achieves efficient mixing without requiring complex internal mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between productivity and design complexity.
4Productivity
If a regulating groove is added to the rotary plug to enable simultaneous gas entry and mixing, then the continuous mixing capability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary plug is segmented into distinct functional zones: the fresh air inlet region, the burnt gas inlet region (axially offset), and the regulating groove that connects them. This segmentation allows each region to be designed and manufactured independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while enabling continuous mixing capability through the groove geometry.
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 simplifies the system, reduces component count and thermal issues, and allows for reliable, continuous mixing of fresh air and recirculated gases, improving engine combustion conditions while minimizing production costs and thermal stress.
Implementation Method 1
A single rotary plug valve system that integrates fresh air and recirculated burnt gas inlets, with a regulating groove allowing simultaneous entry and outlet of both gases into the engine intake manifold, enabling variable passage sections
Implementation Method 2
The groove thus arranged contributes to allowing a simultaneous outlet of recirculated burnt gases and of fresh air towards the intake manifold
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An engine group comprises an internal combustion engine, including a fresh air inlet (12) and a recirculated exhaust gas inlet (13) opening upstream of the engine cylinders, characterized in that the fresh air inlet (12) and the exhaust gas inlet open (13) into the same rotary plug valve (1) whose outlet (14) is connected to an engine intake manifold, the fresh air inlet (12) and the recirculated gas inlet (13) being axially offset from each other along the axis (XX') of rotation of the plug (1).