Rotary Valve Ventilation for Engine Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air ingress into heat management systems of internal combustion engines during coolant replenishment or repair, requiring an effective method to ventilate the system and remove air from coolant lines for correct operation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a rotary slide valve with predefined sequence opening and closing of inlets and outlets to direct air from coolant lines into a coolant expansion tank through ventilation lines, coordinated by a control unit, allowing for targeted ventilation of individual coolant circuits without additional pumps, even during engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary slide valve with switched inlets is used to ventilate coolant circuits, then air can be effectively removed from the system, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary slide valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls coolant distribution to different circuits during normal operation and simultaneously enables ventilation of air pockets when positioned in specific switching states. This multi-functionality allows the same component to handle both cooling distribution and air removal without requiring a separate dedicated ventilation valve, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and complexity.
2Productivity
If additional pumps are installed to force coolant flow during ventilation, then air removal efficiency improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the engine's existing coolant pump to generate the necessary coolant flow for ventilation operations. By coordinating the rotary slide valve switching sequence with the naturally occurring coolant circulation, the system achieves effective air removal without requiring additional pumping equipment. The coolant pump serves both its primary cooling function and the secondary ventilation function, eliminating the need for separate ventilation pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation process employs periodic switching of the rotary slide valve inlets according to a predefined sequence. This periodic action creates alternating flow patterns that effectively move air pockets through the coolant circuits and into the expansion tank, achieving efficient ventilation using only the existing coolant pump rather than requiring continuous high-flow pumping.
3Device complexity
If the ventilation sequence is coordinated with engine idle operation, then no additional pump is needed, but the ventilation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation process is designed to occur continuously during engine idle operation by maintaining coordinated switching of the rotary slide valve throughout the idle period. This continuous action ensures that air pockets are progressively removed from all coolant circuits without interruption, achieving complete ventilation within a reasonable time frame while utilizing the existing coolant pump operation during idle.
4Measurement precision
If individual coolant circuits are ventilated separately through targeted switching, then air removal precision improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation process segments the coolant system into individual circuits and ventilates them sequentially through controlled switching of the rotary slide valve inlets. Each circuit is addressed in turn according to a predefined switching sequence, allowing air pockets in specific circuits to be targeted and removed systematically. This segmented approach provides precise air removal control using a manageable switching sequence rather than requiring complex simultaneous multi-circuit control.
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
Effectively removes air from the heat management system, ensuring correct operation and maintaining sub-circuits free of air, either during maintenance or vehicle operation, without the need for additional pumps, thus enhancing system reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
switched inlets of a rotary slide valve are opened and closed in a predefined sequence in order to ventilate one or more of the coolant circuits in the direction of a coolant expansion tank via at least one ventilation line
Implementation Method 2
even in the case of a mechanically driven coolant pump being used, the heat management system can be ventilated
Implementation Method 3
the coolant expansion tank is in contact with the surroundings of the internal combustion engine, such that the air can escape from the system
Data Source
AI summary
To ventilate a heat management system of an internal combustion engine, in which coolants circulate in several coolant circuits, connected inlets of a rotary valve may be opened and closed in a predetermined sequence, in order to ventilate one or more of the coolant circuits in the direction of the compensation tank, by means of at least one ventilation circuit which is in fluid connection with a coolant compensation tank. The rotary valve may be controlled by means of a control unit, wherein a non-connected inlet of the rotary valve is in fluid connection with the coolant compensation tank.