Rotating Separator Housing Prevents Liquid Carryover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engine crankcase ventilation systems face challenges in efficiently separating oil from air in blowby gas, leading to clogging and increased pressure drop across coalescing filters, which affects the coalescing capacity and turbocharger efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An annular rotating coalescing filter element with a housing that prevents liquid carryover, utilizing centrifugal force to drive oil radially outward, increasing the flow-through area and coalescing capacity, and a method to control the coalescer's speed based on engine and turbocharger conditions to optimize separation and reduce pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coalescing filter is used to separate oil from air in blowby gas, then separation efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a rotating separator element that dynamically changes the flow path and separation mechanism. The rotation creates centrifugal force that actively separates liquid from gas, preventing clogging while maintaining low pressure drop. This dynamic approach replaces the static coalescing filter that passively relies on surface coalescence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing rotational motion to the separator. The rotation speed can be varied to optimize separation efficiency while controlling pressure drop. This parameter change transforms the separation mechanism from passive coalescence to active centrifugal separation.
2Productivity
If coalescing filter capacity is increased to handle more oil, then separation capacity is improved, but device complexity and clogging risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous separator element that allows gas to pass through while retaining liquid. The porous structure provides large surface area for separation without increasing overall device complexity. The rotation of this porous element prevents liquid accumulation and clogging while maintaining high separation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating porous separator dynamically prevents liquid buildup that would otherwise clog the pores. The continuous rotation actively clears the separator surface, allowing the use of porous materials without the clogging problems that would limit their capacity.
3Reliability
If separator prevents liquid carryover to improve air quality, then separation purity is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pneumatic principles of centrifugal force generated by rotation to separate liquid from gas. The rotating element creates a centrifugal field that acts on the liquid particles, forcing them outward while the gas continues axially. This pneumatic separation achieves high purity without the flow resistance of dense filter media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from passive filtration to active centrifugal separation by introducing rotation. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high separation purity through dynamic forces rather than static flow resistance, maintaining low pressure drop while ensuring liquid removal.
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 solution effectively reduces oil clogging, increases coalescing capacity, and improves turbocharger efficiency by ensuring efficient separation of oil from air in blowby gas, while minimizing pressure drop and enhancing particle capture and coalescence.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal force to drive oil radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating separator has a housing preventing separated liquid carryover. A plenum between the annular rotating separating filter element and the housing sidewall has one or more flow path separating guides minimizing the flow of separated liquid to the outlet. The flow path guides may include one or more fins and/or swirl flow dampers and/or a configured surface.