Centrifugal Separator Liquid Outlet Pumping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators face challenges in feeding the separated liquid phase back into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine due to pressure differences, where the crankcase pressure is elevated above the separator's pressure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid outlet chamber with a check valve and a rotating member connected to the rotor shaft, which creates a pumping effect to transport the separated liquid phase from the separation chamber to the liquid outlet chamber and ensures it is expelled when the pressure inside the liquid outlet chamber exceeds the downstream pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separated liquid phase is fed back into the crankcase, then the liquid phase is disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, but the elevated crankcase pressure prevents the liquid phase from being fed back into the crankcase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic pressure equalization mechanism using a movable piston or diaphragm that responds to pressure differences. When crankcase pressure exceeds separator pressure, the movable element shifts to allow gas phase to pass through, equalizing pressures and enabling liquid phase to be fed back into the crankcase without backpressure issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary chamber or intermediate pressure zone between the separator and crankcase. This intermediate zone acts as a buffer, allowing pressure equalization and facilitating the transfer of liquid phase back to the crankcase by mediating the pressure difference between the two systems
2Ease of operation
If a pressure equalization mechanism is added, then liquid phase can be fed back into the crankcase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating pressure equalization system that automatically responds to pressure differences without external control. The movable piston or diaphragm self-adjusts based on pressure conditions, enabling automatic pressure equalization and liquid phase feed-back without requiring complex control systems or additional actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure equalization function into a separate, dedicated component (movable piston or diaphragm) that can be independently designed and optimized. This modular approach isolates the complexity to a single element while keeping the rest of the separator structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture
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 configuration allows the separated liquid phase to be effectively pumped back into the crankcase, overcoming pressure differences and ensuring environmentally friendly disposal of crankcase gases.
Implementation Method 1
The crankcase gases are lead into the rotating disc stack and heavy constituents of the crankcase gases, such as oil and soot, are forced against inner surfaces of the separation discs and form droplets of the liquid phase as they travel along the separation discs towards an outer periphery of the disc stack
Implementation Method 2
the check valve ensures that the separated liquid phase is feed out of the liquid outlet chamber as long as the pressure inside the liquid outlet chamber is higher than at a downstream side of the check valve
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal separator for separating a liquid phase from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine includes a separation chamber, a rotor shaft, a rotor inside the separation chamber, an inlet for crankcase gases, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet for separated liquid phase. The centrifugal separator also includes a liquid outlet chamber, a check valve, and a rotating member. The liquid outlet chamber forms an individual chamber and is arranged in fluid communication with the separation chamber via a liquid passage. The rotating member is connected to the rotor shaft and is arranged inside the liquid outlet chamber. The liquid outlet forms an outlet of the liquid outlet chamber. The check valve is arranged in the liquid outlet.