Centrifugal Separator Liquid Outlet Radial Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crankcase gas separation using centrifugal separators often results in soot and solid particles damaging the bearing, leading to a shortened lifespan, as these particles can flow through the bearing and cause wear.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator design with a liquid outlet arranged radially outside the bearing and within a ring-shaped sealing gap, featuring through holes that act as funnels to direct the separated liquid phase away from the bearing, thereby reducing the risk of particle-induced wear and enhancing the sealing function by utilizing the liquid phase for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liquid outlet is arranged inside the bearing, then the liquid phase can be easily drained, but solid particles in the liquid phase will reach and damage the bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid outlet is extracted from the bearing interior and repositioned to the bearing exterior, specifically to the radial outer side of the bearing. This extraction removes the harmful liquid phase containing solid particles from the bearing area, preventing particle-induced bearing damage while maintaining effective liquid drainage through the separated outlet position
Solution Approach 2:
A ring-shaped sealing gap is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid outlet and the bearing. This sealing gap allows the liquid phase to flow through while preventing solid particles from reaching the bearing, acting as a protective mediator that separates the drainage function from the bearing protection requirement
2Reliability
If the liquid outlet is arranged radially outside the bearing, then particle-induced bearing wear is reduced, but the sealing function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-shaped sealing gap serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the radial space between the housing and the rotor shaft outside the separation chamber. It enables the liquid outlet to be positioned radially outside the bearing for particle protection while simultaneously maintaining the gas-tight sealing function by preventing gas leakage through the radial gap
Solution Approach 2:
Different radial zones are assigned different functions: the radial inner zone contains the bearing for rotation support, the radial middle zone contains the liquid outlet for particle-free drainage, and the radial outer zone contains the ring-shaped sealing gap for gas sealing. This local differentiation of quality and function resolves the contradiction between bearing protection and sealing effectiveness
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 design effectively prevents the majority of the liquid phase with particles from reaching the bearing, reducing wear and extending its lifespan while maintaining a gas-tight seal, thus ensuring a durable and efficient separation process.
Implementation Method 1
A centrifugal separator may be used for disposing of crankcase gas. The crankcase gas is led into a rotor of the centrifugal separator and heavy constituents of the crankcase gases, such as oil and soot, are separated as a liquid phase from a cleaned gas.
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the number of through holes has the form of a funnel with the narrow portion close to, or at ,the separation chamber and its wider portion a distance from the separation chamber.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a centrifugal separator for separating a liquid phase from a crankcase gas. The separator comprises: a housing (4), a separation chamber (6) inside the housing (4), a rotor shaft (8), a rotor (10) connected to the rotor shaft (8), a bearing (12) arranged at an end portion (14) of the rotor shaft (8), and a liquid outlet (20) for the separated liquid phase. The end portion (14) of the rotor shaft (8) extends through the bearing (12) outside the separation chamber. A ring-shaped sealing gap (22) is formed between the housing (4) and a member (30) connected to the rotor shaft (8) outside the separation chamber (6). The liquid outlet (20) is arranged, seen in relation to the axial direction, radially outside the bearing (12) and radially inside a radially outer end of the ring-shaped sealing gap (22).