Centrifugal Separator Pressure Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure gas leaking into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine can cause pressure increases, leading to operational issues and environmental pollution, while existing crankcase ventilation systems lack effective monitoring for tampering or malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separator with integrated pressure sensor arrangement that measures pressures in the inlet and outlet gas passages to detect deviations from predetermined reference values, indicating potential malfunctions or tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centrifugal separator is used to separate contaminants from crankcase gas, then emissions are reduced and engine health is maintained, but the system lacks monitoring capability to detect malfunctions or tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using pressure sensors to continuously monitor the pressure differential across the separator and compare it against predetermined reference values. When the differential pressure deviates from the reference range, the system generates a signal indicating potential malfunction or tampering, enabling continuous verification of system integrity without requiring manual inspection.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are integrated into the separator housing to monitor gas passage pressures, then system reliability is improved through continuous monitoring, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor components and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor housing with the separator housing, integrating the pressure sensing components directly into the existing separator structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external sensor housings and reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining the monitoring functionality. The sensor arrangement is incorporated within the same housing that contains the separation members, creating a unified structure.
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
Enables reliable monitoring of the crankcase ventilation system's operation, preventing environmental pollution and ensuring the separator functions correctly by detecting deviations in pressure readings.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal separator for separating contaminants from a flow of gas from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine... a plurality of separation members rotatably arranged in the separation space
Implementation Method 2
The sensor arrangement is operable to generate a sensor output indicative of a pressure in the first gas passage and a pressure in the second gas passage, and/or a difference between the pressure in the first gas passage and the pressure in the second gas passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A centrifugal separator (100) for crankcase gas is disclosed, comprising a separator housing (110), defining a separation space (120), and a plurality of separation members (132) rotatably arranged in the separation space. A first gas passage (141) and a second gas passage (142) extend through the separator housing to guide a flow of the gas through the separation members to allow at least some of the contaminants to be separated from the flow of gas. Further, the separator comprises a sensor housing (155) and a sensor arrangement (150), wherein the sensor arrangement is arranged in the sensor housing and operable to generate a sensor output indicative of a pressure in the first gas passage and a pressure in the second gas passage, and/or a difference between a pressure in the first gas passage and a pressure in the second gas passage.