Split Flow Axial Crankcase Separator Parallel Filter Cores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating separators in internal combustion engine systems experience high pressure drops due to single core element designs, which can lead to increased energy consumption and material usage without improving separation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a filter element with multiple element cores configured to filter fluid in parallel, reducing pressure drop by allowing fluid to split and flow through multiple cores, thereby minimizing flow velocity and increasing resident time without compromising separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single filter core element design is used in conventional rotating separators, then the structure is simpler, but the pressure drop across the filter element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is segmented into multiple independent element cores (first element core and second element core) that are positioned side-by-side between the endplates. Each core processes a portion of the fluid flow independently, dividing the total flow path into parallel segments. This segmentation reduces the pressure drop across each individual core while maintaining the overall filtering function, directly resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and pressure drop reduction.
2Reliability
If the length of channels within an element core is increased, then the separation efficiency improves, but the pressure drop increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single long-channel configuration to a multi-core parallel arrangement, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the flow path design. Instead of extending the channel length in one dimension (which increases pressure drop), the system uses multiple shorter channels arranged side-by-side in parallel, achieving the same total filtration capacity with reduced individual channel lengths and consequently lower pressure drops while maintaining separation efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If a single element core is used, then the device size is smaller, but the flow velocity increases leading to higher pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple element cores that process fluid flow in parallel. This segmentation distributes the total flow rate across multiple pathways, reducing the flow velocity in each individual core. The reduced velocity directly lowers the dynamic pressure losses and friction losses, thereby reducing the overall pressure drop across the filter element while maintaining a compact overall size through efficient spatial arrangement of the parallel cores.
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 solution reduces pressure drop across the filter element, enabling a smaller overall size, lower energy consumption, and reduced material usage while maintaining separation efficiency, and preventing bypass flow at dynamic seal locations.
Implementation Method 1
In rotating separators, the contaminants (e.g., oil droplets suspended and transported by blowby gases) are separated at least in part by centrifugal separation techniques.
Implementation Method 2
a shroud extending proximate at least one of the first element core and the second element core and comprising an internal surface where liquid droplets separated from the fluid flowing through the filter element flow downward toward a drain formed between the shroud and the second endplate
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating separator includes a filter housing extending axially along a longitudinal axis and a filter element positioned within the filter housing. The filter element includes a first endplate and a second endplate operatively coupled to the first endplate, a first element core and a second element core positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate and configured to filter a contaminate from a fluid. An interior cavity is defined between the first endplate, the second endplate, the first element core, and the second element core. Fluid flowing through the filter element enters the interior cavity and is split between and flows in parallel through the first element core and the second element core.