Crankcase Gas-Liquid Separator with Variable Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-liquid separation devices face challenges in achieving high separation efficiency across a wide range of volume flows, particularly at low volume flows where capacity design is required for maximum volume flow, while minimizing pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves controlling acceleration openings in a cylindrical housing wall using an axially displaceable closure element, with a porous or fiber-covered impact surface to optimize fluid separation. At low volume flows, all controllable openings are closed, directing the gas-liquid mixture onto a limited impact area for high-speed separation, and additional openings are opened as volume flows increase to reduce pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the device is designed for maximum volume flow capacity, then it can handle large volume flows, but separation efficiency deteriorates at low volume flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the acceleration openings controllable and adjustable. The closure element can axially displace to open or close the acceleration openings based on the volume flow rate. At low volume flows, the openings are closed to concentrate the flow onto the impact surface for high-speed separation. At high volume flows, the openings are opened to increase capacity while maintaining acceptable separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow cross-section parameter dynamically by using a closure element that can axially displace to adjust the opening area of the acceleration openings. This parameter change allows the device to adapt to different volume flow conditions, optimizing separation efficiency at low flows while maintaining capacity at high flows.
2Manufacturing precision
If acceleration openings are closed at low volume flows, then separation efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element dynamically adjusts the acceleration openings based on volume flow rate. At low volume flows, the openings are closed to concentrate flow and improve separation efficiency. At high volume flows, the openings are opened to reduce pressure loss by providing additional flow paths, demonstrating dynamic adaptation to operating conditions.
3Productivity
If multiple acceleration openings are opened at high volume flows, then capacity is improved, but separation efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the number of open acceleration openings based on volume flow rate. At high volume flows, multiple openings are opened to increase capacity. The impact surface is designed to handle distributed flow while maintaining separation performance, balancing capacity and efficiency requirements.
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 approach ensures high separation efficiency at low volume flows and maintains consistent flow speed across varying operational conditions, effectively managing pressure loss and optimizing separation performance.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-liquid mixture to be separated is guided onto the impact surface at a relatively high impact speed, as a result of which good separation can take place
Implementation Method 2
The impact wall is advantageously porous and/or covered with a knitted fiber fabric, in particular a fleece, in order to improve liquid separation as a result
Implementation Method 3
covered with a knitted fiber fabric, in particular a fleece, in order to improve liquid separation
Implementation Method 4
The cylinder wall is formed by a helical spring, and the only acceleration opening is formed by the helical gap between the spring coils, with a change in the axial length of the helical spring allowing a change in the cross-section of the gap
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, in which the liquid portion exists in the form of small particles, especially for ventilating a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, by separating and coagulating the liquid particles on a target area. The liquid mixture, after acceleration in acceleration openings provided for this purpose, impacts the target area at an approximately right angle. The aim of the invention is to improve the aforementioned device in such a manner that it allows as high a degree of separation as possible for different sized volume flows of mixtures. For this purpose, the number and/or the cross-sections of the acceleration openings (5, 6) is varied, depending on the volume flow of mixtures, between a small complete cross-section for a low volume flow and a large complete cross-section for a large volume flow.