Vented Degas Bottle Interior Wall Baffle Coolant Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolant systems for internal combustion engines face inefficiencies due to gas formation and retention in degas bottles, which reduce cooling efficiency and inhibit convective cooling after engine shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A degas bottle design featuring an interior wall and baffle structure that separates inlet and outlet chambers, preventing air bubble formation and facilitating gas venting, ensuring liquid coolant is free of vapor/air for enhanced cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a conventional degas bottle is used to vent gases from the coolant system, then gases can be vented from the system, but gas bubbles are generated or retained due to turbulence created by coolant entering and flowing through the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The degas bottle is segmented into distinct functional zones using an interior wall that divides the cavity into a first chamber (for coolant entry and gas separation) and a second chamber (for coolant exit). This segmentation prevents turbulence-induced gas bubble formation by creating separate flow paths for coolant entry and exit, allowing gases to be vented without being carried into the outlet chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior wall acts as an intermediary structure between the coolant inlet and outlet, mediating the flow to prevent direct turbulent interaction. By positioning the interior wall to extend from the upper region toward the lower region without reaching the bottom, it creates a gas separation zone that allows bubbles to rise and be vented while maintaining laminar flow to the outlet.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a conventional degas bottle structure is used, then gases can be vented during engine operation, but convective cooling is inhibited after engine shutdown by preventing gas inlet through the bottle inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its function based on operating conditions. During engine operation, the degas bottle vents gases through the interior wall opening. After engine shutdown, the cooler temperature causes gases to condense or be absorbed by the coolant, and the interior wall configuration allows reverse flow or gas inlet through the bottle, enabling convective cooling (thermosiphon effect) to occur without inhibition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits parameter changes in coolant temperature and gas solubility. During hot operation, gases are vented through the interior wall structure. After shutdown, as the coolant cools, gas solubility increases and temperature-driven convection currents are enabled by the interior wall geometry, allowing the bottle to facilitate rather than inhibit convective cooling.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the interior wall extends to the lower wall to separate chambers completely, then gas separation is improved, but convective cooling is blocked after engine shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The interior wall extends partially from the upper region toward the lower region but stops short of reaching the lower wall, creating a deliberate gap. This partial extension provides sufficient gas separation during operation while leaving the gap open to allow convective cooling currents to pass through after shutdown, preventing complete blockage of the cooling pathway.
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
The improved degas bottle design reduces turbulence, prevents gas entrapment, and effectively vents gases, maintaining cooling efficiency and preventing temperature spikes after engine shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
gas bubbles can be generated or retained therein, such as via turbulence created by coolant as it enters and flows through the degas bottle
Implementation Method 2
known degas bottles can inhibit convective cooling, sometime referred to as thermosiphon cooling, by preventing the inlet of gasses through an inlet of the bottle after engine shutdown
Data Source
AI summary
A degas bottle for a motor vehicle coolant system is provided. The degas bottle has a body defining an enclosed cavity bounded by an upper wall, a lower wall and a side wall extending between said upper and lower walls. An inlet extends into an upper region of the cavity proximate the upper wall and an outlet extending outwardly from a lower region of the cavity proximate the lower wall. An interior wall is disposed in the enclosed cavity. The interior wall extends from the upper wall toward the lower wall to a free end spaced from the lower wall. The interior wall has a vent opening proximate the upper wall and extends to the side wall on opposite sides of the inlet. A baffle is disposed between the interior wall and the inlet. The baffle extends from one of the upper wall or the lower wall to a free end spaced from the other of the upper wall or the lower wall.