Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0042—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0042—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow
  • B01D19/0052—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow in rotating vessels, vessels containing movable parts or in which centrifugal movement is caused
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0042—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow
  • B01D19/0052—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow in rotating vessels, vessels containing movable parts or in which centrifugal movement is caused
  • B01D19/0057—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow in rotating vessels, vessels containing movable parts or in which centrifugal movement is caused the centrifugal movement being caused by a vortex, e.g. using a cyclone, or by a tangential inlet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0073—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0073—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042
  • B01D19/0094—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042 by using a vortex, cavitation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
  • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
  • F01P11/00—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
  • F01P11/02—Liquid-coolant filling, overflow, venting, or draining devices
  • F01P11/028—Deaeration devices

Definitions

• Coolant flowing in a cooling system for an engine can become aerated.
• the aerated coolant may cause a reduction in the efficiency of a pump, contributing to an overall reduction in the coolant flow in the cooling system.
• the reduced coolant flow may in turn result in inadequate cooling of various components present in the system. If unchecked, deterioration in performance of the pump may lead to thermal issues especially in an engine head or other heat exchanger elements present in the system.
• U.S. Published Application No. 2009/0134175 relates to a fuel tank that is made of a plastic material.
• the fuel tank includes, but is not limited to, an outer tank and a swirl pot arranged in the interior thereof. The edge of the swirl pot and the opening of the fuel tank are connected positively.
• the present disclosure provides a separator for separating gas and liquid in a coolant, the separator comprising a hollow body having a first end and a second end; an inlet arranged towards the first end; a gas outlet; a liquid outlet arranged towards the second end; and a conduit mounted in the hollow body and defining a gas flow path at least partway between the first end and the second end.
• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a cooling system for an engine, including a separator, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the separator
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the separator shown in Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is another cross- sectional view of the separator shown in Figure 3.
• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary cooling systems 100, 200 respectively for an engine 102 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the engine 102 may include for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel powered engine such as a natural gas engine, a combination of known sources of power or any other type of power source apparent to one of skill in the art.
• the engine 102 may include an engine head 104 and an engine block 106.
• a heat exchanger or a radiator 108 may be fluidly connected to the engine 102, in order to dissipate heat from a coolant leaving the engine 102.
• a coolant may include distilled water or a mixture of water, antifreeze and other additives.
• a first passageway 110 may supply a coolant flow from the engine head 104 to an inlet of the radiator 108.
• a second passageway 112 may be connected to an outlet of the radiator 108 to permit flow of the coolant away from the radiator 108.
• a thermostat controlled valve 114 may be disposed in the first passageway 110.
• the thermostat controlled valve 114 may control the coolant flow into the radiator 108.
• the thermostat controlled valve 114 may be configured to re-circulate the coolant flow through a bypass circuit until a temperature of the coolant reaches a pre-determined threshold. On reaching the predetermined threshold, the coolant flow may be routed towards the radiator 108.
• the placement of the thermostat controlled valve 114 depicted in the accompanying figures illustrates an outlet controlled cooling system.
• An inlet controlled cooling system, wherein the thermostat controlled valve 114 may be placed within the second passageway 112 also lies within the scope of this disclosure.
• a pump 116 may be disposed in the second passageway 112.
• the pump 116 is fluidly connected to the engine block 106 in order to circulate the coolant within the engine 102.
• the pump 116 may include a fixed displacement or variable displacement pump known in the art.
• an expansion tank 118 may be fluidly connected to the radiator 108 via a third passageway 120.
• the expansion tank 118 may provide volume for the thermal expansion of the coolant.
• the expansion tank 118 may also serve as a coolant reservoir to ensure the presence of coolant despite evaporative losses over time.
• the coolant flowing in the cooling system 100, 200 may contain gas in the form of air bubbles.
• a separator 122 may be provided in the cooling systems 100, 200, for separating the gas and liquid in the coolant.
• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate different locations in the cooling systems 100, 200 where the separator 122 may be disposed.
• the separator 122 may include a hollow body 124.
• the separator 122 may also include an inlet 126, a gas outlet 128 and a liquid outlet 130 to connect the separator 122 to various components in the cooling systems 100, 200.
• the separator 122 may be made of metal or any other suitable material. The detailed structure of the separator 122 will be explained in connection with Figure 3.
• the separator 122 may be disposed in the first passageway 110, more specifically between the radiator 108 and the thermostat controlled valve 114. It should be noted that in this arrangement, the separator 122 is disposed in series with respect to the radiator 108 of the cooling system 100. As shown, the inlet 126 of the separator 122 may be fluidly connected to the thermostat controlled valve 114. Further, the liquid outlet 130 of the separator 122 may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the radiator 108. In this case, the gas outlet 128 of the separator 122 may be connected to the expansion tank 118 via a communication line 132.
• the separator 122 may be positioned in parallel with respect to the radiator 108.
• the separator 122 may be disposed in the bypass branch 202, more specifically between the thermostat controlled valve 114 and the pump 116.
• the inlet 126 of the separator 122 may be connected to a fluid junction downstream of the thermostat controlled valve 114 and the liquid outlet 130 of the separator 122 may be connected to a fluid junction upstream of the thermostat controlled valve 114.
• the gas outlet 128 of the separator 122 may be connected to the expansion tank 118 via the communication line 132.
• the separator 122 may be disposed in both the first passageway 110 as well as in the bypass branch 202.
• the separator 122 used in the cooling system 200 may have a relatively shorter hollow body 124 than that used in the cooling system 100. This may be because a smaller portion of the coolant flows through the separator 122 located in the bypass branch 202 as against a full flow arrangement provided in the cooling system 100.
• the positioning of the separator 122 depicted in the accompanying figures is merely exemplary and may vary without any limitation.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the separator 122.
• the separator 122 may include the hollow body 124 having a first end 302 and a second end 304.
• the hollow body 124 may be generally cylindrical so as to define a longitudinal axis AA.
• the inlet 126 of the separator 122 may be arranged towards the first end 302 of the hollow body 124.
• the inlet 126 may have a substantially rectangular cross section.
• the inlet 126 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the coolant flowing through the cooling systems 100, 200. As shown in the accompanying figures, the inlet 126 may be located substantially tangentially to the hollow body 124.
• the gas outlet 128 may be located towards the first end 302 of the hollow body 124. It should be noted that the gas outlet 128 may alternatively be located towards a rear middle portion of the hollow body 124. In one embodiment, the gas outlet 128 may include an opening 306 provided at the first end 302 of the separator 122. [0021] The gas outlet 128 may be provided substantially coaxially to the hollow body 124, along the longitudinal axis AA. Further, the liquid outlet 130 of the separator 122 may be arranged towards the second end 304 of the hollow body 124. As shown in the accompanying figures, the liquid outlet 130 may be arranged laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis AA of the hollow body 124.
• the liquid outlet 130 may be arranged substantially axially or parallel to the longitudinal axis AA of the hollow body 124.
• the hollow body 124 may define an hour glass chamber such that there is a reduction in throat diameter partway along the length of the hollow body 124.
• Figures 4 and 5 depict different cross sectional views of the separator 122, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the separator 122 may include a conduit 402 mounted in the hollow body 124.
• the conduit 402 may define a gas flow path at least partway between the first end 302 and the second end 304 of the hollow body 124.
• the conduit 402 may include an outlet end 404 proximal to the gas outlet 128 and an inlet end 406 distal to the gas outlet 128.
• the conduit 402 may have a hollow cylindrical shape or a hollow conical shape.
• Figures 4 and 5 depict two different variations of mounting the conduit 402 in the hollow body 124.
• a plurality of ribs 408 extending radially from an inner surface of the hollow body 124 may be used to mount the conduit 402 in the hollow body 124.
• the plurality of ribs 408 may be provided proximal to the first end 302 of the hollow body 124, such that the conduit 402 extends into the gas outlet 128.
• the outlet end 404 of the conduit 402 may be integral with the first end 302 of the hollow body 124.
• the conduit 402 may be integral with the gas outlet 128 of the hollow body 124.
• a plurality of perforations in the form of holes or slots may be provided on the conduit 402.
• the coolant may be received by the inlet 126. Due to the substantially tangential positioning of the inlet 126 with respect to the hollow body 124, the coolant flow may adopt a cyclonic or swirl flow from the first end 302 towards the second end 304 of the hollow body 124. It should be understood that typically, the velocity of the swirl flow of the coolant within the hollow body 124 may be relatively high in the core of the separator 122.
• the conduit 402 mounted within the hollow body 124 may be configured to generate a low velocity region in the core of the separator 122 to facilitate the separation of the gas and liquid in the coolant.
• the liquid present in the coolant flow is comparatively heavier and may be urged outwardly in the swirl flow.
• the liquid may fall downwardly towards the second end 304, due to the effect of gravity and the centrifugal force generated within the hollow body 124.
• the gas may be present inwardly of the swirl flow and may collect in the form of air bubbles at the inlet end 406 of the conduit 402. This may result in the separation of the gas and liquid in the coolant.
• the separated gas may enter the separator 122 via the plurality of perforations provided along at least a portion of a length of the conduit 402.
• the air bubbles may then rise within the gas flow path towards the outlet end 404 of the conduit 402 under effect of buoyancy forces.
• the separated gas may exit the separator 122 via the gas outlet 128 which is connected to the conduit 402.
• the separated gas may then enter the expansion tank 118 via the communication line 132 which extends from the gas outlet 128 of the separator 122.
• the separated liquid may exit the separator 122 via the liquid outlet 130.
• the separated liquid may enter the radiator 108 in the cooling system 100 or the pump 116 in the cooling system 200.
• conduit 402 may promote better swirling characteristics in a flow field within the separator 122, thereby leading to improved separation efficiency.
• the centrifugal force generated within the separator 122 may be directly proportional to the velocity of the coolant flowing within the separator 122 and inversely proportional to a radius of the hollow body 124.
• a rectangular shaped inlet 126 as shown in the accompanying figures, may provide a reduction in flow area of the inlet 126 and thereby cause an increase in the velocity of the coolant flow into the separator 122.
• the reduction in the throat radius of the hollow body 124 may facilitate higher levels of swirl and therefore provide improved separation efficiency.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Cyclones (AREA)
• Exhaust-Gas Circulating Devices (AREA)
• Fuel Cell (AREA)
• Degasification And Air Bubble Elimination (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=46881246

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (5)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2012
  • 2012-07-27 GB GB201213377A patent/GB2504470B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-07-27 GB GB1420563.7A patent/GB2517103B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2013
  • 2013-06-27 CN CN201390000606.4U patent/CN204436567U/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2013-06-27 WO PCT/GB2013/051704 patent/WO2014016554A1/fr not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (7)

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