EP4069951B1 - Oil decanter comprising a fresh air chamber - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an oil decanter for an internal combustion engine. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine comprising such an oil decanter. The invention finally relates to a vehicle comprising such an internal combustion engine and/or such an oil decanter.

State of the prior art

During combustion of an internal combustion engine, combustion gases escape from a combustion chamber to a cylinder block. Such a gas leak therefore creates the presence of gas in the cylinder block. These crankcase gases are commonly called “blow-by” or “blowby” gases (Anglo-Saxon term).

Thus, an internal combustion engine generally includes a means for circulating these blowby gases so as to evacuate them from the cylinder block to an oil decanter. In fact, a ventilation pipe is generally provided connecting the air intake of the internal combustion engine to the cylinder block so as to bring fresh air to the level of the cylinder block. JP-H09-137710 A describes a known example from the state of the art.

However, the integration of such a ventilation pipe within the very constrained engine compartment, and at the level of a cylinder block whose shape is optimized, is complex.

Presentation of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide an oil decanter remedying the above drawbacks, in particular without interfering with the surrounding parts of an internal combustion engine. In particular, the invention allows you to easily integrate a non-return valve into a ventilation pipe supplying fresh air.

Summary of the invention

• une chambre indépendante de la décantation,
• une entrée ménagée dans la chambre destinée à admettre de l'air frais, notamment de l'air frais prélevé en aval d'un filtre à air et/ou en amont d'un turbocompresseur, et
• une sortie ménagée dans la chambre destinée à envoyer de l'air frais au sein d'un carter cylindres, notamment en partie inférieure d'une chambre de bielles,
• de sorte à chasser des gaz blow-by et/ou des vapeurs d'huile d'un tel carter cylindres.

To achieve this objective, the invention relates to an oil decanter for an internal combustion engine, the oil decanter being intended to be arranged on a cylinder block of such an internal combustion engine, the oil decanter comprising :

• a chamber independent of the decantation,
• an inlet provided in the chamber intended to admit fresh air, in particular fresh air taken downstream of an air filter and/or upstream of a turbocharger, and
• an outlet provided in the chamber intended to send fresh air into a cylinder block, in particular in the lower part of a connecting rod chamber,
• so as to expel blow-by gases and/or oil vapors from such a cylinder block.

The fresh air chamber may adjoin a settling chamber of the oil decanter.

The oil decanter may include a check valve arranged at the inlet so as to only allow a flow to escape from the chamber through the outlet.

The decanter may include an oil return pipe passing through the chamber in a sealed manner.

The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder crankcase, in particular an internal combustion engine comprising an intake comprising an air filter and/or a turbocharger, comprising an oil decanter as defined above and a pipe. air ventilation extending between the inlet of the chamber and a fresh air sampling port, in particular a sampling port provided downstream of the air filter and/or upstream of the turbocharger.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine as defined above and/or an oil decanter as defined above.

Presentation of figures

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un véhicule comprenant un moteur à combustion interne selon un mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un moteur à combustion interne doté d'un décanteur d'huile selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 3] La figure 3 est une vue schématique d'un moteur à combustion interne doté d'un décanteur d'huile selon une première variante du mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 4] La figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un moteur à combustion interne doté d'un décanteur d'huile selon une deuxième variante du mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 5] La figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'un carter cylindres sur lequel est fixé un décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 6] La figure 6 est une vue en coupe du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon un plan parallèle à un axe d'un cylindre passant par un axe d'une entrée d'air frais dans le décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 7] La figure 7 est une vue de côté du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 8] La figure 8 est une vue en coupe du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon un plan perpendiculaire aux axes des cylindres et traversant une chambre d'air du décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 9] La figure 9 est une vue en coupe partielle du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon un plan parallèle à un axe de cylindre et traversant une chambre d'air du décanteur d'huile selon la première variante du mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 10] La figure 10 est une autre vue en coupe partielle du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon un plan parallèle à un axe de cylindre et traversant une chambre d'air du décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 11] La figure 11 est une autre vue en coupe du carter cylindres et du décanteur d'huile selon un plan parallèle à un axe de cylindre et traversant une chambre d'air du décanteur d'huile selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention.

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment.
• [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine equipped with an oil decanter according to one embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 3 ] There Figure 3 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine equipped with an oil decanter according to a first variant of the embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 4 ] There Figure 4 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine equipped with an oil decanter according to a second variant of the embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a top view of a cylinder block on which an oil decanter is fixed according to the embodiment.
• [ Fig. 6 ] There Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter along a plane parallel to an axis of a cylinder passing through an axis of a fresh air inlet in the oil decanter according to the embodiment.
• [ Fig. 7 ] There Figure 7 is a side view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter according to the embodiment.
• [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a sectional view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter along a plane perpendicular to the axes of the cylinders and passing through an air chamber of the oil decanter according to the embodiment.
• [ Fig. 9 ] There Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter along a plane parallel to a cylinder axis and passing through an air chamber of the oil decanter according to the first variant of the embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 10 ] There Figure 10 is another partial sectional view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter along a plane parallel to a cylinder axis and passing through an air chamber of the oil decanter according to the embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 11 ] There Figure 11 is another sectional view of the cylinder block and the oil decanter along a plane parallel to a cylinder axis and passing through an air chamber of the oil decanter according to the embodiment of the invention.

detailed description

There figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 1, for example a motor vehicle. The vehicle 1 comprises an internal combustion engine 2. The internal combustion engine 2 is for example the only means of traction and/or propulsion of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, an electric means, for example a means comprising an electric motor and a means of accumulating electrical energy, also participates in the traction and/or propulsion of the vehicle 1, we then speak of a hybrid vehicle.

The internal combustion engine 2 comprises a cylinder block 3. The cylinder block(s) 3 comprises at least one cylinder. For example, as illustrated in particular on the figure 5 , the cylinder block 3 comprises three cylinders 3C. The internal combustion engine 2 further comprises an oil decanter 10. Preferably, the oil decanter 10 is arranged on the cylinder block 3. By "arranged", we mean that the oil decanter is fixed on the crankcase cylinder 3, or even that the oil decanter is integrated into the cylinder block. According to one embodiment, the oil decanter can be a part of the cylinder block.

As illustrated in particular on the figure 2 , 3 and 4 , the internal combustion engine 2 includes an intake 5. The intake 5 includes an air filter 7 and/or a turbocharger 8. The engine 2 also includes an air ventilation pipe 6.

As illustrated in particular on the figure 2 , 3 , 4 And 6 , the cylinder block 3 comprises a connecting rod chamber 4. Preferably, an oil layer H remains at the bottom, in a vertical direction, of the connecting rod chamber 4.

The casing of the oil decanter 10 includes a chamber 20 independent of the decantation. The chamber 20 is intended to receive fresh air F. Preferably, this fresh air F is taken downstream of the air filter 7 and/or upstream of the turbocharger 8. The fresh air F arrives in the chamber 20 via the pipe 6. To do this, an inlet 21 is provided in the chamber 20. Thus the fresh air F reaches the chamber 20 via the inlet 21. An outlet 22 is provided in the chamber 20 so as to unblock in the cylinder block 3, as illustrated in the Figure 11 . The outlet 22 is intended to evacuate the air from the air chamber 20 and to send this fresh air F within the cylinder block 3. The fresh air F is preferably sent to the level of the connecting rod chamber 4 so to expel the blowby gases and/or oil vapors present within the cylinder block 3. Preferably, the pipe 6 extends between the inlet 21 of the chamber 20 and a sampling orifice 9 of fresh air. Advantageously, the sampling orifice 9 is therefore provided downstream of the air filter 7. Thus the fresh air F taken is filtered, it is therefore free of dirt and/or dust. A tube 11 allows a return of decantation RH oil by communicating the interior volume of the decanter 10 with the volume of an oil pan by passing through the cylinder block.

As illustrated on the figures 5, 6 , 7 , 9 and 10 , the casing of the oil decanter 10 comprises a non-return valve 30. Advantageously, the non-return valve 30 is integrated into the casing of the oil decanter 10 so as to control the blocking of the inlet 21. Thus, thanks to the presence of this non-return valve, only a flow evacuating from the chamber 20 via the outlet 22 is possible.

According to a first variant illustrated on the figures 3 And 9 , the decanter 10 comprises a decantation RH oil return pipe 11 passing through the chamber 20. The pipe 11 passes through the chamber 20 in a sealed manner. For example the outlet 22 is provided below the pipe 11, as illustrated in there Figure 3 .

According to a second variant illustrated on the Figure 4 , the fresh air chamber 20 is a conduit. In other words, the interior volume of the chamber is equal, or substantially equal, to the interior volume of the conduit 25. Thus the conduit 25 extends between the inlet 21 and the outlet 22, for example in a rectilinear manner. Preferably, the conduit 25 is arranged, for example horizontally or substantially horizontally, in a lower part of the decanter. More preferably, the conduit 25 is arranged under a junction 12 between the decantation RH oil return pipe 11 and the decanter 10. The conduit 25 can thus be in a decantation chamber 13 of the decanter.

In summary, the function of the ventilation pipe 6 is to bring fresh air F, preferably filtered, into the cylinder block, particularly in the lower part of the connecting rod chamber 4. The blowby gases created by the combustion of the mixture air-fuel and oil vapors are thus expelled and pass through the oil decanter 10 via the inlet pipe. Thus, the decanter or decantation box arranged outside the engine, more particularly outside the cylinder block 3, receives the blowby gases coming from the cylinder block, in particular from the connecting rod chamber.

As illustrated in particular on the figure 2 , 3 and 4 , the motor 2 preferably comprises a first channel 14 connecting for example the interior volume of the decanter, from an upper part 15 of the decanter for example, to an air distributor 40. Preferably, the motor 2 also comprises a second channel 16 connecting for example the interior volume of the decanter, from a side part 17 of the decanter for example, to the inlet 5, for example upstream of the turbocharger 8. Thus, the blowby BB gases trapped in the oil decanter due to the ventilation of fresh air F within the cylinder block, can escape through the first channel 14 and/or through the second channel 16. The blowby BB gases are then brought to join the intake 5 and consequently to be injected, for example at the level of a cylinder head 18, such as intake gases coming from the turbocharger 8 and/or directly from the air filter 7. Thus, an advantage of arranging the fresh air next to the decantation is to allow a transfer of heat between the blow by and the fresh air which promotes the settling of oil vapors. In fact, the deoiled gases benefit from cooling.

In other words, the non-return valve of the cylinder block ventilation circuit is integrated into the oil decanter by creating an air chamber inside it. The air chamber communicates with the cylinder block, in particular at the level of the connecting rod chamber, by a connection sealed at the interface between the outlet of the air chamber and the cylinder block, for example by using a seal.

Note that pipe 6 ensures a second function, namely keeping the inside of the cylinder block always under depression thanks to the non-return valve. Indeed, as mentioned previously, the non-return valve prevents the reflux of blowby gases towards the air intake through pipe 6, in particular in the event of overpressure. As a reminder, the capture of fresh air F is done downstream of the air filter 7 and upstream of the compressor 8 so as to arrive in the oil decanter 10. As mentioned previously, both in the embodiment and in the first and the second variant, the volume of the decanter communicates in the cylinder block 3.

Thus, the non-return valve is placed on the path of the pipe 6, close to the cylinder block 3 without however being fixed on the cylinder block 3. This results in a simplification of the cylinder block since it does not require a fixing element. specific attachment for the check valve, such as a screw and/or tapping and/or receiving bore. Thus, given the removal of this fixing element, the cost of the ventilation and blowby gas settling functions is lowered. In addition, the path of the pipe 6 is simplified with a reduction in the number of parts forming the path, in particular by having less curvature, in particular less curvature at a small radius. Note that only the oil decanter is modified to simplify the ventilation pipe. Finally, the pipe 6 is more accessible for intervention, the assembly-disassembly of the pipe being facilitated, both in the factory during engine assembly and after-sales.

In the first variant illustrated in particular on the figures 3 And 9 , the tubing 11 and consequently the blowby gas circuit BB delivered due to the ventilation of fresh air F, passes through the air chamber 20. This results in a cooling of the oil at the level of the passage of the chamber 20 filled fresh air. In fact, the fresh air F is a priori at a temperature lower than that of the oil.

• le coût est faible, de préférence seul le décanteur est modifié ;
• elle peut être appliquée sur tout moteur à combustion interne utilisant un décanteur d'huile.

As a side note, the solution according to the invention therefore achieves the desired objective of simplifying a blowby gas ventilation pipe in a cylinder block and easily integrating a non-return valve, and has the following advantages:

• the cost is low, preferably only the decanter is modified;
• it can be applied to any internal combustion engine using an oil decanter.

Claims (6)

1. Oil separator (10) for an internal combustion engine (2), the oil separator (10) being intended to be arranged on a cylinder block (3) of such an internal combustion engine (2), characterized in that the oil separator (10) comprises:

   a chamber (20) independent of the separation,

   an inlet (21) formed in the chamber (20) intended to admit fresh air (F), notably fresh air (F) tapped from downstream of an air filter (7) and/or upstream of a turbocharger (8), and

   an outlet (22) formed in the chamber (20) intended to send fresh air (F) into a cylinder block (3), notably into the lower part of a crank case (4),

   so as to expel blowby gases and/or oil vapors (BB) from such a cylinder block (3).
2. Oil separator (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fresh air chamber (20) adjoins a separation chamber of the oil separator (10) .
3. Oil separator (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oil separator (10) comprises a nonreturn valve (30) arranged at the inlet (21) so as to allow a flow to leave the chamber (20) only via the outlet (22).
4. Oil separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separator (10) comprises an oil return duct (11) passing in a sealed manner through the chamber (20).
5. Internal combustion engine (2) comprising a cylinder block (3), notably an internal combustion engine (2) comprising an intake (5) comprising an air filter (7) and/or a turbocharger (8), characterized in that it comprises an oil separator (10) according to one of the preceding claims and an air ventilation pipe (6) extending between the inlet (21) of the chamber (20) and a fresh air tapping (9), notably a tapping (9) formed downstream of the air filter (7) and/or upstream of the turbocharger (8).
6. Vehicle (1), notably a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an internal combustion engine (2) according to the preceding claim and/or an oil separator (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4.

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