THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers generally to cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine, for instance large combustion en¬ gines for ships and stationary installations, such as combustion en¬ gines for generators, and combustion engines for vehicles such as trucks.

More specifically, the present invention refers to a device for cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine, comprising an inlet conduit, which is adapted to be connected to a crankcase of the combustion engine, a centrifugal separator, which is adapted to receive a flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase via the inlet conduit and which comprises a rotable centrifuge rotor for centri- fuging the crankcase gases, a drive device, which drives the cen¬ trifuge rotor, and an outlet conduit, which is adapted to discharge cleaned crankcase gases from the centrifugal separator.

The invention also refers to a device according to the preamble of claim 19, and a device according to the preamble of claim 24. Fur¬ thermore, the invention refers to a combustion engine having a de- vice for cleaning of crankcase gases.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

One problem in connection with cleaning of crankcase gases in this manner is to maintain a desired gas pressure in the crankcase.

There is a risk that too much crankcase gas is pumped out of the crankcase by means of the centrifugal separator, wherein the gas

pressure in the crankcase may decrease to an unallowably low level, and for instance be significantly below the surrounding at¬ mospheric pressure. Such a too low gas pressure in the crankcase can also arise when the combustion engine runs at an idle speed or at a very low rotation speed, and can have a negative influence on the gaskets sealing the crankcase. In addition, contaminated air can be sucked into the crankcase and give rise to damages. In certain situations there is also a risk that the centrifugal separator is not able to pump away a sufficient quantity of crankcase gas so that the gas pressure in the crankcase increases to an unallowably high level, significantly above the surrounding atmospheric pressure. Also this can have a negative influence on the gaskets and in a worst case lead to leakage of crankcase gas from the crankcase of the combustion engine. It is to be noted that combustion engines of various types and from various manufactures are operated at differ¬ ent gas pressures in the crankcase. In certain combustion engines, it is desired to maintain and overpressure in the crankcase, i.e. a gas pressure which is somewhat higher then the surrounding at¬ mospheric pressure, whereas in other combustion engines it is de- sired to maintain a subpressure in the crankcase, i.e. a gas pres¬ sure which is somewhat lower then the surrounding atmospheric pressure. The desired level of the gas pressure in the crankcase depends on various factors, for instance the design of the above- mentioned crankcase gaskets.

WO99/56883 (Alfa Laval AB) discloses a device for cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine. The device comprises an inlet conduit, which is connected to a crankcase of the combus¬ tion engine, a centrifugal separator, which receives crankcase gases from the crankcase via the inlet conduit and which comprises a centrifuge rotor for centrifuging the crankcase gases, a drive de¬ vice, which drives the centrifuge rotor and, an outlet conduit for dis¬ charge of cleaned crankcase gases from the centrifugal separator. The known drive device is intended to be operated by means of any pressurised medium, such as air, oil, cooling water or fuel. Also other examples of the driving are defined. This document also dis¬ closes various embodiments of the centrifuge rotor proper. The

known device is also adapted to enable discharge of the cleaned crankcase gases from the centrifugal separator to the surroundings or to the air intake of the combustion engine.

SE-522 473 (Alfa Laval AB) discloses another device for cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine. The device comprises an inlet conduit, which is connected to a crankcase of the combus¬ tion engine, a centrifugal separator, which receives crankcase gases from the crankcase via the inlet conduit and which comprises a centrifuge rotor for centrifuging the crankcase gases, a separate electric motor driving the centrifuge rotor, and an outlet conduit for discharging cleaned crankcase gases from the centrifugal separa¬ tor. This device also comprises a control equipment for controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor and thus of the centrifuge rotor. The purpose of this controlling is in the first place to provide an efficient cleaning of the crankcase gases. The known control equipment is adapted to control and change the rotation speed of the electric motor depending on a variety of different parameters.

WO2004/001200 (Alfa Laval Corporate AB) discloses a further de¬ vice for cleaning of crankcase gases from a combustion engine. The device is similar to the device disclosed in the above- mentioned SE-522 473 and comprises a control equipment for con¬ trolling the rotation speed of the electric motor and thus of the cen- trifuge rotor. The purpose of this controlling is in the first place to provide an efficient cleaning of the crankcase gases. The known control equipment is adapted to control and change the rotation speed of the electric motor depending on a variety of different pa¬ rameters in such a way that the gas pressure in the crankcase is maintained at a desired level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to remedy the problem identi- fied above and to provide a device which in a reliable and secure manner permits the maintaining of a desired gas pressure in the crankcase.

Another object is to provide a device which in a reliable and secure manner permits maintaining of a desired gas pressure in the crank- case both in the case that the desired gas pressure is lower than the surrounding atmospheric pressure and in the case that the de¬ sired gas pressure is higher than the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

This object is achieved by means of the device initially defined, which is characterized in that the rotary speed of the drive device, and thus the rotary speed of the centrifuge rotor, is controllable de¬ pending on the gas pressure in the crankcase and that the device comprises an export conduit, which is connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable discharge of a flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase by-passing the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase.

By means of this combination of features it is ensured that a de¬ sired gas pressure is maintained in the crankcase during operation of the device and the combustion engine. It is possible to prevent in a reliable manner that the gas pressure sinks below a predeter¬ mined minimum level or rises above a predetermined maximum level. Thanks to the fact that the device comprises two possibilities to compensate for a changed gas pressure, the device is suitable to be used in all kinds of combustion engines, and more specifically both in such engines that are operated at a subpressure in the crankcase and such engines that are operated at an overpressure in the crankcase. Especially, it is possible by means of the defined export conduit to prevent that the gas pressure in the crankcase ex- ceeds a too high unallowable level that could damage for instance the crankcase gaskets. By means of the defined rotary speed con¬ trol it may also be prevented that the gas pressure in the crankcase comes below a too low, unallowable level by means of a decrease of the rotary speed of the drive device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the export conduit comprises a one-way valve, which permits said discharge of

crankcase gases but prevents a flow in an opposite direction. Thanks to such a one-way valve, the device may advantageously be used in combustion engines operating at a subpressure in the crankcase. Advantageously, the one-way valve may be adapted to open for said discharge of crankcase gases when the pressure up¬ stream the one-way valve during operation exceeds a determined opening pressure that is related to the gas pressure prevailing in the crankcase. In such a way it can be ensured that the discharge of crankcase gases is initiated first when the gas pressure in the crankcase exceeds a determined critical level. Furthermore, the one-way valve may comprise an adjustment member for adjustment of the opening pressure. Such an adjustment may be made for in¬ stance manually before the combustion engine and the device are started.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a control equipment for controlling the device, and a sensor, which is connected to the control equipment and adapted to provide a value of a parameter related to the gas pressure in the crankcase. Advantageously, the control equipment is adapted to control and change the rotary speed of the drive device during op¬ eration of the device in response to said value. In such a way, a quick and efficient controlling is achieved, which substantially im¬ mediately can compensate for a qick increase or decrease of the gas pressure in the crankcase.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the inlet conduit comprises a first throttling member provided between the crankcase and the export conduit for throttling of the flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase. Advantageously, the first throttling member may comprise an adjustment member for adjustment of the size of the throttling. Furthermore, the inlet conduit may comprise a second throttling member provided between the export conduit and the centrifugal separator for throttling of the flow to the centrifugal separator. Also the second throttling member may comprise an ad¬ justment member for adjustment of the size of the throttling. The

throttling members are advantageously adjusted when the combus¬ tion engine operates at full load.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an import conduit, which is connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable feeding of a flow of air from the surroundings to the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the inlet conduit. By means of such an import conduit it is possible to prevent in a reliable manner that the gas pressure in the crankcase comes below a too low unallowable level that could damage the crankcase gaskets.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first throt¬ tling member is provided between the crankcase and the import conduit. Furthermore, the second throttling member may be pro¬ vided between the import conduit and the centrifugal separator.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the import con¬ duit comprises a one-way valve, which permits said feeding of air to the inlet conduit but prevents a flow in an opposite direction. Ad¬ vantageously, the one-way valve may be adapted to open for said feeding of air to the inlet conduit when the pressure downstream the one-way valve during operation is below a determined opening pressure that is related to the gas pressure prevailing in the inlet conduit. In such a way it is ensured that the feeding of air is initi¬ ated first when the gas pressure in the crankcase comes below a predetermined critical level. Furthermore, the one-way valve may comprise an adjustment member for adjusting the opening pres¬ sure. Such an adjustment may be made for instance manually be- fore the combustion engine and the device are started.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the outlet con¬ duit is adapted to discharge the cleaned crankcase gases to the surrounding atmosphere. It is also possible to let the outlet conduit be adapted to discharge the cleaned crankcase gases to a suction conduit for sucking combustion air to the combustion engine.

The object is also achieved by the device initially defined which is characterized in that it comprises that the device comprises an ex¬ port conduit, which is connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable discharge of a flow of crankcases from the crankcase by- passing the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase, and an import conduit, which is connected to the in¬ let conduit and adapted to enable feeding of a flow of air from the surroundings to the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the inlet conduit.

By this combination of features it may be ensured that a desired gas pressure is maintained in the crankcase during operation of the device and the combustion engine. It is possible to prevent in a re¬ liable manner that the gas pressure sinks below a predetermined minimum level or rises above a predetermined maximum level. Thanks to the fact that the device comprises two possibilities to compensate for a changed gas pressure, the device is suitable to be used in all kinds of combustions engines, and more specifically both in such engines that are operated at a subpressure in the crankcase and such engines that are operated at an overpressure in the crankcase. By means of the defined export conduit, it is pos¬ sible to prevent that the gas pressure in the crankcase exceeds a too high unallowable level. By means of the defined import conduit, it is possible to prevent in a reliable manner that the gas pressure in the crankcase comes below a too low unallowable level.

Some preferred embodiments of this device are defined in the de¬ pendent claims 20-23.

The object is also achieved by the device initially defined, which is characterized in that the rotary speed of the drive device, and thus the rotary speed of the centrifuge rotor, is controllable depending on the gas pressure in the crankcase and that the device comprises an import conduit, which is connected to the inlet conduit and adapted to enable feeding of a flow of air from the surroundings to the centrifugal separator depending on the gas pressure in the inlet conduit.

Also by means of this combination of features it may be ensured that a desired gas pressure is maintained in the crankcase during operation of the device and the combustion engines. It is possible to prevent in a reliable manner that the gas pressure sinks below a predetermined minimum level or rises above a predetermined maximum level. Thanks to the fact that the device comprises two possibilities to compensate for a changed gas pressure, the device is suitable to be used in all kinds of combustion engines, and more specifically both in such engines that are operated at a subpressure in the crankcase and such engines that are operated at an over¬ pressure in the crankcase. By means of the defined rotary speed control, it may be prevented that the gas pressure in the crankcase exceeds a too high unallowable level by an increase of the rotary speed of the drive device. By means of the defined import conduit it is possible to prevent in a reliable manner that the gas pressure in the crankcase goes below a too low unallowable level.

Some preferred embodiments of this device are defined in the de- pendent claims 25-28.

The object is also achieved by the initially defined combustion en¬ gine, which comprises a device, for cleaning of crankcase gases from the combustion engine according to any one of claims 1-28.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now to be explained more closely through a de¬ scription of various embodiments and with reference to the draw- ings attached hereto.

Fig. 1 discloses schematically a view of a combustion engine having a device according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 discloses schematically a view of a combustion engine having a device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 discloses schematically a view of a combustion engine having a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 discloses schematically a view of a combustion engine having a device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1-4 discloses schematically a combustion engine 1 comprising a cylinder housing 2 with a number of cylinders (not disclosed), and a crankcase 3 which is mounted to a bottom side of the cylinder housing 2. The crankcase 3 forms an inner space for the crank shaft (not disclosed) and a oil pan in a lower part of the inner space. The inner space of the crankcase 3 is sealed against the surroundings by means of a gasket 4 in a manner known per se. In the inner space of the crankcase 3, a gas pressure prevails, which may be higher or lower then the surrounding atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the combustion engine 1 comprises a suction conduit 5 for suction of combustion air/fuel and an exhaust conduit 6 for discharging combustion gases from the combustion engine 1. In the embodiments disclosed, the combustion engine 1 also comprises a turbo member 7 which in a manner known per se increases the pressure of the combustion air by means of a compressor driven by the exhaust gases via a turbine.

The combustion engine 1 is provided with or connected to a device for cleaning of the crankcase gases which are present in the inner space of the crankcase 3. This device comprises a centrifugal sepa¬ rator 10 which may be of a kind known per se. Examples of useful centrifugal separators 10 are disclosed in the initially discussed patent documents. The centrifugal separator 10 comprises thus a centrifuge rotor 11 which is rotatably mounted in a substantially stationary casing 12. The centrifuge rotor 11 is driven by a separate drive device 13.

In the embodiments disclosed in figs. 1 , 2 and 4, the drive device 13 comprises an electric motor having a controllable rotary speed. The electric motor may for instance comprise an electrical asyn¬ chronous motor, the rotary speed of which may be controlled by

means of a control equipment comprising a frequency converter 14 and a control unit 15. The control unit 15 may receive input signals from a plurality of different sensors. In the embodiments disclosed, the device comprises one or several sensors 16 which are provided to sense a parameter related to the gas pressure in the crankcase 3. Such a sensor 16 may for instance be a pressure sensor which directly senses the gas pressure in the inner space of the crank- case 3. Such a sensor 16 may also be formed by a flow sensors sensing the flow of crankcase gases from the inner space of the crankcase 3.

The device also comprises an inlet conduit 20, which is adapted to be connected to the crankcase 3 and is connected to an inlet of the centrifugal separator 10. Furthermore, the device comprises an outlet conduit 21 , which is connected to an outlet from the inner space of the centrifugal separator 10. During operation of the com¬ bustion engine 1 and the device, crankcase gases will thus be con¬ veyed from the inner space of the crankcase 3 via the inlet conduit 20 to the centrifugal separator 10, where the crankcase gases are brought to rotate at a high speed by means of the centrifuge rotor 10, wherein liquid components, mainly oil, may be separated from the crankcase gases. The cleaned crankcase gases are conveyed from the centrifugal separator via the outlet conduit 21. The sepa¬ rated liquid (the oil) may be returned to the combustion engine via a return conduit 22.

The cleaned crankcase gases may via the outlet conduit 21 be dis¬ charged to the surrounding atmosphere. It is also possible to recir- culate the cleaned crankcase gases to the suction conduit 5 of the combustion engine 1 , and more specifically to the inlet side of the turbo member 7, which is indicated by the dashed recirculation con¬ duit 23. The discharge of the cleaned crankcase gases to the at¬ mosphere may take place directly to the surrounding atmosphere via the outlet conduit 21 or via a connection conduit 24, see figs. 1- 3, and an export conduit 25 now to be explained more closely.

The export conduit 25, see figs. 1-3, can be included as a part of the device. The export conduit 25 is connected to the inlet conduit 20 and adapted to enable discharge of a flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase 3 by-passing the centrifugal separator 10 de- pending on the gas pressure in the crankcase 3. The export conduit 25 comprises a one-way valve 26, which permits discharge of crankcase gases but prevents a flow in an opposite direction. The one-way valve 26 is adapted to open for the discharge of crankcase gases when the pressure upstream the one-way valve 26 during operation exceed a determined opening pressure that is related to the gas pressure prevailing in the crankcase 3, i.e. the pressure up¬ stream the one-way valve 26 between the one-way valve 26 and the crankcase 3. The one-way valve 26 may advantageously comprise an adjustment member 27 for adjustment of the opening pressure.

The device may also comprise an import conduit 30, see figs. 2-4, which is connected to the inlet conduit 20 and adapted to enable feeding of a flow of air from the surroundings to the centrifugal separator 10 depending on the gas pressure in the inlet conduit 20. The import conduit 30 comprises a one-way valve 31 , which permits feeding of air to the inlet conduit 20 but prevents a flow in an oppo¬ site direction. The one-way valve 31 is adapted to open for the feeding of air to the inlet conduit 20 when the pressure downstream the one-way valve 31 during operation comes below a determined opening pressure that is related to the gas pressure prevailing in the inlet conduit 20. Also the one-way valve 31 may comprise an adjustment member 32 for adjustment of the opening pressure.

The inlet conduit comprises a first throttling member 41 for throttling of the flow of crankcase gases from the crankcase 3. The fist throt¬ tling member 41 is provided on the inlet conduit 20 between the crankcase 3 and the export/import conduit 25, 30. Furthermore, the inlet conduit 20 comprises a second throttling member 42 throttling of the flow to the centrifugal separator 10. The second throttling member 42 is provided on the inlet conduit 20 between the ex¬ port/import conduit 25, 30 and the centrifugal separator 10. The first throttling member 41 comprises an adjustment member 43 for ad-

justment of the size of the throttling. Also the second throttling member 42 comprises an adjustment member 44 for adjustment of the size of the throttling.

Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention according to which the device comprises an electric motor 13 having a controlla¬ ble rotor speed for quick controlling of the rotary speed of the cen¬ trifuge rotor 11 , and the above explained export conduit 25.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention according to which the device in addition to the electric motor 13 and the export conduit 25 also comprises the above explained import conduit 30.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention according to which the device comprises the above explained export conduit 25 and the above explained import conduit 30. In the third embodi¬ ment, a simpler variant of the drive device 13, however, is used for driving of the centrifuge rotor 11 , and more specifically a drive de¬ vice 13 without a controllable rotary speed. Such a drive device 13 may be realised by means of an electric motor of suitable kind or a motor driven by means of any fluid, for instance oil from the oil system for the combustion engine 1. Examples of different variants of drive devices 13 and the driving of the device 13 are disclosed in the above-mentioned WO99/56883.

Fig. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention according to which the device comprises the above explained import conduit 30 and an electric motor 13 having a rotary speed control.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.