ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A FLUID DISTRIBUTION ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to piston engines and more particularly to fluid distribution elements for piston engines. The present disclosure further concerns pistons engines equipped with such fluid distribution elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Piston engines often require multiple different types of fluids to be provided to the vicinity of each cylinder. In certain applications, such as marine engines and/or powerplant engines, the physical size of the engines result in that a complex arrangement of piping or tubing is required for conducting these fluids to the cylinders along a cylinder bank.

This issue has previously been addressed by providing a fluid distribution element having multiple fluid ducts corresponding to the respective fluids to be provided. The fluid distribution element is provided to the engine assembly so as to extend along the side of engine. The fluid distribution element is further provided with fluid outlets conveniently located near the associated cylinders, thereby simplifying the required piping associated to the fluids concerned.

Such segments have typically been manufactured by casting metal in order to achieve a structure capable of withstanding vibrations associated to piston engines, as well as ensuring secure coupling between the outlet and subsequent piping in such a highly vibrating environment. Typically, such fluid distribution elements have been composed of a plurality of cast segments attached one after another, because a single-piece cast has generally been considered unfeasible due to the requirement of multiple different variants of such fluid distribution elements corresponding to different types of engines - each having their own distinctive related dimension, which in turn, would require a separate mould for each variant.

For this reason, known fluid distribution elements have been manufactures by casting separate segments, subsequently attached one after another in the longitudinal direction of the engine (i.e. crankshaft direction) in order to form the whole fluid distribution element. Typically, the number of segments used corresponds to the number of cylinders in a respective cylinder bank of the associated engine. Moreover, the segments are provided with outlets communicating with the fluid ducts.

Even in this case, a separate variant is required for each engine type having a different distance between adjacent cylinders, thus requiring a separate casting mould for each segment variant. In addition to resulting in relatively heavy segments (as opposed to mere piping) resulting from the monolithic structure achieve by casting, this approach requires the mating surfaces of the cast segments to be further machined in order to achieve tight seals between adjacent segments. Nevertheless, seals between the mating surfaces adjacent segments require a periodical check in order to confirm working condition due to the vibrations associated with piston engines.

Another known way of producing fluid distribution elements has been to extrude a single profile piece, incorporating required fluid ducts in the extruded profile as closed profile sections. While this approach enables the fluid distribution profile to be manufactured continuously, and subsequently cut to a desired length, it does not allow the number and size of the fluid ducts to be modified to correspond to the associated engine type without changing the extrusion die and mandrel. Such extrusion dies and mandrels are very costly, and hence, maintaining a specific extrusion die-mandrel - set for each type and variation of fluid distribution element is not generally desirable. In addition, replacing the die-mandrel -set is very time consuming hinders the flexibility of manufacturing of fluid distribution elements for engines of each type and variant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid distribution element having a simple construction, enabling it to be easily manufactured as configured for different types of piston engines having various dimensions, i.e. made-to-measure, while ensuring fluid tightness of the ducts even in high vibration conditions.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a piston engine equipped with such a fluid distribution element.

The objects of the disclosure are achieved by a fluid distribution element and a piston engine characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The disclosure is based on the idea of providing separate longitudinal profile pieces arranged side-by-side so as to define the fluid channels of the fluid distribution element.

An advantage of the disclosure is that profile pieces may easily be configured for different lengths and dimensions, thus contributing for greater versatility with respect to configuring the fluid distribution element for different types of engines having various respective dimensions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 schematically represents a portion of a fluid distribution element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated as an axonometric perspective view, and

Fig. 2 schematically represents a portion of a fluid distribution element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated as a cut view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid distribution element 1 for a piston engine, such as a reciprocating internal combustion engine, is provided. The fluid distribution element has at least two longitudinal parallel fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d adjacent to each other.

Each of the fluid channels comprises an inlet 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and, for at least one cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine, an outlet 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d for providing fluid communication between the fluid channel and a respective cylinder head. Preferably, but not necessarily, each of the fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c 2d may comprise, for each cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine, an outlet 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. That is, for example, fluid channel 2a may have a number of outlets 4a corresponding to the number of cylinders in the associated bank of the respective piston engine. Moreover, each or any of the fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c 2d may comprise, for each cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine, multiple outlets 4a, 4a’, 4b, 4c, 4d. That is, for example, fluid channel 2a may have a number of outlets 4a, 4a’ corresponding to twice the number of cylinders in the associated bank of the respective piston engine. The fluid channels are defined by separate longitudinal profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d arranged side-by-side, i.e. laterally with respect to their longitudinal directions. More particularly, the profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are arranged one above another, when in use, Moreover, adjacent profile pieces are adjoined by welding, so as to form at least two closed cross- sectional profiles defining the at least two fluid channels, respectively.

A fixture arrangement 6 is also provided for fixing the fluid distribution element to the respective piston engine. For example, the fixture arrangement may be provided as side plate attached to an outermost (preferably lowermost, when in use) profile piece 5d so that portions of the side plate extend outwardly with respect to the profile piece 5d in both lateral directions, i.e. sideways, when in use.. Holes may further be provided on these portions for enabling the fluid distribution element 1 to be attached to the respective piston engine with attachment means through the holes.

In an embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, adjacent profiles pieces are adjoined by laser welding along longitudinal seams 7ab, 7bc, 7cd between said profiles.

In a further embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the longitudinal profile pieces is a U-profile piece. In such an arrangement, an open portion of a U-profile is adjoined against a closed portion of an adjacent profile piece, or a side plate 6.

For example, multiple U-profile pieces may be adjoined side-by-side, such that an open portion of a U-profile piece is adjoined against a closed portion of an adjacent U-profile piece, and an open portion of an outermost U-profile piece is adjoined against a side plate 6.

For example, at least one of the longitudinal profile pieces may be a U-profile piece and at least one of the longitudinal profile pieces is a rectangular profile piece, such that an open portion of said U-profile piece is adjoined against said rectangular profile piece. Preferably, in such a case, an outermost profile piece (i.e. uppermost or lowermost profile piece, when in use, is a rectangular profile piece, thus enabling the outermost profile piece a larger flow with respect to an adjacent U-profile piece. More preferably, in such a case, an uppermost profile piece, when in use, is a rectangular profile piece. This enables a fluid channel for starting air to be positioned, when in use, closest to the cylinder head. This, in turn, minimizes the relatively costly piping (due to the larger flow area) required between the fluid distribution element and cylinder head.

Preferably, but not necessarily, when an open portion of a U-profile piece is adjoined against a side plate, the fixture arrangement 6 is provided as said side plate.

In still a further embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid distribution element 1 extends at least a distance corresponding to a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Suitably, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the minimum distance between said cylinders. Alternatively, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the distance between the centre axes of said cylinders.

In yet a further embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, each of the longitudinal profiles pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d defining a fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d extends at least a distance corresponding to a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Suitably, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the minimum distance between said cylinders. Alternatively, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the distance between the centre axes of said cylinders.

It should be noted, however, that the fluid distribution element 1 may alternatively be provided shorter than a distance corresponding to a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. For example, the fluid distribution element 1 may extend at least a distance corresponding to 3/4 - 7/8 of a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Suitably, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the minimum distance between said cylinders. Alternatively, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the distance between the centre axes of said cylinders.

It should be noted, however, that each of the longitudinal profiles pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d defining a fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may alternatively be provided shorter than a distance corresponding to a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. For example, each of the longitudinal profiles pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d defining a fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may extend at least a distance corresponding to 3/4 - 7/8 of a distance between a first cylinder and a last cylinder in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Suitably, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the minimum distance between said cylinders. Alternatively, the distance between the first and last cylinder may be regarded as the distance between the centre axes of said cylinders.

In another embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the inlets 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are provided on either, or both, of the longitudinal end of the fluid distribution element. That is, a fluid channel may have an inlet at one end, or both ends. An inlet does not need to be provided on an end surface, but may be provided on an end portion of the fluid channel. That is, in this context, the longitudinal end of fluid distribution element 1 or a profile piece 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d encompasses and end portion thereof, for example a portion extending 1/8 of the whole length of the fluid distribution element 1 . Moreover, some fluid channels may have an inlet at one end, while other fluid channels may have an inlet at both ends. Furthermore, a fluid channel may have an inlet on the same or opposite respective longitudinal end as an adjacent fluid channel, i.e. all of the inlet do not need to be on the same side. In still another embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one outlet 4a, 4a’, 4b, 4c, 4d of a fluid channel is formed on a lateral side of the fluid distribution element 1 . Preferably, all of the outlets 4a, 4a’, 4b, 4c, 4d are provided on one or more lateral sides of the fluid distribution element 1 . For example, when in use, the fluid channel 2a of the uppermost profile piece 5a has outlets 4a, 4a’ on the upwards facing lateral side, whereas the fluid channels 2b, 2c, 2d have outlets 4b, 4c 4d on the sideways facing lateral side.

In yet another embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises a starting air channel 2a and at least one fluid channel, which is one of the following:

— a fuel return channel for liquid fuel;

— a fuel leakage channel for liquid fuel;

— a gas channel for gaseous fuel;

— a lube channel for lubrication oil;

— a control channel for control air;

— a water channel for introducing water into combustion chambers;

— a control oil channel.

A control oil channel may be provided, for example, as a VIC oil channel for hydraulic medium used for variable intake valve timing, a VEC oil channel for hydraulic medium used for variable exhaust valve timing, or both. Naturally, multiple control oil channels may be provided for different purposes, e.g. as described above

Preferably, but not necessarily, the starting air channel 2a has a cross-sectional flow area larger than that of any of the other fluid channels.

Preferably, but not necessarily the starting air channel 2a is an outermost fluid channel. Suitably, the starting air channel 2a, is defined by a profile piece 5a on the opposite side of the fluid distribution element 1 with respect to the fixture arrangement 6. More preferably, the starting air channel 2a is an uppermost fluid channel, when in use. This enables a fluid channel for starting air to be positioned, when in use, closest to the cylinder head. This, in turn, minimizes the relatively costly piping (due to the larger flow area) required between the fluid distribution element and cylinder head.

In a further embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, one or more longitudinal profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d defining a fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are made of steel. In still a further embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, one or more longitudinal profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d defining a fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are made of stainless steel.

It should be noted, that the first aspect of the present disclosure encompasses the combinations of the embodiments discussed above and variations thereof.

In an embodiment according to a second aspect of the present disclosure a piston engine is provided. Most suitably, said engine is reciprocating internal combustion engine.

The engine comprises a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being provided with an own cylinder head.

Moreover, the piston engine is equipped with a fluid distribution element 1 according to the first aspect of present disclosure, as discussed above in connection any of the embodiment and variants thereof.

Each cylinder head of the engine is in fluid communication with at least one fluid channel 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via a respective outlet 4a, 4a’, 4b, 4c, 4d corresponding with said cylinder head.

In the following, the embodiment of a fluid distribution element 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is discussed in greater detail. However, it should be noted that the enclosed drawings are provided for the purpose of illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment for the purpose of further elaborating the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 schematically represents a portion of a fluid distribution element 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrated as an axonometric perspective view. It should be noted however, that although an end portion and an intermediate portion of the fluid distribution element 1 are illustrated, an opposite end potion is not illustrated.

Longitudinal rectangular profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c 5d are placed side-by-side, i.e. one above another, when in use. In the fluid distribution element 1 of Fig. 1 profile piece 5a is positioned uppermost, profile piece 5b is positioned below profile piece 5a, profile piece 5c. A fixture arrangement 6 is further positioned below profile piece 5d.

The uppermost profile piece 5a, has multiple outlets 4a on a lateral side thereof, namely the upward facing side thereof. The outlets 4a are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, the positions of the outlets 4a being intended to correspond to the positions of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Also, the number of the outlets 4a are intended to correspond to the number of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. In addition, the uppermost profile piece 5a, has multiple outlets 4a’ on a lateral side thereof, namely the upward facing side thereof. The outlets 4a’ are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, the positions of the outlets 4a’ being intended to correspond to the positions of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. Also the number of the outlets 4a’ are intended to correspond to the number of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine.

Correspondingly, each of the remaining profile pieces 5b, 5c, 5d also have a plurality of outlets 4b, 4c, 4d, on their lateral sides, namely a side-ways facing side thereof. The outlets of each profile pieces 5b, 5c, 5d are respectively spaced apart along the longitudinal direction. Also, the positions of the outlets 4b, 4c, 4d are intended to correspond to the positions of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. The longitudinal positions of the outlets 4b, 4c 4d are staggered. That is, the outlets 4b, 4c, 4d corresponding to a given cylinder are arranged such that the longitudinal position of immediately adjacent outlet 4b, 4c; 4c, 4d are different to each other.

Moreover, the number of respective the outlets 4b, 4c, 4c are intended to correspond to the number of the cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine. That is, each profile piece 5b, 5c, 5d of the fluid distribution element of Fig. 1 has a number of outlets corresponding to the number of cylinders in an associated bank of the respective piston engine.

Fig. 1 also illustrates inlets 3b, 3c, 3d of the profile pieces 5cb, 5c, 5d, respectively, positioned at the longitudinal end of the fluid distribution element 1 . Inlets 3b, 3d are arranged on the respective longitudinal end surfaces of the profile pieces ^' 5b, 5c, while the outlet 3c is arranged on the lateral side surface of the profile piece 5c. The inlet 3a of the profile piece 5a, is not shown in Fig. 1 , as it located on the longitudinal end of the fluid distribution profile 1 not illustrated therein.

Fig. 2 schematically represents a portion of a fluid distribution element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated as a cut view. Namely, Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional cut view of the fluid distribution element of Fig. 1 , as seen towards the longitudinal end of the fluid distribution element 1 not shown in Fig. 1 .

Particularly, the fluid channels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d defined by the respective rectangular profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d can be seen form Fig. 2. Particularly, the cross-sectional area of the profile piece 5a, i.e. the cross-sectional flow area of the fluid channel 2a, is larger than that of the other profile pieces 5b, 5c, 5d. As can be seen, also the cross-sectional flow area of outlets 4a, intended for starting air, are larger than those of the other outlets 4a’, 4b, 4c, 4d Moreover, an inlet 3a for the fluid channel 2a can be seen on the longitudinal end surface of the of the profile piece 5a.

As can also be seen from the illustration of Fig. 2, the profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d have been arranged aligned on their lateral sides equipped with the outlets 4b, 4c, 4d.

Moreover, reference numeral 7ab, 7bc and 7cd denote the longitudinal seams between the adjacent profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c, 5c along which the said adjacent profile pieces have been adjoined to each other by welding. Although only the longitudinal seam on one lateral side has been referred to, adjacent profile pieces may naturally be adjoined to each other along longitudinal seam on both lateral sides.

The profile pieces 5a, 5b, 5c 5d in Fig. 2 have equal heights (i.e. dimension in which the profile pieces are adjoined side-by-side one above another, however, the profile piece 5a has a greater width than the other profile pieces in order to provide a larger cross-sectional flow area to the fluid channel 2a.