System and method of cooling valve with material in cavity

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016169062-A1
Application number	US-201414565827-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 10, 2014
Priority date	Dec 10, 2014
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system includes a reciprocating engine, the reciprocating engine includes a poppet valve having a first valve end and a second valve end. The poppet valve includes a valve head having the first valve end. The valve head may open and close a fluid passageway within the reciprocating engine. The poppet valve also includes a stem extending from the valve head and having a first length. The stem has the second valve end and the second valve end is substantially opposite the first valve end. The poppet valve also includes a cavity aligned with a centerline axis of the poppet valve. The cavity includes a first region disposed within the valve head and a second region disposed within the stem, and the second region has a second length that is shorter than the first length. The poppet valve further includes a metal alloy disposed within the cavity. The metal alloy is in a liquid-phase during operation of the reciprocating engine and may transfer heat from the valve head to the stem.

First claim

1 . A valve for a cylinder head of a reciprocating engine, comprising:
a first valve end and a second valve end; a valve head having the first valve end; a stem extending from the valve head and having a first length, wherein the stem has the second valve end and the second valve end is substantially opposite the first valve end; a cavity aligned with a centerline axis of the valve, wherein the cavity comprises a first region disposed within the valve head and a second region disposed within the stem, and the second region has a second length shorter than the first length along the centerline axis; and a metal alloy disposed within the cavity, wherein the metal alloy is configured to transfer heat from the valve head to the valve stem.

2 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a melting point between approximately 90 degrees Celsius (° C.) and approximately 250° C.

3 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a thermal conductivity greater than 25 watt per meter per degrees Celsius (W/m − ° C.) at 25 degrees Celsius ° C.

4 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a lead-free solder material.

5 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a lead-tin solder material.

6 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the poppet valve is an exhaust valve.

7 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises a first diameter and a second diameter and the second region comprises a third diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter and the third diameter is substantially equal to the second diameter.

8 . The valve of claim 7 , wherein the poppet valve comprises a seal disposed over the first region of the cavity, wherein the seal is configured to plug the cavity such that the metal alloy is retained within the cavity.

9 . The valve of claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises a hollow passage between a top surface of the metal alloy and a terminus of the cavity, wherein the hollow portion enables a flow of the metal alloy between the first region and the second region.

10 . A valve, comprising:
a valve head having a first valve end; a stem extending from the valve head and having a second valve end and comprising a first length, wherein the second valve end is substantially opposite the first valve end; a cavity aligned with a centerline axis of the valve, wherein the cavity comprises a first region disposed within the valve head and a second region disposed within the stem, wherein the first region and the second region form a continuous passage, and wherein the second region has a second length shorter than the first length along the centerline; a plurality of protrusions disposed within the second region of the cavity; and a metal alloy disposed within a portion of the first region, the second region, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal alloy comprises a melting temperature less than 250 degrees Celsius (° C.).

11 . The valve of claim 10 , comprising a seal disposed over the first region of the cavity, wherein the seal plugs the cavity such that the metal alloy is retained within the cavity.

12 . The valve of claim 10 , wherein the cavity comprises a gap between a surface of the metal alloy and a terminus of the cavity, wherein the gap is configured to enable a flow of the metal alloy between the first region and the second region.

13 . The valve of claim 10 , wherein the melting temperature is between approximately 90 degrees Celsius (° C.) and approximately 200° C.

14 . The valve of claim 10 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a thermal conductivity greater than 25 watt per meter per degrees Celsius (W/m − ° C.) at 25 degrees Celsius ° C.

15 . The valve of claim 10 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a lead-free solder material.

16 . The valve of claim 10 , wherein the valve comprises an exhaust valve for a reciprocating engine.

17 . A method, comprising:
forming a valve base comprising a first thermally conductive material, a valve head having a first end, and a valve stem having a second end, wherein the second end is substantially opposite from the first end; forming a cavity within the valve base, wherein the cavity is aligned with a centerline axis of the valve base, and wherein the cavity comprises a first region disposed within the valve head and a second region disposed within the valve stem, and wherein the first region and the second region are fluidly coupled; and depositing a second thermally conductive material into at least a portion of the cavity, wherein the second thermally conductive material is different from the first thermally conductive material, and wherein the second thermally conductive material comprises a metal alloy.

18 . The method of claim 17 , comprising sealing the cavity by disposing a seal over the first region of the cavity, wherein the seal is flush with the first end of the valve base.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a melting point between approximately 90 degrees Celsius (° C.) and approximately 250° C.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the metal alloy comprises a lead solder material, a silver solder material, or a tin solder material.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Knudsen Julian Richard

Classifications

• F01L2303/00

  Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements · CPC title

• F01L3/02

  Selecting particular materials for valve-members or valve-seats; Valve-members or valve-seats composed of two or more materials · CPC title

• Y10T137/6065

  Assembling or disassembling reciprocating valve · CPC title

• Y10T137/0491

  Valve or valve element assembling, disassembling, or replacing · CPC title

• F01L3/14 Primary

  by means of a liquid or solid coolant, e.g. sodium, in a closed chamber in a valve · CPC title