Inlet receiver: description, characteristics and principle of operation

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The engine is the foundation of any car. This unit includes many nodes and mechanisms. One of these is the intake receiver (aka manifold). This item is available on every car. In today's article, we will look at what an intake receiver is for, how it works and how it works.

Characteristic

So, what is the function of the collector? The main task of this element is to evenly distribute the fuel-air mixture or air (if it is an internal combustion engine with direct injection) over the cylinders of the power unit. Due to the even distribution of fuel, optimal performance of the internal combustion engine is ensured. In addition, one of the tasks that is assigned to the VAZ-2112 16-valve intake receiver is the fastening of the fuel injection equipment, as well as the throttle valve. If we talk about older cars, then the carburetor is fixed on the manifold, which is involved in the preparation of the mixture.

Also note that cylinder deactivation technology to save fuel onmodern cars is achieved through the use of receivers with variable geometry. Often this feature is available on machines with V8 and V10 engines.

Another function is the operation of auxiliary systems. In the collector, due to the downward pressure, a partial vacuum is obtained. Engineers have learned to use vacuum as a driving force for:

• Brake booster.
• Cruise control systems.
• Emission control systems.
• Crankcase ventilation and so on.

Materials and construction of receivers

By its design, this element is a closed tank with outlet pipes and a common chamber. Even 15 years ago, aluminum and cast-iron receivers were installed on cars without exception. However, the situation changed in the 2000s. It was then that the first plastic collectors began to appear on the machines. Ford cars with Duratec engines are a prime example of this.

How does it work?

Consider how the intake manifold receiver works. Fuel injectors or a carburetor spray fuel into the downpipe of the receiver. Due to the electrostatic force, gasoline droplets will collect into larger ones in the air or settle on the walls. These actions are undesirable because they lead to incorrect mixture formation. The better the gasoline is sprayed, the fuller and more intense it will burn in the chamber. Therefore, in order to eliminate negative factors and ensure the highest quality atomization, the internal parts of the receiver are madeunpolished. At the same time, the surface is not excessively rough, as this can cause a lot of turbulence and lead to a drop in ICE power.

The inlet receiver must have a certain shape, capacity and length. The best option is an equal-length collector. All of the above parameters are calculated when developing a specific power unit. The manifold ends with air channels that direct the flow of oxygen to the internal combustion engine valves. On diesel units, where there is direct injection, the air flow swirls and enters the cylinder. The latter is already mixing with fuel.

Features of the shape and length of the receiver nozzles

Recently, engineers have paid special attention to these reservoir parameters. In the design of the channel, sharp corners and sharp curvatures should be excluded. In these places, fuel that is mixed with air will definitely settle on the walls. Therefore, most automakers practice installing such receivers, where all channels are of equal length, regardless of the distance from the center. This trend came from sports cars.

This design eliminates the Helmholtz resonance. The flow of a mixture of air and gasoline, when the corresponding valve is opened, moves clearly along the receiver channel towards the cylinder. When the valve closes, the air that did not have time to enter the chamber continues to press on the plate. Under the influence of high pressure, the air tends to return to the upper part of the receiver. As a result, a countercurrent is formed in the channel. Hestops when the valve next opens. the change in the direction of the flows occurs at a very fast speed. Studies have shown that this speed is close to supersonic. After all, in addition to closing and opening valves, the air will tend to change direction due to the phenomenon of resonance. When air moves from side to side, this will inevitably result in a loss of power.

For the first time, resonance-optimized receivers were used on Chrysler's ten-cylinder V-engines. And then other world manufacturers began to practice a similar scheme.

Variable Geometry Receiver

This is a relatively recent development that has been getting more and more supporters lately. Now there are several principles for the implementation of this design. One of them assumes the presence of two channels through which a mixture or oxygen can move. One channel is short, the other is long. Under a certain mode of operation, the installed valve will close the short path.

Please note that when replacing the intake reservoir, the gasket must always be new. If you install the old one, the tightness will be broken. There is a possibility of air leakage and, as a result, unstable operation of the engine, as well as increased fuel appetite.

Also consider the second principle of implementing variable reservoir geometry. Here the valve is mounted in the intake pipe. When certain conditions are reached, the damper will reduce the internal volume of the chamber. Usually,such a scheme is practiced on internal combustion engines with a small number of cylinders. On larger engines, more complex systems are implemented, which also make it possible to turn off some of the cylinders in order to save fuel. So, the part of the chamber, to which the channels of half of the cylinders are connected, are blocked by a damper.

Features of the operation of the inlet receiver

Unlike the engine itself, this part is maintenance-free. However, it is necessary to periodically control the quality of the gaskets. The slightest air leak is the engine tripping and the yellow "Check" lamp on the instrument panel.

Note that plastic collectors, which are now widespread, are more prone to deformation than others. This point must be taken into account when tightening the receiver nuts. Be sure to use a torque wrench, observe the tightening torque. Tighten the bolts from the center, and then move to the periphery.

About the finalization of the collector

VAZ intake receiver tuning is a very popular topic. This operation has two directions. This is the refinement of the inner surface and overcoming the negative influence of the shape of the element. If the latter is asymmetric, then most of the air will enter the first cylinder, and less and less oxygen will penetrate into all subsequent ones. But symmetrical also has disadvantages. Here, air will enter the largest amount into the middle cylinders. Improvements to the VAZ-2114 intake receiver in this case consist in replacing the standard manifold with a multi-throttle intake system. Here airthreads are no longer dependent on each other. Accordingly, the same amount of oxygen enters each cylinder.

You can modify the intake receiver VAZ-2112 in another way. So, some perform grinding of the inner surface. Getting rid of some of the tides and bumps, you can provide a more uniform air supply to the engine. But as practice shows, this refinement does not bring a significant increase in power. A more efficient solution is to install chokes. However, this should be done only when installing the turbine, otherwise tuning will be unjustified.

Conclusion

So, we have considered what an inlet receiver is. As you can see, this is a very important part in a car engine. The quality of mixture formation and the stability of the internal combustion engine depend on its design.