Device for determining at least one parameter of a flowing gas-liquid mixture or using a flow rectifier as a condensation trap or method for condensing a liquid

#The present invention relates to a device for determining at least one parameter of a flowing gas-liquid mixture, to the use of a flow straightener as a condensation trap, and/or to a method for condensing a liquid.

#A device is discussed in European Patent Application No. 0 458 998 for determining the intake-air volume of an internal combustion engine, the intake-air flowing around a measuring element in a main flow direction. As characterized, a flow straightener having a plurality of openings is present upstream from the measuring element. Downstream from the measuring element is a grating for protecting the measuring element from mechanical influences, such as, for example, from direct hand contact. A mesh aperture of the grating is specially produced in a wide-meshed manner. While the device is in operation, oil drops or oil vapor can, for example, flow in the air against the main flow direction and contaminate the measuring element, which may significantly worsen the measuring properties of the measuring element. The backflow of liquids may result from pulsating flows or from a turbo-charger running on in the stopping phase. The inner surface of the protective grating having a special wide-meshed design, may not be sufficient as a condensation surface for the liquid.

#A device is discussed in German Published Patent Application No. 196 47 081 for determining the volume of a flowing medium, in which a grid possesses flow openings having, at least regionally, different flow cross sections. However, the grid is situated upstream from the measuring element.

#FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary device according to the present invention for determining at least one parameter of a flowing gas-liquid mixture.

#FIG. 2 shows another exemplary device according to the present invention.

#FIG. 3 shows still another exemplary device according to the present invention.

#FIG. 1 shows a partial sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device 50 for determining at least one parameter of a gas-liquid mixture flowing in a line, such as an intake-air volume of an internal combustion engine.

#Reference numeral 1 designates a line that may form a direct segment of the intake pipe of the internal combustion engine or that is an independent component part that can be connected to the intake pipe of the internal combustion engine. In either case, line 1 is downstream from an air filter (not shown) on its “clean room” side. The air filter is used for filtering the intake air of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle and is intended to prevent, as thoroughly as possible, dirt particles or liquid from entering into the intake pipe.

#A crankcase ventilation line 71 may be connected to line 1. As a result of oil expanding in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, oil from the crankcase may continuously enter the line via the crankcase ventilation line in a gaseous form or as fine oil drops. In this context, there is the danger of measuring element 25 becoming contaminated in an undesired manner by oil particles. When the engine is in operation, the upstream measuring element 25 may only be contaminated to a small extent, since the oil may not be capable of moving upstream due to the high flow velocity of the intake air. When the internal combustion engine is not in operation, the intake flow is lacking and the expanding gas-oil mixture of the crankcase may move in every direction, including towards the measuring element 25, which may contaminate the measuring element 25.