FLUID IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND FLUID IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for fluid identification and a system for fluid identification, wherein said device is compactly dimensioned and has simple integrated electronics that enable improved detection of fluids in general, but also of fuels, taking into account not only homogeneous substances or standard fuels, but also mixtures between fuels (mixtures of gasoline and ethanol) and mixtures between standard fuels (gasoline, ethanol and diesel) with other fluids such as water, solvents, methanol and others, and indicates which type of fuel has been adulterated, including the percentage of the adulterating fluid / substance.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fluid identification by means of a resistance element connected to a control unit, and to a fluid identification system that uses this device, preferably for identifying fluids in open or pressurized systems, vehicles, industrial and / or commercial facilities or laboratories, wherein the system is permanently installed, embedded and / or portable. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] One of the biggest challenges is determining the purity and composition of homogeneous fluids such as liquids, or even determining which fluid is present in a particular container or system.

[0003] An example of such situations is the attempt to identify beverage brands solely by observing the visual characteristics, taste, or smell of the liquid itself, with competing brands trying to imitate the market leader as closely as possible in order to gain an advantage and engage in a form of parasitic competition.

[0004] Another situation where determining the identity of the liquid is extremely difficult is when refueling vehicles. Many gas stations adulterate fuel to deceive their customers and maximize their profits by adding solvents or adding an amount of ethanol that exceeds the legally permitted limit.

[0005] Commonly referred to as "baptized gasoline," adulterated gasoline is a fuel that has changed from its original state. In other words, this occurs when other, cheaper solvents are mixed with the fuel. This includes hydrated alcohol (ethanol), which is frequently used for this purpose. According to 2 / 15 The National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), a Brazilian agency whose goal is to promote the regulation, contracting, and inspection of economic activities in the oil, natural gas, and biofuel industries, states that the maximum permissible percentage of anhydrous ethanol in a gasoline blend is up to 27%. And what certain stations are doing is producing the blend with a significantly higher amount.

[0006] Although many people are unaware or believe that only gasoline can be adulterated, ethanol can also be adulterated in two ways. The first and most common method is to add more water to hydrogenated ethanol, thereby exceeding the legally established limit. While this is not visually perceptible, it negatively alters and impairs the vehicle's performance. Another method of adulterating ethanol is to add water to anhydrous alcohol, the same substance used in the mandatory mixture with gasoline. Currently, anhydrous alcohol contains an orange dye specifically designed to prevent such impurities. Therefore, fuel alcohol must be colorless. In addition to these methods, ethanol can be adulterated by the addition of solvents, methanol, or other substances.

[0007] In some countries, particularly in the Brazilian market, the use of engines that can run on two different fuels has become very popular. Dual-fuel engines can operate on gasoline and ethanol, or any mixture of both. A desirable advantage of these so-called flex-fuel engines is that the system identifies the fuel in the tank, allowing the vehicle's electronic control unit to adjust the engine parameters accordingly.

[0008] The installation of a fuel sensor is necessary so that the fuel injection system management can properly control the fuel flow. Since the air-fuel ratio varies depending on the fuel type, accurate fuel identification allows the engine to maintain combustion close to the stoichiometric ratio by adjusting the opening and closing of the fuel injectors. If this fuel identification is not performed correctly, engine operation can be impaired and certain components can be damaged. If more fuel than necessary is supplied, engine efficiency can decrease and the volume of exhaust gases can increase. If less fuel is supplied than required, the engine may malfunction, stall, or even fail to operate.

[0009] Additionally, fuel adulteration is present on the market. The use of fuel containing other substances can reduce engine efficiency and lead to premature component wear and, in the worst case, component damage.

[0010] The sensors currently available on the market are expensive and have low accuracy in fuel identification.

[0011] Therefore, fuel identification is essential to ensure the proper operation of the engine.

[0012] Several fuel sensor solutions already exist within the framework of existing technologies. Patent document PI0800192-8 discloses an existing ethanol sensor that uses a heating system to determine the ethanol content by measuring the heating current. The heater's PTC element stabilizes the current at different levels for each fuel, which is due to the individual thermal and physical properties of each fuel.

[0013] Another existing patent document is PI0701674-3, which discloses a different class of ethanol sensors that, with the heating starter, vaporizes the fuel within a volume defined by the heating chamber.

[0014] One variant of the ethanol sensor, which uses a heating system, identifies the fuel based on the critical heat flux, as described in patent PI1015785-9.

[0015] Furthermore, patent document BR102016009975-7 discloses in another variant a sensor that identifies the fuel based on pressure fluctuations.

[0016] As can be seen, the previous solutions have a number of limitations, such as being exclusively applicable in engines and lacking precision in identification.

[0017] In addition to the demand for a way to determine the purity and / or composition of a particular fluid, there is a market requirement that devices (or even systems) must be simple, small, and compact for faster installation, with less complexity in wiring, as existing solutions go in the opposite direction in terms of these characteristics.

[0018] In this context, none of the current solutions addresses the problem of determining, with extremely high accuracy or precision, whether a given fluid is pure, mixed (compounded) or adulterated, even if it is homogeneous, using a compact and simplified device, and furthermore with the versatility to be applicable in open or pressurized systems, engines in general, vehicles, industrial and / or commercial plants, or even in laboratory benches and quality control processes. GOALS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a device and a system for fluid identification (stationary, embedded, and / or portable system) wherein the device and method are compact in size and incorporate simple embedded electronics that enable improved detection of fluids in general and fuels in particular. The invention considers not only homogeneous substances or fuels defined by standards, but also mixtures of fuels (such as mixtures of gasoline and ethanol) as well as mixtures of standardized fuels (gasoline, ethanol, and diesel) with other fluids such as water, solvents, methanol, and others. Furthermore, it indicates which type of fuel has been adulterated, including the percentage of the adulterating fluid / substance(s). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In order to solve the present technical problem and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the objective of the present invention is to provide a device for fluid identification, comprising • at least one heating element that can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid, and at least one container that is provided with an inner area comprising an internal volume that can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid and interacts with the heating element, and an outer area; • at least one interface with at least one power source; • at least one control unit that is electrically connected to the heating element and electrically connected to the interface to at least one power source; • at least one interface with at least one processing unit; • at least one temperature sensor; wherein the control unit comprises at least one circuit board which is equipped with • at least one integrated circuit element, • at least one performance level; and • is connected to at least one interface with at least one processing unit; where the control unit simultaneously • the heating element; • the temperature sensor; • the performance level; • the interface with at least one processing unit; and • the interface is integrated with at least one power source housed in the fluid identification device.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a fluid identification system comprising • at least one fluid identification device described above; • at least one processing unit; and • at least one power source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 - Example of the device that is the subject of the present invention. Fig. 2 - Example of the system according to the present invention in an automotive application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention, described herein in the form of a fluid identification device, is applicable to a system and a corresponding method whose aim is to enable more advanced detection of fluids in general, and of fuels in particular, taking into account not only homogeneous substances or standardized fuels, but also mixtures of fuels (such as mixtures of gasoline and ethanol) and mixtures of standardized fuels (gasoline, ethanol, and diesel) together with other fluids such as water, solvents, methanol, and others, regardless of the type of fuel adulterated, including the percentage of the adulterating fluid / substance(s). For example, the present invention enables the ability to distinguish between gasoline with added water and ethanol with added water.Furthermore, due to the higher accuracy in the detection of the monitored fluid, the system and method of this invention enable the differentiation between different types of gasoline, such as regular gasoline, gasoline with additives and premium gasoline.

[0023] What makes this invention completely novel and full of ingenuity is that the device proposed by this invention is equipped with a heat sensor capable of identifying the fuel or fluid based on the thermodynamic and physical properties of the fluid, and is equipped with a control unit comprising at least one printed circuit board connected to at least one integrated circuit element and at least one power transistor, wherein the control unit in question simultaneously integrates the power transistor, the heating element and the temperature sensor housed in the respective device.

[0024] In general, the fluid detection sensor that is part of this invention comprises, • a heating device that includes an electrical resistor with PTC (positive temperature coefficient) effect, that is, an electrical resistor whose resistance changes with temperature, which is in contact with the fluid to be detected and heats the fluid; • a chamber or container of known volume, filled with the fluid to be detected, into which the electrical resistor is inserted; • a temperature sensor which is inserted inside the chamber and is in contact with the fluid to be detected, wherein the sensor is preferably positioned in the upper part of the chamber relative to gravity; • Control electronics connected to the electrical resistance and the temperature sensor, which is able to supply the resistance with electrical current and to measure the electrical properties of this resistance and the temperature sensor throughout the entire measurement, whereby it can determine which fluid is in the container by detecting these properties and comparing them with predetermined values.

[0025] In this case, the fluid (fuel or fluid to be detected) is poured into the chamber containing the heating device. The fluid must fill the entire volume of the chamber and displace all the air previously contained within it.

[0026] The fluid can be under pressure (closed system with a specific pressure) or simply exposed to ambient pressure.

[0027] The measurement is then initiated by applying a predetermined voltage to the heating device, and the temperature measurement is carried out by the temperature sensor, which is in contact with the fluid.

[0028] The voltage applied to the heating device can be constant or variable over time, depending on the desired detection accuracy, the duration of the measurement (shorter or longer), and the type of fluid to be detected.

[0029] The electronic controller measures and records the following parameters over time: the electrical current and voltage applied to the heating device, and the fluid temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical resistance of the heating device is calculated at each measurement point and compared to a predetermined value defined as the detection resistance. If the resistance reaches the detection resistance value, the electronic controller cuts off the voltage, thereby switching off the heating device.

[0030] The detection resistance is reached when the heated fluid transitions from the liquid phase to vapor. Due to the PTC properties of the heating element, it exhibits lower resistance when heating a liquid than when heating a vapor. This occurs because vapor has a higher thermal resistance than liquid, causing the heating element to reach a higher temperature and consequently increasing its resistance.

[0031] Another approach allows monitoring of the electrical current or voltage in the heating device at any given time and setting a predetermined value which, when reached, deactivates the heating device. After the heating device has been switched off, the controller determines the energy supplied to the heating device based on its electrical characteristics by integrating the power consumed by the heating device over time from the start of the measurement until the point of detection. Energy can also be calculated using the discrete formula E = U · I · Δ T and its variations, including electrical resistance, can be obtained.

[0032] In addition to calculating the energy, the temperature of the fluid at the time of detection resistance is determined. This value indicates the temperature of the fluid at the moment of its evaporation.

[0033] Thus, both the energy supplied to the heating device and the fluid temperature at the time of detection are compared with predefined values ​​to determine the type of heated fluid. Accordingly, it is possible to identify the fluid in question.

[0034] In this context, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows that the present invention describes a fluid identification device 1 comprising the following • at least one heating element 11 which can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid, and at least one container 12 which is equipped with an inner area comprising an internal volume which can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid and which interacts with the heating element, and an outer area; • at least one interface with at least one power source 13; • at least one control unit 3, which is electrically connected to the heating element 11 and electrically to the interface with at least one power source 2; • at least one interface with at least one processing unit 313; • at least one temperature sensor 2; wherein the control unit 3 comprises at least one printed circuit board 31 which is equipped with • at least one integrated circuit element 311, • at least one 312 power transistor; and • is connected to at least one interface and at least one processing unit 313; where the relevant control unit 3 is integrated simultaneously • the heating element 11; • the temperature sensor 2; • performance level 312; • the interface with at least one processing unit 313; and • the interface to at least one power source 13, which is housed in the fluid identification device 1.

[0035] A power transistor is understood as an element that has two fundamental functions: amplifying or interrupting the flow of electric current. In its amplifying function, the transistor is supplied with a low input current, amplifies it, and thus generates a higher-intensity output current. The present invention preferably permits a MOSFET-type transistor, but all other types such as intelligent power switch, SMD / PTH, reverse polarity protection, or current feedback are also permissible.

[0036] The interface with at least one processing unit 313 preferably uses the LIN-2.1 protocol, but alternatively also supports CAN, CAN FD, On / Off, SEND protocols and others.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a device for fluid identification 1, in which the container 12 consists of a fluid inlet part that interacts with the inner region of the container 12, and a fluid outlet part that interacts with the inner region of the container 12. This container 12 comprises a measuring chamber, since the effective measurement of the resistance value is carried out at this point, as well as an outer housing.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the heating element 11 comprises at least one exposed resistive filament heating element.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the heating element 11 comprises at least one PTC type 12 / 15 heating element. Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the heating element 11 comprises at least one NTC heating element.

[0040] In a further alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the container 12 comprises a housing with an inner region.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the control unit 3 is connected to the inner area of ​​the container 12.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the electrically controlled unit 3 is positioned adjacent to the heating element 11.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the control unit 3 is physically and mechanically associated with the heating element 11.

[0044] In this context, the present invention shows a preferred embodiment wherein the control unit 3 is mounted next to the heating element 11.

[0045] In a further additional embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the control unit 3 is physically and mechanically connected to the outer region of the container 12. Therefore, the present invention shows a preferred embodiment in which the control unit 3 is mounted on the housing of the container 12.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the integrated circuit element 311 comprises a microcontroller.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the integrated circuit element 311 comprises an ASIC-like controller (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively, the integrated circuit element comprises a microcontroller-like controller.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the control unit 3 performs a method for fluid identification.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the present invention discloses a device for fluid identification 1, wherein the heating element 11 is completely surrounded by the fluid.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a device for fluid identification comprising at least one temperature sensor that cooperates with the inner region of the container 2.

[0052] In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a device for fluid identification comprising at least one temperature sensor associated with the container. 2.

[0053] Furthermore, in a further preferred embodiment, the present invention describes a device for fluid identification comprising at least one temperature sensor connected to the heating element 11.

[0054] Since the device of the present invention is versatile enough to be used in open or pressurized systems (where the fluid is displaced by means of a pump), vehicle systems (in the line that supplies fuel to the engine), industrial and / or commercial plants, or even in laboratories, the power source 6 for the entire system that is the subject of the present invention can be either a conventional AC mains supply or any battery. The integrated circuit element 311 can possibly be powered by the same power source 6 or by an alternative power source 61, such as a 5V source.

[0055] The control of the heating device, i.e., the determination of the amount of energy required to evaporate the fluid, comprises a control unit or a control and processing unit 5, such as a computer, laptop, or any other type of processing unit, whereby local or remote processing in clouds or on remote processors is permitted. In an installed system, the control must be performed by a control and processing unit for vehicle parameters, which is primarily responsible for the intelligence of the engine as a whole. This control unit may include the ECU (Electronic Control Unit – responsible for the electronic control of the entire engine operation) already present in the vehicle. Communication between the control unit or the control and processing unit 5 takes place via an interface with at least one processing unit 313.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention discloses a fluid identification system comprising the following • at least one device for identifying fluids, which includes all the mandatory, preferred and alternative properties described above; • at least one processing unit 5; • at least one power source 6.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a fluid identification system wherein the power source 6 is electrically dissociated from an alternative power source 61. Therefore, the power source 6 and the alternative power source 61 are independent of each other.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention shows a fluid identification system wherein the power source 6 is electrically associated with an alternative power source 61.

[0059] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a fluid identification system, wherein the source of this power source (6) comprises an alternative power source (61). Therefore, power source 6 and alternative power source 61 are identical.

[0060] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a fluid identification system, wherein this system performs at least one fluid identification method.

[0061] In this way, the present invention fulfills the objective of providing a device for fluid identification and a system for fluid identification (fixed, embedded and / or portable system), wherein said device and system are compact in their dimensions and have built-in, simple electronics that enable improved detection of fluids in general, but also of fuels, taking into account not only homogeneous substances or fuels defined by standards, but also mixtures of fuels (mixtures of gasoline and ethanol) as well as mixtures of the fuels defined by standards (gasoline, ethanol and diesel) with other fluids such as water, solvents, methanol and others, and indicates what type of fuel has been adulterated, including the percentage of the adulterating fluid / substance. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] BR 102016009975-7

[0015] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Patent document PI0800192-8

[0012]

Claims

[1] Fluid identification device (1) comprising • at least one heating element (11) that can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid, and at least one container (12) with an inner area comprising an internal volume that can be brought into fluid contact with at least one fluid and interacts with the heating element, and an outer area; • at least one interface with at least one power source (13); • at least one control unit (3) which is electrically connected to the heating element (11) and electrically connected to the interface with at least one power source (2); • at least one interface with at least one processing unit (313); • at least one temperature sensor (2); characterized in that the control unit (3) comprises at least one printed circuit board (31) which is equipped with • at least one integrated circuit element (311), • at least one performance level (312); and • at least one interface with at least one processing unit (313); is connected, wherein the relevant control unit (3) is simultaneously integrated • the heating element (11); • the temperature sensor (2); • the performance level (312); • the interface with at least one processing unit (313); and • the interface to at least one power source (13) housed in the fluid identification device (1). [2] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (12) comprises a housing with an inner area. [3] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) is connected to the inner area of ​​the container (12). [4] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) is positioned next to the heating element (11). [5] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) is physically and mechanically associated with the heating element (11). [6] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) is physically and mechanically connected to the outer area of ​​the container (12). [7] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated circuit element (311) comprises a microcontroller. [8] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated circuit element (311) comprises an ASIC controller. [9] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one pressure sensor (4). [10] Device for fluid identification (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the temperature sensor (2) is connected to at least one pressure sensor (4). [11] Fluid identification system, characterized in that it • at least one device for fluid identification (1), defined by claims 1 to 10; • at least one processing unit (5); • includes at least one power source (6). [12] Fluid identification system according to claim 12, characterized in that the power source (6) is electrically isolated from an alternative power source (61). [13] Fluid identification system according to claim 12, characterized in that the power source (6) is electrically connected to an alternative power source (61). [14] Fluid identification system according to claim 12, characterized in that the power source (6) comprises an alternative power source (61). [15] Fluid identification system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that this system performs at least one fluid identification method.

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