MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR A FILTERING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for managing a filtration system. A method for managing a refrigerant filtration system associated with a refrigerant injection system, preferably water, in a simplified, precise, and quick way to ensure the integrity and proper functioning of the water injection system. To this end, this method applies a corrective or preventive action, avoiding damage to the refrigerant injection system.

Description

MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR A FILTERING SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of managing a filtration system associated with a coolant injection system, preferably applicable to engines used in vehicles. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, several alternatives to replacing the internal combustion engine are available. However, the best solution to this dilemma must take into account the geographical and socioeconomic characteristics of the country, its energy matrix, its emissions legislation, and the environmental impact of the fuel's carbon emissions throughout its life cycle.

[0003] Brazil has a strong reputation for its fleet of flex-fuel vehicles, long experience in the use of ethanol fuel, and its distribution network. This sets it apart from other global markets and justifies a unique approach to reducing CO2 emissions.

[0004] However, some limitations are observed in the use of dual-fuel engines (popularly known as flex-fuel engines). To meet the demand for using two fuels in a single tank, the sizing of a flex-fuel engine tends to be intermediate, since the sizing of single-fuel engines is different depending on whether the fuel is ethanol or gasoline. This is because the vast majority of dual-fuel engines tend to have a single geometric compression ratio, which represents the ratio between the aspirated volume plus the combustion chamber volume in relation to the combustion chamber volume).

[0005] In its course, the piston reaches a higher point and another Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 9 / 53 2 / 13 lower in its displacement, called respectively top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC).

[0006] Usually, the operation of a passenger vehicle engine has four strokes: 1. Admission 2. Compression 3. Combustion 4. Escape

[0007] The effect of the compression ratio becomes evident in the second stroke - the intake valves close after the injection of the air / fuel mixture, and this mixture is compressed so that the combustion process can begin. In this way, the geometric compression ratio of the engine is obtained: the ratio between the volume of the combustion chamber of the piston at its bottom dead center BDC (largest volume) and its top dead center TDC (smallest volume).

[0008] Gasoline engines typically use lower compression ratios (usually between 8:1 and 12:1), while ethanol-powered engines perform better with higher ratios (12:1 or even 16:1).

[0009] Dual-fuel engines are designed to operate with an intermediate compression ratio, which can vary depending on the engine manufacturer. Those that prioritize gasoline performance, offering the ethanol option only for market reasons, opt for lower ratios, between 10:1 and 11.5:1. This can be seen when observing the power and torque figures with both fuels. For example, an engine delivers 144 horsepower with ethanol and 141 with gasoline. However, when considering fuel consumption, the figures are very high with ethanol (5.5 km / l) and good with gasoline (9 km / l).

[0010] As can be seen, the performance with ethanol is Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 10 / 53 3 / 13 is disadvantaged in favor of gasoline, and using ethanol only becomes advantageous with a significant drop in its price, to values ​​below 61% of the price of gasoline, a condition that is difficult to achieve. Therefore, drivers tend to fuel their vehicles almost always with gasoline.

[0011] On the other hand, engines designed to run on ethanol use higher compression ratios, greater than 13:1. Because ethanol has greater resistance to detonation, it accepts higher compression without loss of performance. However, the drop in performance occurs when the engine runs on gasoline, which has its calibration with reduced torque and power figures to avoid detonation (knocking), which is extremely detrimental to engine durability. There are large variations in power and torque figures in engines designed to run on ethanol; for example, 111 horsepower when running on ethanol and 104 horsepower when running on gasoline.Therefore, the viability of using ethanol becomes apparent when the price of ethanol is 73% or even 80% of that of petroleum derivatives, since fuel consumption figures are very similar for both fuels, such as 7.5 km / l (E) and 9.5 km / l (G).

[0012] In this way, the improvement in the use of dual-fuel engines with advantages in fuel economy (when using any fuel), increased efficiency and consequent reduction of CO2 emissions is achieved by a dual-fuel engine by combining high compression ratio technology with the injection of a coolant fluid.

[0013] It should be noted that coolant injection in internal combustion engines is an effective means of altering the detonation limits (to prevent knocking) of dual-fuel engines when running on gasoline only. The use of coolant injection allows an internal combustion engine to be optimized. Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 11 / 53 4 / 13 in its operation with ethanol, without loss of efficiency when also propelled by gasoline. The use of coolant can also be employed in the engine when propelled by gasoline, when subjected to detonation phenomena under more severe conditions (supercharged engines, high compression ratios, racing engines, etc.) and also for the protection of its components.

[0014] In order to balance dual-fuel engines when propelled by both ethanol and gasoline, thus extracting more power and torque from the engine with lower fuel consumption and potentially reducing CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases in normal use (by increasing the ethanol-to-gasoline consumption ratio above 69%, and potentially reaching 80%), a coolant (e.g., water) is injected into the engine during its operation.

[0015] In order to efficiently achieve increased engine power output combined with lower fuel consumption and a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions, the water to be injected must be free of contaminants, mineral salts (demineralized) and electrical charges (deionized). This condition is imperative for preserving the internal components of the system against corrosion, obstructions and blockages.

[0016] However, given the importance of the water injection system for reducing greenhouse gases, it is essential that its integrity be preserved from damage and malfunctions. Therefore, simple, efficient and rapid management of the quality of the water to be injected is necessary, especially regarding the level of contaminants, mineral salts and electrical charges.

[0017] In this sense, there are already inventions that reveal systems and devices capable of monitoring the quality of water present in a Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 12 / 53 5 / 13 container. For example, Patent document BR1020190278501 discloses a system that detects the condition of the fluid immersed in a container by measuring the electrical resistance of a resistor positioned inside that container. However, this document is silent on any solution regarding a way to manage any system (injection of water or any other fluid, as well as a filtration system), focusing only on the measurement system itself and how it works.

[0018] In this way, the present invention aims to overcome all these drawbacks of previous techniques. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a simplified, precise and fast method for managing a refrigerant filtration system associated with a refrigerant injection system, preferably water, to ensure the integrity and proper functioning of the water injection system. To this end, this method applies a corrective or preventive action, avoiding damage to the refrigerant injection system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Aiming to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention describes a method for managing a filtration system for at least one refrigerant fluid passing through a filter element, said system having • at least one refrigerant fluid storage container; • at least one set of fluid condition identification tags stored inside at least one refrigerant storage container equipped with; • at least one electrical parameter measurement element Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 13 / 53 6 / 13 trich associated with the fluid; • at least one electrical parameter measurement element control unit associated with the electrical parameter measurement element; where the said filtration system communicates with the coolant injection system in an internal combustion engine, so as to comprise the steps of • establishing at least one reference value of at least one electrical parameter of the coolant; • measure at least one electrical parameter value of the refrigerant fluid using the electrical parameter measuring element; • Compare the electrical parameter value of the refrigerant measured by the electrical parameter measuring element with the reference value of the refrigerant's electrical parameter; • Identify the condition of the fluid; • Take at least one action. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIGURE 1 - Schematic configuration of the aforementioned invention. FIGURE 2 - Schematic configuration of an early version of the filtration system associated with the refrigerant injection system present in the prior art. FIGURE 3 - Schematic configuration of a second filtration system associated with the refrigerant injection system present in the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] As can be seen from Figure 1, the present invention describes a method for managing a refrigerant filtration system associated with an injection system of Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 14 / 53 7 / 13 refrigerant fluid, preferably water, in a simplified, precise and quick way to ensure the integrity and proper functioning of the water injection system. For this, this method applies a corrective or preventive action, avoiding damage to the refrigerant fluid injection system.

[0022] In order for dual-fuel engines to achieve balance when propelled by both ethanol and gasoline, and thus be able to extract more power and torque from the engine with lower fuel consumption and reduced pollutant emissions in their normal use (through an increase in the consumption ratio between ethanol and gasoline above 69%, possibly reaching 80%), a coolant fluid (for example, water) is injected into the engine during its operation.

[0023] Thus, in order to efficiently achieve increased engine power output coupled with lower fuel consumption and consequent reduction in CO2 emissions, the water to be injected must be free of contaminants, mineral salts (demineralized) and electrical charges (deionized). This condition is imperative for preserving the internal components of the system against corrosion, obstructions and blockages.

[0024] However, under current conditions, the use of water commonly found in homes, water tanks and taps is not viable for this type of application, since it contains micro-contaminants and mineral salts.

[0025] For this condition to be met, the water must be pure, filtered and deionized. However, it is known that this type of water is not commonly found at gas stations, and can only be purchased from specialized stores, which may represent an additional cost to the user, potentially leading them to disregard the recommendation to use deionized water.

[0026] This type of application requires that the water be filtered, demineralized Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 15 / 53 8 / 13 It must be purified and / or deionized, and also be readily available for use by the water injection system, since the vehicle is in motion and the detonation effect can occur at the exact moment the driver presses the accelerator pedal to demand more power from the flex-fuel engine when running on gasoline. The fact that the raw water still has to go through the filtration system when the injection system demands clean water may not prevent the occurrence of unwanted detonation.

[0027] Furthermore, it is important to know the conditions of the water considered to be in a clean state, that is, water that has already passed through the filtration system. The desirable conditions to be observed may include the current physical state of the clean water, as well as whether the direct flow filtration was satisfactory or whether re-filtering of this water will be necessary in order for it to actually reach the necessary conditions of cleanliness, demineralization and deionization so as not to compromise the water injection system.

[0028] Thus, Figure 1 describes the invention as a method for managing a filtration system for at least one refrigerant fluid passing through a filter element 4, said system having • at least one refrigerant fluid storage container 1; • at least one fluid condition identification set stored inside at least one refrigerant storage container equipped with • at least one electrical parameter measurement element associated with the fluid; • at least one electrical parameter measuring element control unit 8 associated with the electrical parameter measuring element 9; Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 16 / 53 9 / 13 where the said filtration system communicates with the coolant injection system 5 in an internal combustion engine, so as to comprise the steps of • establishing at least one reference value of at least one electrical parameter of the coolant; • measure at least one electrical parameter value of the refrigerant fluid using the electrical parameter measuring element 9; • Compare the electrical parameter value of the refrigerant measured by the electrical parameter measuring element with the reference value of the refrigerant's electrical parameter; • Identify the condition of the fluid; • Take at least one action.

[0029] The condition identification assembly for the fluid stored inside at least one refrigerant storage container 1 is understood to be an assembly preferably equipped with at least one resistive element 9 associated with the fluid positioned in contact with the refrigerant (this may be inside the tank where the refrigerant is stored, or in a pipe or hose through which the refrigerant passes, but is not limited to these locations). Alternatively, the condition identification assembly for the fluid stored inside at least one refrigerant storage container may be understood to be an assembly equipped with a water quality sensor, for example.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of establishing at least one reference value of the refrigerant's electrical parameter comprises measuring at least one value of the refrigerant's electrical parameter by means of the electrical parameter measuring element 9 positioned at mon. Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 17 / 53 10 / 13 filter element 4. This electrical parameter may include electrical resistivity, electrical conductivity, or any other parameter.

[0031] When the electrical parameter measuring element 9 is positioned upstream of the filter element 4 (one or more filters to drastically reduce or completely eliminate the presence of contaminants in the fluid), the inlet fluid of filter 4 (dirty fluid) is measured.

[0032] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of establishing at least one reference value for the electrical parameter of the refrigerant comprises entering at least one previously defined reference value into the control unit of the electrical parameter measuring element 8. This value is entered into the control unit of the electrical parameter measuring element 8, which is preferentially responsible for the intelligence of the refrigerant injection system as a whole. This control unit 8 may comprise either the ECU (Electronic Control Unit responsible for electronically managing all engine operation) already present in the vehicle, or it may comprise a unit exclusively dedicated solely to the refrigerant injection system.

[0033] In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for managing a filtration system, where the step of identifying the condition of the refrigerant fluid identifies a condition between suitable and unsuitable for use by the refrigerant fluid injection system 5. This condition is directly related to whether the presence and quantity of microcontaminants and ions present in the water exiting the filter element 4 are in a condition to be delivered to the refrigerant fluid injection system 5. Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 18 / 53 11 / 13 or if any action should be taken to prevent this fluid from compromising the internal components of system 5 due to corrosion, obstructions and blockages.

[0034] In another alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of taking at least one action comprises taking at least one action between a protective action and an informative action. An informative action is understood to be making the driver aware that the filtration system has some malfunction and therefore requires maintenance. Additionally, a protective action is understood to be the fact that the control unit 8 itself applies (autonomously) some action to the filtration system (or even to the filter element 4) to preserve the integrity of the water injection system 5.

[0035] In this sense, the present invention discloses a method of managing a filtration system, such that the step of taking at least one action comprises forcing the refrigerant fluid to pass through the filter element 4, as can be seen in figure 3. This refiltering can occur as many times as necessary, or even for a previously defined number of times.

[0036] Additionally, the present invention discloses a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of taking at least one action comprises the event of emitting at least one maintenance indicator signal. This signal may comprise a light or any other symbol on the vehicle's dashboard, and may (or may not) be accompanied by an audible signal.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of taking at least one action comprises the event of emitting at least one signal for the execution of at least Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 19 / 53 12 / 13 a maintenance action on the filter element. This signal must be issued by control unit 8, which may include either the ECU or a dedicated unit solely for the refrigerant injection system.

[0038] Additionally, the present invention describes a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of adopting at least one maintenance action on the filter element 4 comprises at least one autonomous action. This autonomous maintenance is initiated after the emission of at least one signal by the control unit 8, which may comprise either the ECU or a unit exclusively dedicated solely to the refrigerant injection system, for the execution of at least one maintenance action on the filter element 4. For example, in the case of using electrically operated capacitive filters, the emitted signal may initiate an action to reverse the filter's polarity, forcing it to eliminate all previously retained ionic charge, making it again capable of performing new filtrations.

[0039] In yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention describes a method for managing a filtration system, such that the step of taking at least one action comprises the event of the electrical parameter measuring element control unit 8 sending at least one signal to disable the refrigerant injection system 5. This action comprises interrupting the delivery of water to the injection system 5 and must occur if the measuring element 9 positioned downstream of the filtration system 4 (to measure the parameters of the clean water) identifies that the fluid exiting the filter 4 is not in a condition to be used, even if it passes through more than one filtration process. This action may (or may not) be accompanied by an action that purges the water still present in the filtration system. Petition 870260048583, dated 05 / 21 / 2026, page 20 / 53 13 / 13

[0040] Thus, it should be noted that, as described above, the present invention achieves the objective of providing a method for managing a refrigerant fluid filtration system associated with a refrigerant fluid injection system, preferably water, in a simplified, precise and fast way to ensure the integrity and proper functioning of the water injection system 5. To this end, this method applies a corrective action or a preventive action, avoiding damage to the refrigerant fluid injection system 5.This management method works in conjunction with other methods aimed at providing coolant to a fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine, preferably water, supplied by tap water or any other water source available in the vehicle, such as an air conditioning condenser and exhaust gases. This water must be clean, demineralized, deionized, and, most importantly, readily available to be delivered to the water injection system the moment the driver presses the accelerator pedal to demand more power from the dual-fuel engine when running on gasoline.

[0041] Thus, the present invention also fulfills the role of enabling an increase in the power extracted from the engine associated with lower gasoline consumption and consequent reduction of CO2 by the dual-fuel engines originally developed to be propelled with ethanol.

[0042] Thus, the present invention relates to an embedded system, but it is understood that its application is not limited to embedded systems, and may be applied to non-embedded systems, such as a filtering, purification and sterilization station for a refrigerant fluid applicable in fluid injection systems in internal combustion engines.

Claims

1. Method for managing a filtration system for at least one refrigerant fluid, preferably water, passing through a filter element (4), said system having: • at least one refrigerant fluid storage container (1); • at least one fluid condition identification set stored inside at least one refrigerant fluid storage container (1) having: • at least one electrical parameter measuring element (9) associated with the fluid; • at least one electrical parameter measuring element control unit (8) associated with the electrical parameter measuring element (9);wherein said filtration system communicates with a refrigerant injection system (5) in an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the management method comprises the steps of • establishing at least one reference value of at least one electrical parameter of the refrigerant, said reference value being obtained by measuring the electrical parameter of the fluid upstream of the filter element (4) and / or by entering at least one previously defined reference value in the control unit (8); • measuring at least one electrical parameter value of the refrigerant by means of the electrical parameter measuring element (9) downstream of the filter element (4); • comparing the electrical parameter value of the refrigerant measured downstream of the filter element (4) with the reference value of the electrical parameter of the refrigerant;• identify the condition of the fluid as either suitable or unsuitable for use by the refrigerant injection system (5); and; • adopt, depending on the condition identified, at least one action between a protective action and an informative action.

2. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical parameter comprises the electrical conductivity and / or the electrical resistivity of the refrigerant fluid.

3. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of taking at least one protective action comprises forcing the refrigerant fluid to pass through the filter element (4).

4. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of taking at least one informative action comprises the event of emitting at least one maintenance indicator signal.

5. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of adopting at least one protective action comprises the event of emitting at least one signal for the execution of at least one maintenance action of the filter element (4).

6. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 5, characterized in that the step of taking at least one maintenance action on the filter element (4) comprises at least one autonomous action.

7. A method for managing a filtration system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of adopting at least one protective action comprises the event of the electrical parameter measuring element control unit (8) sending at least one signal to disable the refrigerant injection system (5).

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