System and method for the identification of fluids

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for the identification of fluids which, by means of a resistive element associated with a heating control unit and in contact with a fluid in a reservoir associated with an open container, enables the assessment and monitoring of fluid at ambient atmospheric pressure and in small quantities, allowing optimised and portable use thereof in motor vehicles, industrial facilities, laboratories and / or commercial premises.

Description

"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLUID IDENTIFICATION" Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying fluids that, using a resistive element associated with a heating control unit and in contact with a fluid in a reservoir connected to an open container, allows for the evaluation and monitoring of fluid at ambient atmospheric pressure and in small quantities, enabling its use in an optimized and portable manner, being applicable in automotive vehicles, industrial installations, laboratories and / or commercial spaces. Fundamentals of the Invention

[0002] Identifying fluids and determining their purity is extremely important when evaluating mixtures, whether for quality reasons or to indicate their origin.

[0003] When evaluating beverage brands solely by observing the visual aspects, taste, or smell of the liquid itself, it is difficult to identify chemical details and mixtures, where competing brands in the market try to get as close as possible to the leading brand to gain an advantage, in a kind of parasitic competition.

[0004] In the fuel market, due to the increased use of Otto cycle engines that run on both gasoline and ethanol (commonly called "flex-fuel" engines) and the wide variety of additive-enhanced fuels and brands, regulatory agencies face significant challenges in monitoring fuel adulteration.

[0005] Adulterated gasoline, popularly known as "cut gasoline," is gasoline that has undergone a process to alter its original state, commonly done using a mixture with cheaper solvents. Among these solvents is hydrated alcohol (ethanol), which is frequently used for this purpose.

[0006] In Brazil, according to the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), the Brazilian body responsible for regulating, contracting and overseeing economic activities within the sector. In the petroleum, natural gas, and biofuel industries, the permitted percentage of anhydrous ethanol in gasoline is up to 27%. This mixture is often not respected, and it is possible to find mixtures with a quantity well above the authorized level.

[0007] Ethanol can be adulterated in two ways. The first, and most common, is by adding more water to hydrated ethanol, exceeding the legal limit, and although visually imperceptible, this alteration impairs the vehicle's performance.

[0008] Another method of adulterating ethanol is by adding water to anhydrous alcohol, the same alcohol that is mandatory in gasoline. Currently, anhydrous alcohol has an orange dye precisely to make this adulteration more difficult. Therefore, fuel alcohol must be colorless. In addition to these methods, ethanol can be adulterated by adding solvents, methanol, or other substances.

[0009] For vehicles with "flex-fuel" engines, a fuel sensor must be installed so that the injection system can properly control the fuel flow. Correctly identifying the fuel allows the engine to maintain combustion close to the stoichiometric ratio, adjusting the opening and closing of the fuel injection valves. If the fuel identification is not done properly, the engine's operation may be compromised, as well as some components. Supplying more fuel than necessary can reduce engine efficiency and increase the amount of polluting gases. Supplying less fuel than necessary can cause the engine to "stutter" or even stop working.

[0010] Current sensors available on the market are expensive and have low accuracy in identifying fuels.

[0011] An example of such a device is the chromatograph, commonly used in laboratories to separate, identify, and quantify the components of a complex mixture. It works by passing a liquid or gaseous sample through a stationary phase, which can be a liquid or a solid, and a mobile phase, which can be a gas or a liquid. The components of the sample interact differently. With the stationary phase, this results in different rates of movement through the chromatographic system. This allows the separation of the sample components, which can then be identified and quantified. Chromatographs are widely used in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and many other areas of science and industry, but their complexity prevents them from being portable.

[0012] Patent document BRP 10800192-8 describes an existing ethanol sensor that uses a heating system to identify the ethanol content of fuel by measuring the heater current. Due to the heater's PTC element, the current stabilizes at different levels for each fuel, based on the thermal physical properties of each fuel. This device does not take into account system mobility or the optimization of the amount of fuel used for analysis.

[0013] Another patent document is BRPI0701674-3, which discloses another class of ethanol sensor that uses a heating starter device to vaporize the fuel within a volume defined by the heating chamber. This document also does not take into account the mobility of the system.

[0014] Furthermore, patent document BR102022021810 presents a device that can accurately identify different types of fluids, including fuels, even when mixed with other substances, allowing for better detection and analysis. This device also fails to consider system mobility and optimization of the amount of fuel used for analysis, and does not provide physical possibilities for its use on test benches.

[0015] Based on this scenario, and aiming to mitigate the observed technical limitations, the present invention arises. Objectives of the Invention

[0016] Thus, the main objective of the present invention is to disclose a system and method for identifying fluids that, inside a container and through the heating of a resistive element associated with a control unit, allows for the evaluation and monitoring of fluid at ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0017] Additionally, the present invention aims to provide a fluid identification system and method that utilizes an open reservoir associated with the container where the identification is performed, providing a compact system for fluid monitoring.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention aims to disclose a system and method for identifying fluids where its construction allows for a smaller fluid sample to be monitored and identified, reducing the energy and time required to obtain fluid identification.

[0019] Furthermore, the objective of the present invention is to present a fluid identification system and method that optimizes the identification process with the possibility of adjusting the reservoir angle, reproducibility of sample monitoring, mobility (being able to be used in industrial facilities, laboratories and / or commercial spaces in a portable manner) requiring only a power source, in addition to indicating the result quickly. Summary of the Invention

[0020] All the aforementioned objectives are achieved through the fluid identification system comprising: at least one heating control unit associated with at least one heating element, at least one container having an internal region that includes an internal volume fluidically associated with at least one fluid, and at least one heating element, comprised in that at least one open reservoir having an internal region fluidically associated with at least one fluid and associated with the container and communicating through at least one exchanger orifice.

[0021] According to the fundamental premises of the invention in question, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that at least one temperature gauge is also associated with at least one heating control unit.

[0022] Additionally, a fluid identification system is provided, comprising the fact that a sealing element is associated with at least one internally open and internally actuated exchanger orifice within the reservoir and / or externally.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention proposes a fluid identification system comprising the exchanger orifice consisting of at least one exhaust and at least one duct.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that the duct connects the open reservoir with the gravitationally driven lower part of the container.

[0025] Additionally, in the present invention, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that the exhaust connects the open reservoir with the upper part of the container by gravity.

[0026] Also, according to the present invention, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that a sealing element is associated with the exhaust internally to the open reservoir and actuated internally and / or externally.

[0027] Additionally, the fluid identification system implies that at least one supporting element is associated with the fluid identification system.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that the support element has an adjustable tilt relative to the base of the fluid identification system.

[0029] Also, the system includes the fact that the heating element comprises at least one heating element, preferably of the PTC type, in the form of a filament (coiled wire).

[0030] Furthermore, the fluid identification system includes the fact that the heating control unit is associated with at least one interface unit and / or at least one connection unit.

[0031] Furthermore, the fluid identification system also includes the fact that the interface unit comprises a visual interface and / or an audio interface.

[0032] Additionally, the system includes the fact that the connection unit comprises at least one physical connection interface and / or at least one wireless connection interface.

[0033] Furthermore, a fluid identification method is proposed, executed from the fluid identification system, which comprises the following steps: i. supplying fluid to the open reservoir, ii. waiting for all air and / or vapor to escape from at least one exchanger orifice and for the fluid to fill at least one container, iii. activating the heating element from the heating control unit, and iv. waiting for fluid identification by means of the heating control unit.

[0034] Furthermore, the fluid identification method involves the fact that in step ii. air and / or vapor exits from at least one vent and the fluid fills the container through at least one duct.

[0035] Additionally, the fluid identification method involves the fact that between steps ii. and iii. the sealing element associated with the leak is activated.

[0036] Also, the fluid identification method includes the fact that after step iv. the sealing element associated with the leak is deactivated.

[0037] Furthermore, the method includes the fact that in step iii. temperature measurement is also performed by means of at least one temperature gauge by the heating control unit.

[0038] Furthermore, the fluid identification method involves the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit acquires and processes the signals from the heating element and identifies the type of fluid.

[0039] Additionally, the fluid identification method comprises the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit reports the fluid type by at least one interface unit and / or at least one connection unit.

[0040] Finally, the fluid identification method involves the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit acquires signals from the heating element and sends them via at least one connection unit for external processing. Brief Description of the Figures

[0041] The preferred embodiment of the invention in question is described in detail based on the listed figures, which:

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates, in cross-section, the fluid identification system that uses a heat exchanger orifice between the open reservoir and the container.

[0043] Figure 2 illustrates, in cross-section, the fluid identification system that uses an exhaust and at least one duct between the reservoir and the container.

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates the fluid identification system in block diagrams.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates the steps of the fluid identification method. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] According to the general objectives of the invention in question, the fluid identification system comprises: at least one heating control unit 1 associated with at least one heating element 1.1, at least one container 3 having an internal region that includes an internal volume fluidly associable with at least one fluid and at least one heating element 1.1, understood in that at least one open reservoir 4 having an internal region fluidly associable with at least one fluid is associated with the container 3 and communicating through at least one exchanger orifice 4.1.

[0047] The heating control unit 1, which is associated with heater 1.1, is an electronic control device capable of supplying electrical current to the heating element, measuring the electrical characteristics of this element and the temperature sensor during the measurement, and calculating, through the acquisition of these characteristics, the fluid inside the container, comparing it with predetermined values. It has internal memory and processing capabilities, as well as interface capabilities.

[0048] Heating element 1.1 is an electrical resistor with a PTC (“positive temperature coefficient”) effect in the form of a filament (coiled wire) that varies with temperature, which is in contact with the fluid to be detected and will heat it inside the container 3 associated with the open reservoir 4 (which allows the measurement). (to be carried out at room temperature) through the exchanger orifice 4.1, located at the highest point gravitationally.

[0049] Additionally, the fluid identification system includes the fact that at least one temperature gauge 2 is also associated with at least one heating control unit 1. The temperature gauge 2 is responsible for measuring the internal temperature of the container 3 and consequently that of the fluid during heating by the heating element 1.1, and may be a temperature sensor inserted inside the chamber and in contact with the fluid to be detected, preferably located in the upper portion of the chamber relative to gravity. Alternatively, other temperature measurement methods may be applied, provided they monitor the internal temperature.

[0050] Figure 1 illustrates, in cross-section, the fluid identification system that uses an exchanger orifice between the open reservoir and the container. We can observe the exchanger orifice 4.1 located at the highest gravitational point of container 3, which will exchange the air contained in container 3 with the fluid inserted in the open reservoir 4. Also illustrated is the heating element 1.1 inside container 3 and associated with the heating control unit 1, as well as the temperature gauge 2 at the highest gravitational point of container 3, a sealing element 4.3 and a support element 5.

[0051] Furthermore, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that a sealing element 4.3 is associated with at least one exchanger orifice 4.1 internally to the open reservoir 4 and is actuated internally and / or externally. This sealing element 4.3, if actuated, interrupts the communication between the container 3 and the open reservoir 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the fluid identification system also includes the fact that the exchanger orifice 4.1 is composed of at least one exhaust 4.1.1 and at least one duct 4.1.2. In this way, the exhaust 4.1.1 is responsible for the exit of air from the container 3 and the duct 4.1.2 for the entry of the fluid.

[0053] Additionally, the fluid identification system is comprised of the fact that duct 4.1.2 connects the open reservoir 4 with the lower part. gravitationally from container 3, thus ensuring that the "cold" fluid is introduced into the lower part of the container, guaranteeing better fluid balance during the process, in addition to being responsible for maintaining ambient pressure by communicating with the open reservoir 4.

[0054] Furthermore, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that the exhaust 4.1.1 connects the open reservoir 4 with the upper part of the container 3 by gravity, allowing the container 3 to release the gaseous part while the fluid fills through the duct 4.1.2. Additionally, the system comprises the fact that a sealing element 4.3 is associated with the exhaust 4.1.1 internally to the open reservoir 4 and is actuated internally and / or externally. When actuated, after the release of the internal gaseous part from the container 3, it limits the amount of fluid being identified and consequently improves accuracy. Depending on the mechanism, the actuation can be performed internally or externally.

[0055] Furthermore, the fluid identification system comprises the fact that at least one support element 5 is associated with the fluid identification system, providing stability to the system. Additionally, the system comprises the fact that it has an inclination adjustment relative to the base of the fluid identification system, providing inclination adjustment of the container 3 and the open reservoir 4 and thus emulating heating chambers of automotive systems, as well as allowing reproducibility of the tests.

[0056] Also, the fluid identification system includes the fact that heating element 1.1 comprises at least one heating element, preferably of the PTC (“positive temperature coefficient”) type, in the form of a filament (coiled wire) that varies with temperature, allowing the type of fluid to be identified from its values.

[0057] Figure 2 illustrates, in cross-section, the fluid identification system that uses an exhaust and at least one duct between the reservoir and the container. We can observe the exhaust 4.1.1 located at the highest gravitational point of container 3, which will allow the contained air to escape, and the duct 4.1.2, which allows the entry of air. The fluid is located in the lowest gravitationally controlled part of container 3, and identification can be performed at ambient pressure by communicating with the open reservoir 4. Also illustrated are the heating element 1.1 inside container 3 and associated with the heating control unit 1, as well as the temperature gauge 2 in the elevated gravitationally controlled part of container 3, a sealing element 4.3, and the support element 5.

[0058] Additionally, the fluid identification system includes the fact that the heating control unit 1 is associated with at least one interface unit 1.2 and / or at least one connection unit 1.3. Thus, the interface unit 1.2 can be physical controls (such as buttons), while the connection unit 1.3 can be a physical connection interface (such as a USB, serial, or any wired connection), and / or at least one wireless connection interface (such as a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LoRa, or any wireless connection).

[0059] Figure 3 illustrates in block diagram the fluid identification system, with the heating control unit 1 associated with an interface unit 1.2 and the connection unit 1.3, in addition to the temperature gauge 2, heating element 1.1. Also illustrated are the container 3, the open reservoir 4, the exhaust 4.1.1 and the duct 4.1.2, as well as the sealing element 4.3.

[0060] Furthermore, the invention proposes a method for identifying fluids, performed using a fluid identification system, which comprises the following steps: i. supplying fluid to the open reservoir 4, ii. waiting for all air and / or vapor to exit from at least one exchanger orifice 4.1 and for the fluid to fill at least one container 3, iii. activating the heating element 1.1 from the heating control unit 1, and iv. waiting for fluid identification by means of the heating control unit 1.

[0061] After completing the steps, before performing a new identification, it is necessary to wait for all the vapor and fluid to exit container 3 and discard any remaining fluid residue.

[0062] Additionally, step ii of the fluid identification method, This implies that air and / or vapor exits from at least one exhaust 4.1.1 and the fluid fills the container 3 through at least one duct 4.1.2. The exhaust 4.1.1, located at the highest gravitational point of the container 3, will allow the contained air to exit, and the duct 4.1.2 allows the fluid to enter at the lowest gravitational point of the container 3, in addition to allowing identification to be carried out at ambient pressure by communicating with the open reservoir 4.

[0063] Furthermore, the fluid identification method comprises the fact that between steps ii. and iii, the sealing element 4.3 associated with the exhaust 4.1.1 is activated. As soon as all air and / or vapor exits through the exhaust 4.1.1, the activated sealing element 4.3 maintains the desired amount of fluid for identification to take place, reducing the energy and time required to obtain fluid identification.

[0064] Additionally, the fluid identification method involves the fact that after step iv. the sealing element 4.3 associated with the exhaust 4.1.1 is deactivated, so that all the vapor exits the container 3 in order to perform a new fluid identification.

[0065] Furthermore, the fluid identification method also includes the fact that in step iii. temperature measurement is also performed by means of at least one temperature gauge 2 by the heating control unit 1 which, from the reading of the internal temperature of the container 3, can ensure the identification of the fluid, complementing this with the reading of the resistance of the heating element 1.1.

[0066] Figure 4 illustrates the steps of the fluid identification method.

[0067] Furthermore, the fluid identification method involves the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit 1 acquires and processes the signals from the heating element 1.1 and identifies the type of fluid.

[0068] Additionally, the fluid identification method comprises the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit 1 reports the fluid type via at least one interface unit 1.2 and / or at least one connection unit 1.3. By reporting via at least one interface 1.2, such as a graphic display screen to show information, a human-machine interface (which also allows Through interaction and commands with the user) or simply an audible signaling interface, the method indicates the end of the test and the type of fluid. By reporting via at least one connection unit 1.3, which can be a physical connection interface (such as a USB, serial, or any wired connection) or a wireless connection interface (such as a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LoRa, or any wireless connection), the heating control unit 1 reports the end of the identification and the type of fluid to an external device or on the international computer network (commonly called the "cloud").

[0069] Also, the fluid identification method comprises the fact that in step iv. the heating control unit 1 acquires the signals originating from the heating element 1.1 and sends them via at least one connection unit 1.3 for external processing. In this way, the processing is carried out by an external processing unit or on the international computer network (commonly called the “cloud”).

[0070] Therefore, a device for data acquisition and validation for fluid identification is proposed, acting as a reservoir and heating chamber, allowing for the monitoring of the fluid being tested. It allows for the use of a smaller fluid sample (less than 10 ml), reducing the energy and time required to obtain fluid identification.

[0071] Furthermore, the device allows for optimization of the identification process, with variations in the angle of the measuring chamber, as well as the possibility of mounting different heating elements with different resistances and designs, ensuring the maintenance of ambient pressure during operation. This improves the robustness and reproducibility of assessments, whether in vehicles, industrial facilities, laboratories, or commercial establishments, reducing the variables involved in assembling the device.

[0072] It is important to emphasize that the description above aims solely to illustrate a particular embodiment of the invention in question. Therefore, it is clear that modifications, variations, and constructive combinations of the elements that perform the same function substantially as the invention are not possible. The same method for achieving the same results remains within the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Fluid identification system comprising: at least one heating control unit (1) associated with at least one heating element (1.1); at least one container (3) having an internal region that includes an internal volume fluidly associable with at least one fluid and at least one heating element (1.1) CHARACTERIZED by the fact that at least one open reservoir (4) having an internal region fluidly associable with at least one fluid is associated with the container (3) and communicating through at least one exchanger orifice (4.1).

2. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one temperature gauge (2) is also associated with at least one heating control unit (1).

3. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that a sealing element (4.3) is associated with at least one exchanger orifice (4.1) internally to the open reservoir (4) and actuated internally and / or externally.

4. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the exchanger orifice (4.1) is composed of at least one outlet (4.1.1) and at least one duct (4.1.2).

5. Fluid identification system, according to claims 1 and 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the duct (4.1.2) connects the open reservoir (4) with the lower part of the container (3) by gravity.

6. Fluid identification system, according to claims 1, 4 and 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the exhaust (4.1.1) connects the open reservoir (4) with the upper part of the container (3) by gravity.

7. Fluid identification system according to claims 1, 4 and 5, CHARACTERIZED in that a sealing element (4.3) is associated with escape (4.1.1) internally to the open reservoir (4) and activated internally and / or externally.

8. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one support element (5) is associated with the fluid identification system.

9. Fluid identification system, according to claims 1 and 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the support element (5) has an inclination adjustment relative to the base of the fluid identification system.

10. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the heating element (1.1) comprises at least one heating element, preferably of the PTC type, in the form of a filament (coiled wire).

11. Fluid identification system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the heating control unit (1) is associated with at least one interface unit (1.2) and / or at least one connection unit (1.3).

12. Fluid identification system, according to claims 1 and 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the interface unit (1.2) comprises a visual interface and / or an audible interface.

13. Fluid identification system, according to claims 1 and 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the connection unit (1.3) comprises at least one physical connection interface and / or at least one wireless connection interface.

14. Fluid identification method, performed from the fluid identification system, CHARACTERIZED by comprising the steps of: i. supplying fluid to the open reservoir (4); ii. waiting for all air and / or vapor to escape from at least one exchanger orifice. (4.1) and the fluid fills at least one container (3); iii. activate the heating element (1.1) from the heating control unit (1); iv. wait for fluid identification by means of the heating control unit (1).

15. Fluid identification method according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that in step ii. air and / or vapor exits from at least one vent (4.1.1) and the fluid fills the container (3) through at least one duct (4.1.2).

16. Fluid identification method according to claims 14 and 15, CHARACTERIZED in that between steps ii. and iii the sealing element (4.3) associated with the exhaust (4.1.1) is activated.

17. Fluid identification method according to claims 14, 15 and 16, CHARACTERIZED in that after step iv. the sealing element (4.3) associated with the exhaust (4.1.1) is deactivated.

18. Fluid identification method according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that in step iii. temperature measurement is also performed by means of at least one temperature gauge (2) by the heating control unit (1).

19. Fluid identification method according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that in step iv. the heating control unit (1) acquires and processes the signals from the heating element (1.1) and identifies the fluid type.

20. Fluid identification method according to claims 14 and 19, CHARACTERIZED in that in step iv. the heating control unit (1) reports the fluid type by at least one interface unit (1.2) and / or at least one connection unit (1.3).

21. Fluid identification method according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that in step iv. the heating control unit (1) acquires signals from the heating element (1.1) and sends them via at least one connection unit (1.3) for external processing.

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