Additive Delivery Temperature Control via Electrical Characteristic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SCR systems face challenges in secure and cost-effective temperature control, particularly in scenarios where the temperature sensor fails, leading to potential issues like frost damage, which can be costly to address with additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A controller in the additive delivery system uses electrical characteristics of existing components, such as heating elements or pump coils, to estimate the temperature of the additive, allowing for improved temperature control without the need for additional sensors, by applying and measuring voltage or current across these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a second temperature sensor is added to the SCR system, then temperature monitoring reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing electrical components (heating element, pump motor coil, valve coil) to serve dual purposes: their primary function (heating, pumping, valve control) and temperature sensing function. The controller measures electrical characteristics (current, voltage, resistance) of these components to determine temperature, eliminating the need for dedicated temperature sensors while improving monitoring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by having the existing electrical components provide temperature information without requiring separate sensing devices. The heating element, pump motor, and valve coil automatically generate electrical characteristic data that the controller uses for temperature determination, making the system self-diagnostic and reducing component count
2Reliability
If additional temperature sensors are installed, then temperature control security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing electrical components to perform multiple functions including their original purpose and temperature sensing. This eliminates the need for additional temperature sensors, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining temperature control security through the controller's ability to monitor electrical characteristics of existing components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive electrical characteristic measurements of existing components instead of expensive additional temperature sensors. The controller leverages readily available electrical data (current, voltage, resistance) from components that are already part of the system, providing cost-effective temperature monitoring without requiring expensive redundant sensing hardware
3Device complexity
If electrical characteristics of existing components are used for temperature estimation, then system cost is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical characteristics (current, voltage, resistance) as intermediary measurements to indirectly determine temperature. Instead of directly measuring temperature with additional sensors, the controller measures electrical properties of existing components and uses these as proxies for temperature, maintaining precision while reducing system cost
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors electrical characteristics of heating elements, pump motors, and valve coils, using this feedback to estimate temperature and adjust system operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate temperature estimation despite using indirect electrical measurements rather than direct temperature sensing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables reliable temperature estimation and control, reducing the risk of system failures due to temperature-related issues, such as freezing, while being more cost-effective than adding redundant sensors.
Implementation Method 1
one or more resistive heating elements (6) which are arranged inside the tank (1)
Implementation Method 2
determine a value representative of the temperature of the additive in the system based on an electrical characteristic of a part inside at least one of said component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Additive delivery system comprising a tank for storing an additive, an active component and a controller connected to the component, wherein the controller is adapted to determine a value representative of the temperature of the additive in the system based on an electrical characteristic of a part inside the component, or inside said controller, wherein said part has a further function next to the temperature estimation function in normal operation of the additive delivery system.