Biofuel Concentration Sensor Using Responsive Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensors for measuring biofuel concentration in fuel blends are expensive, unreliable, and sensitive to contaminants like water, making accurate measurements challenging, especially in incompatible engine systems.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device using a responsive material like silicone rubber that changes dimensionally in response to biofuel concentration, allowing for indirect or direct measurement of biofuel content through sensors such as linear transducers, optical sensors, or pressure sensors, which are less affected by contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional flex fuel sensors (dielectric or optical) are used to measure biofuel concentration, then measurement capability is provided, but the device becomes expensive and sensitive to contaminants like water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofuel concentration measurementVSAvoidsensitivity to water contaminants

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-polar responsive material as an intermediary between the fuel blend and the sensor. This material selectively interacts with biofuel components through solubility while excluding polar contaminants like water, thereby mediating the measurement process to achieve accurate biofuel concentration detection without water interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional dielectric or optical sensing mechanisms with a solubility-based mechanical expansion/contraction system. The responsive material physically changes dimension in response to biofuel concentration, and this mechanical change is then detected by a simple linear transducer, substituting complex electromagnetic sensing with a simpler mechanical detection approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional flex fuel sensors are used, then biofuel concentration can be measured, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofuel concentration measurementVSAvoidmanufacturing and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive responsive materials such as silicone rubber or polyurethane that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These materials are significantly cheaper than conventional sensor components, and their simple construction allows for cost-effective production and maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive dielectric or optical sensors with a simple mechanical expansion/contraction system detected by a basic linear transducer. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining measurement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If dielectric sensors are used to measure biofuel concentration, then measurement is provided, but the sensor becomes highly sensitive to water contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofuel concentration measurementVSAvoidmeasurement reliability in contaminated fuel

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The non-polar responsive material acts as a selective intermediary that interacts only with non-polar biofuel components through solubility, while excluding polar water contaminants. This mediation ensures that measurements reflect true biofuel concentration without water interference, improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the principle of local quality by using a responsive material with specific non-polar characteristics that selectively interact with biofuel components in the fuel blend. This localized chemical property ensures selective interaction with target analytes while ignoring contaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Provides a low-cost, accurate, and simple method to detect biofuel presence or concentration in fuel blends, unaffected by contaminants, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional flex fuel sensors.

Implementation Method 1

A responsive material, such as silicone rubber, that may expand or contract (or both) in the presence of biofuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9442101B2System for determining biofuel concentration

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 UT BATTELLE LLC

AI summary

A measurement device or system configured to measure the content of biofuels within a fuel blend. By measuring a state of a responsive material within a fuel blend, a biofuel content of the fuel blend may be measured. For example, the solubility of a responsive material to biofuel content within a fuel blend, may affect a property of the responsive material, such as shape, dimensional size, or electrical impedance, which may be measured and used as a basis for determining biofuel content.