Catalyst Preheating Using a Fuel Vapor Purge Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing polluting emissions from internal combustion engines, such as preheating catalysts before engine start, require additional components like dedicated pumps, which increase cost, weight, and size.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the pump present in the fuel vapor purge line to circulate air through the catalyst's heating means, thereby warming the catalyst without the need for an additional dedicated pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a dedicated pump is added to circulate air through the catalyst preheating system, then the catalyst can be effectively heated before engine start, but the cost, weight, and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fuel vapor purge pump is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original function (purging fuel vapors from the tank) and a new function (circulating air through the catalyst preheating system). The control unit directs the pump to circulate atmospheric air through the heating element and catalyst when preheating is required, eliminating the need for a dedicated preheating pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of catalyst preheating with the existing fuel vapor management system. By combining the preheating air circulation function with the fuel vapor purge pump and heating element, the system consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated subsystem, reducing overall device complexity.
2Temperature
If a dedicated pump is added for catalyst preheating, then the catalyst heating function is improved, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel vapor purge pump is designed to serve dual purposes: purging fuel vapors during normal operation and circulating air for catalyst preheating when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for an additional dedicated pump, thereby preventing weight increase while maintaining effective catalyst heating capability.
3Temperature
If a dedicated pump is added for catalyst preheating, then the catalyst heating function is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the existing fuel vapor purge pump multi-functional, the system eliminates the need to manufacture and install an additional dedicated preheating pump. This reduces manufacturing costs, assembly complexity, and inventory requirements while maintaining the catalyst preheating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the catalyst preheating function with the existing fuel vapor management system components (pump, heating element, control unit). This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained, thereby reducing overall system cost.
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 solution effectively heats the catalyst to its optimal operating temperature range, reducing polluting emissions during cold starts without the added complexity and cost of a dedicated pump.
Implementation Method 1
a heating means (52) located in or upstream of the catalyst (51)
Implementation Method 2
a pump (34) located in said purge line (30) to enable gases to be drawn in via said supply line (70) and sent to said heating means (52)
Implementation Method 3
a catalyst for the removal of emissions from the engine's exhaust gases, notably a three-way catalyst in the case of a gasoline engine, within which chemical reactions occur in order to transform polluting compounds into compounds with no effect on health
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10) comprising: - an engine block (20) defining a combustion chamber, - an intake line (40) for fresh gases into said chamber, - an exhaust line (50) for burnt gases from said chamber, comprising a catalyst (51) for cleaning the burnt gases and a heating means (52) located in or upstream of said catalyst, and - a blow-off line (60) for gases opening into the exhaust line, upstream of said heating means. According to the invention, the internal combustion engine includes a fuel vapor purge line (30), originating in a fuel tank (31), opening into the intake line and comprising a pump (34), the blow-off line originating in the purge line, downstream of said pump, and a main valve (61) is provided at the junction between the blow-off line and the purge line.