Cylinder Head Optical Duct for Infrared Temperature Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring the temperature of internal combustion engine components, such as valves and cylinder heads, are inaccurate and costly, with limited temperature range and high technical expenditure, often not allowing for real-time measurements under operational conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder head assembly with an optical duct for infrared radiation measurement, utilizing an infrared detector to determine the temperature of elements contactlessly, providing high accuracy over a large temperature range without structural changes or increased complexity, and allowing for precise measurement of critical regions like valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contactless infrared measurement is implemented, then measurement precision and temperature range are improved, but device complexity increases due to optical duct and infrared detector requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidoptical duct and detector system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An optical duct serves as an intermediary component that transmits infrared radiation from the measurement target to the infrared detector. The duct includes a transparent sealing element that allows infrared radiation to pass through while maintaining gas-tight sealing, enabling contactless temperature measurement without direct exposure of the detector to the harsh measurement environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional contact-based temperature measurement methods with contactless infrared measurement. Instead of physically contacting the measurement target with sensors or thermal elements, the system uses infrared radiation detection to determine temperature, eliminating mechanical contact and enabling measurement in harsh environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If transparent sealing element is added to seal infrared sensor gas-tight, then reliability in high-pressure regions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliability in high-pressure regionsVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent sealing element acts as an intermediary that separates the harsh high-pressure measurement environment from the protected infrared detector while allowing infrared radiation to pass through. This enables reliable measurement in exhaust gas ducts and other high-pressure regions without compromising detector integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent sealing element functions as a thin film or shell that provides gas-tight sealing while maintaining optical transparency to infrared radiation. This allows the system to withstand high pressures and harsh chemical environments while enabling continuous temperature monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If optical duct is used to focus infrared radiation, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared radiation detection accuracyVSAvoidoptical duct manufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical focusing systems with an optically designed duct that naturally focuses infrared radiation through its geometry and material properties. The optical duct is designed to guide and focus infrared radiation onto the detector without requiring additional moving parts or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise, continuous temperature monitoring of engine components under real conditions, reducing uncertainty and thermal loading risks, with improved accuracy and reduced technical expenditure, facilitating optimal engine development and operation.

Implementation Method 1

an optical duct (24) formed in the housing (12) and assigned to at least one element (18, 44)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation transmission: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an infrared detector (28) to detect infrared radiation from the optical duct (24)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

A transparent sealing element may be arranged in the optical duct to seal the infrared sensor in a gas-tight fashion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation transmission through transparent material: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9890737B2Cylinder head assembly

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine has a housing (12) in which a plurality of elements (18, 44) are arranged. An optical duct (24) is formed in the housing (12) and is assigned to at least one of the elements (18). The optical duct (24) is assigned an infrared detector (28) that is designed to detect infrared radiation (30) from the at least one element (18) through the optical duct (24) to determine a temperature (T) of the at least one element (18).