Dual Air Heating Layout That Avoids DEF Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Higher power diesel engines require DEF injection systems to control pollutants, adding size, weight, and cost, as well as the need for additional fuel storage and periodic replenishment, which is not economically or operationally advantageous for air heating systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual integrated air heating system utilizing two diesel combustion engines, each with a power rating below the EPA threshold, eliminating the need for a DEF injection system by maintaining separate air flow paths and heating assemblies in a common housing with independent subchambers and heat recovery mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single high-power diesel engine is used, then heating power is sufficient, but the system requires DEF injection system adding size, weight, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-power heating system into two separate lower-power heating assemblies, each with its own diesel engine operating below the DEF threshold. This segmentation eliminates the need for DEF injection systems while maintaining total heating capacity through parallel operation of both assemblies.
2Power
If a single high-power diesel engine is used, then heating capability is adequate, but additional fuel storage and replenishment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel storage system is segmented into two separate fuel tanks, one for each heating assembly. This allows the system to operate with smaller individual fuel reserves while maintaining adequate total fuel capacity, and enables independent operation of either assembly if needed.
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 configuration allows for efficient air heating without the regulatory requirements and operational complexities associated with DEF injection systems, reducing size, weight, and cost while maintaining effective heating capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
diesel combustion engines
Implementation Method 2
heat recovery mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An air heating apparatus may be mounted on a common base and define a pair of air flow paths. The air heating apparatus may include a housing forming an outer envelope through which the air flow paths extend, with the air flow path being separate from each other at all locations in the interior of the outer envelope. The interior of the housing may be divided into two subhousings defining two separate subchambers. The housing may have inlet and outlet openings extending through the outer envelope for each of the air flow paths of the subchambers. At least two air heating assemblies may each be configured to heat air moving along a separate one of the air flow paths, the air heating assemblies being positioned in the interior of the housing with each of the air heating assemblies being positioned in a respective one of the subchambers of the subhousings.