Eddy Current Heating in Fuel Delivery Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel and urea solution pumps, especially those using positive-displacement mechanisms, face reliability issues due to changes in viscosity and pressure, leading to potential solidification and blockage at low temperatures, which can hinder operation and availability in cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device equipped with an electric motor and a controller that generates high-frequency alternating currents to induce eddy currents in components, effectively heating the medium and reducing viscosity without increasing electrical power demand, thus enhancing pump reliability and preventing blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-frequency alternating currents are generated in the conductor winding to induce eddy currents for heating the medium, then the medium is quickly liquefied and viscosity is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the controller and heating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor winding of the electric motor is designed to serve dual functions: generating electromagnetic fields for motor operation and inducing eddy currents for heating the medium. The controller is configured to generate different types of electrical currents (first electrical current for motor operation, second electrical current for heating) using the same conductor winding, thereby eliminating the need for separate heating elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the existing electric motor structure by utilizing the conductor winding for both motor operation and heating purposes. The controller integrates both motor control and heating control functions, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into a unified device that reduces component count and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high-frequency alternating currents are used to induce eddy currents in the component for heating, then the medium is heated quickly without increasing electrical power demand, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the conductor winding and controller
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to generate high-frequency alternating currents with specific frequency characteristics that optimize eddy current induction while maintaining acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting and controlling the frequency parameter of the electrical current, the system achieves effective heating without requiring extremely precise manufacturing of the conductor winding and controller components.
3Productivity
If the conductor winding generates eddy currents for heating the medium, then the medium viscosity is reduced and pump operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to eddy current heating
Solution Approach 1:
The eddy currents, which traditionally represent energy loss and inefficiency in electric motors, are converted into a beneficial heating effect. The controller intentionally generates high-frequency alternating currents that induce eddy currents in the conductor winding, transforming what would be wasted energy into useful thermal energy for reducing medium viscosity and improving pump operation, especially in cold temperature conditions.
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
The solution quickly liquefies the medium, ensuring reliable operation of fuel and urea solution pumps in cold temperatures by efficiently heating the components and surroundings, reducing the likelihood of blockages and maintaining vehicle availability.
Implementation Method 1
the controller is designed to generate a first electrical alternating current with a first frequency in the at least one conductor winding, wherein by the first electrical alternating current generated in the at least one conductor winding, eddy currents are induced in a component of the delivery device for the purposes of heating the medium
Implementation Method 2
eddy currents are induced in a component of the delivery device for the purposes of heating the medium
Implementation Method 3
the controller is designed to generate a first electrical alternating current with a first frequency in the at least one conductor winding, wherein by the first electrical alternating current generated in the at least one conductor winding, eddy currents are induced in a component of the delivery device
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device for delivering a medium and for heating the medium to be delivered, having a vehicle pump, an electric motor for driving the vehicle pump and a control unit for controlling the electric motor. For heating the medium in the vehicle pump, the control unit is designed to generate a first alternating electrical current in a conductor winding of the electric motor. This first alternating electrical current induces eddy currents in a component of the delivery device, by which the medium can be heated.