Electric Heating Device for Exhaust Reductant Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating solutions for exhaust reductant tanks in work vehicles are inefficient, as they rely on engine coolant, which takes a long time to heat up, resulting in significant vehicle downtime when the reductant freezes in cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electric heating device is integrated into the reductant tank, coupled via a threaded port, with a controller that uses temperature sensors to automatically regulate the heating based on tank and ambient temperatures, allowing for rapid thawing of the reductant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If engine coolant is used to heat the reductant tank, then the system structure is simple, but the heating speed is slow resulting in significant vehicle downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system of circulating engine coolant with an electric heating system. The electric heater element is installed directly in the reductant tank and powered by the vehicle's electrical system, providing rapid heating without depending on engine coolant temperature or circulation. This substitution of heating mechanism directly resolves the contradiction by achieving fast heating (improving speed) while eliminating the time loss associated with waiting for coolant to heat up (reducing vehicle downtime).
2Productivity
If engine coolant circulation is used for heating, then no additional heating components are needed, but the thawing process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heating system enables preliminary action by allowing the reductant to be heated and maintained at appropriate temperatures before the vehicle is operated or before freezing conditions occur. The controller can activate the heater in advance to ensure the reductant is ready for use, significantly improving thawing efficiency and reducing the time required to prepare the system for operation.
3Loss of time
If an electric heating device is installed in the tank, then rapid thawing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system incorporates a controller that automatically monitors reductant temperature and activates the electric heater only when heating is required. This self-service capability allows the system to manage its own temperature control without constant operator intervention, reducing the effective complexity burden on the user while maintaining the rapid thawing capability provided by the electric heating element.
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 system effectively prevents reductant freezing by quickly heating the exhaust reductant when the vehicle is not in operation, reducing downtime and ensuring the reductant remains usable in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heating device extending lengthwise within the tank between a first end and a second end. The electric heating device may include a mounting portion at the first end and a heating element extending between the mounting portion and the second end
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for controlling the temperature of an exhaust reductant used within an exhaust treatment system of a work vehicle may generally include a tank having a plurality of walls defining an enclosed volume for containing the exhaust reductant. The tank may also include a threaded port defined through a first wall of the plurality of walls. The system may also include an electric heating device having a mounting portion and a heating element. The mounting portion may be configured to be screwed into the threaded port to couple to the electric heating device to the tank. In addition, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the electric heating device that is configured to control the operation of the electric heating device based on a temperature associated with the tank.