Engine Cleaning Installation with Adaptive Injection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current engine cleaning technologies face inefficiencies due to the reduced oxygen content from lower combustion temperatures, leading to increased hydrocarbon and soot production, which clogs engine circuits and reduces efficiency, while existing cleaning methods do not adapt to the specific fouling rates of moving parts.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic and control system that determines the fouling rate of engine moving parts and adjusts the cleaning fluid injection parameters accordingly, ensuring a tailored cleaning sequence that optimizes fluid consumption and cleaning time, and considers the engine's intrinsic parameters and usage conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning fluid is injected into the engine to remove soot deposits, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cleaning fluid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning fluid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system dynamically adjusts the cleaning fluid injection rate based on real-time monitoring of soot deposit levels and engine operating conditions. The control unit modifies injection parameters (flow rate, timing, duration) to match actual cleaning needs, preventing both under-cleaning and excessive fluid usage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making cleaning efficiency and fluid consumption variable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor soot accumulation in the EGR valve, intake manifold, and turbocharger. This feedback information is processed by the control unit, which then adjusts the cleaning fluid injection accordingly. The closed-loop control ensures that cleaning fluid is injected only when and where needed, optimizing both cleaning effectiveness and fluid consumption by responding to actual engine conditions rather than following a fixed cleaning schedule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the EGR valve opening rate is increased to reduce combustion temperature and NOx production, then pollution is reduced, but soot deposits increase and clog the engine circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx productionVSAvoidsoot deposits
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of increased soot deposits (resulting from higher EGR valve opening rates) into a beneficial cleaning opportunity. Soot accumulation sensors detect deposit levels, and when thresholds are exceeded, the control unit activates cleaning fluid injection to remove the deposits. This approach allows the system to maintain high EGR valve opening rates for NOx reduction while periodically eliminating the harmful soot buildup, thus converting the harm into a manageable condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system performs preliminary detection of soot deposit levels through sensors positioned in the EGR circuit, intake manifold, and turbocharger. When deposits approach critical levels that would cause performance degradation or valve sticking, the control unit proactively initiates cleaning fluid injection before severe clogging occurs. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effects of excessive soot accumulation while maintaining optimal EGR valve operation for NOx reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If cleaning fluid is injected continuously to maintain clean engine circuits, then engine performance is maintained, but cleaning fluid consumption and time usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine performanceVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous cleaning fluid injection, the system implements periodic cleaning cycles based on monitored soot accumulation rates and engine operating conditions. The control unit schedules cleaning events only when sensors detect deposit levels that would impact performance, rather than maintaining constant cleaning. This periodic approach maintains engine performance by cleaning only when necessary, significantly reducing both cleaning fluid consumption and time usage compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach enhances cleaning efficiency by adapting to the actual fouling state of the engine, reducing unnecessary cleaning cycles, and improving the overall performance and longevity of the engine system while minimizing pollution.

Implementation Method 1

The oxidation of hydrogen improves combustion which generates water vapor and carbon dioxide; at high temperature, water vapor and carbon dioxide react with the scale and thus allow the elimination of the scale.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The oxidation of hydrogen improves combustion which generates water vapor and carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3601764B1Improved cleaning installation for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 FLEX FUEL ENERGY DEV
  • EP3601764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3601764B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning installation for a motorisation system comprising an internal combustion engine and a gas flow circuit comprising a plurality of pipes and a plurality of moving parts arranged together to supply one of the engine inlets with a gaseous mixture. The cleaning installation comprises an injection device suitable for carrying out a cleaning sequence for the motorisation system by injecting a cleaning fluid into one of the motor inlets. The installation is characterised in that it also comprises diagnostic means for determining the clogging rate of the motorisation system based on a defect rate of at least one of the moving parts, and control means for providing the injection device with cleaning parameters for implementation of the cleaning sequence, said cleaning parameters being indicative of the clogging rate of the motorisation system.