Engine Fluid Control System Temperature Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine technologies do not effectively condition the temperature of fuel, air, and coolant before introduction into the combustion chamber, nor adjust air-fuel ratios based on these temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in combustion and increased thermal load.

Innovation Solution

A fluid control system that includes temperature control devices for air and fuel pathways, controlled by sensors and a controller to maintain target temperatures and volumes, ensuring optimal air-fuel ratios by adjusting the temperature and volume of air, fuel, and coolant before introduction into the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature control devices are added to condition fuel and air before introduction into the engine, then combustion efficiency is improved and thermal load is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by conditioning the temperature of fuel and air before they are introduced into the combustion chamber. Temperature control devices are used to pre-condition these fluids, ensuring optimal temperatures for combustion. This advance preparation improves combustion efficiency and reduces thermal load on the engine, directly resolving the technical contradiction by achieving better reliability through proactive temperature management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If air-fuel ratios are adjusted based on temperatures of air, fuel, and coolant, then engine performance is improved, but measurement and control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidtemperature monitoring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperatures of air, fuel, and coolant using sensors, and adjusting the air-fuel ratio based on this temperature data. The controller receives temperature inputs from multiple sensors and dynamically adjusts the air-fuel mixture to optimize engine performance. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the technical contradiction by automating the complex measurement and control process, making it manageable while achieving superior engine performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by using a single controller that integrates multiple functions: monitoring temperatures of air, fuel, and coolant; calculating optimal air-fuel ratios; and controlling fuel injection and air intake. This multi-functional controller consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing the overall complexity of temperature monitoring and control while maintaining high engine performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple sensors and control devices are implemented for temperature conditioning, then manufacturing precision of air-fuel mixture is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-fuel ratio precisionVSAvoidsystem assembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by integrating multiple control functions into a single controller unit that handles temperature monitoring, air-fuel ratio calculation, and actuator control. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process compared to having separate dedicated devices for each function, while still achieving high precision in air-fuel mixture preparation through coordinated control of multiple parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 combustion efficiency, reduces thermal load, and improves engine performance by ensuring consistent and robust power strokes, cleaner emissions, and increased fuel mileage, while maintaining stable fuel temperatures and reducing condensation.

Implementation Method 1

with a first temperature control device, adjusting the temperature of the air before introduction into a combustion chamber of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Implementation Method 2

with a second temperature control device, adjusting the temperature of the fuel before introduction into the combustion chamber of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Implementation Method 3

with a first sensor, detecting a temperature of air introduced into the engine. Further, the method may include, with a second sensor, detecting a temperature of a fuel introduced into the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11788495B2Fluid control system

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SQUARE HEAD

AI summary

A fluid control system for an engine may include an air pathway to carry air to the engine, a fuel pathway to carry a fuel to the engine, and at least one temperature control device to control temperatures of the air and the fuel. The temperature control device maintains the air and the fuel at a temperature based on a target air-fuel ratio and a target volume of the air and the fuel.