Filter Inline Heater with Heat Bridge and Insulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous urea solutions used in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems can freeze under certain conditions, preventing flow and hindering the operation of internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a built-in heater, heat bridge, and insulators is designed to efficiently deliver heat to the filter and hose fittings, ensuring the aqueous urea solution remains thawed and flowable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is added to the filter assembly to prevent freezing, then the reliability of the SCR system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater assembly is integrated within the filter housing, combining the filtering and heating functions into a single component. The heater extends into the interior region of the housing and thermally connects to the filter element, allowing simultaneous filtration and temperature maintenance without requiring separate external heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly serves multiple functions: it filters the aqueous urea solution and simultaneously maintains it above freezing temperature through the integrated heater. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate filtration and heating systems, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
2Loss of energy
If thermal insulation is added to the hose fittings to prevent heat loss, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal insulation is applied selectively to the hose fittings at their external surfaces where heat loss to the environment occurs. The insulating layer is positioned only where needed to prevent thermal energy loss, while the internal structure of the hose fittings remains simple and functional for fluid flow.
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 filter assembly effectively thaws frozen aqueous urea solutions quickly, ensuring continuous operation of the SCR system by maintaining fluidity and preventing freezing issues.
Implementation Method 1
a heat bridge formed of a conductive material having a thermal conductivity of at least 16 W/(m*K), thermally connecting the heater to the first hose fitting, and thermally connecting the heater to the second hose fitting
Implementation Method 2
a first insulator formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.25 W/(m*K), the first insulator at least partially covering the first hose fitting; and a second insulator formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at most 0.25 W/(m*K), the second insulator at least partially covering the second hose fitting
Implementation Method 3
a heater extending into the interior region of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly comprising a housing, a filter, a heater, hose fittings, a heat bridge, and insulators. The housing defines interior and exterior regions communicating through apertures. The filter separate the housing into a region upstream of the filter comprising an aperture, and a region downstream of the filter comprising an aperture. The heater extends into the interior region. The hose fittings are each coincident with an aperture and are formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The heat bridge is formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and thermally connects the heater to the hose fittings. The insulators each are formed of a material having a low thermal conductivity, and each at least partially cover a hose fitting.