Fluid Conveying Line Emptying via Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for conveying fluid additives in exhaust gas treatment devices face issues with freezing at low temperatures, leading to potential damage and leakage during activation and deactivation, as well as inefficient pump operation and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a device with a reversible pump and pressure sensor to fill the conveying line upon activation and empty it upon deactivation, using a sudden pressure increase to detect complete filling and ambient pressure to detect emptying, ensuring efficient and safe operation without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is emptied when deactivated to prevent freezing damage, then the risk of freezing damage is reduced, but the pump operates unnecessarily long increasing energy consumption and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using a level sensor to detect the fluid level in the conveying line. The pump operation is controlled based on this feedback: it runs only when fluid is present and stops when the conveying line is empty. This eliminates unnecessary pump operation during emptying while ensuring complete emptying when needed for freezing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the fluid level itself to control the emptying process. When the fluid level drops to a certain point, the level sensor automatically triggers the pump to stop, allowing the system to self-regulate the emptying process without continuous monitoring or intervention, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining freezing protection.
2Reliability
If the device is emptied when deactivated to prevent freezing damage, then the risk of freezing damage is reduced, but the risk of leakage during refilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by ensuring the conveying line is completely emptied before the device is deactivated. The level sensor detects when all fluid has been removed, and only then does the system consider the emptying complete. This preliminary complete emptying prevents freezing damage while the controlled refilling process that follows minimizes leakage risk by ensuring the system is ready to receive fluid properly.
3Reliability
If the pump operates continuously to ensure complete emptying, then freezing protection is improved, but pump wear and damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The level sensor provides continuous feedback on the fluid level in the conveying line. The pump control system uses this feedback to operate only when necessary - specifically, when fluid needs to be emptied to prevent freezing. Once the level sensor detects that the conveying line is empty, the pump stops automatically. This feedback-controlled operation ensures freezing protection while minimizing unnecessary pump runtime, thereby reducing wear and extending service life.
4Use of energy by moving object
If additional components are added to detect filling status to reduce pump operation time, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a level sensor as an intermediary component between the fluid in the conveying line and the pump control system. This simple sensor detects the fluid level and translates it into a control signal for the pump. While it does add one component, it is a relatively simple device that provides accurate filling status detection, enabling significant energy savings by preventing unnecessary pump operation without requiring complex detection systems.
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 method allows for precise and efficient filling and emptying of the conveying line, reducing the risk of leakage and pump damage, while minimizing energy consumption and extending the pump's service life.
Implementation Method 1
detecting complete filling of the conveying line on the basis of at least one sudden pressure increase at the at least one pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
filling the conveying line with the fluid by operating the at least one pump with a conveying direction from the at least one tank to the at least one injector
Implementation Method 3
partially emptying the conveying line by sucking back the fluid with operation of the at least one pump counter to the conveying direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a device that conveys a fluid includes: A) detecting activation of the device; B) filling a conveying line with the fluid by operating at least one pump in a conveying direction from at least one tank to at least one injector, and detecting complete filling of the conveying line based on at least one sudden pressure increase at at least one pressure sensor; C) operating the pump and making available fluid at the injector; D) detecting deactivation of the device; and E) partially emptying the conveying line by sucking back the fluid by operation of the at least one pump in a direction counter to the conveying direction. The emptying is stopped if pressure measured at the at least one pressure sensor corresponds to an ambient pressure.