Fluid Injector Waveform Analysis for Mechatronic Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for determining the mechatronic response of fluid injectors, such as fuel injectors, lack precision in measuring timing and duration, affecting engine performance, emissions, and efficiency, and do not provide effective diagnostic tools for issues like spring failures and valve wear.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that analyze electrical waveforms from fluid injectors to characterize their mechatronic response by identifying key parameters like pull locus, opening locus, hold value, and anchor value, enabling monitoring, diagnostics, and adaptive control of the injectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical waveforms are analyzed to characterize fluid injector mechatronic response, then measurement precision of timing and duration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electrical waveform analysis. By monitoring the electrical current waveform through the solenoid coil, the system indirectly measures mechanical parameters (valve opening/closing timing, armature movement) without direct mechanical sensors, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of mechanical measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical current waveform as an intermediary to characterize the mechatronic response. Instead of directly measuring mechanical timing and duration, the system analyzes the electrical signal that drives the solenoid, which contains embedded information about the mechanical state. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement system while maintaining high precision.
2Reliability
If key parameters like pull locus, opening locus, hold value, and anchor value are identified from electrical waveforms, then diagnostic capability for spring failures and valve wear is improved, but loss of time in data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of key waveform parameters (pull locus, opening locus, hold value, anchor value) during normal operation. By pre-processing and storing these extracted features, the system avoids time-consuming full waveform analysis when diagnostic decisions are needed, thus reducing real-time processing time while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the most critical diagnostic parameters from the complete electrical waveform. Instead of analyzing the entire waveform continuously, the system identifies and focuses on specific key points (pull locus, opening locus, hold value, anchor value) that contain the essential diagnostic information, thereby reducing data processing time while improving diagnostic reliability.
3Productivity
If adaptive control of fluid injectors is implemented based on waveform analysis, then engine performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adaptive control by continuously monitoring electrical waveform parameters and using this feedback to adjust injector operation. The system compares measured parameters (pull locus, opening locus, hold value, anchor value) against reference values and automatically compensates for deviations, enabling real-time optimization of engine performance without requiring complex mechanical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the fluid injector system to self-diagnose and self-adjust based on its own electrical waveform characteristics. By monitoring its own operational parameters, the system can detect degradation (spring failures, valve wear) and adapt its control strategy accordingly, reducing the need for external diagnostic equipment and complex control infrastructure.
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 allows for precise characterization of fluid injector behavior, enabling non-intrusive adaptive control, automated calibration, and early detection of issues like spring failures and valve wear, improving engine performance and reducing the risk of injector-related failures.
Implementation Method 1
solenoid-operated gas or liquid fluid valves use a form of electromagnetic actuation. These mechanisms generally include a coil and an armature that is free to move and be actuated by magnetic pull generated by the coil when the coil carries an electrical current
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for characterizing a fluid injector that includes receiving a collection of waveform data, identifying a pull locus, determining a detection threshold level value, identifying a first subset of the collection of data representative of a selected first electrical waveform of the collection of electrical waveforms, identifying an opening value, identifying a representative closing value, identifying an anchor value, identifying a second subset of the collection of data based on the collection of data, the pull locus, the first subset, and the opening value, identifying a maximum electrical value, identifying an opening locus based the collection of data, the anchor value, and the maximum electrical value, identifying a hold value, and providing characteristics associated with the fluid injector comprising the pull locus, the opening locus, the hold value, the anchor value, and the representative closing value.