Engine Fluid Line Excess Flow Detection via Venturi Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring fluid flow in engine fluid systems are complex and inefficient in detecting excessive flow caused by disconnected or broken fluid lines, which can lead to critical failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a fluid flow restrictor, such as a venturi nozzle, to create a temperature change downstream, which is sensed by a temperature sensor, allowing for the detection of excessive flow by comparing the temperature to a threshold and outputting an indication for corrective action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods are used to monitor fluid flow in an engine fluid system, then detection of excessive flow can be achieved, but the monitoring system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow monitoring systems with a thermal-based detection system. A flow restrictor creates a measurable temperature change in the fluid, and simple temperature sensors detect excessive flow conditions. This substitution of mechanical monitoring with thermal sensing reduces system complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from direct flow measurement to temperature measurement. By using a flow restrictor to create a temperature differential that indicates excessive flow, the system transforms the detection parameter from mechanical (flow rate) to thermal (temperature), enabling simpler and more reliable detection.
2Device complexity
If temperature sensing is used to detect excessive flow, then the detection method is simplified, but existing temperature sensors must be used for dual functionality increasing their workload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes temperature sensors universal by designing them to perform both their original temperature measurement function and the new excessive flow detection function. The flow restrictor creates a temperature change that serves as an indicator for excessive flow, allowing existing temperature sensors to detect both thermal conditions and flow anomalies without requiring additional specialized sensors.
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 simplifies the detection of excessive fluid flow, enabling timely corrective actions and reducing the complexity of monitoring fluid systems, while potentially using existing temperature sensors for dual functionality, thus being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
upon excess fluid flow being supplied into the fluid line, the fluid flow restrictor is configured to create a choked flow thereat and to cause a decrease in the temperature downstream of the fluid flow restrictor
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flow restrictor is configured to create a choked flow thereat and to cause a decrease in the temperature downstream of the fluid flow restrictor
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for detecting excess flow in an engine fluid system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of a fluid flowing in a fluid line of the fluid system, the fluid line located downstream of a fluid flow restrictor configured to receive the fluid from a source upstream thereof and to flow the fluid from the source into the fluid line downstream thereof, comparing the temperature to a temperature threshold, and when the temperature is beyond the temperature threshold, detecting excess flow of the fluid in the fluid line and outputting an excess flow indication accordingly.