Vehicular Fluid Pump Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicular fluid dispensing systems consume high energy and wear out quickly due to prolonged operation of the fluid-transfer pump, which is often powered by a vehicle engine, leading to both financial and environmental costs, especially when the pump continues to run without fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular fluid dispensing system equipped with sensors to measure fluid parameters downstream from the conduit inlet and upstream from the pump, allowing a control system to optimize the pump's operation by reducing or stopping power when minimal fluid is detected, thereby minimizing unnecessary energy use and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pump runs for as long as possible to empty the tank, then the fluid removal is maximized, but the energy consumption increases and the pump wears out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect fluid presence and provides feedback to the control system, which automatically stops the pump when the tank is empty. This eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and manual intervention, optimizing the balance between fluid removal and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is equipped with automatic detection and control capabilities that enable it to self-regulate its operation. The sensors and control system work together to automatically stop the pump when fluid is no longer present, making the system self-sufficient in optimizing its runtime without external intervention.
2Quantity of substance
If the pump runs for as long as possible to empty the tank, then the fluid removal is maximized, but the pump constitutes a wear part that is expensive to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism from sensors to the control system ensures the pump stops precisely when the tank is empty, preventing unnecessary operation that would cause wear. This extends pump lifespan while maintaining effective fluid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic control system protects the pump from excessive wear by self-regulating its operation based on real-time fluid detection, reducing maintenance costs and extending service life without compromising drainage effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If the pump is run until it overheats to remove all fluid, then the tank is thoroughly emptied, but the pump must be stopped and requires cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor feedback system detects fluid presence continuously and stops the pump before it overheats by detecting when fluid flow ceases. This prevents thermal damage while ensuring complete fluid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system self-regulates pump operation to prevent overheating by automatically stopping when no fluid is detected, eliminating the need for external monitoring and intervention to prevent thermal damage.
4Power
If the vehicle engine runs to power the pump, then the pump can operate, but there is an environmental cost in addition to the financial one
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic feedback control system ensures the engine and pump operate only when necessary, stopping immediately when the tank is empty. This minimizes fuel consumption and environmental impact while maintaining pumping capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously optimizes engine runtime by self-regulating pump operation based on fluid detection, minimizing unnecessary fuel combustion and environmental harm while ensuring pumping power is available when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicular fluid dispensing system is provided in which a fluid-transfer pump is connected to a fluid conduit system and configured to move fluid received by a conduit inlet towards the conduit outlet, when in use. A first sensor in the system is configured to measure at least a first parameter at a first measurement position downstream from the conduit inlet and upstream from the fluid-transfer pump. From the measurement, the first sensor provides a first sensor signal in response. A control system is configured to receive the first sensor signal from the first sensor and to control an operation of the fluid-transfer pump based at least in part on the received first sensor signal. Also, a tank truck, tank trailer, or stand-alone tank construction comprising the vehicular fluid dispensing system and a method operating a vehicular fluid dispensing system.