Fuel Type Detection Device Using Pored Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel transfer systems face challenges in accurately detecting fuel types, leading to potential wrong fuel transfers, which can be costly and inconvenient, especially during refueling at gas stations, and existing solutions are hindered by high costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pored membrane separating two chambers, equipped with gas sensors, where the membrane's pore size selectively allows smaller fuel gas molecules to pass through, enabling the detection of fuel type by measuring gas density in each chamber, and a controller interprets the signals to control fuel transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing fuel detection solutions are implemented, then fuel type detection capability is provided, but the cost becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into two separate chambers (first chamber and second chamber) separated by a pored membrane. Each chamber contains its own gas sensor, allowing parallel detection of different fuel vapor components. This segmentation enables cost-effective detection by distributing the sensing function across multiple simpler components rather than using a single expensive detector
Solution Approach 2:
A pored membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the two chambers. The membrane selectively allows smaller fuel gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules, creating a natural separation mechanism that enables differential detection without requiring complex mechanical separation systems or expensive analytical instruments
2Productivity
If fuel transfer control is implemented without accurate detection, then transfer speed is maintained, but wrong fuel transfer occurs causing contamination and cleaning costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fuel type detection before initiating the fuel transfer operation. The sensor device analyzes fuel vapors in advance, and the controller uses this information to determine whether to proceed with the transfer. This preliminary detection ensures that wrong fuel transfers are prevented before they occur, maintaining both speed and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the sensor device continuously monitors fuel type and provides information to the controller. The controller adjusts the transfer operation based on this feedback, stopping or preventing transfer when mismatched fuel types are detected. This closed-loop control ensures reliable fuel type verification while maintaining efficient transfer operations
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
Effectively prevents faulty fuel transfers by accurately distinguishing between different fuel types, reducing the risk of contamination and cleaning costs associated with incorrect fueling, while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the size of the pores of the membrane is selected such that the fuel gas molecules bigger than the pore size of the membrane are retained in the first chamber and the fuel gas molecules smaller than the pore size of the membrane are passed to the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
the density of the fuel gas molecules in each chamber is measured/detected and then compared by the controller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for detecting fuel type, which may be used for controlling transfer of fuel from one location to another. In particular, the invention relates to a device configured to detect the fuel type from its gaseous form.