Fuel Supply Leakage Localization via Segmented Pressure Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-walled fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in accurately localizing fuel leaks due to limitations in pressure monitoring and segmentation, leading to inefficient leakage detection and repair processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fuel supply system with segmented monitoring segments, valves for fluid separation, and a pressure sensor to compare pressure behavior across different sets of connected segments, allowing for precise identification of leaking sections by analyzing pressure deviations and adjusting valve connections to isolate the leak.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If local leakage detection means are installed in each section of the double-walled fuel supply pipe system, then leakage detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring segments into a single integrated pressure monitoring system. Instead of installing separate detection means in each section, the invention uses one pressure sensor that can monitor multiple segments by selectively connecting to them through valves, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining leakage detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it can monitor pressure in different monitoring segments sequentially, identify leakage locations, and detect pressure deviations across the entire fuel supply system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated sensors in each section, reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the fuel supply pipe system is divided into multiple sections with separate monitoring, then leakage localization precision is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipe system is divided into multiple monitoring segments that can be independently monitored. Each segment can be selectively connected to the pressure sensor through control valves, allowing precise localization of leaks by identifying which segment exhibits pressure deviations without requiring permanent installation of multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically controllable valves to connect or disconnect monitoring segments from the pressure sensor as needed. This dynamic configuration allows the single pressure sensor to access different segments sequentially, achieving multi-point monitoring capability with minimal components.
3Speed
If pressure monitoring is performed continuously in all segments, then leakage detection speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring of all segments simultaneously, the system periodically connects different monitoring segments to the pressure sensor through control valves. This periodic sampling approach maintains leakage detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous multi-point monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing pressure field in the fuel supply system itself for monitoring purposes. By selectively tapping into the pressure of different segments using valves and a single sensor, the system leverages the inherent pressure variations without requiring additional energy-intensive active sensing mechanisms in each segment.
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 enables rapid and accurate localization of fuel leaks, improving the efficiency of leakage detection and repair processes in double-walled fuel supply systems by utilizing pressure monitoring and segmental analysis to pinpoint the source of pressure deviations.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor fluidly connected to one of the monitoring segments... performing at least two pressure measurements for at least two selected sets of fluidly connected monitoring segments
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a leakage in a fuel supply system (10) is disclosed. Local leakage detection in fuel supply systems can be extensive. The disclosed method may facilitate local leakage detection. The method is based on the steps of performing at least two pressure measurements for at least two selected sets of fluidly connected monitoring segments (20A, 20B, 20C,..., 20n) for providing pressure behaviour information for two sets of fluidly connected monitoring segments (20A, 20B, 20C,..., 20n) that differ in size by one monitoring segment (20 A, 20B, 20C,...., 20n), and identifying the leaking monitoring segment based on the comparison of the pressure behaviour information of the two sets of fluidly connected monitoring segments (20A, 20B, 20C,... 20n).