Honeycomb Body Startup Pulse Control for Arc Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In devices with electrically heatable honeycomb bodies used for catalytic exhaust gas conversion, soot deposits can cause electrical short circuits and subsequent destruction of support elements due to the formation of arcs when a constant voltage is applied, leading to damage or failure of the mechanical connections.
Innovation Solution
The method involves initiating a series of short, successive voltage pulses upon startup to burn off soot deposits before applying a constant heating voltage, ensuring effective electrical insulation and preventing long-lasting arcs that could damage the support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a constant heating voltage is applied to the electrically heatable honeycomb body, then the honeycomb body can be heated effectively for catalytic conversion, but soot deposits can cause electrical short circuits and arc formation leading to destruction of support elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a startup phase with short voltage pulses before applying constant heating voltage. These preliminary pulses burn off soot deposits on the support elements, preventing future electrical short circuits and arc formation that would occur during constant voltage operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by applying a series of short, successive voltage pulses at startup instead of immediately applying constant voltage. This periodic pulsing pattern effectively removes soot deposits through repeated brief arcing events, establishing reliable electrical insulation before continuous heating begins.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support elements are used to mechanically connect adjacent honeycomb bodies, then structural stability is achieved, but electrical insulation between support elements and heatable honeycomb body can be compromised by soot deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of soot deposits into a beneficial cleaning process. By applying short voltage pulses at startup, the soot that initially causes insulation problems is deliberately used to create controlled brief arcs that burn off the deposits, thereby eliminating the insulation issue and protecting the support elements during subsequent constant voltage operation.
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 effectively prevents damage to the support elements by clearing soot deposits with brief arcs, allowing for safe and prolonged heating of the honeycomb body without risking structural failure.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical short circuit can form via the soot deposits with subsequent formation of an arc
Implementation Method 2
voltage pulses to burn off the soot deposited on the support elements
Implementation Method 3
the current distribution structure is subjected to a constant heating voltage for heating the honeycomb body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a device having at least one electrically heatable first honeycomb body (2) through which an exhaust gas can flow, wherein the first, electrically heatable honeycomb body (2) has at least one current distribution structure (4) to which several brief, consecutive voltage pulses (21) are at first applied during a switch-on, before a constant heating voltage (22) is applied to the current distribution structure (4) to heat up the honeycomb body (2). Furthermore, a suitable device is proposed.