Optical Engine Deposit Measurement via Viewing Window

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring carbon-based deposits on internal combustion engine surfaces are cumbersome, expensive, and require dismantling the engine, making them inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact process using a light source and optical sensor through a viewing window or scavenge port to measure carbon deposit thickness on engine surfaces without disassembly, allowing for repeated measurements over time to assess accumulation rates and optimize engine performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact probe measurement techniques are used to evaluate carbon deposits, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming requiring engine disassembly and skilled operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon deposit thickness measurementVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact probe measurement systems with an optical measurement system. A light source projects light through a viewing window onto the piston surface, and an optical sensor detects reflected light to determine surface topography and carbon deposit thickness. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact probes, engine disassembly, and skilled manual operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a viewing window as an intermediary element that allows optical access to the piston surface without requiring engine disassembly. The viewing window enables the light source and optical sensor to measure carbon deposits on the piston while the engine remains assembled, thereby simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If contact probe measurement techniques are used to evaluate carbon deposits, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming requiring engine disassembly and reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon deposit thickness measurementVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact probe measurement systems with an optical measurement system. A light source projects light through a viewing window onto the piston surface, and an optical sensor detects reflected light to determine surface topography and carbon deposit thickness. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact probes, engine disassembly, and skilled manual operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a viewing window in the engine design that provides pre-established optical access to the piston surface. This preliminary structural arrangement allows measurements to be taken without disassembly, eliminating the time-consuming steps of removing and reassembling engine components for each measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If contact probe measurement techniques are used to evaluate carbon deposits, then detailed surface profile information can be obtained, but the process requires skilled operators and increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface topography measurementVSAvoidmeasurement operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact probe measurement systems with an optical measurement system. A light source projects light through a viewing window onto the piston surface, and an optical sensor detects reflected light to determine surface topography and carbon deposit thickness. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact probes, engine disassembly, and skilled manual operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical measurement system automatically captures surface topography data through non-contact optical detection. The system self-regulates the measurement process by projecting light and detecting reflections without requiring skilled operators to manually position probes or interpret complex measurements, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables accurate, non-destructive measurement of carbon deposit thickness and accumulation rates, optimizing engine life, maintenance scheduling, and fuel/lubricant formulation development without the need for engine disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The light source can reflect off the area back through the viewing window and can be detected using an optical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11650043B2Non-contact process for engine deposit layer measurement

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO

AI summary

Systems and processes are provided for measuring carbon deposits on an engine. In some examples, a light source can be transmitted through a viewing window of an engine onto an area of an internal surface of the engine and reflected back through the viewing window and detected using an optical sensor. A topography of the area can be determined based, at least in part, on the reflected light source detected by the optical sensor and used to determine whether carbon deposits have increased, decreased, or remained constant on the area.