Oxide Layer Anti-Adhesion for Fuel Injection Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel injection components in systems using alternative fuels like biodiesel experience degradation product deposits, leading to reduced guide play and increased friction, which can cause fuel injection failures due to adhesive forces, especially in narrow clearances.

Innovation Solution

A method of forming an anti-adhesion oxide layer on fuel injection components, particularly using chromium-containing steel, by exposing them to an oxygen-containing atmosphere at elevated temperatures, which prevents catalytic support for deposit formation and can be reinforced with water vapor, creating a barrier layer to reduce deposit adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If guide play between components is reduced to improve efficiency and reduce leakage losses, then leakage losses decrease, but deposit formation and adhesion increase due to narrower guide gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage lossesVSAvoiddeposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful catalytic effect of the metallic component surface into a beneficial property by applying an oxide layer that exhibits anti-adhesion characteristics. The oxide layer transforms the surface from being deposit-promoting to deposit-repelling, allowing narrow guide gaps to be used without the associated increase in deposit formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface structure by applying an oxide layer (such as chromium oxide) onto the metallic component surface. This composite structure combines the mechanical properties of the base metal with the chemical properties of the oxide layer, achieving both structural integrity and anti-adhesion performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If alternative fuels like biodiesel are used to improve sustainability, then environmental performance improves, but degradation products form deposits on component surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel compatibilityVSAvoiddegradation products
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the alternative fuel and the metallic component surface. It prevents direct interaction between the fuel's degradation products and the metal, thereby eliminating the catalytic effect that would otherwise promote deposit formation while still allowing the system to use alternative fuels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If narrow guide clearances are used to reduce leakage, then efficiency increases, but the tendency for deposits to form increases due to smaller guide gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of narrow gaps promoting deposit formation into a beneficial situation by applying an oxide layer that prevents adhesion. This allows the system to maintain narrow guide clearances for high efficiency without suffering from the reliability issues of deposit formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The oxide layer effectively prevents deposit adhesion and failure in fuel injection systems, allowing for reduced guide play without increased leakage, maintaining component efficiency and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the catalytic effect of the component surface for the formation of deposits is prevented by the oxide layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

the deposits or aging products settle or adhere to the metallic surfaces of the components due to the polar character of the fatty acids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2439307B1Method for coating a component in a working connection with fuel as fuel injection components and assembly of two components
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2439307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The method of coating a fuel injection component (1, 2), comprises forming the coating after manufacture of the component on a surface of the component, where the coating is formed as an oxide layer (11, 13) and acts as an anti-stick coating against aging and/or deposition components of the fuel. The formation of the oxide layer is carried out at the component by exposing the component at an elevated temperature of greater than 50[deg] C in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. A water vapor is exposed during or after formation of the oxide layer. The method of coating a fuel injection component (1, 2), comprises forming the coating after manufacture of the component on a surface of the component, where the coating is formed as an oxide layer (11, 13) and acts as an anti-stick coating against aging and/or deposition components of the fuel. The formation of the oxide layer is carried out at the component by exposing the component at an elevated temperature of greater than 50[deg] C in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. A water vapor is exposed during or after formation of the oxide layer. A chromium-containing steel (100Cr6) is used as a material for the component. The oxide layer is formed in form of a grind after a cutting surface treatment of the component. An independent claim is included for an arrangement.