Portable Particulate Calibration via Liquid Vaporization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for calibrating and measuring finer particulate emissions from internal combustion engines and other sources are costly, power-intensive, and limited to laboratory settings, failing to provide routine and portable solutions for real-world emission monitoring and vehicle testing.

Innovation Solution

A portable apparatus and method that uses a vaporization and condensation process to generate reference particulate matter and particle number simulations, employing a heating element, flow control valves, and sensors to create variable-sized particle distributions, allowing for precise control and measurement of particulate emissions in real-world settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional laboratory-based calibration systems are used to generate reference particulate matter, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity, cost, and power requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate measurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex combustion process by using a heating element to vaporize a liquid analog that mimics the particulate generation characteristics of real engine exhaust. This liquid analog system replicates the essential particle size distribution and concentration properties without requiring a full combustion engine, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement calibration accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and composition parameters by using a liquid analog substance instead of actual combustion exhaust. By controlling the heating temperature and vaporization rate of the liquid analog, the system generates reference particulates with controlled size distributions that match real emission profiles, achieving calibration precision through parameter control rather than complex system replication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If portable emission measurement systems are deployed for real-world monitoring, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission monitoring ease of operationVSAvoidparticulate measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The portable calibration system is designed to be self-contained with an integrated liquid analog reservoir, heating element, and particulate generation chamber. The system automatically generates reference particulates on-demand without requiring connection to external laboratory equipment or complex support infrastructure, enabling field operators to perform calibration independently while maintaining measurement precision through built-in reference standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If high power and heat input are applied to generate accurate particulate reference samples, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate reference accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic or pulsed heating of the liquid analog rather than continuous high-power heating. The heating element is activated in controlled cycles to generate vapor bursts that create reference particulate clouds, allowing the measurement system to integrate particle counts over time. This periodic action achieves accurate particulate reference generation with significantly reduced average power consumption compared to continuous high-heat input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution reduces the power, heat, and weight requirements of existing systems, enabling more efficient and cost-effective generation of particulate samples for calibration and measurement, facilitating routine bench-marking and quality assurance in real-world applications.

Implementation Method 1

vaporizing and atomizing a fluid designed to simulate the variable-size distribution of particulate matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

vaporizing and atomizing a fluid designed to simulate the variable-size distribution of particulate matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 3

generation of particulate matter, vapor, and nanoparticles derived from vaporizing and atomizing a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11668632B2Particulate calibration and generation simulator for particle measurement and number

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 3DATX

AI summary

An apparatus and method for generating a controlled, predictable, reproducible and variable-size distribution of particulate matter (PM), particle number (PN) and/or facsimile/simulation, derived from vaporizing and condensing a specialized liquid, utilizing a vapor delivery device; a filter capability so as to remove a significant amount of ambient PM/PN as a secondary calibration process for the identification of fine and ultra-fine particles (e.g., 0.3 micrometers and smaller) as well as a computer-controlled ability to perform a pre-determined series of calibration routines, housed in a container.