Passive Cooling for Reducing Agent Injection Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling systems for reducing agent injection modules in selective catalytic reduction systems fail to effectively cool the modules when the engine stops, leading to potential deformation or blockage due to high exhaust pipe temperatures, and require expensive equipment like electric pumps.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a closed circuit coolant circulation line that utilizes natural convection to dissipate heat, including heat pipes or heat reservoirs, which forms a closed circuit independently of the main coolant circulation line, allowing cooling without an electric pump when the engine is off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coolant pump is used to circulate coolant through the reducing agent injection module, then the module can be cooled during engine operation, but the cooling system becomes complex and expensive, and cooling stops when the engine stops
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses natural convection to enable the coolant to circulate and cool the reducing agent injection module automatically without requiring an external pump. The temperature difference between the hot module and cooler coolant creates natural flow through the cooling channels, providing self-service cooling that operates passively during engine operation and continues to function based on temperature gradients even when the engine stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coolant pump system with a thermal convection-based passive cooling system. By utilizing natural convection currents driven by temperature differences, the system eliminates the need for mechanical pumping components, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining cooling effectiveness through thermally-driven fluid circulation.
2Loss of energy
If the coolant circulation line is stopped when the engine stops, then energy consumption is reduced, but the reducing agent injection module continues to be heated and may be deformed or blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The passive natural convection cooling system continues to operate after engine shutdown by utilizing the temperature difference between the hot reducing agent injection module and the cooler coolant. This self-service mechanism automatically activates cooling when needed most (when the module is hottest and the coolant is coolest) without requiring additional energy input or active control, thereby protecting module integrity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for post-shutdown cooling by maintaining coolant circulation capability through natural convection pathways. The cooling infrastructure is pre-configured to automatically engage when temperature gradients develop after engine stop, providing preliminary protection against thermal damage before deformation or blockage can occur.
3Ease of manufacture
If a closed circuit circulation line is added to enable natural convection cooling, then cooling is achieved without electric pump, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the closed circuit circulation line with the existing coolant circulation system, merging the passive natural convection cooling pathway with the active pump-driven cooling system. This consolidation allows the system to use the same coolant and cooling infrastructure for both active and passive cooling modes, reducing overall system complexity despite adding the closed circuit configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is designed to serve multiple functions: active cooling during engine operation using the pump, and passive natural convection cooling after engine shutdown. The closed circuit circulation line enables the system to switch between these modes seamlessly, making the cooling infrastructure universal and multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for different operating conditions.
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 solution provides cost-effective cooling for reducing agent injection modules by using natural convection, reducing equipment costs and space requirements, while maintaining module temperature within safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
heat dissipating part provided in the closed circuit to dissipate heat which is transported from the module cooling channel by natural convection of the coolant within the closed circuit
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat dissipating part provided in the closed circuit to dissipate heat which is transported from the module cooling channel
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for a reducing agent injection module includes a coolant circulation line connected to a module cooling channel for cooling the reducing agent injection module and configured that a coolant circulates therethrough, a closed circuit circulation line respectively connected to a first portion of the coolant circulation line in front of the module cooling channel and to a second portion of the coolant circulation line in rear of the module cooling channel and configured that a portion of the coolant circulation line is selectively used to form a closed circuit, and at least one heat dissipating part provided in the closed circuit to dissipate heat which is transported from the module cooling channel by natural convection of the coolant within the closed circuit.