Conductive PCV Conduit Monitoring for Break and Disconnect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) systems rely on gas pressure sensors for detecting malfunctions, which are unreliable and fail to detect all possible failure modes, particularly disconnections or breaks in conduits that affect the fluid pathway, especially when the break is equal to or greater than the smallest internal cross-sectional area.
Innovation Solution
A detection system comprising electrically conductive elements integrated into the conduit that form an electrical signal path, allowing for the transmission of signals indicative of conduit conditions, including a processing unit to monitor electrical characteristics such as resistance, conductance, or capacitance for detecting breakdowns or disconnections in the fluid pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas pressure sensors are used to detect conduit breakdowns, then the detection system is simple, but the reliability of detection is insufficient and false negatives occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid pathway function and the detection function into a single integrated conduit structure. The electrically conductive element is embedded within the conduit wall, creating a unified component that both transports fluid and monitors conduit integrity through electrical signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensing system with an electrical detection system. Instead of using gas pressure sensors that measure pressure changes, the invention uses electrically conductive elements that transmit electrical signals through the conduit wall, converting a mechanical measurement problem into an electrical one for more reliable detection.
2Measurement precision
If gas pressure sensors are used for monitoring, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient to detect all failure modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the conduit structure. The conduit wall contains an embedded electrically conductive element that provides localized electrical signal transmission capability, allowing precise detection of breakdowns at specific locations while maintaining the overall fluid transport function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical pressure sensing with electrical signal transmission through the conduit wall. This substitution enables more precise detection of conduit integrity by monitoring electrical signal continuity, allowing detection of breakdowns that pressure sensors would miss.
3Reliability
If traditional pressure sensor systems are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability of detecting small breakdowns is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conduit manufacturing process with the integration of the electrically conductive element. The conductive element is embedded within the conduit wall during manufacturing, creating a single integrated component that maintains fluid transport capability while enabling reliable detection of small breakdowns through electrical signal monitoring.
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 a more reliable detection of conduit breakdowns and disconnections, including those smaller than the smallest internal cross-sectional area, enhancing the monitoring of fluid pathways in PCV systems and reducing false negatives compared to traditional pressure sensor-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrically conductive element extending along the at least one conduit and which forms an electrical signal path for a first electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a detection system for detecting a failure in a fluid path of a fluid system, the detection system including: at least one pipe comprising a pipe wall which defines a fluid path for the transfer of fluid and at least one electrically conductive element extending along the at least one pipe and which forms an electrical signal path for a first electrical signal which indicates a state of the at least one pipe; and, an electrical terminal electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive element so that the first electrical signal is transmitted to the electrical terminal via the electrical signal path.