Plastic Fuel Line System with Scavenging Line for Permeate Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel line systems for internal combustion engines, particularly those with plastic pipes, face challenges in preventing fuel permeation due to the diffusion of hydrocarbon molecules through the pipe walls, even with barrier layers, especially under pressure and temperature variations, leading to environmental emissions.
Innovation Solution
A line system comprising a plastic hollow profile with a scavenging line that collects and conveys away permeates from the fluid lines, eliminating the need for multilayered pipes by integrating all lines in a single profile, where the scavenging line is connected to a device for flushing or suctioning, and optionally enhanced with an additional barrier layer for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic pipes with barrier layers are used for fuel lines, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but fuel permeation occurs due to diffusion of hydrocarbon molecules through the pipe walls
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel line system is divided into multiple functional segments: inner fluid-conveying lines, intermediate barrier layers, and outer scavenging lines. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the inner lines transport fuel, the barrier layers provide diffusion resistance, and the scavenging lines collect permeates, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and prevention of fuel permeation.
Solution Approach 2:
Barrier layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the fuel-conveying lines and the external environment. These intermediate layers provide an additional diffusion path for hydrocarbon molecules, significantly reducing fuel permeation while maintaining the simplicity of plastic pipe construction.
2Reliability
If multilayered plastic pipes are used to prevent fuel permeation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (fluid lines, barrier layers, and scavenging lines) are merged into a single integrated hollow profile structure. This combining approach maintains high reliability by incorporating barrier and scavenging functions while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing the number of separate components that would need to be assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow profile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, contains barrier layers for diffusion resistance, and incorporates scavenging lines for permeate collection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate multilayered pipes and additional scavenging systems, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If the wall thickness of plastic pipes is increased to reduce permeation, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the weight of the pipes increases
Solution Approach 1:
Barrier layers are introduced as intermediary elements that provide diffusion resistance without requiring significant increases in wall thickness. These thin barrier layers effectively reduce fuel permeation and associated losses while adding minimal weight compared to substantially thicker pipe walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The scavenging line system extracts and removes permeates before they can be lost to the environment. This active removal approach reduces fuel loss without requiring increased wall thickness, thereby avoiding the weight penalty associated with thicker pipes.
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 effectively reduces fuel vaporization emissions to the environment, simplifies production, and enhances safety by continuously collecting and managing permeates, thereby minimizing environmental impact and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the diffusion of hydrocarbon molecules through the pipe walls
Implementation Method 2
permeates which penetrate the walls of the line system are prevented
Data Source
AI summary
A line system (1) for fluids having volatile components, which comprises at least one fluid line (2,3,4), each having a separate inlet (10) and outlet (11), the fluid lines (2,3,4) being enclosed by a first line wall (12) and extending jointly over a section (A) of the line system (1) close-fitting to one another, but being separated from one another at least by the first line wall (12) over the entire length of the fluid lines (2,3,4). The line system (1) is implemented as a plastic hollow profile at least over the section (A) and comprises a further fluid line (8), which is enclosed by a second line wall (13), and comprises one or more line chambers (8″,8′″), which are at least partially separated from one another by support webs (7), whose totality at least essentially encloses the fluid lines (2,3,4). In addition, the first and second line walls (12,13) and the support webs (7) of the plastic hollow profile being implemented from the same polymer material. The line system (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the further fluid line (8) is implemented as a scavenging line (8) having scavenging chambers (8″,8′″) and is connected to a scavenging device, which is implemented for flushing or suctioning the scavenging line (8) and therefore for conveying away and collecting permeates originating from the fluid lines.