Push-Out Spring Metering Pump for Uniform Reducing-Agent Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reducing agent dosing systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in providing uniform and continuous flow rates and generating a finely dispersed aerosol for effective selective catalytic reduction, particularly with urea-based solutions.

Innovation Solution

A reciprocating piston pump with a spring-driven mechanism is used to simultaneously execute delivery and suction strokes, ensuring uniform pressure and smooth injection, combined with a pressure-resistant line and volume expansion elements to maintain consistent spray quality, and a control device for monitoring and adjusting the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a reciprocating piston pump is used for dosing reducing agent, then the dosing quantity can be controlled, but the flow rate becomes discontinuous and pressure varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing quantityVSAvoidflow rate uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a reciprocating piston pump with a check valve system to merge the dosing function with continuous flow maintenance. The check valve prevents backflow during the piston's reciprocating motion, allowing the pump to deliver reducing agent in a controlled manner while maintaining continuous forward flow and stable pressure, thus resolving the contradiction between dosing control and flow uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If reducing agent is injected as aerosol, then evaporation occurs due to high exhaust temperatures, but uniform aerosol generation is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporation efficiencyVSAvoidaerosol uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a reciprocating piston pump that dynamically adjusts the injection characteristics of the reducing agent. The piston's reciprocating motion creates dynamic pressure variations that enhance aerosolization, while the associated check valve system maintains stable overall pressure. This dynamic injection process produces fine, uniform aerosol droplets that evaporate efficiently at high exhaust temperatures, resolving the contradiction between evaporation efficiency and aerosol uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the pump piston is retracted electromagnetically, then the spring is tensioned for the next stroke, but energy is consumed during retraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump stroke speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes periodic electromagnetic actuation of the pump piston, where the piston is retracted electromagnetically only when needed to reset the spring for the next dosing stroke. During the dosing phase, the spring provides the driving force without additional energy input. This periodic electromagnetic action combined with spring energy storage minimizes overall energy consumption while maintaining high pump stroke speed and productivity.

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 system ensures consistent and frost-resistant delivery of reducing agents, maintaining optimal spray quality and preventing blockages, thereby enhancing the efficiency of selective catalytic reduction processes.

Implementation Method 1

the feed stroke and the suction stroke are carried out simultaneously by a stroke of the piston up to the top dead center by means of a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the piston is retracted electromagnetically against the spring force of the spring up to the bottom dead center by means of a switchable coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

the reducing agent is introduced into the exhaust stream of the combustion engine in the form of an aerosol, with the aerosol evaporating due to the high exhaust temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

In the exhaust gas, the urea decomposes into gaseous ammonia and CO2 at temperatures above 150°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermolysis: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 5

In the second step, hydrolysis occurs in the presence of water, in which the isocyanic acid is also converted into ammonia, forming carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4368818B1Metering system with a metering pump with a push-out spring
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ALBONAIR GMBH
  • EP4368818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368818B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a reducing agent metering system for injecting a reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, comprising at least one feed pump (2) by means of which reducing agent is drawn from a reducing agent tank (1) via a suction line (3) and conveyed via at least one pressure line (4) to at least one nozzle (5) for injection into the exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine. The feed pump (2) is a reciprocating piston pump, wherein the delivery stroke and the suction stroke are executed simultaneously by a stroke of the piston to top dead center by means of a spring. After completion of the stroke, the piston is electromagnetically retracted against the spring force to bottom dead center by means of a switchable coil, thereby tensioning the spring. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a reducing agent metering system.