Secondary Coolant Pump After-Run Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face overheating issues during the after-run condition, where heat transfer from combustion chambers is slow, leading to potential damage and coolant fluid boiling, especially after prolonged high-power operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a secondary coolant pump is activated based on detected after-run conditions, calculated from engine operation data such as speed and torque, to manage coolant flow and prevent overheating by maintaining optimal coolant fluid temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is shut down, then fuel consumption is reduced and emissions are decreased, but the coolant fluid may boil and cause engine damage due to residual heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action by activating the secondary coolant pump during an after-run period following engine shutdown. The controller detects engine shutdown and activates the pump to continue circulating coolant through the cooling system, removing residual heat from combustion chambers before the engine is fully stopped, thereby preventing coolant boiling and engine damage.
2Reliability
If a secondary coolant pump is activated after engine shutdown, then overheating is prevented and engine reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own operational data to trigger the after-run cooling function. The controller monitors engine operation parameters such as torque and speed, automatically determining when to activate the secondary coolant pump based on detected after-run conditions without requiring external intervention or complex additional sensing systems.
3Temperature
If the secondary coolant pump is activated continuously, then engine temperature is well controlled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary coolant pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the pump only during detected after-run conditions following engine shutdown, maintaining coolant circulation for a limited period to remove residual heat, then deactivates it when cooling is sufficient, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control.
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 thermal stress on the engine, preventing damage and ensuring efficient operation by maintaining optimal temperatures and preventing coolant fluid boiling.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system circulates a coolant fluid through cooling passages within the engine
Implementation Method 2
the coolant fluid is then cooled via a heat exchanger in a radiator
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of techniques for controlling coolant flow in a vehicle cooling system for an internal combustion engine using a secondary coolant pump are provided. In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processing device, engine operation data about the internal combustion engine. The method further includes detecting, by the processing device, a shutdown of the internal combustion engine. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, an engine flow based at least in part on the block flow request and the head flow request. The method further includes, subsequent to detecting the shutdown of the internal combustion engine determining, by the processing device, an after-run condition based at least in part on the engine operation data. The method further includes activating, by the processing device, a secondary coolant pump based at least in part on determining the after-run condition.