Shape-Memory Urea Nozzle Opening for Exhaust Gas Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in effectively controlling the injection of nitrogen oxides reduction agents, such as urea, into exhaust conduits of internal combustion engines, leading to inefficient mixing with exhaust gases and inadequate reduction of nitrogen oxides emissions.

Innovation Solution

A nitrogen oxides reduction agent injection arrangement featuring a nozzle with a shape memory material control portion that adjusts the nozzle opening size and shape based on temperature, optionally with a heating element and sensor feedback, ensuring precise control over the injection characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional nozzle is used for injecting nitrogen oxides reduction agent, then the injection system is simple, but the mixing efficiency between reduction agent and exhaust gas is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle opening control portion is made of shape memory material that can dynamically change its shape in response to temperature changes. This allows the nozzle opening size to be adjusted automatically based on exhaust gas temperature, optimizing the mixing efficiency between the reduction agent and exhaust gas without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameter (temperature) of the shape memory material to control the nozzle opening size. By utilizing the temperature-dependent shape memory effect, the system achieves variable nozzle opening areas that optimize injection characteristics based on operating conditions, thereby improving mixing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the nozzle opening size is made adjustable to control injection characteristics, then the nitrogen oxides reduction efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen oxides reduction efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shape memory material automatically adjusts the nozzle opening size in response to temperature changes without requiring external control mechanisms. The system uses the exhaust gas temperature itself as the control signal, allowing the nozzle to self-regulate the injection characteristics based on operating conditions, thereby maintaining high nitrogen oxides reduction efficiency while avoiding complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical or electronic control systems with a passive shape memory material-based control mechanism. The temperature-dependent shape memory effect automatically adjusts the nozzle opening without requiring motors, sensors, or control electronics, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable nitrogen oxides reduction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate components are used to control nozzle opening, then the control precision is high, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle opening control precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the nozzle structure with the control mechanism by integrating the shape memory material directly into the nozzle opening control portion. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate control components such as actuators, sensors, and control electronics, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise control over the nozzle opening size through the inherent temperature-dependent shape memory effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient mixing of nitrogen oxides reduction agents with exhaust gases, reducing nitrogen oxides emissions effectively by controlling the nozzle opening size and shape, thereby enhancing the performance of selective catalytic reduction units.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle comprises a nozzle opening control portion made of a shape memory material whereby a size and/or a shape of the nozzle opening is dependent on at least a temperature of the nozzle opening control portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory material: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

The nitrogen oxides reduction agent injection arrangement further comprises a heating element at least thermally connected to the nozzle opening control portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12631135B2Nitrogen oxides reduction agent injection arrangement

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A nitrogen oxides reduction agent injection arrangement for injecting a nitrogen oxides reduction agent, such as urea, into an exhaust conduit forming part of an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine system. The nitrogen oxides reduction agent injection arrangement comprises a nozzle that is adapted to inject the nitrogen oxides reduction agent into the interior of the exhaust conduit via a nozzle opening of the nozzle. The nozzle comprises a nozzle opening control portion made of a shape memory material whereby a size and/or a shape of the nozzle opening is dependent on at least a temperature of the nozzle opening control portion.