Shut-Off Valve Control for Injector Cooling After Engine Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing control systems for internal combustion engines cannot provide reductant to the injector for cooling after shutdown, leading to undesirable conditions and inefficiencies, particularly during emergency shutdowns and when the reductant pump is not operational.
Innovation Solution
A dosing control system that includes a shut-off valve, a reductant pump, and a recirculation conduit, controlled by a processing circuit to selectively open the shut-off valve after engine shutdown for recirculating reductant to the injector, preventing flow to the reductant pump during non-operational states, and managing emergency shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shut-off valve prevents reductant flow to the injector after engine shutdown, then reductant is conserved and pump is protected, but the injector cannot be cooled and becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reductant flow control into two independent pathways: a main flow path controlled by the shut-off valve for pump protection, and a recirculation path controlled by the recirculation valve for injector cooling. This allows simultaneous protection of the pump and cooling of the injector after engine shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation valve acts as an intermediary that diverts reductant flow away from the pump while still allowing it to reach the injector through the recirculation line. This mediator enables the injector to receive cooling reductant without the pump being exposed to unnecessary flow.
2Productivity
If the shut-off valve allows continuous reductant flow to the pump, then the pump remains primed, but reductant is wasted and the pump may be damaged during non-operational states
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the shut-off valve and recirculation valve positions based on operational state. During operation, both valves allow normal flow to the pump and injector. After shutdown, the shut-off valve closes to stop flow to the pump, while the recirculation valve opens to provide cooling flow to the injector, optimizing both readiness and conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller anticipates the need for pump protection by closing the shut-off valve before the pump would be damaged by continuous flow during non-operational states. This preliminary action prevents both reductant waste and potential pump damage while maintaining system readiness through the recirculation path.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system provides reductant to the injector after shutdown for cooling, then the injector is protected from overheating, but reductant flow must be carefully controlled to prevent pump damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control system is segmented into two independent valve-controlled pathways: the main path with the shut-off valve that protects the pump by preventing flow during non-operational states, and the recirculation path with the recirculation valve that provides cooling flow to the injector. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of injector cooling and pump protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation valve serves as an intermediary that redirects reductant flow away from the pump inlet while still delivering it to the injector for cooling purposes. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to cool the injector without exposing the pump to potentially damaging continuous flow during shutdown conditions.
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
Ensures the injector is cooled through recirculated reductant, preventing damage from high temperatures and maintaining system efficiency by controlling reductant flow effectively during shutdowns and emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
the injector is provided reductant after the internal combustion engine has been shut down, capable of preventing flow of the reductant to the reductant pump when the reductant pump is not being commanded to provide flow
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing control system includes a shut-off valve, a reductant pump, a reductant injector, and a recirculation conduit. The shut-off valve is configured to receive reductant from a reductant tank. The reductant pump is configured to selectively receive the reductant from the shut-off valve. The reductant pump is configured to selectively be in a reductant pump command state. The reductant injector is configured to selectively receive the reductant from the reductant pump. The recirculation conduit is coupled to the reductant injector and the reductant tank. The recirculation conduit is configured to selectively provide the reductant from the reductant injector to the reductant tank. The shut-off valve is configured to prevent a flow of the reductant to the reductant pump when the reductant pump is not in the reductant pump command state.