Solenoid Fluid Injector Thermal Barrier Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reductant delivery systems for SCR technologies face challenges in handling urea solutions, including freezing in cold climates, boiling during diesel particulate filter regeneration, and the need for air-assisted delivery, which can lead to system damage and inefficient fluid management.

Innovation Solution

A reductant delivery unit with a solenoid fluid injector integrated into the exhaust gas flow path, featuring a thermal barrier interface and a controller for managing fluid temperature and pressure to prevent freezing and boiling, and capable of delivering urea solution directly into the exhaust gas flow path without air assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the fluid injector is directly coupled to the exhaust gas flow path for efficient urea solution delivery, then the productivity and reliability of SCR system is improved, but the injector body is exposed to high temperatures causing urea solution freezing and boiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurea solution delivery efficiencyVSAvoidinjector body temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermally insulating interface is introduced as an intermediary between the fluid injector body and the exhaust gas flow path. This interface comprises a thermal barrier layer that mediates the thermal interaction, allowing the injector to deliver urea solution efficiently while protecting it from direct high-temperature exposure that would cause freezing and boiling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface is segmented into multiple functional layers including an outer layer in contact with exhaust gases, an intermediate thermal barrier layer, and an inner layer protecting the injector body. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function: heat transfer from exhaust, thermal insulation, and protector

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If air assistance is used to deliver urea solution to the exhaust, then the atomization and mixing efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases and risk of system damage from contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air assistance system is extracted and removed from the delivery mechanism. Instead of using compressed air for atomization and delivery, the system relies on the natural momentum of the urea solution injection combined with the exhaust gas flow to achieve proper atomization and mixing, eliminating the complex air compression and delivery infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The urea solution injection system is designed to be self-sufficient, using its own injection momentum and the exhaust gas flow field to achieve atomization and mixing without external air assistance. The injector nozzle geometry is optimized to create effective spray patterns using only the fluid pressure and exhaust gas dynamics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution ensures reliable urea solution delivery, prevents freezing and boiling, and reduces the risk of system damage by maintaining optimal fluid conditions, enhancing the efficiency and durability of the SCR system.

Implementation Method 1

The interface defines a thermal barrier constructed and arranged to decouple the body of the fluid injector from exposure to heat in the exhaust gas flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a solenoid fluid injector constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Implementation Method 3

The urea solution is delivered to the hot exhaust stream and is transformed into ammonia in the exhaust after undergoing thermolysis, or thermal decomposition, into ammonia and isocyanic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermolysis: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 4

The isocyanic acid then undergoes a hydrolysis with the water present in the exhaust and is transformed into ammonia and carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2538049B1Reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC
  • EP2538049B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2538049B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2538049B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A reductant delivery unit (10) is provided for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (10) constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path (14) upstream of a SCR catalytic converter (17). The fluid injector has a fluid inlet (13) and a fluid outlet (15) with the fluid inlet being constructed and arranged to receive a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet being constructed and arranged to communicate directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. An interface (24) is constructed and arranged to couple the fluid injector to the gas flow path. The interface defines a thermal barrier constructed and arranged to decoupled a body of the injector from exposure to heat in the exhaust gas flow path. The solenoid fluid injector (12) further comprising a thermal compensation assembly in communication with the inlet (13) and constructed and arranged to accommodate expansion of the urea solution upon freezing thereof.