Solenoid Pump-Valve Unit for Sealed Water-in-Diesel Draining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for detecting and removing immiscible liquids, particularly water from diesel, face challenges such as allowing atmospheric air to enter the fuel system, contamination by dust particles, and lack of redundancy, leading to inefficient operation and potential engine damage.

Innovation Solution

A solenoid operated unit with integrated electrical and mecha-electro-magnetic detection systems and a unified solenoid pump-valve assembly that prevents air entry and ensures redundancy, using a PWM-controlled plunger to manage fluid separation without atmospheric pressure access, and includes non-return valves to prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If atmospheric air is allowed to enter the fuel system to replace drained liquid volume, then the draining operation can be completed, but air may cause engine stall or jerk and dust particles may contaminate clean fuel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedraining operation completionVSAvoidair entry causing engine stall and dust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a sealed draining system that prevents atmospheric air from entering the fuel system. The draining operation is performed in an isolated environment where the fuel system remains closed, eliminating the harmful effects of air entry and dust contamination while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a controlled intermediary mechanism (sealed draining system with pump) that allows liquid removal without direct atmospheric connection. This intermediary system mediates between the need to drain and the need to prevent contamination, enabling both objectives to be achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If motor based pump solutions are used to suck undesirable liquid, then liquid can be removed without air entry, but the solutions are bulky and cannot control precisely the amount of undesirable fluid getting bled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of air entryVSAvoidbulky size and imprecise control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces bulky motor-based mechanical pumps with a more compact electromagnetic pump system. This substitution maintains the ability to prevent air entry while significantly reducing device size and improving control precision over the amount of fluid removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the pump control system to achieve precise control over the amount of undesirable fluid removed. By adjusting flow rate, pressure, and activation timing parameters, the system can accurately meter the draining operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If auto drain valves are used to drain liquids, then draining can be performed, but air enters the system requiring additional de-aeration system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedraining capabilityVSAvoidadditional de-aeration system required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the draining function and air prevention function into a single integrated sealed system. By merging these functions, the need for separate de-aeration systems is eliminated, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective draining capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Extent of automation

If floating valve with density less than first fluid and greater than second fluid is used, then automatic detection and draining can be achieved, but the system always remains under vacuum or atmospheric pressure condition making draining challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic detection and drainingVSAvoiddraining difficulty under vacuum or atmospheric pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the floating valve mechanical detection system with an electromagnetic pump controlled by sensors. This substitution enables automatic detection and draining while overcoming the limitations of vacuum and atmospheric pressure conditions through active pump control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the draining system by using a pump that can create controlled pressure differentials, allowing effective draining under various pressure conditions including vacuum and atmospheric pressure, unlike passive floating valve systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively detects and removes immiscible liquids without introducing air or contaminants, providing diagnostic metering and redundancy to prevent accidental removal of desired fluids, ensuring robust operation in high vibration and pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid coil circuit having an electromagnetic circuit integrated with a fluid circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

while moving down the plunger creates a negative pressure in the sealing seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

while moving up a positive pressure gets created in the sealing seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

an inlet non-return valve disposed at a first mounting provision in the first housing and an outlet non-return valve disposed at a second mounting provision of the first housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 5

The present invention relates to detection and separation of two immiscible liquids from each other and particularly to detection and separation of a liquid which has relatively higher density and conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 6

detection of such liquid electrically as well as electromagnetically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3467295B1A solenoid operated unit for detecting and removing undesired fluid with diagnostic metering
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 ROTEX AUTOMATION LTD
  • EP3467295B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3467295B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3467295B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A solenoid operated unit (100) for detecting and removing an undesired fluid (6) from a desired fluid (5) with diagnostic metering, comprises a unified solenoid operated pump and valve unit (70), a drainage path (40), an electrical detection system (60), a mecha-electro-magnetic detection system (80) and a junction box (190) interacting with an electronic control unit (90) comprising a PWM generator. A plunger (50) moves from up to down, a sweeping volume (28) with a cycle of a PWM electricity wave, while moving down the plunger (50) creates a negative pressure in a sweeping volume (28) and while moving up a positive pressure gets created in the sweeping volume (28) and a negative pressure gets created at a rear end (30) of a unified chamber (26), an air reliever (180) is provided for breathing.