Sulfamic Acid Fuel Injector Cleaning Fluid and System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injector cleaning fluids often cause corrosion and are hazardous, making them unsuitable for general use in service garages, while current systems require specialized equipment and trained technicians, and existing cleaning methods are not effective in removing sulfate and calcium deposits efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A Sulfamic acid-based cleaning fluid composition of approximately 78% water, 20% ethanol, and 2% Sulfamic acid, used in conjunction with heat and pressure, is applied to fuel injectors to effectively remove deposits without causing corrosion, and a fuel injector cleaning system that utilizes this fluid and a controller to manage the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cleaning fluids are used to remove deposits, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but corrosion and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning fluid by using sulfamic acid instead of traditional strong acids, and optimizes the concentration ratio (sulfamic acid 1-3%, ethanol 14-18%, water 78-82%) to achieve effective cleaning while reducing corrosion and safety hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning fluid formulation combining sulfamic acid, ethanol, and water in specific proportions, where each component contributes different functions: sulfamic acid for deposit removal, ethanol for penetration and solvent properties, and water as the base medium, achieving synergistic cleaning effectiveness while minimizing harmful effects
2Productivity
If specialized cleaning equipment is used to improve cleaning performance, then deposit removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid is designed to be self-activating when injected through the fuel injector's own internal passages, using the injector's existing structure as the cleaning pathway. The fluid leverages the injector's pump and nozzle system to distribute itself, eliminating the need for specialized external equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is designed to be compatible with standard fuel injector structures and can be integrated into existing fuel delivery systems. The same injection mechanism used for fuel delivery is utilized for cleaning fluid distribution, making the system universally applicable without requiring specialized equipment
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 Sulfamic acid-based cleaning fluid and system provide superior cleaning performance, are environmentally friendly, and can be used in various service settings without specialized equipment, effectively restoring fouled fuel injectors to optimal operation.
Implementation Method 1
The heater is operated so as to heat the cleaning fluid in the injector cleaning housing
Implementation Method 2
A three-way valve is structured to controllably permit fluid flow to an outlet from at least one of a first inlet and a second inlet
Implementation Method 3
A Sulfamic acid-based cleaning fluid composition of approximately 78% water, 20% ethanol, and 2% Sulfamic acid, used in conjunction with heat and pressure, is applied to fuel injectors to effectively remove deposits
Implementation Method 4
The cleaning fluid is pressurized to a predetermined pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injector cleaning system includes an injector cleaning housing that defines a cavity structured to receive a fuel injector. A heater is operatively coupled to the housing. A three-way valve includes a first inlet fluidly coupled to a calibration fluid reservoir, and a second inlet fluidly coupled to a cleaning fluid reservoir. An intake line includes a first end fluidly coupled to an outlet of the valve, and a second end structured to be fluidly coupled to a fuel inlet of the fuel injector. A controller is operatively coupled to each of the heater and the valve. The controller is structured to actuate the valve so as to cause flow of a cleaning fluid to the fuel injector. The heater is operated so as to heat the cleaning fluid. The valve is actuated so as to cause flow of a calibration fluid to the fuel injector.