Thermal Sensor Hydrocarbon Control for Engine Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving optimal fuel/air ratios due to unpredictable hydrocarbon emissions from fuel tanks, leading to increased fuel consumption and poorer exhaust gas values, as the amount of hydrocarbons in the intake air is not accurately measured.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes sensors to measure the hydrocarbon content and mass flow of gas streams, with an adjusting device, such as a valve, controlled by an engine control unit to precisely regulate the amount of gaseous hydrocarbons fed to the engine, using temperature and ultrasonic sensors to deduce hydrocarbon content and mass flow for accurate fuel injection control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrocarbons are stored in a sealed fuel tank and supplied to intake air, then fuel consumption is reduced by utilizing energy from evaporated hydrocarbons, but the fuel/air ratio cannot be controlled accurately leading to increased fuel consumption and poorer exhaust gas values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement methods with a thermal sensor system that uses temperature measurement and evaluation to detect hydrocarbon content and mass flow in the gas stream, enabling precise control without complex mechanical measurement devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the thermal sensor continuously measures hydrocarbon content and mass flow, and the engine control unit adjusts fuel injection and gas flow valve positioning based on these measurements to maintain optimal fuel/air ratio
2Device complexity
If the amount of hydrocarbons in intake air is not accurately measured, then the system is simpler, but fuel consumption increases and exhaust gas values deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a thermal sensor-based system that measures hydrocarbon content and mass flow through temperature detection, achieving accurate measurement with simpler device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from direct hydrocarbon quantification to indirect measurement through thermal properties (temperature, heat capacity, thermal conductivity) of the gas stream, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining accuracy
3Measurement precision
If a thermal sensor with heating element and temperature sensors is used to measure hydrocarbon content and mass flow, then precise control of fuel/air mixture is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the thermal sensor to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heating the gas stream, measuring temperature at multiple points, detecting hydrocarbon content, and determining mass flow, thereby reducing the need for separate measurement devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the heating element and temperature sensors into a single integrated thermal sensor assembly that measures both hydrocarbon content and mass flow together, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining measurement precision
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
This solution allows for precise control of the fuel/air mixture, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by accurately measuring and managing hydrocarbon content in the intake air, thereby optimizing engine performance and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor, in particular a thermal flow sensor, has at least one heating element for heating a gas flow and pasted on to this at least one first and at least one second temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one heating element for heating a gas flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
During the operation of an internal combustion engine (100) which has at least one sensor (101) for measuring a hydrocarbon content and a mass flow rate of a gas flow through a line (109), the hydrocarbon content and the mass flow rate of the gas flow are determined. The gas flow through the line is controlled as a function of the determined values.