Timer Valve Flow Determination Using Evacuation Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the flow through a timer valve in motor vehicles are laborious and fail to accurately account for age-related changes in system components and manufacturing tolerances, leading to inaccuracies in fuel injection correction and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves detecting pressure upstream of the timer valve during evacuation, calculating the flow based on pressure, temperature, and gas volume, and comparing it to a modeled flow to adapt the model and account for discrepancies, ensuring accurate flow determination over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurements are taken from the tank venting system to ascertain flow, then flow determination is possible, but the process becomes laborious and does not account for age-related changes or manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual flow measured during evacuation is compared with the modeled flow, and the model is adapted based on the discrepancy. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to account for age-related changes and manufacturing tolerances automatically, improving measurement precision without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from direct complex measurements to a simplified parameter-based method. By using pressure, temperature, and volume parameters during evacuation, and comparing them with modeled values, the system achieves accurate flow determination while reducing measurement process complexity.
2Reliability
If direct measurements are used to determine flow, then flow can be ascertained, but accuracy deteriorates over time due to aging and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism compares actual measured flow with modeled flow and adapts the model accordingly. This ensures that the system maintains high reliability over its entire service life by continuously accounting for aging effects and component tolerance drift, rather than relying on initial calibration values that deteriorate over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evacuation of the container to establish accurate baseline measurements before normal operation resumes. This preliminary action allows the system to capture the actual flow characteristics under controlled conditions, providing a reliable foundation for subsequent operations and model adaptations.
3Measurement precision
If existing models are used without adaptation, then computational simplicity is maintained, but accuracy decreases due to unaccounted system changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains computational efficiency by using a feedback mechanism that adapts the existing model rather than completely redesigning it. The model is updated based on the discrepancy between measured and modeled flow, allowing the system to maintain high accuracy while avoiding the computational burden of complex recalibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the model parameters based on actual measured values during evacuation. By updating parameters such as flow characteristics, pressure relationships, and temperature effects, the system improves model accuracy without requiring complex computational rederivation, thus maintaining productivity while enhancing 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 approach allows for precise and long-term accurate determination of the flow through the timer valve, reducing discrepancies in the combustion chamber mixture and minimizing emissions throughout the system's service life.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the pressure upstream of the timer valve during an evacuation of a container arranged upstream of the timer valve
Implementation Method 2
ascertaining the flow through the timer valve based on the detected pressure upstream of the timer valve and based on the temperature and the volume of the gas in the container
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for ascertaining the flow through a timer valve. The method includes detecting the pressure upstream of the timer valve during an evacuation of a container arranged upstream of the timer valve, ascertaining the flow through the timer valve based on the detected pressure upstream of the timer valve and based on the temperature and the volume of the gas in the container. The method also includes comparing the flow ascertained during the evacuation and a modeled flow and/or comparing a variable dependent on the ascertained flow and a variable dependent on the modeled flow. Additionally, the method includes adapting the model in the event of a discrepancy between the flow ascertained during the evacuation and the modeled flow and/or in the event of a discrepancy between the variable dependent on the ascertained flow and the variable dependent on the modeled flow.