Water-in-Fuel Detection After Refueling Event
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to effectively alert operators when the water capacity of a fuel/water separator reservoir is exceeded, particularly during refueling with high water content fuel, leading to increased risk of water passing to the fuel injection system and engine degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a water-in-fuel indication responsive to a refueling event by measuring changes in water content within a threshold time, triggering an operator warning if the change exceeds a non-zero threshold amount, allowing for timely drainage and reducing engine degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional water reservoir sensors are used to monitor water levels, then operators are alerted to high water reservoir levels, but operators cannot detect when the water capacity of the water separator reservoir has been exceeded following refueling with high water content fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of water content in fuel immediately following a refueling event, before water can accumulate to dangerous levels in the fuel injection system. By monitoring water content right after refueling and comparing it to threshold values, the system proactively identifies high water content fuel conditions and alerts the operator before engine damage can occur.
2Volume of stationary object
If the water reservoir capacity is increased to accommodate larger water volumes, then more water can be stored before drainage is required, but the system cannot detect when the capacity is exceeded in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring water content in the fuel and providing real-time information to the operator through alerts and warnings. When water content exceeds predetermined thresholds, the system immediately notifies the operator, enabling timely drainage actions. This feedback mechanism ensures the operator always has current information about water capacity status without requiring the reservoir to be visually inspectable or equipped with complex level sensors.
3Device complexity
If manual drainage of the water reservoir is required, then the system structure can be simpler, but the operator may not drain water timely leading to water passing to the fuel injection system
Solution Approach 1:
The system empowers the operator to perform self-service drainage by providing clear, timely alerts about high water content conditions. The operator uses the information from the detection system to independently decide when and how to drain the water reservoir. This approach maintains system simplicity while ensuring reliable water removal, as the operator has the knowledge and motivation to act based on the feedback provided by the detection system.
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 enables early identification of large water volume increases post-refueling, generating operator warnings to prevent engine system degradation by automatically or manually draining water from the fuel/water separator into the exhaust gas recirculation system.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel/water separator to separate water from the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A method, comprising generating a water-in-fuel indication responsive to a water-in-fuel content increasing more than a threshold amount within a threshold time of a refueling event is presented.