Water Injection Device Steam Detection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in optimizing fuel consumption due to knocking and high exhaust gas temperatures, particularly at high load operating points, where water injection systems are hindered by steam formation, leading to delayed readiness and potential temperature peaks and knocking events.
Innovation Solution
A water injection device with a pressure sensor and control unit that detects and addresses steam formation in the system by comparing pressure values, allowing for rapid pressure build-up and injection release without additional components, ensuring quick operational readiness and minimizing steam development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the pump is switched off between operating points at which water injection is activated, then energy consumption is reduced, but steam formation occurs in the water lines leading to delayed system readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects steam formation in advance by monitoring pressure changes in the water lines and initiates pump operation before water injection is actually required. This preliminary detection and response prevents steam from causing injection delays while avoiding continuous pump operation, thus reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor the water lines and provides feedback to the control unit about steam formation conditions. Based on this feedback, the control unit intelligently decides when to activate the pump, creating a closed-loop control system that balances energy consumption with system readiness.
2Reliability
If the pump remains continuously operational, then system readiness is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous pump operation, the system performs preliminary detection of steam formation conditions and activates the pump only when needed. This approach maintains system readiness by detecting and responding to steam formation in advance rather than relying on continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own pressure monitoring capability to detect steam formation and trigger pump operation autonomously. The control unit serves the system by automatically activating the pump when steam is detected, eliminating the need for continuous external control or operation.
3Reliability
If additional components such as shut-off elements are added to prevent steam formation, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure feedback from existing sensors to detect steam formation and control pump operation. This feedback mechanism provides reliable injection release control without requiring additional shut-off elements or complex mechanical components, as the control is achieved through intelligent monitoring and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical shut-off elements with an electronic control system that uses pressure monitoring and intelligent algorithms to prevent steam formation. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving reliability through electronic sensing and control.
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 solution enables rapid identification and mitigation of steam formation, ensuring quick system readiness and preventing knocking events by allowing for rapid pressure build-up and injection release, thus optimizing engine performance and reducing temperature peaks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor which is arranged in a line region between the conveying element and the water injector
Implementation Method 2
the control unit is configured, based on pressure data of the pressure sensor, to determine a formation of steam in the above-mentioned line region in the case of a closed water injector and switched off conveying element
Data Source
AI summary
A water injection device of an internal combustion engine is provided. The water injection device includes a water tank for storing water, and a delivery element for delivering the water. The delivery element is connected to the water tank. The water injection device further includes at least one water injector for injecting water. The at least one water injector is connected to the delivery element. The water injection device further includes a pressure sensor, which is arranged in a line region between the delivery element and the water injector, and a control unit, which is designed to determine, on the basis of pressure data of the pressure sensor, a formation of vapor in the aforementioned line region when the water injector is closed and the delivery element is deactivated.