Patent Application
20200406743
The invention relates to an improved filler head and in particular an optimized filler head configured to improve refilling of a fluid tank such a urea tank.
Legislation on vehicle and truck emissions stipulates, amongst other things, a reduction in the release of nitrogen oxides NOx into the atmosphere. One known way to achieve this objective is to use the “SCR” (shortening from terms “Selective Catalytic Reduction”) process which enables the reduction of nitrogen oxides by injection of a reducing agent, such as ammonia, into the exhaust line. Generally, a SCR system comprises a tank for the storage of an aqueous additive, such as a urea solution, a pump for conveying the aqueous additive in the feed line, and a device for metering the desired amount of aqueous additive and injecting it into the exhaust line. The aqueous additive is thus accurately metered and injected into the exhaust gas stream where it is hydrolysed before converting the nitrogen oxide (NOx) to nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).
The distribution of urea solution, sometimes called Adblue®, is known for trucks for many years. The tank volume being important in the range of trucks, it has been developed distribution system apart from fuel delivery with a filling rate of 40 litres per minute.
It was originally intended to develop dedicated delivery stations to the passenger vehicle with a half lower filling rate (20 litres per minute). However, consumers have noticed that they could already be supplied with the dispensers for trucks and thus have imposed a unique delivery rate in contrast to what was contemplated.
Consequently, the specifications of developed filler system for passage vehicle are obsolete. The filler system can't stand the high filling rate and thus causes filling difficulties (activations of automatic stop included in the distribution nozzle) and even sometimes urea solution projections from the filler head.
The invention aims to provide a new filling system of a fluid tank that is able to withstand a high filling rate regardless the volume of the tank, limits fluid projections from the filler head, comprises less components and is easier to manufacture.
Hence, the invention relates to a filler head for a storage system comprising a body with a main part closed by a cover part, and being configured to receive a distribution nozzle of a fluid and configured to be connected, in a tighten manner, to a filling line and a venting line of a fluid tank, the filler head further comprising a buffer volume so as to reduce the speed of flow coming from the venting line, characterised in that the buffer volume is in one-piece with, that is to say integral with, the main part and is closed by the cover part so as to limit fluid projection from the filler head during refilling and in that the body comprises a cavity integrated in the main part and in which the fluid is guided to the filling line, a separating device being mounted within the cavity between the main part and the cover part so as to improve the partitioning of the flow coming from the venting line and the flow going to the filling line.
The buffer volume can thus be as far as possible from the tank. Advantageously, the invention allows a better reduction of the speed of the flow coming from the venting line as well as a better bursting of the air bubbles along the wall of the buffer volume regardless the volume of the tank and/or the refilling rate. Moreover, the common closure with the cover part simplifies the structural configuration of the filler head and consequently is easier to manufacture. Finally, the invention allows to produce a limited number of parts thus permitting to improve cycle time and associated costs.
Moreover, the cavity may thus have an enlarged section opposite the filling line so as to avoid the activation of the stop function of the distribution nozzle until the tank is effectively full. The separating device such as baffle can be mounted within the cavity of the body between the main part and the cover part so as to improve the partitioning of the flow coming from the venting line and the flow going to the filling line.
The invention may also include one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.
The cover part may be a substantially planar part so as to position the buffer volume at the same level/plane than the one of the remaining part of the main part (i.e. notably the cavity) of the filler head.
The cover part can comprise a protruding guiding element permitting to receive the distribution nozzle. Thus, during refilling, the end of the distribution nozzle is substantially levelled (co-planar) with the buffer volume permitting improving of performance of the latter. Moreover, it permits to limit the number of parts of the filler head.
The protruding guiding element may be closed in a tighten manner by a cap. Thus, fluid cannot be projected outside the filler head. The cap can be removed for refilling the tank with fluid.
The cavity may be separated from the buffer volume by a common wall, an aperture in the common wall allowing the buffer volume to communicate with the cavity. This arrangement allows a high degree of freedom regarding the shape and form of the main part. Indeed, all of the main part is entirely opened permitting an easier manufacture of the filler head. For example, advantageously according to the invention, an edge of the aperture may thus be formed by the cover part, i.e. the common wall is simply cut out and the aperture may be totally or partially framed by a surface of the cover part.
The separating device is preferably removable so as to be replaceable. The separating device can thus be replaced with a different geometry to fit another kind or dimensions of nozzle and/or tank.
The separating device can further comprise a venting element including at least one hole that allows the flow of air coming from the venting line to pass through a body of the separating device in order to be expelled outside the filler head.
The separating device can further comprise a shielding element including at least one partial flange and/or at least one transversal rib protruding from the external surface of a body of the separating device. Advantageously, each partial flange mainly clogs the axial passage of urea solution coming from the filling line and/or the transversal ribs mainly restrain the radial passage of urea solution coming from the venting line (passing through the apertures between the cavity and the buffer volume).
In a preferred manner, the shielding element may at least partially surround the hole of the venting element in order to allow only the passage of air through the hole. This embodiment allows any urea solution coming from either the venting line, or the filling line, to be blocked in the cavity so as to return into the tank mainly by the filling line.
The separating device can further comprise a securing element including at least one tenon protruding from the internal wall of the cavity that each cooperates with a corresponding mortise mounted onto the external surface of a body of the separating device. This embodiment permits to mount/remove easily the separating device from the cavity of the filler head when the cover part is removed. This allows notably to keep substantially the same filler head whatever the market, the separating device being the main component to be adapted to the market.
According to a first example, the cover part can be secured to the main part in a tighten manner by welding. Thus, a unique welding is used during the manufacturing process allowing the improvement of cycle time and associated costs.
According to a second example, the cover part can be secured to the main part in a tighten manner by snap-fitting a sealing ring between the cover part and the main part. Thus, the manufacturing process can avoid the use of welding step allowing an easier process.
Finally, the invention also relates to a storage system comprising a fluid tank connected to a filling line configured to guide the gravitational flow of fluid from a filler head to the tank and a venting line configured to compensate de pressure variations in the tank, characterised in that the storage system further comprises the filler head as above described.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following detailed description, made with reference to the annexed drawings, provided as a non-limited description, in which:
in the various figures, the same or similar elements bear the same references, optionally added with an index. The description of their structure and their function is therefore not systematically restated.
The expression “SCR system” is understood to mean a system for the catalytic reduction of the NOx from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, preferably of a vehicle, using for example an aqueous urea solution as liquid additive. The present invention is advantageously applied to diesel engines, and in particular to the diesel engines of passenger cars, trucks or heavy vehicles.
As illustrated in
The injection device 9 comprises a storage system 10 including a tank 11 for storing an aqueous additive 13. The injection device 9 may also include, or not, a plurality of immersed sensors in the aqueous additive 13 such as a level sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a quality sensor which can be of a capacitive effect, of the ultrasound type or of the mechanical type.
The injection device 9 also comprises a pump 15 associated with an injection element 17 which are managed by a processing unit connected to the central computer of the vehicle 1. The processing unit contains a memory in which coded instructions are stored. When coded instructions are executed by the processing unit the steps, for example, of an SCR process are performed.
The tank 11 must be regularly refilled with an aqueous additive 13 such as a urea solution or an ammonia solution. The storage system 10 thus comprises a filling line 19, a venting line 21 (also called return line) and a filler head 23. The filling line 19 is configured to guide the gravitational flow of fluid from the filler head to the tank 11. The venting line 21 is configured to compensate de pressure variations in the tank 11 during refilling by expelling, from the filler head, the air contained in the tank 11 that is compressed by the arrival of fluid in the tank 11.
Finally, the filler head 23 is configured to receive the nozzle (not shown) of fluid distribution system and to be connected, in a tighten manner, to the filling line 19 and the venting line 21. The filler head 23 thus allows, during refilling period, the fluid 13 to flow into the tank 11 and, at the same time, allows the air expelled from the tank 11 to escape into the ambient air (external atmosphere) around the vehicle 1.
The invention aims to provide a new filling system of a fluid tank that is able to withstand a great range of filling rate regardless the volume of the tank. More particularly, the invention relates to the optimization of the filler head 23 in order to limits fluid projections from the filler head during refilling, to limit number of components so as to make its manufacture easier.
Hence, as shown in
More precisely, a protruding guiding element 27 permits, along its internal diameter, to receive a distribution nozzle (not shown) so as a fluid such as an aqueous additive 13, can flow through the filler head 23. The protruding guiding element 27 is also used as a mistake-proofing device to prevent any introduction of a fuel distribution nozzle. This is achieved by the guiding element 27 having a smaller section than the fuel nozzle. Moreover, first and second outlets 28, 29 are configured to be connected, in a tighten manner, to the filling line 19 and the venting line 21 of the fluid tank 11.
As it can be seen in
The filler head 23 further comprises a buffer volume 33 so as to reduce the speed of flow V coming from the venting line 21, i.e. from the second outlet 29. The buffer volume 33 also aims to burst the air bubbles along the wall thereof in order to prevent any fluid projection from the filler head 23 during refilling period.
Advantageously according to the invention, the buffer volume 33 is in one-piece with the main part 31 as shown in
Advantageously, this embodiment according to the invention allows a better reduction of the speed of flow V coming from the venting line 21 and also a better bursting of the air bubbles coming from the venting line 21 along the wall of the buffer volume 33 regardless the volume of the tank 11 and/or the filling rate of the distribution nozzle (not shown). The buffer volume 33, that contains preferably at least 100 ml, can also be thus more simply implemented.
Moreover, the unique closure with the cover part 32 allows to simplify the shape and form of the filler head 23 which is consequently easier to manufacture. Finally, the invention also allows to produce a limited number of parts permitting to improve cycle time and associated costs.
As it can be seen from
This notably allows, during refilling period, the end of the distribution nozzle (not shown) to be substantially levelled (co-planar) with the buffer volume 33 permitting improving of performance of the latter.
The protruding guiding element 27 can be closed in a tighten manner by a cap (not shown) notably by snap-fitting of by screwing (as shown in
As it can be seen in
The cavity 35 is separated from the buffer volume 33 by a common wall 37 so as to optimize the size of the filler head 23 and to limit the number of parts of the filler head 23. It is notably apparent that the height of the filler head 23 is limited compared to the capacity of the buffer volume 33 permitting an easier implementation in the vehicle. As shown in
For example, advantageously according to the invention, an edge of the apertures 39 may thus be formed by the cover part 32, i.e. the common wall 37 may be simply cut out and the apertures 39 may be partially framed by or be defined by or be a part of a surface of the cover part 32.
It also becomes easier to mount inserts within the main part 31 and then to secure it on the body 25 by closing it with the cover part 32. A separating device 41 can thus be mounted in the cavity 35 of the body 25 between the main part 31 and the cover part 32 so as to improve the partitioning of the flow V of air coming from the venting line 21 and the flow F of fluid going to the filling line 19 during refilling period.
The separating device 41 is preferably removable so as to be replaceable. The separating device 41 can thus be replaced with a different geometry to fit another kind or dimensions of nozzle and/or tank. This allows notably to keep substantially the same filler head (at least the same main part 31 and, possibly, the same cover part 32) whatever the market, the separating device 41 being the main component to be adapted to the market specifications (the protruding guiding element 27 may possibly also have to be adapted).
The separating device 41 can comprise a body 42 onto which at least one element may be mounted. In the example of
The securing element 45 allows the mounting of the body 42 in the cavity 35. It can thus comprise at least one fixing element such as a tenon-mortise assembly, a dovetail assembly, adhesive material, etc. In the example of
The shielding element 47 avoids any liquid in the flow V of air coming from the venting line 21 and the flow F of fluid going to the filling line 19 to be expelled from the filler head 23 notably during refilling period. It can thus comprise at least one wall such as a rib, a flange, etc. In the example of
More specifically, the shielding element 47 aims the flow V of air coming from the venting line 21 to be expelled from the filler head 23 without any embedded urea solution. Thus, the shielding element 47 avoids any urea solution coming from either the venting line 21, or the filling line 19, to come into contact with the end of the distribution nozzle during refilling period or more generally with the protruding guiding element 27. Indeed, the partial flanges 48a (substantially horizontal in
The urea distribution nozzle (not shown) can be introduced in a fuel filler head. Thus, valves (not shown) for distribution nozzles that are activated by a magnetic field have been developed. Each urea filler head 23 must consequently have a magnetic element for activating the valve and allowing the delivery of aqueous additive 13. The magnetic field is generally induced by a permanent magnet that is press fitted inside the protruding guiding element 27. However, the difference of coefficient of expansion between the magnet and the protruding guiding element 27 can lead to breaks in the protruding guiding element 27 due to severe relative shrinkage/expansion notably when the filler head 23 is near the powertrain 3 occurring high variations of temperature.
Advantageously, the separating device 41 can further comprises a supporting element 49 that can receive a magnetic element 51 such as a permanent magnet. The supporting element 49 permits activation of the magnetic valve in the distribution nozzle when the latter is introduced in the protruding guiding element 27. Moreover, the magnetic element 51 is mounted in the supporting element 49 according to a clearance fit or a tight fit so as to compensate for any difference of coefficient of expansion between the magnetic element 51, the separating device 41 and the body 25 of the filler head 23. This also allows to use another kind of magnetic element 51, i.e. different from a permanent magnet, to generate the magnetic field such an electromagnetic coil. Moreover, this permits each of the separation device 49 and the cover part 32 to act as a positioning element of the magnetic element 51.
Preferably, the supporting element 49 also comprises a mistake-proofing device to prevent a bad orientation of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element 51. Thus, the magnetic element 51 and the annular wall (substantially vertical in
Thus, by relative translation between the magnetic element 51 and the separating device 41, each rib 50 slides and abuts against the bottom (end of the groove 52 along the axial thickness of the magnetic element 51) of each corresponding groove 52 so as to guarantee the correct orientation of the magnetic element 51 in the supporting element 49. Moreover, according to the clearance fit or the tight fit between the magnetic element 51 and the supporting element 49, severe relative shrinkage/expansion of these elements 49, 51 won't break them even if the filler head 23 is mounted near the powertrain 3 occurring high variations of temperature.
Of course, alternatively, the blind groove 52 could extend along the entire thickness of the magnetic element 51 so as to guide the latter according to two opposite orientations without departing from the invention.
After being mounted within the main part 31, the separating device 41 is then secured to the body 25 by closing it with the cover part 32. Thus, the magnetic element 51 does not have to be press fitted inside the protruding guiding element 27 anymore. According to a first example, the cover part 32 is secured to the main part 31 in a tighten manner by welding. Thus, a unique welding is used during the manufacturing process allowing the improvement of cycle time and associated costs.
According to a second example, the cover part 32 is secured to the main part 31 in a tighten manner by snap-fitting a sealing ring 53 between the cover part 32 and the main part 31. Thus, the manufacturing process can avoid the use of welding step allowing easier processing. In the example of
Preferably, the sealing ring 53 is made of an elastomeric material. In the example of
Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants presented but may be subjected to various other embodiments and/or variants, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible to further optimise the geometry of the body 25 regarding the application and/or the location of the filler head 23 in the vehicle. Thus, the filler head 23 is not limited to the refilling of a urea tank. It may also be applicable to a water tank or a fuel tank for example.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18154503.9 | Jan 2018 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/052389 | 1/31/2019 | WO | 00 |
