Gaseous fuel system comprising plurality of injectors per cylinder

Abstract

A system includes an engine including a plurality of cylinders; a gaseous fuel supply system comprising a plurality of sets of gaseous fuel injectors, each set of the plurality of sets of gaseous fuel injectors operable to provide fuel to a respective cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, each set of the plurality of sets of gaseous fuel injectors comprising at least two gaseous fuel injectors; and an electronic control system in operative communication with the gaseous fuel supply system. The electronic control system is configured to: determine whether less than all injectors in a set of injectors are used to perform fueling of respective cylinders; determining at least one injector command for operating less than all injectors in the set of injectors to perform fueling of the respective cylinder; and executing the at least one injector command to fuel the respective cylinder using less than all injectors in the set of injectors.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 485,580, filed February 17, 2024, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to gaseous fuel delivery systems including multiple injectors per combustion cylinder and related equipment, controls, diagnostics, processes, systems, and techniques. Background Art

[0004] Gaseous fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines and the control of such systems suffer from numerous shortcomings, including those related to accuracy, complexity, computational burden, specialized hardware requirements, precision, reliability, and robustness, among others. There remains a significant need for the unique apparatus, methods, systems, and techniques disclosed herein.

[0005] Disclosure of Exemplary Embodiments

[0006] In order to clearly, concisely and accurately describe the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner and method of making and using the present disclosure, and to enable the practice, making and using of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments, including those shown in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present invention is thereby created, and the present invention includes and protects such changes, modifications and further applications of the exemplary embodiments as will occur to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Some embodiments include unique gas fuel supply system controls. Additional embodiments include unique devices, systems, and methods that include or embody such controls. Additional embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary engine system including an exemplary gaseous fuel delivery system.

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary gaseous fuel supply system.

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary gaseous fuel supply system.

[0011] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary process.

[0012] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary control.

[0013] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary control.

[0014] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an exemplary control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] refer to Figure 1 , a system 11 is shown that includes an engine 10 and a gaseous fuel supply system 9. Gaseous fuel supply system 9 is configured to supply gaseous fuel, such as natural gas, hydrogen, bio-derived gaseous fuel, hydrogen, a mixed gaseous fuel, or other gaseous fuel, for combustion by engine 10. Engine 10 includes combustion chambers 13 (also referred to as cylinders) of a reciprocating piston-in-cylinder engine, which are configured to generate mechanical power from the combustion of gaseous fuel supplied by fuel injectors 12. Fuel injectors 12 are in fluid communication with respective combustion chambers 13 of engine 10 and are configured to inject the gaseous fuel supplied to their respective combustion chambers 13. In the illustrated embodiment, fuel injectors 12 are configured and arranged as port fuel injectors that are configured to inject fuel directly into respective intake ports of intake manifolds 37 leading to respective combustion chambers 13 of engine 10. Other embodiments may include other types and configurations of injectors, such as direct fuel injectors configured to inject fuel directly into respective combustion chambers 13 of engine 10. In the illustrated embodiment, four fuel injectors 12a, 12b and two combustion chambers 13a, 13b (also referred to herein as cylinders 13) are depicted. It will be appreciated that engine 10 may include a greater number of fuel injectors 12, a greater number of combustion chambers 13, and / or a greater number of fuel injectors per cylinder. In some forms, for example, system 11 may be provided in a variety of forms, including as a prime mover system (or component of a prime mover system) for a vehicle, a generator set, or other power load system.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the gas fuel supply system 9 includes a gas fuel supply and injection system 17 and a gas fuel source system 32. The gas fuel supply and injection system 17 includes one or more rails 30 and one or more groups of injectors 12 that are operably coupled to and supplied with gas fuel by a respective one of the one or more rails 30. The one or more rails 30 are, in turn, configured to receive pressurized fuel from the gas fuel source system 32.

[0017] The gaseous fuel source system 32 may include a high-pressure tank configured to store a supply of high-pressure gaseous fuel. In some embodiments, the gaseous fuel source system 32 may include additional components, such as a compressor configured to compress the gaseous fuel received from the fuel tank and supply the compressed gaseous fuel to the one or more rails 30 and / or accumulators, and electronically controllable valves configured to control the supply of gaseous fuel to and from the accumulators and / or the one or more rails 30.

[0018] It should be understood that the illustrated form of the gaseous fuel supply system 9 is merely one example of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the gaseous fuel supply system 9 may be configured and arranged as another type of gaseous fuel supply system, such as a gaseous hydrogen fuel supply system. In other embodiments, the gaseous fuel supply system 9 may be configured and arranged in other forms, such as a high-pressure common rail diesel fuel injection system or other types of fuel supply systems.

[0019] System 11 also includes an electronic control system (ECS) 20 that is in communication with engine 10 and is configured to control one or more aspects of engine 10, including controlling the injection of fuel into engine 10 via fuel injectors 12. Thus, ECS 20 can communicate with fuel injectors 12 and be configured to command each fuel injector 12 to open and close at prescribed times to inject fuel into engine 10 as needed. ECS 20 typically includes at least one electronic control unit (ECU) 22 that is configured to perform the operations of ECS 20 as further described herein, and in some embodiments, ECS 20 may include additional ECUs that are configured to perform the operations of ECS 20 as further described herein.

[0020] ECS 20 may also be configured to control other parameters of engine 10, including aspects of engine 10 that can be controlled by actuators activated by ECS 20. For example, ECS 20 may communicate with actuators and sensors to receive and process sensor inputs and transmit actuator output signals. Actuators may include, but are not limited to, fuel injectors 12. Sensors may include any suitable devices for monitoring operating parameters and functions of system 11. For example, sensors may include one or more pressure sensors 16 and one or more temperature sensors 18. One or more pressure sensors 16 communicate with one or more rails 30 and are configured to transmit pressure measurements of the gaseous fuel in one or more rails 30 (also referred to as rail pressure or rail pressure) to ECS 20. One or more temperature sensors 18 communicate with one or more rails 30 and are configured to transmit temperature measurements of the gaseous fuel in one or more rails 30 (also referred to as rail temperature or rail temperature) to ECS 20. System 11 includes an intake manifold pressure (IMP) sensor 38, which is in communication with intake manifold 37 and configured to sense the pressure of the intake manifold.

[0021] As will be understood from the description below, the techniques described herein relating to fuel injectors or fuel injection parameters can be implemented in an ECS 20, which can include one or more controllers for controlling different aspects of the system 11. In certain embodiments, the ECS 20 includes one or more electronic control units (ECUs), such as an engine control unit or an engine control module. The ECS 20 can include digital circuits, analog circuits, or a hybrid combination of these two types. In addition, the ECS 20 can be a programmable, integrated state machine, or a hybrid combination thereof. The ECS 20 can include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), central processing units (CPUs), memories, limiters, regulators, filters, format converters, etc., not shown for clarity. In one form, the ECS 20 is a programmable type that executes algorithms and processes data according to operational logic defined by program instructions (such as software or firmware). Alternatively or in addition, the operational logic for the ECS 20 can be at least partially defined by hard-wired logic or other hardware.

[0022] In addition to the sensor types described herein, any other suitable sensors and their associated parameters may also be encompassed by the systems and methods. Thus, sensors may include any suitable device for sensing any relevant physical parameter, including electrical, mechanical, and chemical parameters of the engine system 11. As used herein, the term sensor may include any suitable hardware and / or software for directly or indirectly sensing or estimating any engine system parameter and / or various combinations of such parameters.

[0023] refer to Figure 2 , further details of an exemplary embodiment of the gaseous fuel supply system 9 are shown. In the illustrated example of the gaseous fuel supply system 9, the gaseous fuel source system 32 is configured to supply pressurized gaseous fuel to the front rail 30f and the rear rail 30r. The front rail 30f and the rear rail 30r are configured and arranged as physically separate or distinct gaseous fuel containment structures, which can be provided in a variety of forms, including, for example, physically separate or distinct tubular fuel rails or pipes or physically separate or distinct holes formed in engine components (such as the intake manifold or cylinder head).

[0024] The front rail 30f and the rear rail 30r are preferably supplied with pressurized gaseous fuel from the gaseous fuel source system 32 at separate and distinct locations, effectively providing a degree of isolation between their respective pressures. The front rail 30f is configured and operable to supply pressurized gaseous fuel to a front plurality of injectors 12f, which are configured to inject gaseous fuel into specific intake ports of a plurality of front cylinder intake ports 14f associated with a first plurality of cylinders 13f. In the illustrated example, the first plurality of cylinders 13f includes the first, second, and third cylinders formed in the cylinder block of the inline-six engine 10i. In the illustrated example, the front plurality of injectors 12f includes injectors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B. Injectors 1A and 1B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to a first intake port of an intake manifold 37 leading to a first combustion cylinder. Injectors 2A and 2B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to a second intake port of intake manifold 37 leading to a second combustion cylinder. Injectors 3A and 3B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to a third intake port of intake manifold 37 leading to a third combustion cylinder.

[0025] Rear rail 30r is configured and operable to supply pressurized gaseous fuel to a rear plurality of injectors 12r, which are configured to inject gaseous fuel into specific intake ports of a plurality of rear cylinder intake ports 14r associated with a second plurality of cylinders 13r. In the illustrated example, second plurality of cylinders 13r includes the fourth, fifth, and sixth cylinders formed in the cylinder block of the inline-six engine 10i. In the illustrated example, rear plurality of injectors 12r includes injectors 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B. Injectors 4A and 4B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to the fourth intake port of intake manifold 37 leading to the fourth combustion cylinder. Injectors 5A and 5B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to the fifth intake port of intake manifold 37 leading to the fifth combustion cylinder. Injectors 6A and 6B are configured to supply gaseous fuel to the sixth intake port of intake manifold 37 leading to the sixth combustion cylinder.

[0026] It should be understood that the front rail 30f and the rear rail 30r are combined Figure 1The one or more rails 30 shown and described are one example of a form in which the one or more rails 30 include a first rail and a second rail that is separate or distinct from the first rail. Other embodiments are also contemplated in which the one or more rails 30 include a first rail and a second rail that is separate or distinct from the first rail. Such embodiments include, for example, systems that include relative arrangements and positioning of multiple fuel rails serving a group of inline cylinders (in addition to front and rear cylinders), systems in which the one or more rails 30 include three or more rails, and / or systems in which the one or more rails 30 include two or more rails configured to supply gaseous fuel to the same group or group of cylinders. Similarly, while the example shown relates to an engine including six cylinders, other embodiments relate to other engines including more or fewer than six cylinders.

[0027] It should be understood that the gas fuel supply system 9 can be provided in a variety of forms. Some forms of the gas fuel supply system 9 may include a single rail 30 instead of the front rail 30f and the rear rail 30r. The rail 30 may be configured and operable to supply pressurized gas fuel to the injectors 12f, 12r. Some forms of the gas fuel supply system 9 may include multiple groups of gas fuel injectors. Each of the multiple groups may be configured and operable to supply fuel to a corresponding one of the multiple cylinders and may include at least two gas fuel injectors. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first group includes injectors 1A, 1B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 1, the second group includes injectors 2A, 2B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 2, the third group includes injectors 3A, 3B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 3, the fourth group includes injectors 4A, 4B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 4, the fifth group includes injectors 5A, 5B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 5, and the sixth group includes injectors 6A, 6B configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 6.

[0028] Each of the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each group can be configured and provided as an injector of substantially the same design or type, for example, an injector configured and operable to provide substantially the same maximum fuel delivery (e.g., the same design or nominal maximum fuel delivery). Each of the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each group can be configured to introduce fuel at a substantially similar location in the engine system.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, for example, a group of injectors 12n, including at least injectors 12na and 12nb, can be configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into a location in intake passage 14n, providing flow to each of the plurality of intake valves 131a, 131b, such as a common flow location upstream of the flow splitting location of intake passage 14n. In other forms, a group of injectors 12n', including at least injectors 12na' and 12nb', can be configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into a location in intake passage 14n, providing most or substantially all flow to a specific one of the plurality of intake valves 131a, 131b, such as the flow splitting location of intake passage 14n. In other forms, a group of injectors 12n", including at least injectors 12na" and 12nb" can be configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel directly into cylinder 13n.

[0030] refer to Figure 4 , illustrates an exemplary process 400 for operating an electronic control system (e.g., ECS 20, another electronic control system) in operative communication with a fuel supply system (e.g., gaseous fuel supply system 9 or another fuel supply system). Process 400 may be implemented in and performed by one or more components of an electronic control system, such as one or more electronic control units (e.g., ECU 22 and / or other electronic control units), and / or performed by other electronic control system components.

[0031] Process 400 begins at start operation 402 and proceeds to condition 404, which evaluates whether a commanded fuel delivery can be met or provided using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. Condition 404 can perform a number of operations related to such an evaluation, including, for example, evaluating the commanded fuel delivery amount relative to a maximum possible fuel delivery of the gaseous fuel injectors providing fuel to the particular cylinder. Figure 5 Example controls configured and operable to perform the operations of or usable by conditional 404 are shown and described in FIG.

[0032] If conditional 404 is evaluated as negative, process 400 proceeds to operation 440 , which operates the fuel delivery system to perform fuel delivery using all gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to the particular cylinder. If conditional 404 is evaluated as positive, control method 400 proceeds to condition 406 .

[0033] Condition 406 evaluates whether there are one or more potential calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system with fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. Condition 406 may evaluate whether multiple potential calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic operations may benefit from performing injection with fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder (e.g., with a single such gaseous fuel injector). Examples of such calibration, diagnostic, and / or prognostic operations include evaluating whether to diagnose injector accuracy, calibrate or adjust injection to improve accuracy or injection quantity relative to a commanded injection quantity, measure injection quantity (for diagnostic and / or operational control purposes), diagnose or prognosticate injector health, and combinations of these and / or other calibration, diagnostic, or prognostic operations.

[0034] Condition 406 may perform multiple evaluations to assess whether there are one or more potential calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes for operating with less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors, such as, for example, assessing whether a predetermined time or operating threshold for triggering calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic has been reached, and assessing whether one or more system operating parameters indicate that calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic should be performed (e.g., an operating parameter exceeds a predetermined limit or threshold, or an error, fault, or maintenance code or flag exists).

[0035] If conditional 406 is evaluated as negative, process 400 proceeds to conditional 408. If conditional 406 is evaluated as positive, process 400 proceeds to operation 416, which determines injector operation and associated commands for one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes identified by conditional 406, such as selecting one or more gaseous fuel injectors to disable, inhibit, or command or control not to perform injection, and selecting one or more other gaseous fuel injectors to enable, de-inhibit, or command or control to perform injection. Process 400 proceeds from operation 416 to conditional 408. Alternatively, in some embodiments or implementations, process 400 may proceed from operation 416 to operation 420.

[0036] Condition 408 evaluates whether there are one or more potential fuel supply control benefits for operating with fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. A variety of potential fuel supply control benefits may be evaluated. Some embodiments or implementations may evaluate whether improved injection quantity accuracy or control may be achieved by using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder (e.g., by using a single such injector) or by using fewer than a particular one of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder (e.g., a particular single such injector identified as being more accurate than other such injectors). Some embodiments or implementations may evaluate whether the balance of injection quantities between groups of injectors configured and operable to supply gaseous fuel to respective ones of a plurality of cylinders is improved.

[0037] If conditional 408 is evaluated as negative, process 400 proceeds to conditional 410. If conditional 408 is evaluated as positive, process 400 proceeds to operation 418, which determines injector operation and associated commands for one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes identified by conditional 408, such as selecting one or more gaseous fuel injectors to disable, inhibit, or command or control not to perform injection, and selecting one or more other gaseous fuel injectors to enable, de-inhibit, or command or control to perform injection. Process 400 proceeds from operation 418 to conditional 410. Alternatively, in some embodiments or implementations, process 400 may proceed from operation 418 to operation 420.

[0038] Condition 410 evaluates whether one or more potential efficiency benefits exist from operating with fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. A variety of potential efficiency benefits may be evaluated. Some embodiments or implementations may evaluate whether the energy savings associated with performing injection using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors exceeds a current value, while also evaluating the impact of such operation on combustion efficiency to assess the potential net efficiency benefit.

[0039] If conditional 410 evaluates negative, process 400 proceeds to operation 440, as described above. If conditional 408 evaluates positive, process 400 proceeds to operation 420, which determines injector operation and associated commands for one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes identified by conditional 408, e.g., selecting one or more gaseous fuel injectors to disable, inhibit, or command or control not to perform injection, and selecting one or more other gaseous fuel injectors to enable, de-inhibit, or command or control to perform injection. Process 400 proceeds from operation 418 to operation 425.

[0040] Operation 425 determines whether the injector operations determined by one or more of operations 416, 418, and 420 are compatible with one another. If not, arbitration may be performed between the determined injector operations, for example, by imposing a predetermined priority or precedence order between the determined injector operations. Process 400 proceeds from operation 425 to operation 430, which commands an injector operation using the determined injector operation selected or arbitrated by operation 425. Process 400 proceeds from operation 430 or operation 440 to end operation 499 and may be terminated, repeated, or later recalled or restarted.

[0041] refer to Figure 5 , shows an exemplary control 500 that may be implemented in and operated by one or more components of an electronic control system (such as ECS 20) or another electronic control system configured for operative communication with a fuel delivery system. In some forms, at least a portion of control 500 may be implemented in one or more electronic control units of an electronic control system such as ECU 22, or in addition to or in place of an electronic control unit.

[0042] Control 500 is configured to evaluate whether a commanded fuel delivery can be met or provided using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder, which may be performed or utilized by condition 404. Control 500 includes injector request evaluation logic 510 that receives as inputs a fuel delivery command 502, an injection pressure 504, injector performance information 506, and may receive additional information 508.

[0043] Fuel delivery commands 502 may include information indicating a commanded, required, or requested fuel delivery amount or other fuel delivery amount for a given cylinder. Injection pressure 504 may include information indicating the pressure of gaseous fuel injected by a gaseous fuel injector, e.g., the pressure of a fuel rail configured and operable to provide gaseous fuel to a gaseous fuel injector configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. Injector performance information 506 may include information regarding the actual operation of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder, e.g., information regarding whether one or more injectors are operating at a reduced capacity.

[0044] In response to the received input, the injector request evaluation logic 510 determines whether the commanded fuel delivery can be met or provided using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder. This determination can be made using a variety of techniques, such as comparing the commanded fuel quantity or other metric to an assumed or nominal maximum fuel delivery quantity or metric for one or more individual gaseous fuel injectors, or a modified version of such a comparison in which the assumed or nominal maximum fuel delivery quantity or metric is modified or adjusted in response to one or more of the injection pressure 504, the injector performance information 506, the intake manifold pressure 507, and the additional information 508. The injector request evaluation logic 510 provides an injector request output 520, which may indicate a minimum number of gaseous fuel injectors that need to be operated (or a maximum number of gaseous fuel injectors that do not need to be operated), a specific subset of gaseous fuel injectors that need to be operated (or not need to be operated), or other information regarding the ability of the gaseous fuel delivery system to operate using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0045] refer to Figure 6 , shows an exemplary control 600 that may be implemented in and operated by one or more components of an electronic control system (such as ECS 20) or another electronic control system configured for operative communication with a fuel delivery system. In some forms, at least a portion of control 600 may be implemented in one or more electronic control units of an electronic control system such as ECU 22, or in addition to or in place of an electronic control unit.

[0046] Control 600 is configured to evaluate whether an injection control benefit can be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder, which may be implemented or utilized by condition 408. Control 600 includes injection control benefit logic 610, which may include multiple logic components, such as load / speed condition logic 620 and engine feedback logic 630.

[0047] Load / speed condition logic 620 receives as input engine speed 602, engine torque, or fueling information 604 (e.g., fueling amount information or other information proportional to, related to, or otherwise indicative of engine torque or load), and may receive additional information 606. Load / speed condition logic 620 may include logic such as one or more calculation routines, mappings, tables, and / or other data structures, as well as logic operable to identify conditions under which injection control benefits may be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all gaseous fuel injectors. For example, a lookup table (LUT) may be configured based on empirical data or physical principles to specify low-load, low-speed operating combinations or regions under which injection control benefits may be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all gaseous fuel injectors. Load / speed condition logic 620 may provide all or part of injection control benefit identification output 650, either alone or in combination with engine feedback logic 630 (e.g., using sensor fusion techniques to enhance control robustness, reliability, or accuracy). It should be appreciated that the load / speed condition logic 620 provides one example of an open-loop type of control that may be used by the injection control benefit logic 610 .

[0048] Engine feedback logic 630 receives as input engine feedback parameters 608, which may include engine speed, exhaust gas oxygen content information, or other parameters indicative of engine operating conditions. The engine feedback logic may include logic such as one or more calculation routines, mappings, tables, and / or other data structures, as well as logic operable to identify conditions under which injection control benefits may be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all gaseous fuel injectors. The logic may be operable to determine engine operating conditions under which injection control benefits may be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all gaseous fuel injectors. For example, fluctuations in engine speed and / or exhaust gas oxygen content information, deviations from a commanded engine speed, may be included. Engine feedback logic 630 may provide all or part of injection control benefit identification output 650, either alone or in combination with load / speed condition logic 620 (e.g., using sensor fusion techniques to enhance control robustness, reliability, or accuracy). It should be understood that engine feedback logic 630 provides one example of open-loop control that may be used by injection control benefit logic 610.

[0049] refer to Figure 7, shows an exemplary control 700 that may be implemented in and operated by one or more components of an electronic control system (such as ECS 20) or another electronic control system configured for operative communication with a fuel delivery system. In some forms, at least a portion of control 700 may be implemented in one or more electronic control units of an electronic control system such as ECU 22, or in addition to or in place of an electronic control unit.

[0050] Control 700 is configured to evaluate whether an operating efficiency control benefit can be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors configured and operable to provide fuel to a particular cylinder, which may be performed or utilized by condition 410. Control 700 includes efficiency benefit control logic 710, which may include a plurality of logic components such as one or more calculation routines, mappings, tables, and / or other data structures, and logic operable to identify conditions under which efficiency benefits can be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors, the logic operable to determine under which engine operating conditions injection control benefits can be achieved by operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0051] In the illustrated example, efficiency benefit logic 710 receives as input engine speed 702, engine torque or fueling information 704 (e.g., fueling amount information or other information proportional to, related to, or otherwise indicative of engine torque or load), combustion parameters 706 (e.g., exhaust oxygen information), and injector system electrical load information 708, and may receive additional information 709. The efficiency benefit logic 710 may evaluate or determine the impact on combustion efficiency in a variety of ways in response to the received inputs. In some embodiments and examples, the efficiency benefit logic 710 may evaluate or determine the impact on combustion efficiency in response to the engine speed 702 and the engine torque or fueling information 704 in an open-loop manner, for example, using a lookup table (LUT) configured based on empirical data or physical principles to specify a combustion efficiency value corresponding to a combination of the engine speed 702 and the engine torque or fueling information 704. In some embodiments and examples, the efficiency benefit logic 710 can evaluate or determine the impact on combustion efficiency in a closed-loop manner in response to the expected value of the combustion parameter 706 (e.g., exhaust oxygen information), the engine speed 702 and the engine torque or the fuel supply information 704, and the actual feedback value of the combustion parameter 706 (e.g., exhaust oxygen information). In some embodiments, a combination of open-loop and closed-loop logic can be used (e.g., using sensor fusion technology to enhance control robustness, reliability, or accuracy). The efficiency benefit logic 710 can provide all or part of the efficiency benefit identification output 650.

[0052] It should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates a variety of processes and systems that can benefit from operating with fewer than all gaseous fuel injectors dedicated to a given cylinder (e.g., a single injector per cylinder). Some such processes can improve the accuracy of injection quantity, such as by updating injector control. Some such processes improve the balance of injection quantities of operating injectors. Some such processes improve diagnostics and predictions for operating injectors, for example, based on improved estimates of injection quantity. Some such processes reduce the total electrical power supplied to the injectors by the driver. Some such processes improve the ability to measure injection characteristics using a single operating injector. Some such processes improve the ability to compare injection characteristics associated with each injector and their impact on the engine. Some such processes can improve system robustness by allowing the engine to continue operating despite an injector failure.

[0053] As shown in this detailed description, the present disclosure contemplates multiple and various embodiments, including but not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. A first exemplary embodiment is a system comprising: an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders; a gaseous fuel supply system comprising a plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors, each group of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors being operable to supply fuel to a corresponding cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, each group of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors comprising at least two gaseous fuel injectors; and an electronic control system in operative communication with the gaseous fuel supply system, the electronic control system being configured to: determine whether to use less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder; determine at least one injector command for operating less than all of the injectors in the group of injectors to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder; and execute the at least one injector command to supply fuel to the corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in the group of injectors.

[0054] A second exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether fueling of a respective cylinder can be performed using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors, including the electronic control system being configured to determine whether commanded fueling of the respective cylinder can be provided using fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders.

[0055] A third exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0056] A fourth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0057] A fifth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0058] A sixth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors are configured and operable to provide the same nominal maximum injection amount or rate.

[0059] A seventh exemplary embodiment includes the features of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors is configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into one of: (a) an intake port or (b) directly into the cylinder.

[0060] An eighth exemplary embodiment is a method of operating an engine system, the engine system comprising an engine including a plurality of cylinders; a gaseous fuel supply system including a plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors, each group of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors being operable to supply fuel to a corresponding cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, each group of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors including at least two gaseous fuel injectors; the method comprising: determining whether to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors; determining at least one injector command for operating fewer than all injectors in the group of injectors to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder; and executing the at least one injector command to supply fuel to the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in the group of injectors.

[0061] A ninth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein determining whether to perform fueling of the respective cylinders using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining whether commanded fueling of the respective cylinders can be provided using fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders.

[0062] A tenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein said determining whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0063] An eleventh exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein determining whether to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder using less than all injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0064] A twelfth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein determining whether to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0065] A thirteenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors are configured and operable to provide the same nominal maximum injection amount or rate.

[0066] A fourteenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors is configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into one of: (a) an intake port or (b) directly into the cylinder.

[0067] A fifteenth exemplary embodiment is an apparatus configured to be in operative communication with a gas fuel supply system including a plurality of groups of gas fuel injectors, each of the plurality of groups of gas fuel injectors being operable to supply fuel to a corresponding cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of an engine, each of the plurality of groups of gas fuel injectors including at least two gas fuel injectors, the apparatus including an electronic control system in operative communication with the gas fuel supply system, the electronic control system being configured to: determine whether to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in the group of injectors; determine at least one injector command for operating less than all of the injectors in the group of injectors to perform fuel supply to the corresponding cylinder; and execute the at least one injector command to supply fuel to the corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in the group of injectors.

[0068] A sixteenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether fuel delivery to a corresponding cylinder can be performed using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors, including the electronic control system being configured to determine whether commanded fuel delivery to the corresponding cylinder can be provided using fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders.

[0069] A seventeenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0070] An eighteenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0071] A nineteenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors includes the electronic control system being configured to determine an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

[0072] A twentieth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, including the gaseous fuel system.

[0073] The twenty-first exemplary embodiment includes the features of the twentieth exemplary embodiment, including the gaseous fuel system, the gaseous fuel system including the engine. It should be understood that terms such as "non-transitory memory," "non-transitory storage medium," and "non-transitory storage device" refer to various types of devices and storage media that can be configured to store information, such as data or instructions, that can be read or executed by a processor or other component of a computer system, and that such terms include and encompass a single or unitary device or medium storing such information, multiple devices or media across or in which respective portions of such information are stored, and multiple devices or media across or in which multiple copies of such information are stored.

[0074] It should be understood that when used in connection with a control method or process, an electronic control system or controller, an electronic control, or components or operations of the foregoing, terms such as "determining" and the like encompass any of a plurality of actions, configurations, devices, operations, and techniques, individually or in combination, including but not limited to estimating or calculating a parameter or value, obtaining a parameter or value from a lookup table or using a lookup operation, receiving a parameter or value from a data link or network communication, receiving an electronic signal (e.g., a voltage, frequency, current, or pulse width modulated (PWM) signal) indicative of a parameter or value, receiving a sensor output indicative of a parameter or value, receiving other output or input indicative of a parameter or value, reading a parameter or value from a memory location on a computer-readable medium, receiving a parameter or value as a run-time parameter, and / or by receiving a parameter or value that can be used to calculate an interpreted parameter, and / or by reference to a default value that is interpreted as a parameter value.

[0075] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, this is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in nature, and it is to be understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the claimed invention are protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferred, preferably, preferred, or more preferred as utilized in the above description indicates that the features so described may be more desirable, it may not be necessary and embodiments without such words are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. When reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "one," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used, it is not intended that the claim be limited to only one item, unless expressly stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" is used, the item may include a portion and / or the entire item unless expressly stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an engine, the engine comprising a plurality of cylinders; a gaseous fuel supply system comprising a plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors, each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors being operable to provide fuel to a respective cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors comprising at least two gaseous fuel injectors; and an electronic control system in operative communication with the gaseous fuel supply system, the electronic control system being configured to: determining whether fueling of the corresponding cylinder is performed using less than all injectors in a group of injectors; determining at least one injector command for operating fewer than all of the injectors in the group of injectors to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder; as well as The at least one injector command is executed to fuel the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in the group of injectors.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fuel delivery to the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine whether it is possible to provide the commanded fuel delivery to the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to use less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors to perform fuel delivery to the corresponding cylinder includes the electronic control system being configured to determine one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using fewer than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using fewer than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors. 6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors are configured and operable to provide the same nominal maximum injection amount or rate.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors is configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into one of: (a) an intake port or (b) directly into the cylinder.

8. A method of operating an engine system, the engine system comprising an engine, the engine comprising a plurality of cylinders; a gaseous fuel supply system, the gaseous fuel supply system comprising a plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors, each group of the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors being operable to provide fuel to a corresponding cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, each group of the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors comprising at least two gaseous fuel injectors; the method comprising: determining whether fueling of the corresponding cylinder is performed using less than all injectors in a group of injectors; determining at least one injector command for operating fewer than all of the injectors in the group of injectors to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder; as well as The at least one injector command is executed to fuel the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in the group of injectors. 9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining whether to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining whether fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders can be used to provide the commanded fueling to the corresponding cylinder.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of a group of injectors comprises determining an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system with less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using fewer than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises determining an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system with fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least two gaseous fuel injectors in each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors are configured and operable to provide the same nominal maximum injection amount or rate.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors is configured and positioned to inject gaseous fuel into one of: (a) an intake port or (b) directly into the cylinder.

15. An apparatus configured to be in operative communication with a gaseous fuel supply system comprising a plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors, each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors being operable to provide fuel to a respective cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of an engine, each of the plurality of groups of gaseous fuel injectors comprising at least two gaseous fuel injectors, the apparatus comprising: an electronic control system in operative communication with the gaseous fuel supply system, the electronic control system being configured to: determining whether fueling of the corresponding cylinder is performed using less than all injectors in a group of injectors; determining at least one injector command for operating fewer than all of the injectors in the group of injectors to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder; as well as The at least one injector command is executed to fuel the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in the group of injectors.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine whether it is possible to provide the commanded fueling to the corresponding cylinder using fewer than all injectors in a group of cylinders.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine one or more calibration, diagnostic, measurement, and / or prognostic purposes for operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using less than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine an injection control benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using less than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to perform fueling of a corresponding cylinder using fewer than all of the injectors in a group of injectors comprises the electronic control system being configured to determine an efficiency benefit of operating the gaseous fuel delivery system using fewer than all of the gaseous fuel injectors.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising the gas fuel system.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising said engine.

Images