Methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system which comprises an engine body and a limiting cylinder body. The natural gas supply unit communicates with the engine body and is suitable for supplying natural gas to the engine body so that the natural gas can be combusted and preheated in the cylinder body; the methanol supply unit is communicated with the engine body and is suitable for supplying methanol fuel to the engine body, and after the methanol fuel is preheated in a cylinder, the methanol fuel is further combusted to do work; the engine oil supply unit comprises an engine oil tank, an oil pan and an engine oil pump, so that engine oil in the engine oil tank circulates between all parts of the engine body and the oil pan, and a first temperature sensor is arranged in the oil pan and is suitable for detecting the first temperature of the engine oil; and the control unit is in communication connection with the first temperature sensor, the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit and is suitable for collecting the first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan, so that the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit are switched on or switched off in response to the first temperature of the engine oil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of engines, in particular to a methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system. Background Art

[0002] Methanol is a low-carbon, oxygen-containing, clean fuel with a wide range of sources. H2+CO2 production has now been achieved, which is conducive to promoting carbon peak and carbon neutrality. The latent heat of methanol vaporization is about 3.5 times that of gasoline. It absorbs more heat when evaporating, which will reduce the temperature of the methanol engine intake duct and cylinder. When the ambient temperature is low, a large amount of injected methanol fuel cannot be atomized and is adsorbed in the intake duct, resulting in a too lean mixture and failure to start.

[0003] To this end, the current method is to heat methanol fuel to create a hot atmosphere for the methanol fuel to be injected and ignited. Due to the limitations of the thermal properties of methanol, the temperature of the heated object cannot be too high. Therefore, the effect of increasing the hot atmosphere by preheating is relatively limited, especially the heating effect on the cylinder wall in contact with the air is limited.

[0004] Therefore, the starting time may be too long or even the engine may not start. In addition, when the injected methanol fuel contacts the wall of the cylinder, the condensed methanol fuel may flow into the oil pan and contaminate the engine oil. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to solve at least one technical problem in the prior art and other aspects, the utility model provides a methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system. Based on the circulation method of the engine oil, the engine oil will flow back to the oil pan along the cylinder wall of the cylinder body after lubricating the piston, crankshaft and corresponding transmission mechanism. For this purpose, a first temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature or temperature change of the oil in the oil pan, which can indirectly obtain the temperature of the cylinder wall and reflect the change of the thermal atmosphere, so as to control the timing of the methanol supply unit to supply methanol fuel.

[0006] The utility model provides a methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system, comprising: an engine body, which defines a cylinder body; a natural gas supply unit, which is connected to the engine body and is suitable for supplying natural gas to the engine body so as to burn and preheat in the cylinder body; a methanol supply unit, which is connected to the engine body and is suitable for supplying methanol fuel to the engine body so as to further burn and do work after being preheated in the cylinder; an engine oil supply unit, which comprises an engine oil box, an oil pan and an engine oil pump so as to make the engine oil in the engine oil box circulate between various parts of the engine body and the oil pan, wherein a first temperature sensor is arranged in the oil pan and is suitable for detecting a first temperature of the engine oil; and a control unit, which is communicatively connected with the first temperature sensor, the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit and is suitable for collecting the first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan so as to make the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit turn on or off in response to the first temperature of the engine oil.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the utility model, an oil drain port suitable for releasing engine oil is provided in the oil pan, and an oil drain plug is detachably installed in the oil drain port; wherein a first temperature sensor is installed in the oil drain plug to detect a first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the utility model, one end of the drain plug located in the oil pan is hollow to form a mounting cavity, the first temperature sensor is installed in the mounting cavity, and the detection end of the first temperature sensor is arranged close to the inner wall of the drain plug.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the first temperature sensor is bonded to the surface of the oil drain plug.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the methanol supply unit includes a methanol storage tank, which is suitable for storing methanol fuel; an oil rail, which is connected to the methanol storage tank and is suitable for transmitting methanol fuel; an injector, which is arranged in the cylinder body and is connected to an end of the oil rail away from the methanol storage tank, and is suitable for injecting the methanol fuel transmitted through the oil rail into the cylinder body; and an oil pump, which is connected to the oil rail and is suitable for transmitting the methanol fuel along the oil rail.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the utility model, a second temperature sensor is arranged on the methanol supply unit, and the second temperature sensor is also constructed to be communicatively connected with the control unit, suitable for collecting the second temperature of the methanol fuel, and turning the methanol supply unit on or off in response to the second temperature.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the second temperature sensor is installed on the fuel rail and is suitable for detecting a second temperature of the methanol fuel passing through the fuel rail.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the control unit is communicatively connected with the oil pump and is suitable for controlling the operation or shutdown of the oil pump.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit includes an electronic control unit.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the natural gas supply unit includes: a natural gas storage tank, suitable for storing natural gas fuel; a mixer, which is connected to the natural gas storage tank and is arranged on the main pipe of the intake manifold of the engine body, and is suitable for mixing natural gas and air introduced from the outside.

[0016] The methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system provided by the utility model provides natural gas supply to the engine for combustion preheating when the engine is started by setting a natural gas supply unit and a methanol supply unit, and provides a first temperature sensor on the oil pan of the engine oil supply unit. When the first sensor detects that the temperature reaches the set temperature, the methanol supply unit is turned on to supply methanol fuel to the engine and the natural gas supply unit is turned off to achieve the cold start of the engine. Since the engine oil will flow back to the oil pan along the cylinder wall of the cylinder body after lubricating the piston, crankshaft and corresponding transmission mechanism after the engine is started, the temperature of the cylinder wall can be indirectly obtained, and the change of the thermal atmosphere in the cylinder can be reflected, so that the timing of the methanol supply unit supplying methanol fuel can be timely controlled, so that the methanol fuel can be fully vaporized and burned when it is injected, and the methanol fuel can be prevented from flowing into the oil pan due to condensation and contaminating the engine oil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a diagram of the installation position of the oil drain plug 3 according to an illustrative embodiment of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an oil circulation principle according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a first sensor installed on an oil drain plug according to an illustrative embodiment of the utility model.

[0020] Reference numerals

[0021] 1. Engine body;

[0022] 2. Oil supply unit;

[0023] 21. Oil tank;

[0024] 22. Oil pan;

[0025] 23. Oil pump;

[0026] 3. Oil drain plug;

[0027] 4. A first temperature sensor; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The terms "include", "comprises", etc. used herein indicate the existence of features, steps, operations and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations or components.

[0030] All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0031] When using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.", they should generally be interpreted according to the meaning of the expression commonly understood by those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" should include but is not limited to a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, C, etc.).

[0032] Figure 1 It is a diagram of the installation position of the oil drain plug 3 according to an illustrative embodiment of the utility model.

[0033] The methanol and natural gas dual fuel cold start system provided by the utility model is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes an engine body 1, a natural gas supply unit, a methanol supply unit, an oil supply unit 2 and a control unit. The engine body 1 is defined as a cylinder. The natural gas supply unit is connected to the engine body 1 and is suitable for supplying natural gas to the engine body 1 to burn and preheat in the cylinder. The methanol supply unit is connected to the engine body 1 and is suitable for supplying methanol fuel to the engine body 1, which is further burned and works after being preheated in the cylinder. The oil supply unit 2 includes an oil tank 21, an oil pan 22 and an oil pump 23, so that the oil in the oil tank 21 forms a cycle between various parts of the engine body 1 and the oil pan 22. The oil pan 22 is provided with a first temperature sensor 4, which is suitable for detecting the first temperature of the oil. The control unit is respectively connected to the first temperature sensor 4, the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit, and is suitable for collecting the first temperature of the oil in the oil pan 22, so that the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit are turned on or off in response to the first temperature of the oil.

[0034] In such an embodiment, by providing a natural gas supply unit and a methanol supply unit, natural gas is supplied to the engine for combustion preheating when the engine is started, and by providing a first temperature sensor 4 on the oil pan 22 of the engine oil supply unit 2, when the first sensor detects that the temperature reaches the set temperature, the methanol supply unit is turned on to supply methanol fuel to the engine and the natural gas supply unit is turned off, thereby realizing a cold start of the engine. Since the engine oil will flow back to the oil pan 22 along the cylinder wall of the cylinder body after lubricating the piston, crankshaft and corresponding transmission mechanism after the engine is started, the temperature of the cylinder wall can be indirectly obtained, and the change of the thermal atmosphere in the cylinder can be reflected, so that the timing of the methanol supply unit supplying methanol fuel can be timely controlled, so that the methanol fuel can be fully vaporized and burned when it is injected, and the methanol fuel can be prevented from flowing into the oil pan 22 due to condensation and contaminating the engine oil.

[0035] According to the embodiments of the present utility model, Figure 1 As shown, an oil drain port for releasing the engine oil is provided in the oil pan 22, and an oil drain plug 3 is detachably installed in the oil drain port. A first temperature sensor 4 is installed in the oil drain plug 3 to detect a first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan 22.

[0036] In such an embodiment, the sensor is detachably installed in the oil drain plug 3, which can facilitate the inspection and replacement of the sensor.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the oil circulation principle according to an illustrative embodiment of the utility model.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, after the engine is started, the oil pump pumps the oil to the piston, crankshaft and corresponding transmission mechanism of the engine body. The oil is heated while lubricating the transmission parts and falls into the oil pan. Then, the oil is pumped back to the oil tank through the oil pump to form a cycle. Therefore, the oil temperature can timely and accurately reflect the temperature in the engine cylinder. By detecting the oil temperature, the timing of methanol supply unit supplying methanol can be controlled in time.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a first sensor installed on an oil drain plug according to an illustrative embodiment of the utility model.

[0040] According to the embodiments of the present utility model, Figure 3 As shown, one end of the drain plug 3 located in the oil pan 22 is hollow to form a mounting cavity, and the first temperature sensor 4 is installed in the mounting cavity. The detection end of the first temperature sensor 4 is arranged close to the inner wall of the drain plug 3.

[0041] In such an embodiment, by placing the monitoring end of the first temperature sensor 4 in close contact with the inner wall of the oil drain spiral, the temperature of the engine oil can be quickly obtained by heat conduction.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the first temperature sensor 4 is bonded to the surface of the oil drain plug 3 .

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit includes an electronic control unit (ie, ECU).

[0044] In an illustrative embodiment, after the engine is started, the first sensor is used to detect the oil temperature and transmit the temperature to the ECU, wherein a temperature threshold is pre-set in the ECU; the ECU determines whether the temperature is higher than the preset temperature threshold; if the temperature is higher than the temperature threshold, the ECU controls the methanol fuel supply unit to start, and controls the natural gas fuel supply unit to shut down, the injector starts to spray methanol into the cylinder of the engine, and at the same time the natural gas gas injection device stops delivering natural gas into the intake duct.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the methanol supply unit includes a methanol storage tank, an oil rail, an injector and an oil pump. The methanol storage tank is suitable for storing methanol fuel; the oil rail is connected to the methanol storage tank and is suitable for transmitting methanol fuel. The injector is arranged in the cylinder body and is connected to the end of the oil rail away from the methanol storage tank, and is suitable for injecting the methanol fuel transmitted through the oil rail into the cylinder body. The oil pump is connected to the oil rail and is suitable for transmitting the methanol fuel along the oil rail.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the utility model, a second temperature sensor is arranged on the methanol supply unit, and the second temperature sensor is also constructed to be communicatively connected with the control unit, suitable for collecting the second temperature of the methanol fuel, and turning the methanol supply unit on or off in response to the second temperature.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the second temperature sensor is installed on the fuel rail and is suitable for detecting a second temperature of the methanol fuel passing through the fuel rail.

[0048] In such an embodiment, by using the first sensor and the second sensor in combination, the temperature in the cylinder can be determined more accurately to select the appropriate time for the methanol supply unit to supply methanol fuel.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the control unit is communicatively connected with the oil pump and is suitable for controlling the operation or shutdown of the oil pump.

[0050] In an illustrative embodiment, the fuel injector is mounted on the cylinder head and communicated with the cylinder, and the methanol fuel rail is disposed on one side of the intake manifold.

[0051] In an illustrative embodiment, a third temperature sensor is further included, which is arranged on the spark plug and is suitable for detecting a third temperature of the spark plug. In detail, the spark plug includes a conductive core rod, an insulating ceramic body and a shell, wherein the insulating ceramic body is sleeved on the outer side of the conductive core rod, the shell is sleeved on the outer side of the insulating ceramic body, an ignition gap is provided between the shell and the bottom end of the core rod, and the sensor is located above the shell and arranged between the shell and the insulating ceramic body.

[0052] In such an embodiment, when the natural gas supply unit supplies natural gas to the engine for combustion preheating, the spark plug is also heated by heat conduction in the cylinder. By detecting the temperature of the spark plug, the temperature in the cylinder can be reflected promptly and accurately.

[0053] In an illustrative embodiment, the third temperature sensor may also be disposed on the inner wall of the cylinder body, and is suitable for detecting the first temperature of the inner wall of the cylinder body.

[0054] In such an embodiment, when the natural gas supply unit supplies natural gas to the engine for combustion preheating, the inner wall of the cylinder is heated up by heat radiation, and the temperature of the cylinder inner wall is monitored to timely reflect the temperature in the cylinder.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, two or three sensors may be provided at the same time to detect any two or three of the oil, spark plug and cylinder temperatures at the same time. The temperature in the cylinder is comprehensively determined by the temperature signals of the two or three sensors to select the appropriate time for the methanol supply unit to supply methanol fuel.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the utility model, the natural gas supply unit includes a natural gas storage tank and a mixer. The natural gas storage tank is suitable for storing natural gas fuel; the mixer is connected to the natural gas storage tank and is arranged on the main pipe of the intake manifold of the engine body 1, and is suitable for mixing natural gas and air introduced from the outside.

[0057] In an illustrative embodiment, the natural gas supply unit further includes a pressure reducer, a heat exchanger, a gas thermostat and a gas metering valve. The pressure reducer, the heat exchanger, the gas thermostat and the gas metering valve are arranged between the natural gas storage tank and the mixer, and are connected in sequence through connecting pipelines. The natural gas delivery pipeline is arranged on the other side of the intake manifold.

[0058] According to the methanol and natural gas dual-fuel cold start system of the utility model, during the cold start stage of the engine, a natural gas fuel supply device is used to provide natural gas fuel to the engine, which has a fast starting speed and low emission pollutants; when the temperature of the engine cylinder head intake duct reaches a certain value, it is completely switched to methanol fuel, thereby solving the problem of low-temperature cold start difficulties of the methanol engine. The temperature sensor for detecting the engine oil is used as the basis for the injection conversion of methanol gas, which can indirectly obtain the temperature of the cylinder wall and timely respond to the changes in the thermal atmosphere, which is sensitive, fast and reliable.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present invention may be combined and / or combined in various ways, even if such combinations and / or combinations are not explicitly described in the present invention. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present invention may be combined and / or combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present invention. All of these combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Although the embodiments are described above separately, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used in combination to advantage. The scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, a person skilled in the art may make a variety of substitutions and modifications, which should all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A methanol and natural gas dual fuel cold start system, characterized in that: include: An engine body (1) defines a cylinder block; A natural gas supply unit is connected to the engine body (1) and is suitable for supplying natural gas to the engine body (1) for combustion and preheating in the cylinder; A methanol supply unit is connected to the engine body (1) and is suitable for supplying methanol fuel to the engine body (1) so that after being preheated in the cylinder, the methanol fuel is further burned to produce work; An oil supply unit (2) comprises an oil tank (21), an oil sump (22) and an oil pump (23), so that the oil in the oil tank (21) circulates between various parts of the engine body (1) and the oil sump (22), wherein a first temperature sensor (4) is arranged in the oil sump (22) and is suitable for detecting a first temperature of the oil; and A control unit is communicatively connected to the first temperature sensor (4), the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit, and is adapted to collect a first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan (22), so that the natural gas supply unit and the methanol supply unit are turned on or off in response to the first temperature of the engine oil.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that An oil drain port suitable for releasing engine oil is provided in the oil pan (22), and an oil drain screw plug (3) is detachably installed in the oil drain port; The first temperature sensor (4) is installed in the oil drain plug (3) to detect a first temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan (22).

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that One end of the oil drain plug (3) located in the oil pan (22) is hollow to form a mounting cavity, the first temperature sensor (4) is mounted in the mounting cavity, and the detection end of the first temperature sensor (4) is arranged in close contact with the inner wall of the oil drain plug (3).

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The first temperature sensor (4) is bonded to the surface of the oil drain plug (3).

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The methanol supply unit comprises: A methanol storage tank, suitable for storing the methanol fuel; A fuel rail, connected to the methanol storage tank, suitable for transmitting the methanol fuel; an injector, disposed in the cylinder body and connected to an end of the fuel rail away from the methanol storage tank, adapted to inject the methanol fuel transmitted through the fuel rail into the cylinder body; and An oil pump is connected to the oil rail and is suitable for transmitting the methanol fuel along the oil rail.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that The methanol supply unit is provided with a second temperature sensor, which is also configured to be in communication connection with the control unit, and is suitable for collecting a second temperature of the methanol fuel and turning the methanol supply unit on or off in response to the second temperature.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that The second temperature sensor is installed on the fuel rail, and is suitable for detecting the second temperature of the methanol fuel passing through the fuel rail.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that The control unit is communicatively connected to the oil pump and is suitable for controlling the operation or shutdown of the oil pump.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The control unit comprises an electronic control unit.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The natural gas supply unit comprises: Natural gas storage tanks, suitable for storing natural gas fuel; The mixer is connected to the natural gas storage tank and is arranged on the main pipe of the intake manifold of the engine body (1), and is suitable for mixing the natural gas with air introduced from the outside.

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