Actuator Synchronization with Pressure Pulsations for Combustion Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in optimizing fresh air supply and exhaust gas management due to pressure pulsations, leading to inefficiencies in combustion processes and emissions, which existing methods struggle to address effectively without requiring additional valves or fundamental system changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that synchronizes actuator variations with the combustion cycle to adjust pressure pulsations in the fresh air and exhaust systems, using existing actuators to optimize gas composition and quantity, thereby minimizing emissions and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional valves are added to optimize fresh air supply synchronization with combustion cycle, then combustion process optimization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing actuators control their own positioning relative to pressure pulsations by using the pressure pulsations themselves as the control signal. The control unit detects pressure pulsations in the intake manifold or exhaust manifold and automatically adjusts actuator positions to optimize gas flow timing, eliminating the need for additional valves or external synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure pulsation detection as feedback to continuously adjust actuator positions. The control unit monitors pressure variations caused by combustion cycles and dynamically positions actuators to maximize fresh air supply during intake phases and minimize losses during compression and combustion phases, creating a closed-loop optimization system.
2Loss of energy
If actuator positions are adjusted dynamically synchronized with combustion cycle, then fuel consumption decreases, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses the naturally occurring pressure pulsations in the intake or exhaust manifolds as both the control signal and the timing reference for combustion cycle synchronization. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external sensors or crankshaft position sensors, as the pressure pulsations themselves provide the necessary timing information for dynamic actuator adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical synchronization systems (such as crankshaft position sensors and mechanical linkages) with a pressure-based detection and control system. By using pressure pulsations as the timing reference, the system substitutes mechanical measurement and control mechanisms with a simpler pressure-sensitive approach that naturally synchronizes with the combustion cycle.
3Device complexity
If existing actuators are used for combustion-cycle-synchronous control, then device complexity is minimized, but control precision over pressure pulsations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts actuator positions in real-time based on detected pressure pulsations, transitioning from static positioning to dynamic synchronization. The actuators respond to the amplitude and frequency of pressure pulsations, automatically adapting their timing and position to match the instantaneous combustion cycle characteristics, thereby achieving precise control without adding complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for improved combustion process optimization, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by equalizing gas intake and composition across cylinders, while maintaining existing engine control methods and avoiding the need for additional valves or system changes.
Implementation Method 1
Part of the exhaust gas energy is used via exhaust turbochargers to compress the supplied fresh air
Implementation Method 2
The gas exchange processes in the cylinders or in the combustion chamber are controlled by intake and exhaust valves
Implementation Method 3
Pressure pulsations occur in both the fresh air system and the exhaust system of piston engines. These pulsations are caused by the combustion cycles during the cyclical operation of the reciprocating piston engine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine (1), more particularly of a motor vehicle (100), having a plurality of cylinders (4), a fresh air system (2) and an exhaust gas system (3), in which fresh air system and exhaust gas system pressure pulsations occur during operation, and having at least one peripheral actuator (9, 11, 3, 15, 17), the method comprising: sensing an operating state of the internal combustion engine (1); determining a global actuator position (GA); adjusting the global actuator position (GA); determining a relative actuator variation (RA); changing the global actuator position (GA) by the relative actuator variation (RA), the relative actuator variation (RA) occurring in synchronization with the combustion stroke in such a way that a change in the pressure pulsation, which change is caused by the relative actuator variation (RA), sets a desired gas amount and/or a desired gas composition in the cylinder (4), in the fresh air system (2) and/or in the exhaust gas system (3) in such a way that consumption and/or emissions are minimized. The invention further relates to an internal combustion engine (1) having a controller (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) designed to carry out the method, and to a vehicle (100) having an internal combustion engine (19) of this type.