Asymmetric Fuel Metering Window for Precise Multi-Fuel Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injectors face challenges with inconsistent fuel injection quantities due to complex fuel paths and fluctuations in fuel pressure, particularly when injecting multiple fuels, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in fuel delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling a fuel injector to perform fuel injection using an asymmetric fuel metering window, allowing separate control of fuel injection and metering processes through an electronic control module (ECM) to manage the injection and metering of different fuels during specific windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel injector is configured to inject two different fuels with separate fuel paths, then the fuel injector can perform multi-fuel injection, but the device complexity increases and fuel flow consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection process is segmented into two distinct phases: a first fuel injection window for injecting at least one of the first fuel or the second fuel, and a second fuel injection window for injecting the second fuel. This temporal segmentation allows separate control of different fuel injection events, enabling multi-fuel capability while managing complexity through time-based separation rather than completely separate physical paths for all operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel injector employs dynamic control of the fuel metering window duration, which is asymmetric relative to the fuel injection window. The duration of the fuel metering window is adjustable and optimized based on operating conditions, allowing the system to adapt fuel delivery characteristics dynamically. This dynamic adjustment helps maintain consistent fuel flow despite variations in fuel pressure and engine operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fuel metering window is made asymmetric to the fuel injection window, then fuel delivery precision is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel metering window is designed to be asymmetric relative to the fuel injection window, with the duration of the fuel metering window being different from the duration of the fuel injection window. This asymmetric configuration optimizes fuel delivery by providing adequate time for fuel metering (controlling the amount of fuel) before injection, while accounting for the different physical requirements of metering versus injection processes. The asymmetry allows precise control over fuel quantity delivered to the cylinder.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel metering window is positioned and sized to occur before the fuel injection window, providing preliminary fuel metering action. This preliminary action ensures that the correct amount of fuel is prepared and metered into the fuel injector nozzle before the actual injection event occurs. The asymmetric timing allows the control system to manage fuel pressure and flow characteristics in advance of injection, improving delivery precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate fuel paths are used for different fuels, then fuel injection versatility is improved, but fuel flow consistency deteriorates due to pressure fluctuations and clearance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection process is segmented into distinct windows: a first fuel injection window for injecting at least one of the first fuel or the second fuel, and a second fuel injection window for injecting the second fuel. This temporal segmentation allows the system to manage different fuel types through time-based separation, maintaining versatility while improving consistency by controlling each fuel injection event independently under optimized conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the duration of the fuel metering window relative to the fuel injection window based on operating conditions. By changing the temporal parameters of fuel delivery (the asymmetric window durations), the system optimizes fuel flow characteristics for each injection event, compensating for pressure fluctuations and maintaining consistent fuel delivery despite variations in fuel supply conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-fuel injection system and method for controlling a fuel injector to perform fuel injection using a fuel injection window and to perform fuel metering using a fuel metering window that is asymmetric to the fuel injection window are provided. The multi-fuel injection system may receive a first fuel and receive a second fuel. The multi-fuel injection system may control a fuel injector to perform fuel injection, of at least one of the first fuel or the second fuel into a cylinder of an engine, during a fuel injection window. The multi-fuel injection system may control the fuel injector to perform fuel metering, of the second fuel into a nozzle of the fuel injector while the fuel injector is not injecting either of the first fuel or the second fuel into the cylinder of the engine, during a fuel metering window that is asymmetric to the fuel injection window.