Electronic CNG Regulator Eliminates Pressure Droop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high pressure regulators for compressed natural gas (CNG) suffer from a 'droop' phenomenon, causing a time delay in responding to increased fuel demand due to their diaphragm and spring mechanism, and fail to account for various complex factors affecting internal combustion engine operations, leading to suboptimal fuel delivery and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-reducing regulator that includes a high pressure sensor, a filter element, a movable pintle mechanism controlled by a motor, and a control unit with a processor that calculates the desired pintle position based on sensor data and vehicle data from an engine control unit, ensuring immediate fuel delivery and optimized regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a diaphragm and spring mechanism is used to regulate pressure, then the regulator structure is simple, but the response time is delayed causing droop phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical diaphragm and spring mechanism with an electronic control system comprising pressure sensors, a microprocessor, and a control valve. The high-pressure sensor detects inlet pressure, the low-pressure sensor detects outlet pressure, and the microprocessor calculates the appropriate valve opening position based on these inputs, eliminating the mechanical feedback loop that causes droop and replacing it with electronic signal processing that responds immediately to pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system where pressure sensors continuously monitor both inlet and outlet pressures, transmit signals to the microprocessor, which then adjusts the control valve position accordingly. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures the regulator responds dynamically to changing pressure conditions without the time delay inherent in passive mechanical spring-diaphragm systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If a diaphragm and spring mechanism is used to regulate pressure, then the regulator is easy to manufacture, but the pressure regulation precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure regulation mechanism with an electronic control system that uses pressure sensors to detect actual pressure values and a microprocessor to calculate the precise valve opening required. This electronic approach provides superior pressure regulation precision compared to mechanical systems, as the microprocessor can process sensor data and adjust the valve position with high accuracy, eliminating the imprecision inherent in mechanical spring-diaphragm systems.
3Device complexity
If conventional regulators only consider pressure data, then the control system is simple, but the fuel delivery optimization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the regulator's functionality by integrating multiple sensors (high-pressure sensor, low-pressure sensor) and incorporating a microprocessor that can process various input signals and execute complex control algorithms. This multi-functional control system not only regulates pressure but also optimizes fuel delivery by considering multiple parameters simultaneously, improving overall system efficiency and adaptability to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a comprehensive feedback control system where multiple sensors continuously monitor pressure conditions and feed this data to the microprocessor, which then adjusts the control valve to optimize fuel delivery. This closed-loop system enables real-time optimization of fuel flow based on actual operating conditions, significantly improving fuel delivery efficiency compared to conventional open-loop pressure-only control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-reducing regulator for CNG fuel includes a high pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an inlet, a filter element that filters fuel, an orifice that provides access to a pressure reduction chamber, and a movable pintle located within the orifice, such that a flow rate of fuel through the orifice varies according to a position of the pintle within the orifice. The pressure-reducing regulator further includes a motor that moves the pintle, a low pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an outlet and a control unit comprising a processor. The process is configured for reading data from the high pressure sensor, data from the low pressure sensor and vehicle data from an engine, calculating a desired position of the pintle based on the sensor data and the vehicle data, and transmitting a signal to the motor for moving the pintle to the desired position.