Cold Start Gaseous Fuel Engine Ignition System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaseous fuel engines face difficulties during cold start and low temperature conditions due to cold pre-combustion or combustion chamber walls acting as heat sinks, leading to poor starting performance, and the necessity for spark plugs in all cylinders adds cost and complexity, as most starts occur under normal conditions.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine system with a plurality of cylinders and ignition devices, where less than all cylinders have an ignition device operably associated with them, using a control system to determine cold start conditions and generate sparks only when necessary, allowing for compression ignition during normal starts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spark plugs are provided in every cylinder to ensure reliable cold start, then starting performance under cold conditions is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ignition system into two distinct types: compression ignition devices (pilot injectors) for cold starts and spark plugs for normal operation. This segmentation allows each ignition type to be used only when needed, reducing the need for all cylinders to have both systems fully operational simultaneously, thereby lowering overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic ignition strategy where the control system selectively activates different ignition devices based on operating conditions. During cold starts, compression ignition is used to heat the combustion chamber; during normal operation, spark ignition is used. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability across different conditions without requiring all components to be active simultaneously, reducing device complexity
2Reliability
If spark plugs are installed in all cylinders for cold start capability, then cold start reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cold start function from the spark plug system and assigns it to a separate compression ignition system (pilot injectors). This allows the spark plugs to be optimized for normal operation only, while the compression ignition system handles cold starts. By separating these functions, the patent reduces the need for expensive dual-system configurations in all cylinders, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining cold start capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pilot injectors that deliver small amounts of liquid fuel for compression ignition during cold starts. These are simpler, less expensive components compared to full spark plug assemblies. By using these cheaper ignition devices specifically for the temporary cold start phase, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced while still achieving reliable cold start capability
3Reliability
If all cylinders are equipped with ignition devices for normal operation, then starting reliability is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the compression ignition system (pilot injectors) multi-functional by using it for both cold start ignition and normal operation ignition. This universal system can perform both functions, eliminating the need for separate cold start and normal operation ignition systems in each cylinder. The spark plugs serve as a backup or supplementary ignition source, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining starting reliability
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 reduces engine complexity and cost by selectively using ignition devices only during cold starts, improving starting performance while maintaining efficient operation under normal conditions through strategic ignition device placement and control.
Implementation Method 1
The technique includes compressing an air-fuel mixture in a compression ignition engine
Implementation Method 2
a spark plug is typically provided in every cylinder of the engine to ignite the fuel in these conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for starting an internal combustion engine under cold start conditions are disclosed. A combustible mixture is supplied to a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, where a number of ignition devices are operably connected with less than all of the plurality of cylinders so that at least one of the plurality of cylinders does not include an ignition device. In one form, only one ignition device is included in a bank of cylinders. In response to a cold start condition, a spark by the plurality of ignition devices is generated to cause ignition of the combustible mixture and start the internal combustion engine. In response to a normal or non-cold starting condition, the internal combustion engine is started by compression ignition where none of the ignition devices generate a spark.