Cold-Start Intake Valve Timing Control for Complete Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Engine systems face challenges in starting and operating efficiently under cold temperature conditions, leading to issues such as incomplete combustion, increased emissions, and fouling of emissions systems, particularly in dual fuel engines using fuels like diesel and natural gas.
Innovation Solution
An engine control system that includes an electric heater and an intake valve delay system, controlled by a controller, to manage intake valve opening and heating based on temperature thresholds, ensuring efficient combustion initiation and emissions reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine operates under cold temperature conditions, then the engine can start and run, but incomplete combustion occurs leading to increased emissions and fouling of emissions systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the engine block and intake air using electric heaters before and during cold start. This pre-heating action raises the temperature of engine components and incoming air to reduce the temperature differential, enabling more complete combustion from startup and reducing cold-start emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters during cold start by delaying intake valve opening timing and adjusting exhaust valve timing to trap heat within the combustion chamber. These parameter modifications increase in-cylinder temperatures and improve combustion efficiency, thereby reducing incomplete combustion emissions.
2Reliability
If the engine operates under cold temperature conditions, then the engine can start and run, but fouling of emissions systems occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the engine block and intake air using electric heaters before and during cold start. This pre-heating action raises the temperature of engine components and incoming air to reduce the temperature differential, enabling more complete combustion from startup and reducing cold-start emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters during cold start by delaying intake valve opening timing and adjusting exhaust valve timing to trap heat within the combustion chamber. These parameter modifications increase in-cylinder temperatures and improve combustion efficiency, thereby reducing incomplete combustion emissions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the engine uses a low compression ratio, then the engine can operate on low cetane number fuels, but the engine fails to reach sufficient ignition temperature during cold start
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the engine block and intake air using electric heaters before and during cold start. This pre-heating action raises the temperature of engine components and incoming air to reduce the temperature differential, enabling more complete combustion from startup and reducing cold-start emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters during cold start by delaying intake valve opening timing and adjusting exhaust valve timing to trap heat within the combustion chamber. These parameter modifications increase in-cylinder temperatures and improve combustion efficiency, thereby reducing incomplete combustion emissions.
4Temperature
If the engine uses an electric heater and intake valve delay system, then combustion temperature increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions into a single control unit, managing both the electric heater operation and intake valve timing control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining the temperature improvement benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the heater control and valve timing control into a unified control strategy managed by a single controller. This merging of control functions reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate control units and simplifying the control architecture.
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
The system effectively increases engine temperature during cold starts, reducing emissions and preventing fouling by strategically delaying intake valve opening and using an electric heater when necessary, thereby improving engine performance and emissions control.
Implementation Method 1
The electric heater is structured to increase a temperature of intake air within an engine
Implementation Method 2
The controller is structured to initiate, in response to the temperature value being below the temperature threshold, at least one of delaying opening of an intake valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an engine control system. The engine control system includes an intake valve delay system, an electric heater and a controller. The electric heater is structured to increase a temperature of intake air within an engine. The controller is in communication with the engine and the electric heater. The controller is structured to detect a starting condition of the engine. The controller is structured to monitor a temperature value associated with the engine during the starting condition of the engine. The controller is structured to compare the temperature value to a temperature threshold. The controller is structured to initiate, in response to the temperature value being below the temperature threshold, at least one of delaying opening of an intake valve by the intake valve delay system or turning on the electric heater.