Crank Angle Offset Determination Using Manifold Pressure Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining crank angle offset in internal combustion piston engines face challenges in accuracy due to temperature fluctuations and initial instability of pressure sensors, leading to cumbersome detection of combustion parameters like indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP).

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a crank angle position offset value by calculating an integral value of indicated mean effective pressure over a range of crank angles during which the combustion chamber is closed, using a formula that integrates pressure and volume derivatives, allowing for improved accuracy in IMEP measurement and combustion control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pressure sensor is directly attached to the engine to detect cylinder pressure, then combustion parameters can be measured, but the sensor is subjected to significant temperature changes causing deterioration and initial instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecylinder pressure detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor stability under temperature changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses manifold pressure sensor readings and compression ratio to derive cylinder pressure, rather than directly using the temperature-prone cylinder pressure sensor. This mediator approach (calculating expected cylinder pressure through P_expected = P_manifold × CR) allows comparison with actual sensor readings to determine and compensate for offset errors, thereby maintaining measurement precision while bypassing the reliability issues of direct temperature exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing offset compensation values that are calculated based on temperature-compensated reference measurements. By dynamically adjusting the pressure readings through offset correction (P_corrected = P_measured - offset), the system maintains accurate combustion parameter detection despite temperature-induced sensor drift

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If crank angle offset is determined based on simple pressure comparison at top dead center, then the method is simple, but accuracy is insufficient due to temperature effects and sensor instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffset determination method simplicityVSAvoidcrank angle offset detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the crank angle offset determination is based on comparing expected cylinder pressure (calculated from manifold pressure and compression ratio) with actual measured pressure. The offset value is continuously refined through this feedback loop, allowing accurate offset detection that compensates for temperature effects and sensor instability while maintaining reasonable method complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary offset determination during engine operation by accumulating offset values over multiple measurement cycles. This preliminary action of gathering reference data and calculating average offset values before final offset application improves accuracy by averaging out temperature fluctuations and sensor instability effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3320200B1A method of and a control system for determining an offset relating to crank angle measurement
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 WARTSILA FINLAND OY
  • EP3320200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3320200B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3320200B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Invention relates to method of determining an offset (38) relating to crank angle measurement in connection with a cylinder (12) of an internal combustion pis- ton engine (10), in which method the engine (10) is rotated and it is refrained from fuel combustion in the cylinder, a reference value for the indicated mean effective pressure is determined, an integral value of indicated mean effective pressure in the cylinder is determined over a range of crank angle during all of the gas exchange valves of the cylinder are maintained closed, and wherein a dead center position of the piston is located with the range, a crank angle position offset value is determined based on the determined integral value of indicated mean effective pressure and the reference value for the indicated mean effective pressure.