Cylinder Pressure Sensor Fuel Control for Gas Engine Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling internal combustion engines with multiple cylinders, particularly gas engines, are inadequate for large stationary engines as they suffer from significant time delays and pressure inconsistencies due to physically large dimensions, making precise and quick power regulation challenging, especially in fluctuating power grid conditions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a fuel metering device and cylinder pressure sensors to control the fuel supply to each cylinder individually, based on desired output, torque, and speed, with cylinder pressure serving as a command variable, and employing thermodynamic relationships to calculate the required fuel amount, while also equalizing cylinder performance and emissions through cylinder-specific control of ignition and fuel supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional control systems are used for large stationary gas engines, then the engine structure remains simple, but the response time to power demand changes is too slow and power regulation precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engine control into individual cylinder-level operations. Each cylinder is equipped with its own pressure sensor and fuel injection control, allowing independent monitoring and adjustment. This segmentation enables rapid detection of pressure changes in each cylinder and immediate fuel cutoff response, achieving fast power regulation without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback control by continuously monitoring cylinder pressure through pressure sensors and using this information to adjust fuel injection. The control unit receives pressure signals from each cylinder, determines the actual power output, and compares it with the desired power level, then adjusts fuel supply accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise and rapid power regulation.
2Measurement precision
If individual cylinder control is implemented, then power regulation precision improves, but the measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places pressure sensors directly in each cylinder to measure local pressure conditions. This local measurement approach provides accurate pressure data specific to each cylinder's combustion state, enabling precise determination of actual power output. The local quality principle allows each cylinder to be monitored and controlled independently based on its own pressure characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own cylinder pressure as the measurement parameter for control, eliminating the need for external complex measurement systems. The pressure sensor directly measures the parameter (cylinder pressure) that is most directly related to power output, and this measurement is immediately used for fuel control decisions, creating a self-contained measurement and control system.
3Manufacturing precision
If fuel supply is controlled based on cylinder pressure, then power output control precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent cuts off fuel supply to a cylinder when the desired power level is reached, preventing over-fueling before it occurs. By monitoring cylinder pressure and detecting when the actual power output meets the desired level, the system preemptively stops fuel injection to that cylinder, ensuring precise power control without requiring complex continuous modulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts fuel injection based on real-time cylinder pressure conditions. As the engine operates and power demand changes, the system continuously monitors pressure signals and adjusts which cylinders receive fuel and when, creating a dynamic control pattern that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining precise power output control.
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 enables precise and rapid power regulation, reduces emissions, and maintains high efficiency by ensuring consistent power delivery across cylinders, even under fluctuating load conditions, and allows for dynamic control of individual cylinders to optimize performance and reduce losses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cylinder pressure sensor (2) per cylinder (1) for detecting the pressure in the combustion chamber (5)
Implementation Method 2
the amount of which can be determined from known or measured parameters, such as the pressure in the combustion chamber, the pressure and temperature of the adjacent air, the pressure and temperature of the adjacent propellant gas, and the rotational speed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine that has at least two cylinders (1), in particular a gas engine. According to said method, the amount of fuel supplied to each of the at least two cylinders (1) is controlled or regulated for the individual cylinders with the aid of a fuel metering device and a cylinder pressure sensor (2) in accordance with a desired performance and/or a desired torque and/or a desired speed of the internal combustion engine.