Delay Circuit for Capturing Starter Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The venting of natural gas used to energize a starter motor for an engine results in undesirable methane and hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere, as existing systems lack an efficient method to delay and utilize this gas effectively within the engine's combustion process.
Innovation Solution
A delay system comprising a first valve to selectively pass natural gas from a starter motor to a delay chamber, and a second valve to control the release of the gas to the engine's inlet, allowing for a predetermined delay in gas delivery, thereby preventing direct venting to the atmosphere and ensuring the gas is used as fuel once the engine is running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If natural gas is vented directly to atmosphere after energizing the starter motor, then the system is simple and operation is immediate, but methane and hydrocarbon emissions are released into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is segmented into multiple components: a delay volume to temporarily store natural gas, a first valve to control gas entry into the delay volume, and a second valve to control gas release to the atmosphere or engine inlet. This segmentation allows the system to capture and delay venting of natural gas, preventing direct atmospheric release while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular valve and volume components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If natural gas is delayed and stored before venting, then emissions are reduced, but the system requires additional components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing natural gas in the delay volume immediately after the starter motor is energized, rather than venting it immediately. The first valve opens to allow gas into the delay volume, and the second valve remains closed during this period. This preliminary capture action prevents emissions before they occur, while the automated valve control sequences maintain operational simplicity despite the added components.
3Loss of energy
If the delay system captures natural gas for later use, then the gas is utilized as fuel rather than vented, but the system requires coordinated valve control
Solution Approach 1:
The delay volume serves multiple functions: it temporarily stores natural gas after starter motor operation, acts as a buffer between the two valves, and enables the system to choose between venting to atmosphere or directing gas to the engine inlet based on engine operating conditions. The first and second valves work in coordinated sequences to achieve either gas capture for utilization or controlled venting, providing multi-functionality that reduces energy loss while managing system complexity through versatile component design.
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 delay system effectively captures and utilizes natural gas that would otherwise be vented, reducing emissions by ensuring it is combusted within the engine's combustion chambers, thereby minimizing atmospheric methane and hydrocarbon releases.
Implementation Method 1
a delay chamber to receive the natural gas from the first valve
Implementation Method 2
ensuring it is combusted within the engine's combustion chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A delay circuit for providing natural gas to an engine and systems, components, and methods thereof can comprise a first valve to selectively pass the natural gas from a starter motor configured to start the engine; a delay volume to receive the natural gas from the first valve; and a second valve to selectively pass the natural gas from the delay volume to an inlet of the engine. The natural gas is provided to the inlet of the engine via the delay system according to a predetermined delay by controlling the first valve and the second valve to selectively pass the natural gas to the inlet of the engine according to the predetermined delay.