Diesel Fuel Alternative Detection via Cylinder Heat Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Diesel fuel alternatives with lower energy content, such as biodiesel, can hinder the regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) in internal combustion engines, leading to increased regeneration frequency, reduced fuel economy, and shorter DPF lifespan due to incomplete regeneration.

Innovation Solution

A fuel control system that determines a heat release value during combustion and selectively increases the amount of fuel supplied for DPF regeneration when a diesel fuel alternative is detected, ensuring complete regeneration by adjusting the target fuel amount based on the detected heat release value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If diesel fuel alternatives with lower energy content are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but DPF regeneration completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidDPF regeneration completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the fuel injection amount based on real-time detection of diesel fuel alternative presence. When diesel fuel alternatives are detected, the control module increases the fuel injection amount during regeneration cycles to compensate for lower energy content, ensuring complete DPF regeneration while maintaining environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the fuel injection parameter (amount) based on the detected fuel type. By detecting the presence of diesel fuel alternatives and adjusting the injection amount parameter upward, the system compensates for the lower energy content of alternative fuels, ensuring adequate heat generation for complete DPF regeneration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If standard fuel injection amount is used with diesel fuel alternatives, then fuel economy is maintained, but regeneration frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidregeneration frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by detecting the heat release value during combustion and comparing it to expected values for different fuel types. This feedback loop allows the control module to identify when diesel fuel alternatives are being used and automatically adjust the fuel injection amount in subsequent regeneration cycles, preventing incomplete regeneration and reducing regeneration frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If standard fuel injection amount is used with diesel fuel alternatives, then system complexity is minimized, but DPF lifespan reduces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidDPF lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex physical modifications to the DPF or fuel system with a control-based solution. By using sensors and a control module to detect fuel type and adjust injection amounts through electronic control, the system extends DPF lifespan without requiring physical changes to the filter structure or mechanical modifications to the fuel delivery system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ensures complete DPF regeneration, maintaining fuel economy and extending the DPF's lifespan by compensating for the lower energy content of diesel fuel alternatives.

Implementation Method 1

The heat release determination module determines a heat release value based on a pressure within the cylinder during the combustion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement during combustion:

Implementation Method 2

The detection module selectively indicates that the fuel is a diesel fuel alternative when the heat release value is less than a predetermined heat release value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat release detection:

Implementation Method 3

Combustion of the air/fuel mixture produces drive torque. More specifically, drive torque is generated through heat release and expansion that occurs during combustion of the air/fuel mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS8402748B2Diesel fuel alternative detection and correction systems and methods

Publication Date: 2013.03.26 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A fuel control system for a vehicle comprises a fuel control module, a heat release determination module, and a detection module. The fuel control module supplies fuel to a cylinder of a diesel engine for combustion within the cylinder. The heat release determination module determines a heat release value based on a pressure within the cylinder during the combustion. The detection module selectively indicates that the fuel is a diesel fuel alternative when the heat release value is less than a predetermined heat release value. The predetermined heat release value is less than a second predetermined heat release value associated with diesel fuel.