Digital Control of Gaseous Fuel Substitution Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-fuel engine control systems, particularly those using closed loop analog control loops, struggle to rapidly adjust the gaseous fuel substitution rate in response to changing operating conditions, leading to suboptimal performance in cyclical load applications where conditions change faster than the control loop can adjust.
Innovation Solution
An open loop digital control system utilizing a plurality of solenoid valves with adjustable flow rates, arranged in parallel between the gaseous fuel source and engine cylinders, controlled by an electronic monitoring and computing device to rapidly adjust gaseous fuel flow based on engine operating parameters, allowing for immediate and precise control of the gaseous fuel substitution rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If closed loop analog control loops are used to control gaseous fuel substitution rate, then the control system can continuously adjust the fuel ratio, but the adjustment speed is slow (taking tens of seconds or minutes) and cannot keep up with rapidly changing operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the gaseous fuel flow control into multiple discrete parallel valves instead of using a single continuously variable valve. Each valve can be independently opened or closed based on digital control signals, enabling rapid stepwise adjustment of fuel substitution rate without the inertia of analog control loops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical analog control loop with an electronic digital control system. The microprocessor-based controller sends digital signals to solenoid-operated valves, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical adjustment and feedback loops, thereby achieving near-instantaneous response to changing operating conditions
2Measurement precision
If a single continuously variable valve is used for gaseous fuel control, then the system structure is simpler, but the control precision and response speed are insufficient for rapidly changing load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fuel control function across multiple parallel valves with different flow capacities. By selectively opening combinations of these valves, the system achieves precise control of gaseous fuel substitution rates at various load levels, providing both high precision and rapid response
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single valve that must be precisely modulated, the system uses multiple valves that can be opened in combinations. This approach provides fine-grained control precision through discrete steps while maintaining simplicity in individual valve 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
Enables rapid and precise control of gaseous fuel substitution rates, achieving desired equilibrium in less than one second, even in applications with rapidly changing conditions, improving engine performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of valves are solenoid valves with adjustable flow control orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A gaseous fuel control system for a dual-fuel internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of valves for controlling the amount of gaseous fuel supplied to the engine. The valves have adjustable full-open flow rates and rapidly move from full-open to full-closed in response to a digital signal. An electronic system for monitoring at least one engine operating parameter maps the parameter value to control the opening and closing of the valves to establish a desired gaseous fuel flow rate.