Dual Fuel Engine Controller Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual fuel engines face operational challenges due to gaseous fuel supply deficiencies, quality issues, engine protection limits, and aftertreatment system management requirements, which affect their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting diesel only fuelling mode in response to gaseous fuel supply deficiencies, quality deficiencies, engine protection limit violations, and aftertreatment system management requirements, utilizing a controller to override dual fuelling operations and switch to diesel only fuelling, with inputs from various sensors and actuators to ensure optimal engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If dual fuel mode is used to improve high load performance and emissions reduction, then engine performance and emissions are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to gaseous fuel supply deficiencies and quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors gaseous fuel supply parameters (pressure, flow rate, quality) and engine operating conditions, automatically switching between dual fuel mode and diesel only mode based on real-time feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures the engine operates reliably by detecting supply deficiencies and switching modes accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two distinct fuel modes: dual fuel mode (using both gaseous and liquid fuel) and diesel only mode (using liquid fuel alone). This parameter change allows the engine to adapt to varying fuel supply conditions while maintaining performance and reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If dual fuel mode is used to reduce emissions, then environmental performance is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple fuel sources and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same infrastructure (injectors, intake system, control unit) can operate in multiple modes: dual fuel mode for emissions reduction and diesel only mode for simplicity and reliability. This universal design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages fuel mode selection based on monitored conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-adjusts between dual fuel and diesel only modes based on real-time monitoring of fuel supply and engine conditions, reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If automatic mode selection is implemented to respond to fuel supply deficiencies, then operational reliability is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors fuel supply parameters and engine conditions, making real-time decisions about mode selection without external intervention. This self-service approach improves reliability by continuously adapting to changing conditions while keeping the control logic straightforward and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors monitoring fuel pressure, flow rate, quality, and engine operating conditions to automatically switch between fuel modes. This feedback mechanism enables reliable automatic mode selection while keeping the control system relatively simple through rule-based decision logic.
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 solution enables the dual fuel engine to maintain performance and efficiency by automatically selecting diesel only fuelling mode when gaseous fuel supply is inadequate, of poor quality, or when engine protection limits are exceeded, ensuring reliable operation and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
Near the end of the compression stroke, diesel fuel is injected, just as it would be in a traditional diesel engine. The diesel fuel ignites, and the diesel combustion causes the natural gas to burn.
Implementation Method 2
The dual fuel engine combusts a mixture of air and fuel in the cylinders to produce drive torque.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling operation of dual fuel internal combustion engines are disclosed. The control techniques provide for override of a dual fuel mode of operation of the engine by selection of a diesel only fuelling mode in response to one or more operating conditions of the internal combustion engine.