Dual Fuel Engine Piping Layout for Heat Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual fuel engines require complex piping structures due to the need for separate systems for liquid and gas fuels, which complicates their design and increases the influence of exhaust heat, making it challenging to configure the piping effectively.

Innovation Solution

The engine device features a compact design with gas and liquid fuel pipes divided on either side of the cylinder head covers, allowing for a parallel arrangement of intake and exhaust manifolds, a double pipe structure for gas fuel, and strategic placement of cooling water pipes to manage heat and reduce pressure loss, enabling efficient fuel injection and combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate fuel pipe systems are used for liquid and gas fuels in a dual fuel engine, then the engine can operate with both fuel types, but the piping structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel type flexibilityVSAvoidpiping structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel pipe system is segmented into two separate systems: a gas fuel pipe system and a liquid fuel pipe system. Each system is independently configured and positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder block, allowing each to be optimized separately while reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The piping arrangement transitions from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional spatial configuration by positioning pipes on both sides of the cylinder block and utilizing vertical space between the cylinder head and cylinder block

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If fuel pipes are positioned close to the exhaust gas flow path, then the engine structure becomes compact, but exhaust heat influences the fuel pipes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine structure compactnessVSAvoidexhaust heat influence on fuel pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful thermal influence is extracted and isolated by positioning the gas fuel pipe on the intake side away from the exhaust manifold, while the liquid fuel pipe on the exhaust side is thermally insulated, separating the fuel supply function from the thermal environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation serves as an intermediary between the exhaust gas and the liquid fuel pipe, allowing the pipe to be positioned in the high-temperature zone while protecting the fuel from thermal effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex piping arrangements are used to accommodate both fuel types, then dual fuel operation is achieved, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual fuel operation capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The piping system utilizes the vertical dimension between the cylinder head and cylinder block, as well as the space on both sides of the cylinder block, transforming a potentially sprawling two-dimensional layout into a compact three-dimensional arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the fuel pipe systems and positioning them on opposite sides of the cylinder block, each system can be routed independently through available spaces, optimizing the use of installation area and reducing the overall footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration simplifies the piping structure, reduces pressure loss, and allows for compact installation, improving the engine's efficiency and environmental performance by minimizing the impact of exhaust heat on fuel pipes.

Implementation Method 1

a gas injector that mixes gas fuel with the air taken in by the main combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

a main fuel injection valve that jets and burns liquid fuel in the main combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet injection: Jet

Implementation Method 3

above the cooling water pipe, the pilot fuel pipe is supported

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3064739B1Engine device
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 YANMAR CO LTD
  • EP3064739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3064739B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3064739B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object to provide an engine device in which in the engine device, which employs various types of fuels, plural fuel pipes can compactly be disposed without being thermally affected by exhaust gas. In the engine device (21) of the invention of the present invention, a gas fuel pipe (41) that supplies gas fuel to a gas injector (98), a fuel oil pipe (42) that supplies liquid fuel to a main fuel injection valve (79) are disposed to be divided on both sides of a row of head covers (40) arranged in a line. In addition, in the engine device (21), an intake manifold (67) that supplies air taken in by a main combustion chamber toward an intake valve (80) extends in parallel to the row of head covers (40) in a cylinder block (25), and the fuel gas pipe (41) and the intake manifold (67) are arranged on the same side of the row of head covers (40).