Dual Fuel Injection System Minimizing Gaseous Fuel Slip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual fuel engines face inefficiencies due to gaseous fuel 'slip' during the intake stroke, leading to reduced engine efficiency and increased emissions, and existing control strategies for multi-fuel engines are complex and require manual input of fuel properties, which can be inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
A dual fuel injection system with primary and secondary electronic control modules (ECMs) that communicate bi-directionally to create three-dimensional fuel maps for both liquid and gaseous fuels, allowing for optimized fuel delivery and adjustment based on engine sensor data, including a unique gaseous fuel nozzle for late injection to minimize slip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gaseous fuel is injected during the intake stroke, then fuel cost efficiency is improved by using cheaper gaseous fuel, but fuel slip occurs leading to reduced engine efficiency and increased emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts injection timing based on engine operating conditions. The ECM controls the gaseous fuel injection valve to inject fuel at different stages (intake stroke, compression stroke, or combustion stroke) depending on load and speed, optimizing both cost efficiency and engine efficiency under varying conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters including injection timing, injection pressure, and fuel mixture ratio. By adjusting these parameters based on sensor feedback and pre-stored fuel maps, the system minimizes fuel slip while maintaining cost efficiency through optimized gaseous fuel utilization
2Productivity
If complex control strategies are used for multi-fuel engines, then fuel delivery optimization is improved, but system complexity increases and manual fuel property input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-learning by automatically acquiring fuel properties through sensors and experiments. The ECM stores learned fuel characteristics and uses them for automatic control, eliminating the need for manual fuel property input and reducing operational complexity while maintaining optimization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control using sensors to monitor engine parameters and fuel properties. The ECM continuously adjusts injection timing and quantity based on feedback from oxygen sensors, temperature sensors, and other engine monitors, achieving optimization without complex manual intervention
3Use of energy by moving object
If fuel injection timing is advanced, then combustion efficiency is improved, but fuel slip increases during the intake stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic multi-stage injection where gaseous fuel is injected at different strokes (intake, compression, combustion) rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the fuel to be introduced at optimal moments for combustion while minimizing slip losses during the intake stroke
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mixing of gaseous fuel with air during the intake stroke before compression, creating a pre-mixed charge that burns more completely. This preliminary action ensures better combustion efficiency while the controlled injection timing prevents excessive fuel slip
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 system enhances fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and simplifies fuel flow rate determination by learning optimal fuel mixtures and adjusting for fuel quality changes, while being adaptable to various engine configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A chiller receives compressed gaseous fuel in a liquid form from a gaseous fuel tank utilizing a phase change of said liquefied gaseous fuel from a liquid to a gas to chill said incoming air
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a phase change of said liquefied gaseous fuel from a liquid to a gas to chill said incoming air
Implementation Method 3
fuel is injected directly into an engine cylinder or a pre-combustion chamber as the sole source of energy during combustion
Implementation Method 4
fuel is ignited by heat generated by the compression of air in the combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention involves a system and method for providing a liquid fuel or a liquid and gaseous fuel to a diesel or Otto cycle engine for operation of the engine. The system includes a primary electronic control module (ECM), which monitors engine sensors and contains a first three-dimensional fuel map for the liquid fuel. A second ECM is connected for bi-directional transfer of information to the first ECM, the second ECM contains a second three-dimensional fuel map for delivery of the gaseous fuel through a secondary gaseous fuel injection assembly. The bi-directional communication between the two ECMs while monitoring the engine sensors allows both ECMs to “learn” an efficient fuel map for delivery of both fuels in the same cycle for improved efficiency, reduction in slip and lower emissions.