Dual-Fuel Engine Injection Timing for Alcohol Combustion Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently using sustainable fuels like alcohol while minimizing unwanted emissions and maintaining combustion efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dual fuel internal combustion engine system that injects alcohol fuel during the intake phase and a higher cetane number fuel during the compression phase in multiple injections, primarily utilizing diffusion combustion to enhance combustion efficiency and reduce emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a larger amount of sustainable fuel (alcohol) is used during operation, then environmental sustainability is improved, but combustion efficiency decreases and hydrocarbon emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injection process is segmented into multiple stages: a first fuel injection of alcohol during the intake phase, and a second fuel injection of high-cetane fuel during the compression phase. This segmentation allows each fuel type to be injected at its optimal timing, enabling the alcohol to be partially pre-mixed with air while the high-cetane fuel ensures reliable compression ignition, thereby maintaining combustion efficiency while using sustainable fuel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alcohol fuel is injected during the intake phase before the compression phase, allowing it to be partially pre-mixed with air in advance. This preliminary action prepares the combustion chamber with a portion of sustainable fuel that can ignite more easily, while the subsequent high-cetane fuel injection ensures complete and efficient combustion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a larger amount of sustainable fuel (aldehyde) is used during operation, then environmental sustainability is improved, but hydrocarbon emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidhydrocarbon emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion process is segmented into two fuel injection events: alcohol injected during intake phase and high-cetane fuel injected during compression phase. This segmentation ensures that the alcohol is combusted more completely with the assistance of the high-cetane fuel, reducing unburned hydrocarbon emissions while maintaining high sustainable fuel usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The injection timing parameters are optimized by injecting alcohol during the intake phase (earlier timing) and high-cetane fuel during the compression phase (later timing). This parameter change in injection timing allows for more complete combustion of the alcohol, reducing hydrocarbon emissions while maintaining environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple fuel injections are performed during compression phase, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidfuel injection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single first fuel injector is used to inject alcohol during the intake phase, and the same or a second fuel injector is used to inject high-cetane fuel during the compression phase. This multi-functional use of existing fuel injectors improves combustion efficiency through multiple injections without requiring additional specialized injection devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for a larger use of sustainable fuels, reduces hydrocarbon emissions, and potentially downsizes exhaust aftertreatment systems, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

The first fuel, which has a higher cetane number than the second fuel, is compression ignited by the high temperature in the combustion chamber during operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression ignition: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a first fuel injector arranged to inject a first fuel into the combustion chamber, a second fuel injector arranged to inject a second fuel into the air intake system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFuel injection: Injector

Data Source

PatentEP4711604A1A method for operating a dual fuel internal combustion engine a dual fuel internal combustion engine and a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 VOLVO PENTA AB
  • EP4711604A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4711604A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4711604A1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a dual fuel internal combustion engine (1), the dual fuel internal combustion engine (1) comprising: - a cylinder (2) and a piston (3), the cylinder and the piston at least partially defining a combustion chamber (7), - an air intake system (4) arranged to provide air into the combustion chamber (7), - a first fuel injector (5) arranged to inject a first fuel into the combustion chamber (7), - a second fuel injector (6) arranged to inject a second fuel into the air intake system (4), wherein the method comprises: injecting (S1) the second fuel into the air intake system (4) and injecting (S2) the first fuel into the combustion chamber (7). The disclosure also relates to a dual fuel internal combustion engine system (10) and a vehicle (100).