Dual Fuel Injector Configuration for Homogeneous Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large dual fuel internal combustion engines face challenges in using a single fuel injector to manage both large and small portions of liquid fuel effectively across different operating modes, leading to inefficiencies in combustion and potential hot spots that can cause knocking.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder head configuration with two fuel injectors, one for injecting large quantities of liquid fuel in liquid fuel mode and another for injecting small quantities as ignition fuel in gaseous fuel mode, both positioned to ensure even distribution and ignition within the same combustion region, with specific mounting angles and cooling channels to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fuel injector is used to inject both large and small portions of liquid fuel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and combustion efficiency deteriorate due to inability to optimize injection for both modes
Solution Approach 1:
The single fuel injector is segmented into two separate injectors: a first fuel injector optimized for liquid fuel mode (large portions) and a second fuel injector optimized for gaseous fuel mode (small portions for ignition). This segmentation allows each injector to be precisely tuned for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and injection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal fuel injection system where both the first and second fuel injectors can operate across both liquid fuel mode and gaseous fuel mode. This multi-functionality allows flexible operation while maintaining optimal injection characteristics for each mode, addressing the precision requirement without excessive complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single fuel injector is used for both operating modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential hot spots and knocking
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fuel injection function into two separate injectors with different spray patterns and injection characteristics, the system achieves more reliable combustion in both modes. The first injector handles bulk fuel delivery while the second ensures precise ignition fuel delivery, eliminating hot spots and knocking that would occur with a single injector.
Solution Approach 2:
Each fuel injector is designed with local quality optimized for its primary function: the first injector has spray characteristics suited for liquid fuel mode, while the second injector has characteristics optimized for gaseous fuel mode ignition. This localized optimization ensures reliable combustion without the compromises required by a universal single injector design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the injectors are positioned at different locations in the combustion chamber, then the adaptability to different fuel modes is improved, but the homogeneity of flame front deteriorates due to different ignition regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the injection outlets of the first and second fuel injectors to target the same ignition region in the combustion chamber. This merging ensures that despite the injectors being optimized for different modes, they both contribute to a homogeneous flame front by delivering fuel to a common ignition zone, thus maintaining flame front homogeneity while preserving mode-specific adaptability.
4Productivity
If the first fuel injector is optimized for liquid fuel mode and the second for gaseous fuel mode, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of fuel injection into two specialized injectors enables optimized combustion efficiency for both liquid fuel mode and gaseous fuel mode. The first injector maximizes liquid fuel atomization and distribution, while the second injector optimizes ignition fuel delivery for gaseous mode, thereby improving overall productivity despite the increased device complexity.
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 ensures a homogeneous flame front in both modes, reducing knocking and improving combustion efficiency by ensuring the same ignition region for both injectors, while cooling systems help manage heat generated during operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling channel (40) arranged within the cylinder head (1), the at least one cooling channel (40) being configured to intersect the first injector mounting opening (20) and the second injector mounting opening (22)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An injector configuration comprises a first fuel injector (32) and a second fuel injector (34) arranged within a first injector mounting opening (20) and a second injector mounting opening (22), respectively, of a cylinder head (1) of a dual fuel internal combustion engine. The first injector mounting opening (20) extends through the cylinder head (1) along a first axis (24), and the second injector mounting opening (22) extends through the cylinder head (1) along a second axis (26) such that the first axis (24) and the second axis (26) confine an angle (28). The angle (28) is within the range of 10° to 25°. Thereby, fuel injected by the first fuel injector (32) and the second fuel injector (34) may ignite in the same ignition region in a cylinder unit (14).