Dual Fuel Overflow Buffer for Rapid Pressure-Drop Switchover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual fuel engines face challenges in rapidly switching between different fuel types due to differences in properties such as emissions, energy density, and operational requirements, leading to difficulties in optimizing performance and emissions levels.
Innovation Solution
A dual fuel system with an overflow buffer and a movable valve that expels excess fuel from the second fuel conduit to rapidly reduce pressure, facilitating a swift transition between fuel types by connecting the overflow buffer to the fuel conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the engine operates on a single fuel type with optimized injection pressures and timing, then optimal performance and emissions are achieved, but the system cannot rapidly switch between different fuel types
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow buffer is pre-filled with the second fuel type before switchover is needed. When switching from first fuel to second fuel, the buffer immediately supplies the second fuel to the injectors while simultaneously expelling the first fuel through the overflow valve. This preliminary preparation eliminates the delay that would otherwise be required to introduce and pressurize the second fuel system, enabling rapid switchover while maintaining optimal injection parameters for each fuel type.
2Speed
If the second fuel conduit maintains pressure ready for injection, then rapid switchover is enabled, but excess fuel pressure must be managed during fuel type transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow buffer and overflow valve mechanism extracts and removes the excess first fuel from the second fuel conduit during switchover. When transitioning from first fuel to second fuel, the overflow valve opens to allow the first fuel under pressure in the second fuel conduit to be expelled into the overflow buffer, which is designed to accommodate and contain this excess fuel volume. This extraction process enables the system to maintain pressure readiness for rapid switchover while safely managing the quantity of excess fuel that must be displaced during the transition.
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
Enables rapid switchover between fuel types by reducing fuel supply pressure, allowing the engine to adapt quickly to changing load demands and optimize performance and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
releasing fuel pressure to a buffer to hasten switchover between fuel types
Data Source
AI summary
A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors, a first fuel pump and a first fuel conduit extending to the plurality of fuel injectors, and a second fuel pump and a second fuel conduit extending to a fuel manifold fluidly connected to the plurality of fuel injectors. The dual fuel system also includes an overflow buffer arranged to receive a volume of the second fuel expelled from the second fuel conduit, and a valve movable from a closed position to an open position fluidly connecting the overflow buffer to the second fuel conduit. Expelling fuel from the second fuel conduit enables a rapid pressure drop in a supply pressure of the second fuel to hasten switchover of the internal combustion engine between fuel type.