Dual Fuel Tank Controller for Seamless LPG Gasoline Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dual fuel systems for internal combustion engines are rudimentary and lack advanced technological advancements, particularly in efficiently switching between fuels and managing fuel pressures and temperatures for optimal combustion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dual fuel system with a dual fuel tank having separate compartments for different fuels, a fuel rail, and a controller that manages fuel distribution and injection rates based on engine status, temperature, and pressure, allowing for seamless switching between fuels and maintaining optimal fuel conditions for efficient combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual fuel system uses separate tanks and complex valve arrangements for fuel switching, then fuel versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both fuel types (gasoline and LPG) into a single tank with separate compartments rather than using separate tanks. This merging approach reduces the number of external components while maintaining the ability to store and switch between two fuel types, thereby improving fuel versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single dual-compartment tank serves multiple functions: storing gasoline, storing LPG, and enabling switching between fuels. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require separate storage systems, achieving fuel versatility while controlling device complexity through component consolidation.
2Reliability
If the system evacuates second fuel from the fuel rail before injecting first fuel, then combustion efficiency is improved, but loss of time occurs during fuel switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evacuation of the second fuel (LPG) from the fuel rail before introducing the first fuel (gasoline). This preliminary action ensures that residual LPG does not contaminate the gasoline supply, maintaining combustion efficiency. The evacuation occurs in advance of the fuel switch, preparing the system for clean fuel transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel switching process occurs periodically when fuel type changes are required, with the evacuation and injection sequence executed as a periodic cycle. This periodic action allows the system to maintain optimal combustion efficiency at each fuel transition while accepting the time loss as an inherent part of the periodic switching operation.
3Reliability
If a cooling injector is added to maintain fuel temperature in the fuel rail, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling injector serves dual functions: it cools the fuel in the rail to maintain optimal temperature for combustion efficiency, and it can also function as an additional injection point for fuel delivery. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the cooling injector by providing combustion efficiency improvement while the component performs multiple useful roles, thereby controlling the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dual fuel system provides first and second fuels to internal an engine. Both fuels are stored in a storage tank, separated by a flexible membrane. A fuel rail receives either or both of the fuel types and distributes the fuels to fuel injectors. Upon shutdown of the engine, the second fuel is evacuated from the fuel rail into an auxiliary tank. The first fuel is subsequently supplied to the fuel rail from the storage tank. Upon a restarting of the engine after a predetermined time subsequent to the shutdown of the engine, the first fuel from the fuel rail is used for combustion. The second fuel from the auxiliary tank is then slowly bled into the engine or intake manifold. As the first fuel from the storage tank continues to supply the fuel rail, and the second fuel begins to supplement the first fuel in the fuel rail.