Engine Control Unit Ion Current Feedback for Fuel Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronically controlled internal combustion engines face challenges in operating efficiently on fuels with varying physical and chemical properties, as well as dealing with fuel batch variations, ambient conditions, production tolerances, and component aging, which can lead to performance loss and increased emissions.

Innovation Solution

The system employs sensors like ion current, cylinder pressure, or optical sensors to provide feedback signals to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), allowing the engine to self-adjust parameters such as fuel delivery, ignition, and exhaust systems to maintain optimal performance and emissions across different fuels and conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the engine operates on conventional fuels with fixed parameters, then the engine can be optimized for production goals, but it cannot adapt to fuels with varying physical and chemical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where combustion sensors (ion current, pressure, or optical) continuously monitor combustion characteristics and provide signals to the ECU. The ECU processes these signals and dynamically adjusts fuel delivery, air delivery, ignition timing, and other parameters to maintain optimal combustion across different fuel types and conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The engine control system performs self-adjustment by autonomously processing sensor data and modifying its own operating parameters without external intervention. The ECU automatically adapts to fuel variations, ambient conditions, and component aging by continuously optimizing injection timing, air-fuel ratio, and ignition based on real-time combustion feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the engine parameters are fixed for optimal performance on certificated fuels, then the engine achieves production goals, but performance is lost when operating on alternative fuels or fuel blends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance consistencyVSAvoidfuel type flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static, pre-programmed engine parameters to dynamic, real-time parameter adjustment. The ECU continuously modifies fuel delivery timing and quantity, air delivery, ignition timing, and valve timing based on real-time combustion feedback, enabling the engine to maintain optimal performance across varying fuel types, ambient conditions, and component aging states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the engine operates without real-time combustion monitoring, then the system is simpler, but it cannot respond to fuel batch variations and component drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidresponse to fuel variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates combustion sensors that provide real-time feedback on combustion characteristics such as ion current, cylinder pressure, or optical properties. This feedback enables the ECU to detect and respond to fuel batch variations, ambient condition changes, and component aging, maintaining reliable operation without requiring complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables engines to autonomously adjust and maintain desired targets for power, fuel economy, emissions, noise, and vibration, even when operating on diverse fuels and facing component aging, thereby improving performance and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

The signal can be acquired using sensors such as an ion current sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon current: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

a cylinder gas pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 3

an optical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing:

Implementation Method 4

combustion in internal combustion engines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS10774773B2Autonomous operation of electronically controlled internal combustion engines on a variety of fuels and/or other variabilities using ion current and/or other combustion sensors

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 WAYNE STATE UNIV

AI summary

A system and method to enable electronically controlled internal combustion engines to self-adjust parameters and operate properly on different fuels that have wide ranges of physical and chemical properties. Input from a sensor is utilized that gives a signal indicative of the combustion process. The ECU processes the signal and readjusts the engine operating parameters to achieve its operating goals.