Electronic Pressure Regulator for Continuous Fuel Injection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for supplying gas to petrol or diesel engines, such as LPG, methane, and ammonia, face inefficiencies due to fixed pressure regulation, leading to delayed responses and inability to meet the infinitesimal variations required for modern fuel-injection engines, resulting in reduced engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator is integrated into the fuel supply system, governed by an electronic control unit, which continuously and progressively adjusts fuel injection pressure based on engine parameters like injection times, RPM, and driver input, using a variable-frequency injector to ensure optimal fuel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed pressure regulator is used for fuel supply, then the system structure is simple, but the response delay occurs when fuel demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the fixed pressure regulation system into a dynamic one. The pressure regulator is controlled by an electronic control unit that continuously adjusts the set pressure based on real-time fuel demand signals from the engine control unit. This allows the pressure regulation system to adapt dynamically to varying fuel demands, eliminating response delays while maintaining manageable complexity through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop control system. The electronic control unit receives signals about actual fuel demand from the engine control unit and continuously adjusts the pressure regulator's set pressure accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the pressure regulation system responds immediately to changing fuel requirements, resolving the response speed issue while keeping the overall system structure organized and controllable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If injection times are varied to meet fuel demand, then the control unit mapping becomes complex, but the pressure drops occur due to mechanical regulator delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pressure regulator's set pressure in advance based on predicted fuel demand. The electronic control unit receives demand signals and proactively modifies the pressure setting before the actual fuel injection occurs, preventing pressure drops before they happen. This anticipatory approach maintains both adaptability to varying demand and reliability of pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback to continuously monitor and adjust pressure based on actual fuel demand. The electronic control unit receives real-time signals about fuel requirements and immediately adjusts the pressure regulator accordingly, creating a responsive closed-loop system that maintains pressure stability while adapting to varying demands without the delays inherent in mechanical regulation.
3Device complexity
If membrane pressure reducers are used for gaseous fuel, then the system is simple, but the gas supply response occurs with delay due to membrane stimulation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical membrane-based pressure reduction system with an electronically controlled pressure regulator. Instead of relying on physical membrane stimulation and deformation, the new system uses an electronic control unit to directly adjust the pressure regulator's set pressure based on digital signals about fuel demand. This substitution eliminates the inherent time delay of mechanical membrane response while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
4Manufacturing precision
If mapping is performed for electronic control unit, then the fuel delivery is optimized for specific engine types, but the infinitesimal variations required for modern fuel-injection engines cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the static, pre-programmed mapping approach with a dynamic pressure adjustment system. The electronic control unit continuously modifies the pressure regulator's set pressure based on real-time engine conditions and fuel demand signals. This dynamic approach enables infinitesimal pressure variations that can precisely match the fine-grained fuel delivery requirements of modern fuel-injection engines, far exceeding the resolution of fixed mapping tables.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for supply of LPG/methane, ammonia, or gas for supply of petrol or diesel engines, which can be connectable to the electronic control unit (8) provided on board the vehicle, the system being equipped with a gas tank (1); a valve (2), a line (3) for delivery of the gas, a rail (6) for supply of the gas to the engine, a pressure and temperature sensor (7); injectors for the petrol (10), and injectors for the gas (11), is characterized in that, to carry out a continuous variation of the pressure of the gas supplied to the injectors (11), it further comprises an electronic pressure regulator and heat exchanger (5) with injector (4), as well as a control unit for deviation and regulation of the pressure (9), which, during operation of the engine with LPG/methane or ammonia or gas, is designed to receive from the electronic control unit of the engine (8) electrical signals as a function of the injection times, the engine r.p.m., and the signal sent by the lambda probe and/or by the rheostat of the accelerator/ said electronic control unit for control and regulation of the pressure (9) being further designed to process said signals and send them, at a variable frequency, to the injector (4) of the pressure regulator and heat exchanger (5), which, in this way, is designed to vary continuously and with a constant progression regulation of the pressure of the fuel with which said gas injectors (11) are supplied.