Engine Bank Temperature Differential for Injector Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing fuel injector malfunctions in internal combustion engines require extensive diagnostics on each injector, leading to inefficiencies and potential engine damage due to incomplete combustion, as they do not effectively differentiate between engine banks based on current and historical performance.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system that analyzes sensor data to determine temperature differences between engine banks over time, identifying a fuel injector malfunction by comparing current and historical temperature values, and triggering specific actions to address the issue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If diagnostics are performed on each fuel injector to determine malfunction, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but diagnostic time and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into multiple banks, with fuel injectors grouped by bank. Instead of diagnosing each injector individually, the system first segments the diagnostic process by evaluating temperature differences at the bank level. This allows rapid identification of which bank contains the malfunctioning injector, reducing overall diagnostic time while maintaining accuracy through subsequent focused investigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature differential measurement as a separate diagnostic indicator from the overall injector diagnosis process. By measuring and comparing exhaust temperatures between banks, the system isolates a key symptom that points to the affected bank, enabling rapid preliminary diagnosis without requiring immediate detailed inspection of each injector.
2Reliability
If diagnostics are performed on each fuel injector, then injector malfunction detection is improved, but engine performance degradation occurs due to incomplete combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnostic action by measuring temperature differences between engine banks before detailed injector diagnostics are required. This preliminary temperature-based assessment identifies which bank contains the malfunctioning injector, allowing the system to flag the issue and schedule maintenance without delaying ongoing engine operation, thus maintaining performance while ensuring eventual detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature differential measurements provide continuous information about engine bank performance. When a significant temperature difference is detected between banks, this feedback triggers further diagnostic investigation, allowing the system to monitor engine health in real-time and respond appropriately without requiring constant detailed diagnostics that would impact performance.
3Productivity
If temperature differences between engine banks are analyzed, then fuel injector malfunction identification is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring high-precision temperature measurements across all engine parameters, the system focuses measurement quality locally on the critical differential between banks. By concentrating diagnostic effort on measuring the temperature difference between affected and unaffected banks rather than absolute temperatures of all components, the system achieves effective diagnostic precision with less demanding measurement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the diagnostic approach by changing from measuring absolute temperatures or individual injector parameters to measuring the differential parameter between banks. This parameter transformation converts a potentially complex multi-parameter measurement problem into a simpler differential measurement, reducing the overall precision requirements while maintaining diagnostic effectiveness.
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 allows for timely and accurate identification of malfunctioning fuel injectors, reducing engine maintenance time and resources by pinpointing the affected engine bank, thereby enhancing engine performance and preventing damage.
Implementation Method 1
determine a first temperature value that is representative of temperature differences between a first engine bank and a second engine bank
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A monitoring system (104) obtains sensor data associated with operation of an engine (106), of a machine (102), that includes a first engine bank (110-1) with a first set of fuel injectors (112-1) and a second engine bank (110-2) with a second set of fuel injectors (112-2). The monitoring system (104) determines, based on the sensor data, a first temperature value that is representative of temperature differences between the first engine bank (110-1) and the second engine bank (110-2) for a period of time when the engine operated in a particular operation state, and a second temperature value that is representative of temperature differences between the first engine bank (110-1) and the second engine bank (110-2) for one or more prior periods of time when the engine (106) operated in the particular operation state. The monitoring system (104) determines, based on the first temperature value and the second temperature value, that a fuel injector malfunction condition occurred during the period of time.