Fuel Combustion Engine Control Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to optimally adjust control parameters for fuel combustion engines when transitioning from standard fossil fuels to synthetic fuels, which are generated via controlled chemical reactions using renewable energy sources, to achieve best emission and fuel consumption results.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures the proportion of synthetic fuel in a combustible fuel blend and adjusts key control parameters such as air-fuel ratio, fuel injection duration, pressure, and post-injection cycles based on this proportion to optimize combustion, shifting towards a richer mixture and reducing particulate emissions as synthetic fuel content increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If control parameters optimized for pure fossil fuel are used with synthetic fuel blends, then engine operation is simple, but combustion efficiency and emission performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol parameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control parameters are made dynamically adjustable based on the detected synthetic fuel proportion. The electronic control unit continuously adapts injection duration, injection pressure, and air-fuel ratio according to the actual fuel composition, transforming a static control system into a dynamic one that optimizes combustion efficiency for any fuel blend ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes multiple control parameters simultaneously based on synthetic fuel proportion: injection duration is extended, injection pressure is reduced, and air-fuel ratio is enriched. These coordinated parameter changes compensate for the lower heating value and different combustion characteristics of synthetic fuels, maintaining optimal combustion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If air-fuel ratio is reduced to improve combustion efficiency with synthetic fuel, then fuel consumption decreases, but particulate emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidparticulate emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses periodic post-injection cycles to address particulate emissions. After the main injection and combustion event, additional fuel is injected in controlled periodic cycles to facilitate soot oxidation and reduce particulate emissions, allowing the system to maintain lower air-fuel ratios for efficiency while periodically cleaning up emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the air-fuel ratio parameter based on synthetic fuel proportion, enriching the mixture when necessary to maintain complete combustion and reduce particulates, while balancing this against fuel consumption goals through optimized injection timing and duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If control parameters are optimized for each synthetic fuel type, then emission performance improves, but system adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission performanceVSAvoidfuel type flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback from sensors that detect the synthetic fuel proportion and combustion characteristics. This feedback loop allows the electronic control unit to automatically adjust control parameters in real-time, eliminating the need for pre-programmed settings for each fuel type while maintaining optimal emission performance across different synthetic fuel blends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to be universal and compatible with multiple fuel types including various synthetic fuels (OME, DME, Methanol, Dimethyl carbonate) and their blends with fossil fuels. A single control system performs the function of optimizing combustion for any fuel composition through adaptive parameter adjustment rather than requiring fuel-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Shape

If injection pressure is reduced to compensate for synthetic fuel properties, then fuel atomization improves, but injection system stress decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel atomization qualityVSAvoidinjection system durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the injection pressure parameter based on synthetic fuel proportion, reducing pressure when synthetic fuel content is high to improve atomization quality and combustion efficiency. This parameter adaptation compensates for the different physical properties of synthetic fuels, ensuring proper fuel vaporization and mixing with air for complete combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improved combustion efficiency and reduced fuel consumption by adjusting control parameters in real-time, specifically reducing air-fuel ratio and injection pressure with higher synthetic fuel content, minimizing particulate emissions and potentially eliminating the need for particulate filter regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

In a fuel combustion engine, parameters for example of a combustion of the fuel in a combustion chamber can be controlled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3441595B1Method to adjust a control parameter of a fuel combustion engine
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3441595B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method to adjust a control parameter in a fuel combustion engine, wherein a control parameter is provided, the control parameter being optimized to a combustion of a pure fossil fuel, wherein a combustible fuel being composed of a fossil fuel and a synthetic fuel is provided, then the proportion of the synthetic fuel in the combustible fuel is measured and the control parameter is adjusted based on the measured proportion of the synthetic fuel in order to optimize the combustion of the combustible fuel as a composition of both the fossil fuel and the synthetic fuel.