Engine Controller Ethanol Shortfall Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Engines using multiple injectors for fuel delivery face issues with ethanol delivery deficiencies, leading to engine knock, elevated exhaust temperatures, and component wear due to malfunctions or low ethanol supply in systems reliant on ethanol as a knock-suppressing agent.

Innovation Solution

A system with two fuel injection subsystems and an electronic engine controller that detects and responds to ethanol shortfall conditions by adjusting operating parameters to maintain knock suppression and performance, ensuring effective delivery of ethanol or alternative fuels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ethanol is used as a knock-suppressing agent in multiple injection systems, then engine knock is suppressed and performance is improved, but engine knock and component wear occur when ethanol delivery is deficient due to injector malfunction or low supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknock suppression reliabilityVSAvoidengine knock and component wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors actual ethanol delivery through sensors detecting ethanol concentration, injector pulse width, and fuel trim values, comparing these against expected values to identify shortfall conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to detect when ethanol delivery is deficient and trigger compensatory actions to maintain reliable knock suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system proactively compensates for potential ethanol delivery deficiencies by adjusting other operating parameters before knock occurs. When a shortfall condition is detected, the system preemptively modifies ignition timing, air-fuel ratio, or injection timing to counteract the reduced knock suppression capability, preventing engine knock and component wear before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the second fuel injection subsystem is relied upon for knock suppression, then engine performance is optimized, but the system becomes vulnerable to injector malfunction or depleted fuel supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidsystem vulnerability to deficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically changes operating parameters such as ignition timing, air-fuel ratio, and injection timing in response to detected ethanol shortfall conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains optimized performance despite the deficiency in the second fuel injection subsystem, preventing performance degradation while the deficiency persists.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary that mediates between the deficient ethanol delivery and the engine's performance requirements. By introducing compensatory adjustments to other operating parameters, the control system bridges the gap created by the shortfall, maintaining performance without direct reliance on the malfunctioning or depleted ethanol supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If multiple injection locations are used for different fuel types, then charge cooling effects are improved and knock is suppressed, but complex control strategies are required to manage fuel delivery deficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge cooling effectVSAvoidcontrol strategy complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the management of multiple injection locations by independently monitoring and controlling each injector's operation. By detecting deficiencies in the second fuel injection subsystem and applying targeted compensatory adjustments to specific parameters such as ignition timing and air-fuel ratio, the system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple injection locations while maintaining effective charge cooling and knock suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7581528B2Control strategy for engine employng multiple injection types

Publication Date: 2009.09.01 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for an engine, comprising a cylinder, a first injection subsystem for injecting a first substance into the cylinder, a second injection subsystem for injecting a second substance into the cylinder, and an electronic engine controller configured to control a plurality of operating parameters of the engine, where the electronic engine controller is configured to cause variation of at least one of the operating parameters in response to a shortfall condition of the second injection subsystem.