Engine Cylinder Fuel Control for Abnormal Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional internal combustion engines face challenges in managing abnormal combustion conditions such as heavy knock and misfire, which can lead to mechanical damage and increased emissions, as they often require complete fuel cutoff and engine shutdown, lacking detailed control strategies for fuel management during these events.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating internal combustion engines with multiple cylinders, where the engine controller adjusts the combustion state of each cylinder through fuel regulation, including cutoff and restoration of main fuel injection based on measurements like cylinder pressure and exhaust gas temperature, to mitigate abnormal combustion, and maintains partial fuel injection with pilot fuel to prevent excessive fuel leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complete fuel cutoff is implemented upon abnormal combustion detection, then engine protection is achieved, but engine shutdown occurs and productivity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine protectionVSAvoidengine operation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injection system is segmented into main fuel injection and pilot fuel injection. Upon abnormal combustion detection, only the main fuel injection is cut off for the affected cylinder while pilot fuel injection continues at reduced levels. This segmentation allows protective action against abnormal combustion while maintaining partial engine operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If main fuel injection is cut off in abnormal combustion cylinder, then abnormal combustion is suppressed, but exhaust gas temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal combustion suppressionVSAvoidexhaust gas temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fuel injection parameter by switching from main fuel injection to pilot fuel injection with lower quantity. This parameter change suppresses abnormal combustion while the reduced fuel quantity results in lower exhaust gas temperature compared to complete fuel cutoff, thus resolving the temperature increase issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If fuel regulation is applied to suppress abnormal combustion, then combustion state improves, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion stateVSAvoidfuel control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel control system dynamically adjusts injection parameters based on real-time combustion monitoring. When abnormal combustion is detected, the system transitions from normal fuel injection to pilot fuel injection mode. This dynamic adaptation improves combustion reliability while keeping the control logic relatively simple through predefined transition criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of combustion parameters is implemented, then abnormal combustion detection accuracy improves, but measurement and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormal combustion detectionVSAvoidmonitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring combustion parameters (such as knock sensors, exhaust gas temperature, and pressure) and using this information to adjust fuel injection. This feedback mechanism improves abnormal combustion detection accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through focused monitoring of key parameters that directly indicate abnormal combustion conditions.

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 allows for controlled engine operation during abnormal combustion, reducing the risk of mechanical damage and emissions by dynamically managing fuel injection, enabling the engine to recover from abnormal states while minimizing fuel leakage and vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

measuring exhaust gas temperature of the cylinder in restricted injection state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

internal combustion engine with plurality of cylinders and an engine controller adjusting burning state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2580450B1Control of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 WARTSILA FINLAND OY
  • EP2580450B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2580450B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2580450B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine, which engine (2) has a plurality of cylinders (3) and engine controller (10) capable of adjusting a burning state of each cylinder through fuel regulation,including cutoff of fuel, upon occurrence of abnormal combustion in cylinder (3). The method comprises measuring exhaust gas temperature (210) of the cylinder in restricted injection state, where cutoff of main fuel is made, restoring main fuel injection (300) to the cylinder in restricted injection state if measured exhaust gas temperature is within temperature range predetermined for cylinder in restricted injection state, measuring burning state of said cylinder; and cutting off main fuel injection if burning state of said cylinder does not fulfil burning state value determined for restricted injection state.