Internal Combustion Engine Cylinder Segmentation for Exhaust After-Treatment Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty vehicle internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining efficient exhaust after-treatment system (EATS) operation at low load conditions and cold ambient temperatures, as measures to reduce fuel consumption can lead to inadequate heat supply for EATS, particularly in cold start situations.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine by directing air from a fresh air intake to one cylinder group, expelling gases to another for heating, and adjusting fuel injection and valve control to optimize gas temperature and EGR rates, thereby ensuring efficient EATS operation without the need for additional sensors in harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If measures are taken to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but heat supply to EATS is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into two cylinder groups (first and second cylinders) with separate intake and exhaust systems. The first cylinder group serves as a dedicated heating source, while the second cylinder group handles normal combustion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each group's function to ensure sufficient exhaust temperature for EATS operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first cylinder group performs preliminary heating action by combusting fuel with fresh air to generate hot exhaust gases. These pre-heated gases are then directed to the second cylinder group's intake, ensuring that the EATS receives sufficiently hot exhaust even when overall fuel consumption is reduced for efficiency.
2Reliability
If exhaust gas recirculation is used to increase EATS temperature, then emission reduction efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the harsh exhaust environment by placing sensors only in the intake manifold and cylinder, where conditions are milder. The control unit uses intake air temperature and fuel injection data to calculate and control the heating process, eliminating the need for sensors directly in the recirculation guide or exhaust system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control approach where the control unit mediates between the heating cylinders and the EATS. By using intake air temperature sensors and fuel injection data as intermediaries, the system can indirectly monitor and control exhaust temperature without requiring direct sensing in the harsh exhaust environment.
3Temperature
If fresh air supply to second cylinder is throttled, then gas temperature is maintained, but oxygen supply for combustion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air supply function: the first cylinder group receives full fresh air supply for combustion and heating, while the second cylinder group receives controlled air supply. This segmentation allows the second cylinder to operate with throttled air intake for temperature maintenance while the first cylinder compensates for any oxygen deficiency through its dedicated fresh air supply.
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 method effectively controls the temperature of gases reaching the EATS, improving emission reduction and reducing NOx production, while simplifying engine complexity and reducing costs by eliminating the need for sensors in the recirculation guide.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the fuel system so as to inject fuel into the second cylinder, so as to provide repetitive combustions with air in the gases guided to the second cylinder
Implementation Method 2
Receiving in the first cylinder air from the fresh air intake arrangement and guiding to the second cylinder gases expelled from the first cylinder provides for heating by preconditioning of the air
Implementation Method 3
a recirculation guide extending from the first exhaust guide to the second intake guide
Implementation Method 4
controlling an exhaust valve located in the first exhaust guide so as to reduce or inhibit the transport of gases from the first cylinder to the exhaust after treatment system and to guide to the second cylinder gases expelled from the first cylinder
Implementation Method 5
controlling the intake valve arrangement for throttling or inhibiting the supply to the second cylinder of air from the fresh air intake arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for controlling an internal combustion engine (2) comprising at least one first cylinder (201) and at least one second cylinder (202) with respective reciprocating pistons, each of the first and second cylinders (201, 202) being arranged to receive air from a fresh air intake arrangement (303), to receive fuel, and to provide repetitive combustions by means of the received air and fuel, the method comprising - receiving (S1) in the first cylinder (201) air from the fresh air intake arrangement (303), - expelling from the first cylinder (201) gases in the form of the air received in the first cylinder (201) or gases including at least a portion of the air received in the first cylinder (201), - guiding to the second cylinder (202) gases expelled from the first cylinder (201), - injecting (S5) fuel into the second cylinder (202) so as to provide repetitive combustions with air in the gases guided from the first cylinder (201) to the second cylinder (202), - and, while guiding to the second cylinder (202) gases expelled from the first cylinder (201), throttling or inhibiting (S6) the supply to the second cylinder (202) of air from the fresh air intake arrangement (303), - characterized in that guiding to the second cylinder (202) gases expelled from the first cylinder (201) comprises guiding (S4) to the second cylinder (202) all gases expelled from the first cylinder (201).