Engine De-rate Control for Low Fuel Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle control systems for internal combustion engines, particularly those using gaseous fuels like CNG or LNG, face engine performance degradation and potential stalling due to low fuel pressure, leading to unreliable operation and potential permanent damage.
Innovation Solution
A de-rate control system that includes a controller with a de-rate condition detection unit, operational parameter adjustment unit, and monitoring unit, which detects low fuel conditions and adjusts engine parameters such as speed and torque to prevent engine stall, allowing continued operation until fuel is replenished.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the engine operates with low fuel pressure, then the vehicle can continue running, but engine performance degradation and stalling occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects low fuel pressure conditions before they cause engine stalling and proactively adjusts engine parameters (reducing engine load, adjusting fuel injection timing and quantity) to prevent performance degradation. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to continue operating reliably even when fuel pressure drops below normal levels.
2Power
If the engine maintains maximum fuel mass flow rate, then maximum power output is achieved, but fuel depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum fuel mass flow rate based on real-time fuel pressure conditions. When low fuel pressure is detected, the controller reduces the maximum fuel mass flow rate to match the available fuel supply, preventing engine stalling while allowing the engine to continue operating at reduced power levels until fuel is replenished.
3Reliability
If the engine control system reduces engine load to prevent stalling, then engine reliability improves, but vehicle productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes multiple engine parameters simultaneously when low fuel pressure is detected, including reducing engine load, adjusting fuel injection timing, and modifying air-fuel ratio. These coordinated parameter changes allow the engine to operate reliably at reduced performance levels, maintaining vehicle mobility while preventing damage until fuel can be replenished.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems, using a controller (20), for performing de-rate operation of an engine (12) is disclosed. Controller (20) includes a de-rate condition detection unit (204), an operational parameter adjustment unit (206), and a de-rate condition monitoring unit (208). De-rate condition detection unit (204) detects a low fuel condition based on a current delivery pressure level of the engine (12) detected at least one of: in a fuel tank (24) and along an inlet fuel rail (38) connecting the fuel tank (24) to the engine (12). Operational parameter adjustment unit (206) performs the de-rate operation on the engine (12) by adjusting one or more operational parameters related to an engine (12) load based on the detected low fuel condition. De-rate condition monitoring unit (208) monitors the detected low fuel condition for a predetermined time period in response to the operational parameter adjustment performed by operational parameter adjustment unit (206).