Engine Fuel Consumption Estimation via Electric Machine Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine control systems face inaccuracies in estimating fuel consumption due to unreliable fuel injection estimates, and adding a fuel flow meter increases system complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method that controls engines using a control map specifying settings based on engine speed and load, with fuel injection parameters determined by electric-machine-based load, allowing for accurate fuel consumption estimation without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fuel flow meter is added to measure fuel consumption accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electric machine (alternator) as an intermediary device to indirectly measure fuel consumption. Instead of directly measuring fuel flow with a flow meter, the system measures the electrical power output of the alternator, which is coupled to the engine, and uses this as a proxy for fuel consumption. This intermediary approach achieves accurate measurement without adding complex fuel measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fuel flow measurement system with an electrical measurement system. By using the electric machine's power output as a substitute for direct fuel flow measurement, the system achieves comparable or superior measurement accuracy while eliminating the need for mechanical flow meters and associated complex instrumentation.
2Device complexity
If the control system's estimate of fuel quantity injected is used to calculate fuel consumption, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the electric machine's power output and uses this information to refine fuel consumption estimates. By feeding back the actual power delivery data from the electric machine, the system compensates for inaccuracies in the control system's original fuel quantity estimates, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for estimating engine fuel consumption. In one example, a method comprises controlling an engine according to a control map, the control map specifying control settings according to a predetermined relationship with respect to engine speed and engine load. The method further comprises estimating fuel consumption of the engine based on each of: an electric-machine based engine load indicated by an electric machine coupled to the engine; and further based on the predetermined relationship.