Internal Combustion Engine Fuel Reforming for Load Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with homogeneous charge compression ignition face challenges in maintaining stable operation across varying loads due to knocking at high loads and misfiring at low loads, and existing solutions requiring separate fuel tanks and systems for different fuels are inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine that reforms a first fuel with N-hydroxyphthalimide catalyst into a second fuel with higher ignitability, allowing for the use of both fuels to achieve stable operation across a wide load range by switching between homogeneous charge compression ignition and diesel combustion modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion is used, then fuel efficiency is improved and emission is reduced, but the engine has a narrow stably-operatable region with knocking at high load and misfire at low load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel by reforming light oil into reformulated fuel with different molecular structure and properties, enabling the engine to achieve both high fuel efficiency and stable operation across a wide load range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically switches between two combustion modes (homogeneous charge compression ignition and diesel combustion) based on engine load conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating requirements and maintain stable operation
2Reliability
If multiple types of fuels are used to expand the operatable region, then the stably-operatable region is widened, but separate fuel tanks and fuel supply systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of having different fuel types by implementing an on-demand fuel reforming system that converts a single stored fuel (light oil) into two different fuel forms as needed, eliminating the need for separate fuel tanks and supply systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reforming means as an intermediary between the light oil storage and the combustion chamber, which transforms light oil into reformulated fuel or maintains it as original fuel based on operating conditions, thereby simplifying the overall fuel supply architecture
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
The engine can stably operate over a wide load range by converting a low-ignitability first fuel into a high-ignitability second fuel, enabling efficient diesel combustion and reducing the need for multiple fuel tanks and systems.
Implementation Method 1
a reforming means for reforming a first fuel to be used in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion into a second fuel having higher ignitability than the first fuel, by making the first fuel contact with a catalyst formed from N-hydroxyphthalimide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an internal combustion engine which can produce several types of fuels from a single fuel as needed. The internal combustion engine comprises reforming means 3 for reforming a first fuel to be used in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion into a second fuel having high ignitability, by making the first fuel contact with a catalyst formed from N-hydroxyphthalimide. The engine uses the second fuel when conducting diesel combustion. The engine can switch between the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with the use of the first fuel and the diesel combustion with the use of the second fuel. The engine conducts the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when a load is low, and conducts the diesel combustion when the load is high. The internal combustion engine further comprises a first fuel injector 4b which injects the first fuel to an air intake port when the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion is conducted, and a second fuel injector 4a which directly injects the second fuel to a combustion chamber when the diesel combustion is conducted. The engine further comprises fuel injection timing control means 7 for switching between the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion and the diesel combustion, by changing the injection timing of the fuel. The first fuel is at least one of gasoline, kerosene, light oil and alcohol.