Engine Speed Control via Electronic Fuel and Ignition Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for limiting internal combustion engine speed, such as skipping combustion events, result in fuel wastage, environmental harm, and undesirable torque reversals, which are not effective in maintaining stable engine operation, especially in applications like UAVs where over-speeding can damage components and affect payload operations.
Innovation Solution
A control strategy involving first and second modes of engine operation, where the engine's electronic control unit (ECU) and local controller work in closed loop to maintain engine speed within predetermined limits by adjusting throttle and fuel delivery independently of throttle position, preventing excessive speed and ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If combustion events are skipped to limit engine speed, then engine speed is reduced below maximum threshold, but fuel is wasted and unburnt fuel harms the environment and subsequent combustion events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/governor-based speed limiting approach with an electronic control system that independently manages fuel delivery and ignition timing. The ECU monitors engine speed and adjusts fuel injection quantity and ignition timing separately from throttle position, enabling precise speed control without wasting fuel through skipped combustion events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by independently controlling fuel delivery quantity and ignition timing based on real-time engine speed feedback. When engine speed approaches the maximum threshold, the ECU reduces fuel injection amount and adjusts ignition timing to limit speed while maintaining continuous combustion, thereby avoiding fuel waste and environmental harm.
2Speed
If combustion events are skipped to limit engine speed, then engine speed is controlled, but torque reversals occur causing significant RPM drops and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces abrupt mechanical speed limiting with smooth electronic control of fuel delivery and ignition timing. The ECU continuously adjusts these parameters based on engine speed feedback, maintaining stable torque output and preventing the sudden RPM drops and vibrations caused by skipped combustion events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous combustion events while independently modulating fuel delivery and ignition timing to control engine speed. This continuous action prevents torque reversals and maintains stable engine operation, unlike discontinuous skipped combustion approaches that cause vibrations and RPM fluctuations.
3Speed
If external controller requests engine speed beyond threshold, then desired speed performance is achieved, but engine damage and payload operation compromise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the ECU continuously monitors engine speed and compares it against the maximum threshold. When the threshold is approached, the ECU automatically adjusts fuel delivery and ignition timing to limit speed, preventing engine damage and payload compromise while responding to external speed requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary protective action by monitoring engine speed continuously and preemptively adjusting fuel delivery and ignition timing before dangerous overspeed conditions occur. This prevents engine damage and payload operation compromise while still allowing the engine to operate at requested speeds within safe limits.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle (such as a remotely operable unmanned aerial vehicle) to perform or implement a control strategy for controlling operation of the engine. The method and system comprises providing first and second modes optionally available for operating the engine, and changing operation of the engine from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation following a determination that a characteristic of the operation of the engine (such as engine speed) has been requested to be modified to beyond a predetermined threshold or level. The method and system further comprises reverting control of operation of the engine from the second mode to the first mode once the requested characteristic is no longer beyond the predetermined threshold or level.