Engine Speed Response for Fuel Attribute Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in identifying fuel type and quality without adding complexity and expense through sensors, as existing methods are complex and prone to confounding factors during engine start-up.
Innovation Solution
A method involving electronically storing engine speed responses to fueling duration changes with a reference fuel and a test fuel, allowing for comparison to output a fuel attribute signal indicative of the fuel type or quality, using a control system with an engine control unit, memory, and sensors to determine engine speed responses under controlled conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to directly sense fuel type or quality, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses engine speed response as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine fuel attributes. Instead of directly sensing fuel properties, the system observes how the engine responds to fueling changes, which reflects fuel energy content differences. This mediator approach achieves accurate fuel identification without requiring complex direct fuel sensing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine itself serves as the sensing mechanism by naturally responding to fueling changes with measurable speed variations. The engine's combustion process and dynamic response automatically provide the information needed for fuel identification, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing systems.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If engine start-up behavior is observed to determine fuel type, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to confounding factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of engine response to fueling changes under controlled, stable operating conditions before using this knowledge for fuel identification. By establishing baseline relationships between fueling inputs and speed responses in advance, the system creates a reliable reference framework that can be applied during actual fuel determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic small perturbations in fueling duration to probe engine response and determine fuel attributes. By applying regular, controlled fueling changes and observing the resulting speed responses, the system can continuously monitor and identify fuel type without the confounding factors present during irregular engine start-up sequences.
3Measurement precision
If complex calculations are performed to determine fuel type from engine behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational analysis with simpler measurement and comparison operations. Instead of performing elaborate calculations on multiple engine parameters, the system focuses on measuring engine speed response to controlled fueling changes and comparing these responses against reference values, achieving accurate fuel identification with simpler processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines fuel attributes by monitoring changes in engine speed parameter in response to controlled changes in fueling duration. By focusing on the relationship between these two parameters under controlled conditions, the system can identify fuel type through relatively simple comparison operations rather than complex multi-parameter analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a fuel injected multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes electronically storing a first value or reference value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change during fueling the engine with a first fuel or reference fuel, such as a known type of diesel fuel. The method further includes operating the internal combustion engine in a fuel testing mode during fueling with a second fuel or test fuel, such as an unknown type of diesel fuel. The fuel testing mode includes determining a second value or test value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change, comparing the test value with the reference value and outputting a fuel attribute signal which is based at least in part on comparing the reference value and the test value. If a difference between the reference value and the test value satisfies corrective action criteria, a corrective action such as adapting fuel injector control signal duration or shutting down the engine can be taken. An engine and control system whereby the operating method is executed are also provided.