Engine Water Injection Torque Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for water injection in internal combustion engines often result in unstable torque delivery due to frequent and rapid adjustments in spark timing, leading to decreased fuel economy and increased noise, vibration, and harshness, as they do not effectively coordinate water injection with spark timing adjustments based on varying engine conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the amount of water injection in an engine responsive to the torque ratio at the current spark timing relative to the borderline knock torque ratio, using real-time monitoring to determine when water injection can significantly improve torque ratio, allowing for optimal spark and water usage, thereby reducing spark timing bouncing and conserving water for when it is needed most.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spark timing is frequently and rapidly adjusted to avoid knock during water injection, then knock is prevented, but torque delivery becomes unstable and NVH increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors torque ratio feedback from the engine and dynamically adjusts water injection timing and amount accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures knock prevention while maintaining stable torque delivery by making incremental adjustments based on real-time engine performance data rather than frequent large spark timing changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from spark timing to water injection timing and amount. By adjusting when and how much water is injected based on torque ratio feedback, the system achieves knock prevention while maintaining more stable torque delivery, as water injection has a more gradual effect compared to abrupt spark timing changes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If water injection is continuously applied to maintain optimal torque ratio, then fuel economy improves, but water consumption increases and diminishes returns set in
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies water injection periodically rather than continuously, based on real-time torque ratio monitoring. Water injection is activated only when the torque ratio indicates suboptimal performance, and deactivated when optimal performance is achieved. This periodic application maintains fuel economy benefits while significantly reducing overall water consumption and avoiding diminishing returns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial water injection only when and where needed, rather than continuous full application. By monitoring torque ratio and applying water injection only during periods of suboptimal performance, the system achieves sufficient fuel economy improvement while minimizing water consumption and avoiding the law of diminishing returns.
3Productivity
If spark timing is advanced quickly responsive to water injection, then combustion efficiency improves, but spark timing becomes unstable and bounces around
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses torque ratio feedback to control spark timing adjustments. Rather than quickly advancing spark timing in response to water injection alone, the system monitors the actual torque ratio outcome and makes gradual spark timing adjustments based on this feedback, ensuring both combustion efficiency and spark timing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts spark timing based on real-time torque ratio feedback rather than applying fixed advance amounts. This dynamic control allows the spark timing to adapt gradually to changing engine conditions and water injection levels, maintaining combustion efficiency while preventing unstable bouncing behavior.
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
This approach stabilizes spark timing, extends the duration of fuel economy benefits, and improves engine efficiency by coordinating water injection with spark usage based on real-time torque ratio feedback, ensuring water is used judiciously and effectively.
Implementation Method 1
When water is injected into the engine intake or cylinders, heat is transferred from the intake air and/or engine components to the water. This heat transfer leads to evaporation, which results in cooling.
Implementation Method 2
This heat transfer leads to evaporation, which results in cooling.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for coordinating water usage with spark usage based on the effect on an engine torque ratio. Water is injected based on torque ratio at a current spark timing relative to torque ratio at borderline knock to improve the impact of the water injection on the engine performance. Manifold water injection and direct water injected are coordinated based on intake manifold humidity.