On-Board Ethanol Separator for Knock Suppression in Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The requirement for separate fuels like gasoline and ethanol can be burdensome for users and hinder the widespread adoption of fuel economy improving technologies, as existing approaches often necessitate the use of multiple fuels and complex fuel separation systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes on-board vehicle separation to take advantage of available alcohol mixtures, such as E10 or E85, and adjusts fuel delivery ratios and injector configurations based on operating conditions to optimize engine performance, using a controller to manage the delivery of fuel blends through different injectors, including port and direct injectors, to achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduced knock limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate fuels (gasoline and ethanol) are required for knock suppression, then engine performance and fuel economy are improved, but user convenience and system complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts ethanol from the mixed fuel (E10 or E85) and separates it into a dedicated storage tank. This allows the engine to selectively use ethanol for knock suppression while using gasoline for normal combustion, achieving improved fuel economy without requiring users to manually handle separate fuels.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator device acts as an intermediary between the fuel tank and engine, automatically separating ethanol from gasoline in the mixed fuel. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve the benefits of dual-fuel operation while maintaining simple user operation with a single fuel fill-up.
2Productivity
If separate fuels (gasoline and ethanol) are required for knock suppression, then engine performance and fuel economy are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of fuel storage, separation, and selective injection into an integrated system. The separator, storage tank, and injection components work together as a unified system that automatically manages fuel composition based on engine conditions, reducing overall system complexity compared to manual dual-fuel systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel separation and management system operates autonomously based on engine sensor inputs. The controller automatically determines when to inject ethanol versus gasoline based on knock detection and engine load conditions, eliminating the need for complex manual fuel management while achieving improved fuel economy.
3Productivity
If fuel separation is adjusted based on operating conditions, then engine performance is optimized, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses knock sensors and engine load sensors to provide feedback to the controller, which then adjusts fuel injection strategy in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of engine performance by selecting appropriate fuel composition based on actual operating conditions without requiring complex pre-programmed control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel injection system dynamically adjusts between injecting pure gasoline, pure ethanol, or mixed fuel based on real-time engine conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance across varying operating conditions while using relatively simple control logic that responds to sensor inputs.
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 allows for improved engine performance and fuel economy by adjusting fuel ratios and delivery methods, reducing the likelihood of pre-ignition and knock, while maintaining the benefits of charge cooling effects, without the need for separate fuel storage and handling, thus simplifying user convenience and technology adoption.
Implementation Method 1
a separator to separate the at least one alcohol from the at least one gasoline in the fuel mixture
Implementation Method 2
a direct injector for each cylinder to deliver the at least one fuel directly to a combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
The ethanol provides increased octane and increased charge cooling due to its higher heat of vaporization compared with gasoline
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a delivery system configured to deliver fuel and a fluid to at least an engine cylinder while the vehicle is traveling, said fluid comprising alcohol and/or water, and a control system for varying an amount of said fuel and fluid delivered to the cylinder in different ratios as a condition varies, said controller further varying a spark timing of a spark in said cylinder as an amount of alcohol and/or water in said fluid varies.