Gaseous Fuel Supply Buffering for Rapid Injection Pressure Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaseous fuel supply systems for clean combustion engines face inefficiencies in pressure regulation, leading to delays in reaching demanded injection pressures and potential engine component damage.
Innovation Solution
A gaseous fuel supply system with two separate pathways, including a compressor-equipped supply line and a bypass line, allows for independent control of fuel pressure, ensuring timely adjustment to sudden changes in demanded injection pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a single supply line with a compressor is used to regulate fuel pressure, then the system structure is simple, but the response time to sudden pressure changes is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The single supply line is segmented into two separate supply lines: a first supply line connected directly to the fuel tank and a second supply line connected to both the fuel tank and the buffer tank. This segmentation allows parallel fuel delivery paths, enabling rapid pressure response without requiring a complex multi-compressor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tank is pre-filled with pressurized gaseous fuel through the second supply line during normal operation. When sudden pressure increase is demanded, the buffer tank immediately releases pre-stored high-pressure fuel, eliminating the time lag associated with compressor pressurization while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If the compressor is used to pressurize fuel for the buffer tank, then pressure regulation is achieved, but the response to sudden pressure increases is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between compressor-based pressurization (for gradual pressure maintenance) and buffer tank discharge (for sudden pressure increases). The control unit monitors pressure demands and activates the appropriate source, ensuring both reliable pressure regulation and rapid response to transient demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tank acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the fuel tank/compressor system and the engine. It accumulates pressurized fuel in advance and releases it rapidly when needed, mediating between the slow compressor and the fast-response engine demand without compromising either reliability or speed.
3Loss of time
If a dual tank arrangement with multiple supply lines is implemented, then pressure response time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tank serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure buffer for rapid response, a temporary storage for pre-pressurized fuel, and a decoupling element between the compressor and engine. This multi-functionality justifies its inclusion while minimizing overall system complexity compared to having separate rapid-response and main fuel systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The second supply line continuously pressurizes the buffer tank during normal operation, maintaining it ready for rapid discharge. This continuous preparation ensures that when sudden pressure demands occur, the buffer tank can immediately respond without interruption to fuel supply continuity, optimizing both response time and system simplicity.
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
Reduces the time to reach demanded injection pressure, enhances engine operation efficiency, and prevents potential engine damage by optimizing fuel pressure regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a second supply line comprising a compressor and a gaseous fuel buffer tank arranged downstream of the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A gaseous fuel supply system for a clean combustion engine configured to receive gaseous fuel at a changeable demanded injection pressure being above a predetermined minimum required injection pressure and below a predetermined maximum required injection pressure. The supply system comprises a control unit configured to control supply of pressurized gaseous fuel from a first gaseous fuel tank arrangement to the clean combustion engine using second supply line, and control a compressor such that the gaseous fuel in a buffer tank is pressurized to at least the current demanded injection pressure, in response the pressure of the gaseous fuel in the first gaseous fuel tank arrangement is below current demanded injection pressure or predetermined first threshold value; and to subsequently, in response to a sudden increase in the demanded injection pressure, control supply of pressurized gaseous fuel from second gaseous fuel tank arrangement to buffer tank using third supply line.