Fuel Conservation System Using Periodic Engine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rising fuel costs due to increasing demand for fossil fuels pose significant economic and environmental challenges, as internal combustion engines rely heavily on these resources, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel conservation system and method that utilizes a programmable logic controller and engine control unit to dampen or cut fuel delivery to internal combustion engines, maintaining horsepower or torque output while reducing fuel consumption through a directive power output strategy, which includes regions of equal or increased power followed by decreased power, and incorporates an electric motor to supplement engine output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fuel delivery to internal combustion engines is increased to maintain horsepower or torque output, then power output is preserved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic oscillations to the fuel delivery system, creating cycles of fuel injection that resonate with the engine's natural frequency. This resonant periodic action reduces the overall fuel quantity needed to maintain power output by optimizing combustion efficiency during peak cycles while reducing fuel delivery during non-peak cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters including fuel injection timing, injection duration, and injection pressure to optimize combustion efficiency. By adjusting these parameters in response to real-time engine conditions, the system maintains power output while reducing the total fuel quantity required for operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fuel delivery is reduced to conserve fuel, then fuel consumption decreases, but horsepower or torque output is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic oscillations to create efficient combustion cycles that maximize power output during peak cycles. This allows reduced overall fuel delivery while maintaining adequate power output during critical cycles through resonant enhancement of combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor engine performance parameters and dynamically adjust fuel delivery and injection timing. This closed-loop control ensures power output requirements are met while minimizing fuel consumption by optimizing combustion efficiency in real-time based on actual engine conditions.
3Reliability
If conventional fuel delivery systems are used to ensure reliable power output, then power reliability is maintained, but emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant periodic fuel injection creates more complete and efficient combustion cycles, reducing unburned hydrocarbons and other emissions. The oscillating fuel delivery pattern ensures thorough fuel-air mixing and complete combustion while maintaining reliable power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes combustion parameters including injection timing, duration, and pressure to achieve more complete combustion. This reduces harmful emissions by ensuring thorough fuel consumption while maintaining the reliability of power output through dynamic parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for conserving fuel used by an engine. In some embodiments a control module processes a user-provided input, as a first function, into a second function. The second function can be used to direct the engine with a directive output power. The directive output power may have regions equal to, greater than, and/or less than what the power output would be if the engine were controlled using the user-provided input.