Fuel Control System Using GPS Data for Adaptive Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel systems for internal combustion engines that switch between primary and alternate fuels based on temperature alone face challenges such as abrupt fuel changes, reduced performance, and underutilization of alternate fuels, especially at intermediate conditions, and are not adaptable to various operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel control system that uses a GPS receiver to transmit data on vehicle speed, altitude, and ground surface grade to an electronic controller, which controls valve devices to selectively deliver a mixture of primary and alternate fuels, optimizing fuel composition based on multiple operating conditions and preventing premature switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional systems switch between primary and alternate fuels based solely on temperature, then the system can prevent congealing of alternate fuel, but the system suffers from abrupt fuel changes and reduced performance at transition points
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from using only temperature as a switching parameter to using multiple parameters including GPS data (vehicle speed, altitude, ground surface grade), engine operating conditions, and fuel temperature. This multi-parameter approach allows for smoother fuel transitions and optimizes both reliability and performance by considering the complete operating context rather than relying solely on temperature thresholds.
2Device complexity
If conventional systems use 100% primary or 100% alternate fuel at all times, then the system simplifies fuel management, but the system cannot optimize performance for intermediate operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic fuel blending capability that continuously adjusts the ratio of primary to alternate fuel based on real-time operating conditions. The electronic controller receives inputs from GPS receivers, temperature sensors, and engine management systems to dynamically calculate and deliver optimal fuel mixtures. This dynamic approach replaces static 100% fuel selection with adaptive blending that optimizes performance across all operating conditions while maintaining manageable system complexity through electronic control.
3Speed
If conventional systems switch fuels abruptly based on temperature thresholds, then the system responds quickly to temperature changes, but the system experiences reduced performance and potential congealing issues during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS data and engine operating condition information to predict upcoming transitions and prepare accordingly. By monitoring vehicle speed, altitude, and ground surface grade, the system can anticipate temperature changes and begin adjusting fuel delivery in advance. This preliminary action allows for smoother transitions that maintain reliable fuel flow while responding proactively to environmental changes rather than reactively after thresholds are crossed.
4Device complexity
If manual switching between fuels is required, then the system reduces automation complexity, but the system requires consumer intervention and cannot automatically optimize fuel selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated fuel management that operates independently of consumer intervention. The electronic controller continuously monitors temperature, GPS data, and engine operating conditions to automatically select and blend appropriate fuel mixtures. The system serves itself by making real-time fuel management decisions without requiring driver input, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable automation complexity through integrated sensing and control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.