Fuel Injection Circuit for Multi-Fuel Engine Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-fuel engines face challenges in making an instant switch from gaseous fuel to residual liquid fuel due to the high viscosity of residual fuels, requiring an intermediate phase with distillate grade liquid fuel, which increases operational costs and emission control complexities.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection circuit with a fuel circulation duct and solenoid valves for each cylinder, allowing selective fuel circulation and temperature monitoring, enabling quick mode changes from gaseous to residual fuel operation by maintaining fuel injector temperatures and optimizing fuel flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine operates on gaseous fuel, then emission limits are met and operating costs are reduced, but the fuel injectors cool down and cannot immediately switch to residual fuel due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fuel injectors by circulating hot liquid fuel through them during gas mode operation. This preliminary action ensures that when switching to residual fuel is required, the injectors are already at the necessary temperature to handle the high viscosity fuel immediately, eliminating the need for an intermediate LFO phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces liquid fuel circulation as an intermediary mechanism between gas mode and residual fuel mode. By circulating liquid fuel through the injectors during gas operation, it serves as a thermal mediator that maintains injector temperature without requiring actual residual fuel injection, enabling direct mode switching.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the engine switches from gaseous fuel to residual fuel directly, then operational flexibility is improved, but the high viscosity of residual fuel prevents proper injection without intermediate heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fuel injectors by circulating hot liquid fuel through them during gas mode operation. This preliminary action ensures that when switching to residual fuel is required, the injectors are already at the necessary temperature to handle the high viscosity fuel immediately, eliminating the need for an intermediate LFO phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the fuel injectors by circulating heated liquid fuel through them during gas mode. This parameter change (temperature increase) prepares the injectors to handle residual fuel's high viscosity characteristics, enabling reliable direct switching between fuel modes.
3Reliability
If an intermediate phase with LFO operation is used between gas and HFO, then reliable fuel injection is ensured, but the transition time increases to half an hour and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fuel injectors by circulating hot liquid fuel through them during gas mode operation. This preliminary action ensures that when switching to residual fuel is required, the injectors are already at the necessary temperature to handle the high viscosity fuel immediately, eliminating the need for an intermediate LFO phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous heating of the fuel injectors by circulating liquid fuel through them during gas mode operation. This continuous useful action ensures that the injectors remain ready for residual fuel injection at any time, eliminating the need for intermediate phases and enabling instantaneous mode switching.
4Adaptability or versatility
If liquid fuel is circulated through fuel injectors during gas mode, then injector temperature is maintained for quick switching, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own liquid fuel supply to heat and maintain the temperature of the fuel injectors during gas mode operation. The liquid fuel serves a dual purpose: as a heating medium for the injectors and as the actual fuel for combustion when needed, eliminating the need for separate heating systems or additional fuel consumption.
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
Enables immediate switching from gaseous to residual fuel operation without an intermediate phase, reducing operational costs and enhancing emission control by maintaining fuel injector temperatures and optimizing fuel circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel circulation valve for each cylinder of the engine for selectively preventing and allowing fuel circulation through the fuel injectors and the fuel circulation duct
Implementation Method 2
at least one fuel injection pump and at least one fuel injector for injecting liquid fuel into the cylinders
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The fuel injection circuit for a piston engine comprises at least one fuel injection pump (7) and at least one fuel injector (12) for each cylinder (14) of the engine. Each fuel injector (12) is connected to a fuel circulation duct (16) and the fuel injection circuit is provided with a fuel circulation valve (17) for each cylinder (14) for selectively preventing and allowing fuel circulation through the fuel injectors (12) and the fuel circulation duct (16).