Fuel Injection Control via Upstream Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines, particularly Diesel-cycle engines, struggle to accurately control the quantity of fuel injected, leading to high unburnt hydrocarbon emissions and inefficiencies, which are difficult to implement on existing engines without replacing components.
Innovation Solution
A system employing sensors upstream or downstream of the fuel rail to detect properties like pressure and mass flow, allowing a control unit to determine and control the fuel flow rate into the engine, enabling precise fuel injection control without requiring specific injectors with internal pressure sensors, and allowing implementation on existing engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor means are positioned within the injector to detect fuel flow properties, then measurement precision of fuel quantity is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate due to requiring specific injector replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor means positioned in the fuel supply line upstream of the injector. This sensor detects fuel flow properties (pressure, temperature, flow rate) and transmits data to a control unit that calculates the actual fuel quantity injected. This intermediary measurement approach avoids modifying the injector itself while achieving precise fuel quantity control, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of manufacture.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple injections are carried out per operating cycle, then unburnt hydrocarbon emissions are reduced, but control precision over each injection quantity becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensor means continuously monitor fuel flow properties during each injection event. The control unit receives real-time data from the sensor, calculates the actual fuel quantity injected, and compares it with the target quantity. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts subsequent injection commands to maintain precise control over each injection quantity, enabling multiple injections per cycle while preserving measurement precision.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If existing engines are upgraded with fuel injection control, then emissions are reduced and efficiency is improved, but implementation complexity increases due to retrofit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal fuel injection control system that can be retrofitted to existing engines. The sensor means and control unit are configured to work with standard fuel supply lines and injectors, requiring minimal modification to the original engine architecture. The control unit can manage multiple injection strategies (pilot injections, main injections, after-injections) through a single standardized interface, reducing implementation complexity while achieving emissions reduction and efficiency improvement.
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 solution enables accurate control of fuel injection on existing engines, reducing unburnt hydrocarbon emissions and improving efficiency, while simplifying the engine setup process by allowing direct specification of fuel quantity and flow rate, thus enhancing engine performance and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means positioned upstream or downstream of a fuel rail and capable of detecting at least one property (e.g. static and/or dynamic pressure, mass flow, or the like) of a fuel flow
Implementation Method 2
sensor means positioned upstream or downstream of a fuel rail and capable of detecting at least one property (e.g. static and/or dynamic pressure, mass flow, or the like) of a fuel flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an injection system (1), a control unit (16) and a method for controlling the quantity of fuel injected into an internal combustion engine, wherein said system (1) comprises at least one injector (14), an injection duct (141) adapted to feed said injector (14), a fuel rail (13) in fluidic communication with said injector (14) via said injection duct (141), an injection pump (11) for feeding the fuel rail (13), sensor means (2) positioned upstream or downstream of said fuel rail (13) and capable of detecting at least one property of a fuel flow entering or exiting said injector (14), a control unit (16) for activating said injector (14) on the basis of said at least one property, so as to control the flow rate and/or the mass of fuel injected into the engine.