Fuel Injection Dwell Time Control for Engine Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face issues with erratic and uncontrolled performance due to changes in engine characteristics caused by varying environmental conditions, such as high altitudes and low ambient temperatures, leading to merged fuel injections and undesired engine behavior.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining and adjusting the dwell time between fuel injections in internal combustion engines based on sensed ambient temperature and pressure, using a controller to implement a fuel injection strategy that includes a pilot fuel injection, a main fuel injection, and an adjustable dwell time, allowing for precise control of fuel injection timing and quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fuel injections are performed with fixed dwell times, then engine performance can be controlled under normal conditions, but fuel injections merge and cause erratic performance under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dwell time between fuel injections variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the dwell time based on real-time environmental conditions (ambient temperature and pressure) and engine operating parameters. This allows the fuel injection system to adapt to changing conditions such as high altitude and low temperature, preventing fuel injection merging while maintaining reliable engine performance control across diverse operating environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the dwell time parameter in response to changes in environmental conditions. The controller calculates adjusted dwell times based on ambient temperature and pressure measurements, along with engine speed and load parameters. This parameter adjustment ensures that fuel injections remain distinct and controllable across varying environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fixed injection timing and adapting to environmental variations.
2Reliability
If dwell time is adjusted based on environmental conditions, then fuel injection merging is prevented, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a control system that continuously monitors environmental conditions (ambient temperature and pressure) and engine operating parameters, then uses this feedback information to calculate and adjust the dwell time between fuel injections. The controller receives feedback from sensors and dynamically modifies injection timing to prevent fuel merging, maintaining reliable fuel injection control without requiring overly complex external intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by automatically calculating and adjusting dwell times based on sensed environmental conditions and engine parameters without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The controller independently processes sensor data, determines appropriate dwell time adjustments, and implements the corrected injection timing, thereby preventing fuel injection merging while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling fuel injection aspects of a fuel system of an internal combustion engine includes determining a fuel injection strategy for each engine cycle including a pilot fuel injection, a main fuel injection, and a dwell time between the pilot and main fuel injections. The method also includes automatically adjusting the dwell time for each engine cycle based on a sensed ambient temperature and ambient pressure associated with the internal combustion engine.