Fuel Mixer Biasing Element for Non-Uniform Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines, particularly diesel engines converted to natural gas, face challenges in achieving uniform air-fuel ratios due to non-uniform air flow and existing fuel mixing systems, leading to poor performance, emissions, and increased pollution.
Innovation Solution
A fuel mixer is positioned downstream of the throttle plate in an internal combustion engine, introducing gaseous fuel non-symmetrically through a biasing element with strategically placed slots to account for uneven air flow, ensuring optimal air-fuel mixing and reducing the risk of backfires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a multipoint fuel injection system is used in a diesel engine converted to natural gas, then fuel distribution can be improved, but the non-uniform air flow from cylinder to cylinder still causes poor air-fuel ratio control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biasing element with non-uniform slot distribution that deliberately creates asymmetric fuel flow patterns. This asymmetric fuel injection compensates for the asymmetric air flow distribution in the intake system, allowing the fuel to be delivered proportionally to each cylinder's actual air intake rather than uniformly, thereby achieving uniform air-fuel ratios across all cylinders despite varying air flow conditions.
2Reliability
If extensive intake system development is performed to achieve air flow balance, then air-fuel ratio control improves, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire intake system to achieve uniform air flow, the patent applies a localized solution at the fuel injection point. The biasing element with selectively positioned slots is installed only in the fuel injection component, creating locally differentiated fuel flow that compensates for global air flow non-uniformity. This approach achieves the desired air-fuel ratio control without the extensive and costly intake system modifications.
3Device complexity
If uniform fuel injection is used across all cylinders, then injection system simplicity is maintained, but non-uniform air flow results in poor air-fuel mixing and increased emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element introduces controlled asymmetry into the fuel injection system through its non-uniform slot distribution. This asymmetric design allows different amounts of fuel to be injected into different cylinders based on their individual air flow characteristics, improving air-fuel mixing and reducing emissions while maintaining relative simplicity of the injection system architecture.
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
The solution provides improved air-fuel ratio control, reduced emissions, and enhanced engine performance by ensuring uniform fuel distribution across all cylinders, even in large engines with complex throttle systems, at a lower conversion cost.
Implementation Method 1
introducing gaseous fuel non-symmetrically through a biasing element with strategically placed slots to account for uneven air flow, ensuring optimal air-fuel mixing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to deliver a fuel into a chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fuel inlet and a substantially circular fuel distribution canal communicating with the fuel inlet. A biasing element is coupled to the substantially circular fuel distribution canal, with the biasing element having a plurality of slots arranged to non-uniformly dispense the fuel into the chamber. Another embodiment includes a flange positioned in the substantially circular fuel canal, with the flange structured to perturb a fuel passing into the chamber. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.