Fuel Preheating Control for Cold-Start Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines, particularly those using the Otto cycle and powered by gasoline or bi-fuel mixtures, face challenges in reducing pollutant emissions such as HC, CO, and particulates, especially in low and extremely cold temperatures, due to incomplete combustion and inefficient fuel heating methods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electronic fuel injection control unit, a fuel-heating device, and a fuel-heating control unit that measures initial and ambient temperatures to calculate and apply preheating power to the fuel, ensuring the fuel temperature is maintained at a target level before engine startup, thereby optimizing fuel atomization and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fuel heater is used to heat fuel in cold environments, then fuel temperature is improved, but the system complexity increases due to mandatory fuel pressure sensor and inaccurate power calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mandatory fuel pressure sensor from the system by using only temperature sensors to control the heating process. The power calculation is simplified to depend solely on temperature differential (target temperature minus initial temperature) rather than requiring both pressure and temperature measurements, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective fuel heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically calculates and adjusts the heating power based on real-time temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. The system self-regulates by comparing the initial fuel temperature with the target temperature and applying the appropriate heating power without requiring external pressure sensor input or complex multi-parameter calculations.
2Ease of operation
If fuel pressure sensor is mandatory for temperature control, then temperature adjustment is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inability to know upstream heater temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the fuel temperature upstream of the heater. The control unit receives this temperature feedback and automatically adjusts the heating power to achieve the target temperature. This closed-loop temperature feedback eliminates the need for pressure sensors and provides accurate measurement of the actual heating conditions.
3Productivity
If complicated heated fuel behavior model is used, then fuel injection control is improved, but device complexity increases with two injection control models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the control approach by changing the fundamental parameter from using complex behavioral models based on fuel pressure and temperature interactions to a direct temperature-based control method. The system only monitors fuel temperature and adjusts heating power accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple injection control models and complex heated fuel behavior calculations while maintaining effective fuel injection control.
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 approach simplifies and enhances fuel preheating in cold conditions, leading to a more homogeneous air-fuel mixture, decreased fuel injection amounts, and reduced pollutant emissions by ensuring the fuel is preheated to a consistent target temperature before engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fuel-heating device arranged in contact with the fuel... calculating a preheating power ppre necessary to be applied in the heater 3... applying a preheating power ppre calculated in the heater 3
Data Source
AI summary
Method of preheating and controlling the temperature of fuel injected into a combustion engine to enable a reduction in the amount of fuel injected into engines which may be powered both by pure gasoline and by ethanol or any biofuel mixture, where the engine is located in environments with low temperatures and extremely cold temperatures.