Fuel Temperature Control for Engine Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines powered by gasoline or biofuel mixtures face challenges in reducing pollutant emissions, particularly particulates, due to incomplete combustion and fuel impingement, despite the use of Gasoline Particulate Filters, and existing fuel temperature control methods are inefficient and complex.
Innovation Solution
A simplified method for controlling fuel temperature in engines using an electronic fuel injection control unit, a fuel-heating device, and a heating control unit that measures and adjusts the fuel temperature downstream of the heater to a target temperature, calculating and applying the necessary power to maintain optimal fuel heating, thereby improving atomization and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a fuel heater is used to heat the fuel before injection, then the atomization of fuel spray is improved and emissions are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for fuel pressure sensors and complex control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel temperature control function from the complex system requiring pressure sensors and separate control logic. By using a pre-heated fuel tank design, the temperature control is integrated into the fuel storage system itself, eliminating the need for separate heating control mechanisms downstream in the fuel delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel is heated in advance within the fuel tank before being delivered to the engine. This preliminary heating action ensures that the fuel arrives at the injection system already at the optimal temperature, eliminating the need for additional heating devices and complex real-time temperature control logic during fuel delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the target fuel temperature is adjusted according to fuel pressure measured by a pressure sensor, then the fuel temperature control is adapted to operating conditions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank system is designed to automatically maintain optimal fuel temperature through its own thermal characteristics and pre-heating capability. The system self-regulates without requiring external pressure sensors or complex electronic control logic to adjust target temperature based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-heated fuel tank serves multiple functions: it stores fuel, maintains optimal temperature for atomization, and provides consistent temperature across different operating conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature control systems that would require pressure sensors and complex adaptation logic.
3Manufacturing precision
If two injection control models are used to control fuel injection amount based on heated and unheated fuel behavior, then the fuel injection precision is improved, but the device complexity and control logic complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-heating the fuel in the tank before injection, the fuel properties are standardized at the source. This eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments based on heated versus unheated fuel behavior, as the fuel is already in the optimal state for injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fuel in advance through pre-heating, which fundamentally alters the fuel's physical properties (viscosity, atomization characteristics). This single parameter change at the source simplifies control logic compared to continuously adjusting injection parameters based on real-time temperature and pressure measurements.
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 method enhances the atomization of the fuel spray, leading to a more homogeneous air-fuel mixture, decreases the amount of fuel injected, and reduces pollutant emissions, including particulates, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, while being more energy-efficient and less complex than existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fuel-heating device positioned in contact with the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
Method of 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 by any biofuel mixture.