Integrative Gas Engine Control for Load Responsivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas engine control methods face challenges in responding quickly to load changes, leading to instability in engine speed and air-fuel ratio, which affects performance, efficiency, and compliance with emission regulations, and require expensive sensors and multiple control devices.
Innovation Solution
An integrative control method that uses a fuel gas flow control valve to mix fuel gas with air and controls the mixture flow rate via a throttle valve, allowing for simultaneous and coordinated control of engine speed and air-fuel ratio through feedback mechanisms, eliminating the need for expensive sensors and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate control devices are used for speed control and air-fuel ratio control, then each control function can be independently implemented, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines speed control and air-fuel ratio control into a single integrated control device that simultaneously manages both functions. The control device uses a microprocessor to execute control programs that coordinate fuel gas flow control valve adjustments for speed regulation and throttle valve adjustments for air-fuel ratio optimization, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control device performs multiple functions including speed control, air-fuel ratio control, and coordination of both functions simultaneously. The microprocessor-based system can adaptively adjust control parameters for different operating conditions, making the single device universally applicable to various engine operating states without requiring specialized separate control systems.
2Measurement precision
If oxygen sensors are used for air-fuel ratio control, then accurate air-fuel ratio can be maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses self-service by utilizing existing sensor data from the engine system (such as manifold pressure, temperature, and fuel flow measurements) to calculate and determine air-fuel ratio conditions. The microprocessor processes these available measurements to infer air-fuel ratio status and adjusts control parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for expensive external oxygen sensors while maintaining control accuracy through computational methods.
3Speed
If throttle valve is used for speed control, then engine speed can be regulated, but pumping losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically coordinates the operation of the fuel gas flow control valve and throttle valve based on real-time engine operating conditions. Instead of relying solely on throttle valve position for speed control, the system dynamically adjusts fuel gas flow to achieve speed regulation with minimal throttling, thereby reducing pumping losses while maintaining effective speed control through adaptive parameter adjustment.
4Productivity
If fuel gas flow is increased for rapid load response, then load responsiveness improves, but air-fuel ratio control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated control system implements feedback mechanisms where the microprocessor continuously monitors engine operating parameters including manifold pressure, temperature, and calculated air-fuel ratio status. When rapid load response is required, the system adjusts fuel gas flow while simultaneously monitoring the resulting air-fuel ratio changes and making real-time corrections to maintain accuracy, enabling both rapid response and precise control through closed-loop feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes control parameters dynamically based on operating conditions. During transient load changes, the microprocessor adjusts fuel gas flow rate parameters and throttle valve position parameters in a coordinated manner, modifying control strategies to achieve rapid response while maintaining air-fuel ratio within acceptable ranges through adaptive parameter adjustment rather than fixed control modes.
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 enhances load responsiveness, stabilizes engine speed, maintains accurate air-fuel ratio control, reduces pumping losses, and prevents abnormal combustion, while being cost-effective and suitable for various engine operations.
Implementation Method 1
fuel gas introduced via a fuel supply pipe is mixed with air introduced via a charging air supply pipe and this mixture is supplied via a fuel-air mixture supply pipe to a combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
throttle valve to its fuel-air mixture supply pipe to control fuel-air mixture flow
Implementation Method 3
fuel gas introduced via a fuel supply pipe is mixed with air introduced via a charging air supply pipe
Implementation Method 4
driving power is generated by combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An integrative control method and device for controlling gas engines is proposed which is improved load responsivity of the engine while maintaining air fuel ratio control. The control method comprises a speed control process for controlling engine rotation speed by calculating a command value of fuel gas flow rate based on deviation of a detected engine rotation speed from a target command value of engine rotation speed and controlling fuel gas flow rate flowing through the fuel gas flow control valve to coincide with the calculated command value of fuel gas flow rate, and an air fuel ratio control process for controlling air fuel ratio of fuel-air mixture supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine through performing feedback control in which such a command value of fuel-air mixture flow rate is calculated that air fuel ratio of the mixture is appropriate with the fuel gas flow flowing at the commanded fuel gas flow rate and a target opening of the throttle valve is determined based on deviation of the actual mixture flow rate calculated based on detected values of operating conditions of the gas engine from the calculated command value of fuel-air mixture flow rate.