Gas Engine Fuel Pressure Control for Rapid Load Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas engines face challenges in achieving desired output when load increases rapidly or when the calorific value of the fuel gas is low, due to limitations in fuel injection period and pressure differences between fuel supply and intake air pressures.

Innovation Solution

A gas engine drive system that dynamically adjusts the pressure difference between fuel supply and intake air pressures by changing the target value from a first setting to a second setting when load increases or calorific value decreases, allowing for increased fuel injection and maintaining optimal output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the fuel injection period is kept within its upper limit for normal operation, then the gas engine operates optimally under normal conditions, but the fuel injection amount becomes insufficient when load increases rapidly or when calorific value is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel injection amountVSAvoidfuel injection period
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure difference parameter between fuel supply pressure and intake air pressure from its normal constant value to a larger value when load increases rapidly or when calorific value is low. This parameter change enables increased fuel injection amount per unit time, allowing the fuel injection period to remain within its upper limit while achieving the necessary fuel injection amount for desired engine output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the pressure difference between fuel supply pressure and intake air pressure is kept constant for normal operation, then the fuel injection system operates efficiently, but the fuel injection amount cannot be increased when rapid load increase or low calorific value occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel injection amountVSAvoidpressure control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static pressure difference control into a dynamic control system. The pressure regulating valve is controlled to maintain a constant pressure difference under normal conditions, but when load increases rapidly or when calorific value is low, the controller increases the pressure difference to a larger value. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying operational requirements without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If the fuel injection period is extended to inject more fuel gas, then the fuel injection amount increases, but the fuel injection valve cannot complete injection before reaching its upper limit period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel gas amountVSAvoidfuel injection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure difference parameter to increase the fuel injection rate. By increasing the pressure difference between fuel supply pressure and intake air pressure, the patent achieves higher fuel injection amount per unit time, enabling the fuel injection valve to inject the necessary amount of fuel gas within its maximum injection period capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the gas engine to achieve desired output even under conditions of rapid load increase or low calorific value by increasing fuel injection amount before reaching fuel injection period limits, ensuring optimal performance and maintaining output.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure difference between the fuel supply pressure and the intake air pressure is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3376012B1Gas engine drive system
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3376012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376012B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A gas engine drive system includes: a gas engine; a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine that are connected to the gas engine; a fuel injection valve provided on the gas engine; a fuel supply line that leads a fuel gas to the fuel injection valve, the fuel supply line being provided with a pressure regulating valve; a first pressure meter that detects an intake air pressure that is a pressure of intake air fed from the compressor to the gas engine; a second pressure meter that detects a fuel supply pressure that is a pressure at a downstream side of the pressure regulating valve; and a controller that controls the pressure regulating valve such that a pressure difference between the fuel supply pressure and the intake air pressure is a target value. The controller changes the target value from a first setting value to a second setting value higher than the first setting value when a load on the gas engine increases rapidly or when a calorific value of the fuel gas is less than a threshold.