Gas Engine Integrative Control for Transient Load Responsivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas engine control methods face challenges in achieving rapid and stable load responsivity, accurate air-fuel ratio control, and efficient operation, particularly during transient conditions such as load application or rejection, leading to issues like slow response, excessive fuel supply, and non-compliance with exhaust emission regulations.
Innovation Solution
An integrative control method for gas engines that combines fuel gas flow control via a fuel gas flow control valve and air-fuel mixture flow control via a throttle valve, using feedback control to maintain optimal air-fuel ratios and adjust fuel gas flow rates based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for expensive oxygen sensors and reducing pumping losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional separate control methods are used for air-fuel ratio control and engine speed control, then the control system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load responsivity is slow and the coordinated control during transient operation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate air-fuel ratio control and engine speed control into a single integrative control system. The electronic control unit simultaneously processes both control objectives using a unified control algorithm that coordinates fuel gas flow control valve and throttle valve operations, achieving improved load responsivity while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated design
2Speed
If only throttle valve control is used for engine speed control, then the device complexity is low, but the response speed during transient operation is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the engine speed control function into two independent control elements: fuel gas flow control valve for rapid fuel supply adjustment and throttle valve for air flow regulation. This segmentation allows each valve to operate independently with optimized response characteristics, achieving fast overall response speed while keeping individual control mechanisms relatively simple
3Productivity
If fuel gas flow is increased rapidly during load application, then the load responsivity is improved, but the air-fuel ratio control accuracy deteriorates leading to excessive fuel supply and emission non-compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the electronic control unit continuously monitors engine operating conditions and dynamically adjusts both fuel gas flow control valve and throttle valve based on actual performance. This coordinated feedback control ensures that when fuel gas flow is increased for rapid load response, the throttle valve simultaneously adjusts air flow to maintain accurate air-fuel ratio, preventing excessive fuel supply and ensuring emission compliance
4Loss of energy
If conventional control methods are used, then the system is easy to manufacture, but pumping losses increase during transient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic coordinated control where both fuel gas flow control valve and throttle valve are actively adjusted in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic optimization allows the system to maintain efficient air flow and fuel mixing across varying loads, minimizing pumping losses during transient operation while using a control system that remains manufacturable through integration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrative control method and device for controlling gas engines is proposed which is improved load responsivity of the engine in transient operation. The control method comprises a speed control process for controlling engine rotation speed by controlling the fuel gas flow control valve based on deviation of actual engine rotation speed from a target command value of rotation speed, and an air fuel ratio control process for controlling air fuel ratio of fuel-air mixture by controlling throttle valve opening based on deviation of the actual mixture flow rate from the command value of mixture flow rate, whereby at least either fuel gas flow correction or fuel-air mixture flow correction is performed when time-series variation of input signals relating to performance change of the gas engine exceeds a reference range determined beforehand, the fuel gas flow correction being performed by correcting control variables of the fuel gas flow control valve in the speed control process, and the mixture flow correction being performed by correcting opening of the throttle valve in the air fuel ratio control process.