Gas Fuel Supply Device With Temperature-Based Injection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems face challenges in accurately controlling gas fuel injection amounts in low load regions and suppressing fuel diffusion, limiting precise engine output control and fuel supply efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fuel supply device with a gas fuel adjustment unit, temperature adjustment unit, and pressure adjustment device, controlled by a control device, to finely manage gas fuel supply volume, temperature, and pressure based on engine operation states and environments, using a common housing for the pressure and temperature adjustment units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the valve opening period of the gas fuel supply valve is adjusted to control engine output, then the engine output control is achieved, but the minimum injection period is restricted by the gas fuel supply valve making it difficult to accurately control gas fuel injection amount in low load region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine output controlVSAvoidgas fuel injection amount control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the gas fuel to control the supply volume. By adjusting the temperature of the gas fuel upstream of the supply valve, the density and flow characteristics change, enabling fine control of injection amount independent of the valve opening period constraints. This allows accurate control in low load regions where traditional valve timing adjustment is limited.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the gas fuel supply volume is increased to meet engine demand, then the engine power output is improved, but the diffusion of gas fuel leaking from components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine power outputVSAvoidgas fuel diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes temperature as a control parameter to manage gas fuel properties. By controlling the temperature of the gas fuel, the system can adjust density and viscosity characteristics, which helps contain the fuel and reduce diffusion from leakage points while maintaining adequate supply volume for engine power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the gas fuel temperature is not adjusted, then the system structure is simple, but the supply volume control precision is insufficient for fine engine output control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsupply volume control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature adjustment as an additional control parameter to achieve precise supply volume control. By incorporating a temperature adjustment unit that modifies gas fuel temperature upstream of the supply valve, the system gains fine control capability over injection volume without requiring complex valve timing mechanisms, thus achieving precision control with moderate added complexity.

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 precise engine output control and reduces gas fuel diffusion by finely adjusting supply volume and pressure, enhancing engine operation efficiency and stability.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature adjustment unit includes a heat exchange unit that allows a heat exchange medium to flow therethrough and act on the gas fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a pressure adjustment device that adjusts supply pressure of the gas fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure adjustment: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4613997A1Fuel supply device and engine system
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4613997A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613997A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613997A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] Provided are a fuel supply device and an engine system that can suppress diffusion of a gas fuel leaking from each component when the fuel is supplied to an engine. [Solution] A fuel supply device 3 that supplies at least a gas fuel to a predetermined supply target such as an engine 2 includes: a gas fuel supply unit 16 as a gas fuel adjustment unit that adjusts a supply volume of the gas fuel and supplies the gas fuel to the supply target; a pressure adjustment device 13 that adjusts supply pressure of the gas fuel; and a temperature adjustment unit 14 that is disposed between the pressure adjustment device 13 and the gas fuel supply unit 16 in a supply direction of the gas fuel and adjusts, in accordance with an operation state and/or an operation environment of the supply target, a temperature of the gas fuel supplied to the gas fuel supply unit 16. The pressure adjustment device 13 and the temperature adjustment unit 14 are accommodated in a common housing 18.