Gas Pressure Regulator Preheating in Monovalent CNG Cold Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold start systems for compressed gas-operated vehicles with monovalent fuel supply face challenges in preventing icing of fuel supply components, particularly the gas pressure regulator, during cold start and warm-up phases, as the available warm fluid from the cooling circuit is limited.
Innovation Solution
A cold start system that integrates an auxiliary heating unit powered by compressed gas, which heats a circulating fluid through an auxiliary heater preheating circuit, including a gas pressure regulator heating circuit, with switchable valves to manage heat distribution and ensure the gas pressure regulator is prioritarily heated to prevent freezing, and subsequently heats the internal combustion engine and vehicle interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auxiliary heating unit heats the circulating fluid through the auxiliary heater preheating circuit, then the gas pressure regulator is heated to prevent freezing, but the available warm fluid from the cooling circuit is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heating unit is activated before the internal combustion engine starts to preheat the circulating fluid and the gas pressure regulator. This preliminary heating action ensures that the fuel supply system components are warmed up before cold start conditions set in, preventing icing while the engine is being started.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is divided into separate circuits: the auxiliary heater preheating circuit for heating the circulating fluid and the gas pressure regulator heating circuit for specifically heating the gas pressure regulator. This segmentation allows targeted heating of critical components with limited warm fluid resources.
2Reliability
If switchable valves are used to manage heat distribution and prioritize heating of the gas pressure regulator, then the gas pressure regulator is effectively heated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Switchable valves are incorporated into the heating circuits to dynamically redirect the flow of warm fluid based on operational requirements. During cold start, the valves prioritize directing warm fluid to the gas pressure regulator, and later redirect to the interior heating circuit, allowing adaptive heat distribution without permanent complex routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable valves act as intermediaries that control and manage the distribution of warm fluid between different heating circuits. These valves simplify the overall system design by providing a straightforward control mechanism rather than requiring complex permanent routing or multiple heating units.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the auxiliary heating unit is powered by compressed gas, then efficient use of monovalent fuel is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heating unit is designed to be powered by compressed gas, the same monovalent fuel that powers the internal combustion engine. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to use a single fuel type for both propulsion and heating operations, eliminating the need for separate fuel storage and delivery systems for different fuel types.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel supply system is merged into a unified monovalent system where the compressed gas fuel supply serves both the internal combustion engine and the auxiliary heating unit. This consolidation reduces the overall complexity by eliminating redundant fuel storage tanks, pressure regulators, and delivery infrastructure that would be required for multiple fuel types.
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
Effectively prevents the gas pressure regulator from freezing by prioritizing its heating, ensuring operational reliability and efficient use of monovalent fuel, while also providing heat to the internal combustion engine and vehicle interior, thus enhancing the cold start and warm-up capabilities of the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
at least one auxiliary heating unit (20), also powered by gas, which heats a circulating fluid
Implementation Method 2
The fluid is guided in an auxiliary heating preheating circuit in which a preheating circuit pump (21) is arranged
Implementation Method 3
a pressure reducing device for reducing fuel pressure from a tank pressure to a supply pressure of a fuel injection device
Implementation Method 4
an internal combustion engine (10), which is operated exclusively with compressed gas
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cold start system and to an associated method for a vehicle which is operated with compressed gas and which has a monovalent fuel supply. A cold start system (100) and an associated method for operating the cold start system (100) are provided, which cold start system is provided for a monovalent internal combustion engine (10) operated with a gas. The cold start system (100) comprises at least one engine-independent heater apparatus (20) which is likewise operated with the gas and which warms a circulatory fluid which is conducted in an engine-independent heater pre-warming circuit (20VL, 20RL) in which a pre-warming circuit pump (21) is arranged, wherein a feed line (20VL) of the engine-independent heater pre-warming circuit (20VL, 20RL) has at least one first branch to a heating circuit (30VL, 30RL) of at least one component (30) for warming, the return line (30RL) of which heating circuit is connected into the return line (20RL) of the engine-independent heater pre-warming circuit.