Gaseous Fuel Injection Control for Engine State Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engines require sophisticated electronic control to manage ignition and injection timing due to differences from conventional diesel engines, necessitating a more advanced fuel injection control method that adapts to various engine states and operating conditions to maintain performance and reduce emissions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection control method that receives input data on engine speed and operating conditions, using look-up tables to adjust gaseous fuel rail pressure, injection timing, and pilot fuel parameters based on predefined engine states such as normal operation, particulate filter regeneration, and altitude, ensuring optimal combustion and emission control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If gaseous fuel is substituted for diesel fuel, then emissions are reduced, but ignition reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (pilot fuel or glow plug) to facilitate the ignition of gaseous fuel. The pilot fuel, typically a small amount of diesel or another combustible liquid, is injected first to create a flame that then ignites the main gaseous fuel charge. Alternatively, a glow plug provides a hot surface to initiate combustion. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable ignition of gaseous fuel without requiring higher compression ratios, thus maintaining emissions benefits while achieving ignition reliability.
2Device complexity
If conventional diesel engine compression ratio is used, then engine simplicity is maintained, but gaseous fuel ignition fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary ignition aid (pilot fuel injection system or glow plug) that allows the engine to maintain its original compression ratio and basic structure. This approach preserves engine simplicity while solving the ignition problem of gaseous fuel, avoiding the need to redesign the engine with higher compression ratios or completely new ignition systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ignition approach parameter from relying solely on compression heat to using an external ignition source (pilot fuel or glow plug). This parameter change allows the engine to continue operating with conventional compression ratios while reliably igniting gaseous fuel, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving reliable combustion.
3Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated electronic control is implemented, then fuel injection precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms where sensors monitor engine parameters (such as crankshaft position, fuel pressure, temperature, and emission levels) and the electronic control unit continuously adjusts injection timing, duration, and pilot fuel ratios accordingly. This feedback system achieves precise fuel injection control adapted to varying operating conditions while managing system complexity through integrated electronic management that coordinates multiple subsystems efficiently.
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 method enables efficient and adaptive fuel injection strategies, matching the power and efficiency of conventional diesel engines while reducing emissions and improving responsiveness to different operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
gaseous fuels can be injected into an engine's combustion chamber at lower pressure because no extra energy is required for fuel atomization
Implementation Method 2
the heat produced by the mechanical compression of the fuel and air mixture auto-ignites the liquid diesel fuel charge at or near the end of the piston's compression stroke
Implementation Method 3
the heat produced by the mechanical compression of the fuel and air mixture auto-ignites the liquid diesel fuel charge
Implementation Method 4
an ignition assisting device, such as a hot surface provided by a glow plug
Data Source
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AI summary
The method comprises receiving from the vehicle controller, values associated with the engine speed and of another parameter indicative of the engine operating conditions, such as the total fuelling amount, and controlling the fuel injection parameters according to the engine state, which, for example, can include a normal operation mode, a filter regeneration mode, an engine protection mode, high or low transient load modes, and operating at different altitudes, through algorithms implemented in an electronic controller.