Gaseous Fuel Supply Temperature Control for Low-Load Engines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems face challenges in precisely controlling the output due to limitations in gaseous fuel injection, particularly in low load regions, where the minimum injection period restricts accurate control of the gaseous fuel supply amount.

Innovation Solution

A fuel supply device with a gaseous fuel adjustment unit and a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the supply amount and temperature of gaseous fuel based on the operation status and environment, combined with a control device to manage the flow rate of a heat exchange medium, allowing precise control of gaseous fuel supply to the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the valve opening period of the gaseous fuel supply valve is adjusted to control engine output, then the engine output can be controlled, but in low load regions the minimum injection period restriction prevents accurate control of the gaseous fuel injection amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaseous fuel injection amount control precisionVSAvoidminimum injection period restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the gaseous fuel to control the injection amount. By adjusting the temperature of the gaseous fuel supplied to the combustion chamber, the system can precisely control the fuel injection amount even when the valve opening period is at its minimum, thereby resolving the contradiction between control precision and operational constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the gaseous fuel supply valve is used to input gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, then the engine can generate power, but it is difficult to appropriately control minute engine output that is less than the engine output in the minimum injection period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine outputVSAvoidminute engine output control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature as a control parameter for gaseous fuel. By controlling the temperature of the gaseous fuel in addition to the valve opening period, the system can achieve precise control of minute engine outputs that were previously uncontrollable due to the minimum injection period restriction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the fuel flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of gaseous fuel, then the supply amount can be controlled, but the minimum injection period restriction prevents accurate control in low load regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaseous fuel supply amountVSAvoidlow load region control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the gaseous fuel to enable precise control of the supply amount. By adjusting the temperature of the gaseous fuel, the system can accurately control the fuel supply amount in low load regions where the minimum injection period restriction would otherwise prevent precise control.

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 control of gaseous fuel supply, thereby accurately managing engine output, even in low load regions, by adjusting temperature and pressure to match target engine outputs.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature adjustment unit has a heat exchange unit circulating a heat exchange medium to act on the gaseous fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4613996A1Fuel supply device and engine system
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4613996A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613996A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613996A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a fuel supply device and engine system, being capable of precisely controlling the supply amount of gaseous fuel and precisely controlling the output of an engine. [Solution] A fuel supply device 3 supplying at least gaseous fuel to a supply target such as an engine 2 includes a gaseous fuel supply unit 16 that is a gaseous fuel adjustment unit adjusting the supply amount of the gaseous fuel and supplying the gaseous fuel to the supply target; and a temperature adjustment unit 14 that adjusts the temperature of the gaseous fuel supplied to the gaseous fuel supply unit 16 according to the operation status and/or the operation environment of the supply target.