Glow Plug Localized Heating for Diesel Cold Start Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diesel engines face challenges in starting in cold conditions due to reduced effectiveness of air compression in raising the air temperature to the fuel ignition temperature, as heat is absorbed by the engine block, leading to incomplete fuel ignition.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a glow plug with a resistive heating element within the combustion chamber to create a localized high-temperature region, allowing for auto-ignition of fuel, reducing reliance on air compression and cetane number, and facilitating cold-start engine ignition by directing fuel towards the heated region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air compression is used to ignite fuel, then fuel ignition can occur, but in cold weather the air temperature does not reach sufficient levels for complete fuel ignition
Solution Approach 1:
A glow plug is introduced as an intermediary heating device between the air compression system and the fuel. The glow plug generates localized high temperature through resistive heating, serving as a mediator that ensures fuel ignition even when air compression temperature is insufficient in cold weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the entire combustion chamber to reach high temperature, the invention applies local quality by concentrating heating in a specific localized region through the glow plug. This localized heated region has temperature sufficient for fuel ignition, while the rest of the combustion chamber maintains lower temperature.
2Reliability
If glow plugs are used to raise temperature, then fuel ignition can be facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glow plug system is designed to be self-regulating through thermal feedback. The glow plug automatically adjusts its heating based on the temperature differential between the heated region and the surrounding environment, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable fuel ignition.
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
The system effectively ignites fuel during cold starts by providing a localized heated region, ensuring consistent engine starting even in low temperatures, with the glow plug maintaining high temperatures to support prolonged engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a glow plug with a resistive heating element within the combustion chamber to create a localized high-temperature region
Implementation Method 2
Air may be drawn into a cylinder and may be highly compressed, causing the temperature of the air to increase to a temperature sufficient to cause fuel exposed to the compressed air to ignite
Implementation Method 3
the equivalence ratio of the fuel in the heated region may achieve a value such that T1 provides auto-ignition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to combusting fuel during cold start. A glow-plug may be provided within a combustion chamber having a volume including a piston, wherein the glow plug may provide a localized heated region. Air may then be provided into the chamber and compressed. A mass of fuel may also be provided into the combustion chamber, wherein an amount of the fuel mass may be directed towards the localized heated region of the glow plug, wherein the heated region of the glow plug may have a temperature T1, and the equivalence ratio of the fuel in the heated region achieves a value that the temperature T1 provides auto-ignition. All or a portion of the mass of fuel directed towards the heated region of said glow plug may be ignited, and then the remainder of the fuel may be ignited by auto-ignition and/or flame propagation.