Hydraulic Rail Injector Pressure Control for Gaseous Fuel Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-fuel systems face challenges in effectively regulating the pressure differential between gaseous and liquid fuels, leading to leakage and inefficiencies due to high electromagnetic energy requirements for solenoid valves and large solenoids, particularly in high-pressure systems.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulation system that includes a rail injector hydraulically actuated by a hydraulic fluid, a gaseous-fluid rail with a pressure sensor, and a controller to manage the injection of gaseous fluid based on measured rail pressure, along with a liquid-fluid regulator to maintain a predetermined pressure differential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-speed solenoid valves are used to control gaseous fuel pressure, then pressure regulation can be achieved, but electromagnetic energy requirements become excessively large and solenoid size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic fluid as an intermediary substance to transmit control pressure. Instead of using electromagnetic force to directly control high-pressure gaseous fuel, the system uses hydraulic fluid at lower pressure to actuate valve members, thereby mediating the control process and reducing electromagnetic energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid fuel or hydraulic fluid to generate control pressure for actuating valve members. This hydraulic actuation mechanism replaces direct electromagnetic actuation, allowing pressure control with significantly reduced electromagnetic energy consumption.
2Reliability
If hydraulic fluid pressure is increased to prevent gaseous fuel leakage, then sealing effectiveness improves, but liquid fuel leaks into the gaseous-fuel chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pressure differential parameter between hydraulic fluid and gaseous fuel. By maintaining the hydraulic fluid pressure within a specific range (sufficiently above gaseous fuel pressure to ensure sealing, but not excessively high), the system achieves effective sealing while preventing liquid fuel from leaking into the gaseous-fuel chamber.
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 efficiently regulates the pressure differential between gaseous and liquid fuels, reducing leakage and energy consumption while maintaining precise control over fluid injection, thereby enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the gaseous-fluid rail and is responsive to the gaseous-fluid rail pressure to emit signals representative of the gaseous-fluid rail pressure
Implementation Method 2
A rail injector is in fluid communication with both the gaseous fluid supply and the hydraulic fluid supply and is hydraulically actuated with the hydraulic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulation system for a gaseous fluid includes a gaseous fluid supply and a hydraulic fluid supply of a hydraulic fluid. A rail injector is in fluid communication with the gaseous fluid supply and the hydraulic fluid supply and is hydraulically actuated with the hydraulic fluid. A gaseous-fluid rail is in fluid communication with the rail injector and in selective fluid communication with the gaseous fluid supply. A pressure sensor in fluid communication with the gaseous-fluid rail is responsive to gaseous-fluid rail pressure to emit signals representative thereof. A controller communicatively configured with the pressure sensor and the rail injector is programmed to receive the signals representative of the gaseous-fluid rail pressure to determine a measured gaseous-fluid rail pressure; and to actuate the rail injector to inject the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply into the gaseous-fluid rail as a function of the measured gaseous-fluid rail pressure.