Hydrogen Engine Crankcase Venting via Intake Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems using hydrogen fuel face challenges in reducing hydrogen concentration in the crank chamber without requiring additional space for ventilation fans, which complicates integration with vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
A controller that calculates hydrogen concentration based on pressure reduction processes, switching drive modes to motoring or limit control, and adjusting throttle and compressor settings to manage hydrogen discharge without ventilation fans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ventilation fan is provided to discharge hydrogen gas from the crank chamber, then the hydrogen concentration in the crank chamber is reduced, but spatial restrictions are added when the internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ventilation function from a separate mechanical fan component and integrates it into the existing intake system. By utilizing the intake passage and throttle valve as part of the ventilation mechanism, the system eliminates the need for a dedicated ventilation fan, thereby reducing spatial requirements while maintaining hydrogen discharge capability
Solution Approach 2:
The intake passage and throttle valve serve dual functions: their primary function for air intake during engine operation, and a secondary function as a ventilation path for discharging hydrogen gas from the crank chamber. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ventilation components, resolving the spatial contradiction
2Reliability
If a ventilation fan is provided to discharge hydrogen gas, then hydrogen concentration is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is extracted from a separate fan mechanism and reorganized to use existing system components. By removing the need for a dedicated ventilation fan and its associated mounting, wiring, and control components, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining the essential hydrogen discharge function
Solution Approach 2:
Existing components (intake passage, throttle valve) are given multiple functions - serving both as air intake pathways during normal operation and as ventilation channels for hydrogen discharge. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated ventilation components, thereby reducing device complexity
3Reliability
If pressure reduction process is executed to discharge hydrogen gas, then hydrogen concentration is reduced without ventilation fan, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own operational parameters (throttle valve control, intake pressure variations) to create the pressure differential needed for hydrogen discharge. Rather than requiring an external active ventilation system, the engine's normal operation provides the necessary pressure changes to drive hydrogen gas from the crank chamber through the intake passage
Solution Approach 2:
The control system manages hydrogen concentration by dynamically adjusting operational parameters such as throttle valve opening degree and intake pressure. By manipulating these existing control parameters, the system achieves hydrogen discharge functionality without adding complex dedicated ventilation control mechanisms
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 reduces hydrogen concentration in the crank chamber, preventing ignition risks while optimizing engine performance and reducing spatial constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a process that, when a condition is met, in which the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to a predetermined determination value, causes a pressure in the downstream passage to be lower than that at a point in time when the condition is met
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A controller, a control method, and a storage medium for a vehicle (90) are provided. A hydrogen concentration calculating process (S10) calculates a hydrogen concentration in a specific portion of a target region based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine (10). The internal combustion engine (10) uses hydrogen as fuel. A downstream passage (3A) is a portion of an intake passage (3) of the internal combustion engine (10) that is downstream of a throttle valve (29). A connecting passage (51) connects a crank chamber (11) of the internal combustion engine (10) to the downstream passage (3A). The target region is a region including the crank chamber (11) and the connecting passage (51). When a condition is met (S20: YES), in which the hydrogen concentration is greater than or equal to a predetermined determination value (JS), a pressure reduction process (S40; S110) causes a pressure in the downstream passage (3A) to be lower than that at a point in time when the condition is met (S20: YES).