Internal Combustion Engine Control for Fluctuating Hydrogen Fuel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The fluctuating hydrogen content in fuel gas mixtures for internal combustion engines leads to significant nitrogen oxide emissions that can exceed legal limits, requiring additional sensors and complex control measures, and depletes the throttle valve reserve necessary for engine dynamics.
Innovation Solution
Adjust the combustion air ratio and ignition timing based on detected nitrogen oxide concentrations and throttle valve reserve to maintain engine efficiency and adhere to emission limits without a separate hydrogen sensor, using existing engine components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the combustion air ratio is adjusted to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, then emission compliance is improved, but the throttle valve reserve is depleted, worsening engine dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition timing is dynamically adjusted based on the detected throttle valve reserve to maintain engine responsiveness. When the throttle valve reserve decreases due to combustion air ratio adjustments for emission control, the system compensates by optimizing ignition timing, thereby preserving engine dynamics while maintaining emission compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the ignition timing parameter in response to throttle valve reserve conditions. By detecting the throttle valve reserve and adjusting ignition timing accordingly, the system compensates for the effects of combustion air ratio adjustments, maintaining both emission compliance and engine dynamics through parameter optimization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hydrogen sensor and additional control measures are used to manage fluctuating hydrogen content, then emission control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing nitrogen oxide sensor is used for dual purposes: monitoring emissions and indirectly managing combustion control. By leveraging the universal capability of the control system to handle multiple functions with existing components, the patent avoids the need for additional hydrogen sensors while maintaining effective emission control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses its own existing sensors and actuators to manage the combustion process adaptively. The system self-regulates by detecting nitrogen oxide concentrations and adjusting combustion parameters, eliminating the need for external hydrogen sensing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the combustion air ratio is increased to lower nitrogen oxide concentration, then emission compliance is improved, but engine power output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes ignition timing as a compensating parameter when combustion air ratio is adjusted for emission control. By changing the ignition timing parameter in response to combustion air ratio changes, the system maintains engine power output while achieving the desired reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions through combustion optimization.
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 regulates nitrogen oxide emissions to comply with legal limits and maintains engine dynamics by adjusting combustion air ratio and ignition timing, avoiding the need for additional sensors and ensuring stable engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a nitrogen oxide sensor arranged in an exhaust gas path of the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
a fuel gas with a fluctuating hydrogen content is introduced into an air path of the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 3
a combustion air ratio for a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes: introducing a fuel gas with a fluctuating hydrogen content into an air path of the internal combustion engine; adjusting a combustion air ratio for a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine via a predeterminable fuel gas mass flow into the air path; adjusting a power variable of the internal combustion engine by a throttle valve that is arranged in the air path; detecting a nitrogen oxide concentration in an exhaust gas path of the internal combustion engine; adjusting the combustion air ratio depending on the nitrogen oxide concentration that is detected; detecting a throttle valve reserve in the air path; and selecting an ignition timing in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine depending on the throttle valve reserve that is detected.