Hydrogen Injector Control Across Variable Tank Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines face limitations in efficiency and complexity due to pressure restrictions, requiring costly pumps or regulators, which affect vehicle range and performance.
Innovation Solution
A controller determines an injection strategy for hydrogen fuel injectors based on engine operating parameters and available fuel pressure, allowing operation across a wide pressure range (20-700 bar) without regulators or pumps, using varying injection and ignition strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure hydrogen injection is used to improve engine performance and reduce fuel consumption, then engine efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to requiring expensive pumps or compressors to maintain high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump or compressor from the hydrogen fuel injection system, extracting the pressure-maintaining function entirely. The system directly uses storage tank pressure (20-700 bar) for injection without requiring active pressure generation equipment, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high pressure injection benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tank itself serves as the pressure source, eliminating the need for external pumps or compressors. The system leverages the natural pressure differential between the storage tank and injection point, allowing the tank to 'self-service' the pressure requirement without additional mechanical components
2Productivity
If high pressure storage is used to maintain injection pressure, then injection performance is improved, but vehicle range is limited due to storage tank pressure reduction as fuel is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts injection parameters (timing, duration, quantity) based on real-time storage tank pressure levels. As pressure decreases during fuel consumption, the controller adjusts injection strategy to maintain optimal performance throughout the vehicle's operating range, from full tank at 700 bar down to 20 bar
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the injection system based on available pressure. The controller modifies injection timing, duration, and quantity according to the storage tank pressure level, allowing the system to operate effectively across the entire pressure range from 20 to 700 bar without requiring constant high pressure
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressure regulation is used to maintain consistent injection pressure, then injection stability is improved, but system complexity increases due to requiring regulators and accumulators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pressure regulators and accumulators from the system, extracting the pressure control function. Instead of actively regulating pressure, the system accepts variable tank pressure and adapts injection parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure control components
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for determining an injection strategy for a fuel injector within a hydrogen fuel injection system within an engine, the controller comprising: an input arranged to receive an engine operating parameter and a pressure signal associated with the pressure of hydrogen fuel available for injection from the injector in the fuel injection system; a processor arranged to determine an injection strategy for the injector in dependence on the received pressure signal and engine control parameter, the determined injection strategy comprising one or more injector control signals to control operation of the fuel injector; an output arranged to output the one or more control signals to the fuel injector.