Gas Engine Intake Manifold Pressure Wave Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating air-to-fuel ratios in gas engines are inaccurate due to assumptions of uniform pressure throughout the intake manifold and the presence of pressure waves caused by valve opening and closing, leading to errors in sensor-based pressure measurements.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a pressure estimation computing device that models fluid dynamics to estimate pressure levels in gas engines by segmenting the intake manifold into sections, defining fluid transmission lines, and creating interconnected 2-port elements to form a network with zero net flow and equal pressure, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of air-to-fuel ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sensor-based pressure measurement is used to estimate air-to-fuel ratio, then real-time control capability is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to pressure waves and turbulent conditions in the intake manifold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the intake manifold into multiple sections and models each section separately using 2-port fluid dynamics elements. This segmentation allows the system to account for local pressure variations and pressure waves in different manifold regions, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining real-time control capability through distributed sensing and modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid dynamics model with 2-port elements as an intermediary between the physical intake manifold and the control system. This model acts as a mediator that translates raw sensor measurements into accurate air-to-fuel ratio estimates by compensating for pressure wave effects and turbulent conditions, thus improving measurement precision without sacrificing real-time responsiveness.
2Device complexity
If uniform pressure assumption is made throughout the intake manifold, then calculation complexity is reduced, but estimation accuracy deteriorates due to pressure waves from valve operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assuming uniform pressure throughout the intake manifold, the patent segments the manifold into multiple sections with distinct pressure characteristics. Each segment is modeled separately using 2-port fluid dynamics elements, which captures pressure wave variations from valve operations while maintaining manageable calculation complexity through modular computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static uniform pressure assumption to a dynamic pressure distribution model. The 2-port fluid dynamics model dynamically adjusts pressure values in different manifold sections based on real-time valve positions and flow conditions, accurately capturing pressure wave effects while maintaining computational efficiency through structured mathematical formulations.
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
This approach improves the accuracy of air-to-fuel ratio control and combustion performance by accounting for pressure waves and turbulent conditions, enabling real-time monitoring and enhanced fuel injection control.
Implementation Method 1
defining a fluid dynamics model associated with each of the plurality of segments, defining a plurality of interconnected 2-port elements based on the plurality of fluid dynamics models
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for detecting errors in a sensor at a gas cylinder is implemented by a pressure estimation computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The method includes receiving a first pressure measurement from a first sensor associated with a gas cylinder, receiving a design schema describing an intake manifold, the intake manifold included within the gas engine, segmenting the design schema into a plurality of segments, defining a fluid dynamics model associated with each of the plurality of segments, defining a plurality of interconnected 2-port elements based on the plurality of fluid dynamics models, estimating a second pressure measurement for the gas cylinder based on the plurality of interconnected 2-port elements, comparing the first pressure measurement to the second pressure measurement, and determining that the first sensor is in an anomalous state.