Integrated Throttle Mixer for Precise Gaseous Fuel Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaseous-fueled engines, such as those in electric generators, suffer from inefficiencies in fuel and air mixture control due to mechanical throttles and multiple leak points, leading to increased complexity and reduced adaptability.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electronically controlled throttle with a mixer that combines a Venturi structure and electronically controlled valves to meter low-pressure gaseous fuel and air, reducing mechanical parts and leak points, and allowing for electrical compensation for load, fuel pressure, and combustion adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate mechanical throttles are used to control fuel and air mixture, then control functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and number of leak points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel throttle and air throttle into a single integrated throttle-mixing assembly. The fuel throttle valve and air throttle valve are housed within the same mixer body, sharing common sealing surfaces and mounting structures. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanical linkages and reduces the total number of potential leak points while maintaining independent control of fuel and air flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated throttle-mixing assembly performs multiple functions within a single device: it controls fuel flow, controls air flow, mixes the air-fuel mixture, and provides sealing for all connections. The mixer body serves as both the housing for the throttle valves and the mixing chamber, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If multiple separate components are used for fuel delivery and mixing, then functional requirements are met, but overall footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fuel delivery system, air delivery system, and mixing chamber into a single compact assembly. The fuel inlet, air inlet, and mixed air-fuel outlet are all part of the same mixer body, eliminating the need for separate housings and mounting brackets. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall footprint while maintaining all necessary functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle valves are nested within the mixer body, with the fuel throttle valve positioned to control flow into the mixing chamber and the air throttle valve positioned to control air intake. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces efficiently, minimizing the external dimensions of the assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanically linked throttles are used, then load control is achieved, but adaptability for different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically linked throttle system with an electronically controlled system. The fuel throttle valve and air throttle valve are independently controlled by electronic actuators that receive signals from the control system. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical linkages between the throttles and allows for programmable load control strategies that can be easily adapted to different generator applications and operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control system allows for dynamic adjustment of the fuel and air throttle positions based on real-time operating conditions. The control system can modify throttle positions in response to changes in load, fuel pressure, intake pressure, and combustion characteristics, providing superior adaptability compared to fixed mechanical linkages.
4Measurement precision
If fixed orifices are used for fuel metering, then simple metering is achieved, but precision and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed orifices with electronically controlled throttle valves for fuel metering. These valves provide precise control of fuel flow through electronic actuation and can be programmed to compensate for variations in fuel pressure, intake pressure, and load conditions. This electronic control system offers both the precision of fixed orifices and the adaptability to adjust metering characteristics based on operating conditions.
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 integrated design simplifies the air-fuel delivery system, reduces leaks, enhances adaptability, and provides precise control over the air-fuel mixture, improving engine performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
draw the fuel through the device by a Venturi
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel delivery arrangement for a generator can include a throttle-mixing assembly including a mixer body defining a main port extending between an air inlet end and a mixed air-fuel outlet end and defining a fuel inlet port extending into the main port, a Venturi structure located within the main port and being configured to mix fuel received from the fuel inlet port with air received from the air inlet end and to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the air-fuel outlet, a fuel control valve assembly, mounted to the mixer body, including a first valve and a first actuator arranged to control a flow of the fuel passing through the fuel inlet port, and a throttle control valve assembly, mounted to the mixer body, including a second valve and a second actuator arranged to control a flow of the air-fuel mixture passing through the main port.