Laser Ignition Cylinder Drying for Engine Flooding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Engine flooding, caused by rich fueling or excess fuel in cylinders, leads to spark plug wet-fouling, preventing engine start and increasing emissions, with existing remedies being intrusive, time-consuming, or limited to specific vehicle configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method using a laser ignition system to vaporize fuel in flooded engine cylinders by shutting off fuel delivery and operating the laser while holding the exhaust valve open and the intake valve closed, allowing vaporized fuel to be directed out, thereby drying the cylinders efficiently without additional hardware or component removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional remedies (removing spark plugs, using compressed air, or heat guns) are used to address engine flooding, then the spark plugs can be dried, but the procedure becomes intrusive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine start reliabilityVSAvoidtime to dry spark plugs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical drying methods (compressed air, heat guns) with an optical system (laser). The laser ignition device delivers optical energy directly to the spark plug insulator to vaporize fuel and dry the plug internally, eliminating the need for external mechanical intervention and significantly reducing drying time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser ignition device, already present in the engine for its primary ignition function, is utilized to perform the secondary function of drying the spark plug. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external drying equipment and allows the system to address flooding using its own integrated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the engine is cranked repeatedly without additional airflow to dry the spark plugs, then battery consumption is reduced, but engine starting time increases and emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidengine starting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cranking-only approach with an optical intervention. The laser ignition device delivers optical energy to rapidly vaporize fuel on the spark plug, achieving drying in a fraction of the time required for repeated cranking, thus reducing both battery consumption and emissions while maintaining quick engine restart capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser energy causes the fuel on the spark plug insulator to undergo phase transition from liquid to vapor. This rapid phase change efficiently removes the fuel coating that prevents ignition, enabling the engine to restart quickly without prolonged cranking that would consume excessive battery energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If electric booster is used to blow air into cylinders to dry spark plugs, then drying effectiveness is improved, but the system is limited to vehicles with electric booster and requires additional hardware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidsystem hardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser ignition device is designed to perform multiple functions: primary ignition during normal operation and drying of the spark plug during flooding conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drying hardware and makes the system applicable to any vehicle with laser ignition capability, regardless of whether an electric booster is present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own integrated laser ignition device to perform the drying function, eliminating dependence on external hardware like electric boosters or compressed air systems. This self-service capability reduces system complexity and broadens applicability across different vehicle configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces engine starting times, decreases battery consumption, and improves start reliability, reducing operator frustration and emissions by effectively drying wet-fouled components without the need for intrusive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

operating a laser ignition device to vaporize the fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

vaporize the fuel while holding an exhaust valve of the cylinder open

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10358994B1Method and system for engine control

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.