Liquefied Gas Engine Fuel Injection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine systems face challenges in improving the combustion process and reducing pollutant emissions when operating with liquefied gas fuels like LPG, CNG, and hydrogen, particularly at cold temperatures, and struggle to efficiently manage the transition between different fuel modes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine the blow-in time and amount of liquefied gas fuels based on calorific value and gas-mixture characteristics, using a gas-mixture-analysis-module and gas-start-system to optimize fuel injection in bivalent or trivalent fuel modes, ensuring complete combustion and low emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle is retrofitted for operation with LPG or CNG using conventional add-on control units, then the engine can operate with liquefied gas fuels, but the combustion process quality deteriorates and pollutant emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the actual fuel mixture composition is measured and compared with the target composition, and the blow-in time is adjusted based on the deviation. This closed-loop control ensures optimal combustion and reduces pollutant emissions while maintaining adaptability to different fuel modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the blow-in time parameter based on the actual fuel mixture composition and operating conditions. By changing this critical parameter in real-time, the system optimizes the air-fuel ratio for complete combustion, reducing harmful emissions while maintaining versatility across different fuel types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional add-on control units are used for LPG or CNG operation, then the engine can run on liquefied gas fuels, but combustion process quality and starting reliability at cold temperatures worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the blow-in time based on predicted fuel mixture composition before actual injection. This advance preparation ensures that the correct amount of fuel is injected from the start, enabling reliable cold starting and stable combustion even at low temperatures when conventional systems struggle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the blow-in time based on real-time feedback from sensors monitoring fuel mixture composition and engine operating conditions. This dynamic control adapts to changing conditions during operation and improves starting reliability at cold temperatures by optimizing fuel delivery for each specific situation.
3Device complexity
If fixed blow-in time is used for liquefied gas fuel injection, then the control system is simple, but combustion efficiency deteriorates and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from fuel mixture composition sensors to dynamically adjust the blow-in time, replacing fixed timing with adaptive control. This increases combustion efficiency by ensuring the optimal air-fuel ratio while maintaining acceptable system complexity through the use of standard sensor and controller components.
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 solution enables reliable operation in bivalent or trivalent fuel modes with improved combustion efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions, allowing for successful engine start-up in liquefied gas mode even at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the determined blow-in time of the liquefied gas fuel depends on a determined calorific value or a determined gas-mixture-characteristic value
Implementation Method 2
an engine control unit usually ensures that gasoline or diesel is supplied to the engine for a proper combustion process
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for ascertaining an injection time and/or an amount of a liquefied gas fuel—such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), biogas or hydrogen (H2)—to be delivered to a cylinder of an engine (19) in order to operate the engine (19) in a bivalent or trivalent fuel operating mode, said device being designed in such a way that the ascertained injection time of the liquefied gas fuel is dependent on an ascertained calorific power or an ascertained gas mixture characteristic. A gas mixture analysis module (7) is used for optimizing combustion. A gas start mechanism allows a vehicle to be started on gas power even at low temperatures.