Low-GHG Fuel Engine Heating Control for Pre-Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional engine devices using low GHG fuels like ammonia or methanol face issues with pre-ignition due to high temperature conditions, leading to unstable combustion and potential engine damage.

Innovation Solution

The engine device incorporates a heating unit that controls the temperature of the air and fuel mixture by adjusting the heating of air and fuel using components such as a turbocharger, intercooler, and vaporizer, and a control unit that monitors and adjusts heating based on sensor feedback to prevent pre-ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If heating is applied to the air and fuel mixture to enable combustion of low GHG fuels, then combustion stability is improved, but pre-ignition risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion stabilityVSAvoidpre-ignition risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating unit's operation is made dynamic rather than static. The control unit dynamically adjusts the heating unit's operation based on real-time feedback from sensors (knock sensor, cylinder internal pressure sensor, cylinder internal temperature sensor, intake pressure sensor, intake temperature sensor). When pre-ignition is detected or predicted, the control unit reduces or stops heating, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining combustion stability and preventing pre-ignition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback control system is implemented using multiple sensors to monitor engine conditions (knocking, pressure, temperature). The control unit processes this feedback information and adjusts the heating unit's operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain combustion stability while preventing pre-ignition by reducing heating when abnormal conditions are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If heating temperature is increased to ensure fuel ignition, then combustion reliability is improved, but unexpected ignition occurs more easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion reliabilityVSAvoidunexpected ignition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating temperature is dynamically adjusted based on engine operating conditions and feedback from sensors. The control unit increases heating when combustion reliability is insufficient and reduces heating when unexpected ignition risk is detected, resolving the contradiction between combustion reliability and unexpected ignition prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback control system monitors cylinder internal temperature, pressure, and knocking to detect signs of unexpected ignition. When such conditions are detected, the control unit reduces or stops heating, thereby maintaining combustion reliability while preventing unexpected ignition events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If heating is continuously applied to maintain combustion, then engine power output is improved, but pre-ignition damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine power outputVSAvoidengine component durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heating unit's operation is dynamically controlled based on real-time engine conditions. The control unit maintains heating to preserve engine power output but reduces or stops heating when pre-ignition is detected or predicted, thereby protecting engine components from damage while minimizing impact on power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback control system using knock sensors, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors detects pre-ignition conditions. When pre-ignition is detected, the control unit reduces or stops heating to prevent engine component damage, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining engine power and protecting engine strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 stabilizes combustion and prevents engine damage by reducing or stopping heating when pre-ignition is detected, ensuring stable operation of engines using low GHG fuels.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit that heats at least one of air that is mixed with the fuel, and the fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

vaporizer that vaporizes liquid fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

intercooler that cools air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4621208A1Engine device
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4621208A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621208A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621208A1 patent drawing

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an engine device that is capable of suppressing pre-ignition and achieving stable combustion in an engine that is driven by heating a low GHG fuel having low greenhouse gas emissions, such as ammonia or methanol. [Solution] An engine device 1 drives an engine 2 by supplying a low GHG fuel having low greenhouse gas emissions, the engine device 1 including a heating unit 40 that heats at least one of air that is mixed with the low GHG fuel, and the low GHG fuel. In a case where pre-ignition of the low GHG fuel in the engine 2 occurs, or is predicted, heating by the heating unit 40 is reduced or stopped.