Magnetic Piston Position Sensing for High-Speed Engine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for gas compressors, crankshaft engines, and free piston engines are inflexible, unable to meet precision measurement requirements, and struggle with data transmission rates, particularly in environments with electronic noise, and cannot accurately measure piston positions with high velocities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus and method using anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors coupled with electronic sense modules and controllers, which synchronize data collection, process magnetic field angles to determine piston positions, and transmit control signals efficiently over Ethernet and fast buses, ensuring precision and accuracy in gas compressors and free piston engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current control systems are used in gas compressors and engines, then the system design is simpler, but the measurement precision and data transmission rate are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems with magnetic field-based sensing. Anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors detect changes in magnetic field orientation caused by moving parts (pistons, valves), converting mechanical position information into electrical signals for precise digital measurement without mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed as a modular platform that can be applied across multiple engine types (gas compressors, crankshaft engines, free piston engines) and measurement applications (piston position, valve position, connecting rod orientation). The same sensor and controller architecture serves different measurement needs through configuration rather than redesign.
2Productivity
If traditional sampling methods are used in noisy environments, then the electronic noise interference is lower, but the data collection speed is too slow to meet precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors magnetic field orientation and uses feedback control to maintain accurate position measurement despite noise. The controller processes sensor signals in real-time, adjusting measurements based on detected field changes and compensating for environmental interference through active signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical sensing methods with magnetic field-based detection. Anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors respond to magnetic field orientation changes rather than direct electrical signals, providing inherent noise immunity while maintaining high-speed data collection capability.
3Measurement precision
If high-velocity piston measurement is attempted with current systems, then the measurement speed is insufficient, but increasing the sampling rate increases electronic noise sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-speed electrical sampling with magnetic field orientation detection. The anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors measure piston position through changes in magnetic field angle rather than direct voltage sampling, providing inherent noise filtering while capturing high-velocity motion accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the moving piston and the sensor. Instead of directly sampling electrical signals from high-velocity motion, the system measures the orientation of magnetic field lines that follow the moving magnet, providing indirect but noise-resistant measurement of position and velocity.
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 precise measurement of piston positions with sub-microsecond synchronization and accuracy of up to ten microns, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems by providing a modular and flexible control system capable of handling high-speed piston movements and noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first cylinder plurality of valve sensors comprises an anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor. The anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor is mounted on the gas cylinder at a location to enable sensing a full stroke of the first cylinder valve magnet.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first cylinder plurality of valves includes a first cylinder valve moving part having a first cylinder valve magnet coupled to the first cylinder valve moving part. The anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor detects changes in the field angle.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for sensing the position of a piston in a valve in a gas compressor or the position of a piston in a free piston engine. The apparatus includes a plurality of valve sensors, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of valve sense modules coupled to the valve sensors and a controller coupled to the plurality of valve sense modules. The method includes processing information received from the valve sensors to determine the linear position of the valves in the gas compressor or a piston in a free piston engine.