Marine Engine Tilt Control for White Smoke Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine propulsion devices experience white smoke generation during engine startup when the engine is stored in a tilted position, causing oil to accumulate in the combustion chamber.
Innovation Solution
A marine propulsion device with a tilt detector and a controller that prolongs the cranking time when the engine is tilted, allowing oil to be discharged from the cylinder before ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the engine is stored in a tilted position to prevent corrosion and enhance navigational performance, then the navigational performance and corrosion prevention are improved, but oil accumulates in the combustion chamber causing white smoke generation during startup
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the tilt state before engine startup and pre-calculates the necessary prolonged cranking time. The controller stores tilt state information and stopped time data, then uses this pre-acquired information to automatically adjust cranking parameters when startup is requested, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring oil is discharged before normal combustion begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt detector continuously monitors the engine's tilt state and provides real-time feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback information, combined with stopped time data, to dynamically adjust the cranking control strategy. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the cranking time is appropriately prolonged based on the actual tilt condition, preventing white smoke generation while maintaining normal operation when not tilted.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cranking time is prolonged to discharge accumulated oil from the cylinder, then white smoke generation is reduced, but the starting time of the engine is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the tilt state before engine startup and pre-calculates the necessary prolonged cranking time. The controller stores tilt state information and stopped time data, then uses this pre-acquired information to automatically adjust cranking parameters when startup is requested, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring oil is discharged before normal combustion begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes the cranking time parameter based on the detected tilt state and stopped time. When the engine is detected to be in a tilted position with oil accumulation risk, the cranking time parameter is automatically increased to allow oil discharge. When no tilt is detected or the engine is in normal position, the cranking time returns to standard values, thus minimizing the time penalty only when necessary.
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 solution effectively reduces or prevents white smoke generation during engine startup by ensuring that accumulated oil is discharged from the combustion chamber before ignition.
Implementation Method 1
the tilt detector is operable to detect a tilt state of the cylinder such that a first side portion thereof located on the opposite side from the crankshaft is lower than a second side portion thereof located on a same side as the crankshaft
Data Source
AI summary
A marine propulsion device that reduces white smoke generated during starting includes an engine, a crankshaft, a tilt angle sensor, and an ECU. The engine includes a cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder, and a connecting rod connected to the piston. The crankshaft is connected to the connecting rod. The tilt angle sensor is operable to detect a tilt state of the cylinder such that a first side portion thereof located on an opposite side from the crankshaft is lower than a second side portion thereof located on a same side as the crankshaft. The ECU is configured or programmed to execute a cranking control of a prolonged cranking time based on the tilt state of the cylinder and a stopped time of the engine.