Marine Engine Control Module Torque Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining stable output torque during transitions between stoichiometric and lean burn operations, with existing systems struggling to manage combustion parameters effectively to avoid discontinuities and optimize fuel economy while adhering to emissions and efficiency limits.
Innovation Solution
A control module method that transitions marine internal combustion engines by using separate sets of mapped parameter values for spark plug activation timing, air quantity, and fuel quantity, with unique enable/disable delays and rates to maintain stable torque output, allowing seamless transitions between stoichiometric and lean burn modes based on engine operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine transitions between stoichiometric and lean burn operations using conventional control methods, then fuel economy can be improved, but output torque discontinuities occur during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control module performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating transition parameters and preparing combustion parameter adjustments before the actual mode transition occurs. This includes determining target equivalence ratios and scheduling parameter changes in advance to ensure smooth transitions without torque discontinuities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts combustion parameters including equivalence ratio, spark timing, and injection timing during the transition process. The control module continuously modifies these parameters based on real-time engine operating conditions to maintain stable torque output while transitioning between operational modes
2Use of energy by moving object
If lean burn operation parameters are extended to improve fuel economy, then emissions and efficiency limits may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The control module implements feedback control by continuously monitoring engine operating parameters including equivalence ratio, torque output, and emissions-related metrics. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts combustion parameters to maintain operation within predetermined emissions and efficiency limits while maximizing fuel economy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes combustion parameters such as equivalence ratio, spark timing, and injection timing to optimize fuel economy while maintaining emissions within acceptable limits. The control module carefully manages these parameter transitions to extend the operational range of lean burn without exceeding regulatory requirements
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 method ensures stable engine output torque during transitions, improves fuel economy, and extends the operational range of lean burn by managing combustion parameters to maintain efficiency and emissions within predetermined limits.
Implementation Method 1
a method for controlling a marine internal combustion engine includes operating the engine according to first and second sets of mapped parameter values configured to achieve a first fuel-air equivalence ratio of an air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A marine engine operates according to first and second sets of mapped parameter values to achieve a first fuel-air equivalence ratio and maintains a stable output torque while transitioning to operating according to third and fourth sets of mapped parameter values to achieve a different fuel-air equivalence ratio. The first and third sets of mapped parameter values correspond to a first combustion parameter. The second and fourth sets correspond to a second combustion parameter. The transition includes: (a) transitioning from operation according to a current value of the first combustion parameter to operation according to a target value thereof; (b) transitioning from operation according to a current value of the second combustion parameter to operation according to a target value thereof; and (c) timing commencement or completion of step (b) and setting a rate of step (b) to counteract torque discontinuity that would otherwise result when performing step (a) alone.