Multi-Fuel Engine Control System Autoignition Delay Knock Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-fuel engines face challenges in preventing engine knock due to the simultaneous consumption of different fuels, which can lead to increased risks and difficulties in identifying all potential knocking conditions, especially during transient operations.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic control system that calculates the autoignition delay of a mixture of fuels and adjusts the premixed combustion fuel substitution rate to prevent knock, using sensors and a transfer function to determine optimal fuel ratios based on operating conditions, ensuring the engine operates within a safe autoignition delay threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple fuels are consumed simultaneously to increase power output, then engine power is improved, but the risk of engine knock increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine powerVSAvoidengine knock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the fuel substitution rate based on real-time operating conditions and calculated autoignition delay. The controller continuously monitors engine parameters and modifies the premixed fuel substitution rate to maintain optimal operation while preventing knock, transforming a static fuel mixture into a dynamically optimized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the composition parameter of the fuel mixture by adjusting the substitution rate of premixed fuel. By varying this parameter in real-time based on calculated autoignition delay and operating conditions, the system optimizes the balance between power output and knock prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If transient operating conditions are considered to maximize performance, then power output is improved, but the difficulty of identifying knocking conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidknocking condition identification

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of autoignition delay based on operating conditions before knock occurs. By predicting the autoignition delay in advance and comparing it against thresholds, the system can proactively adjust fuel substitution rates to prevent knock during transient operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from engine sensors to continuously monitor operating conditions and adjusts the fuel substitution rate accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to transient conditions in real-time, maintaining performance while preventing knock through continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If comprehensive testing of all operating conditions is performed to identify knock conditions, then reliability is improved, but the time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknock prevention reliabilityVSAvoidtesting time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces extensive physical testing with a computational model that calculates autoignition delay based on operating parameters. This substitution of mechanical/experimental testing with computational analysis reduces the time and cost required to identify knock conditions while maintaining comprehensive coverage of operating spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively reduces the frequency and likelihood of engine knock by dynamically adjusting fuel ratios, maintaining knock-free operation while maximizing power and performance, even during transient conditions.

Implementation Method 1

calculate an autoignition delay of the mixture of the air and the second fuel based on current operating conditions of the multi-fuel engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutoignition delay:

Implementation Method 2

The engine consumes a mixture of a first fuel and a second fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11719152B2Multivariable dynamic control system of a multi-fuel engine

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An engine control unit of a multi-fuel is provided. The engine consumes a mixture of a first combustion fuel and a second combustion fuel. The engine control unit includes hardware circuitry that includes one or more processors configured to calculate an autoignition delay of the mixture of the air and the second combustion fuel based on current operating conditions of the multi-fuel engine. The one or more processors also are configured to calculate an upper limit on an amount of the second combustion fuel that is supplied to the multi-fuel engine based on the autoignition delay that is calculated.