Multi-Fuel Engine Combustion Chamber Fuel Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines face inefficiencies and engine knocking issues when using petroleum-based fuels, particularly at varying load conditions, due to the combustion characteristics of low and high octane fuels.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual-fuel approach where a high octane fuel is injected directly into specific regions of the combustion chamber, such as the end gas region, while a low octane fuel is injected centrally, utilizing direct injectors that dispense fuel in a conical spray pattern to optimize fuel distribution and reduce knocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If low octane fuel is used to reduce cost, then fuel cost decreases, but engine knocking increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh octane fuel consumptionVSAvoidengine knocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous fuel distribution where high octane fuel is concentrated in the end gas region (farther from spark plug) and low octane fuel is concentrated in the central region (near spark plug). This spatial differentiation allows the high octane fuel to suppress knocking in the most susceptible area while using less overall high octane fuel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high octane fuel is used to prevent knocking, then engine knocking decreases, but fuel cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine knockingVSAvoidhigh octane fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces high octane fuel consumption by applying it locally only where needed - in the end gas region most prone to knocking - rather than uniformly throughout the combustion chamber. The direct injector delivers high octane fuel in a conical spray pattern that preferentially targets this region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by providing high octane fuel only in the specific region where it is most needed (end gas region), rather than throughout the entire combustion chamber. This partial application is sufficient to prevent knocking while minimizing high octane fuel consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If homogeneous fuel mixture is used, then fuel distribution is uniform, but knocking control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel mixture homogeneityVSAvoidengine knocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately creates a heterogeneous fuel mixture with spatially varying composition - high octane fuel concentration in the end gas region and low octane fuel concentration in the central region. This heterogeneity is designed to optimize knocking control by placing the appropriate fuel type in the appropriate location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method enhances fuel efficiency, reduces the need for high octane fuel, and minimizes engine knocking by ensuring the high octane fuel is concentrated in areas prone to knocking, allowing for efficient operation with lower overall fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

direct injectors may be utilized that inject the high octane fuel in a cone-shaped spray at a desired angle, which may disproportionately inject the high octane fuel into the areas relatively further away from the spark plug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConical spray pattern:

Implementation Method 2

combusting the fuel mixture with a spark plug to translate the piston housed in the engine cylinder and rotate a crank shaft coupled to the piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3810914B1Multi-fuel internal combustion engines and methods for their operation

Publication Date: 2024.10.16 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

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AI summary

According to one or more embodiments, an internal combustion engine may be operated by a method including one or more of the steps of passing a first fuel and a second fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine cylinder to form a fuel mixture, and combusting the fuel mixture with a spark plug to translate the piston housed in the engine cylinder and rotate a crank shaft coupled to the piston. The engine cylinder may include a cylinder head and cylinder sidewalls, and the combustion chamber may be defined at least partially by the cylinder head, the cylinder sidewalls, and the piston. The first fuel may include a greater octane rating than the second fuel. The combustion chamber may include an end gas region and a central region, the central region more near to the spark plug than the end gas region. The first fuel and second fuel may be passed into the combustion chamber such that the end gas region has a greater concentration of the first fuel than the central region, and the central region has a greater concentration of the second fuel than the end gas region.