Multi-Fuel Intake Manifold for Diesel-Natural Gas Engines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engines are typically configured for single fuel types, such as diesel, making it costly and difficult to retrofit for gaseous fuels like natural gas without compromising engine integrity and durability.

Innovation Solution

An intake manifold design that includes separate passages for intake air and gaseous fuel, with gas admission valves mounted on the manifold to control fuel flow, allowing for the introduction of gaseous fuel to engine cylinders without requiring significant modifications to the cylinder heads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gaseous fuel is supplied via intake runners on each cylinder head, then the engine can operate with natural gas, but the modifications required compromise the integrity of the head casting and reduce durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel type adaptabilityVSAvoidengine durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component - a separate gaseous fuel delivery system with its own manifold and passages - that mediates between the gaseous fuel source and the cylinders without requiring modifications to the cylinder heads. This intermediary system allows natural gas injection while preserving the integrity of the original engine architecture, specifically the cylinder head casting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the engine is retrofitted for gaseous fuel, then multi-fuel operation is achieved, but significant redesign of cylinder heads is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-fuel operation capabilityVSAvoidengine redesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fuel delivery system into separate, independent pathways: one for liquid fuel through the existing injection system and another for gaseous fuel through a dedicated delivery system with separate passages and injection points. This segmentation allows multi-fuel operation without requiring integration modifications to the cylinder heads, thereby reducing redesign complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If gaseous fuel is admitted via intake runners, then natural gas can be used, but the approach is costly and difficult to apply to existing engine architectures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural gas fuel capabilityVSAvoidretrofit implementation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal gaseous fuel delivery system that can be applied to existing diesel engine architectures without requiring engine-specific customizations. The system uses a standardized manifold design with separate passages that can be integrated into various engine types, making the retrofit process more economical and easier to manufacture across different engine platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3099922B1Intake manifold and multi-fuel engine system

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

Various methods and systems are provided for an intake manifold (302) for an engine (104). In one example, the intake manifold (302) comprises a first passage (304) for supplying intake air to a plurality of cylinders (200) of the engine and a second passage (308) for supplying gaseous fuel to the plurality of cylinders (200).