Parallel Throttle Engine Air Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Engines with a single throttle face challenges in regulating air flow effectively during both idle and high-load conditions, as a smaller throttle improves idle control but reduces engine power at high loads, while a larger throttle degrades idle control and complicates air flow regulation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with two throttles arranged in parallel, where the controller adjusts air flow by fully closing one throttle at low requests, opening them unequally at medium requests, and equally at high requests, based on a split ratio that changes with engine air flow demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smaller throttle is used, then idle control is improved, but engine power at high loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single throttle is divided into two separate throttles arranged in parallel. Each throttle can be independently controlled to provide different air flow characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both precise idle control (using one throttle slightly open) and high power capability (using both throttles fully open) without the trade-offs of a single throttle size.
2Power
If a larger throttle is used, then engine power at high loads is improved, but idle control is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large throttle that degrades idle control, the system segments the air flow control into two throttles. During idle conditions, one throttle remains slightly open while the other is closed, providing precise control. During high load conditions, both throttles are fully open to maximize air flow and engine power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening positions of the two throttles based on operating conditions. The controller modulates each throttle independently according to the demanded air flow, transitioning from asymmetric positioning at low loads to symmetric positioning at high loads, thereby optimizing performance across the entire operating range.
3Power
If two throttles are added in parallel, then high load performance is improved, but air flow regulation during idle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically manages the two parallel throttles based on demanded air flow. At low air flow demands (idle conditions), the controller closes one throttle and slightly opens the other, achieving precise regulation. At high air flow demands, both throttles are opened equally. This dynamic control strategy resolves the difficulty of regulating small air flow amounts with two parallel throttles.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes two throttles that are arranged in parallel to deliver air into a single intake manifold are described. In one example, a first throttle and a second throttle are opened according to a value of a variable that changes as a function of a requested engine air flow.