Pilot Fuel Control via Cylinder Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supplying pilot fuel to combustion engines, particularly gas engines, face complexity and expense due to the need for multiple sensors and data processing to manage pilot fuel quantity and timing across varying engine loads, leading to inefficiencies and increased emissions if not properly regulated.
Innovation Solution
A system with cylinder-specific pressure sensors and a control unit that measures cylinder pressures to determine optimal crankshaft angles for pilot fuel injection, adjusting the duration of fuel injection based on measured angles and engine load to maintain efficient combustion and reduce emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple sensors and data processing systems are used to manage pilot fuel quantity and timing, then emissions control and engine efficiency are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single type of sensor installed in each cylinder serves multiple functions: it measures cylinder pressure to determine combustion characteristics, identifies crankshaft angle at maximum pressure, and provides data for both total pilot fuel control and individual cylinder fuel control. This multi-functional use of a single sensor type eliminates the need for multiple different sensor systems while achieving comprehensive emissions control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines total pilot fuel control and individual cylinder pilot fuel control into a single integrated control unit that processes data from the same sensor system. By merging these control functions and using a unified sensor base, the system achieves comprehensive emissions management without the complexity of parallel independent systems.
2Productivity
If pilot fuel quantity and timing are precisely regulated, then engine efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the combustion process itself to generate the control signal. The cylinder pressure sensor automatically detects the crankshaft angle at maximum pressure, and this information is fed back to adjust pilot fuel injection timing and quantity. The system self-regulates based on actual combustion characteristics without requiring external complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors cylinder pressure measurements, determines the crankshaft angle at maximum pressure, and uses this feedback information to adjust pilot fuel injection timing and quantity. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal engine efficiency while using a relatively simple sensor and control architecture.
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 approach simplifies the control of pilot fuel injection by using a single type of sensor, reducing system complexity and cost while effectively managing emissions and engine efficiency across different load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
cylinder-specific pressure sensors (1) that are installed in the cylinders (4) of a combustion engine for measuring cylinder pressures
Implementation Method 2
The combustion of fuel releases energy, which is converted to mechanical motion using the piston in the cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to supplying pilot fuel to the cylinders of a combustion engine. The invention comprises cylinder-specific pressure sensors (1) that are installed in the cylinders of the combustion engine, as well as a control unit (2). The control unit determines each cylinder's crankshaft angle at maximum pressure and the cylinders' average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure, and verifies whether the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure is within a certain range of crankshaft angle variation. If the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure is outside the range of variation, the duration of total pilot fuel injection into the engine is controlled. Furthermore, the differences between each cylinder's crankshaft angle at maximum pressure and the average crankshaft angle at maximum pressure are determined. The differences are compared with a certain range of difference variation, and the duration of fuel injection into a cylinder is controlled if the difference in an individual cylinder traverses the minimum or maximum limit of the range of difference variation.