Tractor Engine Control for Fuel Efficiency and Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrostatically driven tractors, particularly swather tractors, face inefficiencies in engine operation due to the increased fuel consumption of Tier Three certified engines, especially at part load, which is exacerbated by rising fuel costs and results in reduced fuel economy and increased noise and wear.
Innovation Solution
An engine control system that allows for two selectable engine rpm settings, one for when the header components are not driven and another for when they are, along with a flow rate control system for hydraulic fluid, to maintain engine power output within an allowable curve, optimizing fuel usage and reducing engine speed for improved efficiency and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If Tier Three certified engine is used, then emissions compliance is improved, but fuel consumption increases significantly at part load
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters including RPM and fuel injection timing based on load conditions. The system transitions between different operating modes (high RPM/low injection timing for transport, low RPM/high injection timing for field work) to optimize fuel efficiency while maintaining emissions compliance at each operating point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key engine parameters including RPM setting, fuel injection timing, and pump displacement to optimize performance. By adjusting these parameters based on operational mode (transport vs. field work), the system recovers fuel economy while maintaining Tier Three emissions compliance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If engine speed is reduced to improve fuel economy, then fuel consumption decreases, but header speed and ground speed capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump displacement based on engine RPM and operational requirements. At lower RPM during field work, the pump displacement is increased to maintain adequate hydraulic flow for header operation. During transport at higher RPM, the system optimizes for speed while maintaining fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - engine RPM, fuel injection timing, and hydraulic pump displacement - to maintain header and ground speed capabilities while operating at fuel-efficient RPM settings. This coordinated parameter adjustment allows reduced engine speed without sacrificing operational performance.
3Power
If engine operates at higher RPM to maintain power output, then power availability is improved, but noise increases and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes fuel injection timing parameters to maximize power output at lower RPM settings. By adjusting the timing of fuel injection relative to piston position, the system extracts maximum power efficiency from each combustion event, reducing the need for high RPM operation and thereby reducing noise and wear.
4Speed
If flow rate of hydraulic fluid is increased to maintain header speed at lower engine RPM, then header speed is maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump displacement based on the relationship between engine RPM and required hydraulic flow. When operating at lower RPM for fuel efficiency, the pump displacement is increased to compensate and maintain adequate flow for header operation. This dynamic adjustment maintains header speed while operating at fuel-efficient engine speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. The driver's console is rotated in the cab with the steering and speed control elements moved with the seat for the driver to face forwards and its position is detected by switches. In the engine forward position for transportation, the control system detects the seat position and operates the controls for higher speed drive and to prevent operation of the header. The engine has a series of ratings which can be selected depending upon whether the header motor is engaged so that a highest engine speed is used only when the header is disengaged and the lower speed is used for higher fuel efficiency when the header is operating.