Twin-Engine Driveline Phase Control for Torsional Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driveline arrangements in vehicles and marine vessels experience noise and gear wear due to torsional vibrations from internal combustion engines, particularly in unloaded gears, which are caused by synchronized combustion stages of multiple engines.
Innovation Solution
A driveline arrangement with two internal combustion engines controlled by a control unit to phase their combustion stages differently, adjusting crank angle degrees to minimize torsional vibrations and reduce noise and gear wear, using overrunning clutches to manage torque direction and rotational speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple internal combustion engines operate with synchronized combustion stages to provide simultaneous torque, then the power output is improved, but torsional vibrations increase causing noise and gear wear
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit proactively adjusts the crank angle degree of at least one engine before the synchronized combustion occurs, creating a phase difference that preemptively counteracts the torsional vibrations. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful vibrations from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to mitigate them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the internal combustion engines by adjusting the crank angle degree, which shifts the timing of the combustion stage. This parameter modification allows the engines to operate at different phases, transforming the synchronized torque delivery into an asynchronous pattern that reduces vibrational harmonics while maintaining power output.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the combustion stages of multiple engines are synchronized, then the torque delivery is smooth and continuous, but noise and gear wear increase due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the crank angle degree parameter of at least one engine, the system transforms the combustion timing from synchronized to asynchronous. This parameter change maintains torque delivery stability through controlled phase differences while eliminating the harmful vibrations that cause noise and gear wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of phase differences into a beneficial outcome. By intentionally introducing controlled phase differences between engines, the system uses the resulting vibration patterns to cancel out harmful torsional vibrations, turning what could be a source of instability into a noise-reduction mechanism.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the crank angle degree is adjusted to reduce vibrations, then noise and gear wear are reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the operational state of the internal combustion engines and dynamically adjusts the crank angle degree based on real-time conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal phase differences for vibration reduction while adapting to changing load and operating conditions, preventing the control system from becoming overly complex through rigid predetermined settings.
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
Effectively reduces unwanted noise and gear wear by optimizing the timing of combustion stages, minimizing vibrations in the transmission arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
a first internal combustion engine (102) comprising a first combustion cylinder (104) housing a first reciprocating piston (106) connected to a first crank shaft (108), wherein the first internal combustion engine (102) is configured to assume a combustion stage in which a combustible gas is combusted in the first combustion cylinder (104)
Implementation Method 2
The driveline arrangement (100) further comprises a first overrunning clutch (310) arranged between the first crank shaft (108) and the first input shaft (302)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a driveline arrangement, comprising a first internal combustion engine, a second internal combustion engine, and a transmission arrangement comprising a first input shaft drivingly connected to a first crank shaft of the first internal combustion engine, and a second input shaft drivingly connected to the second crank shaft of the second internal combustion engine, the transmission arrangement being configured to simultaneously receive a torque from the first and second crank shafts. Further, control circuitry of a control unit is configured to control the first internal combustion engine to assume a combustion stage at a different point in time compared to the point in time at which the second internal combustion engine assumes its combustion stage by adjusting a crank angle degree of the first crank shaft.