Universal Electronic Governor for Multi-Engine Welding Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine-driven welding systems lack a universal electronic governor capable of effectively controlling multiple engine types, including carbureted and electronic fuel injection engines, due to their distinct response characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A single electronic governor system with a customizable actuator and coupler link configuration that adjusts mechanical characteristics to control engine throttle positions independently of engine-specific characteristics, allowing it to manage various engine types using a single control algorithm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a custom electronic governor is designed for each engine type, then control accuracy and response time are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic governor is designed with a universal control algorithm that can accommodate multiple engine types (carbureted and EFI) through a standardized interface. The governor unit itself remains the same, but the coupler link mechanical characteristics are adjusted to match different engine response characteristics, allowing one governor design to serve multiple functions across different engine types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts mechanical parameters of the coupler link (such as link length, pivot points, or mechanical leverage ratios) to compensate for differences in engine response characteristics. By changing these mechanical parameters rather than the entire governor system, the same electronic governor can be adapted to different engine types while maintaining control accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single electronic governor controls multiple engine types, then adaptability and ease of manufacture are improved, but control precision deteriorates due to different engine response characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler link mechanical characteristics are specifically adjusted for each engine type to maintain optimal control precision. This could involve changing link lengths, pivot point positions, or mechanical leverage ratios to match the specific response characteristics of carbureted versus EFI engines, thereby preserving control precision across different engine types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the mechanical coupling characteristics between the governor actuator and the throttle. By making the mechanical interface adaptable rather than fixed, the system can optimize the control precision for each specific engine type while maintaining a single governor design.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical characteristics of the coupler link are customized for each engine, then control accuracy is improved, but ease of manufacture and serviceability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The governor system is segmented into two independent parts: the electronic governor control unit (which remains standardized) and the mechanical coupler link (which is customized). This segmentation allows the complex electronic control logic to be standardized while only the simple mechanical linkage requires customization, significantly easing manufacturing and serviceability.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the mechanical parameters of the coupler link (such as link length or pivot positions) need to be adjusted for different engine types, rather than redesigning the entire governor system. This limited parameter change approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required control accuracy for different engine types.
Data Source
AI summary
A governor system is provided that includes a governor having an actuator, and a coupler link configured to couple at a first end to the actuator and at a second end to a throttle of an engine being controlled. One or more mechanical characteristics of the coupler link, the throttle, an actuator arm of the actuator, or some combination thereof, are specific to the engine and configured such that each position of the actuator causes a given output of the engine independent of particular characteristics of the engine.