Variable Stroke Engine Cylinder Mode Switching for Fuel Reforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine technologies face challenges in adapting to varying operating conditions while maintaining fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, often requiring additional fuel tanks or catalytic reforming devices that increase vehicle load.
Innovation Solution
A variable stroke engine control method for high-octane fuel under flexible cylinder engine mode, allowing the flexible cylinder to switch between two-stroke and four-stroke operation based on engine load, utilizing a fuel reforming loop with a three-way air inlet valve and ECU-controlled valve states to optimize fuel reforming efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual-fuel combustion mode or catalytic reforming mode is used to satisfy flexible operating conditions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional fuel tank or catalytic reforming device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cylinder serve multiple functions by enabling it to operate in different modes (two-stroke reforming mode and four-stroke power mode) depending on engine load requirements. The same physical cylinder can function as a reforming cylinder when load is low and as a power cylinder when load is high, eliminating the need for separate dedicated reforming equipment or additional fuel tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine dynamically switches the operating mode of the flexible cylinder between two-stroke and four-stroke modes based on real-time engine load conditions. The control system adjusts valve timing and injection strategies to transition the cylinder between reforming and power generation functions, allowing the system to adapt flexibly without adding complex permanent infrastructure.
2Productivity
If the flexible cylinder operates in two-stroke mode for fuel reforming, then reforming efficiency is improved, but power output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engine employs periodic switching between two-stroke reforming mode and four-stroke power mode in the flexible cylinder. During low-load periods, the cylinder operates in two-stroke mode to maximize reforming efficiency and produce reformed fuel. During high-load periods, it switches to four-stroke mode to provide sufficient power output. This periodic alternation ensures both reforming efficiency and power requirements are met at different times.
3Power
If the flexible cylinder operates in four-stroke mode for power output, then power is improved, but reforming efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system periodically switches the flexible cylinder between four-stroke power mode and two-stroke reforming mode based on engine load demands. When high power is needed, the cylinder operates in four-stroke mode to deliver sufficient power output. When power demand decreases, it transitions to two-stroke reforming mode to restore reforming efficiency and produce reformed fuel for subsequent use.
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
Enables efficient fuel reforming and power output by adjusting valve states to match engine load, improving reforming efficiency and combustion stability at small loads and providing sufficient power at heavy loads, while reducing the need for additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a reforming air intercooler arranged on the reforming pipe and located between the flexible cylinder and the mixing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a control method of variable stroke engine for reforming high-octane fuel under the FCE mode, the ECU connected to the engine controls the amount of fuel injected from the flexible cylinder injector to the flexible cylinder and controls the switch state of inlet valve and exhaust valve of the flexible cylinder, so that the flexible cylinder can be switched between two-stroke mode and four-stroke mode according to the actual engine operating conditions; when the engine is at a small load and needs to promote combustion stability, the flexible cylinder injector injects a rich fuel with equivalence ratio greater than 1 into the flexible cylinder, the flexible cylinder is at two-stroke mode; when the engine is at a large load and needs sufficient power output, the flexible cylinder injector injects a conventional fuel into the flexible cylinder, said flexible cylinder is at four-stroke mode.