System and method for improving performance of combustion engines employing primary and secondary fuels
First Claim
1. A method for limiting output of NOx when operating an internal combustion engine in dynamically varying conditions while injecting a primary fuel and a combustible, hydrogen-containing gaseous product, comprising:
- injecting into the engine the combustible, hydrogen-containing gaseous product while injecting a liquid fuel as the primary fuel into the engine and, while injecting the gaseous product, continually monitoring output signal magnitudes from a first sensor representative of a first variable relating to operation of the engine;
based on the monitored first sensor output signal magnitudes, deriving second signal magnitudes by imparting a shift to each in a plurality of first sensor output signal magnitudes, wherein the second signal magnitudes vary temporally as a function of change in the first sensor output signal magnitudes, and each in a plurality of second signal magnitudes is different than a first sensor output signal magnitude from which it is derived; and
adjusting one or more engine parameters based in part on the second signal magnitudes.
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Abstract
An engine system and method for operating an internal combustion engine in dynamically varying conditions. An exemplary system comprises an internal combustion engine configured to receive both a primary fuel and a secondary fuel into one or more chambers in which a combustion process occurs, a fuel injection system, an air intake manifold and a fuel manifold; an electronic system which controls timing and metering of the primary fuel and/or the secondary fuel in the combustion process; and a plurality of sensors positioned to measure one or more variables associated with combustion of the primary fuel in the presence of the secondary fuel. The electronic system is configured to apply a control signal to adjust an engine setting to reduce NOx emissions based in part on the magnitude of the variable.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for limiting output of NOx when operating an internal combustion engine in dynamically varying conditions while injecting a primary fuel and a combustible, hydrogen-containing gaseous product, comprising:
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injecting into the engine the combustible, hydrogen-containing gaseous product while injecting a liquid fuel as the primary fuel into the engine and, while injecting the gaseous product, continually monitoring output signal magnitudes from a first sensor representative of a first variable relating to operation of the engine; based on the monitored first sensor output signal magnitudes, deriving second signal magnitudes by imparting a shift to each in a plurality of first sensor output signal magnitudes, wherein the second signal magnitudes vary temporally as a function of change in the first sensor output signal magnitudes, and each in a plurality of second signal magnitudes is different than a first sensor output signal magnitude from which it is derived; and adjusting one or more engine parameters based in part on the second signal magnitudes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. For use in an electronic system which controls timing and metering of fuel delivered for combustion in an internal combustion engine, the electronic system including one or more sensors, including one first sensor for measuring an engine operating parameter and a processor unit which operates with software to provide command signals, based on magnitudes of measurements provided by the one first sensor, to control settings for engine operation, an electronic subsystem for connection between the one first sensor and the processor unit configured for:
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(i) receiving from the one first sensor first analog signals having first analog magnitudes; (ii) generating a first plurality of first digital signal magnitudes each representative of a first magnitude received from the one first sensor; and (iii) modifying the first digital signal magnitudes to generate a second plurality of second digital signal magnitudes by imparting magnitude shifts to each in the first plurality of the first digital signal magnitudes, each shift between a second digital signal magnitude and the first digital signal magnitude from which it is derived providing an input adjustment to the first digital signal magnitude suitable for the processor unit to use, in lieu of the first analog signal magnitudes, to generate an output to control engine operation by adjusting an engine parameter setting. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. In an electronic system which controls timing and metering of a primary fuel delivered for combustion in an internal combustion engine, the system including one or more sensors for measuring engine operating parameters, and a processor unit which operates with software to provide outputs based on sensor output signal magnitudes to control settings for engine operation, an electronic subsystem, comprising:
first circuitry for connection between a first sensor and the processor unit to receive first signals having first signal magnitudes from the first sensor, and generating second signals having second signal magnitudes each derived from a different one of the first signal magnitudes provided by the first sensor by imparting a shift to each in a plurality of the different ones of the first sensor output signal magnitudes, the second signal magnitudes provided for input to the processor unit in lieu of the plurality of the first sensor output signal magnitudes, each shift between a first magnitude and a second magnitude providing for an engine adjustment to an output from the processor unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A subsystem for use in combination with an electronic system in an internal combustion engine while the engine operates with a primary first fuel, the electronic system including one or more sensors to provide measurement signals for monitoring changes in one or more engine operating parameters and a processor unit configured to provide outputs, based in part on the measurement signals, to control timing and metering of the liquid fuel for delivery into one or more cylinders of the engine, or to control a fuel-to-air ratio, during engine operation, the subsystem comprising:
NOx circuitry, for connection between a first of the sensors and the processor unit, comprising first circuitry and programmed to continually adjust an engine parameter to limit output of NOx while a variable amount of reactive hydrogen is being provided for combustion with the primary fuel and while the engine operates under dynamically varying conditions wherein, in response to receiving first measurement signals from the first sensor, the first circuitry provides second measurement signals to the processor unit in lieu of the first measurement signals, the second measurement signals generated by continually imparting magnitude shifts to the first measurement signals as engine operating conditions vary.
Specification