DIFFERENTIAL CYLINDER BALANCING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

• US 20180094600A1
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Published: 04/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Klingbeil, Adam Edgar
• Granted Patent: US 10,408,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0642 at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/08 simultaneously using pluralities of fuels F02D19/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0085 Balancing of cylinder outputs, e.g. speed, torque or air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1446 the characteristics being exhaust temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/34 with means for controlling injection timing or duration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/402 Multiple injections
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of adjusting operation of an internal combustion engine includes injecting fuel into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (first fuel operation); obtaining a first fuel exhaust temperature profile during the first fuel operation; injecting two fuels into the cylinders in a duel fuel operation; obtaining a duel fuel exhaust temperature profile; and adjusting the injection quantity and/or an injection timing of one fuel in a cylinder(s), based on a difference between the first fuel exhaust temperature profile and the duel fuel exhaust temperature profile. Other methods of operating with single fuel and using sensors other than exhaust temperature sensors are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting operation of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

injecting a first fuel into a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, thereby defining a first fuel operation;

obtaining a first fuel exhaust temperature profile, during the first fuel operation;

injecting a second fuel and the first fuel into the plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, thereby defining a duel fuel operation;

obtaining a duel fuel exhaust temperature profile, during the duel fuel operation; and

adjusting one of an injection quantity and an injection timing of one of the first fuel and the second fuel in at least one of the plurality of cylinders, based on a difference between the first fuel exhaust temperature profile and the duel fuel exhaust temperature profile.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fuel comprises diesel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the first fuel exhaust temperature profile comprises collecting an exhaust temperature from each of the plurality of cylinders.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the duel fuel exhaust temperature profile, comprises collecting an exhaust temperature from each of the plurality of cylinders.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the first fuel exhaust temperature profile, comprises collecting an exhaust temperature from more than one but less than all of the plurality of cylinders.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the duel fuel exhaust temperature profile, comprises collecting an exhaust temperature from more than one but less than all of the plurality of cylinders.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second fuel comprises natural gas.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein obtaining the first fuel exhaust temperature profile is in response to detecting at least one faulty exhaust temperature sensor.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining the dual fuel exhaust temperature profile is in response to detecting at least one faulty exhaust temperature sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining a first fuel engine operating profile other than the exhaust temperature profile, during the first fuel operation;

obtaining a dual fuel engine operating profile other than the exhaust temperature profile, during the dual fuel operation; and

adjusting is further based on a difference between the first fuel engine operating profile and the duel fuel engine operating profile.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the obtaining a first fuel engine operating profile and the dual fuel engine operating profile is by at least one of:

a knock sensor, a pressure sensor, and a stress/strain gage.

12. A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising:

injecting a fuel into a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, defining a baseline operation;

obtaining a baseline exhaust temperature profile, during the baseline operation;

injecting the fuel into the plurality of cylinders defining an operating condition other than the baseline operating condition;

obtaining a second exhaust temperature profile; and

adjusting one of an injection quantity and a spark timing of the fuel in at least one of the plurality of cylinders, based on a difference between the baseline exhaust temperature profile and the second exhaust temperature profile.

13. The method of claim 12, obtaining a second baseline exhaust temperature profile after an event.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the event comprises one of:

a maintenance event, a diagnostic event, and a factory calibration

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the factory calibration or maintenance event is performed using additional measurement and diagnostic equipment that is non-integrated with the engine.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising replacing the baseline exhaust temperature profile with the second exhaust temperature profile.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

obtaining a baseline engine operating profile other than the exhaust temperature profile, during the baseline operation;

obtaining a second engine operating profile other than the exhaust temperature profile after an event; and

adjusting is further based on a difference between the baseline engine operating profile and the second engine operating profile.

18. A method of adjusting operation of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

injecting a first fuel into a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, thereby defining a first fuel operation;

obtaining a first fuel engine operating profile, during the first fuel operation;

injecting a second fuel and the first fuel into the plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine, thereby defining a duel fuel operation;

obtaining a duel fuel engine operating profile, during the duel fuel operation; and

adjusting one of an injection quantity and an injection timing of one of the first fuel and the second fuel in at least one of the plurality of cylinders, based on a difference between the first fuel engine operating profile and the duel fuel engine operating profile.

19. A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising:

injecting a fuel into a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, defining a baseline operation;

obtaining a baseline engine operating profile, during the baseline operation;

injecting the fuel into the plurality of cylinders defining an operating condition other than the baseline operating condition;

obtaining a second engine operating profile; and

adjusting one of an injection quantity and a spark timing of the fuel in at least one of the plurality of cylinders, based on a difference between the baseline engine operating profile and the second engine operating profile.