Power plants – Fluid motor means driven by waste heat or by exhaust energy... – With supercharging means for engine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-16
2001-09-11
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Fluid motor means driven by waste heat or by exhaust energy...
With supercharging means for engine
C123S041130, C123S563000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286311
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to control systems and techniques for controlling compression-ignition engines, and, more particularly, this invention is related to a control system and method for reducing exhaust emissions and containing cylinder peak pressure particularly when the engine operates during high load conditions at a low ambient temperature.
Relatively large compression-ignition engines, such as those used for locomotives or power generation systems, are usually operated at full load with cylinder peak pressure (p
p
) close to but not exceeding a maximum structurally allowable value (p
max
). As ambient conditions change, such as when ambient temperature (T
a
) drops below a standard design point, e.g., a nominal operating temperature, and with ambient pressure (p
a
) remaining unchanged at a nominal value, p
p
increases and could exceed p
max
, resulting in undesirable increases in engine component stress and loading. Unfortunately, known techniques for avoiding a high p
p
, such as retarding fuel injection timing and reducing power output, are believed to undesirably deteriorate engine fuel efficiency and reduce engine power capability.
In view of the foregoing considerations, it is desirable to provide a system and method for controlling turbocharged compression-ignition engines to reduce exhaust emissions and contain cylinder peak pressure within structurally allowable limits, particularly during high load conditions at a low ambient temperature with minimal deterioration in engine efficiency and power capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the present invention fulfills the foregoing needs by providing a method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid. For example, the engine may be used for powering locomotives and power generation systems. The engine is configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold. The method allows for detecting or determining a full load or a high load engine condition by monitoring the amount of fuel injected into a cylinder per cylinder cycle and/or throttle notch position. The method also allows for sensing a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition. The method further allows for selecting a desired value of a respective operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders. The desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the ambient condition. A comparing step allows for comparing an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter. An actuating step allows for selectively actuating the intercooling system based on the results of the comparison step to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to reduce engine NO
x
emission and contain the peak pressure within acceptable limits during high load conditions at a low ambient temperature with minimal deterioration in engine efficiency and power capability.
The present invention may further fulfill the foregoing needs by providing a control system for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid. The engine is configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid into a plurality of cylinders through a respective intake manifold. The control system comprises a detector coupled to detect a full load or a high load engine condition by monitoring the amount of fuel injected into a cylinder per cylinder cycle and/or throttle notch position. The control system also comprises a sensor coupled to sense a predetermined parameter indicative of a respective ambient condition. A selecting module is coupled to the sensor to select a desired value of a predetermined operational parameter that influences peak pressures developed within the cylinders. The desired value being selected based on the value of the parameter indicative of the respective ambient condition. A comparator module is coupled to compare an actual value of the operational parameter against the desired value of that operational parameter to generate a comparator output signal. A control module is coupled to receive the comparator output signal to selectively actuate the intercooling system to adjust the actual value of the operational parameter to reduce engine NO
x
emission and contain the peak cylinder pressure within acceptable limits during high load conditions at a low ambient temperature with minimal deterioration in engine efficiency and engine power capability.
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Beusse Brownlee Bowdoin & Wolter PA
General Electric Company
Mora, Esq. Enrique J.
Nguyen Hoang
Rowold, Esq. Carl A.
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