Fuel system having multiple combustion modes
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDana Ray Coldren, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Robert Michael Campion
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel system is disclosed that is capable of operating in multiple combustion modes. A method is also disclosed of operating a dual fuel engine in conjunction with the fuel system. The method may include detecting a performance parameter of gaseous fuel in the fuel system. The method may also include selecting a combustion mode from a plurality of combustion modes based on the performance parameter. The method may further include injecting gaseous fuel and liquid fuel into at least one cylinder of the engine according to an injection timing corresponding to the selected combustion mode.
Claims20
A method of operating a dual fuel engine, comprising:
- detecting a performance parameter of gaseous fuel in a fuel system;
- selecting a combustion mode from a plurality of combustion modes based on the performance parameter;
- and
- injecting gaseous fuel and liquid fuel into at least one cylinder of the engine according to an injection timing corresponding to the selected combustion mode.
A fuel system for a dual fuel engine, comprising:
- at least one pump for receiving gaseous fuel from a tank;
- a liquid fuel reservoir;
- at least one fuel injector fluidly connected to the at least one pump and the liquid fuel reservoir and configured to inject the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel into at least one cylinder of the engine;
- a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a performance parameter of the gaseous fuel;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- select a combustion mode from a plurality of combustion modes based on the signal, and
- control the at least one fuel injector to implement the selected combustion mode.
A train consist, comprising:
- a tender car including a tank configured to store liquefied gaseous fuel;
- a locomotive including a dual fuel engine having a plurality of cylinders;
- and
- a fuel system, the fuel system comprising:
- the tank;
- a low pressure pump fluidly connected to the tank;
- a high pressure pump fluidly connected to the low pressure pump and configured to pressurize the liquefied gaseous fuel;
- a vaporizer fluidly connected to the high pressure pump and configured to convert the liquefied gaseous fuel to a supercritical gas;
- a liquid fuel reservoir;
- an injection system configured to inject the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel into the plurality of cylinders;
- and
- a control system configured to:
- detect a pressure of the gaseous fuel;
- compare the pressure of the gaseous fuel to a threshold;
- implement a first mode in which the gaseous fuel is injected after the liquid fuel during a combustion cycle when the pressure of the gaseous fuel is less than the first threshold, and
- implement a second mode in which the gaseous fuel is injected before the liquid fuel during a combustion cycle when the pressure of the gaseous fuel is greater than the first threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.