Multi-fuel engines and controls using hydrogen fuel substitution
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Langenderfer, J. Steven Kolhouse, Axel Otto zur Loye, Michael J. Ruth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Engine systems are disclosure that include a multi-fuel engine operable to selectably combust varying proportions of a first type of fuel and a second type of fuel, such as gaseous hydrogen fuel. An electronic control system and method control the substitution of the hydrogen fuel for emissions reduction and/or aftertreatment regeneration. Substitution of hydrogen fuel may also be monitored and controlled to manage emissions credits.
Claims21
An engine system operable to combust multiple fuels, the engine system comprising:
- a multi-fuel engine configured to selectably combust a plurality of proportions of a first fuel and a second fuel to produce an exhaust flow, wherein the second fuel is a hydrogen fuel and the first fuel is not a hydrogen fuel;
- a fueling system operably connected to the multi-fuel engine, the fueling system including a first fuel source configured to provide the first fuel to the multi-fuel engine and a second fuel source configured to provide the second fuel to the multi-fuel engine;
- an aftertreatment system for receiving the exhaust flow produced by the multi-fuel engine, the aftertreatment system including at least one regeneratable component through which the exhaust flow passes;
- and
- an electronic control system in operative communication with the multi-fuel engine, the fueling system, and the aftertreatment system, the electronic control system being configured to provide the second fuel from the second fuel source through a deactivated cylinder of the multi-fuel engine, from at least one second fuel direct injector of a cylinder of the multi-fuel engine, or from an additional injector of an exhaust manifold of the multi-fuel engine, to regenerate the at least one regeneratable component with the second fuel in response to a regeneration event for the at least one regeneratable component.
An engine system operable to combust multiple fuels, the engine system comprising:
- a multi-fuel engine configured to selectably combust a plurality of proportions of a first fuel and a second fuel to produce an exhaust flow, wherein the second fuel is a hydrogen fuel and the first fuel is not a hydrogen fuel;
- a fueling system operably connected to the multi-fuel engine, the fueling system including a first fuel source configured to provide the first fuel to the multi-fuel engine and a second fuel source configured to provide the second fuel to the multi-fuel engine;
- and
- an electronic control system in operative communication with the multi-fuel engine and the fueling system, the electronic control system being configured to determine an amount and a renewable characteristic indicative of a level of renewability of the second fuel substituted for the first fuel over a period of time.
A method of operating a muti-fuel engine, the method comprising:
- operating the muti-fuel engine to combust a first fuel and a second fuel to produce an exhaust flow, wherein the second fuel is a hydrogen fuel;
- determining a regeneration event is present for a regeneratable component in an exhaust system that received the exhaust flow;
- and
- regenerating the regeneratable component with the second fuel in response to the regeneration event, wherein regenerating the regeneratable component includes injecting the second fuel into the exhaust flow to regenerate the at least one regeneratable component with the second fuel in response to the regeneration event for the regeneratable component being present.
A method of operating a multi-fuel engine, the method comprising:
- operating the muti-fuel engine to combust a first fuel and a second fuel to produce an exhaust flow, wherein the second fuel is a hydrogen fuel;
- substituting the second fuel for the first fuel for a period of time;
- and
- determining an amount and a renewable characteristic indicative of a level of renewability of the second fuel substituted for the first fuel over the period of time.
A method of operating a multi-fuel engine, the method comprising:
- operating the muti-fuel engine to combust a first fuel and a second fuel to produce an exhaust flow to an aftertreatment system, wherein the second fuel is a hydrogen fuel having a lower carbon content than the first fuel;
- and
- substituting the second fuel for the first fuel in response to an emissions feedback signal indicating a vehicle location to maintain compliance with a local emissions standard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.