Apparatus and method for reducing emissions in a dual combustion mode diesel engine
AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute
InventorDaniel W. Dickey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A diesel engine is adapted to operate in a conventional diesel combustion mode within a first speed and load range, and in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode in a second load and speed range. When operating in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, the emissions are dramatically reduced, resulting in a significant net reduction in emissions over the total load and speed operating range of the engine.
Claims11
An apparatus for controlling the combustion mode of a diesel engine having at least one combustion chamber and an inlet port in communication with an intake manifold and said combustion chamber, said apparatus comprising:
- a means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber;
- a means for sensing engine operating parameters indicative of the engine speed and load;
- and
- an electronic control unit in electrical communication with said means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber and with said means for sensing engine operating parameters indicative of the engine speed and load, said electronic control unit being adapted to deliver a first electronic signal to said means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber whereby fuel is injected into said combustion chamber in an amount and at a time sufficient to form a nonhomogeneous mixture of fuel droplets and air in said combustion chamber prior to and during combustion of said nonhomogeneous mixture in response to sensing engine operating parameters indicative of engine speed and load values within a first predefined range, and deliver a second electronic signal to said means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber whereby fuel is injected into said combustion chamber in an amount and at a time sufficient to form a homogeneous mixture of fuel and air in said combustion chamber prior to combustion of said homogeneous mixture in response to sensing engine operating parameters indicative of engine speed and load values within a second predefined range.
A method for controlling the combustion mode of a diesel engine having at least one combustion chamber, an inlet port in communication with an intake manifold and said combustion chamber, a means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber, and a means for sensing engine operating parameters indicative of the engine speed and load, said method comprising:
- sensing the engine operating parameters indicative of the engine speed and load;
- delivering a first signal to said means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber and providing a nonhomogeneous mixture of fuel droplets and air in said combustion chamber in response to sensing engine operating parameters indicative of engine speed and load values within a first predefined range;
- and
- delivering a second signal to said means for controllably delivering fuel to said combustion chamber and providing a homogeneous mixture of fuel droplets and air in said combustion chamber in response to sensing engine operating parameters indicative of engine speed and load values within a second range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.