Southwest Research Institute

Other

Daniel W Dickey

Rudolf Hermann Stanglmaier

Thomas W Ryan, Iii

Charles Edward Roberts, Jr

Lee Gene Dodge

Evan S Guy

Stefan Simescu

Jeffrey A Leet

Matthew E Schulman

A fuel injection system and method to reduce NOx and smoke emissions from a compression ignition engine by co-injecting water and an oxygenated fuel during steady state and transient engine conditions.

Oxygenated fuel plus water injection for emissions control in compression ignition engines

Engine operating parameters are monitored during each combustion cycle of a diesel engine, and changes in engine load demand are sensed. In response to sensing a change in engine load demand, an engine operating condition indicative of either a high smoke or a high NOx condition, or both, is determined, and water is co-injected with fuel during the transient period in which there is a high smoke or high NOx condition, or both. The co-injection of water and fuel is terminated when it is determined that there is no longer an engine operating condition during the transient period indicative of either a high smoke or a high NOx condition.

Method of water/fuel co-injection for emissions control during transient operating conditions of a diesel engine

An operating characteristic representative of a first stage reaction in HCCI combustion is sensed and used as a control event for injecting water into the combustion chamber to delay the start of combustion of the primary HCCI reaction.

Engine and method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine

At least two separate fuels, having different volatility characteristics, are used to control the combustion phasing in a compression ignition engine. Desirably, the separate fuels are produced by distillation by which a parent fuel is separated into separate fractions having different reactivity. The provision multiple fuels by distillation and the control method embodying the present invention are particularly useful in controlling the combustion phasing of homogenous charge compression ignition combustion processes.

Method for controlling compression ignition combustion

An exhaust gas recirculation pump is used to pump exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold to the intake manifold of an engine. The recirculation pump is hydraulically actuated. The compressor stage of a turbocharger is hydraulically assisted by a hydraulically-driven turbine mechanically connected to the turbocharger compressor stage to provide additional compressed intake airflow during transient engine conditions or during periods when the engine provides low exhaust energy to the gas-driven turbine section of the turbocharger.

Hydraulically-actuated exhaust gas recirculation system and turbocharger

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.

Apparatus and method for reducing emissions in a dual combustion mode

A closed-loop control system controls the timing and amount of water injected into a combustion chamber of a homogeneous charge compression ignition diesel engine to regulate the start of combustion during the compression stroke or early in the expansion stroke of each combustion cycle. A sensor is used to detect the start of combustion and deliver a signal to an engine control unit to adjust water injection timing and quantity, on a cycle-by-cycle basis, to obtain the desired start of combustion during each compression stroke of the engine. The present invention effectively overcomes the problem of repeatable and accurate control of the start of combustion in diesel engines operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode.

Apparatus and method for controlling homogeneous charge compression

A single exhaust gas recirculation valve selectively provides flow distribution of exhaust gas from an engine manifold to a turbocharger or exhaust gas recirculation system, and simultaneously provides back pressure for driving the recirculated exhaust gas to the intake manifold of the engine when the valve is positioned to recirculate all or part of the exhaust gas. A 'wing-type' throttle blade is rotatably positioned within the valve and is selectively positionable between a first blocking position at which the exhaust gas recirculation port is blocked, and a second position at which the flow of exhaust gas to the turbine section of a turbocharger is blocked, as well as intermediate positions between the two blocked positions. The bearings supporting a shaft, to which the throttle blade is attached, are water cooled, as well as a mounting flange and shell surrounding an electric stepper motor coupled to the shaft. The present invention solves the problem of providing a compact EGR flow and back pressure valve in close proximity to the hot environment surrounding the exhaust manifold of an engine and a turbocharger.

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Helotes, TX, United States of America

Daniel W Dickey