General Electric Company

Gong Chen

Bertrand Dahung Hsu

Robert Douglas Cryer

Shawn Michael Gallagher

Eric Richard Dillen

Gregory Alan Marsh

John Patrick Dowell

Kyle Craig Stott

Peter Loring Valentine

Ronald Herman Till

Richard John McGowan

Donald J Melpolder

Michael Shawn Gallagher

A diesel engine () wherein both the operating speed of the engine (RPM) and the timing of the fuel injection into the engine (AA) are cooperatively controlled to be responsive to both the temperature and the pressure of the air () used for combustion. A controller () receives a temperature signal (), an air pressure signal (), and a power demand signal () and executes control logic to produce a fuel injection control signal () and an engine speed control signal () for controlling a fuel injection system (). A control strategy based on engine inlet air temperature and pressure or manifold air density may be useful for variable speed and power applications. For applications with discreet speed and power points, such as a locomotive, a speed and timing control strategy based on ambient temperature and pressure is useful for maximizing power during high altitude and/or high ambient/inlet air temperature operation.

Diesel engine control

A method of controlling fuel injection timing in a compression ignition engine including at least one cylinder. The method includes monitoring a parameter indicative of a commanded operating speed of the engine corresponding to an engine throttle notch and monitoring a parameter indicative of the actual operating speed of the engine. When the commanded engine speed exceeds the actual engine speed, the fuel injection timing for the engine may be advanced to reduce emissions.

Apparatus and method for suppressing diesel engine emissions

A fuel injection system for a diesel engine operating at retarded fuel injection timing includes a fuel cam configured to increase a fuel injection pressure and decrease a fuel injection duration, thereby improving fuel atomization and combustion in a plurality of engine cylinders and improving an indicated efficiency of the engine and reducing exhaust emissions. The fuel cam is oriented in a phase relationship with a compression stroke top-dead-center position to accommodate the retarded fuel injection timing and to optimize an engine brake efficiency and performance.

High injection rate, decreased injection duration diesel engine fuel system

Automatic control of the temperature of the inlet air being supplied to the engine (,) of a locomotive (,) in order to optimize the performance of the engine (,) under a variety of ambient air temperatures and pressures. One or more valves (,) is utilized to control the flow of warm air from the engine compartment (,) into the air inlet path (,). The position of valve (,) is controlled by controller (,) in response to at least one of an ambient air temperature signal T,, an ambient atmospheric pressure signal P,, and an inlet air temperature signal T,. The temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path,may be controlled by selecting from among a plurality of possible inlets (,). By varying the volume and temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path (,), the temperature and density of the air supplied at the engine inlet (,) may be moderated across a broad range of ambient air temperatures and pressures.

Locomotive engine inlet air apparatus and method of controlling inlet air temperature

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of controlling fuel injection timing in a compression ignition engine including at least one cylinder. The method includes monitoring engine throttle position and change. One of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode is detected in response to the monitoring of throttle position and change. Fuel injection timing for the at least one cylinder is controlled in accordance with a predetermined timing schedule in response to the detection of one of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

A diesel engine adapted for operation under retarded fuel ignition timing relative to conventional fuel injection timing includes a piston shaped to increase the compression ratio of an engine cylinder, and specially designed combustion air intake and exhaust gas ports that increase scavenging flow of exhaust gases and allow for manipulation of air intake and exhaust gas valves with a cam shaft. Thus, an engine may be operated under retarded fuel injection timing to decrease emissions of nitrogen oxides without sacrificing engine performance and efficiency.

Increased compression ratio diesel engine assembly for retarded fuel injection timing

A fuel injection timing control system for diesel engines operating at high altitude includes a barometric sensor coupled to an altitude timing controller, and a throttle position sensor coupled to the engine and the altitude timing controller. The altitude timing controller adjusts fuel injection timing in response to the sensed pressure and sensed throttle position by advancing or retarding fuel injection timing by predetermined values as barometric pressure and/or throttle position changes. The predetermined values are selected to reduce exhaust emissions and/or increase engine efficiency and performance under various barometric pressure conditions so that the engine may be operated continually and optimally under various barometric conditions.

Reduced emissions elevated altitude diesel fuel injection timing control

A system and method for controlling a turbocharged compression-ignition engine having an intercooling system that uses a predetermined coolant fluid is provided. 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 a full or high load engine condition using 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 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 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,emission and contain cylinder peak pressure within acceptable limits during high load operations regardless of the ambient condition with minimal deterioration in engine output performance and capability.

System and method for controlling a locomotive engine during high load conditions at low ambient temperature

A method and system for controlling a compression ignition engine in railroad locomotives and other land or marine-based large propulsion or power generation equipment operable in a selected one of a plurality of engine throttle notches is provided. Each throttle notch is indicative of a respective load condition of the engine. The engine has an intercooling system using a predetermined cooling fluid and the engine is configured to receive a predetermined combustion-supporting fluid (e.g., air) into a plurality of cylinders through respective intake manifolds. The method allows for sensing the selected throttle notch, and for selectively actuating the intercooling system to adjust a predetermined operational parameter (e.g., intake manifold air temperature) based on the sensed throttle notch and/or environmental conditions.

Method and system for controlling a compression ignition engine during partial load conditions to reduce exhaust emissions

A diesel engine includes a fuel injection control system communicating with a barometric pressure sensor and throttle position sensor. An elevation compensation controller adjusts engine speed and fuel injection timing at high altitudes in response to the sensed barometric pressure and engine throttle position. Engine speed is increased or decreased by predetermined values with changes in barometric pressure and throttle position to optimize engine performance and efficiency under various pressure conditions while reducing exhaust emissions.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

Gong Chen