Woodward Governor Company

Colorado State University Research Foundation

Woodward, Inc.

Matthew Viele

Luigi P Tozzi

Ed VanDyne

Kelly J Benson

Ed Vandyne

An apparatus includes a parallel computation unit including an input port and an output port and a one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. The input port is configured to sample at a time ta boundary condition signal for the one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model and the output port is configured to provide an output signal before the boundary condition signal is sampled at a time t

Implementing a computational fluid dynamics model using a plurality of computation units

Apparatus and method for use in computational fluid dynamics

Presented is a device that provides a correction factor to compensate for varying fuel and air properties in an ion signal sensed in combustion chamber of reciprocating and continuous combustion engines, on a predetermined basis during the combustion of conventional petroleum-based fuels, other alternate fuels, and renewable fuels. The device uses an ion current reference sensor device and a processing module to provide a correction factor to the ion signal(s). The ion current reference sensor device is positioned near the chamber(s) of the engine and fuel provided to the chamber(s) is routed to provide a diffusion flame and the resultant ion current from the flame is measured and provided to the processing module at discrete intervals during the combustion process. Alternatively, a pre-mixed flame is used. The processing module provides a scaling factor to be applied to the ion signal and/or calibration points used to detect combustion conditions.

Compensating for varying fuel and air properties in an ion signal

An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a diesel engine is presented. The apparatus is a spark plug type of sensor or a sensor integrated with a fuel injector. The spark plug type of sensor is used to provide a cold start mechanism combined with an ion sensing device.

Method and apparatus for detecting ionization signal in diesel and dual mode engines with plasma discharge system

An apparatus and method to detect abnormal combustion conditions for use as a feedback control of an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) controlled reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a running engine and processes a plurality of related ionization signals for signal stability. The ionization signals are checked to determine if an abnormal combustion condition such as knock or misfire has occurred. The variation of an ionization signal that changes with respect to an engine parameter over a combustion event of the reciprocating engine is measured and a floating bounded space is associated with the ionization signal. An indication that the abnormal combustion condition has been detected is provided if a portion of the ionization signal is within the floating bounded space.

Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal combustion conditions in reciprocating engines having high exhaust gas recirculation

An apparatus and method to detect and control the combustion quality of a lean burn reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a running engine and processes a plurality of related ionization signals for signal stability. A start point and peak of the ionization signal is identified, using an initial current level for all of the signals. A geometric parameter is associated with the ionization signal that relates the start point to the peak. The geometric parameter is compared against a reference geometric parameter related to a desired combustion quality relating to a lambda greater than 1.4. A control parameter of the engine is adjusted such that an error difference between the geometric parameter and the reference geometric parameter is minimized. The ionization signals are checked to determine if an abnormal combustion condition such as knock or misfire has occurred.

Method and apparatus for controlling combustion quality in lean burn reciprocating engines

An apparatus and method to detect abnormal combustion conditions for use as a feedback control of a lean burn reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a running engine and processes a plurality of related ionization signals for signal stability. The ionization signals are checked to determine if an abnormal combustion condition such as knock or misfire has occurred. The variation of an ionization signal that changes with respect to an engine parameter over a combustion event of the lean burn reciprocating engine operating with an air to fuel ratio corresponding to a lambda (&lgr;) greater than 1.4 is measured and a floating bounded space is associated with the ionization signal. An indication that the abnormal combustion condition has been detected is provided if a portion of the ionization signal is within the floating bounded space.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Matthew Viele