Enhanced engine performance with fuel temperature control
US9556845B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems for utilizing heated fuel to compensate for a low cetane number, cetane number variance and sub-optimal engine cold-start performance in internal combustion engines are disclosed herein. Systems comprise a heater, a sensor, and an engine control unit (“ECU”). Methods can comprise detecting variables that affect combustion, calculating conditions inside a combustion chamber, determining the difference between current ignition delay and a desired ignition delay, estimating a cetane number of a fuel, and using the data to determine a suitable temperature that will compensate for cetane number and improve the ignition delay. Other methods comprise sending a signal to a heater in communication with a fuel injection system such that said heater warms fuel within the fuel injection system prior to injecting the fuel into a combustion chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.