초록 ▼

According to the present invention, combustion properties of a gaseous fuel such as natural gas, utilized to fuel an internal combustion engine, are determined by measuring the velocity of sound in the gaseous fuel. This sound velocity measurement is utilized to control and adjust engine performance

According to the present invention, combustion properties of a gaseous fuel such as natural gas, utilized to fuel an internal combustion engine, are determined by measuring the velocity of sound in the gaseous fuel. This sound velocity measurement is utilized to control and adjust engine performance factors such as ignition timing, fuel flow rate, air/fuel ratio, fuel injection timing, and pilot fuel oil quantity and timing in dual fuel systems. The speed of sound in the gaseous fuel is used to define the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio in the fuel, which is employed in the invention to control and adjust various engine performance factors, and a number of display readouts.

대표청구항 ▼

A method comprising: (A) automatically and continuously determining the velocity of sound (Us) in a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel flowing into a fuel inlet of an internal combustion engine; (B) automatically and continuously determining the hydrogen atom to carbon atom ratio (H/C ratio) of said gaseous f

A method comprising: (A) automatically and continuously determining the velocity of sound (Us) in a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel flowing into a fuel inlet of an internal combustion engine; (B) automatically and continuously determining the hydrogen atom to carbon atom ratio (H/C ratio) of said gaseous fuel from said Us; (C) automatically and continuously detecting a change in Us of said gaseous fuel; (D) automatically detecting a change in H/C ratio of said gaseous fuel as a result of said change in Us; and (E) automatically and continuously adjusting operation of said internal combustion engine based upon and in response to said step (D), thereby to optimize engine operation on the basis of the prevailing H/C ratio.