초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for controlling the start of combustion in a combustion chamber of a diesel engine operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, comprising:an injection nozzle having at least a tip portion thereof disposed in the combustion chamber

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for controlling the start of combustion in a combustion chamber of a diesel engine operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, comprising:an injection nozzle having at least a tip portion thereof disposed in the combustion chamber of said diesel engine;a reservoir adapted to provide a source of water;a pump disposed in fluid communication with said reservoir and said injection nozzle and adapted to deliver water at a predetermined pressure to said injection nozzle;a sensor adapted to detect the start of combustion in the combustion chamber of said engine and transmit an electrical signal in response to detecting the start of combustion;a sensor adapted to determine the real-time position of a piston disposed in said combustion chamber of the engine and transmit an electrical signal correlating with said determined real-time position of the piston; andan electronic control unit in electrical communication with said injection nozzle, said sensor adapted to detect the start of combustion in the combustion chamber and said sensor adapted to determine the real-time position of a piston disposed in said combustion chamber of the engine, said electronic control unit being adapted to deliver an electrical signal to the injection nozzle for controlling the timing and the length of time that said injection nozzle injects water into said combustion chamber of the engine in response to the value of electrical signals delivered to said electronic control unit from said start of combustion sensor and said piston position sensor.