阅读说明：本技术 内燃机和用于运行内燃机的方法 (Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine ) 是由 G.阿尔诺德 E.安普拉茨 H.科佩切克 H.绍姆贝尔格 N.施皮拉 于 2015-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种内燃机,所述内燃机具有：至少一个燃烧室(2),空气(L)、可燃气体(B)以及稳定气体(S)能输入该燃烧室；用于测量至少一个发动机参量(λ、p)的至少一个传感器(3、14)；以及控制或调节装置(4),该控制或调节装置与所述至少一个传感器(3)连接,其中,向所述至少一个燃烧室(2)输入的稳定气体(S)的量可借助于控制或调节装置(4)依据所述至少一个发动机参量(λ、p)来控制或调节。(The invention relates to an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber (2) into which air (L), a combustible gas (B) and a stabilization gas (S) can be fed, having at least one sensor (3, 14) for measuring at least one engine variable (lambda, p), and having a control or regulating device (4) which is connected to the at least one sensor (3), wherein the amount of stabilization gas (S) fed into the at least one combustion chamber (2) can be controlled or regulated by means of the control or regulating device (4) as a function of the at least one engine variable (lambda, p).)

1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein,

feeding air (L), combustible gas (B) and stable gas (S) into at least one combustion chamber (2) to form a mixture;

igniting the mixture in the at least one combustion chamber (2);

measuring a pressure curve (DV) of a mixture of combustible gas (B), stable gas (S) and air (L) located in the at least one combustion chamber (2) during combustion as at least one engine variable by means of at least one pressure sensor (3) connected to a control or regulating device (4);

wherein a time variable is calculated from the measured pressure curve (DV) and the quantity of the stabilization gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2) is controlled or regulated as a function of the time variable.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a lambda probe and/or an oxygen sensor is used as sensor and that a lambda value (lambda) measured by the lambda probe (14) and/or determined by means of the measurement of the oxygen sensor is used as at least one engine variable.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that if the lower lambda limit value (lambda) is lower_min) Then the amount of the stabilizing gas (S) fed in is increased.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said time parameter characterizes the combustion speed of said mixture of combustible gas (B), stabilizing gas (S) and air (L) in said at least one combustion chamber (2).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the amounts of the stabilizing gas (S) and the combustible gas (B) are varied by the same factor depending on the time parameter.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case of an internal combustion engine (1) having a plurality of combustion chambers (2), an individual time variable (AI 50, MFB 50) is calculated for each combustion chamber (2) and the time variable is calculated as the maximum, minimum, average or median value of the individual time variables (AI 50, MFB 50).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a heat curve (HV) is calculated from the difference of the pressure curve (DV) and drag pressure curve (SV) and an accumulated heat curve (kHV) is calculated as an integral of the heat curve (HV) and the accumulated heat curve (kHV) is used for calculating the time parameter and/or the individual time parameters (AI 50, MFB 50).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the time at which the cumulative thermal profile (kHV) reaches its maximum value of a defined share of between 5% and 20% or between 30% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 65%, and particularly preferably 50%, is used as the time variable or as the individual time variable (AI 50, MFB 50).

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the time variable and/or the individual time variable (AI 50, MFB 50) is/are determined by means of a piston position, expressed as the angular position of the respective crankshaft throw, measured from the top dead center in the direction of rotation of the crankshaft, using a 50% contribution of the cumulative thermal curve (kHV), wherein the quantity of the stabilization gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2) is controlled or regulated to a combustion center setpoint value (AI 50_ Soll).

10. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that for calculating the time parameter and/or the individual time parameter (AI 50, MFB 50) a first point (P1) on the pressure curve (DV) and a second point (P2) on the pressure curve (DV) are selected, wherein the absolute value of the pressure curve (DV) and/or the slope of the pressure curve (DV) are used as a criterion for selecting the first point (P1) and/or the second point (P2), and the value between the time coordinates of the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) is determined for the time parameter and/or for the individual time parameter (AI 50, MFB 50), wherein preferably a 50% quantile is used.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating an internal combustion engine according to the features of the preamble of claim 9.

Background

There is a series of uses of internal combustion engines, wherein these internal combustion engines are operated with fuels having a relatively low heating value and, in addition, a locally strongly varying heating value. As a specific example, a gas engine is used which is operated with so-called low BTU gas, which is derived from coal mines, for example. Since the low BTU gas (BTU: british thermal unit) has not only a low heating value but also a strongly varying heating value, it is prior art to incorporate a stable gas into the combustible gas, which also ensures combustion when the combustible gas temporarily has a very low heating value. This is achieved, for example, in the applicant's product series (bauleihe) 6, Model 620E 51.

The incorporation is carried out in such a way that this combustion-ensuring condition is still met. The use of a stable gas should be saved here, since it must be purchased and is generally more expensive than the combustible gas due to its better combustibility.

In this case, hydrogen-containing and/or methane-containing gases, such as pure hydrogen or pure methane, and natural gas or coal gas, are preferably used as stabilizing gases. In principle, however, various gases which enable permanent operation of the internal combustion engine can be used as the stabilization gas.

Another development is derived from the above-described aim of using as little stabilizing gas as possible. It is known to continuously measure the composition of the combustible gas before it is fed to the internal combustion engine and to determine the current heating value from this. In this way, more stable gas can be supplied in a targeted manner, even when the combustible gas has a particularly low heating value. The disadvantage here is that the measuring instruments necessary for the analysis of the combustible gas, for example gas chromatographs or mass spectrometers, are comparatively expensive. These analytical methods are relatively slow, so that when the calorific value of the combustible gas changes rapidly, it is not possible to incorporate a stable gas exactly as desired. Furthermore, they are expensive and there is an increased risk of failure, so that it is necessary to return to the method described at the outset for the constant incorporation of a stabilizing gas.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine and a method for operating an internal combustion engine, in which safe operation and efficient use of stable gases can be achieved when combustible gases having a variable and/or excessively low heating value are combusted.

This object is achieved by an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 9.

This is done by: the amount of the stabilization gas supplied to the at least one combustion chamber is controlled or regulated as a function of the at least one engine variable.

The invention is therefore based on the recognition that: in many cases, sensors already present on the internal combustion engine can be used to detect the quality of the combustion. The invention thus allows the use of a stable gas with high efficiency and with a defined target, while the expenditure for the measuring element remains substantially unchanged.

Also in the opposite case, in which the combustible gas has a heating value that is too high for the internal combustion engine, stable operation can be ensured by means of the stabilization gas. By using a stable gas with a lower calorific value, it is possible to achieve that a gas mixture with a calorific value which is acceptable for the internal combustion engine is always present in the combustion chamber.

Furthermore, a stable gas can also be used according to the invention when other parameters of the combustible gas are not appropriate for existing internal combustion engines. An important example here is the flame propagation speed. That is, if there is a combustible gas having a flame propagation velocity that is too low (too high), a stable gas having a higher (lower) flame propagation velocity can be incorporated to provide the internal combustion engine as a whole with a mixture having the correct flame propagation velocity.

If several parameters of the combustible gas are not suitable for the internal combustion engine, it is of course also possible to use several different stable gases in order to adapt the gas to be combusted.

All possible uses of the same type of internal combustion engine or of the same type of method as discussed with reference to the prior art can also be considered in the internal combustion engine or method according to the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the invention can be used in gas engines having 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 cylinders.

Preferably, the invention is used in stationary internal combustion engines, in particular of the external ignition type, which are preferably coupled to an electric generator for generating electricity or are used for directly driving machines, in particular pumps and compressors.

The quantity of the stable gas, the combustible gas or the air supplied to the at least one combustion chamber is preferably understood to mean the mass of the gas. In principle, for example, variables according to the concept of mass-based quantities can be used for control or regulation. However, it is also possible, for example, to give the amount of the respective gas via their chemical energy content.

An embodiment can be preferred in which a lambda sensor is provided for measuring the lambda value (air excess factor) as an engine variable, said lambda sensor being connected to the control or regulating device. The lambda probe can preferably be arranged in the exhaust manifold. The measured lambda value can then be used in controlling or regulating the input of the stabilization gas.

In the supply line, the lambda value can likewise be determined via measuring the oxygen content and supplied to the engine controller.

Alternatively or additionally, the lambda value can be determined by means of an oxygen sensor, since the lambda value can be inferred from the measured values of the oxygen sensor. Of course, other sensors whose measured values allow the determination of the lambda value can also be used. Carbon monoxide detectors may be cited as examples.

Furthermore, an embodiment may be preferred in which at least one sensor is provided for measuring at least one pressure of a mixture of combustible gas, stable gas and air in the at least one combustion chamber during combustion as an engine variable, the at least one sensor being connected to a control or regulating device. From the cylinder pressure detected in this way, a time variable can be calculated, which characterizes the combustion speed of the gas in the at least one combustion chamber. Such a time variable can also be advantageously taken into account when controlling or regulating the stabilization gas.

Wherever reference is made to a pressure sensor in this disclosure, the use is likewise conceivable

-ion flow sensor or

-a sensor for detecting the temperature in the at least one combustion chamber.

Using the measured values of these sensors, a characteristic combustion curve can likewise be inferred.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, exactly one sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, is provided for each combustion chamber. In this way, a separate time variable can be calculated for each combustion chamber. In a further preferred embodiment, provision can be made for averaging or calculating the median value of the individual time variables via these individual time variables in order to improve the accuracy of the time variables to be calculated. However, it is also conceivable to individually control or regulate the incorporation of the stabilization gas for each combustion chamber.

In the determination of the time variable and/or the individual time variable, a so-called "mass fraction burned" (MFB) can be used. For the definition of MFB reference is made to sections 9.1 and 9.2, in particular 9.2.1 and 9.2.2, of the Internal Combustion engine principles (mcgral hill, 1988) written by the profession of maritime. The time at which the MFB reaches its maximum defined share can be used as the time parameter and/or as the individual time parameter. The value of this portion which is preferred for the purposes of the present invention is between 30% and 80%, in particular between 40% and 65% and particularly preferably 50%. The time variable and/or the individual time variable generated in this way is referred to as MFB50 (in the case of a share of 50%; similarly in the case of other selected shares).

The proportion may also be between 0% and 10%. The time variable and/or the individual time variable is then referred to as ignition delay. For the definition of the ignition delay, reference is made to section 9.2.3 of Internal combustion engine principles (Internal combustion engine Fundamentals), written by maritime professions (mcgral hill, 1988).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that during the combustion, a pressure curve in the at least one combustion chamber is measured by means of the at least one pressure sensor and used to calculate the time variable. This may preferably be done by measuring a plurality of pressure values via the at least one pressure sensor. The more pressure values are provided by the at least one pressure sensor per combustion, i.e. the higher the time resolution of the measured pressure curve, the more precisely the time variable determined therefrom can be calculated.

This applies in particular to the following further developments of this embodiment. Provision can be made for the thermal curve to be calculated as the difference between the pressure curve and the drag pressure curve, for the cumulative thermal curve to be calculated as the integral of the thermal curve, and for the cumulative thermal curve to be used for calculating the time variable. The drag pressure is understood to be the curve of the pressure in the combustion chamber without combustion. In the case of a piston-cylinder unit, for example, in the drag mode, the pressure changes periodically even if no combustion takes place. The drag pressure curve may be determined experimentally, using simulation, or by analytical calculations. By means of this embodiment, a precise combustion curve in the combustion chamber can be detected.

The time variable on the basis of the MFB or the individual time variable can be determined from the thermal profile in a simple manner as follows: the time at which the cumulative thermal curve reaches a defined share of its maximum value, which is between 30% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 65%, and particularly preferably 50%, is used as the time variable or the individual time variable.

Alternatively or additionally, a share between 0% and 20% may also be used. In this case, the time variable or the individual time variable is referred to as the ignition delay.

The use of an ignition delay may be advantageous because at the start of combustion there is a relatively simple flow situation in the cylinder (e.g. compared to the moment in the centre of combustion). A prerequisite for this is a sufficiently high pressure level for the at least one pressure sensor at the start of the combustion process.

The time parameter may however also be calculated in other ways. The following examples are listed:

-maximum of the differentiated thermal law (Heizgensetz),

-determining the center of the plane of the differentiated heat law,

the location of the peak of the cylinder pressure (in this way the combustion center can be determined very simply),

-evaluating the cylinder pressure edge (Zylinderdruckflanken) (this method is briefly discussed in the description of the figures, see fig. 3).

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that both the lambda probe and at least one pressure sensor arranged in the at least one combustion chamber are used. However, it is also conceivable to calculate the lambda value from the measured values of the at least one pressure sensor instead of measuring the lambda value with a lambda probe.

Drawings

Further advantages and details of the invention can be taken from the drawings and the description thereof in connection with the figures. Shown here are:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of an internal combustion engine according to the invention,

figures 2a and 2b show two graphs for determining the time parameter in the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 shows a diagram for determining a time variable in a second embodiment, an

Fig. 4 shows a control scheme of an internal combustion engine according to the invention or of a method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The internal combustion engine 1 has inputs for combustible gas B, which is fed via a combustible gas feed line 11 to a first mixing device 7, and for this purpose air L is fed via an air feed line 12 to the first mixing device 7, the premix produced in the first mixing device 7 is fed to a second mixing device 8, the premix is admixed to the stabilized gas S in the second mixing device 8 via a stabilized gas feed line 9, so that a main mixture is formed, which is fed to the combustion chambers 2, ten combustion chambers 2 being shown purely by way of example, the number of combustion chambers 2, however, is of no importance for the invention itself, not all combustion chambers 2 and not all pressure sensors 3 are provided with reference numerals for the sake of clarity.

In the case of mineral or gas, the air supply line 12 and the supply of combustible gas B can be interchanged differently than shown, so that the combustible gas B flows in freely, while air is metered in via the regulating valve 10.

In this embodiment, each combustion chamber is implemented as a piston-cylinder unit. A turbocharger 16 is provided. Multiple turbochargers 16 may also be provided (not shown).

The turbocharger 16 has a bypass valve 17 on the compressor side and a wastegate 18 on the turbine side. By means of which the charging pressure and the charging air quantity can be influenced rapidly, so that the power output and the emissions of the internal combustion engine 1 can be regulated.

In this embodiment, the internal combustion engine 1 drives a generator 5 for generating electricity.

A lambda probe 14 connected to the regulating device 4 is located in the exhaust line 20. For the working principle of the adjusting device 4, refer to fig. 4.

For each combustion chamber 2, a pressure sensor 3 is provided, which measures the pressure profile during combustion in the respective combustion chamber 2. The measured values are passed to a regulating device 4, which calculates the time variable therefrom. This is done according to the method described further below with the aid of fig. 2a and 2 b.

In addition to the respective measured values of the lambda sensor 14 and the pressure sensor 3, the control unit 4 is provided with measured values of the boost pressure sensor 6, of the boost temperature sensor 19 and of the power sensor 15 on the generator 5. The regulating device 4 influences the regulating valves 10 in the combustible gas supply line 12 and the stabilization supply line 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the control valve is embodied as a volume flow control valve.

Alternatively to the use of the boost temperature sensor 19 described in the preceding paragraph, a boost air quantity sensor may also be used.

The control device 4 also influences the throttle valve 13, the bypass valve 17 on the compressor side and the wastegate 18.

The combustion chambers and their ignition means can be implemented according to the prior art. Of course the invention can be combined with other known techniques. For example, exhaust gas recirculation or exhaust gas reforming can be carried out without problems.

Fig. 2a shows a pressure curve DV measured by the pressure sensor 3. Here, the position of the respective piston is used as a time unit. This position is given by the position of the respective crank throw of the crankshaft, where 0 ° represents the top dead center of the piston.

Fig. 2a also shows a drag pressure curve SV which arises when the gas in the cylinder is not ignited, i.e. a curve of the cylinder pressure. The drag pressure curve has been calculated analytically in this case. The difference between the pressure curve DV and the drag pressure curve SV enables the calculation of a thermal curve HV, which is shown in fig. 2 b. Furthermore, in this figure, an accumulated thermal curve kHV is shown, which is an integral of the thermal curve HV. The crankshaft position, which identifies that 50% of the maximum value of the cumulative thermal curve is reached (referred to as MFB50 (50% mass burned), is used as the time parameter.

The thermal profile HW is described in the specialist literature (Internal Combustion engine principles, 1988, 387 and below) by Hayward.

Of course, other percentages are also suitable for defining the time parameter.

MFB50 is also referred to as AI50 (50% of angular integral).

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment for determining the time variable from the pressure curve DV. Here, the maximum of the pressure curve is determined and a point P1 is determined which is ahead of the pressure maximum at the bend of the pressure curve DV by an offset V. A second point P2 is then determined, which is on the right side of the pressure curve DV and has the same pressure value as P1. In this method, the points P1 and P2 can be determined by moving the average, which improves accuracy.

The value between the two time coordinates of points P1 and P2 is used as a time parameter or as a separate parameter, with the 50% quantile being used in most cases. Other quantiles (40% to 60%, 30% to 70%) are of course also conceivable.

The regulation of the internal combustion engine 1 is explained next in accordance with the embodiment in fig. 1. The demand for combustible gas B and stabilizing gas S is regulated via the regulating device 4 as a function of the lambda value lambda and also or directly as a function of the oxygen content.

The regulation via the lambda probe 14 is preferably combined with the regulation via the combustion sensor (e.g. the pressure sensor 3) in order to ensure an optimally stable and robust engine operation.

The control or regulation can be carried out in such a way that if the time variable exceeds a certain limit value, more combustible gas and stable gas are fed in (with the ratio remaining the same). If the lambda value lambda is not within an acceptable range, the ratio of combustible gas B to stable gas S is adapted.

The regulation thus ensures that the internal combustion engine 1 is always operated with a gas-air mixture with a lambda value lambda >1.0, which is advantageous for stable operation and for low emissions and reasonable efficiency.

The corresponding regulation scheme is shown in fig. 4.

The setpoint value for AI50 (referred to as AI50_ Soll) and the minimum lambda value lambda are stored in the control device 4_min。

Measuring the values lambda and lambda_minCompares and inputs the result to the proportional regulator 31. (in the present embodiment,. lambda._min=1.1）。

The use of the proportioner 31 is not important to the invention. Other actuator types or characteristic maps can also be used.

The value X generated by the proportional regulator 31 and used to vary the ratio of combustible gas B to stable gas S is then held by the saturator 33 at a predetermined saturation limit X_satUnder (e.g. X)<= 0.2). (X is a value between 0 and 1 and is defined as the ratio of the mass of the stable gas S to the total mass of the stable gas S and the combustible gas B). That is, if the value X is greater than X_satThen saturator 33 is X_satReplacing X. A similar situation occurs if the input value of the saturator 33 is negative, that is, the saturator 33 outputs X =0 when the input value is negative.

If the value X generated by the proportional regulator 31 reaches the saturation limit X_sat(e.g. X)_sat= 0.2), the power of the internal combustion engine 1 is furthermore offset by X-X_satProportionally decreases. For the sake of simplicity, a power regulation loop known per se is not shown.

The value X is used as a basis for the amount of stabilizing gas that is fed in. 1-X serves as a basis for the amount of combustible gas input.

For better understanding, giveNumber of instances. If the measured lambda value lambda is equal to the minimum lambda value lambda_minI.e. λ = λ_minThen the value 0 is input to the proportional regulator 31 which supplies this value further to the saturator 33 unchanged. Since 0 is within the allowed value range of the saturator 33, X =0 is output from the saturator. Now if the gas composition changes so that the measured lambda value becomes lambda =1.0, then at lambda and lambda_minThe comparison between the two gives a value of 0.1. For this numerical example, the constant of the corresponding proportional regulator 31 is equal to 1. The saturator 33 thus also obtains the value 0.1. Since 0.1 is also located in the allowed value range of the saturator 33, the saturator output X = 0.1. That is to say that in this case 10% of the stabilizing gas S (with respect to the total mass or the energy content of stabilizing gas S and combustible gas B) is admixed.

AI50_ Soll is compared with the actual AI50 determined by the pressure sensor 3 and fed to the decision unit 31. The decision unit 31 determines whether the deviation between the actual AI50 and AI50_ Soll exceeds a certain limit value (for example | AI50-AI50_ Soll | >3 °).

If this is the case, the deviation is supplied, for example, to a further proportional regulator 32 and the quantities of the stabilizing gas S and the combustible gas B are varied by the same factor with the aid of the results obtained after the further proportional regulator 32. This is done in this embodiment by a multiplier 34.

Alternatively or additionally, the proportions of the stabilizing gas S and the combustible gas B can also be intervened. That is, unlike what is described in the preceding paragraph, the mass or energy content of each gas is not changed by the same factor.

As a result, the stable gas Ys to be fed and the combustible gas Y to be fed are_BThe amount of substance is output to the regulating valve 10.