DE202009010704U1 - Device for operating an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (A) for operating an internal combustion engine (B), characterized by
- A gas generator (A1) with a first control unit (3) adjustable electrolytic cell (1) for generating Brown gas (12), and
- A gas system (A2) with adjustable via a second control device (19) blowing means (18) for Brown gas (12) in the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, wherein the second control unit (19) for the determination of the injection amounts and / or blowing times of Brown Gas (12) detects the load state of the internal combustion engine and depending on the injection means (18) and the electrolysis cell (1) via the first control device (3) are driven.

Description

It is widely known in the compound of hydrogen and Oxygen released energy z. B. for driving vehicles to use. So z. B. in a fuel cell electrical energy obtained by "cold combustion" of hydrogen. On the other hand, hydrogen combustion engines are also known. there is a working on the Otto principle internal combustion engine the basis of the detonating gas reaction with hydrogen as a fuel operated.

requirement this is that in a known manner with an electrolyzer from water gaseous hydrogen is generated. For this is a water supply, z. B. by addition of sodium hydroxide, in converted to an electrolyte and in this via electrodes caused a current flow with connected voltage source. It then occur by electrolytic decomposition of the water to the Electrodes of water and oxygen in the molecular state with each two atoms, d. H. H2 and O2. This form of hydrogen production is associated with losses, which is due to the strong warming of the electrolyzer shows.

For water decomposition, it is also possible to use an electrolysis unit operating according to the method of Yull Brown. This can be produced from one liter of water about 1860 liters of so-called brown gas. This is z. B. in the AU-B-60813/86 ( AU590309B2 ) US 4,014,777 . U.S. 4,081,656 described. The gas mixture thus formed is also referred to as HHO gas, oxygen hydrogen or hydroxy gas. It has up to 3.6 times the calorific value of molecular hydrogen H2, ie 442.4 Kcal for Brown gas compared to 115.7 Kcal for normal hydrogen. Furthermore, Brown Gas is advantageous not explosive but an implosives gas mixture, which reduces its volume abruptly from 1860: 1 when burning to water.

The The object of the invention is to provide a device with which Brown Gas can be used to operate internal combustion engines. In this case, this device should be designed so that vehicles with conventional internal combustion engines without excessive Effort can be retrofitted.

These Task is solved by the features of claim 1 specified device. Further versions are in specified in the dependent claims.

at the device according to the invention becomes a gas generator with an adjustable via a first control unit Electrolysis cell used to produce Brown gas. The invention offers the particular advantage that of the electrolytic cell Brown Gas due to its properties in a load state generated corresponding amount of the internal combustion engine in real time and immediately consumed in the internal combustion engine load-dependent again can be.

The Device according to the invention, also known as a Combined gas generating and blowing unit are called can, primarily to the blending of brown gas to conventional carbonaceous Fuel of the internal combustion engine, such as. Gasoline, propane gas, be used. The combustion process in the engine is thereby improved so significantly that this faster, more effective and with the formation of less pollutants. Farther can the internal combustion engine with reduced conventional fuel be operated with a leaner mixture and therefore more efficiently, wherein to optimize the combustion process, the conventional Fuel only small amounts of brown gas are added have to. Depending on the size of the internal combustion engine can be about 2 to 8 liters per minute suffice. The achieved increase in efficiency is so great that significantly more conventional fuel can be saved can, as in the form of electrical energy through a motor generator be provided for the electrolysis of Brown Gas got to.

One Another particular advantage of the invention Device is seen in that for the admixture Brown gas has an electronically controlled gas system, which largely one for the operation of a combustion engine with carbonaceous Fuel gases, such as. As propane, methane or natural gas, conventional gas system equivalent. Such a gas system can be in pure or mixed operation work, so the engine either just Brown Gas or conventional Add fuel with mixed brown gas.

Another feature of the device according to the invention is that both the gas generator and the gas system are each equipped with an independent, first or second control device for optimum operation. In this case, from the second control unit Einblasmengen and exact Einblaszeitpunkte for the Brown gas at the adjustable blowing means of the gas system in the cylinder of the engine determined. For this purpose, at least the current load state of the internal combustion engine is detected, for. B. in the form of the actual values of speed, Einspitzdauern and injection times for conventional fuel, the signal of a lambda probe, etc. Depending on the design of the respective internal combustion engine, this can be done in different ways. This will be explained below using the examples of an electronic engine control with a data bus interface, ie a so-called on-board diagnostic system, or a direct tap and loop-through of sensor and actuator signals of the internal combustion engine by the second control unit of the gas system will be explained. Finally, both the injection means of the gas system and the first control unit, the electrolytic cell of the gas generator are controlled according to the respective required Einblasmengen and injection times of Brown gas from the second controller. In this way, an internal combustion engine can be operated optimally so that both an increase in performance and a reduction in the consumption of conventional fuel and emissions occurs.

One Another advantage of the combined invention Gas Generating and Blowing Unit for Brown Gas is that these are in the manner of a "slave" in parallel and almost transparent to the existing electronic control unit the internal combustion engine is working. That of such a third control unit caused conventional "engine management", d. H. the preparation and injection of conventional fuel and the emission control, works in the manner of a "master" without any impairments.

According to one advantageous further embodiment of the invention the controls of gas generator and gas system with sensors for self-monitoring equipped. Possible Error, z. B. pressure loss at the blowing means or overpressure or overtemperature in the electrolysis unit, are from recorded the control units. If necessary, a shutdown initiated the gas generator.

The device according to the invention offers the advantage that the execution of the gas system to the structure of the respective Internal combustion engine is customizable.

So the gas system can be controlled fully sequentially. at This version is the adjustable blowing agent the gas system with individual, the cylinders of the internal combustion engine equipped gas injectors for Brown gas. These allow a direct injection of Brown gas in every cylinder. In this way can for the combustion chamber of each cylinder a separate internal mixture formation of conventional Fuel and Brown Gas are made. It can the gas injectors assigned to the cylinders either in the individual Supply line for the conventional fuel be arranged, or over an additional Bore in the engine block directly into the combustion chamber of the respective cylinder lead. About the second electronic control unit The gas system can be particularly dependent on the current Load condition of the engine currently required for each cylinder Gas quantity can be determined and for an optimal combustion process with minimum consumption and emissions at exactly the right time become.

at In another embodiment, the gas system can also be partially sequential be executed. The brown gas is adjustable by the Einblasmitteln the gas system the central intake manifold of the engine, z. B. the central fuel intake or fresh air intake, fed. In this way, a central, external mixture formation be made simultaneously for all cylinders of the engine. Again, via the second electronic control unit the gas system depends on the current load condition of the engine the amount of gas currently required for all cylinders determined and for an optimal combustion process minimum consumption and emissions at exactly the right time centrally supplied to the combustion section of the engine. at an execution can this purpose in the intake for the combustion air may be arranged a Venturi tube. Hereby can the brown gas is added to the fresh air sucked in by the internal combustion engine and controls the combustion process in the cylinders become. To specify the required amount of Brown Gas is a servomotor controlled electronically by the second control unit arranged in the supply line for Brown gas.

The inventive device can thus easily for different vehicles both older and newer design be retrofitted.

following will be different embodiments of the invention and the associated advantage with reference to the following briefly Drawings explained in more detail. It shows

1 a first embodiment of a combined gas generating and injection unit according to the invention, wherein the adjustable blowing the gas system supply the Brown gas via individual, the cylinders of the engine associated gas injectors and the second control unit of the gas system, the data of the load state via a data bus interface of a third control unit of the internal combustion engine queries

2 one with 1 comparable embodiment, however, wherein the adjustable blowing means of the gas system, the Brown gas centrally supply the fuel or Frischluftansaugung the internal combustion engine, and

3 one with 3 Comparable embodiment, but the Stellsi determined by the third control unit for actuators of the internal combustion engine gnale diverted to the second control unit of the gas system, adapted and passed to the associated actuators.

1 schematically shows a first embodiment of the invention with a gas generant and blowing unit A from a gas generator A1, also called Brown Gas Generator, and a gas system powered by A2, in particular a so-called LPG system, for the supply of the Brown gas in the combustion process of the engine. Furthermore, essential components of the engine control B present in an internal combustion engine are shown on the left side.

Thus, the gas generator A1 contains an operating according to the method of Yull Brown electrolytic cell 1 with a plurality of nested, parallel opposite pairs of plates 2 as metallic anodes and cathodes. These electrodes are powered by a first controller 3 so with a regulated Elek rodenspannung 4 supplies that necessary for the current load condition of the internal combustion engine activity of the electrolytic cell 1 set and thus the required amount of Brown gas can be generated as accurately as possible in real time. The setpoint for this quantity control is the first control unit 3 in the form of reference value for the load state of the internal combustion engine via a data line 26 from the second controller 19 transmitted in the gas system A2.

To keep the water level in the electrolysis cell constant 1 becomes a level measurement 7 from a level sensor of the electrolysis cell 1 tapped and the first controller 3 fed. Depending on the activity of the electrolytic cell 1 is water by means of one of the first controller 3 controlled pump 9 from a water tank 8th via a water supply 10 refilled. That in the electrolytic cell 1 generated mixture of brown gas 11 is finally driven by the current internal pressure via a gas supply line 12 and a check valve 13 in a buffer memory 14 loaded.

The produced brown gas is via a gas manifold 12 at the output of the buffer memory 14 passed to the gas system A2 for electronically controlled injection into the internal combustion engine. The pressure in the gas manifold is thereby 12 with the aid of an actual value from a pressure sensor 15 via the first control unit 3 by appropriate actuation of an electronic control valve via a switching signal 17 at the output of the buffer memory 14 kept constant.

The tracking of the activity of the electrolysis cell 1 to the load condition of the engine via the signal of the data line 26 , which from the first control unit 3 is evaluated. If z. B. detects a too low gas pressure because of a sudden increase in load state of the engine, the gas production by increasing the voltage 4 fanned. If, however, the gas consumption z. B. inhibited because of a temporarily lower load on the engine, so too high a gas pressure by returning the activity of the electrolysis cell 1 over a correspondingly reduced voltage 4 dismantled again.

Advantageously, the gas generator A1 is equipped with means for self-monitoring. For this purpose, in each case a pressure, temperature or level sensor on the electrolysis cell 1 attached, whose measuring signals 5 . 6 . 7 the first controller 3 be supplied for monitoring. Also advantageous is the buffer memory 14 via a pressure or temperature sensor 15 . 16 from the first controller 3 supervised.

As already explained above, the design of the gas system A2 is advantageously adaptable to the structure of the respective internal combustion engine. So in 1 an exemplary embodiment for an internal mixture formation with individual, the cylinders of the internal combustion engine associated gas injectors for Brown Gas shown. Furthermore, in 2 respectively. 3 shown a further embodiment in which the gas from the gas system, the Brown gas is supplied to the engine by central, external mixture formation simultaneously for all cylinders via a central intake manifold. This will be explained in more detail below.

So is in the execution of 1 Each cylinder of an internal combustion engine at least one separate gas injector 18 assigned to the injection of Brown Gas. These are from the second controller 19 the gas system A2 via control signal lines 20 controlled electronically so precisely that depending on the load condition of the internal combustion engine for each cylinder a time and volume accurate blowing of brown gas is possible. 1 shows, for example, a four-cylinder engine, each cylinder a separate gas injector 18 associated with the injection of brown gas. The gas injectors can do this 18 be arranged so that either an admixture takes place before the actual intake valves of the engine or via additional holes in the engine block directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. For this purpose, the gas mixture 11 via one from the first controller 3 actuated solenoid valve 17 from the buffer memory 14 if possible with constant pressure in the manifold 12 drained and to the gas injectors 18 distributed.

It is advantageous, though here of the second control unit 19 the gas pressure in the manifold 12 via a pressure sensor 21 and heating of system of gas injectors 18 by means of egg a temperature sensor 22 is monitored.

In contrast, in the embodiment of 2 and 3 instead of separate gas injectors per cylinder a central, via a control signal line 24 from the second controller 19 electronically actuated servomotor 23 in the gas manifold 12 arranged. This in turn is from the buffer memory 14 with brown gas 11 fed as constant as possible pressure. Depending on the load condition of the internal combustion engine becomes the servomotor 23 over the line 24 from the second control unit 19 so controlled that a corresponding amount of the gas mixture 11 about a z. B. arranged in the fresh air supply in front of the throttle valve of the engine Venturi tube 25 mixed and distributed to the cylinders.

The data to form the control signals 20 for the gas injectors 18 in the execution of 1 or the positioning command on the signal line 24 to the servomotor 23 in the execution of 2 . 3 can be obtained from the gas generator and injection unit A according to the invention in different ways from the existing engine control B of the internal combustion engine. For example, according to the embodiment of 1 . 2 the second control unit of the gas system advantageously query the data of the load state via a data bus interface from a third control unit of the internal combustion engine. According to the execution of 3 Alternatively, the control signals determined by the third control unit for the actuators of the internal combustion engine can be redirected to the second control unit of the gas system, from which the control signals 20 or the current positioning command for the servomotor 23 derived and the control signals are passed back to the associated actuators after adaptation. This will be explained in more detail below.

So at a first, in the 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment of the second control unit 19 The gas system A2 required data via a data bus interface 42 advantageous from an on-board diagnostic system of the engine control unit 28 read. In particular, this may be the actual value of the engine speed and the injectors 30 for the injection of conventional fuel 39 via the control signal lines 29 be scheduled injection times. Depending on the version of the internal combustion engine, the actual values can also be used 33 a lambda probe 34 , the data of a Nox probe, ignition times from a stored map, etc. are taken into account.

After determining the load state and the output of the control signals 20 for the gas injectors 18 or the signal for the servomotor 23 It is usually necessary, the injection times of the injectors 30 for conventional fuel and the signal 33 the lambda probe 34 through the second controller 19 adapt. The reason for this is that due to the inventive admixture of Browngas the consumption of conventional fuel and thus the amount of emissions is reduced, and accordingly at least the injection signals on the lines 29 for the injectors 30 need to be adjusted.

The figures also schematically show the supply of conventional fuel. This is via a pump 40 that have a signal line 41 from the engine control unit 28 is controlled from a fuel tank 38 promoted and over a line 39 under pre-pressure to the injectors 30 directed. Finally, all the controllers 3 . 19 . 28 over a line 37 from a battery 36 supplied with energy, which in turn is fed by a generator, not shown.

Has according to the illustration in 3 the third control unit of the engine 28 via no data interface, so can the second controller 19 Gas system A2 does not query the required data centrally. In this case, the engine control unit 28 to the injectors 30 for conventional fuel outgoing control signal lines 29 instead via return lines 42 to the second controller 19 the gas system diverted while the engine control unit 28 scheduled injection times tapped. These signals are from the controller 19 in the manner described above and then in adapted form via replacement control signal lines 43 the injectors 30 redirected. In the same way is also a lambda signal 33 a lambda probe 34 by means of signal auxiliary lines 35 first via the control unit 19 the gas system looped. After adjusting the lambda signal to the boundary conditions of the combustion process that have been changed by the gas system and the supply of brown gas, a corrected lambda signal is sent via the signal auxiliary lines 35 the engine control unit 28 at the designated signal input 31 fed again.

Both in the 1 . 2 as well as the in 3 illustrated type of detection of the load state of the internal combustion engine by the gas generation and injection unit A according to the invention has the particular advantage that it runs for the engine control B almost transparent. For this reason, the device according to the invention can be easily retrofitted in internal combustion engines.

A

gas generator and injection unit

A1

Gas generator, Brown gas generator

1

electrolysis cell

2

plate pairs made of metal, anode and cathode

3

first Control unit for the electrolytic cell

4

regulated Electrode voltage for the electrolytic cell

8th

water tank

9

pump

10

water supply for filling the electrolytic cell

11

mixture of gases

12a

gas supply to the cache

13

check valve

5

Pressure reading

6

Temperature reading

7

Level measurement

14

buffer memory

15

Pressure reading to regulate the pressure in the gas manifold

16

Temperature reading

17

switching signal for electronic control valve at the outlet of the buffer tank

12

Gas manifold at the output of the buffer memory

A2

Gas plant, especially autogas plant

19

second Control unit for the gas system

26

data line Control unit gas system and control unit electrolytic cell

42

data bus interface Engine control unit and control unit for gas plant

18

separately controllable gas injectors

20

Control signal lines for the gas injectors

21

Print- and temperature measuring signals

23

electronic controlled servomotor

24

signal line for positioning commands to servomotor

25

venturi z. B. in Frischluftansaugung before the throttle

B

motor control of the internal combustion engine

28

third Control unit for the internal combustion engine

29

Control signal lines for the injectors 30

30

injectors for conventional fuel

42

Feedbacks for control signal lines 29 to the control unit 19

43

Replacement control signal lines from the controller 19 to the injectors 30

34

lambda probe

31

signal input on the engine control unit for lambda signal

33

Lambda signal line

35

Signal auxiliary line from the gas system control unit to the signal input 31

36

battery

37

Power line for the control units

38

Fuel tank for conventional fuels

39

Fuel line

40

pump

41

Control signal line

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - AU 60813/86 B [0003]
• - AU 590309 B2 [0003]
• US 4014777 [0003]
• - US 4081656 [0003]

Claims (14)

Device (A) for operating an internal combustion engine (B), characterized by - a gas generator (A1) having a first control device ( 3 ) adjustable electrolysis cell ( 1 ) for the production of brown gas ( 12 ), and - a gas system (A2) with a second control device ( 19 ) adjustable blowing agents ( 18 ) for Brown Gas ( 12 ) in the cylinders of the internal combustion engine, wherein the second control unit ( 19 ) for the determination of the injection rates and / or injection times of Brown Gas ( 12 ) detects the load state of the internal combustion engine and depending on the injection means ( 18 ) and the electrolytic cell ( 1 ) via the first control unit ( 3 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator (A1) comprises a buffer memory ( 14 ) for the of the electrolytic cell ( 1 ) produced brown gas ( 12a ) having. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the buffer memory ( 14 ) from the first controller ( 3 ) so controlled control valve ( 17 ) shows that the pressure of Brown Gas ( 12 ) in the gas system (A2) is as constant as possible. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustable injection means ( 18 ) of the gas system (A2) the Brown gas ( 12 ) via individual, the cylinders of the internal combustion engine associated gas injectors ( 18 ) respectively ( 1 ). Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the gas injectors ( 18 ) from the second control device ( 19 ) of the gas system are controlled at least depending on the load state of the internal combustion engine. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjustable injection means ( 18 ) of the gas system (A2) the Brown gas ( 12 ) centrally to the fuel or Frischluftansaugung the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjustable injection means ( 18 ) the Brown gas ( 12 ) centrally via a Venturi tube ( 25 ) to the internal combustion engine. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the adjustable injection means ( 18 ) the Brown gas ( 12 ) via one of the second control unit ( 19 ) actuated servomotor ( 14 ) depending on the load condition of the internal combustion engine. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second control device ( 19 ) of the gas system (A2) the data of the load condition via a data bus interface ( 42 ) from a third control device ( 28 ) polls the engine. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second control device ( 19 ) from the third control device ( 28 ) polls as data at least the speed of the internal combustion engine and / or the injection times for conventional fuel. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second control device ( 19 ) from the third control device ( 28 ) as data the value of a lambda probe ( 34 ) polls the engine. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second control device ( 19 ) after determination of the blow-in quantities and / or blow-in times of the Brown gas ( 12 ) adapted the queried data and via the data bus interface ( 42 ) to the third control device ( 28 ) at least for application to the injection of conventional fuel in the internal combustion engine retransmissions. Apparatus according to claim 1 to 8, wherein the third control unit ( 28 ) for actuators of the internal combustion engine certain actuating signals, in particular for the injection of conventional fuel, to the second control device ( 19 ) of the gas system (A2), after determination of the blowing quantities and / or blowing times of the Brown gas ( 12 ) and transferred in an adapted form to the corresponding actuators ( 3 ). Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one for the third control device ( 28 ) provided value of a lambda probe ( 34 ) of the internal combustion engine certain to the second control unit ( 19 ) of the gas system (A2), there after determining the Einblasmengen and / or blowing times of the Brown gas ( 12 ) and in adapted form to the third control unit ( 28 ) be handed over ( 3 ).