EP1591649B1 - Diesel engine with a control system comprising electronic modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The diesel engine has electronic modules (10) and a control system (1) with an inter modular communication bus arranged between them for transferring information. The bus system has a connection point (150) for replacement modules (100) to be attached. The control system automatically conditions the modules with a specific operating program and actualization of operating parameters such that replacement module apart from the actively running control system is in a no-load operation. During failure of an active module the replacement module is immediately operationally substituted for the malfunctioning module. Each connection point of the module at the inter modular bus system can be substituted, before-conditioned replacement module has begun. Cylinders of the engine are controlled such as the functions and environmental settings and each cylinder is assigned to a module of the control system, and each control module covers an identically trained logic circuit of two functional parts. The first functional part is the controlling of an assigned cylinder such as environmental functions, and the second controls redundancy such that part of the engine performance remains in case of an error due to the redundancy. An INDPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method.

Description

The invention relates to a diesel engine, in particular a large diesel engine, comprising an electronic module comprehensive control system according to the preamble of claim 1. It also relates to a method for operating the inventive diesel engine and a use of this machine. The large diesel engine can be both a two-stroke and a four-stroke diesel engine.

From EP-A-0 989 297 a diesel engine with a motor control is known which is carried out by a control system composed of electronic modules. In an engine such as this diesel engine, the control system will affect local cylinder functions and global engine-related functions. In a further developed large diesel engine (see the non-prepublished application EP04405073.0 = P.7386), the control system comprises modules with identical logic circuits. The cylinders are each assigned to one of the control modules and the logic circuits each comprise a first and a second functional subarea. The associated cylinder can be controlled with the first functional subarea. The global functions are influenced by a control distributed to the modules, namely such that the global motor control can be performed in a redundant manner for at least a part of the modules, each having the second functional sub-area in cooperation with second functional sub-areas of the other modules.

If the large diesel engine is used to drive a high-sea ship, it is necessary that in case of failure of individual parts of the control system or at least part of the engine power is still available from components of the engine. For this, the global engine control must remain sufficiently functional. Individual cylinders may fail as the machine continues to operate at a reduced power in such a failure. A permanent operation of the machine can be achieved by controlling these in a redundant manner and also in the mechanical components redundancy by multiple installation of individual components. To a main controller, with which the global motor control is actively operated, you can run simultaneously a second, identical control, which cooperates passively with respect to the global motor control, but which can be switched without delay if necessary in the active control state. Due to the redundancy, at least part of the engine power is maintained in the event of a fault. Only one electronic module per cylinder is provided for local control. With regard to the global functions with their electronic system components, it is necessary that at least a second time the same system components are included in the control system.

Despite the intended redundancy, it is necessary to keep replacement modules in stock in order to restore redundancy in case of failure of a module can.

The object of the invention is to provide an embodiment for a diesel engine, in which replacement modules are put into storage, in which the use and storage of the replacement modules can be carried out in an advantageous manner. This object is achieved by the machine defined in claim 1.

The diesel engine, which is in particular a large diesel engine, has an electronic module comprehensive control system. With an intermodular bus system, information can be transmitted between the modules. Replacement modules are available to remedy failures in the control system. At least one connection point for replacement modules is provided at the intermodular bus line system. At this connection point, a connected replacement module is automatically activated by the Control system preconditionable. It loads a specific operating program and updates operating parameters. The replacement module can be co-operated passively idle in addition to the active running control system. In the event of failure of an active module, the replacement module is ready for immediate substitution of the failing module. In this case, the preconditioned replacement module is used at the connection point of the module to be substituted on the intermodular bus system.

The dependent claims 2 to 6 relate to particular embodiments of the inventive diesel engine. Claims 7 and 8 relate to methods for operating the inventive machine, while a use of this machine is the subject of claim 9.

The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a central section of a large diesel engine, in particular a two-stroke diesel engine, and

Fig. 2

a greatly simplified scheme of a control system for a diesel engine according to the invention.

A diesel engine, for example, the two-stroke large diesel engine partially shown in Fig. 1, is a multiple cylinder 2 comprehensive engine, in which by an electronic control system 1 local, the cylinder 2 relevant functions and global, the entire engine functions are influenced.

• ein Gaswechselsystem 20 mit Gaswechselventil 21, Ventilkörper 211 und Kanal 212, durch den Luft zuführbar und Verbrennungsgase abführbar sind;
• ein Einspritzsystem 30 zum volumetrischen oder zeitgesteuerten Einspeisen von flüssigem Brennstoff 300, der durch ein gesteuertes Einspritzorgan 32 und Düsen 22 (Düsenspitzen 22a, 22b) in einen Verbrennungsraum 23 zwischen dem Ventilkörper 211 und einem Kolben 24 einspritzbar ist;
• Pumpen 31, 41 zum Zuführen des Brennstoffs 300 bzw. eines Steuermediums 400, das durch ein gesteuertes Einspeiseorgan 42 in das Gaswechselventil 21 förderbar ist;
• ein Akkumulator 43 für das Steuermedium 400 und ein Akkumulator 33 für den Brennstoff 300, ein sogenanntes "Common Rail", wobei diese Akkumulatoren 33 und 43 einerseits mit den Pumpen 31 bzw. 41 und andererseits mit den Einspritzsystemen 30 bzw. den Gaswechselsystemen 20 aller Zylinder 2 verbunden sind.

The components occurring in the example of the motor shown in FIG. 1 are in addition to the control system 1:

• a gas exchange system 20 with gas exchange valve 21, valve body 211 and channel 212, can be supplied by the air and combustion gases are discharged;
• an injection system 30 for the volumetric or timed feed of liquid fuel 300 injectable by a controlled injector 32 and nozzles 22 (nozzle tips 22a, 22b) into a combustion chamber 23 between the valve body 211 and a piston 24;
• Pumps 31, 41 for supplying the fuel 300 and a control medium 400, which is conveyed by a controlled feed member 42 in the gas exchange valve 21;
• an accumulator 43 for the control medium 400 and an accumulator 33 for the fuel 300, a so-called "common rail", these accumulators 33 and 43 on the one hand with the pumps 31 and 41 and on the other hand with the injection systems 30 and the gas exchange systems 20 of all cylinders 2 are connected.

The pumps 31, 41 and organs 32, 42 are connected via signal-transmitting connections 310, 410, 320 and 420 to the control system 1. Another connection 210 leads to a sensor of the gas exchange valve 21.

• ein hydraulisches System mit Organen zur Durchführung des Einspritzens sowie des Gaswechsels;
• Winkelerfassung zur Synchronisation der lokalen und globalen Funktionen mit der Drehung einer vom Motor angetriebenen Welle; und
• Vorrichtungen zum Regeln der Brennstoffzufuhr sowie des Gaswechsels und zur Steuerung einer Startluftzufuhr.

Additional components of the engine, not shown, are:

• a hydraulic system having means for performing injection and gas exchange;
• Angular detection for the synchronization of local and global functions with the rotation of a shaft driven by the motor; and
• Devices for controlling the fuel supply and the gas exchange and for controlling a starting air supply.

FIG. 2 shows details of a particular control system 1 of the diesel engine according to the invention. The control system 1 comprises - as far as is shown - control modules 10, in particular modules 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and a replacement module 100, wherein all said modules are connected to an intermodular bus system 15, which for the sake of Redudanz from two bus subsystems 15a and 15b composed. With the intermodular bus line system 15 information between the modules 10, including the connected spare modules 100 can be transmitted. Further components of the control system 1 are a block 7, which relates to a first part of global functions (eg ship alarm system, safety system, speed control), and actuators 8a, 8b, 8c and 9a, 9b ("actuators"), which refer to another part of the global functions. The block 7 is controlled redundantly, namely via two bus subsystems 17a, 17b and by simultaneously operating two modules 10a and 10b. If one of the modules 10a or 10b fails, the block 7 continues to receive the information required for the control.

It can be advantageous if more than one replacement module 100 is connected to the intermodal bus system 15. Experience has shown that a longer lifetime is expected for an electronic, idle module (ie module under tension but not loaded) than for a stored replacement module that is exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions at a storage site (condensation due to moisture, temperature fluctuations ) is exposed. The replacement modules 100 connected to the intermodular bus system 15 can advantageously also be monitored by the control system with respect to their functionality.

All of the modules 10 - and also the replacement modules 100 connected to the intermodular bus system 15 - are or will be equipped with an identical operating program specifically formulated for the diesel engine to be controlled. Also for the operating parameters, the modules 10 and replacement modules 100 each receive the same set of values, although in general only a part of the operating parameters for the individual module with regard to its functionality must be available. The integration of the modules 10 in the control system 1 is z. B. made by connecting cable with plugs, the functionalities of the individual modules 10 resulting from these compounds. By plugging the plug into the connection points provided for it, the functionality of the individual module 10 is detected and activated by the operating program.

The individual modules 10 are arranged and connected in the control system 1 such that only a disassembly intervention on this module 10 is required to replace a defective module 10. Upon removal of a single module 10, the control system 1 continues to operate, thanks to a redundancy as briefly described in the introduction (namely, in the form of two functional sections of the logic circuits: the first Functional subarea becomes the assigned cylinder and the second functional subareas affect the global functions).

For each module 10, an exchange with or a replacement module 100 is feasible. At least one connection point 150 for replacement modules 100 is provided on the intermodular bus line system. After connecting a replacement module 100 obtained from the warehouse, it is automatically preconditioned by the control system: an operating program created for the diesel machine to be controlled is loaded or updated; and the operating parameters are assigned specific values. The connected replacement module 100 is co-operated in addition to the actively running control system 1 passive idle. In the event of failure of an active module 10, the replacement module 100 is immediately available for substitution of the defective module 10, the preconditioned replacement module 100 being newly inserted at the connection point 150 of the module 10 to be substituted on the intermodular bus system 15.

The preconditioning of the replacement module 100 requires a time that is significantly longer than the duration required for the module replacement. Therefore, there is a time saving for the inventive diesel engine with preconditioned replacement module 100 compared to a machine in which after a module replacement on the intermodular bus system 15 first still loading the replacement module 100 must be made with the operating program and the operating parameters.

The replacement module 100 connected in FIG. 2 to the intermodular bus system 15 provides as "gateway" a connection point to a peripheral device 5 which comprises a converter 105 and a console 6, an information exchange being feasible between this console 6 and the control system 1. A "gateway" is a system component that shields the inter-modular bus system 15 from external electrical interference that could be detrimental to the environment. The "Gateway" only allows the signals required for the exchange of information to pass through.

Typically, a plurality of replacement modules 100 are stocked. It may then be helpful to replace the replacement modules 100 at the connection points 150 for the replacement modules 100 that are arranged on the intermodular bus system 15 so as to perform preconditioning and store the thus preconditioned replacement modules 100 in stock. These replacement modules 100 are suitable for direct replacement of defective modules 10 such that they are ready for immediate use and not conditioned prior to their use, i. loaded with the operating program and operating parameters must be updated.

The control systems 1 of the diesel engine according to the invention are in particular intended for use on a deep-sea ship on which the engine rotates a ship propulsion shaft. The control modules 10 have for this use inputs and outputs, through which they can exchange information with, inter alia, a ship alarm system, a safety system and an electronic speed control of the marine propulsion shaft, so that the control system 1 can be additionally influenced with this information.

The actuators 8a, 8b, 8c and 9a, 9b are present in a redundancy-generating number. They are connected via bus line systems 18a, 18b and 18c to modules 10, namely the modules 10c, 10d and 10e, respectively. In case of failure of an actuator with the corresponding modules 10 causes an adjustment during operation of the intact actuators. The actuators 8a, 8b and 8c are, for example, three pumps for a servo oil and the actuators 9a and 9b pumps for the fuel 300, which is to be fed into the accumulator 33. In case of failure of the actuator 8a, for example, an adaptation during operation of the intact actuators 8b and 8c is effected with the corresponding modules 10d and 10e of the control system 1. It can be covered with two of the three actuators of the need for servo-oil by the capacity of the two intact actuators 8b and 8c is increased accordingly. In the event of failure of one of the actuators 8a, 8b, 8c assigned modules 10c, 10d or 10e, the corresponding actuator 8a, 8b and 8c also stops its operation, but thanks to the redundancy of these actuators 8a, 8b, 8c not to a failure of entire machine leads.

Claims (9)

1. A diesel engine, in particular a large diesel engine with a control system (1) including electronic modules (10) wherein information can be transmitted between the modules using an intermodular bus system (15) and wherein substitute modules (100) are available for the correction of failures in the control system, characterised in that at least one connection point (150) for substitute modules (100) is provided at the intermodular bus system at which an attached substitute module can be automatically pre-conditioned by the control system, namely by loading with a specific operating programme and by actualisation of operating parameters, in that this substitute module can be co-operated passively in idling mode, in addition to the actively running control system, and in that on failure of an active module, the substitute module is at once ready for use for the substitution of the failed module, with the pre-conditioned substitute module to be inserted at the intermodular bus system at the connection point of the module to be substituted.
2. An engine in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the machine is an engine including a plurality of cylinders (2) in which local functions relating to the cylinders and global functions relating to the whole engine can be influenced by the control system, in that each cylinder is associated with one module (10) of the control system, in that each of these control modules (10) includes an identically designed logic circuit with a first function part and a second function part, in that associated cylinder can be controlled with the first function part and in that the global functions can be influenced by means of a control distributed over the modules, namely in such a manner that the global engine control can be carried out in a redundant manner for at least one part of the modules with, in each case, the second function part in collaboration with the second function parts of the further modules, wherein in case of fault at least a part of the engine power is maintained due to the redundancy.
3. An engine in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the local and global functions can be carried out by means of a simultaneous operation of the modules (10) using an identical operating programme.
4. An engine in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the substitute module (100) connected to the intermodular bus system (15) establishes a connection point (150) as a "gateway" to a peripheral device (5) by means of which an exchange of information can be carried out with the control system (1).
5. An engine in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the individual modules (10) are arranged and connected in the control system (1) in such a way that merely local disassembly steps are to be carried out on this module to replace a defect module and in that the control system can still remains able to operate if an individual module is missing.
6. An engine in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the modules (10) of the control system are respectively in signal transmitting connection (100) with the following components of the engine:

   - injection system (30) for the associated cylinder (2) for the feeding of liquid fuel (300),

   - a gas changing system (30) for the associated cylinder (2),

   - pumps (31, 41) for supplying the fuel and a control medium (400),

   - an accumulator (43) for the control medium and an accumulator (33) for the fuel, with a so-called "common rail", wherein these accumulators are connected to the pumps, to the injection systems and to the gas changing systems,
   a hydraulic system with members for carrying out the injection and the gas changing,
   an angle determination means for the synchronisation of the local and global functions with the rotation of the shaft driven by the engine and

   - devices for the regulation of the fuel supply and also of the gas changing and for control of a start air supply.
7. A method for the operation of a diesel engine in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 6 characterised in that a plurality of substitute modules (100) is stored and that substitute modules are exchanged at the intermodular bus system (15) at the connection points (150) for the substitute modules, in order to take pre-conditioned substitute modules into store.
8. A method in accordance with claim 7 characterised in that the substitute modules (100) connected to the intermodular bus system (15) are monitored by the control system with regard to their ability to operate.
9. The use of an engine in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 6 on an ocean-going ship for the rotation of a ship's drive shaft wherein the control modules (10) have signal inputs through which they can receive information from, among other things, a ship's alarm system, from a security system and from an electronic speed of rotation control of the ship's drive shaft to influence the control system (1).

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