GB2554707A

GB2554707A - System and method for diagnosing gas admission valve of engine

Info

Publication number: GB2554707A
Application number: GB1616924.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: K Veltman Matthias
Original assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Current assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Priority date: 2016-10-05
Filing date: 2016-10-05
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-05
Also published as: GB2554707B; GB201616924D0

Abstract

A system 500 for diagnosing a gas admission valve an engine (e.g. a gas fuelled IC piston engine) includes a sensor coupled to an engine fuel gas admission rail which supplies gas to the valve. The sensor receives 502 a set of input signals (e.g. acoustic waves, pressure or temperature) from gas flowing through the valve. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and able to output to an interface 308. The control module is configured to receive 502 input signals from the sensor and determine 504 operating parameters of the valve based on the input signals. The control module is configured to compare 506 the determined operating parameters of the valve with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the valve operating in a normal condition, and diagnose 508 the valve based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters. The comparison may be a spectral analysis of acoustic frequencies e.g. by overlapping graphs or comparing peak values. On detection of an abnormality the controller may cause engine operation to cease or inform an operator.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: System and method for diagnosing gas admission valve of engine Abstract Title: System and method for diagnosing gas admission valve of engine (57) A system 500 for diagnosing a gas admission valve an engine (e.g. a gas fuelled IC piston engine) includes a sensor coupled to an engine fuel gas admission rail which supplies gas to the valve. The sensor receives 502 a set of input signals (e.g. acoustic waves, pressure or temperature) from gas flowing through the valve. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and able to output to an interface 308. The control module is configured to receive 502 input signals from the sensor and determine 504 operating parameters of the valve based on the input signals. The control module is configured to compare 506 the determined operating parameters of the valve with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the valve operating in a normal condition, and diagnose 508 the valve based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters. The comparison may be a spectral analysis of acoustic frequencies e.g. by overlapping graphs or comparing peak values. On detection of an abnormality the controller may cause engine operation to cease or inform an operator.

500

FIG. 5

1/5

100

104 108

fig. 1

2/5

FIG. 2

3/5

FIG. 3

4/5

FIG. 4

5/5

500

FIG. 5

-1SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING GAS ADMISSION VALVE

OF ENGINE

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to valves of engines, and more particularly to a system and a method for diagnosing a gas admission valve of an engine.

Background [0002] With the developments in automobile industry, engines are capable of operating on natural gas besides gasoline and diesel. Such engines employ valves for supplying a predetermined amount of natural gas into air at a location upstream of a cylinder of the engine. Instances of malfunctioning of the valves may either cause excess natural gas to be inducted into the air or supply of natural gas into air at inappropriate timing or insufficient admission of natural gas. As a result, amount of natural gas in a mixture of air and natural gas would not be within an allowed range. In such scenarios, combustion in the cylinder may occur in an uncontrolled manner.

[0003] US Patent Number 5,458,200 (the ’200 patent) provides a system for monitoring gas lift valves. The ’200 patent describes that multiple gas lift valves are interposed in a well tubing string and each gas lift valve is configured to have gas flow ports adapted to emit a predetermined acoustic signal for transmission through the well. Further, the emitted predetermined acoustic signal is received by a microphone or similar acoustic signal receiver, whereby a determination may be made as to whether the gas lift valves are open or operating properly. However, owing to a distance through which the acoustic signal travels before reaching the acoustic signal receiver, strength of the acoustic signal may decrease. As such, determination of operating condition of the gas lift valves, as per the ’200 patent, may not be accurate. In addition, the ’200 patent employs multiple electronic components which assist in the determination of the operating

-2condition of the gas lift valves. Such multiple electronic components would render an engine system complex.

Summary of the Disclosure [0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for diagnosing gas admission valve of an engine is provided. The system includes a sensor coupled to a gas admission rail and the gas admission rail is configured to supply gas to the gas admission valve of the engine. The sensor is also configured to receive a set of input signals from the gas flowing through the gas admission valve. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor. The control module is configured to receive the set of input signals from the sensor and determine operating parameters of the gas admission valve based on the set of input signals. The control module is also configured to compare the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the valve operating in a normal condition. Further, the control module is configured to diagnose the gas admission valve based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters.

[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an engine is provided. The engine includes a cylinder and a supply unit. The engine further includes an inlet pipe in fluid communication with the cylinder of the engine. The inlet pipe is configured to supply air into the cylinder. The engine also includes a gas admission valve in fluid communication with the supply unit via a gas admission rail to receive gas from the supply unit. The gas admission valve is coupled to the inlet pipe upstream of the cylinder to supply gas into the cylinder. Furthermore, the engine includes a sensor coupled to the gas admission rail to receive a set of input signals from the gas flowing through the gas admission valve. The engine also includes a control module coupled to the sensor. The control module is configured to receive the set of input signals from the sensor and determine operating parameters of the gas admission valve based on the set of input signals. The control module is also configured to compare the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve with a predetermined

-3set of operating parameters corresponding to the gas admission valve operating in a normal condition. Further, the control module is configured to diagnose the gas admission valve based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters.

[0006] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for diagnosing gas admission valve of an engine is provided. The method includes receiving a set of input signals from a sensor. The set of input signals are received by the sensor from gas flowing through the gas admission valve. Further, the method includes determining operating parameters of the gas admission valve based on the set of input signals. Furthermore, the method includes comparing the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the gas admission valve operating in a normal condition. The method also diagnosing the gas admission valve based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters.

[0007] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an engine equipped with a gas admission rail, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the engine showing a gas admission valve coupled to the gas admission rail and the engine of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for diagnosing the gas admission valve, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the system coupled to the engine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for diagnosing the gas admission valve of the engine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

-4Detailed Description [0013] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an engine 100 is illustrated. As it would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the engine 100 may be a compression ignition engine or a spark ignition engine. For the purpose of this description, the engine 100 is considered to be a multi-cylinder gaseous fuel or a dual fuel powered engine. The engine 100 may be powered by any one or a combination of known gaseous fuels including, but not limited to, natural gas, petroleum gas, bio-fuels, and the like. The engine 100 may also be powered by any one or combination of liquid fuel including, but not limited to, diesel fuel, marine diesel, heavy fuel oil, and the like. The engine 100 may be operated on combination of both set of fuels mentioned hereinabove. Although the engine 100 is illustrated to be in a configuration that is suitable to operate on gaseous fuels, it should be understood that the present disclosure also applies to engines that utilize a combination of gaseous and liquid fuels and may therefore have additional components relating to a fuel system for liquid fuels. Further, although the engine 100 is illustrated as a V-configuration multi-cylinder engine, it should be understood that the present disclosure may also be applicable to a single-cylinder engine or an inline-configuration multi-cylinder engine, or any other configuration as may be known to the person skilled in the art, albeit with few variations to the embodiments described herein. The engine 100 may be

-5used to power any machine or device, but not limited to, on-highway trucks, offhighway trucks, and earth moving machines, ships, generators, and pumps.

[0015] The engine 100 includes an engine block 101 and a bank of cylinders 102-1, 102-2, 102-3...102-N, collectively referred to as the cylinders 102 and individually referred to as the cylinder 102 defined in the engine block 101. The engine 100 also includes an inlet manifold 104 configured to supply air into each cylinder 102. For the purpose, the inlet manifold 104 branches into multiple inlet pipes 106. Each inlet pipe 106 is in fluid communication with one cylinder 102 of the engine 100, so that air flowing through the inlet manifold 104 is supplied to each of the cylinders 102 of the engine 100.

[0016] The engine 100 further includes a gas admission rail 108. One end of the gas admission rail 108 is coupled to a supply unit 110 for receiving natural gas, hereinafter referred to as the gas. In one example, the supply unit 110 may be embodied as a tank configured to store the gas at required pressure. The gas admission rail 108 is configured to supply gas to each of the cylinders 102. Although a single gas admission rail 108 connected to one bank of cylinders 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the engine 100 may be equipped with multiple gas admission rails 108, where each gas admission rail 108 is connected to one bank of cylinders 102.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the engine 100. The gas admission rail 108 includes multiple connecting portions 201 along a length of the gas admission rail 108, for connecting the gas admission rail 108 to the cylinder 102. Further, multiple gas supply pipes 204 are connected to the connecting portions 201 of the gas admission rail 108. The engine 100 also includes multiple gas admission valves 202, hereinafter individually referred to as the valve 202. Each valve 202 is coupled to one gas supply pipe 204. As such, the valve 202 is in fluid communication with the supply unit 110 via the gas supply pipe 204 to receive gas from the supply unit 110. Further, the valve 202 is coupled to the inlet pipe 106 upstream of the cylinder 102 of the engine 100 to supply gas into the cylinder 102. Similarly, other valves 202 are coupled to each adjacent inlet pipe 106 supply gas into their

-6respective cylinders 102. In an example, the valve 202 may be a solenoidactuated gas admission valve configured to selectively allow flow of gas into the inlet pipe 106.

[0018] In an embodiment, the engine 100 may include multiple prechamber pipes 206 to connect each cylinder 102 with the gas admission rail 108. The prechamber pipes 206 supply gas from the gas admission rail 108 to a corresponding prechamber of the cylinders 102. In particular, each prechamber pipe 206 supplies gas from the gas admission rail 108 to a prechamber 402 (shown in FIG. 4) of respective cylinder 102.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a system 300 for diagnosing the valve 202 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 300 includes a sensor 302 coupled to the gas admission rail 108 of the engine 100. In an example, the sensor 302 may be a pressure sensor. In another example, the sensor 302 may be an acoustic sensor or any other suitable sensor known to the person skilled in the art. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor 302 is coupled at one end of the gas admission rail 108. For example, the sensor 302 may be coupled to the gas admission rail 108 at any location between the supply unit 110 and a first branch (not shown) of the gas admission rail 108. The first branch may be understood as a first gas supply pipe 204 branching from the gas admission rail 108, and located proximal to the supply unit 110. As such, the sensor 302 is embodied as a common sensor for the gas admission rail 108 and all the gas supply pipes 204 branching from the gas admission rail 108. In another embodiment, the system 300 may employ multiple sensors 302, where each sensor 302 is coupled to one gas supply pipe 204. The gas flowing through each valve 202 of the engine 100 emanates a set of input signals characteristic to flow of gas across the valve 202. Owing to the gaseous medium, the emanated set of input signals travel through respective gas supply pipes 204 and through the gas admission rail 108. In such a condition, the sensor 302 is configured to receive the set of input signals from the gas flowing through the valve 202. In one embodiment, the set of input signals correspond to acoustic waves emanated by the gas flowing through the valve 202.

-7[0020] The system 300 further includes a control module 304 in communication with the sensor 302 via a first communication path 306. In an example, the control module 304 may be a processor that includes a single processing unit or a number of processing units, all of which include multiple computing units. The explicit use of the term ‘processor’ should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing a software application. Rather, in this example, the control module 304 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machine, logic circuitries, and/or any device capable of manipulating signals based on operational instructions. Among the capabilities mentioned herein, the control module 304 may also be configured to receive, transmit, and execute computer-readable instructions. Further, in one example, the control module 304 may include a memory or a data repository integrated therein. In another example, the control module 304 may be an engine control unit. The control module 304 is configured to receive the set of input signals from the sensor 302 and diagnose the valve 202, based on the received set of input signals. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system 300 may also include an interface 308 in communication with the control module 304 via a second communication path 310. In an example, the interface 308 may be a device disposed in an operator cabin of a machine. The control module 304 may be configured to generate an output on the interface 308 regarding the condition of the valve 202.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the system 300 being coupled to the engine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 4 describes a manner in which the system 300 diagnoses one valve 202 deployed in the engine 100. As such, it should be understood that FIG. 4, for the sake of brevity, illustrates only one cylinder, such as the cylinder 102-1, of the engine 100 and the system 300 coupled to the cylinder 102-1.

[0022] As described earlier and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the valve 202 is coupled to the inlet pipe 106 at a location upstream of the cylinder 102. In operation, the supply unit 110 supplies gas to the gas admission rail 108. The supplied gas flows to the valve 202 through the gas supply pipe 204. Further, the

-8valve 202 inducts the gas into the inlet pipe 106. The gas mixes with incoming air supplied by the inlet manifold 104 and mixture of air and gas flows into the cylinder 102 of the engine 100. Simultaneously, the gas also flows into the prechamber 402 via the prechamber pipe 206.

[0023] The valve 202 includes multiple components configured to allow gas to be inducted into the inlet pipe 106 in predetermined time intervals. It will be understood that the predetermined time interval is set based on combustion cycles of the engine 100. In a normal condition, the valve 202 inducts a predetermined quantity of gas into the inlet pipe 106 in the predetermined time intervals. Further, the predetermined quantity of gas mixes with incoming air to constitute mixture of air and gas required by the cylinder 102 for combustion. Accordingly, the gas supplied by the supply unit 110 and the gas remaining in the gas admission rail 108 develops a first pressure ‘Pl’ in the gas admission rail 108 and at the valve 202.

[0024] However, when the valve 202 fails to induct the predetermined quantity of gas into the inlet pipe 106 in the predetermined time intervals, the valve 202 is said to operating in an abnormal condition. Alternatively, such condition is referred to as a malfunctioning condition. In cases where the valve 202 is malfunctioning, either no gas flows through the valve 202, or the valve 202 allows an amount of gas greater than the predetermined quantity to flow into the inlet pipe 106. During such scenarios, pressure of the gas in the gas admission rail 108 varies. For instance, when no gas is allowed to flow across the valve 202 over the predetermined time intervals of induction, owing to accumulation of the gas in the gas admission rail 108, pressure of the gas in the gas admission rail 108 increases to a second pressure ‘P2’ greater than the first pressure ‘Pl’. The gas accumulated in the gas supply pipe 204 emanates the set of input signals. Further, when more quantity of gas is allowed to flow through the valve 202 during the predetermined time intervals, pressure of gas in the gas admission rail 108 falls to the second pressure ‘P2’ below the first pressure ‘Pl’. As such, the second pressure ‘P2’ refers to a pressure condition in the gas admission rail 108 during malfunctioning condition of the valve 202. The gas flowing through the valve 202 also emanates the set of input signals.

-9[0025] In one embodiment, the sensor 302 coupled to the gas admission rail 108 is configured to sense the pressure of the gas in the gas admission rail 108. In particular, the sensor 302 receives the set of input signals from the gas. Owing to connection between the control module 304 and the sensor 302, the control module 304 receives the set of input signals from the sensor 302. Further, the control module 304 is configured to determine operating parameters of the valve 202 based on the set of input signals. In this embodiment, operating parameters of the valve 202 may be indicative of condition of the valve 202. For instance, the control module 304 may determine pressure, such as operating pressure, of the valve 202.

[0026] The control module 304 is further configured to compare the determined operating parameters of the valve 202 with a predetermined set of operating parameters of the valve 202 operating in the normal condition. The predetermined set of operating parameters may include pressure, such as the operating pressure, or the pressure trace over time, of the valve 202 operating in the normal condition. In one embodiment, the predetermined set of operating parameters may be obtained from a test bench (not shown) where the valve 202 was operated in the normal condition. As described earlier, the normal condition of the valve 202 corresponds to a condition in which the valve 202 inducts the predetermined quantity of gas into the inlet pipe 106 at the predetermined time intervals. Accordingly, in the test bench, the valve 202 may be monitored to induct the predetermined quantity of gas in the predetermined time intervals. Values of operating pressure of the valve 202 may be obtained from the test bench and such values may be stored in the memory of the control module 304.

[0027] In continuation to the instance considered above, the control module 304 is configured to compare the determined operating pressure of the valve 202 with a predetermined operating pressure of the valve 202. For the purpose of comparison, the control module 304 is configured to fetch the data from the memory for performing the comparison between the determined operating parameters of the valve 202 and the predetermined set of operating parameters of the valve 202. In one example, the control module 304 may check if the determined operating parameters map to the predetermined set of operating

-10parameters. For instance, the control module 304 may check whether values of the determined operating pressure of the valve 202 are included in a set of values corresponding to the predetermined set of operating pressures of the valve 202.

[0028] In another example, for the purpose of comparing, the control module 304 may be configured to determine whether values of the determined operating parameters of the valve 202 are less than values of the predetermined set of operating parameters of the valve 202. For instance, the control module 304 may determine whether the determined operating pressure of the valve 202 is less than the predetermined operating pressure of the valve 202.

[0029] Further, in one embodiment, the control module 304 is configured to diagnose the valve 202 based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters. For example, based on the comparison, the control module 304 may determine whether the valve 202 is operating in the normal condition or the abnormal condition. With reference to the instance considered above, when the control module 304 ascertains that the determined operating pressure is less than the predetermined operating pressure of the valve 202, the control module 304 may consider the valve 202 to be operating in the normal condition. Otherwise, the control module 304 may consider the valve 202 to be operating in the abnormal condition.

[0030] In cases where the control module 304 determines that the valve 202 is operating in the abnormal condition, the control module 304 is configured to cease operation of the engine 100. However, the control module 304 takes no action on the operation of the engine 100 when the valve 202 is operating in the normal condition. In one embodiment, the control module 304 is further configured to generate output indicative of diagnosed condition of the valve 202. For instance, the control module 304 may be configured to provide the output on the interface 308 and indicate to the operator of the machine regarding ceasing operation of the engine 100. In an example, the output may be in form of at least one of a graph, a text message, and an alert.

[0031] In another embodiment, when the set of input signals corresponds to acoustic waves, the sensor 302 may be configured to receive the acoustic waves

-11from the gas. Further, the control module 304 may be configured to receive the set of input signals from the sensor 302. In this embodiment, the set of input signals communicated to the control module 304 by the sensor 302 may be generated based on a characteristic parameter of the acoustic waves. In one example, the characteristic parameter may be, but not limited to, frequency, amplitude, or intensity.

[0032] For the purpose of description, the characteristic parameter of the set of inputs signals is considered as frequency. Gas flowing through the valve 202 operating in normal condition emanates acoustic waves having a first frequency and gas flowing through the valve 202 operating in malfunctioning condition emanates acoustic waves having a second frequency. Values of the first frequency of acoustic waves may be predetermined from the test bench and may be stored in the memory of the control module 304. Further, the control module 304 may be configured to determine value of the second frequency based on the received set of input signals. It will be understood that the set of inputs signals are received continuously from the sensor 302. Accordingly, the values of the second frequency may be determined by the control module 304. Furthermore, the control module 304 may also be configured to determine operating parameters of the valve 202 based on the values of the second frequency. In one embodiment, determining the operating parameters of the valve 202 may include spectral analysis of the characteristic parameter of the acoustic waves.

[0033] The control module 304 may compare values of the first frequency and the second frequency to diagnose the valve 202. In one example, the control module 304 may compare the frequencies by way of graphs. In one example, a degree of overlap of a graph of the second frequency over a graph of the first frequency may be considered to determine the operating condition of the valve 202. In another example, number of peak values in the graph of the second frequency may be considered to determine the operating condition of the valve 202. Based on diagnosis of the valve 202, the control module 304 may be configured to cease operation of the engine 100. Further, the control module 304 may also generate the output indicative of the diagnosed condition of the valve 202. In an example, the graphs may be provided on the interface 308. Such

-12outputs may be utilized to ascertain fault associated with the valve 202 and to carry out necessary maintenance activities on the engine 100.

[0034] Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limitations to the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability [0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure have applicability in the engine 100 for diagnosing the valve 202. The present disclosure also provides a method 500 for diagnosing the valve 202 of the engine 100. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Steps in which the method 500 is described are not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of steps can be combined in any order to implement the method 500. Further, the method 500 may be implemented in any suitable hardware, such that the hardware employed can perform the steps of the method 500 readily and on a real-time basis. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method 500 may be performed by the control module 304.

[0036] Various steps of the method 500 are described in conjunction with FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 of the present disclosure. As illustrated, at step 502, the method 500 includes receiving the set of input signals from the sensor 302. The set of inputs signals are received by the sensor 302 from gas flowing through the valve 202. In one embodiment, the control module 304 is configured to receive the set of input signals from the sensor 302. In some embodiments, the set of input signals may correspond to acoustic waves emanated by the gas flowing through the valve 202.

[0037] At step 504, the method 500 includes determining operating parameters of the valve 202 based on the set of input signals received from the sensor 302. In one embodiment, the operating parameters may include pressure, such as the operating pressure, of the valve 202. In some embodiments, the operating parameters may be determined based on spectral analysis of the set of input signals. The control module 304 is configured to perform the spectral analysis for determining the operating parameters of the valve 202. For example,

-13in cases where the set of input signals are in form of acoustic waves, value of the characteristic parameter associated with the acoustic waves indicates the condition of the valve 202.

[0038] At step 506, the method 500 includes comparing the determined operating parameters of the valve 202 with the predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the valve 202 operating in the normal condition. In one embodiment, the control module 304 is configured to comparing the determined operating parameters of the valve 202 with the predetermined set of operating parameters. The control module 304 fetches the data from memory to perform the above mentioned comparison.

[0039] At step 508, the method 500 includes diagnosing the valve 202 based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters. In one embodiment, the control module 304 is configured to diagnose the valve 202 based on the comparison performed at step 506. In one example, the control module 304 may be configured to map the determined operating parameters against the predetermined operating parameters to diagnose the valve 202.

[0040] Since the control module 304 receives the set of inputs signals from the sensor 302 and determines the operating parameters of the valve 202 based on the set of input signals, the diagnosis of the valve 202 is performed on a real-time basis. Such real-time diagnosis of the valve 202 facilitates early diagnoses of the condition of the valve 202 during operation of the engine 100. Further, since the control module 304 is configured to cease the operation of the engine 100 based on the diagnosis of the valve 202, the system 300 and the method 500 aids in preventing excess quantity of the gas to be inducted into the inlet pipe 106. Therefore, damages to the engine 100 and the components of the engine 100 may be prevented. In light of the above, the system 300 and method 500 of the present disclosure, ensure prolonged and safe operation of the engine 100. In addition, since the system 300 employs minimum components, the present disclosure provides a cost effective system and method to diagnose the valve 202.

-14[0041] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Global Claim Set

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system (300) for diagnosing gas admission valve (202) of an engine (100), the system (300) comprising:

a sensor (302) coupled to a gas admission rail (108) of the engine (100), the gas admission rail (108) configured to supply gas to the gas admission valve (202), the sensor (302) configured to receive a set of input signals from the gas flowing through the gas admission valve (202); and a control module (304) in communication with the sensor (302), the control module (304) configured to:

receive the set of input signals from the sensor (302); determine operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) based on the set of input signals;

compare the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the gas admission valve (202) operating in a normal condition; and diagnose the gas admission valve (202) based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters.

2. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the set of input signals corresponds to acoustic waves emanated by the gas admission valve (202).

3. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the control module (304) is further configured to cease operation of the engine (100) based on the diagnosis of the gas admission valve (202).

4. The system (300) of claim 3, wherein the control module (304) is further configured to generate an output indicative of diagnosed condition of the gas admission valve (202).

5. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein determination of the operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) comprises spectral analysis of the set of input signals.

6. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of operating parameters and the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) comprises pressure of the gas admission valve (202).

7. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the sensor (302) is a pressure sensor.

8. An engine (100) comprising:

a cylinder (102);

an inlet pipe (106) in fluid communication with the cylinder of the engine (100), the inlet pipe (106) configured to supply air into the cylinder (102);

a supply unit (110);

a gas admission valve (202) in fluid communication with the supply unit (110) via a gas admission rail (108) to receive gas from the supply unit (110), the gas admission valve (202) coupled to the inlet pipe (106) upstream of the cylinder (102) to supply gas into the cylinder (102);

a sensor (302) coupled to the gas admission rail (108) to receive a set of input signals from the gas flowing through the gas admission valve (202); and a control module (304) coupled to the sensor (302) and configured to: receive the set of input signals from the sensor (302); determine operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) based on the set of input signals;

9. The engine (100) of claim 8, wherein the set of input signals corresponds to acoustic waves emanated by the gas admission valve (202).

10. The engine (100) of claim 8, wherein the control module (304) is further configured to cease operation of the engine (100) based on the diagnosis of the gas admission valve (202).

11. The engine (100) of claim 8, wherein the control module (304) is further configured to generate an output indicative of diagnosed condition of the gas admission valve (202).

12. The engine (100) of claim 8, wherein determination of the operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) comprises spectral analysis of the set of input signals.

13. A method for diagnosing gas admission valve (202) of an engine (100), the method comprising:

receiving a set of input signals from a sensor (302), the set of input signals being received by the sensor (302) from gas flowing through the gas admission valve (202);

determining operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) based on the set of input signals;

comparing the determined operating parameters of the gas admission valve (202) with a predetermined set of operating parameters corresponding to the gas admission valve (202) operating in a normal condition; and diagnosing the gas admission valve (202) based on the comparison of the determined operating parameters and the predetermined set of operating parameters.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising ceasing operation of the engine (100) based on the diagnosis of the gas admission valve (202).

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating an output indicative of diagnosed condition of the gas admission valve (202).

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1616924.5