KR20170135706A - Determination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a determination device, determining the rotating direction of an internal combustion engine for a ship having a plurality of gas containers by using an existing facility. Disclosed is the determination device, determining the rotating direction of the internal combustion engine for a ship having the gas containers. The determination device comprises: a detection unit detecting a change of a periodic state of the gas containers and outputting state information related to a state; and a direction determination unit determining the rotating direction by using the state information and preset responding information enabling a sequence where the gas containers are in the predetermined state to be related to the rotating direction of the internal combustion engine.

Description

DETERMINATION APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a determination device for determining the rotational direction of a marine internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders.

The crankshaft of the marine internal combustion engine rotates in both directions. The rotational direction of the crankshaft is indicated by a control signal outputted from a control device for controlling the internal combustion engine. However, the actual rotation direction of the crankshaft may be different from the direction designated by the control signal. Therefore, an encoder provided on the crankshaft or a plurality of proximity sensors disposed in the vicinity of the flywheel provided on the crankshaft may be used for detecting the actual rotational direction of the crankshaft (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-360489

If a problem occurs in the encoder or the proximity sensor, information on the rotational direction of the crankshaft is lost. In this case, various controls using information on the rotational direction of the crankshaft (for example, control for determining the injection timing of the fuel to the internal combustion engine) are not appropriately performed. Therefore, there is a demand for a facility capable of generating information on the rotational direction of the crankshaft in place of the encoder or the proximity sensor.

The use of additional sensors that replace the encoder or proximity sensor to generate information about the direction of rotation of the crankshaft makes the control system of the ship larger and more complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a judgment device for judging the rotational direction of a marine internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders by using existing facilities.

The determination device according to one aspect of the present invention can determine the rotational direction of a marine internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. The determination device includes a detection unit that detects a change in the cyclic state of the plurality of cylinders and outputs state information about the state, and a state information storage unit that stores the state information and an order in which the plurality of cylinders become a certain state, And a direction judging section for judging the direction of rotation by using corresponding information previously set so as to relate to the rotational direction of the vehicle.

Many marine internal combustion engines already have a facility for detecting a change in the cyclic state of a plurality of cylinders. According to the above configuration, the existing facility can be used as a detection unit that outputs status information on a periodic state change of a plurality of cylinders. The direction judging section judges the direction of rotation by using the state information and corresponding information previously set so as to relate the order in which a plurality of cylinders become a certain state to the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine, .

With respect to the above arrangement, the plurality of cylinders may include a plurality of movable portions reciprocating within a predetermined stroke interval. The detection unit may include a plurality of position detectors each detecting the plurality of movable parts that have reached the reference position set within the stroke section. The direction determination section may determine the direction of rotation from an order in which the plurality of movable parts reach the reference position.

According to the above arrangement, since the plurality of position detectors respectively detect the plurality of movable parts reaching the reference position set within the stroke section, the detecting section can output the state information on the change of the cyclic state of the plurality of cylinders. Since the direction determination section determines the direction of rotation from the order in which the plurality of movable parts reach the reference position, the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine is determined with high accuracy.

With respect to the above-described configuration, the determination apparatus may further include a calculating section that calculates the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from a time interval at which one of the plurality of movable parts detected by one of the plurality of position detectors reaches the reference position do.

According to the above arrangement, the calculating unit calculates the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from the time interval at which one of the plurality of movable parts detected by one of the plurality of position detectors reaches the reference position, The number of rotations of the internal combustion engine can be determined.

With respect to the above-described configuration, the bottom dead center of each of the plurality of movable parts may be set as the reference position.

According to the above arrangement, since the bottom dead center of each of the plurality of movable parts is set as the reference position, the plurality of position detectors can be disposed at positions that are not easily exposed to heat generated in the cylinder.

Regarding the above-described configuration, the detection unit may include a plurality of pressure detectors each detecting the internal pressure of the plurality of cylinders. The direction determination section may determine the direction of rotation from an order in which the internal pressure reaches a predetermined reference pressure.

According to the above arrangement, since the direction determining section determines the direction of rotation from the order in which the internal pressure reaches the predetermined reference pressure, the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine is determined with high accuracy.

The determination device may further include a calculation unit that calculates the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from the time interval at which the internal pressure detected by one of the plurality of pressure detectors reaches the reference pressure.

According to the above arrangement, the calculating unit calculates the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from the time interval at which the internal pressure detected by one of the plurality of pressure detectors reaches the reference pressure, so that the judging device not only detects the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine, It is possible to determine the number of rotations.

With respect to the above-described configuration, the determination device compares the rotation direction determined by the direction determination section with the rotation direction designated by the control signal for controlling the plurality of cylinder operations, And an operation checking unit which determines whether or not the direction of rotation determined by the direction determination unit matches the direction of rotation specified by the control signal When the determination is made, a warning unit for outputting a predetermined warning may be further provided.

According to the above configuration, when the operation checking unit determines that the direction of rotation determined by the direction determination unit does not match the direction of rotation specified by the control signal, the warning unit outputs a predetermined warning, do.

The above determination apparatus can determine the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine for a ship having a plurality of cylinders by using existing facilities.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a judgment apparatus of the first embodiment.
2 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus of the second embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing data processing executed by the reading unit of the determination apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig.
Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing determination processing executed by the second determination unit of the determination apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig.
5 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus of the third embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus of the fourth embodiment. Fig.
7 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus of the fifth embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing determination processing executed by the second determination unit of the determination apparatus shown in Fig. 7; Fig.
9 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus of the sixth embodiment.
10 is a schematic flowchart showing a method of acquiring corresponding information (seventh embodiment).

≪ First Embodiment >

The inventors of the present invention have developed a technique for determining the rotational direction of an internal combustion engine using existing facilities. In the first embodiment, an exemplary determination technique for determining the direction of rotation will be described.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, a determination apparatus 100 is described.

1 shows a marine internal combustion engine (ENG). The internal combustion engine ENG includes a first cylinder CL1, a second cylinder CL2, and a third cylinder CL3. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cylinders are exemplified by the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2, and the third cylinder CL3. The principle of the present embodiment is also applicable to an internal combustion engine having more than three cylinders.

The determination apparatus 100 includes a detection unit 110, a sequence generation unit 120, and a direction determination unit 130. The detection unit 110 includes a first sensor 111, a second sensor 112, and a third sensor 113. The first sensor 111 detects a change in the periodic state of the first cylinder CL1 and generates state information indicating the state of the first cylinder CL1. The state information indicating the state of the first cylinder CL1 is output from the first sensor 111 to the sequence generator 120. [ The second sensor 112 detects a change in the periodic state of the second cylinder CL2 and generates state information indicating the state of the second cylinder CL2. The state information indicating the state of the second cylinder (CL2) is output from the second sensor (112) to the sequence generator (120). The third sensor 113 detects a change in the periodic state of the third cylinder CL3 and generates state information indicating the state of the third cylinder CL3. State information indicating the state of the third cylinder (CL3) is output from the third sensor (113) to the sequence generator (120).

(For example, a cylinder head (not shown) or a crosshead (not shown) of the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2, and the third cylinder CL3 is connected to the internal combustion engine ENG Each of the first sensor 111, the second sensor 112 and the third sensor 113 may be a position detector if a position detector (not shown) for detecting the position of the first sensor 111, the second sensor 112 and the third sensor 113 is already provided. If a pressure detector (not shown) for detecting the internal pressure of each of the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2 and the third cylinder CL3 is already provided in the internal combustion engine ENG, 111, the second sensor 112, and the third sensor 113 may each be a pressure detector. The principle of the present embodiment is not limited to the specific detection element used as the first sensor 111, the second sensor 112 and the third sensor 113, respectively.

As described above, the order generating unit 120 receives from the detecting unit 110 state information indicating the states of the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2, and the third cylinder CL3. The order generating unit 120 sequentially orders the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2, and the third cylinder CL3 from the state information. The state information from the first sensor 111 indicates a peak of the internal pressure and thereafter the state information from the second sensor 112 indicates a peak of internal pressure and finally the state information from the third sensor 113 indicates The order generating section 120 assigns the order of "1" to the first cylinder CL1, gives the order of "2" to the second cylinder CL2, Quot; and " 3 " may be given to the third line CL3. The state information from the first sensor 111 indicates the peak of the internal pressure and thereafter the state information from the third sensor 113 indicates the peak of the internal pressure and finally the state information from the second sensor 112 indicates The order generating section 120 assigns the order of "1" to the first cylinder CL1, gives the order of "2" to the third cylinder CL3, Quot; and " 3 " may be given to the second clock CL2.

The order generating unit 120 generates order information indicating the order determined by the above-described order giving process. The order information is output from the order generation unit 120 to the direction determination unit 130. [

The direction determining unit 130 holds corresponding information previously set so as to relate the order indicated by the order information generated by the order generating unit 120 to the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine ENG. The correspondence information may be stored in a memory element (not shown) as data, or may be an algorithm for determining a processing procedure to be executed by the direction determination section 130. [

The order information is stored in the order of the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2 and the third cylinder CL3, the order of the second cylinder CL2, the third cylinder CL3 and the first cylinder CL1, The direction determination section 130 may determine that the internal combustion engine ENG is in the forward rotation state if the order of the three cylinders CL3, the first cylinder CL1, and the second cylinder CL2 is shown. The order information is stored in the order of the first cylinder CL1, the third cylinder CL3 and the second cylinder CL2, the order of the third cylinder CL3, the second cylinder CL2 and the first cylinder CL1, If the order of the second cylinder CL2, the first cylinder CL1 and the third cylinder CL3 is shown, the direction determination section 130 may determine that the internal combustion engine ENG is rotating in the reverse direction.

≪ Second Embodiment >

The bottom dead center or top dead center is suitably used for ranking of a plurality of cylinders. When a position detector (for example, a proximity sensor) capable of detecting a cylinder head (or a crosshead) reaching the bottom dead center is used as the detection unit, the proximity sensor is not exposed to the high temperature in the cylinder, It is possible to detect the arrival of the cylinder head (or the crosshead). When a pressure detector (i.e., a pressure sensor) that detects the internal pressure of the cylinder is used as the detecting portion, the pressure detector detects the peak of the pressure in the cylinder to detect the arrival of the cylinder head (or the crosshead) with respect to the top dead center . In the second embodiment, an exemplary determination device that performs ranking of a plurality of cylinders by using bottom dead center is described.

2 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus 100A of the second embodiment. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a determination apparatus 100A is described.

The determination apparatus 100A includes a detection unit 110A, a sequence generation unit 120A, and a direction determination unit 130A. The detection unit 110A includes three position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A. The position detector 111A corresponds to the first sensor 111 described with reference to Fig. The position detector 112A corresponds to the second sensor 112 described with reference to Fig. The position detector 113A corresponds to the third sensor 113 described with reference to Fig.

Fig. 2 shows three heads HD1, HD2 and HD3. The head HD1 corresponds to the cylinder head or the crosshead of the first cylinder CL1 described with reference to Fig. The head HD2 corresponds to the cylinder head or the crosshead of the second cylinder CL2 described with reference to Fig. The head HD3 corresponds to the cylinder head or the crosshead of the third cylinder CL3 described with reference to Fig. Each of the heads HD1, HD2, HD3 reciprocates within a stroke interval between the bottom dead center and the top dead center. In the present embodiment, a plurality of movable parts are exemplified by the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3.

The position detectors 111A, 112A and 113A may be proximity sensors arranged to detect the arrival of the heads HD1, HD2 and HD3 with respect to the bottom dead center. When the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3 are largely spaced from the bottom dead center, the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A output signals of substantially constant voltage levels. When the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3 approach the bottom dead center, the voltage levels of the signals output from the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A decrease. When the heads HD1, HD2, HD3 are moved away from the bottom dead center, the voltage level of the signal increases and returns to a substantially constant voltage level. Fig. 2 shows changes in the voltage level of these signals as state information.

The above-described voltage signal is output from the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A to the sequence generator 120A. The order generation unit 120A includes a first determination unit 121 and a storage unit 122. [

The first determination unit 121 receives voltage signals from the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A. When the voltage level of the signal from the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A changes from decrease to increase, the first determination unit 121 outputs data indicating the generation source of the voltage signal. For example, when the voltage level of the signal from the position detector 111A changes from decrease to increase, the first determination unit 121 may output data indicating a value of " 1 ". When the voltage level of the signal from the position detector 112A changes from decrease to increase, the first determination unit 121 may output data indicating a value of " 2 ". When the voltage level of the signal from the position detector 113A changes from decrease to increase, the first determination unit 121 may output data indicating a value of " 3 ".

The change from the decrease in the voltage level of the signal from the position detectors 111A, 112A and 113A to the increase means the arrival of the heads HD1, HD2 and HD3 with respect to the bottom dead center. Therefore, the first determining portion 121 uses the bottom dead center of the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3 as reference positions for ordering the plurality of cylinders. Quot ;, " 1 ", " 2 ", and " 3 " correspond to the order information described with reference to Fig. The first determination unit 121 may be a program designed to analyze a voltage signal and generate output data according to the analysis result, or may be a calculation unit (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a PLD Programmable Logic Device).

The storage unit 122 includes a first storage domain 123 and a second storage domain 124. [ Described data indicating the values of "1", "2", or "3" is output from the first determination section 121 to the first storage domain 123. The first storage domain 123 holds the data received from the first judgment unit 121 as first data.

The second storage domain 124 stores the first data before the first data in the first storage domain 123 is overwritten or updated by the data output from the first judgment unit 121 as the second data . The storage unit 122 may be a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other general storage element.

The direction determination unit 130A includes a reading unit 131 and a second determination unit 132. [ The reading unit 131 reads the first data from the first storage domain 123 and also reads the second data from the second storage domain 124. [ And outputs the first data to the second storage domain 124 if the first data is updated (that is, the value of the first data does not match the value of the second data). The second storage domain 124 holds the first data output from the reading unit 131 as second data.

If the first data is updated, the first data and the second data are output from the reading unit 131 to the second determining unit 132. [ The second determining portion 132 refers to the first data and the second data to determine the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine. For example, if the first data indicates a value of "1" and the second data indicates a value of "3", the second determination unit 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state. If the first data indicates a value of "1" and the second data indicates a value of "2", the second determination section 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is rotating in reverse. If the first data indicates a value of "2" and the second data indicates a value of "1", the second determination unit 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state. If the first data indicates a value of " 2 " and the second data indicates a value of " 3 ", the second determination unit 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is in reverse rotation. If the first data indicates a value of "3" and the second data indicates a value of "2", the second determination section 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state. If the first data indicates a value of " 3 " and the second data indicates a value of " 1 ", the second determination unit 132 may determine that the internal combustion engine is rotating in reverse. The determination result indicating the forward rotation or the reverse rotation of the internal combustion engine is output from the second determination section 132. [ The direction determination unit 130A may be a program designed to perform determination processing based on data read, data write, and read data, or may be an arithmetic element (e.g., a CPU or a PLD) that executes the program.

3 is a schematic flowchart showing the data processing executed by the reading unit 131. As shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the data processing executed by the reading unit 131 will be described.

(Step S110)

The reading unit 131 reads the first data and the second data from the first storage domain 123 and the second storage domain 124, respectively. Thereafter, step S120 is executed.

(Step S120)

The reading unit 131 determines whether or not the second data indicates a default value. The default value is set to a value (for example, " 0 ") different from the values (i.e., " 1 ", " 2 ", and " 3 ") indicated by the data output by the first determination unit 121 . If the second data indicates a default value, step S130 is executed. In other cases, step S140 is executed.

(Step S130)

The reading unit 131 writes the first data into the second storage domain 124. [ Thereafter, step S110 is executed.

(Step S140)

The reading unit 131 determines whether or not the first data coincides with the second data. If the first data does not coincide with the second data, step S150 is executed. In other cases, step S110 is executed.

(Step S150)

The reading unit 131 writes the first data into the second storage domain 124. [ Thereafter, step S160 is executed.

(Step S160)

The reading unit 131 outputs the first data and the second data to the second determining unit 132. [

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing the judgment processing executed by the second judgment section 132. Fig. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, a determination process executed by the second determination unit 132 will be described.

(Step S205)

The second judgment unit 132 waits for the output of the first data and the second data from the reading unit 131. [ When the second determination unit 132 receives the first data and the second data, step S210 is executed.

(Step S210)

The second determination unit 132 determines whether the value of the first data is " 1 ". If the value of the first data is " 1 ", step S215 is executed. Otherwise, step S230 is executed.

(Step S215)

The second determining unit 132 determines whether the value of the second data is " 3 ". If the value of the second data is " 3 ", step S220 is executed. Otherwise, step S225 is executed.

(Step S220)

The second determination section 132 determines that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state.

(Step S225)

The second judgment portion 132 judges that the internal combustion engine is rotating in the reverse direction.

(Step S230)

The second determination unit 132 determines whether the value of the first data is " 2 ". If the value of the first data is " 2 ", step S235 is executed. Otherwise, step S250 is executed.

(Step S235)

The second determination unit 132 determines whether the value of the second data is " 1 ". If the value of the second data is " 1 ", step S240 is executed. Otherwise, step S245 is executed.

(Step S240)

The second determination section 132 determines that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state.

(Step S245)

The second judgment portion 132 judges that the internal combustion engine is rotating in the reverse direction.

(Step S250)

The second determination unit 132 determines whether the value of the second data is " 2 ". If the value of the second data is " 2 ", step S255 is executed. Otherwise, step S260 is executed.

(Step S255)

The second determination section 132 determines that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state.

(Step S260)

The second judgment portion 132 judges that the internal combustion engine is rotating in the reverse direction.

≪ Third Embodiment >

The determination apparatus of the second embodiment uses the bottom dead center or top dead center as a reference for providing an order for a plurality of cylinders. In general, the criterion other than bottom dead center and top dead center may be used for ordering a plurality of cylinders. In the third embodiment, an example determination device that uses criteria other than bottom dead center and top dead center for the provision of a plurality of cylinders is described.

5 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus 100B of the third embodiment. With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the determination apparatus 100B is described. The description of the above-described embodiments is used for elements having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiments.

Similar to the second embodiment, the determination apparatus 100B includes the direction determination unit 130A. The description of the second embodiment is used in the direction determination section 130A.

The determination apparatus 100B further includes a detection unit 110B and a sequence generation unit 120B. The detection unit 110B includes three pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B. The pressure detector 111B corresponds to the first sensor 111 described with reference to Fig. The pressure detector 112B corresponds to the second sensor 112 described with reference to Fig. The pressure detector 113B corresponds to the third sensor 113 described with reference to Fig.

Like FIG. 1, FIG. 5 shows the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2, and the third cylinder CL3. The description of the first embodiment is used for the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2 and the third cylinder CL3.

Like Fig. 2, Fig. 5 shows three heads HD1, HD2 and HD3. The description of the second embodiment is used for the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3.

The head HD1 reciprocates within the stroke interval between the top dead center and the bottom dead center in the first cylinder CL1. The head HD2 reciprocates within the stroke interval between the top dead center and the bottom dead center in the second cylinder CL2. The head HD3 reciprocally moves within the stroke interval between the top dead center and the bottom dead center in the third cylinder CL3.

The pressure detectors 111B, 112B and 113B may be pressure sensors for measuring internal pressures of the first cylinder CL1, the second cylinder CL2 and the third cylinder CL3. As the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3 approach the top dead center, the voltage levels of the signals output from the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B increase. As the heads HD1, HD2, and HD3 approach the bottom dead center, the voltage levels of the signals output from the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B decrease. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, the voltage signals output from the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B change in a sine wave form. The voltage signals output from the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B correspond to the state information described with reference to Fig.

The above-described voltage signal is output from the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B to the order generating unit 120B. As in the second embodiment, the order generating unit 120B includes a storage unit 122. [ The description of the second embodiment is used in the storage unit 122. [

The order generating unit 120B further includes a first determining unit 121B and three binarizing units 125, 126, and 127. Each of the binarizing units 125, 126 and 127 has a voltage value corresponding to the voltage level of the signal generated by the pressure detectors 111B, 112B and 113B immediately before the heads HD1, HD2 and HD3 reach the top dead center Is used as a threshold value, and binarization processing is performed. In the present embodiment, the reference pressure is exemplified by the withstand pressure corresponding to the threshold value set by the binarization units 125, 126, and 127.

When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 111B exceeds the threshold value, the binarization unit 125 generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 111B falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 125 generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarization unit 125 converts the sinusoidal voltage signal output from the pressure detector 111B into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 125 to the first determination unit 121B.

When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 112B exceeds the threshold value, the binarization unit 126 generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 112B falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 126 generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarization unit 126 converts the sinusoidal voltage signal output from the pressure detector 112B into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 126 to the first judgment unit 121B.

When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 113B exceeds the threshold value, the binarization unit 127 generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the pressure detector 113B falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 127 generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarizing unit 127 converts the sinusoidal voltage signal output from the pressure detector 113B into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 127 to the first judgment unit 121B.

The first determination unit 121B receives continuous pulse signals from the binarization units 125, 126, and 127. The first judging unit 121B receiving the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 125 may output data indicating a value of " 1 ". The first judging unit 121B receiving the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 126 may output data indicating a value of " 2 ". The first judging unit 121B receiving the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 127 may output data indicating a value of " 3 ".

Similar to the second embodiment, the above-described data is output from the first determination section 121B to the first storage domain 123. [ The direction determination section 130A determines the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine using the determination technique described in connection with the second embodiment (see Figs. 3 and 4).

≪ Fourth Embodiment &

The determination device described in connection with the above-described embodiment outputs a determination result regarding the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine. Additionally, the determination device may output information about the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. In the fourth embodiment, an exemplary determination device for outputting information on the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is described.

Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus 100C of the fourth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, the determination apparatus 100C is described. The description of the above-described embodiments is used for elements having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiments.

Similar to the second embodiment, the determination apparatus 100C includes a detection unit 110A and a direction determination unit 130A. The description of the second embodiment is used for these elements.

The determination apparatus 100C further includes a sequence generation unit 120C and a calculation unit 140. [ As in the second embodiment, the order generating unit 120C includes a storage unit 122. [ The description of the second embodiment is used in the storage unit 122. [

The order generating unit 120C further includes a first determining unit 121C and three binarizing units 125C, 126C, and 127C. Each of the binarization units 125C, 126C, and 127C performs binarization processing using the voltage value set within the variation range of the voltage level of the signal output from the position detectors 111A, 112A, and 113A as a threshold value.

When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 111A falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 125C generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 111A exceeds the threshold, the binarization unit 125C generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarizing unit 125C converts the voltage signal output from the position detector 111A into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 125C to the first judgment unit 121C.

When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 112A falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 126C generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 112A exceeds the threshold value, the binarization unit 126C generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarizing unit 126C converts the voltage signal output from the position detector 112A into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 126C to the first judgment unit 121C.

When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 113A falls below the threshold value, the binarization unit 127C generates a signal of a high voltage level. When the voltage of the signal output from the position detector 113A exceeds the threshold value, the binarizing unit 127C generates a signal of a low voltage level. Therefore, the binarization unit 127C converts the voltage signal output from the position detector 113A into a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses. The continuous pulse signal is output from the binarization unit 127C to the first judgment unit 121C.

The first determination unit 121C receives the continuous pulse signal from the binarization units 125C, 126C, and 127C. The first determination unit 121C that receives the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the binary coding unit 125C may output data indicating a value of " 1 ". The first judging unit 121C, which has received the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the two-pulse generating unit 126C, may output data indicating a value of " 2 ". The first judging unit 121C which has received the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the binary coding unit 127C may output the data indicating the value of " 3 ".

Similar to the second embodiment, the above-described data is output from the first determination unit 121C to the first storage domain 123. [ The direction determination section 130A determines the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine using the determination technique described in connection with the second embodiment (see Figs. 3 and 4).

The voltage signal generated by the position detector 111A is output to the calculation unit 140 as well as to the binarization unit 125C. The calculation unit 140 measures a time interval T at which the voltage level reduction of the signal received from the position detector 111A is started. The calculating unit 140 may output various calculation results regarding the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine using the time interval T obtained by the measurement. For example, the rotation frequency of the internal combustion engine may be calculated by the following equation.

≪ Embodiment 5 >

The determination technique described in connection with the above-described embodiment is also applicable to an internal combustion engine having a cylinder of more than three cylinders. In the fifth embodiment, an exemplary technique for determining the rotational direction of an internal combustion engine having a cylinder exceeding 3 is described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the determination apparatus 100D of the fifth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 7, the determination apparatus 100D is described. The description of the above-described embodiments is used for elements having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiments.

Similar to the fourth embodiment, the determination apparatus 100D includes a detection section 110D, a sequence generation section 120D, a direction determination section 130D, and a calculation section 140D. Similar to the third embodiment, the detection unit 110D includes pressure detectors 111B, 112B, and 113B. The description of the third embodiment is used for these elements.

The detection unit 110D further includes a pressure detector 114. [ Like the pressure detectors 111B, 112B and 113B, the pressure detector 114 measures the internal pressure of the fourth cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The voltage signals generated by the pressure detectors 111B, 112B, 113B, and 114 are output to the sequence generator 120D.

As in the second embodiment, the order generation unit 120D includes a storage unit 122. [ The description of the second embodiment is used in the storage unit 122. [

As in the third embodiment, the order generating unit 120D includes binarizing units 125, 126, and 127. The description of the second embodiment is used for the binarization units 125, 126, and 127.

The order generating unit 120D further includes a first determining unit 121D and a binarizing unit 128. [ The binarizing unit 128 performs binarization processing on the voltage signal generated by the pressure detector 114 and outputs a continuous pulse signal including a plurality of pulses to the binarizing unit 125 in the same manner as the binarizing units 125, . The continuous pulse signals generated by the two latching units 125, 126, 127, and 128 are output to the first determination unit 121D.

The first judging unit 121D receives the continuous pulse signals from the binarizing units 125, 126, 127 and 128. [ The first judging unit 121D that receives the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 125 may output data indicating a value of " 1 ". The first judging unit 121D which receives the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 126 may output the data indicating the value of " 2 ". The first judging unit 121D receiving the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-knitting unit 127 may output data indicating a value of " 3 ". The first judging unit 121D receiving the pulse of the continuous pulse signal generated by the 2-digitizing unit 128 may output data indicating a value of " 4 ". The data output by the first determination unit 121D is stored as first data in the first storage domain 123. [

The continuous pulse signal generated by the binarization unit 125 is outputted not only to the first determination unit 121D but also to the calculation unit 140D. The calculation unit 140D measures the rising time interval T of the pulses. The calculating unit 140D may output various calculation results regarding the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine using the time interval T obtained by the measurement.

Similar to the second embodiment, the direction determination section 130D includes a reading section 131. [ The description of the second embodiment is used in the reading unit 131. [

The direction determination section 130D further includes a second determination section 132D and a storage section 133. [ The storage unit 133 holds a first lookup table (hereinafter referred to as a "first LUT") and a second lookup table (hereinafter referred to as a "second LUT"). The first LUT represents a combination of data obtained when the internal combustion engine is rotating forward. The second LUT represents a combination of data obtained when the internal combustion engine is rotating in reverse. Table 1 below conceptually shows the first LUT. Table 2 below conceptually shows the second LUT.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing determination processing executed by the second determination unit 132D. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a determination process executed by the second determination unit 132D will be described.

(Step S310)

The second judgment unit 132D waits for the output of the first data and the second data from the reading unit 131. [ When the second determination unit 132D receives the first data and the second data, step S320 is executed.

(Step S320)

The second determination unit 132D reads the first LUT and the second LUT from the storage unit 133. [ Thereafter, step S330 is executed.

(Step S330)

The second determination unit 132D determines whether the set of the first data value and the second data value coincide with any one of the data sets in the first LUT. Step S340 is executed when the set of the first data value and the second data value match any one of the data sets in the first LUT. Otherwise, step S350 is executed.

(Step S340)

The second determination section 132D determines that the internal combustion engine is in the forward rotation state.

(Step S350)

The second determination unit 132D determines whether the set of the first data value and the second data value match any one of the data sets in the second LUT. Step S360 is executed when the set of the first data value and the second data value coincide with any one of the data sets in the second LUT. Otherwise, step S370 is executed.

(Step S360)

The second judgment portion 132D judges that the internal combustion engine is rotating in reverse.

(Step S370)

The second judgment unit 132D executes a predetermined error process.

≪ Sixth Embodiment &

The determination result indicating the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine may be used for various purposes. For example, if the determination result does not match the direction of rotation designated by the control signal, the determination device may give a warning to the operator who operates the ship. In the sixth embodiment, an exemplary technique having a warning function is described.

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the judgment apparatus 100E of the sixth embodiment. Referring to Fig. 9, the determination apparatus 100E is described. The description of the above-described embodiments is used for elements having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiments.

Similar to the fourth embodiment, the determination apparatus 100E includes a detection section 110A, a sequence generation section 120C, a direction determination section 130A, and a calculation section 140. [ The description of the fourth embodiment is used for these elements.

The determination apparatus 100E further includes an operation checking unit 150 and a warning unit 160. [ 9 shows a control device CTR. The operator operates the control device CTR and controls the direction of rotation of the internal combustion engine (i.e., a plurality of cylinder operations). The control device CTR generates a control signal for specifying the rotating direction of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the operation of the operator. The control signal is outputted from the control device CTR to the operation checking section 150.

The operation checking unit 150 compares the rotation direction indicated by the determination result with the rotation direction designated by the control signal. If the rotation direction indicated by the determination result does not match the rotation direction specified by the control signal, the trigger signal is generated. The trigger signal is output from the operation checking unit 150 to the warning unit 160. [

The warning unit 160 performs a predetermined warning operation in accordance with the trigger signal. The warning unit 160 may generate a warning signal in accordance with the trigger signal. Alternatively, the warning unit 160 may be a speaker device that emits a warning sound in accordance with the trigger signal. Alternatively, the warning unit 160 may be a warning light for emitting warning light in accordance with the trigger signal. The principle of the present embodiment is not limited to the specific apparatus used as the warning section 160. [

≪ Seventh Embodiment &

The determination technique described in connection with the above-described embodiment may be built in an existing ship. However, the order of the cylinders when the internal combustion engine of the existing ship is rotating forward or backward may be unclear. In this case, the order of the cylinders may be acquired experimentally before the judgment technique is embedded in the vessel. The order of experimentally acquired cylinders is suitably used as the correspondence information. In the seventh embodiment, an exemplary method of acquiring corresponding information is described.

10 is a schematic flowchart showing a method of acquiring corresponding information. Referring to Figs. 4 and 10, a method of acquiring corresponding information will be described.

(Step S405)

An operator who performs data sampling for obtaining corresponding information assigns different identification numbers to a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. In addition, the operator inputs the number of cylinders into the experimental system (not shown). In the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine has three cylinders. Therefore, the operator assigns the identification numbers " 1 " to " 3 " to the plurality of cylinders, and inputs a value of " 3 " After the input operation, step S410 is executed.

(Step S410)

The experimental system sets the value of the sampling number SMP to " 0 ". Thereafter, step S415 is executed.

(Step S415)

The operator rotates the internal combustion engine forward. Thereafter, step S420 is executed.

(Step S420)

The operator waits for stability of rotation of the internal combustion engine. When the internal combustion engine stably rotates forward, step S425 is executed.

(Step S425)

The experimental system verifies whether or not a signal is received from all the sensors provided in the plurality of cylinders (the position detecting section and the pressure detecting section: see the above embodiment). If the experimental system is receiving a signal from all of the sensors, step S430 is executed. Otherwise, step S460 is executed.

(Step S430)

The experimental system identifies the cylinder to which the identification number " 1 " is attached in a predetermined state (i.e., whether the head (cylinder head or crosshead) has reached the reference position or whether the cylinder internal pressure has reached the reference pressure) Based on a signal from the sensor corresponding to the cylinder to which " 1 " is given. If the cylinder to which the identification number " 1 " is assigned is in a predetermined state, step S435 is executed. Otherwise, step S425 is executed.

(Step S435)

The experimental system performs data sampling. In the present embodiment, the experimental system is based on a signal from a sensor corresponding to a cylinder to which a identification number " 2 " and an identification number " 3 " . As a result, the experimental system can assign ranking to a plurality of cylinders. After ranking, step S440 is executed.

 (Step S440)

The experimental system increments the value of the sampling number SMP by " 1 ". Thereafter, step S445 is executed.

(Step S445)

The experimental system determines whether the value of the sampling number SMP is " 3 ". If the value of the sampling number SMP is " 3 ", step S450 is executed. Otherwise, step S435 is executed.

(Step S450)

The experimental system determines whether there is no change in the data (rank) acquired while the number of sampling times SMP changes to " 3 ". If there is no change in the acquired data while the sampling number SMP is changed to " 3 ", step S455 is executed. Otherwise, step S425 is executed.

(Step S455)

The experimental system registers the obtained data (rank) as corresponding information. The experimental system may reflect the obtained data in the determination routine described with reference to Fig. Alternatively, the experimental system may register data as the first and second LUTs described with reference to Tables 1 and 2.

(Step S460)

The experimental system and the operator perform predetermined error processing. After removing the cause of the error, the job for obtaining the corresponding information may be re-executed.

In the above description, SMP is described as "3", but it is not limited to "3". From the point of view of reliability and the time until the order is confirmed, " 3 " is preferable.

The design principles described in connection with the various embodiments described above are applicable to various ships. Some of the various features described in relation to one of the various embodiments described above may be applied to the determination apparatus described in relation to another another embodiment.

The principle of the above-described embodiment is suitably used for various ships.

100:
100A to 100E:
110, 110A, 110B, 110D:
111A, 112A, and 113A:
111B, 112B, 113B, 114: Pressure detectors
120, 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D:
130, 130A, and 130D:
140, 140D:
150:
160: Warning section
CL1: First cylinder
CL2: second cylinder
CL3: Third cylinder
ENG: Internal combustion engine
HD1 to HD3: head

Claims (7)

A judging device for judging a rotational direction of a marine internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders,
A detection unit that detects a change in the periodic state of the plurality of cylinders and outputs state information on the state,
And a direction judging section for judging the rotational direction by using the state information and corresponding information previously set so as to associate the order in which the plurality of cylinders become a certain state with the rotational direction of the internal combustion engine, . The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cylinders includes a plurality of movable portions reciprocating within a predetermined stroke interval,
Wherein the detection unit includes a plurality of position detectors each detecting the plurality of movable parts that have reached the reference position set within the stroke section,
Wherein the direction determination section determines the rotation direction from an order in which the plurality of movable parts reach the reference position. 3. The control device according to claim 2, further comprising a calculating section for calculating the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from a time interval at which one of the plurality of movable parts detected by one of the plurality of position detectors reaches the reference position Device. The judging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bottom dead center of each of the plurality of movable parts is set as the reference position. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a plurality of pressure detectors each detecting an internal pressure of the plurality of cylinders,
Wherein the direction determination section determines the rotation direction from an order in which the internal pressure reaches a predetermined reference pressure. 6. The determination apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a calculation section that calculates the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine from a time interval at which the internal pressure detected by one of the plurality of pressure detectors reaches the reference pressure. 7. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rotation direction determined by the direction determination section is compared with a rotation direction designated by a control signal for controlling the plurality of cylinder operations, An operation checking unit that determines whether or not the rotation direction matches the rotation direction specified by the control signal;
Further comprising a warning section for outputting a predetermined warning when the operation checking section determines that the rotation direction determined by the direction determination section does not match the rotation direction specified by the control signal.

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