WO2009005109A2 - Fuel deterioration detection apparatus for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Fuel deterioration detection apparatus for internal combustion engine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009005109A2
WO2009005109A2 PCT/JP2008/062030 JP2008062030W WO2009005109A2 WO 2009005109 A2 WO2009005109 A2 WO 2009005109A2 JP 2008062030 W JP2008062030 W JP 2008062030W WO 2009005109 A2 WO2009005109 A2 WO 2009005109A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
biofuel
fuel
concentration
water content
internal combustion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2008/062030
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009005109A3 (en
Inventor
Kaori Yoshida
Satoshi Taniguchi
Original Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2009005109A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009005109A2/en
Publication of WO2009005109A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009005109A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/26—Oils; viscous liquids; paints; inks
    • G01N33/28—Oils, i.e. hydrocarbon liquids
    • G01N33/2888—Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0602—Control of components of the fuel supply system
    • F02D19/0605—Control of components of the fuel supply system to adjust the fuel pressure or temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0602—Control of components of the fuel supply system
    • F02D19/0607—Control of components of the fuel supply system to adjust the fuel mass or volume flow
    • F02D19/061—Control of components of the fuel supply system to adjust the fuel mass or volume flow by controlling fuel injectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0623—Failure diagnosis or prevention; Safety measures; Testing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0639—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels
    • F02D19/0649—Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
    • F02D19/0652—Biofuels, e.g. plant oils
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0665—Tanks, e.g. multiple tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/08—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels
    • F02D19/082—Premixed fuels, i.e. emulsions or blends
    • F02D19/085—Control based on the fuel type or composition
    • F02D19/087—Control based on the fuel type or composition with determination of densities, viscosities, composition, concentration or mixture ratios of fuels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/0025—Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M25/022—Adding fuel and water emulsion, water or steam
    • F02M25/0227—Control aspects; Arrangement of sensors; Diagnostics; Actuators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M25/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M25/022—Adding fuel and water emulsion, water or steam
    • F02M25/0228—Adding fuel and water emulsion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/26—Oils; viscous liquids; paints; inks
    • G01N33/28—Oils, i.e. hydrocarbon liquids
    • G01N33/2835—Oils, i.e. hydrocarbon liquids specific substances contained in the oil or fuel
    • G01N33/2847—Water in oil
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D2200/00—Input parameters for engine control
    • F02D2200/02—Input parameters for engine control the parameters being related to the engine
    • F02D2200/06—Fuel or fuel supply system parameters
    • F02D2200/0611—Fuel type, fuel composition or fuel quality
    • F02D2200/0612—Fuel type, fuel composition or fuel quality determined by estimation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M31/02—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for heating
    • F02M31/16—Other apparatus for heating fuel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine.
  • JP-A-10-305517 discloses a steel plate for a fuel container having high corrosion resistance to oxidatively deteriorated gasoline and alcohol.
  • Patent Document 1 JP-A-2004-197058
  • Patent Document 2 JP-A-2004-141134
  • biofuels including fuels produced from biomass for automotive engine fuels.
  • biofuels tend to be oxidized more easily than fossil fuels.
  • the biofuel if oxidatively deteriorated, causes metals and the like to corrode more easily.
  • the oxidatively deteriorated biofuel therefore adversely affects not only the steel plate of the fuel container, but also a fuel system part, such as a fuel pipe and a fuel injector.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of accurately detecting oxidative deterioration of the biofuel.
  • First aspect of the present invention is a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising: an internal combustion engine operable with a biofuel containing a biomass-derived fuel produced from biomass; a water concentration detection means detecting concentration of a water content in the biofuel; and a fuel deterioration determination means determining a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel based on the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means.
  • Second aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to the first aspect, wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means is greater than a predetermined criterion value.
  • Third aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to the first aspect , further comprising: a fueling detection means detecting fueling; and a storage means storing in memory, if fueling is detected, concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means following the fueling as concentration of the water content after fueling; wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if a difference between the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means and the concentration of the water content after fueling is greater than a predetermined criterion value.
  • Fourth aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of the first to the third aspects, further comprising: a notification means notifying a driver that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated.
  • Fifth aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of the first to the fourth aspects, further comprising: a combustion condition compensation means executing, if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, at least one of controls of boosting a fuel injection pressure to a level higher than normal, making a fuel injection amount command value greater than normal, and heating fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine.
  • the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be determined based on the concentration of the water content in the biofuel. According to a knowledge of the inventors, when the biofuel is oxidized to produce acid therein, a metallic component or the like contained in the biofuel, or a metal or the like in contact with the biofuel, is reacted chemically with the acid to generate water in the biofuel. It can therefore be said that the greater the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel, the higher the concentration of the water content in the biofuel. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be accurately detected by using such a phenomenon.
  • the concentration of the water content in the biofuel when the concentration of the water content in the biofuel is greater than a predetermined criterion value, it can be determined that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated.
  • An acid number serving as an index for the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel and the concentration of the water content in the biofuel accurately correlate with each other. Accordingly, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected highly accurately.
  • the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected by comparing the concentration detected of the water content in the biofuel with the concentration of the water content after fueling.
  • Biofuels may contain water from the very beginning depending on their types .
  • the oxidative deterioration can be detected highly accurately even if a biofuel of any of such types is used.
  • a driver when it is determined that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, a driver can be notified of the fact that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated. This reliably prompts the driver to take measures, including replacement of the biofuel with fresh one. Parts in a fuel system or the like can thereby be prevented from being damaged, so that the parts in the fuel system can be reliably protected.
  • at least one of the following controls can be executed: specifically, boosting the fuel injection pressure to a level higher than normal, making the fuel injection amount command value greater than normal, and heating the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine.
  • Biofuels have a property of exhibiting an increased viscosity when oxidatively deteriorated. As the viscosity increases, it becomes difficult to inject the fuel from a fuel injector, resulting in a reduced injection amount or an aggravated spray condition.
  • the combustion condition aggravated by the reduced injection amount or the aggravated spray condition can be circumvented by executing the abovementioned control.
  • Fig. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the acid number of the biofuel and the concentration of water content in the biofuel
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by the first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content
  • Fig. 5 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content.
  • Fig. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an internal combustion engine 10 mounted in a vehicle, a fuel tank 12, and an ECU (electronic control unit) 14 controlling the internal combustion engine 10.
  • the internal combustion engine 10 is a diesel engine.
  • the internal combustion engine 10 is operable with a type of fuel (hereinafter referred to as "biofuel") that is a mixture of a fossil fuel-derived fuel (a light oil according to the first embodiment of the present invention) and a biomass-derived fuel produced from biomass (fatty acid methyl ester according to the first embodiment of the present invention) .
  • biomass a type of fuel
  • the fatty acid methyl ester can be produced from biomass of, for example, rape, waste vegetable oil, or the like.
  • the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 passes through a fuel pipe 16 and is pressurized by a fuel pump 18 before being supplied to the internal combustion engine 10.
  • the biofuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 is injected into ⁇ each cylinder by a fuel injector (not shown) provided for each cylinder.
  • Part of the biofuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 passes through a fuel return pipe 20 to be returned to the fuel tank 12.
  • the fuel tank 12 includes a water concentration sensor 22 disposed therein.
  • the water concentration sensor 22 is capable of detecting concentration of water content in the biofuel in the fuel tank 12.
  • a structure of the water concentration sensor 22 is not specifically limited. Rather, the water concentration sensor 22 may, for example, be an optical sensor detecting water concentration based on an optical transmittance of the fuel or an electromagnetic sensor detecting the water concentration based on electric conductivity of the fuel. Further, the water concentration sensor 22 may not necessarily be disposed only on the fuel tank 12; rather, the water concentration sensor 22 may, for example, be disposed midway the fuel pipe 16.
  • Actuators of various sorts including the fuel pump 18 and the fuel injector and sensors of various sorts including the water concentration sensor 22 are electrically connected to the ECU 14.
  • ECU 14 is electrically connected with a display device in an instrument panel 24 on a driver's seat.
  • the inventors found that a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel could be accurately determined by detecting the water concentration in the biofuel.
  • the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel is adapted to be detected based on the concentration of water content in the biofuel detected by the water concentration sensor 22.
  • Biofuels containing the biomass-derived fuel having an unsaturated bond (double bond), tend to be oxidatively deteriorated easily.
  • a reaction of the oxidative deterioration may be expressed by the following formula according to a knowledge of the inventors.
  • R-COOCH 3 Fatty acid methyl ester
  • R-COOH Carboxylic acid
  • Acid is generated in the biofuel as the abovementioned oxidation reaction progresses.
  • Metallic parts of a fuel system fuel injectors, fuel pipe, etc.
  • the biofuel are then corroded easily. Accordingly, in the vehicle using the biofuel, there is a need for measures to be taken, including those for detection of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel in the fuel tank 12, if occurring, and replacement of the fuel for protection of the metallic parts of the fuel system.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the acid number of the biofuel and the concentration of water content in the biofuel. As described above, the greater the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel, the higher the concentration of water content in the biofuel. Accordingly, the acid number and the concentration of water content have a relationship with each other as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be determined by using the concentration of water content indicated by B in Fig. 2 as a criterion. Specifically, if the concentration of water content detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is smaller than the criterion B, it can be determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is not oxidatively deteriorated (falling within a permissible range). If the concentration of water content detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is more than the criterion B, it can then be determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is oxidatively deteriorated (exceeding the permissible range) .
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the ECU 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-referenced functions.
  • This routine is to be executed when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned ON.
  • a sensor value X detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is read and then compared with a threshold value X B that corresponds to the criterion B (step 100) . If the sensor value X is equal to, or less than, the threshold value X B , it is then determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is not oxidatively deteriorated. If the sensor value X exceeds the threshold value X B , on the other hand, it is then determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is oxidatively deteriorated.
  • a warning display for notifying a driver of the fact is displayed on the instrument panel 24 (step 102).
  • This warning display prompts the driver to take a measure of some sort (for example, removing fuel left in the fuel tank 12 to fill the fuel tank 12 with fresh fuel, consuming the fuel left in the fuel tank 12 as soon as feasible, thinning the fuel left in the fuel tank 12 by adding fresh fuel to the same, or the like). This prevents the parts of the fuel system from being damaged by the oxidatively deteriorated biofuel, thereby reliably protecting the fuel system parts.
  • Biofuels may contain water from the very beginning depending on their types.
  • the concentration of water content immediately after fueling is stored in the ECU 14 and an increase in the concentration of water content relative to that stored in the ECU 14 is compared with the criterion.
  • a sensor value Xo detected by the water concentration sensor 22 immediately after fueling is stored in memory and, in step 100, a difference (X - X 0 ) between the sensor value X detected by the water concentration sensor 22 and the sensor value X 0 immediately after fueling may be compared with the threshold value X B .
  • the sensor value X 0 immediately after fueling is reset at each fueling.
  • a method for detecting whether or not fueling is done is not specifically limited.
  • Fueling may be detected, for example, based on a fuel gauge for the fuel tank 12.
  • Biofuels have a property of exhibiting an increased viscosity when oxidatively deteriorated. As the viscosity increases, it becomes difficult to inject the fuel from the fuel injector, resulting in a reduced injection amount or an aggravated spray condition.
  • a combustion condition compensation control as will be detailed below is performed as a control for compensating for any effect from the reduced injection amount or the aggravated spray condition.
  • Such a combustion condition compensation control is preferably performed until the measure of replacing the fuel with fresh one or the like is taken.
  • This control controls the fuel pump 18 and the like so as to increase a fuel injection pressure by multiplying a commanded injection pressure by a fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content detected.
  • Fig. 4 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content. If this map is used and if the increase in the concentration of water content is 5%, for example, and assuming a normal operating condition with a fuel injection pressure of 80 MPa, control is then provided so that the fuel injection pressure becomes 88 MPa which is obtained by multiplying 80 MPa by 1.1 as the fuel pressure correction coefficient Performing such a fuel injection pressure increase control prevents the spray condition from being aggravated, which prevents the combustion condition from being aggravated.
  • Fuel injection amount command value increase control This control is to increase a fuel injection amount command value by multiplying the fuel injection amount command value by the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content detected.
  • Fig. 5 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content . If this map is used and if the increase in the concentration of water content is 5%, for example, and assuming a normal operating condition with a fuel injection amount command value of 10 mm 3 /st, control is then provided so that the fuel injection amount command value becomes 11 mm 3 /st which is obtained by multiplying 10 mm 3 /st by 1.1 as the injection amount correction coefficient. Performing such a fuel injection amount command value increase control prevents an actual fuel injection amount from being decreased, which prevents an engine torque from being decreased. (3) Fuel heating control
  • a method for heating the biofuel is not specifically limited. Examples of methods of heating the biofuel include: installing a heater in the fuel pipe 16, the fuel injector, or the like; and, performing heat exchange between fuel with high temperatures passing through the fuel return pipe 20 and fuel passing through the fuel pipe 16.
  • combustion condition compensation controls (1) to (3) may be selectively performed, or two or more of the controls ( 1 ) to ( 3 ) may be combined together and performed.
  • the water concentration sensor 22 corresponds to the "water concentration detection means” of the first aspect of the present invention and the ECU 14 corresponds to the “storage means” in the third aspect of the present invention, respectively. Further, execution of step 100 by the ECU 14 realizes the "fuel deterioration determination means” in the first aspect of the present invention and execution of step 102 by the ECU 14 realizes the "notification means” in the fourth aspect of the present invention, respectively.
  • the more the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated the more the concentration of the caboxylate in the biofuel as well as the concentration of the water content in the biofuel increases. Accordingly, the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected by detecting the concentration of the caboxylate in the biofuel, instead of detecting the concentration of the water content in the biofuel.

Abstract

A fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an internal combustion engine (10) operable with a biofuel, a water concentration sensor (22) detecting concentration of a water content in the biofuel, and a fuel deterioration determination means determining a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel based on the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration sensor (22). The fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated when the concentration of water content detected is greater than a predetermined criterion value.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Fuel Deterioration Detection Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engine
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine.
Background Art
JP-A-10-305517 discloses a steel plate for a fuel container having high corrosion resistance to oxidatively deteriorated gasoline and alcohol.
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2004-197058 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2004-141134
[Patent Document 3] JP-A-10-305517
Disclosure of the Invention
Problem to be Solved by the Invention There has lately been a widespread trend toward using biofuels including fuels produced from biomass for automotive engine fuels. Generally speaking, biofuels tend to be oxidized more easily than fossil fuels. The biofuel, if oxidatively deteriorated, causes metals and the like to corrode more easily. The oxidatively deteriorated biofuel therefore adversely affects not only the steel plate of the fuel container, but also a fuel system part, such as a fuel pipe and a fuel injector.
If oxidation of the biofuel in the fuel tank progresses because of a vehicle not being operated for a long period of time, or if the vehicle is refilled with a substandard biofuel of poor quality, it is likely that an oxidatively deteriorated biofuel will be supplied to the engine. In a vehicle using biofuels, therefore, there is a need for automatic detection of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel and reliably circumventing the adverse effect as described above. A technique accurately detecting oxidative deterioration of the biofuel is nonetheless yet to be established.
The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of accurately detecting oxidative deterioration of the biofuel.
Means for Solving the Problem
First aspect of the present invention is a fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising: an internal combustion engine operable with a biofuel containing a biomass-derived fuel produced from biomass; a water concentration detection means detecting concentration of a water content in the biofuel; and a fuel deterioration determination means determining a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel based on the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means.
Second aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to the first aspect, wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means is greater than a predetermined criterion value.
Third aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to the first aspect , further comprising: a fueling detection means detecting fueling; and a storage means storing in memory, if fueling is detected, concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means following the fueling as concentration of the water content after fueling; wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if a difference between the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means and the concentration of the water content after fueling is greater than a predetermined criterion value. Fourth aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of the first to the third aspects, further comprising: a notification means notifying a driver that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated.
Fifth aspect of the present invention is the fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of the first to the fourth aspects, further comprising: a combustion condition compensation means executing, if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, at least one of controls of boosting a fuel injection pressure to a level higher than normal, making a fuel injection amount command value greater than normal, and heating fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. Advantages of the Invention
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be determined based on the concentration of the water content in the biofuel. According to a knowledge of the inventors, when the biofuel is oxidized to produce acid therein, a metallic component or the like contained in the biofuel, or a metal or the like in contact with the biofuel, is reacted chemically with the acid to generate water in the biofuel. It can therefore be said that the greater the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel, the higher the concentration of the water content in the biofuel. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be accurately detected by using such a phenomenon.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, when the concentration of the water content in the biofuel is greater than a predetermined criterion value, it can be determined that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated. An acid number serving as an index for the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel and the concentration of the water content in the biofuel accurately correlate with each other. Accordingly, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected highly accurately.
In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected by comparing the concentration detected of the water content in the biofuel with the concentration of the water content after fueling. Biofuels may contain water from the very beginning depending on their types . According to the third aspect of the present invention, the oxidative deterioration can be detected highly accurately even if a biofuel of any of such types is used.
In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, a driver can be notified of the fact that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated. This reliably prompts the driver to take measures, including replacement of the biofuel with fresh one. Parts in a fuel system or the like can thereby be prevented from being damaged, so that the parts in the fuel system can be reliably protected. In accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, at least one of the following controls can be executed: specifically, boosting the fuel injection pressure to a level higher than normal, making the fuel injection amount command value greater than normal, and heating the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. Biofuels have a property of exhibiting an increased viscosity when oxidatively deteriorated. As the viscosity increases, it becomes difficult to inject the fuel from a fuel injector, resulting in a reduced injection amount or an aggravated spray condition.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the combustion condition aggravated by the reduced injection amount or the aggravated spray condition can be circumvented by executing the abovementioned control.
Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the acid number of the biofuel and the concentration of water content in the biofuel;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a routine that is executed by the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content; and Fig. 5 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention First Embodiment
[Description of System Configuration]
Fig. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an internal combustion engine 10 mounted in a vehicle, a fuel tank 12, and an ECU (electronic control unit) 14 controlling the internal combustion engine 10. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the internal combustion engine 10 is a diesel engine.
The internal combustion engine 10 is operable with a type of fuel (hereinafter referred to as "biofuel") that is a mixture of a fossil fuel-derived fuel (a light oil according to the first embodiment of the present invention) and a biomass-derived fuel produced from biomass (fatty acid methyl ester according to the first embodiment of the present invention) . The fatty acid methyl ester can be produced from biomass of, for example, rape, waste vegetable oil, or the like.
The biofuel in the fuel tank 12 passes through a fuel pipe 16 and is pressurized by a fuel pump 18 before being supplied to the internal combustion engine 10. The biofuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 is injected into^ each cylinder by a fuel injector (not shown) provided for each cylinder. Part of the biofuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 passes through a fuel return pipe 20 to be returned to the fuel tank 12.
The fuel tank 12 includes a water concentration sensor 22 disposed therein. The water concentration sensor 22 is capable of detecting concentration of water content in the biofuel in the fuel tank 12. A structure of the water concentration sensor 22 is not specifically limited. Rather, the water concentration sensor 22 may, for example, be an optical sensor detecting water concentration based on an optical transmittance of the fuel or an electromagnetic sensor detecting the water concentration based on electric conductivity of the fuel. Further, the water concentration sensor 22 may not necessarily be disposed only on the fuel tank 12; rather, the water concentration sensor 22 may, for example, be disposed midway the fuel pipe 16.
Actuators of various sorts including the fuel pump 18 and the fuel injector and sensors of various sorts including the water concentration sensor 22 are electrically connected to the ECU 14. In addition, the - -
ECU 14 is electrically connected with a display device in an instrument panel 24 on a driver's seat. [Characteristics of the First Embodiment]
As will be described below, the inventors found that a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel could be accurately determined by detecting the water concentration in the biofuel. In the first embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel is adapted to be detected based on the concentration of water content in the biofuel detected by the water concentration sensor 22.
Biofuels, containing the biomass-derived fuel having an unsaturated bond (double bond), tend to be oxidatively deteriorated easily. With the fatty acid methyl ester, for example, a reaction of the oxidative deterioration may be expressed by the following formula according to a knowledge of the inventors.
R-COOCH3 -> R-COOH '"(I)
R-COOCH3 : Fatty acid methyl ester R-COOH : Carboxylic acid
Acid is generated in the biofuel as the abovementioned oxidation reaction progresses. Metallic parts of a fuel system (fuel injectors, fuel pipe, etc.) in contact with the biofuel are then corroded easily. Accordingly, in the vehicle using the biofuel, there is a need for measures to be taken, including those for detection of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel in the fuel tank 12, if occurring, and replacement of the fuel for protection of the metallic parts of the fuel system. The inventors found that, when the acid (carboxylic acid) is produced in the biofuel through the abovementioned oxidation reaction, the acid is reacted with a metallic component or an organic substance contained in the biofuel, or a metal or the like in contact with the biofuel, to generate salt (caboxylate) and water. This reaction may be expressed by the following formula according to a knowledge of the inventors . nR-COOH + M + n/4'O2 -> (RCOO)nM + n/2-H2O "-(2) R-COOH : Carboxylic acid M : Metal or the like (RCOO)nM : Carboxylate
The further the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel progresses, the further the reaction expressed by the formulae (1) and (2) above progresses. Accordingly, the amount of water content generated in the biofuel increases as the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel progresses. Consequently, the greater the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel, the higher the concentration of water content in the biofuel. An acid number may be used as an index for the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between the acid number of the biofuel and the concentration of water content in the biofuel. As described above, the greater the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel, the higher the concentration of water content in the biofuel. Accordingly, the acid number and the concentration of water content have a relationship with each other as shown in Fig. 2.
Assume that a permissible value of the acid number of the biofuel is A in Fig. 2. Then, the oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be determined by using the concentration of water content indicated by B in Fig. 2 as a criterion. Specifically, if the concentration of water content detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is smaller than the criterion B, it can be determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is not oxidatively deteriorated (falling within a permissible range). If the concentration of water content detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is more than the criterion B, it can then be determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is oxidatively deteriorated (exceeding the permissible range) . [Detailed Processing in the First Embodiment] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the ECU 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-referenced functions. This routine is to be executed when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned ON. In accordance with the routine shown in Fig. 3, a sensor value X detected by the water concentration sensor 22 is read and then compared with a threshold value XB that corresponds to the criterion B (step 100) . If the sensor value X is equal to, or less than, the threshold value XB, it is then determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is not oxidatively deteriorated. If the sensor value X exceeds the threshold value XB, on the other hand, it is then determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is oxidatively deteriorated.
If it is determined that the biofuel in the fuel tank 12 is oxidatively deteriorated, a warning display for notifying a driver of the fact is displayed on the instrument panel 24 (step 102). This warning display prompts the driver to take a measure of some sort (for example, removing fuel left in the fuel tank 12 to fill the fuel tank 12 with fresh fuel, consuming the fuel left in the fuel tank 12 as soon as feasible, thinning the fuel left in the fuel tank 12 by adding fresh fuel to the same, or the like). This prevents the parts of the fuel system from being damaged by the oxidatively deteriorated biofuel, thereby reliably protecting the fuel system parts.
Biofuels may contain water from the very beginning depending on their types. In such cases, preferably, the concentration of water content immediately after fueling is stored in the ECU 14 and an increase in the concentration of water content relative to that stored in the ECU 14 is compared with the criterion. Specifically, a sensor value Xo detected by the water concentration sensor 22 immediately after fueling is stored in memory and, in step 100, a difference (X - X0) between the sensor value X detected by the water concentration sensor 22 and the sensor value X0 immediately after fueling may be compared with the threshold value XB. In this case, the sensor value X0 immediately after fueling is reset at each fueling. A method for detecting whether or not fueling is done is not specifically limited. Fueling may be detected, for example, based on a fuel gauge for the fuel tank 12. Biofuels have a property of exhibiting an increased viscosity when oxidatively deteriorated. As the viscosity increases, it becomes difficult to inject the fuel from the fuel injector, resulting in a reduced injection amount or an aggravated spray condition. Preferably, therefore, if it is detected that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, a combustion condition compensation control as will be detailed below is performed as a control for compensating for any effect from the reduced injection amount or the aggravated spray condition. Such a combustion condition compensation control is preferably performed until the measure of replacing the fuel with fresh one or the like is taken.
(1) Fuel injection pressure increase control
This control controls the fuel pump 18 and the like so as to increase a fuel injection pressure by multiplying a commanded injection pressure by a fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content detected. Fig. 4 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel pressure correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content. If this map is used and if the increase in the concentration of water content is 5%, for example, and assuming a normal operating condition with a fuel injection pressure of 80 MPa, control is then provided so that the fuel injection pressure becomes 88 MPa which is obtained by multiplying 80 MPa by 1.1 as the fuel pressure correction coefficient Performing such a fuel injection pressure increase control prevents the spray condition from being aggravated, which prevents the combustion condition from being aggravated.
(2) Fuel injection amount command value increase control This control is to increase a fuel injection amount command value by multiplying the fuel injection amount command value by the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content detected. Fig. 5 is a chart representing a typical map for calculating the fuel injection amount correction coefficient according to the increase in the concentration of water content . If this map is used and if the increase in the concentration of water content is 5%, for example, and assuming a normal operating condition with a fuel injection amount command value of 10 mm3/st, control is then provided so that the fuel injection amount command value becomes 11 mm3/st which is obtained by multiplying 10 mm3/st by 1.1 as the injection amount correction coefficient. Performing such a fuel injection amount command value increase control prevents an actual fuel injection amount from being decreased, which prevents an engine torque from being decreased. (3) Fuel heating control
This control works to improve fluidity of the biofuel by heating, and increasing the temperature of, the biofuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 This compensates for any effect from the increase in the viscosity, thereby preventing the spray condition from being aggravated. A method for heating the biofuel is not specifically limited. Examples of methods of heating the biofuel include: installing a heater in the fuel pipe 16, the fuel injector, or the like; and, performing heat exchange between fuel with high temperatures passing through the fuel return pipe 20 and fuel passing through the fuel pipe 16.
Any one of these combustion condition compensation controls (1) to (3) may be selectively performed, or two or more of the controls ( 1 ) to ( 3 ) may be combined together and performed.
In the first embodiment of the present invention described heretofore, the water concentration sensor 22 corresponds to the "water concentration detection means" of the first aspect of the present invention and the ECU 14 corresponds to the "storage means" in the third aspect of the present invention, respectively. Further, execution of step 100 by the ECU 14 realizes the "fuel deterioration determination means" in the first aspect of the present invention and execution of step 102 by the ECU 14 realizes the "notification means" in the fourth aspect of the present invention, respectively.
As is known from the above-cited chemical formula (2), the more the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, the more the concentration of the caboxylate in the biofuel as well as the concentration of the water content in the biofuel increases. Accordingly, the degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel can be detected by detecting the concentration of the caboxylate in the biofuel, instead of detecting the concentration of the water content in the biofuel.

Claims

Claims
1. A fuel deterioration detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising: an internal combustion engine operable with a biofuel containing a biomass-derived fuel produced from biomass; a water concentration detection means detecting concentration of a water content in the biofuel; and a fuel deterioration determination means determining a degree of oxidative deterioration of the biofuel based on the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means .
2. The fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means is greater than a predetermined criterion value.
3. The fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to claim 1, further comprising: a fueling detection means detecting fueling; and a storage means storing in memory, if fueling is detected, concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means following the fueling as concentration of the water content after fueling; wherein the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if a difference between the concentration of the water content detected by the water concentration detection means and the concentration of the water content after fueling is greater than a predetermined criterion value.
4. The fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a notification means notifying a driver that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated.
5. The fuel deterioration detection apparatus for the internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a combustion condition compensation means executing, if the fuel deterioration determination means determines that the biofuel is oxidatively deteriorated, at least one of controls of boosting a fuel injection pressure to a level higher than normal, making a fuel injection amount command value greater than normal, and heating fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine.
PCT/JP2008/062030 2007-07-05 2008-06-26 Fuel deterioration detection apparatus for internal combustion engine WO2009005109A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007-177159 2007-07-05
JP2007177159A JP2009013884A (en) 2007-07-05 2007-07-05 Fuel degradation detection device of internal combustion engine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009005109A2 true WO2009005109A2 (en) 2009-01-08
WO2009005109A3 WO2009005109A3 (en) 2009-03-05

Family

ID=40139360

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2008/062030 WO2009005109A2 (en) 2007-07-05 2008-06-26 Fuel deterioration detection apparatus for internal combustion engine

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2009013884A (en)
WO (1) WO2009005109A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8717237B2 (en) 2009-05-02 2014-05-06 Trimble Navigation Limited GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010181348A (en) * 2009-02-06 2010-08-19 Nippon Soken Inc Fuel property decision device, control device of internal combustion engine, and oil supply device
JP5146544B2 (en) * 2009-10-28 2013-02-20 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel deterioration detection device for internal combustion engine
JP5499864B2 (en) * 2010-04-16 2014-05-21 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel oxidation detector
JP5434774B2 (en) * 2010-04-28 2014-03-05 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel supply device for internal combustion engine
JP5445864B2 (en) * 2010-09-14 2014-03-19 株式会社デンソー Fuel supply device
JP6468784B2 (en) * 2014-10-07 2019-02-13 愛三工業株式会社 Fuel property sensor

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60166863A (en) * 1984-02-09 1985-08-30 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Measurement of moisture content in alcohol mixed fuel
DE29918123U1 (en) * 1999-10-14 2000-01-20 Mar Tec Marine Gmbh Device for determining properties of a lubricating oil, in particular the water content or the number of bases
EP1391727A2 (en) * 2002-08-22 2004-02-25 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Diesel engine lubricating oil contaminant sensor method
WO2007051216A2 (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-10 Ac2T Research Gmbh Corrosion sensor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6429665A (en) * 1987-07-21 1989-01-31 Mazda Motor Fuel feed device for alcohol fuel engine
JP4333577B2 (en) * 2004-12-24 2009-09-16 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel property determination device for internal combustion engine
JP2007146748A (en) * 2005-11-28 2007-06-14 Matsuo Kogyosho:Kk Dual fuel type diesel engine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60166863A (en) * 1984-02-09 1985-08-30 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Measurement of moisture content in alcohol mixed fuel
DE29918123U1 (en) * 1999-10-14 2000-01-20 Mar Tec Marine Gmbh Device for determining properties of a lubricating oil, in particular the water content or the number of bases
EP1391727A2 (en) * 2002-08-22 2004-02-25 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Diesel engine lubricating oil contaminant sensor method
WO2007051216A2 (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-10 Ac2T Research Gmbh Corrosion sensor

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AUSTRALIAN COAL RESEARCH LIMITED: "Online monitoring of lubrication oil contamination and degradation" INTERNET CITATION, [Online] XP002329440 Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://www.acarp.com.au/Completed/abstracts/C9037abstract.htm> [retrieved on 2005-05-23] *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8717237B2 (en) 2009-05-02 2014-05-06 Trimble Navigation Limited GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009013884A (en) 2009-01-22
WO2009005109A3 (en) 2009-03-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2009005109A2 (en) Fuel deterioration detection apparatus for internal combustion engine
US7453271B2 (en) Apparatus and method for sensing water within a fuel-water separator assembly
US8347828B2 (en) Device and method for detecting degradation of fuel for internal combustion engine
Hansen et al. Ethanol-diesel blends: a step towards a bio-based fuel for diesel engines
McCormick et al. Survey of the Quality and Stability of Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends in the United States in 2004
CA2765506A1 (en) Liquid level and quality sensing apparatus, systems and methods using emf wave propagation
EP2538059B1 (en) Abnormality detection device for fuel property detection device
US20050087177A1 (en) Fuel injection control method for liquefied petroleum gas injection engine and apparatus thereof
US9732692B2 (en) Apparatus for diagnosing fuel pressure sensor characteristic fault
WO2012090316A1 (en) Error detection device for internal combustion engine
US20130118456A1 (en) Optimization of tank venting of a fuel tank
Yuen et al. Automotive materials engineering challenges and solutions for the use of ethanol and methanol blended fuels
US20090292445A1 (en) Method for determining the quality of the fuel for an internal combustion engine
US20100108029A1 (en) Fuel system diagnosis via fuel pressure switch
JP5146544B2 (en) Fuel deterioration detection device for internal combustion engine
JP2011149403A (en) Fuel system for internal combustion engine
JP2008260541A (en) Safety device of refueling vehicle
Kono et al. FAME blended diesel fuel impacts on engine/vehicle systems
JP2010248927A (en) Oil dilution ratio determining device of internal combustion engine
US20190257262A1 (en) Fuel mixing occurrence detection device and fuel mixing occurrence detection method using fuel property
AU2006201761B2 (en) Method for Controlling Fuel Injection of LPI Engine
JP2009228534A (en) Fuel property judging device, and fuel injection control device of internal combustion engine with it
CN110894812B (en) Fuel filling error recognition method
Jones Vehicle Changes for E85 Conversion
US5170363A (en) Fuel gauge system for indicating amount of mixed fuel

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08765868

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2