Electronic Fuel Injection Techniques for Hydrogen Powered I.C. Engines

Art MacCarley, University of California - Los Angeles
W. D. Van Vorst, University of California - Los Angeles

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Copyright © 1980 Elsevier. The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0360-3199(80)90095-6.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Art MacCarley was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated the advantages of hydrogen as a fuel for Otto Cycle engines due to high thermal efficiency and low exhaust pollutant levels. Characteristic of hydrogen engine operation using premixed intake charge formation is a problem of pre-ignition resulting in an intake manifold “backfire”. Additional problems include high NO_x production when using certain equivalence ratios and power output degradation due to low fuel energy/volume density.

Techniques for direct and port fuel injection are discussed as means for overcoming these problems. Emphasis is placed on the need for total engine control, integrating control of fuel injection, ignition timing, intake air throttling, and vehicle subsystems within a central electronic unit. An electronically actuated fuel injection valve and a prototype electronic control system are developed. These are applied in port and direct injection system geometries, and evaluated in engine testing. System effectiveness and feasibility are discussed.