Abstract: A fuel system for a machine may include a fuel tank configured to hold cryogenic fuel, a pressure sensor, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may determine a change in pressure of the fuel between a first time and a second time, determine a predicted change in pressure of the fuel between the first time and the second time, and determine that the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure is greater than a threshold. Based on the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure being greater than the threshold, a notification may be displayed associated with an integrity of the fuel tank.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile machine includes a LNG fuel tank to provide natural gas to a natural gas engine, a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure to a relief vent line, and a liquid separation device. The liquid separation device includes a canister defining an interior space and having a top end and a bottom end, a LNG inlet configured to receive mixed phase fluid into the canister from the relief vent line, a separator disposed within the interior space and fluidly connected to the LNG inlet, the separator configured to direct condensed liquid to the bottom end and to pass vapor to the interior space, a vapor outlet disposed on the top end of the canister, and a liquid drain disposed on the bottom end of the canister.

Abstract: A fuel level measurement system and method for liquified natural gas (LNG) powered machines is disclosed. An engine control module (ECM) receives fuel line pressure levels at a first time (e.g., a key-off event) and, again, at a second time (e.g., a key-on event). The ECM predicts an expected change in pressure from the key-off event to the key-on event based on various factors. If the change in pressure detected is greater than a threshold level different from the predicted change in pressure, the ECM determines a fill event and resets a current fuel level. The ECM tracks mass flow commands used to provide fuel to the engine to determine the consumption of fuel from the fuel tank and to determine a new current fuel level based on the amount of fuel consumed. The current fuel level is displayed on a fuel gauge.

Abstract: A fuel system for a machine may include a fuel tank configured to hold cryogenic fuel, a pressure sensor, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may determine a change in pressure of the fuel between a first time and a second time, determine a predicted change in pressure of the fuel between the first time and the second time, and determine that the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure is greater than a threshold. Based on the change in pressure and the predicted change in pressure being greater than the threshold, a notification may be displayed associated with an integrity of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel level measurement system and method for liquified natural gas (LNG) powered machines is disclosed. An engine control module (ECM) receives fuel line pressure levels at a first time (e.g., a key-off event) and, again, at a second time (e.g., a key-on event). The ECM predicts an expected change in pressure from the key-off event to the key-on event based on various factors. If the change in pressure detected is greater than a threshold level different from the predicted change in pressure, the ECM determines a fill event and resets a current fuel level. The ECM tracks mass flow commands used to provide fuel to the engine to determine the consumption of fuel from the fuel tank and to determine a new current fuel level based on the amount of fuel consumed. The current fuel level is displayed on a fuel gauge.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a dual fuel internal combustion engine, a fuel system including a liquid fuel source and a gaseous fuel source, and a controller. The engine control system further includes a liquid fuel control module and at least one gaseous fuel control module associated with a first and second subset of cylinders, each communicatively connected over a network. The controller has an operating mode and a cylinder deactivation mode. The controller in the operating mode is configured to instruct the liquid fuel control module and the at least one gaseous fuel control module to operate the plurality of cylinders in a dual fuel mode. The controller in the cylinder deactivation mode transitions the plurality of cylinders to a liquid-fuel only mode over a phase out period, deactivates the first subset of cylinders, and then transitions to the dual fuel mode in the second subset of cylinders.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile machine includes a LNG fuel tank to provide natural gas to a natural gas engine, a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure to a relief vent line, and a liquid separation device. The liquid separation device includes a canister defining an interior space and having a top end and a bottom end, a LNG inlet configured to receive mixed phase fluid into the canister from the relief vent line, a separator disposed within the interior space and fluidly connected to the LNG inlet, the separator configured to direct condensed liquid to the bottom end and to pass vapor to the interior space, a vapor outlet disposed on the top end of the canister, and a liquid drain disposed on the bottom end of the canister.

Abstract: A dual fuel engine control system includes a pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit coupled with the pressure sensor and structured to receive cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization, and to switch the system to a limited gas-to-liquid substitution mode based on the cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization. The electronic control unit is further structured to return the system to a normal gas-to-liquid substitution mode, receive cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization after returning the system to the normal gas-to-liquid substitution mode, and responsively output a gas substitution fault signal.

Abstract: A dual fuel engine control system includes a pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit coupled with the pressure sensor and structured to receive cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization, and to switch the system to a limited gas-to-liquid substitution mode based on the cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization. The electronic control unit is further structured to return the system to a normal gas-to-liquid substitution mode, receive cylinder pressure data indicative of cylinder over-pressurization after returning the system to the normal gas-to-liquid substitution mode, and responsively output a gas substitution fault signal.

Abstract: Operating a dual fuel engine system includes firing combustion cylinders on a liquid fuel or both the liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel, and selectively cutting out at least one of the combustion cylinders based on a cylinder pressure parameter. A subset of those combustion cylinders remaining active after cylinder cutout is fired at a gas-to-liquid substitution ratio based on a user-settable combustion optimization term. The optimization term can include an efficiency term, an emissions term, and/or a fuel cost term, each of which has a finite range of values including a diesel equivalency value.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a dual fuel internal combustion engine, a fuel system including a liquid fuel source and a gaseous fuel source, and a controller. The engine control system further includes a liquid fuel control module and at least one gaseous fuel control module associated with a first and second subset of cylinders, each communicatively connected over a network. The controller has an operating mode and a cylinder deactivation mode. The controller in the operating mode is configured to instruct the liquid fuel control module and the at least one gaseous fuel control module to operate the plurality of cylinders in a dual fuel mode. The controller in the cylinder deactivation mode transitions the plurality of cylinders to a liquid-fuel only mode over a phase out period, deactivates the first subset of cylinders, and then transitions to the dual fuel mode in the second subset of cylinders.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a tank, a temperature sensor, a delivery conduit, a return conduit, a heat exchanger, a first valve, a second valve, an accumulator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of a fuel present within the tank. The controller is also configured to control at least one of the first valve and the second valve to selectively bypass at least a portion of the fuel to the tank through the return conduit and the accumulator based, at least in part, on the received signal. The portion of the fuel is adapted to raise the temperature of the fuel present within the tank.

Abstract: A machine having a dual fuel engine and an LNG tank is provided. The machine carries out a plurality of repetitive work cycles, and includes an LNG tank advisor module including a controller and a memory. The controller is programmed to provide an LNG tank refill time. The memory stores cycle statistic data for each cycle segment of the repetitive work cycles. The controller is programmed to identify a current cycle segment of the repetitive work cycles, predict future cycle segments based on the current cycle segment and an identified pattern of segments of the repetitive work cycles, predict future cycle statistic data for the future cycle segments based on the cycle statistic data, predict the LNG tank refill time based on the future cycle statistic data using the controller, and trigger an operator alert based on the LNG tank refill time.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a tank, a temperature sensor, a delivery conduit, a heat exchanger, a control valve, a check valve, a bypass conduit, a bypass valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of a fuel present within the tank. The controller is also configured to control the control valve to selectively reverse at least a portion of the fuel in a gaseous state from the heat exchanger to the tank through the bypass conduit based, at least in part, on the received signal. The portion of the fuel is adapted to raise the temperature of the fuel present within the tank.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a tank, a temperature sensor, a delivery conduit, a return conduit, a heat exchanger, a first valve, a second valve, an accumulator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of a fuel present within the tank. The controller is also configured to control at least one of the first valve and the second valve to selectively bypass at least a portion of the fuel to the tank through the return conduit and the accumulator based, at least in part, on the received signal. The portion of the fuel is adapted to raise the temperature of the fuel present within the tank.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a tank, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a delivery conduit, a return conduit, a heat exchanger, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of a fuel present within the tank. The controller is also configured to receive a signal indicative of a pressure of the fuel downstream of the heat exchanger. The controller is further configured to control at least one of the first valve and the second valve to selectively bypass at least a portion of the fuel in a gaseous state to the tank through the return conduit based, at least in part, on the received signals. The portion of the fuel is adapted to raise the temperature of the fuel present within the tank.