Caterpillar Common Rail
Caterpillar Common Rail
Caterpillar Common Rail
1,2 1,0
Visibility Limit
Key criteria are: Prevailing emission limits for the respective power range and timing of their introduction. Customer expectations in terms of engine performance, maintenance practices, fuel quality and mode of operation. By adopting well proven elements of this technology for medium-speed engines, it is our goal to meet and exceed customer expectations by maximizing product value through: Superior reliability in heavy fuel operation. Best fuel efficiency in its class. Lowest engine emissions with minimum additional complexity.
Keeping in mind the high reliability expectations of customers, Caterpillar decided to adopt a two step approach providing the most effective solutions with lowest complexity. Flexible Camshaft Technology (FCT) has been developed and put into production. The next milestone in emissions technology is a fully flexible fuel system suitable for HFO, MDO and DO, called the Cat Common Rail (Cat CR) fuel system. Cat Common Rail is considered one major building block towards low emissions, high performance and highest customer value.
The goals are: Invisible smoke under all engine operating conditions. Reduce emissions beyond current and future IMO regulations, offering an attractive technology for emissions sensitive areas. Maintain or improve engine performance by taking advantage of the capabilities and benefits of a fully flexible fuel system. Continue to meet the level of reliability in heavy fuel operation expected by our marine customers.
Furthermore, redundant speed pick-ups and pressure sensors, a safety gear between pump and engine, a pressure relief valve and flow limiters all increase operational safety.
High Pressure Pump
Pump Drive
The main components of the Cat Common Rail fuel system are a high pressure (HP) pump, rail, injector and electronics. Caterpillars broad experience with electronically controlled engines, range of product lines and in-house design and analysis expertise allow for a unique system approach. All components are developed under Caterpillar design control. In addition Caterpillars expertise in electronics is a major asset to the Cat Common Rail technology.
Safety Concept
Two high pressure pumps deliver the required amount of fuel to the rail and provide the desired rail pressure in closed loop control. The pump itself is based on a proven design and has been modified for HFO operation. By having two pumps for all in-line engines the amount of HP connections and components is drastically reduced and thus increases reliability. The suction control of the pump ensures a high pump efficiency. The key features are: Two pumps for redundancy. Suction valve control. Maximum system pressure as high as the conventional system. High injection pressure over a wide operating range. Closed loop control of rail pressure.
Rail
Safety considerations and high customer value were the main focus throughout the development, resulting in a state-of-theart design with the following features: Two high pressure pumps for redundancy. Double-walled lines and rails.
The double-walled rails are pressurized and act as an accumulator, with one rail segment feeding fuel to three injectors, i. e. a nine cylinder engine has only three rail segments, an eight cylinder engine has two rail segments, each feeding four injectors. This layout reduces the number of parts and the number of high pressure connections. Flow limiters prevent the cylinders from overfueling; a safety valve acts as pressure relief in case of an unwanted overpressurized rail.
M 32 C
M 32 C Common Rail System
Cat CR Pump 1 J2 J1
Cat CR Pump 2
Safety Gear
Primary Cam Fuel Rail Pressure I Single Crank Speed/Timing Fuel Rail Pressure II
Caterpillar has chosen a simple and robust approach by using the actual fuel as control fluid, thereby eliminating the need for a separate control fluid system. The injector nozzle is cooled by lube oil, a typical feature for heavy fuel operation. For the Cat CR injector, the lube oil circuit has been extended to provide cooling to the electrical components within the injector, thereby increasing the lifetime. The injector design is simple, robust and compact; the key features are: Electronically controlled. Flexible injection timing and duration. Capability of multi shot injections.
Cable Injector
Injector
Electronics
The key component is the Caterpillar A4E4 (or ADEM) Electronic Control Module (ECM). The ECM acts as the brain of the Cat Common Rail fuel system. Pioneered by Caterpillar 20 years ago, the ADEM controller coordinates and enhances fuel delivery, air supply and other engine functions to maximize overall performance and reduce emissions output. Having in-house expertise for core electronic components and software puts Caterpillar in a unique position and allows for an advantageous systems approach. Based on existing software and engine control strategies, the specific needs of heavy fuel burning engines and applications can be easily adopted. Depending on engine type, application and boundary conditions, a tailor made version allows for optimal operation.
The engine protection system operates independently of the engine control system and has its own independent sensor equipment. This ensures that engine operation is monitored independently of other control systems. The ECM functions can be divided into a core system and a performance system. The core system consists of: Control device A4E4. One crankshaft speed pick-up. Two camshaft speed pick-ups. Two high-pressure sensors. Two suction throttles. Injectors. The performance system ensures optimal engine settings under all operating conditions, using information like exhaust gas temperature, charge air pressure, ambient conditions and lube oil temperature.
J1
Atmospheric Pressure
Cat CR
Subject to change without notice. Leaflet No. 245 08.10 e LWK VM3
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