Utilization of Compressed Natural Gas in Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engine RouteVehicles. Final Report, September 1989-September 1990

摘要

The final report describes the early development process of a dedicatedcompressed natural gas medium-duty truck. The three key technological developments successfully undertaken were: (1) The design and implementation of an optimized CNG spark ignition engine to meet the performance requirements of the marketplace. (2) The design and development of an electronically controlled, electronically injected fuel system specifically for compressed natural gas utilizing pulse width modulated fuel injector technology. (3) The adaptation of a production OEM electronic engine controller to perform closed loop engine control for the CNG engine. The overarching technical goal was to provide a clear path to OEM production levels of performance reliability and economy for CNG vehicles. In this way it was intended that the OEM would commit to a production intent CNG vehicle program. The successful completion of the three technological tasks described in the report allowed the integration into a first test vehicle which has performed well. The manufacturer, by witnessing and participating in the rapid progress, has committed to pursue production of CNG vehicles. A brief description of this follow-on effort is also found in the report.