Internal combustion engine and method for controlling such internal combustion engine

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine in a six-stroke mode, wherein the engine comprises at least one cylinder (20) with a reciprocating piston (21), each cylinder having at least one inlet and outlet valve (22, 23). The method involves performing a first stroke where a gas comprising at least air is induced into a combustion chamber (24) from an intake conduit (25); a second stroke where the gas and injected fuel is compressed; a third stroke where the compressed fuel / gas mixture is expanded following an ignition; a fourth stroke where combusted exhaust gas is expelled through a catalyst body (26) into a first exhaust conduit (27); a fifth stroke where pressurized fuel and pressurized heated water is injected into the combustion chamber (24) to be expanded; and a sixth stroke where steam and gaseous fuel mixture is expelled through the catalyst body (26) into a second exhaust conduit (28).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an internal combustion engine and a method of operating such an internal combustion engine in six-stroke mode. Background technique [0002] Conventional motor vehicles with internal combustion engines operate on a four-stroke cycle, also known as the Otto cycle. One problem with internal combustion engines is the low thermal efficiency of the Otto cycle. Thermal efficiency is defined as the useful work output by an engine divided by the fuel consumed at its lower heating value. The peak thermal efficiency of a spark ignition (SI) engine may be 32% in automotive applications, but the same engine may only be 15-20% or less thermally efficient at its normal operating point. In the case of 20% thermal efficiency, 80% of the thermal energy in the fuel is discarded as waste heat and cannot be converted into useful work. In conventional engines, whether the engine is air-cooled or liquid-cooled, this heat is lost through the exhau...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The peak thermal efficiency of a spark ignition (SI) engine can be 32% in an automotive application, but the same engine may only be 15-20% or less thermally efficient at its normal operating point

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