Method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine

Abstract

An internal combustion engine and method of operation employing timed injection of water into the combustion chamber for one or a combination of recapturing waste heat, cooling the engine, and lowering Nox emissions of the engine. The water injection subsequent to the power stroke of the engine employs residual heat and heat conducted from surfaces of the combustion chamber, to form steam to drive a second power stroke. The water injection can also be employed to pre-cool the combustion chamber to avoid formation of Nox gases during fuel combustion and by recapturing residual and conductive heat from the combustion chamber the engine is cooled thereby minimizing or eliminating exterior cooling system requirements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 703,394, filed Jul. 27, 2005. The present invention relates to internal combustion engines. More particularly it relates to apparatus and method of operation of an internal combustion engine for timed injection of water into a cylinder which can be employed for one or a combination of recapturing waste heat, cooling the engine, and lowering NOX emissions, by providing an extra power stroke to the engine from the expansion of the water into steam which also cools the engine internally. The design and method of operation of the device are suitable for use on any type of internal combustion engine using any type of fuel for the fuel / air mixture be it gasoline, diesel, Wankel, or other engine employing combustion of fuel to produce work from recaptured waste heat as well as a means to internally cool the engine on which it is employed to redu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] Further, the engine cylinders and pistons and cylinder heads, which are conventionally cooled by water or air, pumped by the engine itself, are cooled during this recapture of heat energy by the water injected into the cylinder, thereby limiting or eliminating the need for water or air cooling systems which use engine power to pump cooling fluids through or over the engine. This cooling effect not only saves weight which saps the power of the engine trying to move the weight, it also saves the power formerly taken from the engine to run the cooling system.

[0045] Yet another object of this invention is the provision of such a device using water to generate a second power stroke with steam that also may be employed to lower the combustion chamber temperature during combustion of fuel and oxidizer to thereby provide means for reduction of Nox emissions from the engine.

Problems solved by technology

Further, the engine cylinders and pistons and cylinder heads, which are conventionally cooled by water or air, pumped by the engine itself, are cooled during this recapture of heat energy by the water injected into the cylinder, thereby limiting or eliminating the need for water or air cooling systems which use engine power to pump cooling fluids through or over the engine.

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