Rotary engine plasma ignition device and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rotary engine plasma ignition device and method, belonging to the field of rotary engine technology, comprising a plasma igniter; the plasma igniter is mounted on the side wall of the engine cylinder through a mounting hole; the plasma igniter comprises an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an insulating layer; the upper electrode is fixed to the upper surface of the insulating layer; the lower electrode is disposed on the lower surface of the insulating layer; the upper end surface of the upper electrode is flush with the inner wall surface of the engine cylinder; the upper and lower electrodes are connected to a power source and are used to excite and form a plasma jet perpendicular to the wall surface of the mounting hole to ignite the gas in the combustion chamber. The present invention uses a plasma igniter as the ignition device of the rotary engine. The plasma jet generated by the plasma igniter directly acts on the compressed mixed gas in the combustion chamber and propagates along the narrow and long combustion chamber, increasing the contact area between the plasma jet and the mixed gas and improving combustion efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of rotary engines, and in particular to a rotary engine plasma ignition device and method. Background Art

[0002] A rotary engine is a rotary internal combustion engine that converts fuel energy into mechanical energy by rotating the rotor inside the engine, thereby driving the operation of mechanical equipment. It has the advantages of high power and high power-to-weight ratio, and is widely used in aviation, aerospace, automobiles, and electric power.

[0003] The structure of the rotary engine is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the sealing plates at the three vertices of the rotor divide the cavity between the engine cylinder and the rotor into three chambers. During the movement of the rotor, the volume of these three chambers changes continuously, and the four processes of intake, compression, combustion and exhaust are completed successively in the cycloid cylinder. Most existing rotary engines use spark plugs for ignition. The specific working process is: when the rotor rotates, the gas enters from the air inlet, and then compresses the inhaled air and oil mixture to the top dead center of compression, which is the smallest space. The spark plug ignites the compressed combustible gas to burn, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas drives the triangular piston to rotate, and outputs mechanical energy through the output shaft. However, the shortcomings of this method are: Figure 1 As shown, the combustion chamber is long and narrow. The initial flame generated by the spark plug begins to burn within the small initial volume around the spark plug electrode. This results in a small contact area with the combustion chamber gas and low combustion efficiency. The long and narrow combustion chamber structure also hinders flame propagation, slowing flame propagation and leading to inefficient combustion and high levels of harmful emissions. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the combustion efficiency of rotary engines and ensure more complete combustion to achieve better fuel efficiency and lower harmful emissions.

[0004] Plasma is the fourth state of matter, after liquid, solid, and gas. With the development of plasma technology, it is being widely used in an increasing number of fields. For example, plasma ignition utilizes the movement of plasma under the influence of magnetic fields, or the temperature and pressure changes caused by gas discharges that locally perturb the combustion chamber, enabling more efficient ignition. The articles "Experiments on Suppressing Flow Separation on the Suction Surface of an Airfoil by Pulsed Plasma Aerodynamic Excitation" by Li Yinghong et al. of the Air Force Engineering University and "Experimental Study on the Influence of Plasma Aerodynamic Actuator Layout on Acceleration Effects" by Zhang Xiongwei et al. mention that the direction of plasma airflow can be controlled through active flow velocity control technology, which is of great significance for the efficient ignition of rotary engines using plasma. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a rotary engine plasma ignition device and method, intended to address the issues of incomplete combustion and low combustion efficiency in existing rotary engine ignition devices. To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A rotary engine plasma ignition device comprises a plasma igniter, the plasma igniter being mounted on the side wall of an engine cylinder via a mounting hole. The plasma igniter comprises an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an insulating layer. The upper electrode is fixed to the upper surface of the insulating layer; the lower electrode is disposed on the lower surface of the insulating layer. The upper end surface of the upper electrode is flush with the inner wall of the engine cylinder. The upper and lower electrodes are connected to a power source and are used to excite a plasma jet perpendicular to the wall of the mounting hole to ignite gas in the combustion chamber.

[0007] Furthermore, there are two lower electrodes; the upper electrode is fixed in the middle of the upper surface of the insulating layer; and the two lower electrodes are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer.

[0008] Furthermore, a limiting boss is provided on the inner wall of the upper end of the mounting hole; a hole plug is provided at the lower end of the mounting hole; the limiting boss and the hole plug are used to prevent relative movement between the plasma igniter and the engine cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, the hole plug includes a plug body and an end cover that are fixedly connected; the plug body extends into the mounting hole; the end cover is fixed to the outer wall of the engine cylinder by bolts, so that the insulating layer is limited between the limiting boss and the plug body.

[0010] Furthermore, a first sealing ring is provided between the upper surface of the insulating layer and the limiting boss; and a second sealing ring is provided between the insulating layer and the inner wall of the mounting hole.

[0011] Furthermore, a third sealing ring is provided between the end cover and the outer side wall of the engine cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes an adjustment device; the adjustment device includes a guide rail and an adjustment component; the guide rail and the insulating layer are fixed; the guide rail extends left and right; the adjustment component is fitted on the guide rail; the adjustment component is used to drive the lower electrode to change the left and right position.

[0013] Furthermore, the adjustment assembly includes a guide slider and a screw; the guide slider is fitted on the guide rail; the guide slider is located below the lower electrode; a guide column is provided on the guide slider; a guide groove is provided on the lower surface of the lower electrode; the guide column is fitted in the guide groove; the guide slider is fitted with a screw through a threaded hole; the screw controls the contact and separation of the lower electrode and the insulating layer by adjusting the depth of the screw into the threaded hole.

[0014] A rotary engine plasma ignition method adopts the rotary engine plasma ignition device mentioned above, comprising the following steps: when the rotor of the rotary engine runs to the compression top dead center, the plasma igniter ionizes to generate a plasma jet, and the plasma jet catalyzes and supports combustion of gas in the combustion chamber.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. The present invention uses a plasma igniter as the ignition device of the rotary engine. The plasma jet generated by the plasma igniter acts directly on the compressed mixed gas in the combustion chamber, achieving efficient ignition while also improving combustion efficiency and making combustion more complete.

[0017] 2. The plasma jet generated by the plasma igniter of the present invention has a high flow rate and propagates along the narrow and long combustion chamber, which increases the contact area between the plasma jet and the mixed gas and improves the combustion efficiency;

[0018] 3. The present invention can control the flow speed and amplitude of the plasma jet by adjusting the relative positions of the upper electrode and the lower electrode, making it more adaptable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a rotary engine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a plasma igniter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 2. It is a schematic structural diagram of a plasma ignition device in a rotary engine combustion chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the regulating device of the plasma ignition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the accompanying drawings: 1-first working chamber, 2-second working chamber, 3-third working chamber, 4-rotor, 5-engine cylinder, 6-mounting hole, 7-upper electrode, 8-lower electrode, 9-insulating layer, 10-limiting boss, 11-plug body, 12-end cover, 13-bolt, 14-first sealing ring, 15-second sealing ring, 16-third sealing ring, 17-guide rail, 18-guide slider, 19-screw, 20-guide column, 212-guide groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0025] Example 1:

[0026] See attached Figure 1-4 . A rotary engine plasma ignition device, comprising a plasma igniter; the plasma igniter is mounted on the side wall of the engine cylinder 5 through a mounting hole 6; the plasma igniter comprises an upper electrode 7, a lower electrode 8 and an insulating layer 9; the upper electrode 7 is fixed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 9; the lower electrode 8 is arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer 9; the upper end face of the upper electrode 7 is flush with the inner wall surface of the engine cylinder 5; the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 are connected to a power supply, and are used to excite and form a plasma jet perpendicular to the wall surface of the mounting hole 6 to ignite the gas in the combustion chamber. From the above structure, it can be seen that the existing rotary engine includes a rotor 4 and an engine cylinder 5, and the rotor 4 is arranged in the engine cylinder 5, and the sealing plates at the three vertices of the rotor 4 divide the cavity between the engine cylinder 5 and the rotor 4 into a first working chamber 1, a second working chamber 2 and a third working chamber 3. When one of the working chambers reaches the minimum volume, it is said that the working chamber reaches the top dead center of compression. At this time, the working chamber is a combustion chamber. Figure 1 In the state shown, the second working chamber 2 is a combustion chamber. A mounting hole 6 is provided on the side wall of the engine cylinder 5. The mounting hole 6 is specifically arranged on the side wall of the engine cylinder 5 opposite the combustion chamber. The plasma igniter is mounted on the side wall of the engine cylinder 5 through the mounting hole 6 and is used to ignite the rotary engine. The plasma igniter of the present invention includes an upper electrode 7, a lower electrode 8 and an insulating layer 9. The upper electrode 7 is fixed to the upper surface of the insulating layer 9, and the lower electrode 8 is arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer 9. An electrode group is formed between the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8. Preferably, the distance between the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 is greater than zero. The upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 are copper foils, and the insulating layer 9 is a ceramic layer. The upper end face of the upper electrode 7 is flush with the inner wall surface of the engine cylinder 5 to prevent the sealing plate from affecting the normal operation of the rotary engine when it sweeps over. The upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 are connected to a power supply. Preferably, the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 are connected to a high-frequency, high-voltage, sinusoidal DC power supply via wires. According to known principles, when the power is turned on, the air near the surface of the electrode assembly is ionized by the strong electric field. This concentrated energy is released instantaneously, creating a plasma jet perpendicular to the wall of the mounting hole 6, igniting the gas within the combustion chamber. The plasma igniter of the present invention generates a high velocity plasma jet that propagates along the combustion chamber, increasing the contact area between the plasma jet and the mixed gas and improving combustion efficiency.

[0027] Example 2:

[0028] See attached Figure 1-4. Based on the first embodiment, there are two lower electrodes 8; the upper electrode 7 is fixed in the middle of the upper surface of the insulating layer 9; and the two lower electrodes 8 are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer 9. From the above structure, it can be seen that the upper electrode 7 is fixed in the middle of the upper surface of the insulating layer 9, there are two lower electrodes 8, and the two lower electrodes 8 are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer 9, that is, the two lower electrodes 8 are respectively located on the left and right sides of the upper electrode 7. Therefore, the upper electrode 7 and the two lower electrodes 8 form two electrode groups, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 When the power is turned on, plasma jets perpendicular to the wall of the mounting hole 6 are formed on both sides of the upper electrode 7. The two sets of plasma jets have opposite directions and propagate along the left and right ends of the narrow combustion chamber, respectively. This increases the contact area between the plasma jets and the mixed gas, making the combustion more complete.

[0029] Example 3:

[0030] See attached Figure 1-4 On the basis of the second embodiment, a limiting boss 10 is provided on the inner wall of the upper end of the mounting hole 6; a hole plug is provided at the lower end of the mounting hole 6; the limiting boss 10 and the hole plug are used to prevent the relative movement between the plasma igniter and the engine cylinder 5. As can be seen from the above structure, the mounting hole 6 is used to install the plasma igniter, such as Figure 3 As shown, a limiting boss 10 is provided on the inner wall of the upper end of the mounting hole 6. The limiting boss 10 can be integrally formed with the engine cylinder 5, and the upper surface of the limiting boss 10 is also flush with the inner wall of the engine cylinder 5. The lower end of the mounting hole 6 is equipped with a hole plug. When the plasma igniter is installed in the mounting hole 6, the upper limiting boss 10 limits the position and prevents the plasma igniter from moving upward. After the plasma igniter is installed, the hole plug is inserted from the lower end of the mounting hole 6, limiting the plasma igniter downward and preventing it from moving downward. The limiting boss 10 and the hole plug are used to prevent relative movement between the plasma igniter and the engine cylinder 5, thereby improving the reliability of the plasma ignition device.

[0031] The hole plug includes a fixedly connected plug body 11 and an end cap 12; the plug body 11 extends into the mounting hole 6; the end cap 12 is fixed to the outer wall of the engine cylinder 5 via bolts 13, so that the insulating layer 9 is limited between the limiting boss 10 and the plug body 11. As can be seen from the above structure, the hole plug fits at the lower end of the mounting hole 6. The hole plug includes a fixedly connected plug body 11 and end cap 12, and the plug body 11 and end cap 12 can be integrally formed. During installation, the plug body 11 extends into the mounting hole 6, and the upper end of the plug body 11 just contacts the lower surface of the insulating layer 9 of the plasma igniter. The bolts 13 are then tightened to fix the end cap 12 to the outer wall of the engine cylinder 5, thereby securing the hole plug to the engine cylinder 5.

[0032] A first sealing ring 14 is provided between the upper surface of the insulating layer 9 and the limiting boss 10; a second sealing ring 15 is provided between the insulating layer 9 and the inner wall of the mounting hole 6. As can be seen from the above structure, the first sealing ring 14 is provided between the upper surface of the insulating layer 9 and the limiting boss 10 to improve the airtightness of the working chamber and prevent gas from leaking between the upper surface of the insulating layer 9 and the limiting boss 10, which could lead to energy loss, reduced thermal efficiency, and thus affect the performance of the rotary engine. If the sealing effect of the first sealing ring 14 is inadequate, a second sealing ring 15 is provided between the insulating layer 9 and the inner wall of the mounting hole 6 to prevent gas leakage and further improve the airtightness of the device.

[0033] A third sealing ring 16 is provided between the end cover 12 and the outer wall of the engine cylinder 5. As can be seen from the above structure, by providing the third sealing ring 16 between the end cover 12 and the outer wall of the engine cylinder 5, the airtightness of the device is improved.

[0034] Example 4:

[0035] See attached Figure 1-4 . On the basis of embodiment three, it also includes an adjustment device; the adjustment device includes a guide rail 17 and an adjustment component; the guide rail 17 and the insulating layer 9 are fixed; the guide rail 17 extends left and right; the adjustment component is fitted on the guide rail 17; the adjustment component is used to drive the lower electrode 8 to change the left and right position. It can be seen from the above structure that, according to existing theories, the distance between the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8 has an impact on the plasma jet flow rate and amplitude. The rotary engine plasma ignition device of the present invention also includes an adjustment device for adjusting the position of the lower electrode 8, thereby changing the distance between the upper electrode 7 and the lower electrode 8, thereby adjusting the plasma jet flow rate and amplitude to make it suitable for different scene requirements. Specifically, the adjustment device includes a guide rail 17 and an adjustment component, the guide rail 17 and the insulating layer 9 are fixed, the guide rail 17 extends left and right, the adjustment component is fitted on the guide rail 17, the adjustment component can slide left and right along the guide rail 17, and when the adjustment component slides left and right, it drives the lower electrode 8 to move together, thereby changing the position of the lower electrode 8.

[0036] The adjustment assembly includes a guide slider 18 and a screw 19; the guide slider 18 is fitted on the guide rail 17; the guide slider 18 is located below the lower electrode 8; a guide post 20 is provided on the guide slider 18; a guide groove 21 is provided on the lower surface of the lower electrode 8; the guide post 20 is fitted into the guide groove 21; the guide slider 18 is fitted with a screw 19 through a threaded hole; the screw 19 controls the connection and separation of the lower electrode 8 and the insulating layer 9 by adjusting the depth of the screw into the threaded hole. As can be seen from the above structure, the adjustment assembly drives the lower electrode 8 to move together, changing the position of the lower electrode 8, such as Figure 4As shown, the adjustment assembly includes a guide slider 18 and a screw 19. The guide slider 18 is fitted on the guide rail 17. The guide rail 17 limits the movement direction of the guide slider 18 to sliding left and right, and it cannot or can only rotate slightly. The guide slider 18 is fitted with the screw 19 through a threaded hole. When the screw 19 is rotated, the screw 19 moves up or down along the direction of the threaded hole. When the position of the lower electrode 8 needs to be adjusted, the screw 19 is rotated to move the screw 19 downward. After the lower electrode 8 loses the support of the screw 19, the lower electrode 8 moves downward with the screw 19, so that the lower electrode 8 and the insulating layer 9 are no longer fixed together. During the downward movement, the guide post 20 on the guide slider 18 gradually penetrates into the guide groove 21 of the lower electrode 8. At this time, the screw 19 is moved left or right, and the screw 19 drives the guide slider 18 to move together. The guide post 20 of the guide slider 18 fits in the guide groove 21, so that the guide slider 18 drives the lower electrode 8 to move together. When it moves to the appropriate position, the screw 19 is rotated to move the screw 19 upward until the lower electrode 8 and the insulating layer 9 are pressed against each other, thereby achieving the adjustment and fixation of the position of the lower electrode 8. The screw 19 can be made of metal. During operation, the screw 19 and the lower electrode 8 are always connected. Therefore, the wire connecting the lower electrode 8 can be set at the end of the screw 19 for connection to achieve the connection between the lower electrode 8 and the high-frequency, high-voltage sinusoidal DC power supply.

[0037] Embodiment 5:

[0038] See attached Figure 1-4 . Based on the fourth embodiment, a rotary engine plasma ignition method adopts the above-mentioned rotary engine plasma ignition device, comprising the following steps: when the rotor 4 of the rotary engine runs to the compression top dead center, the plasma igniter ionizes to generate a plasma jet, and the plasma jet catalyzes the gas in the combustion chamber to assist combustion. From the above structure, it can be seen that the working process of the rotary engine plasma ignition device is as follows: the engine is started, the gas is sucked in from the air inlet, and the working chamber compresses the inhaled air and oil mixture to the top dead center; the power supply is started, the plasma igniter ionizes to generate a plasma jet, and the plasma jet disturbs the gas in the combustion chamber and catalyzes the combustion.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotary engine plasma ignition device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a plasma igniter; the plasma igniter is mounted on the side wall of the engine cylinder (5) through a mounting hole (6); the plasma igniter comprises an upper electrode (7), a lower electrode (8) and an insulating layer (9); the upper electrode (7) is fixed on the upper surface of the insulating layer (9); the lower electrode (8) is arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer (9); the upper end surface of the upper electrode (7) is flush with the inner wall surface of the engine cylinder (5); The upper electrode (7) and the lower electrode (8) are connected to a power source and are used to excite and form a plasma jet perpendicular to the wall of the mounting hole (6) to ignite the gas in the combustion chamber; It also includes an adjustment device; the adjustment device includes a guide rail (17) and an adjustment component; the guide rail (17) and the insulating layer (9) are fixed; the guide rail (17) extends left and right; the adjustment component is fitted on the guide rail (17); the adjustment component is used to drive the lower electrode (8) to change the left and right position; The adjustment assembly includes a guide slider (18) and a screw (19); the guide slider (18) is fitted on a guide rail (17); the guide slider (18) is located below the lower electrode (8); a guide post (20) is provided on the guide slider (18); a guide groove (21) is provided on the lower surface of the lower electrode (8); the guide post (20) is fitted in the guide groove (21); the guide slider (18) is fitted with a screw (19) through a threaded hole; the screw (19) controls the connection and separation of the lower electrode (8) and the insulating layer (9) by adjusting the depth of the screw into the threaded hole; When the position of the lower electrode (8) needs to be adjusted, the screw rod (19) is rotated to move the screw rod (19) downward, and the lower electrode (8) moves downward following the screw rod (19), so that the lower electrode (8) and the insulating layer (9) are separated. During the downward movement, the guide column (20) on the guide slider (18) gradually penetrates into the guide groove (21) of the lower electrode (8). At this time, the screw rod (19) is moved leftward or rightward, and the screw rod (19) drives the guide slider (18) and the lower electrode (8) to move together. When it moves to a suitable position, the screw rod (19) is rotated to move the screw rod (19) upward until the lower electrode (8) and the insulating layer (9) are pressed against each other, thereby achieving the adjustment and fixation of the position of the lower electrode (8).

2. A rotary engine plasma ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two lower electrodes (8); the upper electrode (7) is fixed in the middle of the upper surface of the insulating layer (9); and the two lower electrodes (8) are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the insulating layer (9).

3. The rotary engine plasma ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting boss (10) is provided on the inner wall of the upper end of the mounting hole (6); a hole plug is provided at the lower end of the mounting hole (6); the limiting boss (10) and the hole plug are used to prevent relative movement between the plasma igniter and the engine cylinder (5).

4. A rotary engine plasma ignition device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hole plug comprises a plug body (11) and an end cover (12) that are fixedly connected; the plug body (11) extends into the mounting hole (6); the end cover (12) is fixed to the outer wall of the engine cylinder (5) via bolts (13), so that the insulating layer (9) is limited between the limiting boss (10) and the plug body (11).

5. A rotary engine plasma ignition device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first sealing ring (14) is provided between the upper surface of the insulating layer (9) and the limiting boss (10); and a second sealing ring (15) is provided between the insulating layer (9) and the inner wall of the mounting hole (6).

6. The rotary engine plasma ignition device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A third sealing ring (16) is provided between the end cover (12) and the outer side wall of the engine cylinder (5).

7. A rotary engine plasma ignition method, characterized by: The rotary engine plasma ignition device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprises the following steps: when the rotor (4) of the rotary engine runs to the compression top dead center, the plasma igniter ionizes to generate a plasma jet, and the plasma jet catalyzes and supports combustion of the gas in the combustion chamber.

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