Multi-composition thermal management coating system for combustion chamber components

Abstract

An exhaust valve includes a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head. The valve head comprises a combustion face and a seat face. The combustion face and the seat face are located on the opposite sides of the valve head. The seat surface is configured to matingly engage with an opposing surface. The valve head is formed of a base material. A valve thermal management composition coats at least a portion of the seating surface and includes an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 373,087, filed on August 22, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a multi-composition thermal management coating system for combustion chamber components of an internal combustion engine. Background Art

[0004] In at least some internal combustion engines, including hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines (including spark-ignited hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines), hydrogen fuel ignites readily over a wide range of air-fuel ratios. Pre-ignition may occur due to hot spots in the combustion chamber that are hot enough to ignite the hydrogen mixture. Such hot spots may occur in response to high load operation that causes an undesirable increase in combustion chamber temperature, causing pre-ignition or other ignition events.

[0005] Disclosure of Example Implementations

[0006] In order to clearly, concisely and accurately describe the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner and process of making and using the present disclosure, and to enable the practice, manufacture and use of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments, including those shown in the figures, and specific language will be used to describe the embodiments. However, it should be understood that no limitation on the scope of the present invention is thereby created, and the present invention includes and protects such changes, modifications and additional applications of the exemplary embodiments as will occur to those skilled in the art with the benefit and insight of the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0007] Example embodiments include a multi-composition thermal management coating system for combustion chamber components of an internal combustion engine. Some embodiments include an exhaust valve having a multi-composition thermal management coating system. Some embodiments include a spark plug having a multi-composition thermal management coating system. Some embodiments include a piston having a multi-composition thermal management coating system. Some embodiments include an engine system including one or more of an exhaust valve, a spark plug, and a piston having a multi-composition thermal management coating system. Additional embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting certain aspects of an example engine system.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a depiction Figure 1A cross-sectional schematic diagram of certain aspects of a cylinder head assembly of an example engine system.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a depiction Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of certain aspects of a spark plug of a cylinder head assembly.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a depiction Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of certain aspects of an exhaust valve of a cylinder head assembly.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a depiction Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of certain aspects of a piston of an example engine system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] refer to Figure 1 , an example internal combustion engine system 10 (also referred to herein as system 10) is shown. System 10 generally includes a fuel supply and ignition system 12, an engine 14, and a controller 16, and may also include other aspects and components.

[0014] The engine 14 includes an engine block 15 and a cylinder head 20. A cylinder 22 is formed in the engine block 15 and includes a cylinder liner 18 or other inner surface of a side wall defining a combustion chamber 36. A piston 42 connected to a crank arm 44 is disposed in the cylinder 22. The piston 42 reciprocates between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position in the cylinder 16. The combustion chamber 36 is bounded and defined by respective combustion cylinder-facing surfaces of the piston 42, the cylinder liner 18, the cylinder head 20, the intake valve 32, the exhaust valve 38, the injector 18, and the spark plug 9.

[0015] An intake port 32 and an exhaust port 40 are defined in the cylinder head 20. An intake valve 34 is selectively operatively coupled to the cylinder head 20 proximate an opening of the intake port 32, and is configured and operable to selectively move from a seated or closed position to an unseated or open position to regulate the flow of intake charge air through the intake port to the combustion chamber 36. An exhaust valve 38 is selectively operatively coupled to the cylinder head 20 proximate an opening of the exhaust port 40, and is configured and operable to selectively move from a seated or closed position to an unseated or open position to regulate the flow of combustion byproducts or exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 36 to the exhaust port 40.

[0016] The fuel supply and ignition system 12 includes an injector 18 disposed in a bore defined in the cylinder head 20, receiving a supply of fuel 21 from a fuel source 28 and injecting the fuel 21 into the combustion chamber 36. The operation of the injector 18 is controlled by the controller 16, as shown by the dashed line extending between the controller 16 and the injector 18. In the example shown, the injector 18 is provided in the form of a direct injector mounted in the cylinder head 20 for injecting the fuel 21 directly into the cylinder 22 formed in the engine block 15 of the engine 14. In the example shown, the injector 18 is configured and provided in the form of a hydrogen injector, and the fuel 21 is hydrogen. The injector 18 can be configured and controlled to deliver a variety of types of fuels to the cylinder 22, including, for example, diesel, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, other combustible fuels, and combinations of the foregoing fuels and other fuels.

[0017] The fuel supply and ignition system 12 also includes a spark plug 9 disposed in a bore defined in the cylinder head 20 and including an electrode at its distal end that extends into or is otherwise exposed to the combustion chamber 36. The operation of the spark plug 9 is controlled by the controller 16, as shown by the dashed line extending between the controller 16 and the injector 18.

[0018] To keep it simple, Figure 1 Only certain aspects of the system 10 are depicted, and it should be understood that the system 10 may include additional examples of the illustrated aspects as well as Figure 1 Thus, for example, although Figure 1 A single cylinder 22 and piston 42 are depicted in the view of , but the system 10 may include multiple cylinders in various forms, and the same may be true for many of the other illustrated aspects (including the intake port 32, intake valve 34, exhaust valve 38, exhaust port 40, spark plug 9 and injector 18, as well as other aspects).

[0019] As shown, the controller 16 generally includes a processor 17 and a non-transitory memory 19, the non-transitory memory having instructions that, in response to being executed by the processor 17, cause the processor 17 to perform various functions of the controller 16 described herein. The processor 17, the non-transitory memory 19, and the controller 16 are not particularly limited and, for example, may be physically separated. In addition, in certain embodiments, the controller 16 may form part of a processing subsystem that includes one or more computing devices having memory, processing, and communication hardware. The controller 16 may be a single device or a distributed device, and the functions of the controller may be performed by hardware and / or as computer instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as the non-transitory memory 19.

[0020] refer to Figure 2, a cross-sectional view of a portion of a cylinder head assembly 8 of the system 10 is shown. The cylinder head assembly 8 includes a cylinder head 20 in which an intake port 32, an exhaust port 40, and an injector hole 9' are formed or otherwise disposed. The cylinder head assembly 8 also includes an intake valve 34 disposed in the intake port 32, an exhaust valve 38 disposed in the exhaust port 40, and an injector 9 disposed in the injector hole 9'.

[0021] refer to Figure 3 , shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a spark plug 9 of the cylinder head assembly 8 and the system 10. It should be understood that the spark plug 9 is an example of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. The spark plug 9 includes a center electrode 94, which is generally configured and arranged as a cathode. An insulator 93 surrounds a portion of the center electrode 94, but leaves a distal portion of the center electrode 94 proximate to the air gap 97 uninsulated and exposed. The spark plug 9 also includes a side electrode 91, which is generally configured and arranged as a ground electrode and includes a portion 91a positioned proximate to the air gap 97. The air gap 97 extends intermediate the uninsulated exposed portion of the center electrode 91 and the portion 91a of the side electrode 91. The housing 92 is operatively and conductively coupled to the side electrode 91 and surrounds a portion of the insulator 93. The housing 92 includes a threaded portion 92t, which is configured to engage with a corresponding threaded portion of a spark plug hole 9' defined in the cylinder head 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The housing 92 further includes a seat surface 95 which is positioned and oriented to face the opposite surface of the cylinder head 20 when the spark plug 9 is inserted into the spark plug hole 9'.

[0022] Electrode 91 and housing 92 may be formed from a variety of substrates. In some embodiments, electrode 91 is formed from a nickel alloy material or another suitable alloy material, and housing 91 is formed from carbon steel plated with a corrosion resistant material such as zinc or a nickel alloy.

[0023] Spark plug 9 is provided with a multi-composition thermal management coating system. The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a first composition 911, which coats at least a portion of electrode 91 and preferably also a portion of shell 92. In the embodiment shown, the first composition 387 coats substantially the entire electrode 91 except for portion 91a. The first composition includes a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of electrode 91 and / or shell 92 (e.g., relative to the substrate of electrode 91 and / or shell 92). In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%.

[0024] The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a second composition 921 that coats at least a portion of the seating surface 95 of the housing 92. The second composition includes an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the housing 92 (e.g., relative to the substrate of the seating surface 95). In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first composition 911 can be provided in the form of a ceramic coating. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2). In some embodiments, the ceramic coating may include a combination of two or more examples in the foregoing examples. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology. Examples of such embodiments include ceramic coatings of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) or yttrium oxide (Y2O3) applied using PVD technology. In other embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using spraying technology or other technologies suitable for a given ceramic coating composition. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied to the components of the spark plug (such as spark plug 9) before assembling the spark plug.

[0026] In some embodiments, the second composition 921 can be provided in the form of a nitride coating composition. In some such embodiments, the nitride coating composition can include an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, or a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition. The second composition can be applied using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique.

[0027] In embodiments where the second composition 921 is provided in the form of an Al-Ti-N composition, the Al-Ti-N composition may be selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N (a relative composition of 55% Al and 45% Ti), Al60Ti40N (a relative composition of 60% Al and 40% Ti), and Al66Ti34N (a relative composition of 66% Al and 34% Ti). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition may be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques.

[0028] In an embodiment in which the second composition 921 is provided in the form of a Ti-Al-N composition, the Ti-Al-N composition can be selected from the group consisting of: Ti75Al25N (a relative composition of 75% Ti and 25% Al), Ti66Al34N (a relative composition of 66% Ti and 34% Al), Ti60Al40N (a relative composition of 60% Ti and 40% Al), Ti55Al45N (a relative composition of 55% Ti and 45% Al), and Ti50Al50N (a relative composition of 50% Ti and 50% Al). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages described, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition can be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 , shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exhaust valve 38 formed of a substrate and including a valve head 382 and a valve stem 381 extending from the valve head 382. It should be understood that the exhaust valve 38 is an example of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. The valve head 382 includes a fillet 389 from which the valve stem 381 extends. The valve head 382 also includes a seat surface 384 that is configured and oriented to face and abut against a surface of the exhaust port 40 of the cylinder head 20. The valve head 382 also includes a combustion face 385 that can be separated from the seat surface 384 by an edge 383 and is configured and oriented to face the combustion chamber 36.

[0030] The valve head 382 can be formed from a variety of substrates. In some embodiments, the valve head 382 can be formed from a steel composition substrate. Example steel composition substrates include 21-4N austenitic steel and DIN 1.4882 austenitic steel, as well as other steel compositions. In some embodiments, the valve head 382 can be formed from a titanium composition substrate. Example titanium composition substrates include Ti-834 and other titanium compositions. In some embodiments, the valve head 382 can be formed from a superalloy composition substrate. Example superalloy substrates include: UNS N07080 / W.Nr.2.4952 & 2.4631, which are wrought, age-hardenable nickel-chromium alloys strengthened by the addition of titanium, aluminum, and carbon, commercially available as Alloy 80A; and UNS N07751, a precipitation-hardened nickel-chromium alloy commercially available as 751; and other superalloy compositions. In some embodiments, the base material of the valve head 382 may include additional materials welded to the aforementioned base material or other base materials, including, for example, a series of cobalt-based alloys with a significant proportion of chromium (up to 33%) and tungsten (up to 18%) and preferably including nickel or molybdenum, commercially available as ST alloy.

[0031] The valve head 382 is provided with a multi-composition thermal management coating system. The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a first composition 387, which coats at least a portion of the combustion face 385. In the embodiment shown, the first composition 387 coats substantially the entire combustion face 385. In some embodiments, the first composition 387 can coat a portion of the combustion face 385, and can additionally coat a portion or the entire edge 383. The first composition includes a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head 382 (e.g., relative to the substrate of the combustion face 385). In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%.

[0032] The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a second composition 386 that coats at least a portion of the seat surface 384. The second composition includes an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head 382 (e.g., relative to the substrate of the seat surface 384). In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first composition 387 can be provided in the form of a ceramic coating. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2). In some embodiments, the ceramic coating may include a combination of two or more of the foregoing examples. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques. Examples of such embodiments include ceramic coatings of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) or yttrium oxide (Y2O3) applied using PVD techniques. In other embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using spraying techniques or other techniques suitable for a given ceramic coating composition.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second composition 386 can be provided in the form of a nitride coating composition. In some such embodiments, the nitride coating composition can include an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, or a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition. The second composition can be applied using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique.

[0035] In embodiments where the second composition 386 is provided in the form of an Al-Ti-N composition, the Al-Ti-N composition may be selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N (a relative composition of 55% Al and 45% Ti), Al60Ti40N (a relative composition of 60% Al and 40% Ti), and Al66Ti34N (a relative composition of 66% Al and 34% Ti). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages described, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition may be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques.

[0036] In an embodiment in which the second composition 386 is provided in the form of a Ti-Al-N composition, the Ti-Al-N composition can be selected from the group consisting of: Ti75Al25N (a relative composition of 75% Ti and 25% Al), Ti66Al34N (a relative composition of 66% Ti and 34% Al), Ti60Al40N (a relative composition of 60% Ti and 40% Al), Ti55Al45N (a relative composition of 55% Ti and 45% Al), and Ti50Al50N (a relative composition of 50% Ti and 50% Al). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages described, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition can be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques.

[0037] refer to Figure 5 , a cross-sectional view of a portion of a piston 42 is shown, the piston being formed of a substrate and including a crown 422, a bowl 424, a plurality of ridges 411a, 411b, 411c, a plurality of annular grooves 413a, 413b, 413c, a skirt 415, and a lower side or bottom 421. It should be understood that the piston 42 is an example of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. Piston rings (not shown) may be provided in the plurality of annular grooves 413a, 413b, 413c. The piston 42 includes a combustion face 420, which is configured and oriented to face the combustion chamber 36. The combustion face 420 includes a crown surface 422s and a bowl surface 424s. The piston 42 also includes a bottom surface 428, which is configured and oriented to face away from the combustion chamber 36.

[0038] The piston 42 can be formed from a variety of substrates. In some embodiments, the piston 42 can be formed from a steel composition substrate. Example steel composition substrates include vanadium steel, chrome vanadium steel, 4140H steel, and 38MnSiVS5 steel, as well as other steel compositions. In some embodiments, the piston 42 can be formed from an aluminum composition substrate. Example aluminum composition substrates include aluminum silicon alloys, such as 2618 aluminum and 4032 aluminum, as well as other aluminum compositions. In some embodiments, the piston 42 can be formed from a combination of steel and other materials, for example, an articulated piston with a forged steel crown and an aluminum skirt.

[0039] The piston 42 is provided with a multi-composition thermal management coating system. The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a first composition 423, which coats at least a portion of the combustion face 420. In the embodiment shown, the first composition 423 coats substantially the entire crown surface 422s. In some embodiments, the first composition 423 can coat a portion of the crown surface 422s, for example, an annular outer 25%, an annular outer 50%, annular outer 75%, or another portion of the crown surface 422s. In some embodiments, the first composition 423 can additionally or alternatively coat a portion of the bowl surface 424s or the entire bowl surface. The first composition includes a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston 42 (e.g., relative to the substrate of the combustion face 420). In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the reduction in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%. The multi-composition thermal management coating includes a second composition 425, which coats at least a portion of the bottom surface 428. The second composition includes an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of piston 42 (e.g., relative to the substrate of bottom surface 428). In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 5%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be at least 10%. In some embodiments, the increase in thermal conductivity can be between 5% and 10%.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first composition 423 can be provided in the form of a ceramic coating. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2). In some embodiments, the ceramic coating may include a combination of two or more of the foregoing examples. In some embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology. Examples of such embodiments include ceramic coatings of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) or yttrium oxide (Y2O3) applied using PVD technology. In other embodiments, the ceramic coating can be applied using spraying technology or other technologies suitable for a given ceramic coating composition.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second composition 425 can be provided in the form of a nitride coating composition. In some such embodiments, the nitride coating composition can include an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, or a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition. The second composition can be applied using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique.

[0042] In embodiments where the second composition 425 is provided in the form of an Al-Ti-N composition, the Al-Ti-N composition may be selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N (a relative composition of 55% Al and 45% Ti), Al60Ti40N (a relative composition of 60% Al and 40% Ti), and Al66Ti34N (a relative composition of 66% Al and 34% Ti). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition may be applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques.

[0043] In an embodiment in which the second composition 425 is provided in the form of a Ti-Al-N composition, the Ti-Al-N composition can be selected from the group consisting of: Ti75Al25N (a relative composition of 75% Ti and 25% Al), Ti66Al34N (a relative composition of 66% Ti and 34% Al), Ti60Al40N (a relative composition of 60% Ti and 40% Al), Ti55Al45N (a relative composition of 55% Ti and 45% Al), and Ti50Al50N (a relative composition of 50% Ti and 50% Al). It should be understood that the relative compositions of the aforementioned examples may differ from the percentages, for example, by + / - 2.5 or another percentage. In embodiments such as the aforementioned examples, the second composition can be applied using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. In some embodiments, the second composition 425 can be provided in the form of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) composition. In some embodiments, the DLC composition includes a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) composition.

[0044] As explained in this detailed description of example embodiments, the present disclosure contemplates and includes multiple embodiments, including the following examples. A first example embodiment is an apparatus comprising: an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head, the valve head comprising a combustion face and a seat face, the combustion face and the seat face being located on opposite sides of the valve head, the seat face being configured to cooperatively engage with an opposing surface, the valve head being formed of a substrate; and a valve thermal management composition, the valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the seat face, the valve thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head.

[0045] The second example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes a nitride coating composition.

[0046] The third exemplary embodiment includes the features of the second exemplary embodiment, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of: an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

[0047] A fourth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

[0048] The fifth example embodiment includes the features of the fourth example embodiment, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

[0049] A sixth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

[0050] The seventh example embodiment includes the features of the sixth example embodiment, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

[0051] An eighth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, including a second valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the combustion face, the second valve thermal management composition including a reduced thermal conductivity relative to a substrate of the valve head.

[0052] A ninth example embodiment includes the features of the eighth example embodiment, wherein the second valve thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

[0053] The tenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the ninth exemplary embodiment, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

[0054] An eleventh example embodiment includes the features of any one of the first to tenth example embodiments, wherein the substrate of the valve head is a steel composition.

[0055] A twelfth example embodiment includes the features of any one of the first to tenth example embodiments, wherein the substrate of the valve head is an aluminum composition.

[0056] The thirteenth example embodiment includes the features of any one of the first to tenth example embodiments, including: a cylinder head, the cylinder head including a port, the exhaust valve being movably disposed in the port, the port including a seat surface, the seat surface contacting the valve thermal management composition coating the seat surface of the valve head when the exhaust valve is in a closed position, and being spaced apart from the valve thermal management composition coating the seat surface of the valve head when the exhaust valve is in an open position.

[0057] The fourteenth example embodiment includes the features of the thirteenth example embodiment, including: a cylinder block defining a cylinder bore, the cylinder head coupled to the cylinder block; and a piston reciprocatably disposed in the cylinder bore; wherein the exhaust valve in the open position provides a fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port, and the exhaust valve in the closed position blocks the fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port.

[0058] A fifteenth example embodiment includes the features of the fourteenth example embodiment, wherein the piston comprises a substrate, a combustion face facing the cylinder head, a bottom face facing in an opposite direction of the combustion face, and a piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the bottom face, the piston thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

[0059] The sixteenth example embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a nitride coating composition.

[0060] The seventeenth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the sixteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

[0061] An eighteenth example embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

[0062] The nineteenth example embodiment includes the features of the eighteenth example embodiment, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

[0063] A twentieth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

[0064] The twenty-first exemplary embodiment includes the features of the twentieth exemplary embodiment, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

[0065] The twenty-second example embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a diamond-like carbon (DLC) composition.

[0066] The twenty-third exemplary embodiment includes the features of the twenty-second exemplary embodiment, wherein the DLC composition comprises a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) composition.

[0067] A twenty-fourth example embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein the substrate of the piston is a steel composition.

[0068] A twenty-fifth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, wherein the substrate of the piston is an aluminum composition.

[0069] The twenty-sixth example embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein the apparatus is provided in a direct in-cylinder injection hydrogen combustion engine system.

[0070] A twenty-seventh exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment, including a second piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the combustion face, the second piston thermal management composition including a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

[0071] The twenty-eighth example embodiment includes the features of the twenty-seventh example embodiment, wherein the second piston thermal management composition includes a ceramic coating.

[0072] The twenty-ninth exemplary embodiment includes feature 29 of the twenty-eighth exemplary embodiment. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium oxide (HfO2), silicon oxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium oxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

[0073] The thirtieth exemplary embodiment is a device comprising: a piston formed of a substrate, the piston comprising a combustion face and a bottom face, the bottom face facing in an opposite direction of the combustion face; and a piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the bottom face, the piston thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

[0074] A thirty-first example embodiment includes the features of the thirtieth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a nitride coating composition.

[0075] The thirty-second exemplary embodiment includes the features of the thirty-first exemplary embodiment, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of: an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

[0076] A thirty-third example embodiment includes the features of the thirtieth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

[0077] The thirty-fourth example embodiment includes the features of the thirty-third example embodiment, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

[0078] A thirty-fifth example embodiment includes the features of the thirtieth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

[0079] The thirty-sixth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the thirty-fifth exemplary embodiment, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

[0080] A thirty-seventh example embodiment includes the features of the thirtieth example embodiment, wherein the piston thermal management composition includes a diamond-like carbon (DLC) composition.

[0081] The thirty-eighth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the thirty-seventh exemplary embodiment, wherein the DLC composition comprises a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) composition.

[0082] A thirty-ninth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the thirtieth exemplary embodiment, including a second piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the combustion face, the second piston thermal management composition comprising a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

[0083] A fortieth example embodiment includes the features of the thirty-ninth example embodiment, wherein the second piston thermal management composition includes a ceramic coating.

[0084] The forty-first exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fortieth exemplary embodiment, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

[0085] The forty-second exemplary embodiment includes the features of any one of the thirtieth to forty-first embodiments, including: a cylinder body, the cylinder body defining a cylinder bore, the piston being reciprocatingly disposed in the cylinder bore; an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head, the valve head comprising a combustion face and a seat face, the combustion face and the seat face being located on opposite sides of the valve head, the seat face being configured to cooperatively engage with the opposite surface, the valve head being formed by a substrate; and a cylinder head, the cylinder head comprising a gas port, the exhaust valve being movably disposed in the gas port; wherein the exhaust valve in an open position provides a fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port, and the exhaust valve in a closed position blocks the fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port.

[0086] A forty-third example embodiment includes the features of the forty-second example embodiment, including a valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the seating surface of the exhaust valve, the valve thermal management composition comprising increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head.

[0087] The forty-fourth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-third example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes a nitride coating composition.

[0088] The forty-fifth exemplary embodiment includes the features of the forty-fourth exemplary embodiment, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of: an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

[0089] A forty-sixth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-third example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

[0090] The forty-seventh example embodiment includes the features of the forty-sixth example embodiment, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

[0091] A forty-eighth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-seventh example embodiment, wherein the valve thermal management composition includes an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

[0092] The forty-ninth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-eighth example embodiment, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

[0093] A fiftieth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-third example embodiment, including a second valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the combustion face, the second valve thermal management composition including a reduced thermal conductivity relative to a substrate of the valve head.

[0094] A fifty-first example embodiment includes the features of the fiftieth example embodiment, wherein the second valve thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

[0095] The fifty-second exemplary embodiment includes the features of the fifty-first exemplary embodiment, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconium oxide (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

[0096] A fifty-third example embodiment includes the features of the forty-second example embodiment, wherein the substrate of the valve head is a steel composition.

[0097] A fifty-fourth example embodiment includes the features of the forty-second example embodiment, wherein the substrate of the valve head is an aluminum composition.

[0098] Although example embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in nature, and it should be understood that only certain example embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the claimed invention are expected to be protected. It should be understood that although the use of words such as preferred, preferably, preferred, or more preferred utilized in the above description indicates that the features described in this manner may be more desirable, this is not necessary and embodiments without the words are conceivable to be within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "one", "a kind", "at least one", or "at least a portion" are used, it is not intended to limit the claim to only one item unless the contrary is explicitly stated in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" is used, the item may include a portion and / or the entire item unless the contrary is explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head, the valve head comprising a combustion face and a seat face, the combustion face and the seat face being located on opposite sides of the valve head, the seat face being configured to cooperatively engage with an opposite surface, the valve head being formed of a substrate; and A valve thermal management composition coats at least a portion of the seating surface, the valve thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises a nitride coating composition.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a second valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the combustion face, the second valve thermal management composition comprising a reduced thermal conductivity relative to a substrate of the valve head.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second valve thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the substrate of the valve head is a steel composition.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the substrate of the valve head is an aluminum composition.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: A cylinder head, the cylinder head comprising a port, the exhaust valve being movably disposed in the port, the port comprising a seat surface, the seat surface contacting the valve thermal management composition coating the seat surface of the valve head when the exhaust valve is in a closed position, and being spaced apart from the valve thermal management composition coating the seat surface of the valve head when the exhaust valve is in an open position.

14. The device of claim 13, comprising: a cylinder block defining a cylinder bore, the cylinder head being coupled to the cylinder block; as well as a piston, the piston being reciprocatably disposed in the cylinder bore; The exhaust valve in the open position provides a fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port, and the exhaust valve in the closed position blocks the fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the piston comprises a substrate, a combustion face facing the cylinder head, a bottom face facing in an opposite direction of the combustion face, and a piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the bottom face, the piston thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a nitride coating composition.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a diamond-like carbon (DLC) composition.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the DLC composition comprises a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) composition.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the substrate of the piston is a steel composition.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the substrate of the piston is an aluminum composition.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is disposed in a direct in-cylinder injection hydrogen combustion engine system.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a second piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the combustion face, the second piston thermal management composition comprising a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second piston thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

30. A device, comprising: A piston, the piston being formed of a substrate, the piston comprising a combustion surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface facing in a direction opposite to the combustion surface; as well as A piston thermal management composition coating is disposed on the bottom surface, the piston thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a nitride coating composition.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

35. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

37. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the piston thermal management composition comprises a diamond-like carbon (DLC) composition.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the DLC composition comprises a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) composition.

39. The apparatus of claim 30, comprising a second piston thermal management composition coating disposed on the combustion face, the second piston thermal management composition comprising a reduced thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the piston.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second piston thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

42. The apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 41, comprising: a cylinder body, the cylinder body defining a cylinder bore, the piston being reciprocatably disposed in the cylinder bore; an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve comprising a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head, the valve head comprising a combustion face and a seat face, the combustion face and the seat face being located on opposite sides of the valve head, the seat face being configured to cooperatively engage with an opposite surface, the valve head being formed of a substrate; as well as a cylinder head, the cylinder head comprising an air port, the exhaust valve being movably disposed in the air port; The exhaust valve in an open position provides a fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port, and the exhaust valve in a closed position blocks the fluid flow path between the cylinder bore and the gas port.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, comprising a valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the seating surface of the exhaust valve, the valve thermal management composition comprising an increased thermal conductivity relative to the substrate of the valve head.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises a nitride coating composition.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the nitride coating composition is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum chromium nitride (Al-Cr-N) composition, an aluminum titanium nitride (Al-Ti-N) composition, a boron nitride (BN) composition, a chromium nitride (Cr-N) composition, a molybdenum nitride (Mo-N) composition, a titanium aluminum nitride (Ti-Al-N) composition, and a titanium nitride (Ti-N) composition.

46. ​​The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises a titanium aluminum nitride composition.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the titanium aluminum nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of Ti75Al25N, Ti66Al34N, Ti60Al40N, Ti55Al45N, and Ti50Al50N.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the valve thermal management composition comprises an aluminum titanium nitride composition.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the aluminum titanium nitride composition is selected from the group consisting of: Al55Ti45N, Al60Ti40N, and Al66Ti34N.

50. The apparatus of claim 43, comprising a second valve thermal management composition coating at least a portion of the combustion face, the second valve thermal management composition comprising a reduced thermal conductivity relative to a substrate of the valve head.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the second valve thermal management composition comprises a ceramic coating.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the ceramic coating is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), titanium dioxide (TiO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

53. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the substrate of the valve head is a steel composition.

54. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the substrate of the valve head is an aluminum composition.

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