Twin combustion chamber engine

Abstract

A dual combustion chamber engine for fuels, wherein two movable, hollow engine pistons (2) are arranged within a housing (1) of an engine, and a free end of a guide body (3) as a component of the housing (1) projects into the hollow engine pistons (2), and the free end of the guide body (3) and the interior of an engine piston head (4) form an inner combustion chamber (5), and the exterior of the piston head (4) together with the housing (1) of the engine forms a second, outer combustion chamber (6), wherein each of the hollow engine pistons (2) is guided by the guide body (3) and the housing (1) and is adapted with its dimensions and body shape to the housing (1) and the guide body (3), and a mechanism for absorbing and transmitting the kinetic energy of the engine piston (2) is arranged at the end opposite the engine piston head (4), characterized in thatthat the two engine pistons (2) are boxer-shaped and each arranged on a guide body (3), and between the two engine pistons (2) a central supply (9) is arranged in the guide bodies (3) for supplying fuel to the two inner combustion chambers (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a twin combustion chamber engine for fuels, wherein two movable, hollow engine pistons are arranged within a housing of an engine and a free end of a guide body as a component of the housing projects into the hollow engine pistons and the free end of the guide body and the interior of an engine piston head form an inner combustion chamber and the exterior of the piston head together with the housing of the engine forms a second, outer combustion chamber, wherein each of the hollow engine pistons is guided by the guide body and the housing and is adapted with its dimensions and body shape to the housing and the guide body and at the opposite end to the engine piston head of each engine piston a mechanism for absorbing and transmitting the kinetic energy of the engine piston is arranged.

[0002] In the document DE 102 54 037 A1 a two-cylinder two-stroke internal combustion engine is described which has at least two cylinders arranged coaxially one behind the other, alternately fired, which are each connected to a fuel supply and in each of which a pair of pistons is provided which can move back and forth in opposite directions and which each delimits a combustion chamber in the cylinder, wherein the pistons which move in the same direction are rigidly connected to one another and are operatively connected via their connections to an energy converter, wherein a sensor system is provided for at least one pair of pistons, via which data on the position, movement, working frequency and speed of the pistons is recorded, and a control device associated with the sensor system is provided for controlling the operation according to the recorded data, wherein furthermore each cylinder is provided at one end with a plurality of pistons which are distributed in at least one row on its circumference,is provided with inlet openings forming an inlet plane, which are connected to an inlet duct arrangement, and is provided at the other end with a plurality of outlet openings distributed around the circumference, which are connected to an exhaust duct arrangement, and wherein the fuel supply to the cylinders opens out in the region of the inlet plane.

[0003] Furthermore, document DE 10 2008 006 340 B4 describes a method for the synchronous and asynchronous control of the pistons of a free-piston / opposed-piston energy generator with the following features: Two pistons that work against each other in a cylinder in a two-stroke cycle; the kinetic energy of the pistons is transformed into electrical energy by linear generator windings; the two pistons are cushioned by air buffers that are connected to each other via a connecting line for synchronization; a control unit is arranged in the connecting line; the movement of the pistons is controlled asymmetrically, with the linear windings being switched to "motor operation" on the one hand, and the control unit in the connecting line controlling the pressure in the buffer on the other.

[0004] DE 10 2005 063 408 B4 describes a free-piston engine having a first combustion cylinder arrangement comprising a first cylinder liner defining a substantially circular first engine cylinder, an inner piston arrangement comprising a first inner piston arranged within the first engine cylinder, an outer piston arrangement comprising a first outer piston having a head facing the first inner piston and arranged within the first engine cylinder, wherein the first outer piston has a first piston bridge arranged outside the first engine cylinder at the end of the first outer piston opposite the head, wherein the first piston bridge has an elliptical outer surface with a maximum diameter that is larger than the cylinder diameter of the first engine cylinder, and a first scavenging pump connected to the first cylinder liner and having a first scavenging pump housing.in which an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening are formed and which defines a main pumping chamber which receives the first piston bridge, the main pumping chamber being cylindrical and having an elliptical cross-section such that the elliptical outer surface of the first piston bridge seals against the main pumping chamber.

[0005] Another free-piston internal combustion engine with an electric linear drive is described in DE 10 2008 042 169 A1. This engine comprises at least one piston device with a piston and a rotor device, at least one piston receptacle in which the at least one piston is movably arranged, and at least one stator device arranged on the piston receptacle, wherein a force can be applied to the piston during a movement between a first dead center and a second dead center by means of fuel gas expanding from a combustion chamber and a maximum pressure occurs in the combustion chamber, wherein a magnetic field can be generated by the stator device, by means of which a force can be applied to the piston device, such that the movement of the piston can be controlled and / or regulated such that the pressure in the combustion chamber fluctuates by less than 30%, in particular less than 10%, during combustion.

[0006] In the document DE 10 2011 017 248 B4 a free piston machine is described which has - at least two pairs of four cylinders Z arranged opposite one another and four pistons K moving back and forth in them, each pair of pistons K being mounted on a cylindrical piston rod T, characterized in that - two cylindrical guides F are located on each piston rod T, each end of which is set in the cylinder Z or in a support S attached to it, - two cross members V are each made up of which surrounds the piston rod T and the guide F; on each piston rod T two support stages r are formed, between which its surrounding area U is arranged; the cross member V consists of two parts, each of which has a semicircular area h for surrounding the piston rod T at its surrounding area U, so that there is a safe minimum distance between the semicircular areas h and the surrounding area U during operation;both cross members V or both connecting rods P are connected by a connecting rod L, so that rotational movement of the cross members V is excluded, - two crank-connecting rod mechanisms mounted on the entire shaft W; each connecting rod P is coupled to one of the cross members V; these mechanisms are coupled firstly to the starter by the shaft W and secondly to the camshaft N by a gear-belt drive ZR, - the pistons K and the components of the gas exchange system are arranged in the cylinders Z in such a way that four different strokes take place in them.;

[0007] In the document DE 10 2015 122 795 A1 a free-piston linear generator is described which is constructed according to the counter-piston principle, the inlet openings are assigned to one piston and the outlet channels to the counter-piston, so that a pure longitudinal scavenging results, wherein according to a corresponding method the control of the movement of the pistons is designed so that the piston opens the outlet openings first.

[0008] DE 102 19 549 A1 describes a free-piston combustion device with an electric linear drive. A dual-combustion-chamber engine with a single piston is described in US 2 138 351 A. US 2017 / 0 362 972 A1 describes a two-stroke internal combustion engine with two boxer-type pistons. The fuel supply is decentralized, with each combustion chamber having a separate fuel supply.

[0009] The object of the invention is to improve an internal combustion engine of the type described above in such a way that the fuel supply is realized with a smaller number of components and thus more cost-effectively.

[0010] This object is achieved by an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are listed in the subclaims.

[0011] This inventive solution has several advantages over the known prior art: - There is a thermal separation between the hot engine area and the normal usage area. - A higher energy density is achieved, meaning the design is more compact. - The waste heat can be used for the air conditioning when used as a range extender in an electric car. - Due to the advantages, the efficiency is higher than that of the known processes. - In one variant, the engine piston can be designed so that the exhaust gases from the inner combustion chamber are discharged through an opening in the piston wall into the exhaust duct of the outer combustion chamber. The exhaust port is open or closed depending on the piston position. - In a design with counter-rotating engine pistons, this ensures smooth running, as the directions of movement are opposite. Furthermore, this design enables four-stroke operation with two cylinders.

[0012] The movable engine piston is arranged within a housing. This engine piston is guided once through the housing and then further through a guide body. The engine piston therefore slides within the housing as an outer guide body and on the inner guide body. The engine piston is hollow and its dimensions and shape are adapted to the housing and the guide body. One end of the inner guide body protrudes into the engine piston and, together with its end and the interior of the engine piston, forms the inner combustion chamber. The movable end of the engine piston, also known as the engine piston head, together with the housing forms a second, outer combustion chamber. At the other end of the engine piston, opposite the engine piston head, is the mechanism for absorbing and transmitting the kinetic energy of the engine piston, e.g. a connecting rod and shaft or the mechanism for a pump.The air and fuel supply to the inner combustion chamber is provided via the inner guide body. For the outer combustion chamber, the media supply is provided directly at the housing to the outer combustion chamber. The exhaust gases from the inner combustion chamber are discharged via the inner guide body or through an exhaust port in the engine piston and an exhaust port in the housing.

[0013] The working process of the two combustion chambers takes place in a coordinated temporal sequence, so that the engine piston performs a back and forth movement.

[0014] An advantageous variant is the arrangement of two engine pistons arranged one behind the other in a housing, which work in opposite directions. The mechanical structure of each engine piston, however, is as already described above. The two engine pistons are arranged in a boxer shape. According to the invention, the supply of fuel and the components for the ignition for the two inner combustion chambers is realized via a common, central supply, which is located midway between the two engine pistons. The advantage of this design is that with the engine pistons rotating in opposite directions and thus in opposite directions of movement, a high level of smoothness is ensured. The engine is operated in the known processes as a 2-stroke engine or as a 4-stroke engine. 4-stroke operation is possible, for example, through the linear arrangement and mechanical connection of two pistons or two cylinders.

[0015] Another advantageous variant is the use of electromagnetic induction using the engine piston according to the invention. For this purpose, magnets are arranged on or in the outer side walls of the engine piston. Corresponding electrical coils are arranged in the housing. The movement of the engine piston induces electrical current in the coils. This makes it possible to use it as an electric generator. When used in vehicle construction, the generated electrical energy can be used to charge the vehicle's battery.

[0016] Another variant operates according to a similar principle: a pump. Mechanical elements are arranged on the outside of the engine piston, connecting it to a pump inside or on the engine housing. The pump's operation is secondary here. What's important is that the pump is an integrated part of the engine housing.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. Herein: Fig. 1 the principle sectional view through the engine housing with a cylinder, where the engine piston has an inner combustion chamber and the piston head forms an outer combustion chamber with the housing, Fig. 2 the principle sectional view through the engine housing with two oppositely operating pistons each with two combustion chambers, Fig. 3 the schematic sectional view through the motor housing with a cylinder and magnets fixed to the outer surface of the piston and a coil arrangement in the motor housing, Fig. 4 the principle sectional view through the motor housing with pump pistons fixed to the piston and a pump housing integrated in the motor housing Fig. 5 the principle sectional view through the engine housing with bolts fixed to the piston for transferring the kinetic energy to the connecting rod and Fig. 6 the schematic sectional view through the engine housing with magnets integrated in the piston skirt, the corresponding coil arrangement in the engine housing, the energy absorption at the piston by means of the connecting rod, the exhaust openings of the inner and outer combustion chamber and the media supply.

[0018] In the simplest variant of the inventive solution, the internal combustion engine has a movable engine piston 2 in the housing 1 with two combustion chambers 5, 6, an inner combustion chamber 5 and an outer combustion chamber 6. The engine piston 2 is guided through the housing 1 and through a guide body 3. The engine piston 2 thus slides within the housing 1 as an outer guide body 3 and on the inner guide body 3. The engine piston 2 is hollow and its dimensions and shape are adapted to the housing 1 and the inner guide body 3. One end of the inner guide body 3 projects into the engine piston 2 and, together with its end and the interior of the engine piston 2, forms the inner combustion chamber 5. The end of the engine piston 2, also defined as the engine piston head 4, together with the housing 1 forms a second, outer combustion chamber 6.At the other end of the engine piston 2, opposite the engine piston head 4, the mechanism for absorbing and transmitting the kinetic energy of the engine piston 2 is arranged, e.g. one or more connecting rods 7 or the mechanism for a pump piston 17 of a pump 12. The air and fuel supply for the inner combustion chamber 5 takes place via the inner guide body 3. The exhaust gases from the inner combustion chamber 5 can also be discharged via this. For the outer combustion chamber 6, the media supply takes place directly at the housing 1 to the outer combustion chamber 6. The exhaust gases from the inner combustion chamber 5 can, as in . Fig. 6, can also be discharged through an exhaust port 16 in the engine piston 2 and subsequently through an exhaust port 15 in the housing 1. This exhaust port 15 is simultaneously the exhaust port of the outer combustion chamber 6. The operating process of the two combustion chambers 5, 6 occurs in a coordinated temporal sequence, so that the engine piston 2 performs a reciprocating movement. Due to this movement, the exhaust port 16 is temporarily closed by the guide body 3 and the housing 1. Conventional piston seals 13 seal the combustion chambers 5, 6 during the combustion process of the fuel.

[0019] An advantageous variant, as in Fig. 2, the arrangement consists of two engine pistons 2 arranged one behind the other in a housing 1, which work in opposite directions. However, the mechanical structure of each engine piston 2 is as already described above. The two engine pistons 2 are arranged in a boxer shape. The supply of fuel and the components for the ignition for the two inner combustion chambers 5 are realized via a common, central supply 9, which is located midway between the two engine pistons 2. The advantage of this design is that with the engine pistons 2 running in opposite directions and thus in opposite directions of movement, a high level of smoothness is ensured. Furthermore, with a mechanical connection of the engine pistons 2, this design enables four-stroke operation with two cylinders.

[0020] A further advantageous variant is the use of electromagnetic induction by means of the engine piston 2 according to the invention. For this purpose, magnets 11 are arranged on or in the outer side walls of the engine piston 2. Correspondingly, electrical coils 10 are arranged in the housing 1. The movement of the engine piston 2 induces electrical current in the coils 10. This enables use as an electric generator. By extending the engine piston 2 and the inner guide body 3, the generator can be separated from the hot area of ​​the combustion chambers 5, 6. When used in vehicle construction, the generated electrical energy can be used to charge the vehicle battery.

[0021] A pump operates according to a similar principle as another variant. Mechanical elements are arranged on the outside of the engine piston 2, which form the connection to a pump 12 in or on the housing 1 of the engine or are designed as pump pistons. The operation of the pump 12 is secondary here. The pump 12 is an integrated component of the housing 1 of the engine.

[0022] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the various forms of energy can be generated simultaneously. For example, one or more pumps 12 and / or one or more generators can be arranged one after the other on or at the engine piston 2.

[0023] By means of different designs or arrangements of the combustion chambers 5, 6, e.g. parallel, consecutive or in revolver form, the smooth running can be influenced and the size of an engine can be designed in a very wide range, e.g. from the smallest pumps 12 to engines in ship or power plant use.

[0024] The kinetic energy of the engine piston 2 can be transferred directly from the engine piston 2 to the connecting rod 7, as shown in Fig. 6, or laterally via bolts 8 to the connecting rods 7, as in Fig. 5 shown, are transferred.

[0025] As in Fig.6, the engine piston 2 can have piston seals 13 to the housing. This is also conceivable between the engine piston 2 and the inner guide body 3. The media supply 14 for the outer combustion chamber 6 takes place here in the movement area of ​​the engine piston head 4. The media supply 18 for the inner combustion chamber 5 takes place via the inner guide body 3. The exhaust gas discharge can also take place via this inner guide body 3. Summary of reference symbols 1 housing 2 engine pistons 3 guide bodies 4 Engine piston head 5 inner combustion chamber 6 outer combustion chamber 7 connecting rods 8 bolts 9 central supply 10 coil 11 magnets 12 Pump, pump housing 13 Piston seal 14 Media supply for outer combustion chamber 15 Exhaust opening inner and outer combustion chamber 16 Exhaust opening inner combustion chamber 17 pump pistons 18 Media supply for inner combustion chamber

Claims

[1] A twin-combustion chamber engine for fuels, wherein two movable, hollow engine pistons (2) are arranged within a housing (1) of an engine, and a free end of a guide body (3) as a component of the housing (1) projects into the hollow engine pistons (2), and the free end of the guide body (3) and the interior of an engine piston head (4) form an inner combustion chamber (5), and the exterior of the piston head (4) together with the housing (1) of the engine forms a second, outer combustion chamber (6), wherein each of the hollow engine pistons (2) is guided by the guide body (3) and the housing (1) and is adapted with its dimensions and body shape to the housing (1) and the guide body (3), and a mechanism for absorbing and transmitting the kinetic energy of the engine piston (2) is arranged at the opposite end to the engine piston head (4) of each engine piston (2), characterized bythat the two engine pistons (2) are boxer-shaped and each arranged on a guide body (3), and between the two engine pistons (2) a central supply (9) is arranged in the guide bodies (3) for supplying fuel to the two inner combustion chambers (5). [2] Twin combustion chamber engine according to claim 1, characterized by that the engine pistons (2) are designed in such a way that the mechanical energy can be transmitted directly by means of the connecting rod (7). [3] Twin combustion chamber engine according to claim 1, characterized by that the two engine pistons (2) are connected mechanically or via electronic control and can therefore be moved synchronously. [4] Twin combustion chamber engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that magnets (11) are arranged on or in the engine pistons (2) and correspondingly in the housing (1) electrical coils (10), each forming a generator. [5] Double combustion chamber engine according to claim 1, characterized by that a pump piston (17) of a pump is fixed to the motor piston (2) and a pump housing (12) for gases or liquids is integrated in the housing (1) of the motor or the motor piston (2) has mechanical connections (8) between the motor piston (2) and the pump (12). [6] Twin combustion chamber engine according to claim 1, 4 or 5, characterized by that the engine pistons (2) are designed for various energy generation methods for transmitting mechanical kinetic energy and for generating electromagnetic current. [7] Twin combustion chamber engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the combustion chambers (5, 6) are designed for the selective or different use of different fuels. [8] Motor according to claim 1, characterized by that several combustion chambers (5, 6) are provided in parallel, one after the other. [9] Motor according to claim 1, characterized bythat several combustion chambers (5, 6) are provided in revolver form. [10] Motor according to claim 1, characterized by that the energy forms generated can be used conversely to start the engine.

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