Internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (10), comprising at least one combustion chamber (12) and at least one prechamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), the prechamber spark plug having a prechamber (34) and a plurality of transfer openings (36), by which the prechamber (34) is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber (12). The internal combustion engine (10) has a tank device (38), which is disposed outside of the combustion chamber (12) and outside of the prechamber (34) and in which ammonia (40) can be or is held, and the internal combustion engine (10) has a line element (44), by means of which the ammonia (40) can be introduced from the tank device (38) directly into the prechamber (34). The prechamber spark plug (32) has an ignition device (46), by means of which at least one ignition spark for igniting a mixture can be produced in the prechamber (34), the mixture comprising at least oxygen and the ammonia (40) introduced directly into the prechamber (34).

Description

[0001] Internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle >

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claims 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively.

[0004] WO 2013 / 172 141 A1 discloses an ammonia engine which uses ammonia gas as fuel.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, so that a particularly advantageous, in particular low-emission, operation can be realized.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine, also referred to as an internal combustion engine, motor, or internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle. This means that the internal combustion engine can be used, for example, for a motor vehicle designed in particular as a motor vehicle, very particularly as a passenger car, commercial vehicle, or truck, which is also simply referred to as a vehicle, so that the motor vehicle, in its fully manufactured state, can have the internal combustion engine and be driven by the internal combustion engine. The invention can also be used, for example, for agricultural vehicles, construction machinery, railway vehicles, rail-bound vehicles, land vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, boats, power generators, or other applications. The invention is not limited to vehicle applications. The internal combustion engine can be used for any application.The internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber, also referred to as the main combustion chamber. For example, the combustion chamber is at least partially delimited, in particular directly, by an engine block of the internal combustion engine. The combustion chamber is, for example, partially formed or delimited by a cylinder, wherein the cylinder can, for example, be formed or delimited, in particular directly, by the aforementioned engine block. For example, the engine block is a cylinder housing, in particular a cylinder crankcase. In particular, the internal combustion engine can be a reciprocating piston engine. The internal combustion engine can have an output shaft, for example designed as a crankshaft, which is rotatable about an output shaft axis of rotation relative to the engine block. The internal combustion engine can provide torque via the output shaft, in particular for driving the motor vehicle.Particularly when the internal combustion engine is operating, combustion processes occur in the combustion chamber. During each combustion process, a combustion chamber mixture, also referred to as the main mixture, is burned in the combustion chamber, thereby driving the output shaft. For example, the combustion chamber is also partially formed or delimited by a piston, which is arranged in the aforementioned cylinder in a particularly translationally movable manner. For example, the piston is pivotally coupled to the output shaft via a connecting rod. Thus, translational movements of the piston in the cylinder can be converted into a rotational movement of the output shaft.The respective combustion process drives, in particular, the piston and thereby moves, in particular translationally, relative to the engine block in the cylinder, whereby the output shaft is driven by the piston via the connecting rod and thus rotated about the output shaft rotation axis relative to the engine block.

[0008] The internal combustion engine has a pre-chamber spark plug assigned to the combustion chamber, which has a pre-chamber and a plurality of overflow openings via which the pre-chamber is fluidically connected to the main combustion chamber (combustion chamber). In particular, it is conceivable for the pre-chamber to be completely fluidically separated from the combustion chamber, with the exception of the overflow openings, which are also simply referred to as openings and are designed as through-openings, i.e. with the exception of respective fluidic connections between the pre-chamber and the combustion chamber realized via the overflow openings. The pre-chamber is delimited, for example, in particular directly, by a housing of the pre-chamber spark plug, in particular by an inner circumferential surface of the housing. In this case, it is particularly conceivable for the overflow openings to be formed in the housing.Thus, it is particularly conceivable that the pre-chamber is completely fluidically separated from the combustion chamber, with the exception of the overflow openings, i.e. with the exception of the respective fluidic connections between the pre-chamber and the combustion chamber realized via the respective overflow openings, in particular by the housing.

[0009] In order to be able to realize particularly advantageous, in particular low-emission, operation of the internal combustion engine, the first aspect of the invention provides that the internal combustion engine has, in particular at least or precisely, a tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the prechamber and thus different from the combustion chamber and the prechamber, in which ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3, in particular, for example, in the form of pure ammonia, can be or is accommodated. NH3 or with, in particular pure, ammonia is to be understood as the chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the empirical formula NH3.Expressed in other words, the feature that ammonia can be absorbed or accommodated in the tank facility is to be understood, for example, as meaning that the tank facility does not only store a starting material different from ammonia, i.e. NH3, from which ammonia, i.e. NH3, is or could be obtained, but rather, for example, at least or exclusively, in particular up to technically unavoidable impurities, ammonia, i.e. NH3, can be absorbed or accommodated, i.e. is to be stored or stored.Furthermore, it is conceivable that, alternatively or additionally, an ammonia-binding content or a substance that binds ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3, is accommodated in the tank device, for example a salt that binds ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3, wherein the salt releases, i.e. makes available, the ammonia bound to or in the salt, for example when the salt is heated, and wherein the salt itself, however, remains at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the tank device, so that the tank device is designed in particular to make available ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3. The substance, for example the salt, can then be regarded as part of the tank device. It is conceivable that the tank device comprises at least one tank or gas cylinder or a plurality of tank or gas cylinders.

[0010] Furthermore, the internal combustion engine has, in particular at least or precisely, one line element, in particular opening directly into the prechamber, by means of which the ammonia, in particular provided by the tank device, in particular in the form of NH3, can be introduced, i.e. introduced, from the tank device directly into the prechamber. This is to be understood in particular that the ammonia that can be accommodated or accommodated in the tank device can be discharged from the tank device and introduced into the line element and can subsequently flow through the line element and is guided and thus conducted by means of the line element to the prechamber and directly into the prechamber, so that the ammonia (NH3) originating from the tank device and flowing through the line element can flow out of the line element and thus flow directly into the prechamber, in particular bypassing the main combustion chamber.The feature that the ammonia from the tank device can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element, bypassing the main combustion chamber, is to be understood in particular as meaning that the ammonia originating from the tank device flows around the main combustion chamber on its way from the tank device via the line element, i.e. through the line element, into the pre-chamber, i.e. does not flow through the main combustion chamber and thus does not reach the pre-chamber via the main combustion chamber, but that the ammonia flowing through the line element is introduced directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element.

[0011] Furthermore, the pre-chamber spark plug has an ignition device by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber, in particular within a respective working cycle of the internal combustion engine, for igniting a mixture, also referred to as a chamber mixture or pre-chamber mixture, which mixture comprises at least oxygen and the ammonia introduced or introduced directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element. When reference is made below to the mixture, this means, unless otherwise stated, the pre-chamber mixture in the pre-chamber. In particular, it is provided that the mixture (pre-chamber mixture) in the pre-chamber contains no further fuel apart from ammonia. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the mixture (pre-chamber mixture) contains no other fuel apart from the ammonia and any hydrogen provided.

[0012] The ignition device comprises, for example, at least one electrode, in particular designed as a center electrode, and, for example, a ground element corresponding to the electrode, wherein the ignition spark can be generated between the electrode and the ground element. In this case, the term "ground element" is understood in particular to mean that the ground element has an electrical reference potential or is electrically contacted with an electrical reference potential, so that, for example, the ignition spark can be generated in such a way that an electrical voltage applied to the electrode is changed, in particular increased, while the electrical reference potential of the ground element remains unchanged.

[0013] The line element can comprise an injector, in particular an electrically operated injector. In other words, an injector, in particular an electrically operated injector, can be arranged in the line element. The injector is a valve element, in particular an electrically operated one, by means of which the ammonia from the tank device can be introduced directly into the prechamber, wherein, for example, by means of the injector or by means of the valve element, a quantity of ammonia to be introduced directly into the prechamber via the line element can be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated. In particular, the ammonia is introduced, in particular blown into the prechamber in a gaseous state, for example, via the line element or by means of the line element.

[0014] The invention is based in particular on the findings that ammonia has a high ignition temperature and a low combustion rate, particularly compared to fuels such as gasoline, petrol, and diesel. If no appropriate countermeasures are taken, this can lead to unfavorable combustion of the mixture. This can result in low efficiency and undesirable ammonia emissions. The aforementioned disadvantages and problems can now be avoided by the invention. Because the ammonia is introduced from the tank device directly into the prechamber via the line element, the prechamber is a purged prechamber. This enables efficient and low-emission operation.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at a connection point arranged upstream of the prechamber and downstream of the tank device in the flow direction of the ammonia flowing through the line element, a second line element branches off from the line element, which is also referred to as the first line element, by means of which at least or exclusively a portion of the ammonia flowing through the first line element can be branched off from the first line element at the connection point and introduced, i.e. introduced, into the combustion chamber by bypassing the prechamber. The said portion of the ammonia that can be branched off from the first line element by means of the second line element is also referred to, for example, as the first partial quantity.

[0016] The first partial quantity is branched off from the first line element, for example, by means of the second line element, in particular in such a way that a second partial quantity of the ammonia from the tank device remains in the first line element and continues to flow through the first line element, in particular beyond the connection point, wherein, for example, upstream of the connection point, the first partial quantity and the second partial quantity form a total flow of the ammonia flowing through the line element. At the connection point, the first partial quantity is branched off from the total flow by means of the second line element, in particular in such a way that the second partial quantity remains in the first line element and flows through the first line element, so that, for example, the second partial quantity is introduced directly into the prechamber by means of the first line element.The first partial quantity is introduced into the combustion chamber by means of the second line element in such a way that the first partial quantity bypasses the pre-chamber on its way from the connection point via the second line element into the combustion chamber, thus not flowing through the pre-chamber and thus not being introduced into the combustion chamber via the pre-chamber. In this case, it is conceivable for the second line element to open directly into the combustion chamber, for example, so that the first partial quantity of ammonia can be introduced, in particular introduced, directly into the combustion chamber by means of the second line element, preferably in a gaseous state, so that, for example, the second partial quantity of ammonia can be introduced, in particular injected, into the combustion chamber, in particular in a gaseous state.Furthermore, it is conceivable that, alternatively or additionally, the second line element opens into an inlet duct assigned to the combustion chamber, so that, for example, the first partial quantity of the ammonia is introduced into the inlet duct by means of the second line element and subsequently via the inlet duct into the combustion chamber. Here, too, the first partial quantity of the ammonia bypasses the prechamber on its way from the connection point into the combustion chamber, with the first partial quantity of the ammonia flowing into the combustion chamber via the second line element and the inlet duct. Via the inlet duct, for example, the aforementioned oxygen is introduced, in particular introduced, into the combustion chamber, in particular as a component of air. In other words, it is conceivable that air, also referred to as fresh air, is introduced, in particular introduced, into the combustion chamber via the inlet duct, wherein the air comprises the aforementioned oxygen.In this regard, the feature that, for example, the first partial quantity of ammonia is introduced, in particular blown in, directly into the combustion chamber by means of the second line element is to be understood that the first partial quantity of ammonia bypasses the inlet channel on its way from the connection point into the combustion chamber and is therefore not introduced, in particular blown in, via the inlet channel, but directly into the combustion chamber. Thus, the introduction of ammonia into the combustion chamber while bypassing the pre-chamber is to be understood that the ammonia does not flow through the pre-chamber on its way from the connection point through the second line element into the combustion chamber and is either guided directly into the combustion chamber or directly into the inlet channel or via the inlet channel into the combustion chamber.The aforementioned mixture (pre-chamber mixture) is formed, for example, in such a way that the oxygen or air, which is fed into the combustion chamber in particular via the inlet channel, can flow from the combustion chamber through the overflow openings and thus into the pre-chamber via the overflow openings. In this case, for example, the oxygen or air from the combustion chamber is conveyed, in particular pushed or pressed through, the overflow openings by means of the aforementioned piston, in particular on its way from a bottom dead center towards its top dead center, so that at least some of the air or at least some of the oxygen can flow from the combustion chamber into the pre-chamber via the overflow openings.In the pre-chamber, the mixture of oxygen or air and ammonia, which is introduced directly into the pre-chamber, can then be created or formed.

[0017] The combustion chamber mixture, also referred to as the main mixture, can be formed in the combustion chamber, in particular by a portion of the oxygen or air introduced into the combustion chamber not flowing into the prechamber, but remaining in the combustion chamber and forming the main mixture there with the ammonia, which was introduced into the combustion chamber bypassing the prechamber, and / or with hydrogen. Preferably, the main mixture does not comprise any other fuel other than the ammonia introduced into the combustion chamber. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the main mixture does not comprise any other fuel other than the ammonia introduced into the combustion chamber and with the exception of any hydrogen provided.

[0018] By igniting the mixture in the prechamber, the mixture is combusted. As a result, flames, also known as burning flares, i.e., the burning mixture from the prechamber, can flow through the transfer ports and thus into the combustion chamber, where they ignite the main mixture, which, for example, drives the aforementioned piston.

[0019] In order to be able to realize particularly advantageous combustion and thus particularly efficient and low-emission operation, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that a reactor, in particular a chemical reactor, is arranged in the line element, in particular downstream of the tank device and upstream of the pre-chamber, which reactor is designed to decompose, i.e. split, a first part of the ammonia flowing through the line element into, in particular pure, hydrogen, that is to say into H2, and to allow a second part of the ammonia flowing through the line element to pass through it, in particular undecomposed or unaffected, so that by means of the line element the ammonia and the hydrogen which have passed through can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber, in which the mixture comprising the ammonia and the hydrogen which has passed through (pre-chamber mixture) can be ignited by means of the ignition spark.The passed ammonia is understood to mean the second part of the ammonia, whereby the second part of the ammonia flows through the reactor but is not converted or decomposed by the reactor into hydrogen or into a substance other than ammonia.

[0020] For example, the reactor supports and / or effects, in particular catalytically, a particularly chemical decomposition and thus conversion of the ammonia, i.e. of the first part of the ammonia into hydrogen. In particular, it is conceivable for the reactor to be a catalyst. However, in particular with regard to its ability to decompose or split ammonia into hydrogen, the reactor is designed in such a way, in particular with regard to a total flow of ammonia formed, for example, by the first part and the second part, that the reactor does not convert the entire total flow, but only the first part of the ammonia into hydrogen, i.e. decomposes it, and allows the second part of the ammonia to pass through undecomposed, so that the second part of the ammonia flows through the line element both upstream of the reactor and downstream of the reactor, and is thus passed through by the reactor.Thus, the second part of the ammonia is also called the passed ammonia.

[0021] Since the reactor decomposes, i.e., converts, the first portion of the ammonia into hydrogen (H2), the prechamber mixture comprises the oxygen, the ammonia that has passed through, thus the second portion of the ammonia, and the hydrogen obtained from the first portion of the ammonia. It is preferably provided that the prechamber mixture contains no other fuel except for the ammonia and hydrogen. Since the mixture comprises the ammonia and hydrogen, particularly advantageous combustion can be achieved.

[0022] Another embodiment is characterized by the fact that the connection point is located upstream of the reactor. This allows a sufficient amount of ammonia to be easily introduced into the combustion chamber, bypassing the prechamber, thus enabling particularly advantageous operation.

[0023] A further embodiment is characterized in that a branch line branches off from the reactor, in particular directly, by means of which a portion of the ammonia passed through and a portion of the hydrogen obtained by the reactor from the ammonia originating from the tank device can be branched off, in particular directly, from the chemical reactor and introduced, in particular introduced, into the combustion chamber by bypassing the prechamber. For example, the branched-off hydrogen and the branched-off ammonia can be led from the reactor directly into the combustion chamber by means of the branch line or into the inlet channel and thus guided into the combustion chamber via the inlet channel. This embodiment also enables the hydrogen to be introduced into the combustion chamber by bypassing the prechamber, so that particularly advantageous combustion can also be ensured in the combustion chamber.This enables efficient and low-emission operation.

[0024] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a guide line branches off from the first line element in the flow direction of the ammonia flowing through the first line element at a branching point arranged downstream of the reactor and upstream of the prechamber. By means of this guide line, a portion of the ammonia flowing through the first line element and a portion of the hydrogen flowing through the first line element can be branched off from the first line element at the branching point and introduced into the combustion chamber, bypassing the prechamber. This allows the hydrogen to be introduced into the combustion chamber in a particularly simple manner, thus ensuring efficient and low-emission combustion.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber and at least one prechamber spark plug associated with the combustion chamber. The prechamber spark plug has a prechamber and a plurality of overflow openings via which the prechamber is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber. The previous and following statements regarding the first aspect of the invention can also be readily applied to the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0026] In order to be able to realize particularly advantageous, in particular particularly efficient and low-emission, operation of the internal combustion engine, it is provided in the second aspect of the invention that the internal combustion engine has, in particular at least, one additionally provided tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the pre-chamber and thus in particular different from the combustion chamber and the pre-chamber, into which ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3, can be or is received. The internal combustion engine also has, in particular at least or precisely, one line element through which the ammonia, in particular in the form of NH3, from the tank device can flow and which opens directly into the pre-chamber, in which line element, in particular at least, one reactor, in particular a chemical reactor, through which the ammonia from the tank device can flow is arranged.By means of the reactor, at least a portion of the ammonia flowing through the conduit element can be decomposed, i.e., converted, into hydrogen (H2), which can be introduced and thus introduced directly into the prechamber via the conduit element. This means that the hydrogen that is or was obtained by means of the reactor from the ammonia originating from the tank device can be introduced into the prechamber by bypassing the combustion chamber, so that the hydrogen that is or was obtained by means of the reactor from the ammonia originating from the tank device does not flow through the combustion chamber on its way from the reactor to the prechamber.The pre-chamber spark plug has an ignition device, in particular arranged at least partially in the pre-chamber, by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber for igniting a mixture comprising at least oxygen and the hydrogen introduced directly into the pre-chamber, also referred to as the pre-chamber mixture. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. The second aspect of the invention uses ammonia to extract hydrogen, in particular in the form of H2, from at least part of the ammonia with the aid of the reactor. This enables particularly advantageous combustion of the pre-chamber mixture, so that efficient and low-emission operation is achievable.

[0027] The conduit element in the second aspect of the invention can comprise an injector, in particular an electrically operable one, i.e., a valve element, in particular an electrically operable one, by means of which, for example, the hydrogen can be introduced directly into the prechamber. In particular, the injector can be used to adjust, i.e., control or regulate, the amount of hydrogen to be introduced directly into the prechamber.

[0028] A third aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine, also referred to as a motor, internal combustion engine, or internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine according to the third aspect of the invention has at least one combustion chamber and at least one pre-chamber spark plug associated with the combustion chamber, which has a pre-chamber and a plurality of overflow openings via which the pre-chamber is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber, also referred to as the main combustion chamber. The previous and following statements regarding the first aspect and the second aspect of the invention are readily applicable to the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0029] In order to be able to realize particularly advantageous, in particular particularly efficient and low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine, the third aspect of the invention provides that the internal combustion engine has at least one additionally provided first tank device, which is arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the pre-chamber and is therefore different from the combustion chamber and the pre-chamber, and in which hydrogen can be or is accommodated, in particular in the form of H2, for example in particular in the form of pure hydrogen. Thus, hydrogen in the form of H2 can be provided by means of the first tank device. The feature that hydrogen in the form of H2 can be or is accommodated in the first tank device is to be understood as meaning that the chemical compound of hydrogen with the empirical formula H2 can be or is accommodated in the first tank device.The internal combustion engine according to the third aspect of the invention further comprises, in particular at least or precisely, one line element opening directly into the prechamber, by means of which the hydrogen, in particular provided by the first tank device in the form of H2, in particular in the form of pure hydrogen, can be introduced from the first tank device directly into the prechamber, i.e., introduced, in particular bypassing the combustion chamber. This means that the hydrogen originating from the tank device bypasses the combustion chamber, also referred to as the main combustion chamber, on its way from the first tank device via the line element or through the line element into the prechamber, and thus does not flow through the combustion chamber.This means that the hydrogen originating from the first tank device does not flow through the combustion chamber on its way from the first tank device into the prechamber, i.e., does not flow via the combustion chamber into the prechamber. Instead, the hydrogen originating from the first tank device flows from the tank device via the conduit element directly into the prechamber, without flowing through the combustion chamber. In particular, the hydrogen originating from the first tank device can be introduced or introduced, in particular injected or injected, directly into the prechamber in the gaseous state by means of the conduit element.

[0030] The pre-chamber spark plug has an ignition device, in particular arranged at least partially in the pre-chamber, by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber for igniting a mixture comprising at least oxygen and the hydrogen introduced directly into the pre-chamber and originating from the tank device, also referred to as a pre-chamber mixture. In particular, the hydrogen in the form of H2, i.e. in the form of in particular pure hydrogen, can be introduced from the first tank device directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element. This means that the hydrogen which is introduced directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element originates from the first tank device and is not, or not only, generated from a substance different from hydrogen by converting the substance into hydrogen.

[0031] The internal combustion engine also has, in particular at least, a second tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the prechamber and thus different from the combustion chamber and the prechamber, which can be provided in addition to the first tank device. In particular, the first tank device exclusively contains hydrogen, in particular pure hydrogen, with the exception of technically unavoidable impurities.

[0032] The second tank facility contains ammonia, particularly in the form of NH3, particularly in the form of pure ammonia. The ammonia that can be or is stored in the second tank facility is understood to be the chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the molecular formula NH3. Thus, for example, with the exception of technically unavoidable impurities, only ammonia, particularly pure ammonia, can be or is stored in the second tank facility.

[0033] The internal combustion engine further comprises a conduit device, which is provided in particular in addition to the conduit element. By means of the conduit device, the ammonia provided or capable of being provided, in particular in the form of NH3, in particular in the form of pure ammonia, can be introduced from the second tank device directly into the prechamber and / or bypassing the prechamber into the combustion chamber and thus introduced, in particular injected. For example, by means of the conduit device, the ammonia originating from the second tank device in the gaseous state of the ammonia can be introduced directly into the prechamber and / or bypassing the prechamber into the combustion chamber and thus injected.The feature that the ammonia originating from the second tank device can be introduced and thus introduced directly into the prechamber by means of the line device, in particular bypassing the combustion chamber, is to be understood, as already described above with regard to the hydrogen originating from the first tank device, that the ammonia bypasses the combustion chamber on its way from the second tank device through the line device or via the line device into the prechamber and thus does not flow through the combustion chamber or via the combustion chamber into the prechamber, but the ammonia originating from the second tank device flows on its way through the line device into the prechamber without flowing through the combustion chamber.The feature that the ammonia originating from the second tank device can be introduced into the combustion chamber, alternatively or additionally, by means of the line device, bypassing the prechamber, is to be understood as meaning that, for example, the ammonia, on its way from the second tank device through the line device, i.e., via the line device into the combustion chamber, bypasses the prechamber and thus does not flow through the prechamber. It is conceivable, for example, that the line device opens directly into the combustion chamber, so that the ammonia originating from the second tank device and flowing through the line device is introduced, in particular blown in, directly into the combustion chamber, without flowing into the combustion chamber via the aforementioned inlet channel.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the ammonia originating from the second tank device to be introduced or blown directly into the inlet channel by means of the line device and subsequently introduced into the combustion chamber via the inlet channel, wherein the ammonia originating from the second tank device also flows around the prechamber and thus does not flow into the combustion chamber via the prechamber. For example, an injector, in particular an electrically operated injector, i.e., a first valve element, which is in particular electrically operated, actuatable, or movable, is arranged in the line element, by means of which the amount of hydrogen to be introduced directly into the prechamber can be adjusted, in particular regulated or controlled.Alternatively or additionally, a second injector, in particular an electrically operable one, can be arranged in the conduit device, i.e., a second valve element, in particular an electrically operable one, by means of which the amount of ammonia to be introduced directly into the prechamber and / or into the combustion chamber bypassing the prechamber can be adjusted, in particular regulated or controlled. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention and of the second aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.Because, in the third aspect of the invention, the hydrogen originating from the first tank device is introduced directly into the prechamber, so that the prechamber mixture comprises the hydrogen and the oxygen as well as, for example, the ammonia, in particular from the second tank device, particularly advantageous combustion can be ensured, so that particularly efficient and low-emission operation can be achieved. It is conceivable that the prechamber mixture contains no other fuel other than the hydrogen originating from the first tank device, or that the prechamber mixture contains no other fuel other than the hydrogen originating from the first tank device and the ammonia originating from the second tank device.

[0034] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine, also referred to as an internal combustion engine, motor, or internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine according to the fourth aspect of the invention has at least one combustion chamber, also referred to as the main combustion chamber, and at least one pre-chamber spark plug assigned to the combustion chamber, which has a pre-chamber and a plurality of overflow openings via which the pre-chamber is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine according to the fourth aspect of the invention also has an ignition device, in particular arranged at least partially in the pre-chamber, by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber for igniting a mixture that can be or is received in the pre-chamber.

[0035] The mixture is also referred to as the pre-chamber mixture. The previous and following statements regarding the first, second and third aspects of the invention can also be readily applied to the fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa. In order to be able to achieve particularly advantageous, in particular particularly low-emission and efficient operation of the internal combustion engine, the fourth aspect of the invention provides that the internal combustion engine has, in particular at least one additionally provided tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the pre-chamber and thus different from the combustion chamber and the pre-chamber, in which tank device ammonia can be or is accommodated, in particular in the form of NH3, i.e. in the form of pure ammonia.The ammonia absorbed or absorbable in the tank system, particularly in the form of NH3, is thus understood to be the chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the molecular formula NH3. This means, in particular, that ammonia (NH3) is already absorbed or absorbed in the tank system and not, or not only, a substance different from ammonia, from which ammonia is produced, i.e., extracted, in the form of NH3, for example, by decomposing and / or converting the substance.

[0036] The internal combustion engine according to the fourth aspect of the invention further comprises, in particular at least or precisely, a line element through which the ammonia from the tank device, also referred to as a tank, can flow, in particular in the form of NH3, in which a reactor, in particular a chemical reactor, is arranged, which is designed to decompose, i.e. convert, a first part of the ammonia flowing through the line element into hydrogen (H2) and to allow a second part of the ammonia flowing through the line element to pass through, in particular undecomposed or unconverted, so that by means of the line element, the ammonia passed through and the hydrogen, which was obtained or generated by means of the reactor from the ammonia originating from the tank device by means of the reactor converting, i.e. decomposing, the ammonia originating from the tank device into hydrogen,can be introduced into the combustion chamber, i.e., can be introduced into the combustion chamber, bypassing the prechamber. In particular, the hydrogen and the ammonia passing through can be introduced, in particular blown into, the combustion chamber in the gaseous state of the hydrogen and ammonia by means of the conduit element, bypassing the prechamber. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the second aspect of the invention, and the third aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages or advantageous embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0037] The feature that the ammonia and hydrogen passing through can be introduced into the combustion chamber by means of the conduit element, bypassing the prechamber, means that the ammonia originating from the tank device does not flow through the prechamber on its way from the tank device through the conduit element into the combustion chamber, and the hydrogen generated from the ammonia does not flow through the prechamber on its way from the reactor via the conduit element into the combustion chamber, i.e., does not flow into the combustion chamber via the prechamber, but bypasses the prechamber. For example, hydrogen and ammonia are blown directly into the combustion chamber by means of the conduit element, in particular introduced, in particular bypassing the previously described inlet channel.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the hydrogen and ammonia to be introduced, in particular blown in, directly into the aforementioned inlet channel by means of the line element and thus introduced into the combustion chamber via the inlet channel, whereby here too the ammonia and hydrogen bypass the pre-chamber and therefore do not flow into the combustion chamber via the pre-chamber. By introducing the hydrogen and ammonia into the combustion chamber, a combustion chamber mixture, also referred to as the main mixture, can be produced which comprises the ammonia introduced into the combustion chamber bypassing the pre-chamber and the hydrogen introduced into the combustion chamber bypassing the pre-chamber, as well as, for example, oxygen. In particular, the combustion chamber mixture comprises air, which comprises the aforementioned oxygen. The oxygen or air is introduced into the combustion chamber, for example, via the inlet channel.At least a portion of the combustion chamber mixture flows through the transfer openings from the combustion chamber into the prechamber, with this portion of the combustion chamber mixture then forming the aforementioned mixture, also referred to as the prechamber mixture, which can be or is received in the prechamber. The ignition spark can then ignite the prechamber mixture in the prechamber. This burns the prechamber mixture. This results in flames, also referred to as burning torches, which flow through the transfer openings and thus flow through the transfer openings into the combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, the flames ignite the combustion chamber mixture remaining in the combustion chamber, which is subsequently burned. By using both ammonia and hydrogen, particularly advantageous combustion can be achieved, enabling particularly efficient and low-emission operation.

[0038] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine, also referred to as an internal combustion engine, combustion motor or motor, in particular for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine according to the fifth aspect of the invention has at least one combustion chamber and at least one pre-chamber spark plug assigned to the combustion chamber, which comprises a pre-chamber and a plurality of transfer openings. The pre-chamber is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber, which is also referred to as the main combustion chamber, via the transfer openings. In the fifth aspect of the invention, an ignition device is also provided, in particular at least partially arranged in the pre-chamber, by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber for igniting a mixture, also referred to as a pre-chamber mixture, which can be received or is received in the pre-chamber.The previous and following statements regarding the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and the fourth aspect of the invention can also be readily applied to the fifth aspect of the invention, and vice versa. In order to achieve particularly advantageous, in particular particularly efficient, and low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine, the fifth aspect of the invention provides that the internal combustion engine has, in particular, at least one additional tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber and outside the prechamber and thus different from the combustion chamber and the prechamber, in which tank device ammonia is or can be accommodated, in particular in the form of NH3, in particular in the form of pure ammonia. The ammonia accommodated or capable of being accommodated in the tank device is the chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the empirical formula NH3.

[0039] In the fifth aspect of the invention, the internal combustion engine has at least, or precisely, one line element through which the ammonia from the tank device, also referred to as a tank, thus the ammonia provided by the tank device, in particular in the form of NH3, in particular in the form of pure ammonia, can flow, in which a reactor, in particular a chemical reactor, is arranged. The reactor is designed to decompose, i.e., convert, at least a portion of the ammonia flowing through the line element and originating from the tank device into hydrogen, so that the hydrogen can be introduced directly into the prechamber by means of the line element and / or into the combustion chamber by bypassing the prechamber.This is to be understood in particular that the hydrogen which has been obtained or produced from the ammonia originating from the tank device by converting at least part of the ammonia originating from the tank device into hydrogen by means of the reactor can be introduced and thus introduced directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element and thus bypassing the combustion chamber, in particular for example in gaseous form, that is to say in the gaseous state of the hydrogen, so that the hydrogen can be blown directly into the pre-chamber by means of the line element.The feature that the hydrogen produced in the manner described can be introduced, in particular blown, directly into the prechamber and thus bypassing the combustion chamber into the prechamber is to be understood that the hydrogen bypasses the combustion chamber on its way from the reactor through the line element, i.e. via the line element into the prechamber, i.e. does not flow via the combustion chamber into the prechamber.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, for example, the hydrogen obtained from the ammonia originating from the tank device can be introduced directly into the combustion chamber by means of the conduit element, bypassing the prechamber, whereby the hydrogen can be introduced in the gaseous state of the hydrogen directly into the combustion chamber and thus can be injected. This means that, for example, the hydrogen bypasses the prechamber on its way from the reactor through the conduit element into the combustion chamber, thus does not flow through the prechamber and is thus introduced directly into the combustion chamber, bypassing the prechamber, in particular also bypassing the aforementioned inlet channel.Alternatively or additionally, for example, the hydrogen is introduced, in particular blown in, directly into the inlet channel by means of the conduit element, in particular in the gaseous state of the hydrogen, so that, for example, the hydrogen bypasses the prechamber on its way from the reactor through the conduit element into the inlet channel and is introduced or introduced into the combustion chamber via the inlet channel. In other words, it is conceivable that the hydrogen can be introduced into the inlet channel by means of the conduit element, bypassing the prechamber, or into the combustion chamber via the inlet channel, whereby the hydrogen can be introduced, in particular directly into the combustion chamber by means of the conduit element, in particular in the gaseous state of the hydrogen.

[0041] In the fifth aspect of the invention, it is further provided that the internal combustion engine has a bypass line that is fluidly connected to the line element at a first connection point and at a second connection point spaced apart from the first connection point. In the flow direction of the ammonia flowing through the line element, the first connection point is arranged upstream of the reactor. In the flow direction of the ammonia flowing through the line element and the hydrogen flowing through the line element, the second connection point is arranged downstream of the reactor and in particular upstream of the prechamber and / or the combustion chamber and / or the inlet channel. In particular, the first connection point is arranged downstream of the tank device.By means of the bypass line, at least a portion of the ammonia flowing through the line element and originating from the tank device can be branched off from the line element at the first connection point and introduced into the bypass line. The ammonia branched off from the line element at the connection point and introduced into the bypass line can flow through the bypass line and is guided to the second connection point by means of the bypass line, bypassing the reactor, i.e. without flowing through the reactor and thus without being converted into hydrogen by the reactor, and is (re)introduced into the line element at the second connection point. The bypass line is preferably free of a reactor which is designed to specifically convert the ammonia flowing through the bypass line into hydrogen, i.e. to decompose it.This prevents the ammonia flowing through the bypass line from being decomposed into hydrogen. Thus, for example, a particularly advantageous fuel mixture can be formed in the line element downstream of the reactor, which comprises the hydrogen generated by the reactor from the ammonia originating from the tank device. Furthermore, the fuel mixture comprises ammonia flowing through the bypass line and thus bypassing the reactor. As a result, particularly advantageous, in particular particularly efficient and low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine can be achieved in a particularly simple manner. Particularly advantageous combustion can be ensured by using hydrogen.Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect and the fourth aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0042] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043] The drawing shows:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic representation of a first embodiment of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle;

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a partial schematic representation of a second embodiment of the internal combustion engine;

[0046] Fig. 3 shows a partial schematic representation of a third of the internal combustion engine; Fig. 4 shows a partial schematic representation of a fourth of the internal combustion engine; and

[0047] Fig. 5 shows a partial schematic representation of a first embodiment of a line region of the

[0048] internal combustion engine; and

[0049] Fig. 6 shows a partial schematic representation of a second embodiment of the line area.

[0050] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a first embodiment of an internal combustion engine 10, also referred to as an internal combustion engine, internal combustion engine or motor, in particular of a motor vehicle. This means that the motor vehicle, designed in particular as a motor vehicle, more particularly as a passenger car, or as a commercial vehicle, in particular as a truck, in its fully manufactured state has the internal combustion engine 10 and can be driven by the internal combustion engine 10. The internal combustion engine 10 has at least one combustion chamber 12, which is partially formed or delimited by a cylinder 14 and partially by a piston 16 accommodated in the cylinder 14 for translational movement.The cylinder 14 is formed or delimited, in particular directly, by an engine block 18 of the internal combustion engine 10, which is designed as a cylinder housing, in particular as a cylinder crankcase. The combustion chamber 12 is also partially delimited by a combustion chamber roof 20. The combustion chamber roof is formed, for example, by a cylinder head 22 of the internal combustion engine 10. The cylinder head 22 is a housing element of the internal combustion engine 10, preferably formed separately from the engine block 18 or connected to the engine block. During fired operation of the internal combustion engine 10, combustion processes take place in the combustion chamber 12. In particular, it is provided that within a respective working cycle of the internal combustion engine 10, in particular precisely one of the combustion processes takes place. The internal combustion engine 10 is designed, for example, as a 4-stroke engine.A two-stroke engine would, of course, also be possible. During the respective combustion process, a combustion chamber mixture, also referred to as the main combustion chamber, is combusted in the combustion chamber 12, which also serves as the main combustion chamber, resulting in exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine 10.

[0052] The piston 16 is pivotally coupled to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine 10, embodied, for example, as a crankshaft, via a connecting rod (not shown in Fig. 1). The combustion of the combustion chamber mixture drives the piston 16 and thereby moves it translationally relative to the engine block 18, whereby the output shaft is driven via the connecting rod and subsequently rotated about an output shaft rotation axis relative to the engine block 18. The internal combustion engine 10 can provide torque, in particular for driving the motor vehicle, via the output shaft. The respective working cycle preferably comprises exactly two complete revolutions of the output shaft and thus, in particular, exactly 720 degrees of crank angle.

[0053] At least one exhaust port 24 of the internal combustion engine 10 is assigned to the combustion chamber 12, wherein the exhaust port 24 is formed or delimited, for example, by the cylinder head 22. The exhaust gas can flow out of the combustion chamber and into the exhaust port 24 and subsequently flow through the exhaust port 24. A first gas exchange valve in the form of an exhaust valve 26, designed as a poppet valve, is assigned to the exhaust port 24 and is movable, in particular translationally, between a closed position shown in Fig. 1 and at least one open position relative to the cylinder head 22. In the closed position, the exhaust valve 26 blocks the associated exhaust port 24, so that no gas can flow from the combustion chamber 12 into the exhaust port 24 and, conversely, no gas can flow from the exhaust port 24 into the combustion chamber 12.In the open position, the exhaust valve 26 releases the exhaust channel 24, so that the exhaust channel 24 is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber 12. As a result, the exhaust gas can flow out of the combustion chamber 12 and into the exhaust channel 24. Furthermore, the combustion chamber 12 is assigned at least one inlet channel 28, which can be formed by the cylinder head 22. Air, which is referred to as fresh air, can flow through the inlet channel 28. The fresh air can thus be introduced into the combustion chamber 12 via the inlet channel 28, wherein the aforementioned combustion chamber mixture comprises the fresh air that flows through the inlet channel 28 and is introduced into the combustion chamber 12 via the inlet channel 28. A second gas exchange valve in the form of an inlet valve 30, designed as a poppet valve, is assigned to the combustion chamber 12. The inlet valve is arranged, in particular translationally, between the position shown in Fig.1, the intake valve 30 is movable into at least one open position relative to the cylinder head. In the closed position of the intake valve 30, the intake valve 30 blocks the intake port 28, so that no gas can flow from the intake port 28 into the combustion chamber 12 and, conversely, no gas can flow from the combustion chamber 12 into the intake port 28. In the open position of the intake valve 30, the intake valve 30 releases the intake port 28, so that the intake port 28 is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber 12. As a result, the fresh air flowing through the intake port 28 can flow out of the intake port 28 without flowing into the combustion chamber 21 and is thus introduced, in particular introduced, into the combustion chamber 12.

[0054] As will be explained in more detail below, the internal combustion engine 10 is an ammonia engine. The internal combustion engine 10 has a prechamber spark plug 32 assigned to the combustion chamber 12, which has, in particular, a prechamber 34 and a plurality of overflow openings 36. The prechamber 34 is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber 12, also referred to as the main combustion chamber, via the overflow openings 36. With the exception of respective fluidic connections created by the overflow openings 36 between the combustion chamber 12 and the prechamber 34, the prechamber 34 is completely fluidically separated from the combustion chamber 12, in particular by a housing 37 of the prechamber spark plug 32, the housing 37 of which the prechamber 34 is formed or delimited, in particular directly.

[0055] In order to realize particularly advantageous and, in particular, particularly efficient and low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine 10, the internal combustion engine 10 has a tank device 38 arranged outside the combustion chamber 12 and outside the prechamber 34 and thus different from the combustion chamber 12 and the prechamber 34, which is additionally provided thereto and in which ammonia 40 is held in the form of NH3. A level of the ammonia 40 held in the tank device 38 is designated 42 in Fig. 1. It can be provided that a gaseous phase and a liquid phase of the ammonia 40 can be held or are held in the tank device 38.

[0056] The internal combustion engine 10 also has a conduit element 44, which, in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, opens directly into the prechamber 34. By means of the conduit element 44, the ammonia 40 in the form of NH3 can be introduced from the tank device 38 directly into the prechamber 34, in particular bypassing the combustion chamber 12 and the inlet channel 28 and also the outlet channel 24. In particular, the ammonia originating from the tank device 38, for example, is introduced in a gaseous state by means of the conduit element 44 directly into the prechamber 34 and thus blown in.

[0057] The pre-chamber spark plug 32 has an ignition device 46, which is designed, for example, as a spark plug. From Fig. 1, it can be seen that the ignition device 46 is at least partially arranged in the pre-chamber 34. By means of the ignition device 46, in particular within the respective working cycle, at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber 34 for igniting a mixture, also referred to as the pre-chamber mixture, which is received and can be accommodated in the pre-chamber 34. The pre-chamber mixture (mixture) that can be accommodated or accommodated in the pre-chamber 34 comprises the ammonia and oxygen introduced directly into the pre-chamber 34 by means of the line element 44. For example, at least a portion of the fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 12 via the inlet channel 28 can flow through the transfer openings and thus flow from the combustion chamber 12 into the pre-chamber 34 via the transfer openings 36.The fresh air flowing into the prechamber 34 contains the aforementioned oxygen, which, together with the ammonia introduced directly into the prechamber 34, forms the prechamber mixture. The ignition spark ignites and combusts the prechamber mixture within the respective working cycle. This results in flames 48, also referred to as burning torches, which flow through the transfer openings 36 and thus flow into the combustion chamber 12 via the transfer openings 36. The flames 48 ignite and subsequently combust the aforementioned combustion chamber mixture, also referred to as the main mixture, which drives the piston 16 and, via the connecting rod, the output shafts.

[0058] The combustion chamber mixture comprises the fresh air remaining in the combustion chamber 12 and thus the oxygen contained in the fresh air remaining in the combustion chamber 12, as well as the ammonia 40 from the tank device 38, as will be explained in more detail below. Preferably, the combustion chamber mixture does not comprise any other fuel other than the ammonia originating from the tank device 38.

[0059] From Fig. 1 it can be seen that in the line element 44 downstream of the tank device 38 and upstream of the pre-chamber 34 there is arranged a valve element 50, which can be operated in particular electrically, by means of which a quantity of the ammonia to be introduced directly into the pre-chamber 34 by means of the line element 44 can be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated.

[0060] In the first embodiment, a second line element 52 branches off from the line element 44 at a connection point V1 located upstream of the prechamber 34 and downstream of the tank device 38. The line element 44 is thus also referred to as the first line element. By means of the second line element 52, a portion of the ammonia flowing through the first line element 44 and originating from the tank device 38, also referred to as the first partial quantity, can be branched off from the first line element 44 at the connection point V1 and introduced into the line element 52.The ammonia branched off from the line element 44 at the connection point V1 and introduced into the line element 52, that is to say the first partial quantity, can flow through the line element 52 and is introduced into the combustion chamber 12 by means of the line element 52, bypassing the prechamber 34, in the present case such that the ammonia flowing through the line element 52 is introduced by means of the line element 52 directly into the inlet channel 28 and via the inlet channel 28 into the combustion chamber 12, bypassing the prechamber 34. For example, a second portion of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44 remains in the line element 44 and thus flows from the connection point V1 further through the line element 44. In the line element 52, a second valve element 54, which is in particular electrically operable, is arranged, which is provided in particular in addition to the valve element 50.By means of the valve element 54, for example, the amount of ammonia to be introduced into the combustion chamber 12 by means of the line element 52 and bypassing the prechamber 34 can be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated. A check valve 56 is arranged in the line element 52 upstream of the inlet channel 28 and downstream of the valve element 54. This check valve 56 closes, in particular automatically, in the direction of the valve element 54 and thus prevents ammonia from flowing through the check valve 56 in the direction of the valve element 54, and opens in the direction of the inlet channel 28 and thus allows ammonia flowing through the line element 52 from the valve element 54 to and into the inlet channel 28, in particular automatically.

[0061] The combustion chamber mixture comprises the aforementioned oxygen originating from the fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 12 via the inlet duct 28, and the combustion chamber mixture comprises the ammonia, which is introduced into the inlet duct 28 by means of the conduit element 52 and via the inlet duct 28 into the combustion chamber 12, bypassing the prechamber 34. The flames 48 ignite the aforementioned combustion chamber mixture.

[0062] In the first embodiment, a reactor 58, in particular a chemical reactor, is arranged in the line element 44, which reactor is designed to decompose, i.e., to convert, a first part of the first partial quantity of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44 remaining in the line element 44 into hydrogen (H2), and to allow a second part of the first partial quantity of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44 to pass through, so that a line part 60 of the line element 44 extending downstream of the reactor 58 and opening, in particular, directly into the prechamber 34 is flowed through by the said hydrogen, which was generated by means of the reactor 58, and by the ammonia passed through. The valve element 50 is arranged in the line part 60.By means of the line part 60 and thus of the line element 44, the hydrogen generated by the reactor 58 and the ammonia passed through are introduced directly into the prechamber 34, so that the prechamber mixture received or receivable in the prechamber 34 comprises the ammonia passed through, the hydrogen generated by the reactor 58, and also the aforementioned oxygen, and is ignited by the ignition spark in the prechamber 34. This ensures particularly advantageous combustion of both the prechamber mixture and the combustion chamber mixture. From Fig. 1, it can be seen that in the first embodiment, the connection point V1 is arranged upstream of the, in particular, chemical reactor 58. For example, the chemical reactor is a catalyst.For example, the chemical reactor, in particular catalytic, is effective for a chemical reaction by which the ammonia flowing through the reactor 58 is partially converted into hydrogen.

[0063] A filter 62 through which the ammonia originating from the tank device 38 can flow is arranged in the line element 44, by means of which the ammonia flowing through the line element is filtered. The filter 62 is arranged downstream of the tank device 38 and upstream of the reactor 58, in particular upstream of the connection point V1. Furthermore, a heat exchanger 64 is arranged in the line element 44, which heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the tank device 38, in particular downstream of the filter 62, and upstream of the reactor 58, in particular upstream of the connection point V1. The ammonia flowing through the line element 44 and a temperature control medium, in particular a liquid or gaseous one, can flow through the heat exchanger 64. For example, the heat exchanger 64 is or functions as an evaporator by means of which the ammonia originating from the tank device 38 and initially in liquid form is evaporated.For this purpose, for example, a heat transfer takes place, during which heat is transferred from the temperature control medium via the heat exchanger 64 to the ammonia flowing through the heat exchanger 64. This heats, for example, the ammonia, so that the temperature control medium is used, for example, as a heating medium, and the heat exchanger 64 functions, is operable, or is operated, for example, as a heater for the ammonia.

[0064] For example, the ammonia 40 is held in the tank device 38 under pressure and thus, in particular, in a liquid or liquefied state. For example, the ammonia 40 is conveyed or passed from the tank device 38 with or without a pump through the filter 62 and the heat exchanger 64 to the reactor 58, also referred to as a cracker. In particular, the heat exchanger 64 is used to control the temperature of the ammonia flowing through the heat exchanger 64, in particular such that a reaction temperature, in particular of the ammonia, is set in the reactor 58. The temperature control medium can be, for example, water or exhaust gas, in particular the exhaust gas to be used from the internal combustion engine 10.Alternatively or additionally, an electrical heating element for, in particular, electrically heating the ammonia flowing through the line element 44 can be provided in addition to the heat exchanger 64 in the line element 44, in particular upstream of the reactor 58 and downstream of the tank device 38, in particular upstream of the connection point V1 and downstream of the tank device 38, in particular downstream of the filter 62. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature control medium can, for example, be a temperature control medium for cooling recirculated exhaust gas. Thus, the internal combustion engine 10 can comprise an exhaust gas recirculation system, by means of which at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine 10 is recirculated. The reactor 58 decomposes the aforementioned first portion of the ammonia (NH3) into or to nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2).The proportion of hydrogen in fuel in the line section 60, i.e. in a fuel mixture which is introduced directly into the pre-chamber 34 by means of the line element 44, is 0 to 20 percent molar fraction, i.e. for example greater than 0 percent and less than or equal to 20 percent molar fraction. The valve element 54, designed for example as a main injector, meters a main flow of ammonia directly into the inlet channel 28 and / or directly into the combustion chamber 12, wherein the main flow is formed, for example, by the aforementioned first partial quantity. The valve element 50 functions as a pre-chamber injector, which meters the fuel mixture, in particular as a partial flow, directly into the pre-chamber 34. For example, the pre-chamber mixture in the pre-chamber 34 is a rich mixture (A < 1.0). Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the combustion chamber mixture is a lean mixture (A > 1.0).A global fuel-air mixture, for example, is set either stoichiometrically (A = 1.0) or lean (A > 1.0). The advantage is that hydrogen lowers the ignition temperature and accelerates combustion due to its high combustion rate. Only the second portion, which flows through reactor 58, is decomposed by the reactor 58; the first portion, which flows through the conduit element 52, is not decomposed. The prechamber 34 multiplies the ignition energy for the combustion chamber 12, resulting in rapid combustion and high efficiency. In particular, complete burnout is achievable, which can prevent ammonia slip.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the internal combustion engine 10. In the second embodiment, the line element 52 is omitted. Instead, a branch line 66 branches off, in particular directly, upstream of the reactor 58, in which branch line the valve element 54 and the check valve 56 are arranged. By means of the branch line 66, a portion of the hydrogen obtained by means of the reactor 58 and a portion of the ammonia passed through the reactor 58 can be branched off from the reactor 58 and introduced into the combustion chamber 12, bypassing the prechamber 34, in this case via the inlet channel 28, such that the ammonia passed through the branch line 66 and the hydrogen flowing through the branch line 66, both originating from the reactor 58, are introduced by means of the branch line 66 directly into the inlet channel 28 and via this into the combustion chamber 12, thereby bypassing the prechamber 34.

[0066] The fuel mixture, i.e. the hydrogen forming the fuel mixture and the ammonia forming the fuel mixture are or together form, for example, a partial fuel mass which has a molar proportion of 0 to 20 percent or of greater than 0 and less than or equal to 20 percent molar proportion of a total fuel mass which, for example, is introduced into the combustion chamber 12 and the prechamber 34 together within the respective working cycle.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the internal combustion engine. Essentially, the third embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment, with the difference that the reactor 58 is not arranged in the conduit element 44.

[0068] Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the internal combustion engine 10. In the fourth embodiment, the line element 44 is provided, through which the ammonia 40 from the tank device 38 can flow. The reactor 58 is arranged in the line element 44. In the fourth embodiment, the reactor 58 is designed to decompose a first part of the ammonia 40 flowing through the line element 44 and originating from the tank device 38 into hydrogen and to allow a second part of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44 to pass through, so that the ammonia passed through and the hydrogen obtained or generated by the reactor 58 can be introduced or introduced into the combustion chamber 12 by means of the line element 44, bypassing the prechamber 34.In the fourth embodiment, the conduit element 44 opens directly into the inlet channel 28, so that the ammonia passing through and the hydrogen generated by the reactor 58, thus a fuel mixture comprising the ammonia passing through the reactor 58 and the hydrogen generated by the reactor 58 from the ammonia originating from the tank device 38, is introduced directly into the inlet channel 28. The fuel mixture can then flow through at least a portion of the inlet channel 28 and into the combustion chamber 12 via the inlet channel 28, thus bypassing the prechamber 34.Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the conduit element 44 to introduce the fuel mixture directly into the combustion chamber 12, bypassing the prechamber 34 and also bypassing the inlet channel 28, in particular to introduce it, for example, such that the conduit element 44 flows directly into the combustion chamber 12, in particular bypassing the inlet channel 28 and bypassing the prechamber 34. In particular, it was assumed that ammonia has a high ignition temperature and a low combustion rate. This can result in poor burnout of the prechamber mixture or the combustion chamber mixture. Consequences can be low efficiency and ammonia slip, and thus ammonia emissions. These problems and disadvantages can now be avoided by the internal combustion engine 10. The prechamber 34 multiplies the ignition energy of the ignition device 46, which is designed, for example, as a spark plug.The pre-chamber mixture, ignited and thus ignited by the ignition device 46 in the pre-chamber 34, flows through the overflow openings 36 into the combustion chamber 12 (pre-combustion chamber) and ignites the combustion chamber mixture there over a large area. This results in rapid and extensive, particularly complete, burn-through compared to pure spark plug ignition without the use of a pre-chamber. Thus, high efficiency can be achieved and excessive ammonia slip and thus excessive ammonia emissions can be avoided. The fact that ammonia (NH3) can be decomposed into or to nitrogen and hydrogen is also utilized. Hydrogen has a low ignition temperature and a high burning rate, especially compared to ammonia.By at least partially decomposing ammonia into hydrogen, in particular in the reactor 58, the combustion properties of the pre-chamber mixture or the combustion chamber mixture, wherein the combustion chamber mixture or the pre-chamber mixture can comprise the hydrogen obtained by means of the reactor 58 as well as the ammonia and, for example, also nitrogen, can be adjusted such that the combustion behaves advantageously with regard to efficiency and ammonia slip or ammonia emission as well as nitrogen oxide emission.

[0069] Fig. 5 shows a first embodiment of a line region 68. The line region 68 can, in particular, be a line or length region of the line element 44. From Fig. 5, it can be seen that the reactor 58 and, for example, also the heat exchanger 64 are arranged in the line region 68. In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a full flow is provided; in other words, in the first embodiment, the reactor 58 is designed as a full-flow reactor. This means that all of the ammonia originating from the tank device 38, which is, for example, taken from the tank device 38 and fed to the combustion chamber 12, bypassing the prechamber 34 and / or the prechamber 34, flows through the reactor 58 and is thus fed to the reactor 58. This enables a simple structure and simple control or regulation of the internal combustion engine 10. Furthermore, low conversion rates are sufficient.

[0070] Finally, Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the line region 68. In the second embodiment, a partial flow is provided. In other words, in the second embodiment of the line region 68, the reactor 58 is designed as a partial flow reactor. This means that the internal combustion engine 10 has a bypass line 70 which is fluidly connected to the line element 44 at a first connection point V1 and at a second connection point V2. In the flow direction of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44, the connection point V1 is arranged upstream of the reactor 58 and downstream of the tank device 38, in particular downstream of the heat exchanger 64. The connection point V2 is arranged downstream of the reactor 58 and upstream of the prechamber 34 or the combustion chamber 12 and / or the inlet channel 28.By means of the bypass line 70, at least or exclusively a portion, a first partial quantity, of the ammonia flowing through the line element 44, which originates from the tank device 38, can be branched off from the line element 44 at the first connection point V1 and introduced into the bypass line 70. The branched ammonia introduced into the bypass line 70 flows through the bypass line 70 and is guided by the bypass line 70, bypassing the reactor 58, to the flowing V2 and is reintroduced into the line element 44 at the connection point V2. This means that the ammonia flowing through the bypass line 70 does not flow through the reactor 58 and is thus not decomposed into hydrogen by the reactor 58. As a result, the reactor 58 can advantageously be designed to be small, and excessive energy consumption can be avoided.An advantageously precise setting of an advantageous reaction temperature, in particular of the ammonia, in the reactor 58 makes it possible to set respective, in particular different, conversion rates of a particularly chemical reaction, in the context of which or by which the ammonia is decomposed into hydrogen and in particular also nitrogen. In particular, the reaction temperature is advantageously regulated. Another advantage of the full flow is that complete conversion of the ammonia into or to hydrogen is possible. An advantage of the partial flow is that particularly high conversion rates of the reactor 58 or in the reactor 58 can be achieved, whereby a particularly advantageous mixing ratio of the fuel mixture downstream of the reactor 58 can be set, in particular by setting, in particular regulating, the reaction temperature.In particular, it is possible, especially in the case of the partial flow, that all of the ammonia supplied to the reactor 58 is decomposed, i.e. converted, into hydrogen by means of the reactor 58, whereby the hydrogen is obtained or generated from the ammonia supplied to the reactor 58.

[0071] For example, the reactor 58 has an electrical heating element, so that the reactor 58 can be electrically heated, for example. This allows, for example, the reaction temperature to be advantageously adjusted, in particular regulated. The electrical heating element is or comprises, for example, an electrically heatable disk, which is arranged in particular at an inlet of the reactor 58, which is designed, for example, as a catalyst. The electrical heating element, in particular in the form of the electrically heatable disk, responds quickly and thus enables precise adjustment, in particular regulation, of the reaction temperature, in particular of the ammonia and / or in the reactor 58.

Claims

CLAIMS: Internal combustion engine (10), with at least one combustion chamber (12), and with at least one pre-chamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), which has a pre-chamber (34) and several transfer openings (36) via which the pre-chamber (34) is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber (12), characterized in that: - the internal combustion engine (10) has a tank device (38) arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34) in which ammonia (40) can be received or is received, - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit element (44) by means of which the ammonia (40) can be introduced directly from the tank system (38) into the pre-chamber (34), and - the pre-chamber spark plug (32) has an ignition device (46) by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber (34) to ignite a mixture comprising at least oxygen and the ammonia (40) introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34). Internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a second line element (52) branches off from the line element (44) at a connection point (V) arranged upstream of the pre-chamber (34) and downstream of the tank device (38), by means of which a portion of the ammonia (40) flowing through the first line element (44) can be diverted from the first line element (44) at the connection point (V) and introduced into the combustion chamber (12) by bypassing the pre-chamber (34). Internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A reactor (58) is arranged in the conduit element (44), which is configured to decompose a first portion of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) into hydrogen and to allow a second portion of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) to pass through, so that the passed-through ammonia (40) and the hydrogen can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34) by means of the conduit element (44), in which the mixture comprising the passed-through ammonia (40) and the hydrogen is to be ignited by means of the ignition spark. Internal combustion engine (10) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the connection point (V) is arranged upstream of the reactor (58).Internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a branch line (66) branches off from the reactor (58), by means of which a part of the ammonia (40) passed through and a part of the hydrogen from the reactor (58) can be diverted and introduced into the combustion chamber (12) by bypassing the pre-chamber (34). Internal combustion engine (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a guide line branches off from the first line element (44) at a branch point arranged downstream of the reactor (58) and upstream of the prechamber (34), by means of which a portion of the ammonia (40) flowing through the first line element (44) and a portion of the hydrogen flowing through the first line element (44) can be branched off at the branch point from the first line element (44) and introduced into the combustion chamber (12) by bypassing the prechamber (34).internal combustion engine (10), with at least one combustion chamber (12), and with at least one pre-chamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), which has a pre-chamber (34) and several. has overflow openings (36) through which the pre-chamber (34) is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber (12), characterized in that: - the internal combustion engine (10) has a tank device (38) arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34) in which ammonia (40) can be received or is received, - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit element (44) through which the ammonia (40) from the tank device (38) can flow, in which a reactor (58) is arranged, by means of which at least a part of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) can be decomposed into hydrogen, which can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34) by means of the conduit element (44), and - the pre-chamber spark plug (32) has an ignition device (46) by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber (34) to ignite a mixture comprising at least oxygen and hydrogen introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34). Internal combustion engine (10), with at least one combustion chamber (12), and with at least one pre-chamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), which has a pre-chamber (34) and several transfer ports (36) through which the pre-chamber (34) is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber (12), characterized in that: - the internal combustion engine (10) has a first tank device arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34), in which hydrogen can be received or is received, - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit element by means of which the hydrogen from the first tank device can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34), - the pre-chamber spark plug (32) has an ignition device (46) by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber (34) to ignite a mixture comprising at least oxygen and the hydrogen introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34), - the internal combustion engine (10) has a second tank device (38) arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34), in which ammonia (40) can be received or is received, and - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit (44) by means of which the ammonia (40) from the second tank assembly (38) can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34) and / or bypassing the pre-chamber (34) into the combustion chamber (12). Internal combustion engine (10), with at least one combustion chamber (12), and with at least one pre-chamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), which has a pre-chamber (34), several transfer ports (36) through which the pre-chamber (34) is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber (12), and an ignition device (46) by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber (34) to ignite a mixture, characterized in that: - the internal combustion engine (10) has a tank device (38) arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34) in which ammonia (40) can be received or is received, - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit element (44) through which ammonia from the tank (38) can flow, in which a reactor (58) is arranged, which is configured to decompose a first part of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) into hydrogen and to allow a second part of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) to pass through, so that the passed-through ammonia (40) and the hydrogen can be introduced into the combustion chamber (12) by means of the conduit element (44), bypassing the prechamber (34). Internal combustion engine (10), with at least one combustion chamber (12), and with at least one prechamber spark plug (32) associated with the combustion chamber (12), which has a prechamber (34), several transfer openings (36) through which the prechamber (34) is connected to the Combustion chamber (12) is fluidically connected, and has an ignition device (46) by means of which at least one ignition spark can be generated in the pre-chamber (34) to ignite a mixture, characterized in that: - the internal combustion engine (10) has a tank device (38) arranged outside the combustion chamber (12) and outside the pre-chamber (34) in which ammonia (40) can be received or is received, - the internal combustion engine (10) has a conduit element (44) through which the ammonia (40) from the tank system (38) can flow, in which a reactor (58) is arranged, which is designed to decompose at least a part of the ammonia (40) flowing through the conduit element (44) into hydrogen, so that the hydrogen can be introduced directly into the pre-chamber (34) and / or into the combustion chamber (12) by means of the conduit element (44), and - the internal combustion engine (10) has a bypass line (70) arranged upstream of the reactor (58) and downstream of the tank system (38) and a bypass line (70) arranged downstream of the reactor (58) which is fluidically connected to the line element (44), by means of which at least a part of the ammonia (40) flowing through the line element (44) can be diverted from the line element (44) at the first connection point (V1) and guided to the second connection point (V2) by bypassing the reactor (58) and introduced into the line element (44) at the second connection point (V2).

Images