Internal combustion engine and method for operating the same

Abstract

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1) comprising at least one combustion reservoir (4) for storing a gaseous medium, wherein the combustion reservoir (4) has a first controllable inlet (42) for admitting an oxygen-containing gaseous medium into the combustion reservoir (4) and a second controllable inlet (44) for admitting a fuel, and a first controllable outlet (46) for releasing a gas from the combustion reservoir (4), wherein this controllable outlet is in, or can be brought into, fluidic connection with a turbine device (6), and comprising an ignition device (30), which is suitable for and intended to ignite a mixture of the oxygen-containing medium and the fuel located in the combustion reservoir (4).

Description

[0001] Internal combustion engine and method for its operation

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine, in particular an internal combustion engine, and a method for operating the same.

[0004] Internal combustion engines have long been known in the art, for example, as diesel or gasoline engines. These two engine types are based on the principle that pistons are set in motion, driving the connecting rods, resulting in the overall rotation of a crankshaft. However, this principle gives rise to a systematic problem, resulting in the efficiency of such internal combustion engines rarely exceeding 40%, and in the case of gasoline engines, even significantly below 30%. The radiant heat from the engine components and the heat from the exhaust gases remain unused and are therefore not available as drive energy.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the object of increasing the efficiency of such internal combustion engines. In addition, a combustion engine is to be provided that, on the one hand, converts the resulting combustion heat into kinetic energy and, in principle, can be operated with a wide variety of fuels.

[0006] These objects are achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. A combustion engine according to the invention has at least one combustion reservoir for storing a gaseous medium, wherein the combustion reservoir has a controllable inlet for admitting an oxygen-containing gaseous medium (in particular, air) into the combustion reservoir, as well as a controllable inlet for admitting a fuel (in particular, into the combustion reservoir).

[0007] Furthermore, the internal combustion engine has a controllable outlet for discharging a gas from the combustion reservoir (in particular, a combustion gas under increased pressure), wherein this controllable outlet is in flow connection with a turbine device (or can be brought into such a flow connection by means of a valve device). Furthermore, an ignition device is preferably provided, which is suitable and intended to ignite a mixture of the oxygen-containing medium and the fuel located in the combustion reservoir.

[0008] This can increase pressure. It's also possible to ignite the fuel without an ignition device, as is common in diesel engines.

[0009] It is therefore proposed that, unlike in a conventional internal combustion engine, combustion or explosion is also induced, but the pressure is not used to drive a piston, but to drive a turbine, and in particular a gas and / or steam turbine.

[0010] Most preferably, the turbine device is a gas turbine or a steam turbine. As described in detail below, a preferred embodiment uses a turbine that operates according to the positive displacement principle and / or that follows the principle of a Wankel engine and / or the principle of an Omega 1 engine.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the machine is at least partially and preferably completely insulated, and in particular thermally insulated. It is preferably provided that the resulting waste heat can be used at least partially and preferably largely for charging a reservoir or pressurizing it. In a further preferred embodiment, two or more turbine devices are provided.

[0012] These turbine devices preferably have very high speeds, for example speeds greater than 20,000 rpm, preferably greater than 40,000 rpm, preferably greater than 60,000 rpm and particularly preferably greater than 80,000 rpm.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the first combustion reservoir is a pressure reservoir. This means that it can withstand comparatively high pressures, thus ensuring that the resulting pressure is directed directly to the turbine device.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of valves is provided which ensures that the gas produced during combustion reaches the turbine essentially in its entirety.

[0015] Particularly preferably, this ignition device is a spark plug. Particularly preferably, a control device is provided which causes this ignition device to be ignited at given times, in order to thereby carry out the combustion or explosion within the combustion reservoir at predetermined times.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the internal combustion engine has two or more combustion reservoirs. These can particularly preferably be connected in such a way that combustion occurs in these combustion reservoirs at different times or periods.

[0017] In this way, it is possible to supply the turbine device with a substantially uniform gas flow, in particular in order to drive it uniformly.

[0018] The internal combustion engine preferably has a control device that supplies the fuel in a predetermined manner, at predetermined times, and / or in a predetermined amount. For example, the fuel can be supplied in a stoichiometric amount to achieve the most ideal combustion possible. Particularly preferably, it would be possible to supply the fuel to the combustion chamber or combustion reservoir via multiple supply paths.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the combustion reservoir has a circular or elliptical cross-section. For example, the combustion reservoir can have a spherical shape. Particularly preferably, the walls of the combustion reservoir are rounded or curved. Particularly preferably, the combustion reservoir has a spherical or cylindrical interior volume.

[0020] It would also be possible to locate the fuel inlet not directly at the combustion reservoir, but rather at the supply line through which the gaseous medium is also supplied. This would allow for improved fuel distribution or injection.

[0021] Preferably, the fuel is selected from a group of fuels including gasoline, diesel, biogas, natural gas, hydrogen, methane, propane, butane, wood gas, ethanol, ammonia, mixtures thereof and the like.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the internal combustion engine has a further reservoir which can preferably be filled with the oxygen-containing gaseous medium (in particular air) under pressure and which preferably has an outlet for the gaseous medium which can be brought into or is in flow connection with the first controllable inlet of the combustion reservoir.

[0023] When using a gaseous fuel, it is also possible to fill the additional reservoir directly with this fuel.

[0024] Particularly preferably, this second reservoir has a receiving volume which is greater than 2dm 3 , preferably larger than 4dm 3 , preferably larger than 8dm 3 , preferably larger than 10dm 3 , preferably larger than 20dm 3 and preferably larger than 30dm 3 .

[0025] Particularly preferably, this second reservoir has a receiving volume which is less than 1000 dm 3 , preferably smaller than 500dm 3 , preferably smaller than 300dm 3 , preferably smaller than 200dm 3 , preferably smaller than 100dm 3 and preferably smaller than 50dm 3 . This further reservoir can preferably be filled with an air pressure that is greater than 1 bar, preferably greater than 2 bar, preferably greater than 3 bar, preferably greater than 4 bar.

[0026] Preferably, this further reservoir can be filled with an air pressure that is less than 2000 bar, preferably less than 1000 bar, preferably less than 500 bar, 100 bar, preferably less than 80 bar, preferably less than 60 bar, preferably less than 40 bar and particularly preferably less than 20 bar.

[0027] From this additional reservoir, the above-mentioned combustion reservoirs can be supplied with compressed air.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the device comprises a distribution device that connects said outlet of the additional reservoir to any multiple inlets of the combustion reservoirs that may be present. A control device is also particularly preferably provided that controls the supply of the gaseous medium from the additional reservoir to the combustion reservoir(s).

[0029] This first control device can comprise a plurality of valve devices that control the supply to the individual combustion reservoirs. In addition, the control device can also control the supply of fuel to the combustion reservoirs.

[0030] In addition, the control device preferably also controls the spark plugs or the ignition device, which causes the combustion or explosion in the combustion reservoirs.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a further reservoir for storing a liquid medium, in particular water. This water can also be fed - in particular in a controlled manner - to the combustion reservoir(s). In this way, a vapor mixture can be generated during combustion, which preferably causes a further increase in pressure in the combustion reservoir and which preferably simultaneously lowers the combustion temperature. In this way, the production of nitrogen oxides is reduced. In a further advantageous embodiment, the device also has a control device which controls the feed of the air produced during combustion into the turbine device. Here, too, a sequence of the individual feeds of the combustion gas into the turbine device can be controlled.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the burnt air or the burnt gas is supplied to the turbine device at a pressure of at least 2 bar, preferably at least 5 bar, preferably at least 10 bar, preferably at a pressure of at least 15 bar and preferably at a pressure of at least 20 bar.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the burnt air or the burnt gas is supplied to the turbine device at a pressure of at most 2000 bar, preferably at most 1000 bar, preferably at most 500 bar, preferably at most 200 bar, preferably at most 100 bar, preferably at most 80 bar, preferably at most 60 bar, and preferably at most 40 bar.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment, the combustion engine has an outlet which can discharge combustion gases from the turbine.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, the internal combustion engine has at least one compressor device for compressing the gas in the additional reservoir. Compression is particularly preferably carried out to at least 2 bar, preferably to at least 3 bar, preferably to at least 4 bar, and preferably to at least 5 bar.

[0036] It's possible that this compressor unit draws in ambient air. It's also possible that the compressor unit draws in heated air or air that has been heated via a heat exchanger.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the cool air supplied to the compressor is guided past hot parts of the machine to be heated. It is also possible for the resulting hot exhaust gases to be fed to a heat exchanger to heat the air supplied to the compressor. Particularly preferably, the aforementioned turbine device has a further outlet for discharging a gas, in particular exhaust gas, from the circuit or the machine.

[0038] In addition, it is also possible to make the heat generated during combustion and / or the hot gases in the combustion reservoir or from the combustion reservoir available to the exhaust air of the compressor, so that the effect of a heat exchanger is used here.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment, the internal combustion engine has at least one first - in particular controllable - valve device in order to control the inlet of the gaseous medium into the combustion reservoir.

[0040] Preferably, the combustion engine has at least one second - in particular controllable - valve device in order to control the supply of fuel into the combustion reservoir.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the internal combustion engine comprises at least one third—in particular controllable—valve device for controlling the outlet of the gaseous medium from the combustion reservoir. It would also be possible for this third valve device to be a non-controllable valve device, for example, a (in particular pre-tensioned) check valve, which opens, for example, when a certain pressure threshold is exceeded.

[0042] Preferably, the valve devices are designed such that the active flow of the gaseous medium always occurs from the further reservoir via the combustion reservoir to the turbine device.

[0043] In a further advantageous embodiment, the internal combustion engine has at least one heat exchanger device for supplying heat generated during combustion with the combustion reservoir to the gaseous medium, the additional reservoir. In this way, the operating points of the engine can be improved. In a further advantageous embodiment, the additional reservoir has a larger volume than the combustion reservoir. The volume of the additional reservoir is preferably at least three times as large, preferably at least five times as large, preferably at least eight times as large, and preferably at least ten times as large as the volume of the combustion reservoir.

[0044] In a further advantageous embodiment, the turbine device has a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and preferably a circular segment-shaped or annular channel is provided between this gas inlet and the gas outlet. A projection coupled to an output shaft and / or a rotary piston is preferably movable along this channel.

[0045] In a further advantageous embodiment, the internal combustion engine has at least one pressure measuring device. This pressure measuring device can particularly preferably measure a (particularly instantaneous) pressure within the combustion reservoir. This pressure can also be used to control the internal combustion engine. In a further preferred embodiment, the engine has a plurality of pressure measuring devices. It is possible for each pressurized part of the engine to be assigned a pressure measuring device.

[0046] These measured values ​​can be fed to a central control unit, enabling improved control of the machine.

[0047] However, it is also possible for such a pressure sensor to be arranged in the further reservoir in order to determine the pressure there.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of a gas in the combustion reservoir and / or a gas in the additional reservoir. These temperature values ​​can also be used to control the internal combustion engine.

[0049] The present invention is further directed to a gas turbine, in particular for an internal combustion engine, and in particular for an internal combustion engine of the type described above. This gas turbine has a gas inlet for supplying a pressurized gas to the gas turbine and an outlet for discharging the gas from the gas turbine.

[0050] In addition, an output shaft is provided which can be driven by the gas and rotated with respect to a first axis of rotation D.

[0051] According to the invention, the gas turbine has an annular (and / or toroidal) channel, within which both the gas inlet and the gas outlet are arranged, and a projection is arranged at least indirectly on the output shaft, which projection can move along a circular path through this channel and / or which is movable along the circular path through this channel.

[0052] Preferably, an outer cross-section of the projection is arranged adjacent to an inner cross-section of the channel. This ensures that essentially no or only very little gas can pass between the inner wall of the channel and the outer surface of the projection.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the projection is arranged on a first ring, which in turn is coupled to the output shaft. In this way, the output shaft can also be driven by the movement of the projection relative to the channel.

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment, the gas turbine has a disk rotatable with respect to a second axis of rotation or a ring rotatable with respect to a second axis of rotation.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the second axis of rotation is parallel to the first axis of rotation.

[0056] In a further preferred embodiment, the rotational movement of the rotatable disc is coupled to the rotational movement of the output shaft.

[0057] In a further advantageous embodiment, the rotatable disc has a recess into which the projection can engage. As mentioned above, the projection is preferably dimensioned such that it can seal the channel.

[0058] In a further preferred embodiment, the disc or ring on the one hand and the output shaft on the other hand are coupled in such a way that they have the same rotational speed, so that the projection always hits the recess.

[0059] This coupling can be achieved, for example, via gearing.

[0060] The present invention further relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine. A gaseous, oxygen-containing medium is fed into a combustion reservoir. Furthermore, a fuel is fed into the combustion reservoir.

[0061] In a further step, the mixture of the oxygen-containing medium and the fuel is ignited and finally the medium produced by the combustion (which has a high overall pressure) is released from the combustion reservoir through an outlet and used in particular to drive a (gas) turbine.

[0062] This turbine device preferably generates electricity—in particular by means of a generator. Subsequently, residual gas or exhaust gas is preferably released from the turbine.

[0063] Particularly preferably, a gaseous medium is introduced into several, in particular parallel, combustion reservoirs and the mixtures in these several combustion reservoirs are ignited at different times in order to continuously drive the above-mentioned turbine device.

[0064] Further advantages and embodiments are shown in the attached drawings, which show:

[0065] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention;

[0066] Fig. 2 shows a first representation of a turbine device; and Fig. 3 shows a second representation of a turbine device.

[0067] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an internal combustion engine according to the invention.

[0068] This internal combustion engine 1 has three combustion reservoirs 4. Reference numeral 2 denotes a further reservoir, which serves to hold a gaseous medium, in particular air.

[0069] This further reservoir 2 has two inlets 31, 33, via which air can be supplied to the further reservoir 2, in particular air under pressure.

[0070] The reference numeral 27 designates an outlet through which the pressurized air can reach an intermediate reservoir 35 and from there be distributed to the three combustion reservoirs 4.

[0071] The reference numeral 22 denotes valve devices and in particular controllable valves with which the air can be supplied to the respective combustion reservoirs 4.

[0072] The combustion reservoirs 4 each have first inlets 42 through which air can be supplied to the combustion reservoirs 4. In addition, valves 24 are also provided, with which a combustion gas or a combustion substance can be supplied to the combustion reservoirs 4.

[0073] The reference numerals 30 denote an ignition device such as a type of spark plug with which the fuel-gas mixture within the combustion reservoirs 4 can be ignited.

[0074] Reference numeral 44 denotes a further valve device for supplying a liquid, in particular water, to the combustion reservoirs 4.

[0075] The resulting pressurized combustion gas is preferably collected again in a distribution device 56 and, in particular, fed to a turbine device 6. This turbine device can drive a generator 26, which generates electrical energy. In addition, the turbine 6 can also drive a compressor 28, which in turn compresses the air and feeds it to the further reservoir via a line 52.

[0076] Reference numeral 32 denotes an electrical storage device such as a battery. Reference numeral 13 denotes a drive device such as an electric motor, which in turn drives the compressor 12.

[0077] Figure 2 shows a highly simplified representation of the turbine device 6. This has a housing 60, within which an output shaft 62 is rotatably mounted with respect to a rotational axis D. In Figure 2, the rotation here occurs along the arrow P1, ie clockwise.

[0078] An annular body 64 is arranged on the output shaft 62, on which in turn a projection 66 is arranged.

[0079] Reference numeral 68 denotes another rotating disc, which has a recess 76 into which the projection 66 can engage. The ring 64 and the disc 68 are connected, preferably via a toothing, so that their rotational movements are coupled to one another.

[0080] Also, an outer diameter of the ring 64 is preferably the same size as an outer diameter of the disk 68. The disk 68 rotates coupled with the rotation of the ring 64, here counterclockwise.

[0081] Reference numeral 72 denotes an inlet for the pressurized combustion air, and reference numeral 74 denotes an outlet. Reference numeral 65 denotes a channel in which the projection 66 can move, preferably along a circular channel extending around the rotational axis D.

[0082] Preferably, the contours of the rotating bodies 68 and 64 extend essentially gaplessly in the directions of rotation P1 and P2, thus preferably sealing the pressure chamber from the rotary piston 66. This preferably results in a forced movement of the rotary piston 66, which is caused by the gas flow. A non-forced movement is generated, for example, in gas turbines or steam turbines, since, for example, a propeller or rotor driven by the flow could nevertheless be decelerated.

[0083] The forced motion described here utilizes a principle also used by positive displacement machines, such as piston engines, gear pumps, or rotary piston compressors. A piston or similar element displaces air in a cylinder when it is moved. The pressure cannot escape in this case. Therefore, the piston must follow the air column.

[0084] In the turbine system proposed here, the mechanical efficiency increases considerably compared to a propeller or rotor turbine, whereby this increase is achieved by the forced movement.

[0085] The manufacturing of the turbine shown in Figures 2 and 3 requires high precision. The gaps between the functional parts range from a few micrometers to 1 / 100 of a millimeter. This ensures that no air or gas can flow past the functional parts without performing work on the rotary piston. The smaller this gap width, the higher the efficiency.

[0086] When the projection 66 is in the position shown by the dashed rectangle, compressed air is admitted via the inlet 72. This causes the projection to move further and, in particular, the output shaft 62 is driven in this way.

[0087] In the rotational position shown in Figure 2, the remaining combustion gas can be discharged via the outlet 74 and, as soon as the projection 66 is again moved over the opening 72, compressed air can again be introduced into the chamber 65.

[0088] The turbine shown here is similar to the principle of an engine that has recently become known as the Omega engine. This engine concept combines elements from a turbine, a Wankel engine, and a compressor. However, in this case, the principle is not applied to an engine in the strict sense, but rather to a gas or air turbine.

[0089] This engine principle is operated via two separate double discs, whereby a drive shaft, in particular a hollow drive shaft, is set in motion. A first pair of discs serves as a compressor for the intake air, while a second pair of discs takes care of the combustion and thus the actual work in the case of the engine.

[0090] In both the turbine devices proposed here, only one pair of discs is provided, since the combustion, as mentioned above, takes place in the combustion reservoir.

[0091] Preferably, a recess and a pin rounded on one side (referred to above as a projection) are mounted on each of the opposing discs. The recess can also serve as a compression chamber, and the pin can serve as a piston, for example.

[0092] Fig. 3 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the turbine shown in Fig. 2. Here, too, two rotatable wheels are provided, namely, on the one hand, the rotatable ring 64 also present in Fig. 2, and here, a further ring 67, which has the same function as the disk body 68 shown in Fig. 2.

[0093] In addition, the projection 66 is also provided, which moves within the channel 65. An inlet 72 for the compressed air or combustion gas is also provided, as well as an outlet 74. The preferably concave inner surface of the hollow ring 67 preferably contacts the outer surface of the rotary piston 62 and preferably tightly seals the pressure chamber against the projection 66.

[0094] The turbine described here has the advantage that it can have a particularly high level of efficiency and can also be built very lightweight.

[0095] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features that may be advantageous in and of themselves. The skilled person will immediately recognize that a specific feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without adopting further features from that figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures.

Claims

Internal combustion engine and method for its operation Internal combustion engine (1) with at least one combustion reservoir (4) for storing a gaseous medium, wherein the combustion reservoir (4) has a first controllable inlet (42) for admitting an oxygen-containing gaseous medium into the combustion reservoir (4) and a second controllable inlet (44) for admitting a fuel and a first controllable outlet (46) for discharging a gas from the combustion reservoir (4), wherein this controllable outlet is in flow connection with a turbine device (6) or can be brought into flow connection with it, and with a preferably provided ignition device (30) which is suitable and intended to ignite a mixture of the oxygen-containing medium and the fuel located in the combustion reservoir (4).Internal combustion engine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) has a further reservoir (2) which can be filled with the oxygen-containing gaseous medium under pressure and which has an outlet (62) for the gaseous medium which can be brought into flow connection with the first controllable inlet (42). Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) has a compressor device (12) in order to compress the gas located in the further reservoir. Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) has at least one first, in particular controllable, further valve device (22) for controlling the inlet of the gaseous medium into the combustion reservoir and / or a second controllable valve device (24) for controlling the supply of fuel to the combustion reservoir and / or a third, particularly controllable, valve device (26) for controlling the outlet of the gaseous medium from the combustion reservoir (4). Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) has at least one heat exchanger device for supplying heat generated during combustion in the combustion reservoir (4) to the gaseous medium in the further reservoir (2). Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further reservoir (2) has a larger volume than the combustion reservoir (4).Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine device (6) has a gas inlet (72) and a gas outlet (74), and between this gas inlet (72) and the gas outlet (74) a circular segment-shaped channel (65) is provided, along which a projection (66) coupled to an output shaft (62) is movable. Internal combustion engine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) has at least one pressure measuring device. Gas turbine (6), in particular for an internal combustion engine (1), with a gas inlet (72) for supplying a pressurized gas to the gas turbine (6). and with an outlet (74) for discharging the gas from the gas turbine, and with an output shaft (62) driven by the gas and rotatable with respect to a first rotational axis D, characterized in that the gas turbine (6) has an annular channel (64) within which both the gas inlet (72) and the gas outlet (74) are arranged, and a projection (66) is arranged on the output shaft, which can move along a circular path through this channel (64).

10. A method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps: - feeding a gaseous and oxygen-containing medium into a combustion reservoir; - feeding a fuel into the combustion reservoir; - Ignition of the mixture of the oxygen-containing medium and the fuel; - Outlet of the medium produced by combustion through an outlet and driving a turbine.

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