Compressed Air Engine Speed Control via Electric Motor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressed air engines face challenges in controlling speed due to complex and costly systems requiring multiple stages of compression and accelerator valves, limiting their widespread adoption.

Innovation Solution

An air engine system that includes an electric motor coupled to the drive shaft, controlled by an accelerator and speed controller, using compressed air from a compressor to control the engine speed, allowing for retrofitting of internal combustion engines to operate on compressed air without combustion, thereby simplifying speed control and reducing complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple stages of air compression and accelerator valves are used to control engine speed, then speed control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine speed controlVSAvoidcompression stages and valves

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the speed control function from the complex air compression and valve system, isolating it into a separate electric motor control system. The electric motor's speed is controlled independently via accelerator and speed controller, which then drives the air engine at the desired speed without requiring complex air flow modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple compression stages and accelerator valves with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor, controlled by electronic components (accelerator and speed controller), substitutes for the mechanical air compression and valve control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining speed control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If multiple stages of air compression and accelerator valves are used to control engine speed, then speed control capability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine speed controlVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the speed control function from the expensive multi-stage compression and valve system, placing it in a more cost-effective electric motor control system. The accelerator and speed controller provide affordable electronic control compared to the mechanical complexity of multiple compression stages and accelerator valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes expensive mechanical components (multiple compression stages, accelerator valves) with a more cost-effective electric motor and electronic control system. This replacement reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving speed control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If internal combustion engine heads are replaced with solenoid-controlled head plates, then environmental cleanliness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion emissionsVSAvoidretrofit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the combustion-based valve control system with solenoid-controlled head plates. The solenoids, actuated by electronic signals, replace the traditional intake and exhaust valves in the engine heads, eliminating combustion emissions while providing a manageable retrofit solution through standardized solenoid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides a clean, environmentally friendly means of locomotion with efficient energy consumption, reducing operational costs by using compressed air to power vehicles, achieving significant energy savings and simplifying speed control without the need for complex air flow or pressure variations.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor coupled to the drive shaft of an air engine to control the speed of the air engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

compressed air from a compressed air source provided by an air compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS8850807B2Compressed air engine

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 HB SPIDER LLC

AI summary

An air engine system includes a motor coupled to the drive shaft of an air engine to control the speed of the air engine. The air engine uses compressed air from a compressed air source provided by an air compressor. The air engine may be used on a vehicle, providing a clean environmentally-friendly means of locomotion. Conventional internal combustion engines may be retrofitted to operate on compressed air. Many of the parts on an internal combustion engine are not needed after retrofitting to be an air engine, including the heads. The heads are replaced by head plates that are coupled to solenoids that provide both intake and exhaust functions to the cylinders, thereby replacing the valves in the heads. A kit provides parts and instructions for retrofitting an existing internal combustion engine to run on compressed air.