Forced Induction System Using Coanda Air Multiplier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current forced induction systems for internal combustion engines, such as turbochargers and superchargers, face limitations in maximizing airflow and efficiency, particularly in sports cars, where increasing air mass supply is crucial for performance without significant energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a first compressor to produce a compressed air stream, which is then directed over a Coandă surface by an air multiplier, entraining ambient air to create a second, significantly larger airflow stream, and a second compressor further compresses this combined stream for efficient engine supply, leveraging the Coandă effect to enhance airflow by up to 40 times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional forced induction systems (turbochargers/superchargers) are used, then the engine can receive compressed air, but the air mass supply is limited and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air multiplier acts as an intermediary device between the first compressor and the second compressor. It uses the Coandă effect to multiply the compressed air stream from the first compressor, creating a larger volume of air that is then fed to the second compressor. This intermediary step allows the system to achieve higher air mass supply without requiring a single large compressor that would consume excessive energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression process is segmented into two stages with an air multiplier in between. The first compressor compresses ambient air to a moderate pressure, the air multiplier expands this compressed stream using the Coandă effect to create a larger volume, and the second compressor further compresses this expanded stream. This segmentation allows each component to operate more efficiently than a single-stage system would require.
2Quantity of substance
If a single large compressor is used to maximize air mass supply, then the engine receives sufficient air, but the device complexity and energy waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the compression function into two separate compressors with an air multiplier between them. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, more efficient compressors rather than one large complex compressor, while the air multiplier adds functionality without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air multiplier uses pneumatic principles (the Coandă effect) to multiply the air stream from the first compressor. This pneumatic multiplication mechanism adds air mass supply capability without requiring additional mechanical complexity, as it uses fluid dynamics rather than mechanical multiplication.
3Quantity of substance
If the first compressor produces compressed air directly for the engine, then the system is simple, but the air mass supply is insufficient for high performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air multiplier serves as an intermediary that takes the compressed air from the first compressor and multiplies its volume using the Coandă effect. This allows the system to achieve higher air mass supply without requiring the first compressor to work at maximum capacity, and the added complexity is confined to the air multiplier component rather than the entire system.
4Loss of energy
If waste energy from the engine is used to power the compressors, then energy efficiency improves, but the system requires integration with the engine's waste energy stream
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts waste energy from the engine (typically exhaust gas energy) into useful work by driving the compressors. This transforms what would be lost energy into the driving force for the forced induction system, improving overall energy efficiency. The integration with the engine's waste energy stream adds complexity but enables this energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own waste energy to power its own compression requirements. The compressors are driven by energy that would otherwise be wasted, allowing the system to be self-sufficient and improve overall engine efficiency without requiring external power sources.
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
This configuration effectively increases air mass introduction into the engine, enhancing performance while potentially reducing energy consumption by utilizing waste energy from the engine to power the compressors, thereby improving engine efficiency and power output.
Implementation Method 1
an air multiplier arranged to receive the first stream of gas and eject the first stream of gas over a Coandă surface, the air multiplier configured to entrain ambient air with the ejected first stream of gas
Implementation Method 2
the air multiplier configured to entrain ambient air with the ejected first stream of gas to produce a second stream of gas
Implementation Method 3
a first compressor configured to produce a first stream of gas... The first stream of gas may comprise a compressed air stream. The first stream of gas may have a pressure of between 1 bar and 4 bar
Implementation Method 4
a second compressor arranged to receive the second stream of gas, and configured to compress the second stream of gas for supply to an internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
Various types of forced induction systems are known for various types of internal combustions engines, including turbochargers and superchargers typically used in cars. The present system includes a first compressor 2 configured to produce a first stream of gas 3, an air multiplier 4 arranged to receive the first stream of gas 3 and eject the first stream of gas 3 over a Coandă surface, the air multiplier 4 configured to entrain ambient air 5 with the ejected first stream of gas to produce a second stream of gas 8, and a second compressor 9 arranged to receive the second stream of gas 8, and configured to compress the second stream of gas 8 for supply to an internal combustion engine. In this way, a mass of air being introduced into an internal combustion engine can be increased, by virtue of the air multiplier 4 upstream of the second compressor 9.