Compressed-Air Engine with Modular Cylinder Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reciprocating piston engines face inefficiencies and environmental concerns, while electric drive systems pose significant ecological challenges, including manufacturing and disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air motor with dual-acting cylinder-reciprocating piston devices, utilizing electric valves for flexible control and operation, and a vehicle system incorporating multiple pressure tanks for adaptable energy storage and delivery, eliminating the need for drivetrain components like transmissions and differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional reciprocating piston engines are used, then mechanical energy conversion is achieved, but environmental harm and inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional combustion-based mechanical energy conversion with a pneumatic system that uses compressed air to drive piston movements. The electric motor compresses air in a reservoir, and this compressed air then drives the reciprocating piston devices, eliminating combustion and its associated environmental harm while improving energy efficiency through direct pneumatic power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the working medium from combustible gases to compressed air, fundamentally altering the energy conversion process. By using pneumatic pressure instead of thermal combustion, the system achieves the same mechanical work without the harmful emissions and energy losses characteristic of conventional engines.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric drive systems are used, then environmental harm is reduced, but manufacturing and disposal issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into separate functional modules: an electric motor for compression, a reservoir for air storage, and reciprocating piston devices for power delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and disposed of independently, simplifying the overall system's environmental footprint compared to integrated electric vehicles with complex battery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses compressed air as a renewable working medium that can be continuously compressed and reused. The air reservoir can be recharged by the electric motor without requiring disposal of consumable materials, eliminating the manufacturing and disposal issues associated with battery-based electric vehicles.
3Power
If multiple cylinders are used in conventional engines, then power output is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal crankshaft design that can accommodate multiple reciprocating piston devices with different stroke lengths and configurations. This single crankshaft serves multiple functions by coordinating the motion of various pistons, thereby achieving high power output without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for dynamic configuration of the reciprocating piston devices, where the timing and stroke length of each piston can be independently controlled. This dynamic flexibility enables the system to optimize power output for different applications without requiring a completely different crankshaft design for each configuration.
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 compressed air motor provides a compact, environmentally friendly, and flexible drive system with zero emissions, offering high performance and adaptability, reducing waste and resource consumption, and enabling vehicles with enhanced safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
compressed air motor having at least two cylinder-reciprocating piston devices (1) that are dual-acting and can be filled or emptied with a pressure medium via preferably electric valves (65)
Data Source
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AI summary
Using a compressed-air engine according to this disclosure, a drive concept is provided that is simple, compact, small and light-weight as well as very safe and versatile to use. Using compressed air as the pressure medium also provides a drive engine having the highest environmental factor. The compressed-air engine can be used in sensitive regions since pollutants are not produced and oil is not required. The compressed-air engine can be configured to be modular and can therefore be flexibly adapted to different fields of application. The reciprocating cylinder devices of the compressed-air engine can be arranged in series or in parallel as desired. Furthermore, different reciprocating cylinder devices can be combined with one another. This makes it possible for the compressed-air engine to be specifically adapted to each performance requirement and each field of application. High torques can be produced and the torque applied by the motor can ideally be adapted to the circumstances. For example, a compressed-air engine having only one reciprocating cylinder device can easily be equal to or superior to a conventional 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine in terms of performance due to the possibility of single-stroke operation. The production costs of such a compressed-air engine are very low. Using the combination of a torsionally rigid pressure tank, the body structure is also easier to construct. A very light, energy-efficient vehicle which can be driven flexibly is provided. The production costs of such a compressed-air engine are very low. Due to the flexible operation of the reciprocating cylinder device(s) of a compressed-air engine, drive train components, such as gear mechanisms and differentials, can be dispensed with.