Compressor Unit Replacing Throttle for Engine Air Mass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engine efficiency is limited by thermal energy loss, particularly during partial load operations, where throttle devices cause pumping and thermal losses ranging from 8% to 14%, as they restrict air intake and reduce engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A unique compressor unit is introduced to replace the throttle function, controlling air mass flow through the engine by operating intake, purge excess, and discharge air valves in specific ways, allowing for electronic, mechanical, or other means of control, to optimize air management and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a throttle device is used to restrict air intake based on engine load requirement, then the engine can operate under partial load conditions, but pumping loss and thermal loss increase by 8% to 14%
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of restricting air flow through a throttle valve as in conventional systems, this invention uses a compressor to actively push air into the engine cylinder. The compressor inverts the traditional approach by generating positive pressure to deliver air rather than creating negative pressure to restrict it, thereby eliminating pumping losses while maintaining load adaptability through controlled air delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of air delivery by using a compressor to generate positive pressure instead of relying on negative pressure created by throttle restriction. This parameter change from negative to positive pressure eliminates the pumping loss mechanism while maintaining the ability to adapt to different engine load conditions through variable compressor operation
2Productivity
If throttle device restricts air mass flow, then engine load is controlled, but engine efficiency decreases due to energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional throttle control mechanism by replacing passive restriction with active compression. Instead of using a throttle valve to limit air flow based on engine demand, a compressor actively delivers the required air mass with positive pressure, maintaining productivity while eliminating the energy losses associated with throttle restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the throttle device from the engine air intake system entirely. By eliminating the throttle component that causes energy losses, the system replaces it with a compressor-based air delivery mechanism that maintains load control capability without the harmful energy dissipation of throttle restriction
3Loss of energy
If compressor unit is added to replace throttle function, then energy losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it compresses air for delivery to the engine, controls air mass flow to match engine load requirements, and eliminates the need for a separate throttle device. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding a compressor, as it consolidates air management functions into a single component
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 compressor unit effectively manages air mass flow, reducing energy losses associated with throttle devices and enhancing engine efficiency by adapting to varying load conditions, thereby improving overall engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
A compressor that is connected to an internal combustion engine and comprises: a cylinder, a piston with a pin and a connecting rod, a crankshaft that can be connected directly or through a gear box to the engine crankshaft
Implementation Method 2
The valves that operate the compressor are: The 'Intake Air' valve, the 'Purge Air Excess' valve and the 'Discharge Air Mass' valve
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor like unit which can be attached to an internal combustion engine controls the amount of the air mass that passes through its cylinder to the internal combustion engine based on the engine load condition requirement at a given time replacing this way the throttle device function and creating thus a throttle-less internal combustion engine. The compressor can be built in different ways and can function as one or multiple units attached directly to the engine through its crankshaft or a gear box or by other means.