Dedicated Cylinder Conduit for Engine NOx Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine systems that reduce NOx production by transferring gases between cylinders can suffer from clogging and excessive NOx production due to the transfer of burned or partially burned molecules, and timing issues with gas-transferring valves, which complicates maintaining desired pressures and temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An engine system with a dedicated conduit and valve mechanism that directs compressed air from one combustion chamber to another during specific piston strokes, controlled by a cam or electronic controller to optimize fluid flow and reduce peak temperatures below 1500°F, thereby minimizing NOx formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If gases are transferred between cylinders to reduce NOx production, then combustion temperature is reduced, but the conduit and valves become clogged with soot and particulate matter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the useful component (hot gas) from the combustion exhaust while leaving behind the harmful components (soot and particulate matter) in the combustion chamber. This is achieved by timing the gas transfer to occur during the expansion stroke after combustion, when the exhaust gases have pushed the piston down and the harmful particulates have settled or been expelled with the exhaust.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by transferring hot gas from the combustion chamber to the intake manifold before the intake stroke begins. This pre-cools the combustion chamber and pre-heats the incoming air-fuel mixture, while the conduit remains protected from clogging because the gas transfer occurs during the expansion stroke when particulate matter is minimized.
2Power
If gases are transferred between cylinders, then power output is improved, but excessive NOx production occurs due to elevated temperature of transferred gases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains continuous useful action by transferring hot gas from the combustion chamber to the intake manifold during the expansion stroke, which continuously pre-heats the incoming air-fuel mixture for the next combustion cycle. This continuous process improves power output while the timing ensures that gas transfer occurs after the peak combustion temperature has already done its work, preventing excessive NOx formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses periodic action by transferring hot gas at specific intervals during the engine's combustion cycle - specifically during the expansion stroke when the piston is moving downward. This periodic timing ensures that gas transfer occurs at the optimal moment when power is being generated but combustion temperature has already peaked, thus improving power output while avoiding excessive NOx production.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If gas-transferring valves are opened at peak combustion, then NOx production is reduced, but it becomes difficult to precisely time the valve opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by using the engine's own expansion stroke to automatically control the timing of gas transfer. The valve is designed to open automatically during the expansion stroke when the piston moves downward, utilizing the natural pressure differential and mechanical motion of the engine itself. This eliminates the need for complex external timing mechanisms while ensuring gas transfer occurs at the optimal moment for reducing NOx production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the expansion stroke as an intermediary mechanism to mediate between the combustion process and the gas transfer. The expansion stroke naturally creates the pressure differential and timing needed for gas transfer, serving as a mediator that simplifies valve control while ensuring gas transfer occurs at the precise moment when combustion temperature is highest, thus reducing NOx production.
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 approach effectively reduces NOx production by maintaining lower peak temperatures and preventing contamination of conduit and valve components, while enhancing engine performance through optimized fluid flow and scavenging of combustion chambers.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one valve is configured to pass fluid from the first of the combustion chamber to the second of the combustion chambers during a compression stroke of a first piston within the first of the combustion chambers and during an expansion stroke of a second piston within the second of the combustion chambers
Implementation Method 2
at least one valve associated with the at least one conduit. The at least one valve is configured to pass fluid from the first of the combustion chamber to the second of the combustion chambers during a compression stroke of a first piston
Data Source
AI summary
An system is disclosed for use with an engine. The system may have an intake manifold configured to direct air into combustion chambers of the engine, and an exhaust manifold configured to direct exhaust from the combustion chambers to the atmosphere. The system may also have at least one conduit extending from a first of the combustion chambers to a second of the combustion chambers, and at least one valve associated with the at least one conduit. The at least one valve is configured to pass fluid from the first of the combustion chamber to the second of the combustion chambers during a compression stroke of a first piston within the first of the combustion chambers and during an expansion stroke of a second piston within the second of the combustion chambers.