Controlled Detonation Engine for Complete Fuel Oxidation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engines are inefficient in burning fuels without producing toxic by-products, requiring additional components like catalytic converters and external re-pressurization devices, which increase costs and reduce performance.

Innovation Solution

A cyclical controlled detonation system that completely oxidizes fuel in a chamber, rapidly absorbing energy to eliminate toxic by-products, eliminating the need for additional components by achieving complete combustion with minimal pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If standard internal combustion engines deliberately drop temperature and pressure to avoid detonation, then toxic by-products are reduced, but combustion efficiency decreases and additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoxic by-productsVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters by maintaining high temperature and pressure during combustion through controlled detonation, rather than deliberately dropping them. This allows complete combustion efficiency while using rapid cooling after detonation to prevent nitrogen oxide formation, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and harmful emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic rapid cooling cycles after detonation to quench the combustion products. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high combustion efficiency during the detonation phase while preventing toxic by-product formation during the cooling phase, eliminating the need for catalytic converters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If catalytic converters and heat exchangers are added to control pollution and capture heat, then emissions are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollution emissionsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for catalytic converters and elaborate heat exchangers by implementing rapid cooling of combustion products immediately after detonation. This direct approach to pollution control removes harmful factors without adding complex external components, as the cooling process itself prevents nitrogen oxide formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the combustion chamber itself to perform the pollution control function through rapid cooling, rather than requiring separate catalytic converters. The chamber serves multiple functions including combustion, cooling, and emission control, eliminating the need for additional dedicated components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If higher combustion temperatures are used to increase power output, then power generation improves, but toxic by-products increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidtoxic by-products
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic rapid cooling cycles to quench combustion products immediately after high-temperature detonation. This allows the system to achieve high power output through high-temperature combustion while preventing nitrogen oxide formation through the subsequent rapid cooling phase, thus resolving the contradiction between power and emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 achieves high efficiency and low-to-no pollution, optimizing power generation with fewer moving parts and reduced costs, while directly utilizing energy for work or energy storage.

Implementation Method 1

The chamber sensor measures a chamber pressure within the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

the gauge measures a temperature at the wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 3

The tank sensor measures a tank pressure within the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 4

The controlled detonation causes the complete oxidation of the fuel into its simplest components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 5

A cyclical controlled detonation system that completely oxidizes fuel in a chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 6

the rapid absorption of the energy by a second substrate, which quickly lowers the temperature of any by-products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 7

The force of the exhausted detonation product operates the compressor to provide compressed oxidizer to the oxidizer holding compartment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS7533530B2Engine for the efficient production of an energized fluid
Publication Date: 2009.05.19 COURTRIGHT GEOFFREY B
  • US7533530B2 patent drawing
  • US7533530B2 patent drawing
  • US7533530B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An engine comprising a detonation chamber in thermal communication with a tank, a fuel system connected to the chamber, and a controller wherein energy from fuel detonations in the chamber is transferred to a fluid in the tank. By rapidly transferring the energy from the chamber, the detonation produces little or no toxic by-products. The fluid in the tank is energized to provide power for a wide range of machines from large equipment to small appliances.