Digital Internal Combustion Engine with Segmented Combustion Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving better fuel efficiency and reducing pollutant emissions while maintaining reliability and low manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A digital internal combustion engine with multiple combustion cells and chambers that can switch between non-burning and burning modes, allowing for incremental adjustment of the number of chambers operating in burning mode based on power output requirements, using a constant air-to-fuel ratio of 15.4:1, and controlled by an electronic control unit to optimize fuel efficiency and emission levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the air to fuel ratio is varied between lean and rich mixtures to adjust power output, then power output can be increased or decreased, but fuel efficiency deteriorates when rich mixtures are used for higher power output
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into multiple independent combustion chambers grouped into sets, where each set can be independently controlled to operate in burning or non-burning mode. This segmentation allows the engine to adjust power output by activating or deactivating specific chamber sets rather than running all chambers at rich mixture, thereby maintaining fuel efficiency while providing variable power output.
2Power
If standard internal combustion engines operate all combustion chambers to generate power, then power output is maintained, but fuel efficiency deteriorates and pollutant emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Combustion chambers are segmented into multiple independent sets that can be selectively activated. The electronic control unit determines which sets operate in burning mode based on power requirements, allowing the engine to reduce or eliminate combustion in certain chambers when full power is not needed, thereby reducing pollutant emissions while maintaining sufficient power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine operates dynamically by switching combustion chamber sets between burning and non-burning modes based on real-time power requirements. This dynamic control allows the engine to adapt to varying load conditions, operating only the necessary number of chambers to meet demand, which reduces unnecessary combustion events and associated emissions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If combustion chambers are switched between burning and non-burning modes to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency improves, but engine complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors engine operating conditions, determines power requirements, selects which combustion chamber sets to activate, and controls fuel injection and ignition timing. This multi-functionality consolidates control complexity into a single existing component rather than requiring additional dedicated control mechanisms for each combustion chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Combustion chamber sets are configured with corresponding chambers in opposite combustion cells that operate in phase with each other. This copying approach ensures balanced engine operation by replicating the same operational pattern in symmetrically positioned chambers, simplifying the control logic while maintaining engine balance and reducing vibration.
4Use of energy by moving object
If hybrid engines are used to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, then fuel efficiency improves and emissions decrease, but manufacturing cost and repair cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simplified approach by selectively deactivating combustion chamber sets rather than incorporating expensive hybrid components. This allows the engine to achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions through a relatively simple control strategy that keeps manufacturing costs low while maintaining the durability and reliability of traditional internal combustion engine components.
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 enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions while maintaining the reliability and cost-effectiveness of traditional internal combustion engines, allowing for dynamic balance and precise control of combustion chamber operation.
Implementation Method 1
Each combustion chamber of the first and second plurality of combustion chambers is configured to switch between a non-burning mode of operation and a burning mode of operation
Implementation Method 2
A combustion chamber operating in the non-burning mode may receive substantially no fuel and or no spark. A combustion chamber operating in the burning mode may receive fuel to satisfy a desired air to fuel ratio and/or a spark
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a digital internal combustion engine and a method for controlling the same capable of improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle and reducing pollutant emissions of a vehicle while maintaining the reliability and relatively low manufacturing cost of a traditional internal combustion engine. The digital internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of combustion chambers. Each combustion chamber may be configured to switch between a non-burning mode of operation and a burning mode of operation. A combustion chamber operating in the non-burning mode may receive substantially no fuel, whereas a combustion chamber operating in the burning mode may receive fuel to satisfy a constant, non-zero air to fuel ratio.