Dual Compressor Turbocharger Air Fuel Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion engines face inefficiencies when using gaseous fuels due to the need for safe and efficient mixing of air and fuel, which is not adequately addressed by existing turbocharging systems, leading to potential safety hazards and reduced engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A dual compressor turbocharger system that separates the compression of air and fuel, using a shaft coupled to both an air compressor wheel and a fuel compressor wheel, ensuring safe mixing near the combustion chamber, thereby enhancing engine efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If air and fuel are mixed in conventional turbocharging systems, then engine power is improved, but safety hazards increase due to extended exposure areas to combustible mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression function into two separate compressors: one for air and one for fuel. This segmentation allows each compressor to handle its respective substance independently, preventing premature mixing and reducing the areas exposed to combustible mixtures while still enabling powerful engine operation through coordinated delivery of compressed air and fuel to the combustion chamber.
2Device complexity
If a single compressor is used in conventional turbochargers, then device complexity is reduced, but engine efficiency decreases due to inadequate air-fuel mixing optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two separate compressors instead of a single compressor to independently optimize air and fuel compression. This segmentation enables tailored compression ratios and timing for each substance, significantly improving engine efficiency and power output despite the increased component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two separate compression systems (air compressor and fuel compressor) into a single integrated turbocharger assembly that shares common housing, mounting structures, and control systems. This merging approach achieves the efficiency benefits of separate compression while minimizing the overall complexity increase through shared components.
3Productivity
If air and fuel are mixed early in the system, then combustion efficiency is improved, but the distance and areas exposed to combustible mixtures increase creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains separate compression paths for air and fuel through dedicated compressors, delaying mixing until the combustion chamber where it is necessary for efficient combustion. This segmentation minimizes the distance and areas where combustible mixtures exist, reducing safety risks while still achieving effective combustion when mixing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the combustion chamber as an intermediary space where compressed air and fuel are introduced separately and then mixed only under controlled conditions necessary for combustion. This intermediary approach allows efficient combustion to occur while limiting the extent and duration of combustible mixture exposure to minimal necessary areas.
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 dual compressor turbocharger system increases engine efficiency by optimizing air and fuel delivery, reducing components exposed to combustible mixtures, and improving safety by minimizing the distance and areas exposed to the combustible mixture, resulting in improved power and reduced emissions.
Implementation Method 1
A turbine driven by exhaust of the internal combustion engine and a shaft coupled to the turbine
Implementation Method 2
A first compressor mounted on the shaft and having a first inlet coupled to an air supply and a first outlet coupled to the air intake
Data Source
AI summary
A dual compressor turbocharger includes two compressors. One compressor supplies fuel pressure, and one compressor supplies air pressure. The dual compressor turbocharger includes a turbine driven by exhaust of an engine and a shaft coupled to the turbine. The first compressor is mounted on the shaft and includes a first inlet coupled to an air supply and a first outlet coupled to an air intake of the engine. The second compressor is mounted on the shaft and includes a second inlet coupled to a fuel supply and a second outlet coupled to a fuel supply rail of the engine.