Dual Intake Valve Timing for Fast Combustion Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving high efficiency, rapid combustion propagation, and reduced harmful emissions, particularly in conditions like cold starting, while maintaining a simple configuration and avoiding complex drive systems for intake valves.
Innovation Solution
The engine employs a device that controls the opening and closing of two intake valves at different times during the intake stage, creating alternating air flows at different pressures to enhance turbulent kinetic energy, promoting swirl and tumble motions for improved air-fuel mixing and reducing wall-wetting phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional measures (high compression ratio, Miller-Atkinson cycle, EGR recirculation, direct injection) are adopted to reduce CO2 emissions and particulate matter, then emission regulations are met, but maximum power per displacement unit and mixture homogeneity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately opening the first and second intake valves in successive intake strokes. This periodic valve actuation creates alternating air flows that generate high turbulent kinetic energy, improving combustion efficiency and power output while maintaining emission reduction benefits from the base engine configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using variable valve actuation to control the opening and closing timing of the intake valves dynamically. This allows optimization of air flow patterns and turbulence generation under different operating conditions, maintaining both power output and emission performance across the operating range
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional measures (high compression ratio, Miller-Atkinson cycle, EGR recirculation, direct injection) are adopted to reduce CO2 emissions and particulate matter, then emission regulations are met, but mixture homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alternating opening of intake valves creates periodic high-intensity air flows that enhance mixing between air, fuel, and EGR. This periodic turbulence generation improves charge homogeneity, ensuring consistent combustion quality while maintaining the emission reduction benefits of the base engine design
Solution Approach 2:
Dynamic control of valve timing allows optimization of air flow patterns to enhance mixture homogeneity under different operating conditions. The variable actuation creates optimal turbulence levels that improve mixing while maintaining emission performance
3Device complexity
If simplified drive systems for intake valves are adopted, then device complexity is reduced, but combustion efficiency and mixture homogeneity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic alternating valve opening with a simplified mechanical or electromagnetic drive system. This periodic actuation pattern generates sufficient turbulence and kinetic energy to maintain high combustion propagation speed while keeping the drive system simpler than complex multi-valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve actuation function by controlling the first and second intake valves independently with alternating timing. This segmentation allows a relatively simple drive system to achieve complex flow patterns that enhance combustion efficiency, as each valve can be actuated by simpler individual mechanisms
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 increases combustion efficiency, reduces particulate emissions, and enhances combustion stability by doubling the turbulent kinetic energy available at ignition, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective intake valve system.
Implementation Method 1
the entering into the cylinder at different times of air flows at the same pressure from the two intake ducts produces an increase in turbulent kinetic energy
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine comprises at least one cylinder (1), a first intake valve (VA) and a second intake valve (VB) associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct (3A) and a second intake duct (3B), respectively. The two intake ducts (3A, 3B) communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve (VA) is activated, while the second intake valve (VB) remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve (VB) is activated, while the first intake valve (VA) remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.