Reciprocating Engine Air Injection for Emission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reciprocating internal combustion engines with exhaust gas turbochargers face challenges in maintaining high excess air flow during acceleration from idling or low partial load, leading to increased nitrogen oxide and particle emissions due to insufficient boost pressure.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electromagnetically actuable injector valve that introduces additional air directly into the combustion chamber via a compressed air line, allowing for precise control of air intake and expulsion, even when intake and exhaust valves are closed, thereby maintaining a high excess air flow and reducing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If additional air injection is provided from the brake air system during acceleration, then nitrogen oxide and particle emissions are minimized, but the charge air generated by the exhaust gas turbocharger cannot reach the engine and all air must be taken from the brake air system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide and particle emissionsVSAvoidair supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into two independent paths: the original charge air path from the turbocharger and a new direct air injection path from the brake air reservoir. This segmentation allows both paths to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction by enabling emission control through direct injection while preserving the turbocharger's charge air delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An electromagnetic valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control the direct air injection from the brake air reservoir. This valve acts as a mediator that can precisely regulate when and how much air is injected directly into the combustion chamber, enabling emission control during acceleration without requiring complete reliance on the brake air system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If flaps are used to prevent air from returning to the intake system, then air injection during acceleration is improved, but the charge air from the exhaust gas turbocharger is prevented from reaching the engine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair injection controlVSAvoidcharge air delivery to engine
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air delivery system is divided into two separate pathways: one pathway uses flaps to control direct air injection from the reservoir, while the other pathway maintains open access for turbocharger charge air to reach the engine. This segmentation eliminates the conflict between air injection control and charge air delivery, allowing both functions to perform optimally simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the electromagnetic valve is used to introduce additional air into the combustion chamber, then a permanently high excess air flow is maintained reducing emissions, but the valve must be precisely controlled during compression stroke

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide emissionsVSAvoidvalve control precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor engine operating conditions, compression stroke timing, and air pressure in the brake reservoir. This feedback enables the control unit to precisely determine when to open the electromagnetic valve during the compression stroke and how long to keep it open, automatically adjusting valve control based on real-time engine state to maintain high excess air flow and reduce emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables reduced nitrogen oxide and particle emissions by ensuring a permanently high excess air flow and efficient operation, while also allowing for the generation of compressed air during overrun phases for braking energy recovery, eliminating the need for a separate air compressor and enhancing exhaust aftertreatment system effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic valve for introducing air is arranged in the combustion chamber and/or air discharge from the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The electromagnetic valve is preferably arranged at the end of a compressed air line which connects the cylinder on which the electromagnetic valve is arranged to a compressed air reservoir of a compressed air system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air storage: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

diesel engines for motor vehicles, in particular for commercial vehicles, are usually equipped with an exhaust gas turbocharger (ATL). The higher excess air that can be achieved in this way results in lower nitrogen oxide and particle emissions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbocharging: Turbine

Implementation Method 4

in the region of the closing of the intake valves, compressed air from a compressed air reservoir is introduced into the combustion chamber via the electromagnetic valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 5

allowing for precise control of air intake and expulsion, even when intake and exhaust valves are closed, thereby maintaining a high excess air flow and reducing emissions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2876275B1Reciprocating piston combustion engine and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2876275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2876275B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reciprocating internal combustion engine and an operating method for a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The reciprocating internal combustion engine comprises at least one air inlet valve (5) and one air outlet valve (6) arranged on the cylinder head, wherein an electromagnetic valve for supplying air to the combustion chamber (13) and/or supplying air from the combustion chamber (13) is arranged on the cylinder head (3). The method for operating a reciprocating internal combustion engine is characterized by the steps of supplying compressed air from the compressed air reservoir (1) to the combustion chamber (13) via the electromagnetic valve (4), in addition to the charge air supplied to the combustion chamber (13) via the at least one inlet valve (5); and/or of withdrawing compressed air from the combustion chamber (13) via the electromagnetic valve and supplying it to the compressed air reservoir (1).