Internal Combustion Engine Compressed Gas Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines are not completely efficient, resulting in wasted energy that could be harnessed and utilized for mechanical functions.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine design that includes a compressed gas valve and controller to extract and store compressed gas during deceleration or when the throttle is closed, allowing the gas to be used for mechanical functions, such as powering gear shifts or vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a compressed gas valve and controller are added to extract and store compressed gas during deceleration or throttle closure, then energy efficiency is improved by utilizing wasted energy, but device complexity increases due to additional components and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste of compressed gas during deceleration and throttle closure into a beneficial resource by capturing and storing this gas for later mechanical work. The compressed gas valve extracts gas that would otherwise be wasted, and the storage means preserves it for powering mechanical functions, thereby transforming energy loss into useful energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compressed gas valve and storage means as intermediary components between the combustion chamber and the mechanical functions. These intermediaries capture compressed gas at specific moments (deceleration or throttle closure) and deliver it when needed, mediating the transfer of energy from waste to useful application.
2Productivity
If compressed gas is extracted and stored for later use in mechanical functions, then productivity is improved by reducing the need for additional gas compression systems, but loss of time occurs during gas extraction and storage cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by extracting and storing compressed gas during deceleration or throttle closure events, which are natural pauses in the engine cycle. This advance preparation allows the stored gas to be readily available for immediate use in mechanical functions when needed, eliminating the need for on-demand compression and reducing time losses.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the compressed gas valve is opened during deceleration or throttle closure, then use of energy is improved by harnessing otherwise wasted compressed gas, but power output is reduced by extracting gas from the combustion chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by opening the compressed gas valve only during specific phases of the engine cycle (deceleration or throttle closure) rather than continuously. This timing strategy captures gas when it would otherwise be wasted, while minimizing interference with the power-generating combustion process, thus balancing energy recovery with power maintenance.
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
Enhances engine efficiency by utilizing otherwise wasted energy for mechanical purposes, improving overall system performance and reducing the need for additional gas compression systems.
Implementation Method 1
compressed gas to be extracted from the internal combustion engine and used to provide power for mechanical functions
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber; a compressed gas valve wherein the compressed gas valve is arranged to enable compressed gas to be extracted from the internal combustion engine and used to provide power for mechanical functions: and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of the configuration of the internal combustion engine and cause the compressed gas valve to be opened in response to a signal indicating at least one of that the internal combustion engine is decelerating and a throttle is closed to enable compressed gas to be extracted from the internal combustion engine via the compressed gas valve.