Engine system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-engine heat pump systems require separate cooling sources for fuel and exhaust gases, which is inefficient and costly, and do not effectively utilize phase change for cooling purposes.
Innovation Solution
An engine system that utilizes a heat exchanger to vaporize liquid fuel and cool the mixture supplied to the engine, and incorporates an exhaust-gas recirculation pipe to cool exhaust gases using phase change, eliminating the need for external coolants and maximizing engine performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate cooling source (intercooler or EGR cooler) is provided to cool the mixture or exhaust gas, then the cooling effect is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring additional cooling sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the fuel storage system by integrating a heat exchanger into the fuel tank structure. The fuel tank serves dual purposes: storing liquid fuel and acting as a heat exchanger that cools the mixture or exhaust gas. This eliminates the need for separate intercoolers or EGR coolers, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel storage tank is designed to perform multiple functions: fuel storage, fuel cooling through phase change, and heat exchange with the mixture or exhaust gas. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated cooling devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Temperature
If outside air or coolant is used to cool the mixture or exhaust gas, then the cooling effect is achieved, but energy loss occurs due to requiring external cooling resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the liquid fuel stored in the tank as its own cooling source. The fuel naturally absorbs heat from the mixture or exhaust gas through phase change (evaporation), cooling itself and the gas simultaneously. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cooling resources like outside air or separate coolants, reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of fuel from liquid to vapor as the cooling mechanism. As liquid fuel evaporates, it absorbs latent heat from the mixture or exhaust gas, providing efficient cooling. This phase change process occurs within the fuel storage system itself, converting thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted into useful cooling effect.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid fuel is supplied directly to the mixer without vaporization, then the supply process is simple, but engine performance decreases due to incomplete combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary vaporization of the liquid fuel as it passes through the heat exchanger before the fuel reaches the mixer and engine. By pre-vaporizing the fuel using the heat from the mixture or exhaust gas, the system ensures complete combustion occurs in the engine, maximizing performance while maintaining a simple fuel supply structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fuel from liquid to vapor through the heat exchange process. This parameter change occurs naturally as the liquid fuel absorbs heat and evaporates while flowing through the heat exchanger, ensuring the fuel is in the optimal state for combustion without requiring complex vaporization equipment.
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 engine system efficiently cools the mixture and exhaust gases using phase change, enhancing engine performance without requiring separate refrigerants or coolants, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between the liquid fuel discharged from the first storage tank and gas flowing to the engine, thus vaporizing the liquid fuel
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing the liquid fuel
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between the liquid fuel discharged from the first storage tank and gas flowing to the engine
Implementation Method 4
the mixture supplied to the engine may be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an engine system. The engine system includes a mixer mixing air and vaporized fuel to form a mixture, an engine driving a cylinder with the mixture discharged from the mixer, a first storage tank supplying the vaporized fuel to the mixer, a second storage tank storing liquid fuel or supplying the stored liquid fuel to the first storage tank, and a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between the liquid fuel discharged from the first storage tank and gas flowing to the engine, thus vaporizing the liquid fuel.