Internal Combustion Engine Water Injection Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion engines face inefficiencies in converting heat energy into mechanical energy, with significant heat loss and limited power output due to the use of traditional combustion processes.
Innovation Solution
The engine employs a closed cylinder system with a conical body and spiraling passage to enhance fluid flow, using steam reformation and dissociation of water to increase pressure and temperature, allowing for more efficient energy conversion and power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional combustion processes are used in internal combustion engines, then the engine can operate with conventional design, but heat loss is significant and power output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to plasma) to enhance combustion efficiency. Water is injected into the combustion chamber where it undergoes phase transition from liquid to vapor, absorbing heat and then transitioning to plasma state, which releases energy and increases combustion temperature, thereby reducing heat loss to surroundings while increasing power output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the combustion process by introducing water in different phases and controlling its injection timing and quantity. This modifies the combustion chamber temperature, pressure, and energy distribution, leading to reduced heat loss and increased power output through optimized energy conversion
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional engine designs are used, then the engine structure is simple, but energy efficiency is limited and cooling needs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes water serve multiple functions: as a combustion enhancer, heat transfer medium, and plasma generator. By injecting water into the combustion chamber, it participates in the combustion process to improve energy efficiency while also managing thermal loads, thereby improving energy efficiency without proportionally increasing engine structure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses water, which is readily available and inexpensive, to improve combustion efficiency and manage thermal loads. The water injection system leverages the phase transition properties of water to automatically regulate combustion temperature and energy release, reducing the need for complex cooling systems and improving overall energy efficiency
3Power
If conventional combustion processes are used, then the engine can operate with standard fuels, but usable power output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits phase transitions of water (liquid→vapor→plasma) to enhance energy conversion. The phase transition from liquid to vapor absorbs heat, then the vapor to plasma transition releases significant energy, increasing combustion temperature and pressure, thereby improving both usable power output and energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful heat loss in combustion into a beneficial resource by using water injection to capture and redistribute thermal energy. The water absorbs excess heat during vaporization and releases it during plasma formation, converting wasted heat into useful combustion energy, thereby increasing both power output and energy conversion efficiency
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 results in a threefold increase in usable power output compared to conventional engines, with improved energy efficiency and reduced cooling needs, enabling the use of hydrogen as a fuel source and potentially smaller engine designs.
Implementation Method 1
using steam reformation and dissociation of water to increase pressure and temperature
Implementation Method 2
using steam reformation and dissociation of water to increase pressure and temperature
Implementation Method 3
combustible mixture are selectively admitted to the cylinder and combusted in the cylinder to provide pressure increases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An internal combustion engine (10) comprises a chamber (12), inlet valving (24, 26) operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into the chamber for combustion in the chamber to provide a pressure increase in the chamber, outlet valving (16) operable to release an outflow of liquid from the chamber under the influence of that pressure increase as an energy output of the chamber, input valving (136) for selectively admitting a heated aqueous fluid into chamber and a supply system (130, 132, 134) for supplying heated aqueous fluid to the input valving. The input valving is arranged to admit the heated aqueous fluid into a region of the chamber in which combustion of the combustible mixture occurs such that at least a portion of the heated aqueous fluid will dissociate to provide hydrogen that is combusted in the chamber.