Epicyclic Gear Piston Engine for Prolonged Expansion Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with reciprocating pistons face limitations in converting heat energy into mechanical energy due to the compression stroke being identical to expansion, resulting in incomplete energy recovery from the combustion process.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine with an epicyclic gear train and reciprocating pistons, featuring a system that prolongs the expansion stroke relative to compression, utilizing an epicyclic gear train to transform movements and manage valve operation, allowing for improved energy recovery through a prolonged expansion volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional crank connecting rod system is used to transform piston movements, then the engine structure is simple and reliable, but the expansion volume is limited to be identical to compression volume, resulting in incomplete energy recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation system is segmented into two independent parts: a crank mechanism for compression stroke and a Watt's linkage mechanism for expansion stroke. This allows the expansion volume to be prolonged independently from the compression volume, enabling more complete energy recovery while maintaining structural clarity through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic transformation mechanisms where the piston rod is sequentially connected to different transformation systems during compression and expansion strokes. The system dynamically switches between crank mechanism (compression) and Watt's linkage (expansion), allowing variable volume characteristics that optimize energy recovery without requiring a completely fixed complex structure
2Loss of energy
If the expansion volume is prolonged to reduce pressure at the end of expansion, then energy utilization is improved, but the transformation system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two classic mechanical transformation systems (crank mechanism and Watt's linkage) into a single engine cycle. The crank mechanism handles compression while the Watt's linkage handles expansion with prolonged volume, combining the simplicity of traditional mechanisms with the energy efficiency of differential volume strokes
Solution Approach 2:
The Watt's linkage mechanism enables continuous useful action during the expansion stroke by maintaining piston movement that prolongs the expansion volume beyond the conventional dead center position. This continuous extraction of energy from the expanding gases reduces energy loss without creating dead zones or interruptions in the power generation process
3Productivity
If additional components like turbochargers are used to improve energy conversion, then engine performance is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine system performs self-service for energy optimization through its inherent differential volume mechanism. The prolonged expansion stroke automatically recovers more energy from combustion without requiring external assistance from turbochargers or other forced induction systems, achieving enhanced performance through the engine's own mechanical design rather than added components
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 design enhances energy utilization by reducing pressure in the combustion chamber at the end of expansion, enabling more efficient conversion of heat energy into mechanical work without the need for additional components like turbochargers, thereby improving engine performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (214) mounted between the cylinder (210) and a retainer (212) abutting against the stem of the valve (211), said spring (214) being intended to exert a restoring force on the retainer (212)
Implementation Method 2
At least one radial cam (305) guided in rotation about the axis Z arranged to be driven in rotation by at least one of the rotating members of the engine (1) and being intended to actuate on each of the rocker arms (215)
Implementation Method 3
an active unit (100) comprising a set of members arranged in such a way as to form an epicyclic gear train comprising at least: a ring gear (101) mounted coaxially with respect to the axis Z... a planet gear (102)... a planet carrier (103)... a connecting rod (104)
Implementation Method 4
convert the heat energy released by the combustion of a gaseous system in cylinders into mechanical energy in the form of a rotary torque
Implementation Method 5
the volume of which undergoes a cyclical variation between a minimum and a maximum... corresponding to the moments at which the piston is at TDC and BDC
Data Source
AI summary
Internal combustion engine with cylinders disposed radially around an axis (Z), in each of which slides a piston carrying out reciprocating rectilinear movements, reversibly transformed into a continuous rotation of an output shaft by: an active unit and passive unit each respectively having a planet gear, the axis of which is parallel to (Z), being capable of meshing with a ring gear, being maintained on its orbit via a planet carrier and having a pitch diameter identical to the pitch radius of the corresponding ring gear. The planet gear is driven in rotation by the planet gear and/or the planet carrier. Each planet gear is respectively rigidly connected to a connecting rod having crank pins, the axes of which are parallel to the axis (Z), pass through the pitch circle of the corresponding planet gear and being capable of cooperating by contact with rods rigidly connected to the pistons.