Exhaust-Driven Boost Device for On-Vehicle Compressed Air Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems for providing compressed air are inefficient, occupying space and reducing engine power, and often increase emissions due to the need for additional engines or high-efficiency driving methods.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a boost device in the exhaust passage driven by exhaust air from the engine's cylinder bank to compress ambient air, with a mode that deactivates fuel supply to one cylinder bank to reduce emissions and enhance compressed air production, allowing compressed air to be stored in a tank for use in air tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a secondary engine is arranged on the vehicle to power the work system, then the work system can operate independently, but the cost of the work system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing engine is made to serve dual purposes: vehicle propulsion and compressed air generation for work systems. By utilizing the same engine for both functions, the patent eliminates the need for a secondary engine, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining independent operation capability through proper exhaust gas routing to the compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a compressor is driven via a turbine of an engine using exhaust gases, then compressed air can be supplied to the work system, but vehicle emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressed air supply rateVSAvoidvehicle emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the exhaust gases needed to drive the compressor from the engine exhaust system, while the remaining exhaust gases continue through the normal emission control system. This selective extraction allows compressed air generation without significantly increasing overall emissions, as the exhaust gases are already present from engine operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary exhaust gas routing system that directs a portion of exhaust gases to the compressor turbine while maintaining the connection to the emission control system. This intermediary arrangement enables the compressor to be driven by exhaust gases without completely bypassing emission controls, thereby reducing emissions compared to direct exhaust routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the work system is powered by the main engine, then the engine can drive both vehicle and work system, but engine power output is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function operationVSAvoidengine power output

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the engine's power output into two separate pathways: one for direct vehicle propulsion and another for driving the compressor via exhaust gases. By using the exhaust gas turbine to drive the compressor rather than directly coupling the compressor to the engine crankshaft, the engine's mechanical power output is preserved for vehicle operation while still enabling work system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stress or pressure

If a boost device is added to further increase compressed air pressure, then the compressed air pressure is sufficient for high-power tools, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressed air pressureVSAvoidsystem component count

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression function with the existing exhaust system by using the exhaust gas turbine to drive the compressor. This integration utilizes already-present high-velocity exhaust gases to power the compression process, eliminating the need for a separate prime mover and reducing overall system complexity while achieving the required compressed air pressure for high-power tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces emissions and conserves fuel by using exhaust air to compress ambient air, improving the efficiency of compressed air production and reducing the need for additional engines, thereby minimizing space and emissions.

Implementation Method 1

the boost device is driven by exhaust air from a cylinder bank of an engine and configured to compress ambient air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11572830B2Method and system for on vehicle compressed air generation

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for an air system. In one example, a system includes a boost device configured to be driven by exhaust air from a plurality of cylinder in order to compress ambient air. The compressed ambient air is delivered to a tank configured to store compressed gases.