Flat Air Intake Port Floor for Lean-Burn Engine Tumble Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lean-burn gasoline engines face challenges in achieving stable combustion and efficient fuel burning due to the oxygen-rich environment, leading to issues like engine misfire and reduced power output at low loads and speeds.

Innovation Solution

The design of an air intake port with a flat air channel floor and a bifurcation point that promotes a 'tumble' air flow pattern, allowing air to flow across the combustion chamber before descending, thereby improving flow separation and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional tubular air intake port with bent flow path is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the air flow stability and tumble motion are insufficient leading to poor combustion at low loads and speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion stabilityVSAvoidair channel geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air channel floor is made substantially flat in the downstream region adjacent to the air outlet, while other parts of the air channel may have different geometries. This localized geometric modification creates flow separation and tumble motion exactly where needed (at the outlet region) without requiring complex changes throughout the entire air intake port structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a curved/bent air channel floor (traditional design) to a substantially flat air channel floor in the downstream region. This geometric change alters the flow path curvature, promoting flow separation and tumble motion that enhances combustion stability at low loads and speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the air channel floor is curved or sloped to guide air flow, then the structure is simple, but flow separation and tumble motion are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow separationVSAvoidair channel fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Only the downstream region of the air channel floor adjacent to the air outlet is made substantially flat, while upstream regions can maintain simpler curved or sloped geometries. This localized approach achieves the necessary flow separation and tumble motion without requiring complex fabrication throughout the entire air channel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 proposed air intake port design enhances air flow stability and detachment, achieving the desired tumble motion that improves air-fuel mixing and combustion efficiency in lean-burn engines.

Implementation Method 1

the air channel floor is at least substantially flat in a direction of air flow in a region adjacent to the air outlet... flow separation at the combustion chamber inlet significantly improved, thereby allowing the incoming air to first flow across the chamber before descending into the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentUS12241436B2Air intake port for a lean-burn gasoline engine

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

AI summary

An air intake port (10) for a lean-burn gasoline engine (110) comprises an air inlet (14), at least one air outlet (15a, 15b), and an air channel connecting the air inlet (14) to the at least one air outlet (15a, 15b). The air channel comprises an air channel floor (42) and an air channel ceiling (41). The air channel floor (42) is at least substantially flat in a direction of air flow in a region adjacent to the air outlet (15a, 15b).