Gaseous Fuel Mixer for Internal Combustion Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines often require significant modifications to accommodate gaseous fuels, and there is a need for engines that can efficiently use multiple fuel types, such as diesel and natural gas, to leverage available or cost-effective fuels.
Innovation Solution
A gaseous fuel mixer is integrated into the intake manifold of internal combustion engines, featuring a mixer body and element that directs intake air and gaseous fuel to mix transversely, allowing for efficient mixing and distribution of gaseous fuel with intake air, which can be easily retrofitted into existing engines with minimal modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If significant modifications are made to accommodate gaseous fuels, then the engine can use gaseous fuel, but the device complexity and modification cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer element is designed to handle multiple fuel types (gaseous fuels like natural gas, propane, biogas, and liquid fuels) through a single universal structure. The mixer element includes a flow passage that can receive different fuel types and multiple openings that can accommodate various fuel injection patterns, allowing the same component to serve multiple fuel systems without requiring separate mixers for each fuel type.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer element is positioned within the mixer body in a nested configuration where the mixer element is inserted into the mixer body housing. This nested structure allows the compact integration of the fuel mixing function within the existing intake manifold space, reducing the need for additional external components and minimizing modification complexity.
2Productivity
If a gaseous fuel mixer is integrated into the intake manifold, then efficient mixing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing function is segmented into two distinct components: the mixer body (forming the mixer passage) and the mixer element (containing the flow passage and openings). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying manufacturing and assembly. The mixer element can be manufactured as a separate insert and installed into the mixer body, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer element combines multiple functions in a single component: it receives gaseous fuel through the flow passage, directs the fuel flow, and provides multiple openings for fuel injection into the intake air stream. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall mixer structure.
3Productivity
If the mixer element directs gaseous fuel opposite to intake air flow, then mixing efficiency improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer element is designed with local quality variations where the flow passage and openings are strategically positioned to create optimal mixing zones. The openings are located at specific positions along the mixer element to ensure proper fuel injection timing and distribution, with different opening configurations possible for different fuel types and engine requirements.
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 enables efficient mixing and utilization of gaseous fuels with existing engines, maintaining performance and emissions standards while allowing for the use of multiple fuel types, thus enhancing operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The mixer element includes a flow passage positioned to receive gaseous fuel from the gaseous fuel system and to direct the gaseous fuel along a gas flow path in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The mixer element further includes a plurality of openings extending through the mixer element transverse to the gas flow path to direct gaseous fuel from the gas flow path into the intake air flow path.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaseous fuel mixer for an internal combustion engine includes a mixer body and a mixer element supported in a mixer passage formed in the mixer body. The gaseous fuel mixer attaches to an intake manifold at a first end and receives intake air at a second end. A distal end of the mixer element accepts gaseous fuel from a manifold passage extending from a port positioned in the intake manifold. The gaseous fuel flows through the mixer element and then through a plurality of openings formed in an exposed proximate end of the mixer element. The gaseous fuel mixes with the intake air, and the mixture of intake air and gaseous fuel flows from the second end of the mixer body to the first end of the mixer body and then to the intake manifold.