Hybrid Multi-Power Stroke Engine Heat Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines do not effectively harness heat from both the combustion chamber and exhaust manifold to power a steam engine, limiting overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid multi-power stroke engine integrates a steam engine that utilizes superheated steam generated from the combustion chamber and exhaust manifold, with a water tank, boiler, steam superheater, and compressed air tank to inject and exhaust steam on specific strokes, alternating engine operation from internal combustion to steam power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat is captured only from the exhaust manifold, then the steam engine can be simplified, but the overall energy utilization efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heat capture system is segmented into two independent parts: a water jacket surrounding the combustion chamber to capture combustion heat, and a conventional exhaust manifold system to capture exhaust heat. Each segment independently contributes to steam generation, allowing the system to capture heat from both sources without requiring a completely redesigned integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water jacket heat capture system with the exhaust manifold steam generation system. Both systems feed into the same steam engine, combining their thermal energy outputs to drive the piston during steam power strokes, thereby utilizing heat from both the combustion chamber and exhaust manifold simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the engine operates on conventional four-stroke cycle only, then the engine design is simple, but the fuel efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The engine operates on a periodic six-stroke cycle that alternates between internal combustion strokes (1-4) and steam power strokes (5-6). This periodic alternation allows the engine to switch between fuel combustion and steam expansion, utilizing waste heat to generate additional power during the steam strokes, thereby improving overall fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water throughout the system. Water is heated to steam in the water jacket and exhaust manifold, then condensed back to liquid water after expanding in the cylinder. This phase change cycle enables continuous operation of the steam engine portion, converting thermal energy to mechanical work efficiently.
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 increases engine efficiency by harnessing heat from both sources, enhancing energy utilization and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a water jacket that circulates water to remove heat from the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
a boiler that generates steam
Implementation Method 3
a superheater that superheats the steam
Implementation Method 4
combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel occurs
Data Source
AI summary
The hybrid multi-power stroke engine is an improved internal combustion engine that includes a steam engine integrated into the design, which derives power from heat generated at the combustion chamber as well as exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. The steam engine injects and exhausts superheated steam directly into the cylinder on a 5th and 6th stroke thereby alternating the engine from internal combustion to steam. A water tank is in fluid communication with a water pump and piping that passes across the cylinder block whereby heat is removed therefrom. The piping is in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold that transfers superheated steam to an electronic steam intake valve that injects the superheated steam on a 5th stroke. An auxiliary camshaft opens an exhaust steam valve on a 6th stroke in order to exhaust the expanded steam from the cylinder.