Ignition Plug Tip Funnel Inlet Flow Channel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines with pre-combustion chambers face challenges in achieving smooth and efficient transition of burning fuel from the pre-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber, leading to incomplete combustion and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The ignition plug tip features a nozzle portion with a funnel-shaped inlet and outlet, where the funnel-shaped inlet portion at the inner surface has a greater diameter than the main portion, and the outlet is also funnel-shaped, extending into the main combustion chamber, facilitating a smooth acceleration and transition of the burning fuel, thereby increasing the velocity and ensuring complete combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional flow channel design is used to connect the pre-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber, then the structure is simple, but the transition of burning fuel is not smooth and efficient, leading to incomplete combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidflow channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel incorporates curved surfaces and rounded transitions instead of sharp angles, creating a smooth passage for the burning fuel. The curved geometry reduces flow separation and turbulence, enabling efficient transition of the flame front from the pre-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber while maintaining complete combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow channel design features varying cross-sectional areas along its length, with specific regions optimized for different functions. The inlet portion has a larger cross-section to receive the burning fuel, while the outlet portion is configured to direct the flame front effectively into the main combustion chamber, creating local optimizations that improve overall combustion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the flow channel has a uniform cross-section, then the manufacturing is simple, but the velocity of burning fuel is not sufficiently increased, reducing combustion completeness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning fuel velocityVSAvoidflow channel fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channel cross-sectional area is varied along its length to optimize the velocity of the burning fuel. The inlet portion has a larger cross-section that gradually transitions to a smaller outlet cross-section, creating a converging geometry that accelerates the burning fuel and flame front, thereby improving combustion completeness despite increased manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the flow channel is short, then the device is compact, but the kinetic energy loss of burning fuel is increased, reducing combustion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy lossVSAvoidflow channel length
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The curved geometry of the flow channel reduces flow separation and turbulence losses, allowing the channel to be shorter while minimizing kinetic energy loss. The smooth transitions created by curved surfaces maintain flow coherence and reduce dissipative effects, enabling compact design without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 stabilizes the transition of burning fuel, reduces kinetic energy loss, and ensures that the burning fuel in the form of torches reaches the entire main combustion chamber, enhancing the efficiency and performance of the internal combustion engine.

Implementation Method 1

The funnel-shaped inlet portion (114) at the inner surface (75) has a length (a) of about 30 % to 70 % the length (c) of the at least one flow channel (110). The diameter of the funnel-shaped inlet portion at the inner surface is greater than the diameter of the main portion.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFunnel-shaped flow acceleration: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The at least one flow channel (110) extends tangentially with respect to a center axis (90) of the nozzle portion (74) such that a swirl of the combustion mixture within the main combustion chamber (26) is increased.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwirl flow generation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

The outlet (116) is also funnel-shaped, extending into the main combustion chamber, facilitating a smooth acceleration and transition of the burning fuel, thereby increasing the velocity and ensuring complete combustion.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFunnel-shaped flow direction: Funnel

Data Source

PatentEP2935865B1Ignition plug tip of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS
  • EP2935865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2935865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2935865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to an ignition plug tip (70) of an ignition plug configured to be used in an internal combustion engine including at least one main combustion chamber. The disclosed ignition plug tip (70) may comprise a nozzle portion (74) forming at least a portion of a pre-combustion chamber (66) and having an inner surface (75). The disclosed ignition plug tip (70) may further comprise at least one flow channel (110) configured to fluidly connect the pre-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber, wherein the at least one flow channel (110) includes a main portion (118) having constant cross-section and a funnel-shaped inlet portion (114) at the inner surface (75). The inlet portion (114) may constitute about 30% to 70% of the length of the flow channel (110).