Linear Fluid Engine Variable Stroke Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piston internal combustion engines lack flexibility in piston stroke and velocity, and are limited in accommodating variable intake and exhaust valve timing due to their mechanical design, restricting further improvements through computerized control systems.
Innovation Solution
A Linear Fluid Engine (LFE) design that eliminates the crankshaft and camshaft, allowing for variable piston stroke length, speed, and fully variable ignition and valve timing, controlled by a System Control Computer (SCC) to optimize efficiency and fuel usage, including the ability to use less costly fuels and new fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional piston ICE design is used, then mechanical simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in piston stroke and velocity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical crankshaft-camshaft system with a fluid power system. The engine piston drives a fluid power piston through hydraulic or pneumatic fluid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages. This substitution enables variable piston stroke and velocity control through fluid pressure regulation, directly resolving the contradiction between mechanical simplicity and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic or pneumatic fluid as the power transmission medium between the engine piston and fluid power piston. By controlling fluid pressure and flow, the system achieves variable stroke length and piston velocity without complex mechanical mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relative system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional piston ICE design is used, then mechanical linkage simplicity is maintained, but variable intake and exhaust valve timing is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical camshaft-driven valve timing with a fluid power actuated valve system. The fluid power piston controls intake and exhaust valve timing independently through hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, enabling variable valve timing without complex mechanical linkages and improving emission control capability.
3Loss of energy
If conventional piston ICE design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but power transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional crankshaft mechanism with a direct linear fluid power transmission system. The engine piston directly drives the fluid power piston through fluid pressure, eliminating mechanical friction and energy losses associated with crankshaft bearings, connecting rods, and other mechanical components, thereby improving power transmission efficiency.
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 LFE achieves improved efficiency, reduced vibration, and lower environmental pollution by allowing adaptive operation with various fuels and flexible engine configurations, maximizing power output and minimizing engine losses.
Implementation Method 1
the power piston acts upon fluid within the power piston cylinder to transfer power from the engine cylinder out of the linear fluid engine
Implementation Method 2
a fluid compression piston that is powered by the power piston can be coupled to the engine piston that drives the engine piston within the combustion chamber to compress fuel in preparation for the combustion of the fuel
Implementation Method 3
combustion of fuel and, for example, fresh air, in the combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A linear fluid engine includes a power transfer cylinder that is driven by combustion of fuel in a combustion cylinder to pressurize a power transferring fluid. Some of the power transferring fluid is used to power a subsequent compression stroke in the combustion cylinder and, optionally, the intake/exhaust valves on the cylinder. A controller controls the compression stroke and intake/exhaust valve operation based on a stored control algorithm.