Linear Motor Piston Combustion Engine Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines experience high friction losses due to transverse forces acting on pistons, which are not effectively counteracted by existing technologies, leading to inefficiencies in torque generation and energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a linear motor within the engine, featuring a mover (piston) and stator, allowing for operation as both a motor to support piston movement and a generator to counteract gas forces, with a specially designed stator that applies a compensating force in the radial direction to mitigate transverse forces, thereby reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the connecting rod operates at a variable angle to the cylinder axis during the working cycle, then the piston is forced against the piston running surface by transverse force, but this increases friction losses of the internal combustion engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counteracting transverse force through electromagnetic actuators (permanent magnets and electromagnets) to balance the harmful transverse force generated by the connecting rod's variable angle operation. This counterforce prevents the piston from being pressed against the cylinder running surface, thereby reducing friction losses while maintaining the necessary connecting rod angle variability for engine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary mechanism to transmit the counteracting force. The electromagnetic actuators (comprising permanent magnets and electromagnets) generate a transverse force that mediates between the connecting rod's motion and the piston, balancing the harmful forces without direct mechanical contact and reducing friction.
2Loss of energy
If permanent magnets and electromagnets are used to exert a perpendicular force on the piston, then transverse force is applied to counteract friction, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the permanent magnets and electromagnets into an integrated electromagnetic actuator assembly that works together as a unified system. The permanent magnets provide a constant magnetic field while the electromagnets provide controllable additional force, and both are positioned to act simultaneously on the piston through the connecting rod, combining their effects to generate the required transverse counterforce in a single integrated mechanism.
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 linear motor effectively counteracts transverse forces, leading to reduced friction losses and improved efficiency in torque generation and energy conversion, enabling low-friction operation of the internal combustion engine.
Implementation Method 1
The linear motor has the mover and the stator. The runner is assigned to the piston or is designed as a component part of it. The stator, on the other hand, is arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The linear motor can be operated either as a motor or as a generator; it can alternatively be referred to as a linear machine. It is intended to use the linear motor either to support the internal combustion engine, ie to increase the torque that can be generated or made available by it.
Implementation Method 3
It is provided to operate the linear motor as a generator, so that part of the torque generated or provided by the internal combustion engine is used by the linear motor to provide electrical energy. In this case, the linear motor exerts a force on the piston that opposes the gas forces
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1) with at least one cylinder (2) in which a piston (3) is mounted for linear displacement, the piston (3) being operatively connected to a crankshaft (6) of the internal combustion engine (1) via a connecting rod (5). It is provided that the piston (3) is designed as the rotor of a linear motor (9), and that an independently operable stator element (14) of a stator (13) of the linear motor (9), associated with the cylinder (2), partially surrounds the cylinder (2) circumferentially with respect to a longitudinal central axis (4) of the cylinder (2) in order to at least temporarily exert a radially directed balancing force on the piston (3) by means of the linear motor (9). The invention further relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine (1).