Multi-Fuel Rotary Engine Hybrid Drive System Torque Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle drive systems do not efficiently combine the advantages of energy-efficient electro-mechanical systems with the use of multiple alternative fuels, failing to provide sufficient torque for vehicles of average weight, especially in scenarios like acceleration and uphill driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular drive system incorporating a rotary internal combustion engine capable of operating on various fuels, coupled with an electric generator and storage batteries, which powers an electric motor and allows for efficient energy management through a power management control computer, enabling the use of fuels like hydrogen, compressed natural gas, and traditional fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional internal combustion engine is used to provide sufficient torque for vehicles of average weight, then the vehicle can achieve required power output, but fuel costs and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power generation function is segmented into two separate engines: a first engine optimized for gaseous fuels (natural gas, hydrogen) and a second engine optimized for liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel). This segmentation allows each engine to operate at its optimal efficiency point for its designated fuel type, reducing overall emissions while maintaining required torque output through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle power system is designed with multi-functionality to operate on multiple fuel types (gaseous and liquid fuels). The dual-engine configuration with separate electric generators enables the system to universally accept various fuel inputs and convert them to electrical energy, which then powers the electric motor to deliver torque, thereby reducing emissions associated with single-fuel conventional engines.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle size is downsized to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but the torque needed to drive vehicles of average weight cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces a single large mechanical internal combustion engine with a hybrid system combining two smaller engines and an electric motor. The smaller first and second engines each coupled to electric generators produce electrical energy that drives the electric motor, which then delivers the required torque. This substitution of direct mechanical power transmission with an electro-mechanical system enables downsized engines to collectively produce sufficient torque while improving fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing electric generators between the engines and the drive train. Instead of directly transmitting mechanical power from large engines to the wheels, the system converts mechanical energy to electrical energy through generators, stores/transmits it electrically, and converts back to mechanical torque through an electric motor. This parameter change enables smaller engines to achieve the required torque output through electrical energy conversion and amplification.
3Use of energy by moving object
If an electro-mechanical drive system is used to improve energy efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the ability to utilize multiple alternative fuels is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-mechanical drive system is designed with universal fuel acceptance capability through two separate engines: the first engine configured for gaseous fuels (natural gas, hydrogen) and the second engine configured for liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel). Each engine is paired with an electric generator, enabling the system to efficiently convert multiple fuel types into electrical energy, which then powers the electric motor. This multi-functional design maintains energy efficiency while restoring fuel flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel processing function is segmented into two separate engine-generator systems, each optimized for specific fuel types. This segmentation allows the electro-mechanical system to maintain high energy efficiency for each fuel type while providing overall fuel versatility. The first engine-generator set handles gaseous fuels efficiently, while the second engine-generator set handles liquid fuels efficiently, and both contribute to the common electrical power pool that drives the electric motor.
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 system provides energy-efficient propulsion with the ability to utilize multiple alternative fuels, maintaining vehicle performance comparable to conventional engines while reducing fuel costs and emissions, by optimizing power output and torque delivery through a combination of engine and battery energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary type internal combustion engine capable of transforming the stored energy in a variety of different fuels into mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
The electric generator provides electrical energy to an electric motor
Implementation Method 3
Mechanical torque from the electric motor is then transmitted to the vehicle drive system
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive system uses multi-fuel engines to provide mechanical energy as an electric generator. The electric generator provides electrical energy to an electric motor which in turn provides mechanical energy to the drive train of a vehicle. The electric generator also provides electric energy to storage batteries. Electrical energy may be provided from the storage batteries to the electric motor as needed.