Negative Pressure Internal Combustion Engine Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines have low efficiency due to the energy required to compress air and fuel, typically converting only 12%-30% of energy into usable motion, leading to inefficiencies and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
The engine operates using a vacuum instead of compressive force, completing one cycle with one crankshaft revolution, reducing energy needed for fuel and air mixture application and utilizing electromechanical valve actuators for valve operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If compressive force is applied to fuel and air mixture in conventional engines, then the mixture is compressed to 12:1 ratio, but energy consumption increases and efficiency drops to 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional compression approach by using vacuum (negative pressure) to draw the fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber instead of using positive compressive force. This reversal of the pressure gradient fundamentally changes how the mixture is introduced, eliminating the energy-intensive compression stroke and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive compression (12:1 compression ratio) to negative pressure (vacuum). By operating with a vacuum-based intake system rather than compression-based intake, the engine achieves different thermodynamic conditions that reduce energy input requirements while still achieving effective fuel-air mixing and combustion.
2Productivity
If conventional four-stroke cycle is used, then complete combustion cycle is achieved, but two crankshaft revolutions are required per cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the intake and compression functions into a single vacuum-based intake stroke, and combines the power and exhaust functions into a single expansion and exhaust stroke. This consolidation of functions allows the complete combustion cycle to be achieved in one crankshaft revolution rather than two, doubling the power output frequency and reducing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum is created and the fuel-air mixture is drawn into the combustion chamber during the same stroke that prepares for combustion, eliminating the need for a separate compression stroke. This preliminary action of using vacuum to both intake and prepare the mixture for combustion in one stroke reduces the total number of strokes required per cycle.
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 enhances fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and allows for the production of smaller, more efficient machines with reduced mechanical components, achieving higher power output and improved fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure or expansive force is applied to a fuel/air mixture during a downstroke of a piston
Implementation Method 2
an ignition source is applied to the fuel/air mixture producing an explosion
Implementation Method 3
the expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
Method of operating an internal combustion engine that applies to both types of ignition types; Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI). The method comprises opening the intake valve, allowing the fuel and air mixture to flow through the intake valve and into the chamber during at least during a portion of the intake stroke; closing the intake port during a portion of the intake stroke; applying a negative pressure during a portion of the intake stroke; directly or indirectly igniting the fuel and air mixture during a portion of the intake stroke; opening the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke.The operation of intake valve, the exhaust valve, and the application of the ignition source is performed at any time during the intake and/or exhaust stroke or cycle.