Partialising Internal Combustion Engine Cylinder Steam Cycle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines, especially those with controlled spark ignition, experience inefficiencies in consumption and pollution in low-load conditions, leading to increased workload on starter motors and batteries, and discomfort due to engine shutdown in traffic jams, with existing solutions like automatic engine shutdown not effectively addressing these issues on small-cylinder engines.
Innovation Solution
A partialising system for internal combustion engines, where at least one cylinder operates on a steam cycle, with mobile intercept organs for air and fuel, a steam production plant, and electronic control to manage the system's activation and deactivation, allowing seamless transition between normal and steam operation, optimizing consumption and emissions without interfering with modern engine devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is automatically switched off in traffic jams, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the starter motor and battery experience greater workload
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into multiple independent cylinders, with at least one cylinder capable of operating independently in steam mode while others continue normal combustion operation. This segmentation allows the engine to maintain operation without complete shutdown, reducing stress on starting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of selected cylinders from traditional combustion to steam-based operation. By altering the working principle of specific cylinders rather than shutting down the entire engine, the system reduces fuel consumption while maintaining continuous operation to protect starting components.
2Loss of energy
If the engine is switched off in traffic jams, then fuel consumption is reduced, but air conditioner operation is disrupted causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The engine system is segmented into multiple cylinders with independent operational modes. Selected cylinders can operate in steam mode while other cylinders maintain combustion operation, ensuring continuous engine running to support air conditioner operation and passenger comfort during traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely shutting off the engine, the invention applies partial action by converting only specific cylinders to steam mode. This partial conversion achieves fuel savings while maintaining sufficient engine output to support auxiliary systems like air conditioning.
3Power
If all cylinders function with combustion cycle, then maximum power is available, but fuel consumption and emissions increase in low-load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-cylinder engine is divided into groups with different operational modes. At least one cylinder operates in steam mode for fuel-efficient low-load operation, while other cylinders remain in combustion mode to maintain maximum power capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational mode of different cylinders based on load requirements. The control system can switch between combustion and steam modes in different cylinders depending on whether maximum power or fuel efficiency is the priority, creating a dynamic adaptation to operating conditions.
4Loss of energy
If one or more cylinders are converted to steam operation, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced in low-load conditions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the system so that cylinders can serve multiple functions - operating in either combustion mode or steam mode depending on conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for completely separate systems, as the same cylinder infrastructure supports both operational modes, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generation system utilizes waste heat from exhaust gases to produce steam for the converted cylinders. This self-service approach, where the system uses its own byproducts (exhaust heat) to fuel the steam generation, reduces the need for external energy sources and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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 system reduces engine consumption and emissions in low-load conditions without affecting regular engine operation, maintaining smooth performance and comfort, and can be applied to both controlled and spontaneous ignition engines, including small-cylinder engines, by converting at least one cylinder to steam operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plant for production of steam (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least a device for steam injection internally of a combustion chamber of the bivalent cylinder activated, consequently of an activation of the system, in phase relation with an end of the compression run of the piston of the bivalent cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The system (100) is associated to an engine (M), in which, in predetermined use conditions, at least a cylinder (C2) functions permanently in a combustion regime, while at least a remaining bivalent cylinder (C1) is converted to a steam functioning cycle, preventing both air and fuel from inflow, and injecting steam produced by a plant (3) in phase relation with the compression run of the relative piston (11). The system is managed by electronic organs (60) which interface with the electronic control boards of the engine (M) and provides both for activation and for automatic exclusion of the system (100), respectively when the following above predetermined use conditions occur, or not; in the mentioned conditions, the use of the system (100) reduces the consumption and pollutant emissions of the engine.