Pilot Injector Tip Segmentation for Rotary Engine Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines, particularly rotary engines, face challenges in achieving stable and efficient ignition, especially when operating with heavy fuels, as they often require high temperatures and pressures, which can be difficult to maintain consistently.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pilot subchamber with a pilot injector having multiple injection holes, allowing for simultaneous injection of fuel sprays in different directions, including one towards the working chamber and another towards the ignition element, to create a stable ignition zone and improve combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single spray direction is used in the pilot injector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ignition stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot injector tip is segmented into multiple injection holes (first injection hole and second injection hole) that spray fuel in different directions. The first injection hole directs fuel toward the communication with the working chamber, while the second injection hole directs fuel away from the communication, creating multiple spray zones that improve ignition stability through diversified fuel distribution.
2Reliability
If fuel is injected only toward the working chamber communication, then the combustion efficiency is improved, but the ignition reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pilot injector tip are assigned different functions through the first and second injection holes. The first injection hole provides fuel locally toward the working chamber communication for efficient combustion, while the second injection hole provides fuel in a different direction to ensure reliable ignition initiation, allowing each zone to optimize for its specific purpose.
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 configuration enhances ignition stability, improves combustion efficiency, and facilitates easier engine starts and relights by ensuring proper fuel ignition within the pilot subchamber before injecting it into the working chamber, thereby optimizing engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot injector having a tip in communication with the pilot subchamber, the tip of the pilot injector including at least a first injection hole defining a first spray direction and a second injection hole defining a second spray direction different from the first spray direction
Implementation Method 2
igniting the fuel within the pilot subchamber
Implementation Method 3
circulating the ignited fuel from the pilot subchamber into the working chamber to ignite the main quantity of fuel in the working chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine includes a housing defining an internal cavity, an inner body sealingly moving within the internal cavity for defining at least one combustion chamber of variable volume, a pilot subchamber in communication with the at least one working chamber, an ignition element in communication with the pilot subchamber, a main injector communicating with the at least one combustion chamber, and a pilot injector having a tip in communication with the pilot subchamber. The tip of the pilot injector includes at least a first injection hole defining a first spray direction and a second injection hole defining a second spray direction different from the first spray direction. The first spray direction extends toward the communication between the pilot subchamber and the at least one working chamber. A method of performing combustion in an internal combustion engine is also discussed.