Pre-chamber Ignition System with Intake Valve-Driven Purge Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-chamber combustion systems face inefficiencies due to residual burned gases diluting the air/fuel mixture, reducing combustion efficiency and increasing emissions, especially under exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conditions, and require complex hardware and controls for air-assisted purging.
Innovation Solution
A pre-chamber ignition system with a purge port and a positive displacement purge pump driven by the intake valve's reciprocal motion, which directs fresh air into the pre-chamber to scavenge residual gases, improving burn rate and stability without additional complex components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-chamber combustion is used to increase combustion efficiency, then combustion efficiency is improved, but residual burned gases dilute the air/fuel mixture in subsequent cycles, reducing combustion efficiency and increasing emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes residual burned gases from the pre-chamber using a purge system that introduces fresh air to scavenge residuals before the next combustion cycle, preventing dilution of the air/fuel mixture and maintaining combustion efficiency across cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs purging of the pre-chamber in advance of the combustion event, using fresh air introduced during the intake stroke or compression stroke to clear residuals before they can dilute the combustible mixture, ensuring optimal combustion conditions are established beforehand
2Reliability
If air-assisted injectors are used to purge pre-chambers, then pre-chamber purging is achieved, but complicated controls, hardware, and mechanical assemblies are required, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the intake valve perform a dual function: its primary function of admitting fresh charge to the combustion chamber, and a secondary function of driving purge airflow through the pre-chamber via its stem movement, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated purge hardware and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The intake valve stem itself serves as the driving mechanism for the purge pump, using its own reciprocating motion to generate the airflow needed for purging, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external control mechanisms
3Reliability
If a dedicated purge pump is added to the pre-chamber ignition system, then pre-chamber purging capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intake valve stem is converted into a multi-functional component that not only controls intake valve operation but also drives the purge pump mechanism, allowing the same mechanical motion to serve dual purposes and eliminating the need for separate purge actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the intake valve operation with the purge pump actuation into a single integrated mechanism, where the valve stem directly drives the pump without requiring separate controls, hardware, or mechanical assemblies
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 enhances combustion efficiency and reduces emissions by effectively purging residual gases, improving burn rate and stability under residual conditions, and simplifies the engine design by integrating the purge function with the intake valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of the purge air is driven by operation a purge pump and a piston disposed within the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
the purge airflow generated by reciprocal motion of the plunger
Implementation Method 3
fresh air can be directed into the pre-chamber to scavenge the chamber of residual gases via purge pump operation
Implementation Method 4
combustion unfolds in the following sequence; (i) a small amount of fuel is directly injected into the pre-chamber, (ii) spark is provided to the air/fuel mixture in the pre-chamber; and (iii) the hot gas jets into the main combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for purging a pre-chamber. In one example, a system is provided with a combustion chamber formed by a cylinder head coupled to a cylinder block and a pre-chamber in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber. The system is also provided with a purge port coupled to the pre-chamber and structured to flow purge air into the pre-chamber, where the flow of the purge air is driven by operation a purge pump and a piston disposed within the combustion chamber.