Pre-Chamber Flow Guiding for Faster Lean-Burn Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pre-chambers in internal combustion engines face challenges with slow and incomplete combustion of air-fuel mixtures due to laminar flow and inefficient scavenging, which hinders ignition performance, especially in lean burn conditions.

Innovation Solution

A mixture flow guiding device is designed to create a transverse and turbulent air-fuel mixture flow that directly impinges on the ignition device, optimizing combustion efficiency by ensuring quick and thorough ignition and scavenging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the longitudinal axis of the chamber and the conduct for supplying the air-fuel-mixture are arranged parallel to save space, then the space utilization in the cylinder head is improved, but the mixture flow enters the chamber in the same surface as the ignition device causing slow and incomplete combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization in cylinder headVSAvoidcombustion speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transverse flow component by arranging the mixture flow guiding device to direct flow across the longitudinal axis. This dimensional change in flow direction allows the mixture to reach the ignition device more quickly without changing the parallel arrangement of the conduct and chamber axis, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and combustion speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If the chamber is arranged obliquely with respect to the conduct providing the air-fuel-mixture to reduce flow resistance, then the flow resistance is reduced, but the air-fuel-mixture must reverse direction during ignition limiting the speed of flame jets entering the main combustion chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow resistanceVSAvoidflame jet speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flow path into two distinct phases: (1) the air-fuel-mixture flows along the longitudinal axis through the supply conduct, and (2) the mixture flow guiding device redirects this flow transversely across the chamber to impinge on the ignition device. This segmentation eliminates the need for flow direction reversal while maintaining low flow resistance, thereby increasing flame jet speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the flow of the air-fuel-mixture into the pre-chamber is kept laminar to simplify flow control, then the flow control is simplified, but the burning of the air-fuel-mixture is slow and incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control simplicityVSAvoidburning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the impingement of the transverse mixture flow on the ignition device to generate turbulence in the combustion chamber. This mechanical action of the flow striking the ignition device creates turbulent mixing and faster burning, while the flow control remains relatively simple through the geometric design of the mixture flow guiding device, thus resolving the contradiction between flow control simplicity and burning speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 solution enhances ignition performance and combustion efficiency by facilitating fast and thorough burning of the air-fuel mixture, while ensuring proper scavenging of the pre-chamber, thereby improving engine operation.

Implementation Method 1

A mixture flow guiding device (7) is provided, which is shaped such, that the mixture flow of the air-fuel-mixture in the chamber (3) is oriented substantially transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis from the second opening (6) of the chamber (3) to at least a part of the chamber (3) adjacent to the first opening (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a chamber (3) for accommodating an air-fuel-mixture to be ignited

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

arranging an ignition device, in particular a spark plug, in the first opening (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIgnition: Electric Spark

Data Source

PatentEP4204670B1Internal combustion engine with pre-chamber
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP4204670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4204670B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4204670B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Pre-chamber component for an internal combustion engine comprising a chamber (3) for accommodating an air-fuel-mixture to be ignited, wherein - a first opening (4) into the chamber (3) for arranging an ignition device (5), in particular a spark plug, is provided and - a second opening (6) for introducing the air-fuel-mixture in the form of a mixture flow into the chamber (3) is provided, wherein a mixture flow guiding device (7) is provided, which is shaped such, that the mixture flow of the air-fuel-mixture in the chamber (3) is - oriented substantially transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) from the second opening (6) of the chamber (3) to at least a part of the chamber adjacent to the first opening and/or - in the form of a turbulent flow.