Pyroelectric Ceramic Composite for Fuel Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively enhance hydrocarbon fuel efficiency in heavy-duty diesel engines through infrared emissions, as they require amplified infrared exposure which is not adequately addressed by prior art.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic composite is developed by mixing infrared-emitting metal oxides with specific spectral luminance in the 3-20 µm wavelength range and an effective amount of pyroelectric material, which significantly amplifies infrared emissions, improving fuel combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional infrared-emitting materials are used in heavy-duty diesel engines, then the device structure remains simple, but the infrared emission intensity is insufficient to effectively enhance fuel combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple metal oxides (zirconia, titanium oxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, nickel oxide) with specific pyroelectric materials (tourmaline, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate) to create a ceramic composite that achieves amplified infrared emissions in the 3-20 μm wavelength range, resolving the contradiction between emission intensity and material complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ceramic composite by incorporating specific ratios of metal oxides and pyroelectric materials, and by controlling sintering temperature parameters, to achieve the desired infrared emission intensity while managing the complexity of the composite structure
2Productivity
If infrared exposure is increased to enhance fuel combustion efficiency, then fuel efficiency improves, but the requirement for amplified infrared exposure exceeds the capability of existing technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the pyroelectric effect, which involves phase transition-like behavior in the crystal structure of pyroelectric materials when heated, to generate temporary electrical potential that amplifies infrared emissions, thereby increasing the infrared exposure intensity needed for enhanced fuel combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The composite ceramic material combines infrared-emitting metal oxides with pyroelectric materials to achieve amplified infrared emissions, enabling the system to provide the increased infrared exposure intensity required for improved fuel combustion efficiency in heavy-duty diesel engines
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 ceramic composite enhances hydrocarbon fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines, resulting in increased torque and power, improved fuel economy, and reduced exhaust emissions, with demonstrated effectiveness in heavy-duty diesel engine applications.
Implementation Method 1
pyroelectric materials have an ability to generate a temporary electrical potential when they are heated or cooled. The change in temperature can slightly modify the positions of atoms within the crystal structure so that the polarization of the material may change.
Implementation Method 2
hydrocarbons are infrared-active and absorb multiphotons in 3 - 20 μm wavelengths causing molecular vibrations
Implementation Method 3
infrared-emitting oxides having specific spectral luminance in 3 - 20 micrometers wavelength range
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
This invention relates to a ceramic composite that comprises of a mixture of infrared- emitting metal oxides having specific spectral luminance in 3 - 20 μm (micrometers) wavelength range and an effective amount of pyroelectric material that helps enhance infrared emissions of said oxides in said wavelength range. Said ceramic composite can be deviced to provide an effective means of improving hydrocarbon fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines for better engine performance with increased torque and power, improved fuel economy, and reduced exhaust emissions. Such ceramic composites can also be used in other applications that utilize infrared emissions in said wavelength range.