Rotary Engine Combustion Assembly Intermittent Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines face challenges in maximizing efficiency while minimizing costs, weight, and maintenance, particularly in achieving intermittent combustion without complex mechanical motion.
Innovation Solution
The Riley cycle-based system employs a compression assembly to compress fluid to a high pressure, a tank assembly to hold a large volume of compressed fluid, and a combustion assembly that receives a small portion of compressed air for each power stroke, allowing for intermittent combustion without reciprocating action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gas turbine engines are used, then power-to-weight ratio is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into separate functional components: a compressor assembly that rotates continuously to compress air, and a combustion assembly that operates intermittently to drive a power rotor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling gas turbine-like continuous compression while achieving reciprocating-engine-like intermittent combustion for improved fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion assembly operates in periodic cycles, receiving compressed air from the compressor, combusting fuel intermittently, and driving the power rotor during power strokes. This periodic combustion approach combines the continuous operation advantage of gas turbines with the fuel efficiency of intermittent combustion, resolving the contradiction between power output and fuel consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If reciprocating engines are used, then fuel efficiency is improved, but power-to-weight ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional reciprocating piston mechanism is replaced with a rotary compressor assembly that provides continuous compression without reciprocating motion. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity and weight of reciprocating components while maintaining the fuel efficiency benefits of controlled combustion timing.
3Use of energy by moving object
If intermittent combustion is implemented, then fuel efficiency is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Intermittent combustion is achieved without complex reciprocating mechanisms by using a continuously rotating compressor assembly paired with a combustion assembly that fires periodically. The continuous rotation simplifies the mechanical system compared to traditional reciprocating engines, while the intermittent combustion maintains fuel efficiency advantages.
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 approach enables efficient, continuous rotational motion with reduced transitional losses, improved fuel efficiency, and lower maintenance requirements, while also allowing for flexible fuel use and efficient expansion ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a compression assembly to compress fluid to a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
a combustion assembly that receives a small portion of compressed air for each power stroke
Implementation Method 3
The expanding working fluid is directed through blades of the turbine, thereby causing the turbine to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary engine, parts thereof, and methods associated therewith is provided. The engine is modular and adjustable to accommodate a variety of requirements and preferences. The system includes a combustion assembly having a housing and a power rotor positioned therein. The power rotor rotates in a first direction from the beginning of each combustion process through the end of each exhaust process. The system also includes a compression assembly linked to the combustion assembly such that the compression rotor rotates in the first direction from the beginning of each intake process through the end of each compression process. A tank assembly in fluid communication with the compression assembly and the combustion assembly provides stability to the system while eliminating or otherwise reducing transitional loses.