Rotating Piston Engine Microwave Ignition Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotating piston internal combustion engines experience efficiency losses and emissions due to uneven combustion chamber surfaces and spherical ignition leading to compression losses and diffusion flames.

Innovation Solution

Integration of microwave windows in the combustion chamber wall for microwave energy injection, allowing for a smooth surface and space ignition, reducing compression losses and enhancing fuel ignition homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a spark plug indentation is formed in the combustion chamber wall for ignition, then fuel ignition is enabled, but the running surface becomes uneven causing compression loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel ignitionVSAvoidcompression loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A microwave-transparent window is introduced as an intermediary component in the combustion chamber wall. This window allows microwave energy to pass through while maintaining the structural integrity and smoothness of the running surface, thus enabling ignition without compromising compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical spark plug indentation system is replaced with a microwave-based ignition system. Instead of creating a physical indentation for a spark plug, microwaves are used to ignite the fuel, allowing the combustion chamber wall to remain smooth and maintain compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If spherical ignition is used in the combustion chamber, then ignition simplicity is maintained, but diffusion flames occur leading to efficiency losses and emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition simplicityVSAvoidcombustion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Microwave energy introduces vibrational/oscillatory energy into the fuel-air mixture, creating a more uniform and rapid combustion process compared to spherical flame propagation. This vibrational energy distribution leads to more homogeneous combustion and reduced emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The ignition mechanism is changed from thermal-spherical (spark plug) to electromagnetic-radiative (microwave). This parameter change in the ignition method fundamentally alters the combustion process from diffusion-flame based to a more homogeneous energy distribution, improving efficiency and reducing emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the combustion chamber wall is made smooth for sealing, then compression is improved, but microwave energy cannot be introduced into the chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression loss preventionVSAvoidmicrowave energy introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber wall is designed with local quality variation: most of the wall maintains a smooth surface for sealing and compression, while a specific localized region contains a microwave-transparent window. This allows the wall to simultaneously provide both sealing function and microwave energy introduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables improved fuel ignition efficiency, reduced emissions, and increased power output by ensuring a homogeneous ignition across the combustion chamber, minimizing reflection of microwave energy and promoting a 'colder' combustion process.

Implementation Method 1

at least one microwave window is arranged in the combustion chamber wall wherein a device for introducing microwave energy in the form of microwaves into the combustion chamber of the operating chamber is arranged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the fuel is excited before igniting as homogeneously as possible over the entire volume of the combustion chamber which is provided by an absorption of the microwave energy by the fuel particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of microwave energy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The microwave energy is concentrated in sufficient quantity at as many places in the combustion chamber as possible in order to generate a space ignition in the combustion chamber through a plurality of ignition cores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentration of microwave energy:

Data Source

PatentUS10030578B2Rotating piston internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 MWI MICRO WAVE IGNITION

AI summary

A rotating piston internal combustion engine including a housing which includes a housing wall that forms an operating chamber, and in which housing a rotatable rotating piston is arranged which extends through the operating chamber and moves edges of the rotating piston along the housing wall that forms a running surface, wherein a portion of the operating chamber functions as a combustion chamber together with an associated combustion chamber wall for igniting a fuel that is arranged in the operating chamber, characterized in that at least one microwave window is arranged in the combustion chamber wall, wherein a device for injecting microwave energy in a form of microwaves into the combustion chamber of the operating chamber is arranged at a side of the microwave window that is oriented away from the combustion chamber.