Shuttle Plunger Ignition Device for Gasoline Compression Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gasoline compression ignition engines face challenges in cold start conditions, requiring combustion aids like block heaters or glow plugs to increase combustion chamber temperature, and conventional ignition devices require continuous sparking which can be inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An ignition device with a shuttle plunger and gas chamber that captures exhaust gases using an electromagnetic coil to aid in combustion, allowing the engine to operate in both compression and spark-ignition modes, and a hybrid mode that captures hot exhaust gases to enhance self-ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ignition devices with continuous sparking are used, then combustion can be maintained, but energy consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition device uses periodic sparking instead of continuous sparking. The electromagnetic coil generates sparks at specific intervals during the engine cycle, particularly during compression ignition phases, rather than maintaining a continuous spark. This periodic action maintains reliable combustion while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous ignition systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Temperature

If block heaters or glow plugs are used to increase combustion chamber temperature, then cold start capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion chamber temperatureVSAvoidwarming devices

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic coil serves multiple functions: it acts as both the ignition source for spark ignition and as a heating device for cold start conditions. By using a single component for both ignition and warming purposes, the system improves cold start capability without adding separate block heaters or glow plugs, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own electromagnetic coil to generate heat for warming the combustion chamber during cold starts, rather than requiring external heating devices. The coil's electromagnetic energy is utilized to heat the combustion chamber, enabling the engine to warm itself up during startup conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If exhaust gases are captured and reused, then thermal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidgas capture system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas capture system is merged with the existing ignition device structure. The electromagnetic coil and associated components serve dual purposes: generating ignition sparks and capturing/storing exhaust gases for later use. This integration allows the system to improve thermal efficiency by reusing exhaust gases while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient operation across various conditions, including cold starts, by using captured exhaust gases to raise the combustion chamber temperature, improving thermal efficiency and reducing the need for additional warming devices.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic coil that actuates the shuttle plunger in a first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

The electrical difference between the energized ignition rod and the grounded plate creates a continuous spark, which then ignites the air and fuel mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 3

captures exhaust gases to aid in combustion, allowing the engine to operate in both compression and spark-ignition modes, and a hybrid mode that captures hot exhaust gases to enhance self-ignition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11473551B1Flexible ignition device for gasoline compression ignition combustion in internal combustion engines

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

This disclosure presents, in one or more embodiments, an ignition device for a gasoline compression ignition engine. The ignition device includes a shuttle plunger with a gas chamber. The gas chamber is delimited by at least one sidewall of the shuttle plunger and captures exhaust gases. The ignition device also includes an electromagnetic coil that actuates the shuttle plunger in a first direction, a main body with a cavity containing the shuttle plunger and the electromagnetic coil, and a center electrode, fixed to the shuttle plunger, that ignites a fuel mixture.