Stirling Engine Compressor Eliminates Turbo Lag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbochargers for internal combustion engines suffer from power lag, back pressure, inefficiency, noise, and high costs due to their reliance on exhaust gas pulses and mechanical lubrication, leading to reduced performance and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
The use of a Stirling engine-powered compressor, known as a stirlocharger, which recovers thermal energy from exhaust gases to provide compressed air to the engine's combustion chambers, eliminating the need for traditional turbochargers and superchargers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a turbocharger is used to increase volumetric efficiency and power output, then engine power and torque are improved, but power lag and throttle response are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the turbocharger's exhaust-gas-driven turbine mechanism with a directly engine-coupled compressor system. The compressor is driven by the engine's crankshaft through a clutch mechanism, eliminating the intermediate exhaust gas pathway and turbine inertia that cause power lag. This direct mechanical coupling allows immediate compressor engagement when the clutch is activated, providing instant throttle response while maintaining the ability to deliver boosted air to the combustion chambers for sustained power output.
2Quantity of substance
If a turbocharger is used to compress intake air, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but exhaust back pressure is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression function from the exhaust gas flow path by implementing a separate, dedicated compressor system. Instead of using exhaust gases to drive a turbine that compresses air, the system uses an independent compressor mechanically coupled to the engine crankshaft. This separation removes the turbocharger's turbine vane intrusion from the exhaust system, eliminating the source of back pressure while maintaining the essential function of compressing and delivering increased air volume to the combustion chambers.
3Power
If a turbocharger is used to increase power output, then engine performance is improved, but device complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the engine's existing crankshaft serve multiple functions: it not only drives the pistons for combustion but also directly drives the compressor through the clutch mechanism. This eliminates the need for a separate exhaust gas pathway, turbine, and associated control valves required by traditional turbochargers. The clutch mechanism itself provides multi-functionality by enabling selective engagement of the compressor, allowing the system to operate in both boosted and non-boosted modes, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining power output capabilities.
4Quantity of substance
If a turbocharger is used to compress air for combustion, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but friction and mechanical losses are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by directly coupling the compressor to the engine's crankshaft, which rotates continuously during engine operation. This eliminates the intermittent and pulsating nature of exhaust gas flow that drives traditional turbochargers. The clutch mechanism allows the compressor to receive continuous rotational energy from the crankshaft and translate it into continuous compressed air delivery to the combustion chambers, maintaining steady compression work without the energy losses associated with exhaust pulse variations and turbine inertia.
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 stirlocharger reduces power lag, back pressure, fuel consumption, emissions, and noise while improving engine efficiency and torque response, offering a quieter and more efficient alternative to traditional turbocharging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The Stirling engine-powered compressor, known as a stirlocharger, which recovers thermal energy from exhaust gases
Implementation Method 2
a Stirling engine-powered compressor, known as a stirlocharger
Implementation Method 3
The Stirling engine-powered compressor, known as a stirlocharger, which recovers thermal energy from exhaust gases to provide compressed air to the engine's combustion chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and vehicles for use with internal combustion engines comprising combustion chambers that produce exhaust gases that include a Stirling engine having a hot side and a cold side with the hot side being in thermal contact with exhaust gases produced by the internal combustion engine. The Stirling engine is configured to be powered by heat from the exhaust gases during operation of the internal combustion engine, and a compressor powered by the Stirling engine is configured to provide compressed air to combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.