Stratified Fuel Stream for Combustion Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uniform dispersal of materials in working fluids within systems like internal combustion engines leads to suboptimal combustion, fuel underutilization, and increased friction, resulting in inefficient fuel delivery and combustion.
Innovation Solution
A stratified stream system is created with a toroidal or helical outer flow and a laminar inner flow, where the working fluid forms a toroidal or helical motion to reduce friction and enhance fuel delivery to the sparkplug, allowing for improved ignition and combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform dispersal of material in working fluid is used, then material delivery is simplified, but combustion efficiency deteriorates and fuel underutilization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid stream is segmented into multiple distinct flow layers (stratified stream) with different material concentrations. The inner flow layer contains higher concentration of fuel while the outer flow layer contains lower concentration, allowing differentiated combustion zones that improve overall combustion efficiency while maintaining simplified delivery through a single stream structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the working fluid stream are given different material concentrations tailored to their specific functions. The inner region near the centerline receives higher fuel concentration for primary combustion, while the outer region receives lower concentration for sustained burning, optimizing combustion efficiency at different spatial locations.
2Ease of operation
If uniform dispersal of material in working fluid is used, then mixing is simplified, but friction losses increase and material deposits form on walls
Solution Approach 1:
The outer flow layer is designed with lower material concentration specifically to reduce friction and prevent wall deposits. This localized modification of composition in the wall-proximal region reduces adhesion and friction losses without affecting the core mixing process in the inner flow layer.
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 enhances fuel burn rate, reduces nitrous oxide compounds, lowers peak combustion temperatures, and improves fuel efficiency, enabling engines to run at higher RPMs with reduced emissions and improved combustion characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the funnel portion and tumble area are configured to induce the working fluid to form a stratified stream having an outer portion of the working fluid having a toroidal flow characteristic
Implementation Method 2
an inner portion of the working fluid surrounded by the outer portion of the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
The outer stream of working fluid may act as a low friction boundary disposed between the inner flow stream and the wall of the passage through which the working fluid travels
Implementation Method 4
a funnel portion in said passage, said funnel portion having a greater flux area at a point proximal to the input port than at a point distal from the input port
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of apparatus are disclosed for affecting working fluid flow in a system that delivers material between two locations by carrying the material in the working fluid. For example, embodiments of the disclosed apparatus may be used in an internal combustion engines to carry fuel droplets to a combustion area using air as the working fluid. The apparatus may include a passage including a funnel portion and tumble area that direct working fluid into a stratified stream. The stratified stream may include an outer boundary flow having a toroidal and/or helical flow characteristic and an inner flow carrying injected material that is bound by the outer flow.