Supercharged Air Duct Using Cyclone Cooling for Lower Combustion Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving high specific performance while maintaining low combustion temperatures, and existing solutions for cooling supercharged air often require water and are inefficient or require complex systems.
Innovation Solution
A supercharged air duct system utilizing a Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube for counter-flow cooling of supercharged air, combined with an intercooler and return throttle, to manage temperature and pressure efficiently without water, using the exhaust gas's kinetic energy for cooling and avoiding engine overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water injection is used to lower combustion temperature, then combustion temperature is reduced, but system complexity and weight increase due to water tank and refilling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own supercharged air to cool itself through the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube, eliminating the need for external water injection systems. The compressed air from the turbocharger is diverted through the cyclone tube where it separates into hot and cold streams, and the cold stream is reused to cool the combustion air, creating a self-sufficient cooling cycle without additional water tanks or injection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the supercharged air by passing it through the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube, which separates the air into hot and cold streams based on rotational energy. The cold stream (lower temperature) is then used to cool the combustion air, effectively reducing the combustion temperature without requiring water injection.
2Power
If turbocharger pressure is increased to achieve high specific performance, then engine power output increases, but mechanical stress and combustion temperature increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a feedback loop where the hot return flow from the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube is recirculated back to the turbocharger inlet via the return throttle and return channel. This allows the system to continuously adjust and utilize the thermal energy from the compressed air, maintaining optimal combustion temperatures even at high turbocharger pressures by constantly recycling and re-cooling the air.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful excess heat and pressure from the turbocharger into a beneficial cooling resource. The hot compressed air that would normally be detrimental to combustion temperature is instead passed through the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube to generate cold streams that actively cool the combustion air, transforming the harmful thermal energy into a useful cooling mechanism.
3Temperature
If excess compression output is relieved by bypassing turbocharger, then combustion temperature is reduced, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply bypassing and wasting the excess compressed air, the system recovers its energy by passing it through the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube to generate cold streams for cooling purposes. The hot return flow is also recovered and recirculated back to the turbocharger inlet, ensuring that no energy is wasted and all thermal energy is utilized for beneficial cooling effects.
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 system effectively cools supercharged air to optimal temperatures and pressures, reducing mechanical stress on the engine, eliminating the need for water and complex systems, and enhancing engine longevity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube (8) having an inflow outlet (9) and having a return flow outlet (10), wherein, during operation, an inflow (11) further cooled from the cooled supercharged air flows out via the inflow outlet (9)
Implementation Method 2
an intercooler (7) for cooling compressed supercharged air of the compressor turbine (4)
Implementation Method 3
a compressor turbine (4) of a turbocharger (5)... By means of the turbocharger or its compressor turbine, air is drawn in (usually from the environment) and compressed to a desired charge pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A supercharged air duct for providing supercharged air to an internal combustion engine. The air duct includes at least the following components in the stated order along the flow direction: a compressor turbine of a turbocharger; an intercooler for cooling compressed supercharged air of the compressor turbine; a Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube having an inflow outlet and having a return flow outlet; and a return throttle for the return flow of the Ranque-Hilsch cyclone tube. During operation, an inflow further cooled from the cooled supercharged air flows out via the inflow outlet for a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and a heated return flow flows out via the return flow outlet.