Tangential Combustion Engine With Hydraulic Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion engines face inefficiencies in converting the energy generated by fuel combustion into torque, leading to suboptimal fuel usage and operational performance.
Innovation Solution
The engine design incorporates two cylinders with opposing drive pistons mechanically coupled to pressure pistons within a hydraulic unit, where the movement of one drive piston induces the reverse movement of another, leveraging hydraulic fluid to enhance force transmission tangentially to a drive element, which sets the shaft into continuous rotational motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional reciprocating piston engines are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the efficiency of converting combustion energy into torque is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic unit with hydraulic fluid that transmits force from the drive pistons to the drive element. The hydraulic fluid acts as a medium to transfer mechanical energy, enabling more efficient conversion of combustion energy into torque while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid serves as an intermediary between the drive pistons and the drive element. It receives force from the pistons and transmits it to the drive element, improving energy conversion efficiency without requiring direct mechanical connection that would complicate the structure.
2Power
If additional hydraulic components are added to improve force transmission, then torque generation capability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic unit is integrated into the existing engine structure, merging the force transmission function with the existing piston and cylinder assembly. The pressure pistons are positioned within the hydraulic unit, combining multiple functions into a unified structure that increases torque capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic unit serves multiple functions: it transmits force from drive pistons, stores energy in the hydraulic fluid, and provides the mechanical coupling between pistons and the drive element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the engine operates at low speeds, then fuel consumption increases, but torque generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid transmission system provides mechanical advantage that is particularly effective at low speeds. The hydraulic pressure amplifies the force from the drive pistons, enabling sufficient torque generation at low rotational speeds while improving fuel efficiency by reducing energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the hydraulic fluid to optimize force transmission at different operating speeds. By controlling hydraulic pressure, the engine can maintain optimal torque output across varying speed conditions, improving fuel consumption characteristics.
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 design increases efficiency by providing additional force support, enabling higher torque generation even at low speeds and maintaining consistent torque across varying speeds, thus improving fuel consumption and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic unit (26) in which the first pressure piston (23) and the second pressure piston (24) are movably arranged and which contains a fluid, preferably a liquid (25), in a space between the pressure pistons
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising: - a shaft (30) on which a drive element (31) is arranged, - a first cylinder (11) for fuel combustion with a first drive piston (9) movably arranged therein, and - a second cylinder (12) for fuel combustion with a second drive piston (10) movably arranged therein, - wherein the internal combustion engine is arranged such that the drive pistons (9, 10) move back and forth in opposite directions in the two cylinders (11, 12), characterized in that - the first drive piston (9) is mechanically coupled to a first pressure piston (23), - the second drive piston (10) is mechanically coupled to a second pressure piston (24), - the first and the second drive pistons (9, 10) are operatively connected to the drive element (31), and - the internal combustion engine comprises a hydraulic unit (26).in which the first pressure piston (23) and the second pressure piston (24) are movably arranged and which contains a fluid, preferably a liquid, in an interior space (25) between the pressure pistons (23, 24), wherein the internal combustion engine is further arranged such that a forward stroke movement of the first drive piston (9) induces a return stroke movement of the first pressure piston (23) in the hydraulic unit (26), thereby inducing a forward stroke movement of the second pressure piston (24) in the hydraulic unit and thus inducing a return stroke movement of the second drive piston (10), and wherein the operative connection between the drive pistons (9, 10) and the drive element (31) is arranged such that the force generated by the reciprocating movement of the drive pistons (9, 10) is transmitted tangentially to the drive element (31) and the drive element (31) sets the shaft (30) into a continuous rotational movement, as well as a method for operating this internal combustion engine,the use of this internal combustion engine to power a motor vehicle, aircraft or ship, and a motor vehicle, aircraft or ship that incorporates this internal combustion engine.