Thermal Engine with Insulated Battery for Dual-Fuel Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engines rely on combustible fuels, causing global pollution and health issues, and electric vehicles face challenges with battery disposal and inefficient energy transformation, necessitating a more efficient and environmentally friendly engine design that can operate with both combustible and non-combustible expansion fluids.
Innovation Solution
A thermal engine incorporating a thermal battery with a thermal mass that stores heat to expand fluids, such as water, for mechanical energy generation, allowing operation with combustible fuels for high power demand and non-combustible fluids like water for low power demand, with the thermal battery also capable of storing both heat and electric energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If combustible fuels are used for power generation, then high power demand is met, but global pollution and health issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The engine system dynamically switches between combustible and noncombustible expansion fluids based on power demand conditions. The controller monitors operational parameters and automatically selects the appropriate fluid source, enabling the system to adapt its fuel strategy in real-time to balance power output and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the expansion fluid from combustible to noncombustible based on operational requirements. By altering the fluid composition parameter (from gasoline/diesel to water or water-alcohol mixtures), the system achieves different operational modes that trade off between power density and environmental harm.
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal battery is used to store heat energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal battery serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores thermal energy for later use, preheats the noncombustible expansion fluid before injection, and acts as a heat exchanger. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maximizing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the thermal storage function with the fluid heating function by integrating the thermal battery directly into the expansion fluid delivery system. The thermal battery is positioned to directly preheat the noncombustible expansion fluid, combining energy storage and heat transfer components into a unified system architecture.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If noncombustible expansion fluid is used, then environmental impact is reduced, but power output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal battery preheats the noncombustible expansion fluid before it is injected into the combustion chamber, performing the heating action in advance. This preliminary thermal preparation increases the fluid's expansion capability, thereby enhancing power output while maintaining the environmental benefits of using noncombustible fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replicates the beneficial effects of combustible fuel combustion by using thermal energy from the battery to achieve similar pressure and temperature conditions in the expansion chamber, but without the harmful emissions. The thermal battery copies the heat generation function that would otherwise require combustible fuel.
4Use of energy by moving object
If thermal mass is increased to store more heat, then energy storage capacity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal battery utilizes composite material structures that combine high heat capacity materials with lightweight construction. By employing composite materials with optimized thermal properties, the system achieves high energy storage capacity while minimizing the weight penalty associated with increased thermal mass.
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 engine achieves high efficiency and reduced environmental impact by utilizing thermal energy for fluid expansion, storing more energy per unit weight than conventional batteries and allowing seamless switching between fuel types, enhancing power generation and reducing torque requirements at high altitudes.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal battery (200) including a thermal mass (210) for storing heat
Implementation Method 2
the heat stored in the thermal battery (200) causes the noncombustible expansion fluid to expand within the expansion chamber (22)
Implementation Method 3
heating elements for heating the noncombustible expansion fluid to a temperature close to the boiling point of the expansion fluid
Implementation Method 4
thermal insulation surrounding the thermal battery (200) for efficiently containing heat within the thermal mass (210)
Implementation Method 5
the heat stored in the thermal battery (200) causes the noncombustible expansion fluid to expand within the expansion chamber (22), whether by phase change or combustion
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal engine includes a cylinder and piston and an insulated thermal battery including at least a thermal mass such as the engine block itself for storing and retaining heat to enhance or cause fluid expansion within the cylinder and drive the piston, the thermal battery optionally including an electrolyte chamber containing a thermal electrolyte for functioning as an electric thermal battery. Heat is stored in the thermal battery such as by activating electric resistance heating elements in the thermal mass. The stored heat either causes expansion of a non-combustible expansion fluid such as water or enhances the expansion of a combustible expansion fluid such as gasoline. Where the thermal battery is an electric thermal battery containing an electrolyte, the storage of heat also stores electricity which can be used to power an electric motor.