Ultrasonic Fuel Atomization for Combustion Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for optimizing hydrocarbon combustion, such as plasma jet reactors and magnetic field interactions, do not effectively address the need for improved fuel particle fragmentation and surface tension reduction to enhance combustion efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a tubular apparatus with ultrasound piezoelectric transducers and an axial-symmetric magnetic field is used to induce vibrations in fuel particles, reducing molecular tension and increasing the surface area of fuel in contact with air, thereby optimizing combustion by creating an ultrasound field coupled with a magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional combustion methods are used, then the combustion process is simple, but combustion efficiency is insufficient and fuel consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to fuel particles before combustion, causing the fuel drops to vibrate and fragment into smaller droplets. This mechanical vibration increases the total surface area of fuel exposed to oxygen, thereby improving combustion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption without requiring complex combustion chamber modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasonic vibration process segments large fuel drops into numerous smaller droplets and even individual molecules. This segmentation dramatically increases the surface-to-volume ratio of the fuel, allowing more complete and efficient combustion reactions with available oxygen, thus resolving the contradiction between combustion efficiency and fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If fuel particles are not fragmented, then the device structure is simple, but surface tension prevents effective combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing ultrasonic vibration into the fuel stream, the patent overcomes surface tension forces that prevent fuel fragmentation. The high-frequency mechanical vibration creates stresses within fuel drops that exceed surface tension, causing them to break apart into smaller droplets and molecules, thereby enabling efficient combustion without complex mechanical fragmentation devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential mechanical fragmentation systems with ultrasonic field application. Instead of using physical crushers or cutters to break fuel particles, the invention uses acoustic energy to induce vibrations that naturally cause fragmentation, simplifying the device structure while achieving the desired fuel particle breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If oxygen participation in combustion is increased, then combustion efficiency improves, but the combustion process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting fuel into smaller droplets and molecules through ultrasonic vibration, the patent increases the surface area available for oxygen interaction. This segmentation allows oxygen to penetrate and react with fuel more effectively throughout the combustion process, improving combustion efficiency without requiring active oxygen enrichment systems or complex combustion control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves higher combustion efficiency, reduces fuel consumption by 1%, decreases CO emissions, and improves engine cleanliness by increasing oxygen participation in the combustion process, while being compact and position-independent with no moving parts.

Implementation Method 1

A device comprising a tubular apparatus with ultrasound piezoelectric transducers and an axial-symmetric magnetic field is used to induce vibrations in fuel particles, reducing molecular tension and increasing the surface area of fuel in contact with air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

ultrasound piezoelectric transducers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The interaction of the pulsating magnetic field with the drops of fuel induces vibrations in the individual drops of fuel, allowing to reduce the skin tension in every drop of fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

generating a turbulence at microscopic level. In this way, the molecules of hydrocarbons, entering at a certain speed depending on suction, are rotated onto themselves and along opposite directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3483409B1Device for optimizing the combustion of hydrocarbons
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 M E S SRL
  • EP3483409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3483409B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3483409B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A device is described, for optimizing the combustion of hydrocarbons, through induction of vibrations in the particles of fuel, comprising a tubular apparatus (1) inserted in a fuel gas line, between a storage tank and an internal combustion engine; a ultrasound generator (G) to supply a plurality of ultrasound piezoelectric transducers (21) arranged on the tubular apparatus (1) composed of an internal tube (11) coaxial with respect to an external tube (12), which supports the piezoelectric transducers (21), while the internal tube (11) is composed of a series of tube sections (14) made of ferromagnetic material arranged axially with interposed disks (15) made of soft iron.