Uniflow Scavenging Port for Variable Compression Ratio Engines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In dual-fuel engines with variable compression ratios, the scavenging efficiency is compromised at high compression ratios when using a skewed scavenging port, as the swirling flow becomes weak, leading to reduced scavenging efficiency and increased blow-by of fuel gas.

Innovation Solution

A uniflow scavenging two-cycle engine with a scavenging port that includes both a swirling guide portion and a center guide portion, where the center guide portion's orientation adjusts relative to the piston position, ensuring effective scavenging gas flow and distribution regardless of compression ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a skewed scavenging port is used to level scavenging speed, then blow-by of fuel gas is reduced at low compression ratio, but swirling flow becomes weak at high compression ratio leading to reduced scavenging efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescavenging efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to different compression ratios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The scavenging port is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with an inclined surface that generates swirling flow, and a second portion with a surface parallel to the radial direction that levels scavenging speed. This segmentation allows each portion to independently fulfill its specific function, resolving the contradiction between generating swirl and leveling speed across different compression ratios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the scavenging port are given different local qualities: the first portion has an inclined surface configuration optimized for generating swirling flow, while the second portion has a parallel surface configuration optimized for leveling scavenging speed. This local differentiation enables the port to address multiple conflicting requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the scavenging port is designed for high compression ratio, then scavenging efficiency is improved, but blow-by increases at low compression ratio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescavenging efficiencyVSAvoidblow-by of fuel gas
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scavenging port is segmented into two functional portions that operate complementarily: the first portion generates swirling flow to improve scavenging efficiency, while the second portion levels the scavenging speed to prevent blow-by. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both improved scavenging and reduced blow-by simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges two previously separate port designs into a single integrated scavenging port structure. The first portion (inclined surface) and second portion (parallel surface) are combined in one port, allowing the system to achieve both swirling flow generation and speed leveling effects in a unified component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 appropriate scavenging efficiency across varying compression ratios by optimizing gas flow patterns, reducing blow-by and maintaining effective scavenging performance in both low and high compression modes.

Implementation Method 1

a swirling guide portion that guides scavenging gas from an outside to an inside of the cylinder in a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction of the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwirling flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a center guide portion that is provided to be closer to the other end side of the cylinder than the swirling guide portion and guides the scavenging gas further toward the center side of the cylinder than the swirling guide portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow direction control:

Implementation Method 3

a piston that reciprocates in the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

an exhaust port formed on one end side of a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas exhaust:

Data Source

PatentEP3214292B1Uniflow scavenging two-cycle engine
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 IHI CORP
  • EP3214292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3214292B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3214292B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A uniflow scavenging two-cycle engine includes an scavenging port (126) that has a swirling guide portion (126a) that guides scavenging gas from an outside to an inside of a cylinder (110) in a direction inclined with respect to a radial direction of the cylinder, and a center guide portion (126b) that is provided to be closer to a crank side of the cylinder than the swirling guide portion and guides the scavenging gas further toward the center side of the cylinder than the swirling guide portion. At least a part of the center guide portion faces a piston (112) in a case where the piston is positioned at bottom dead center during the high compression ratio mode, and the center guide portion and the piston do not face each other or an area of facing the piston is smaller than that during the high compression ratio mode in a case where the piston is positioned at bottom dead center during the low compression ratio mode.