Variable Compression Ratio Engine With Bleed Valve Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable compression ratio engine systems face inefficiencies in recovering energy from bled charge gas and require substantial modifications to the combustion chamber geometry, increasing manufacturing and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system that varies engine compression ratio by selectively releasing combustion charge from the cylinder to a manifold via a bleed valve, where the released charge is transformed into usable electrical power at a turbine generator, without altering the cylinder geometry, and includes a check valve and igniter to ensure cleanliness and combust unburned fuel before entering the turbine generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a poppet valve is used to bleed charge gas from the combustion chamber to an auxiliary chamber to achieve variable compression ratio, then the compression ratio can be adjusted, but the energy in the bled charge gas is not adequately recovered and substantial modification to combustion chamber geometry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the charge gas bleeding function from the combustion chamber by using a bleed valve on the cylinder head that directs charge gas to a manifold instead of an auxiliary chamber. This separates the compression ratio control function from the combustion chamber geometry, allowing variable compression ratio without modifying the combustion chamber itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a manifold as an intermediary component between the cylinder and the turbine generator. The manifold receives charge gas from multiple cylinders through bleed valves and directs it to the turbine generator, serving as a mediator that enables compression ratio control while facilitating energy recovery from the bled charge gas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If charge gas is bled from the combustion chamber to achieve low compression ratios, then engine knock is minimized, but the energy in the bled charge gas is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of bleeding charge gas (which reduces compression ratio and prevents engine knock) into a beneficial outcome by directing the bled charge gas to a turbine generator. The turbine generator recovers energy from the charge gas that would otherwise be wasted, transforming a loss into a useful energy source while still achieving knock prevention.
3Productivity
If the compression ratio is increased during low engine loads to improve efficiency, then engine performance is improved, but engine knock may occur during high engine loads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic compression ratio control by using bleed valves that can be opened or closed based on engine operating conditions. During low loads, the bleed valves remain closed to maintain high compression ratio for improved efficiency. During high loads, the bleed valves open to reduce compression ratio and prevent engine knock, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the compression ratio parameter dynamically by controlling the bleed valve positions. By adjusting whether charge gas is bled from the cylinders, the effective compression ratio is changed based on engine load conditions, enabling high efficiency at low loads while preventing knock at high loads through parameter variation.
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 approach allows for improved engine performance across varying loads and speeds by adjusting compression ratio without geometric modifications, while generating electrical power from bled charge gas, enhancing efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
transforming the released combustion charge into usable electrical power at a turbine generator coupled downstream of the bleed valve
Implementation Method 2
includes a check valve and igniter to ensure cleanliness and combust unburned fuel before entering the turbine generator
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for a variable compression ratio engine. In one example, an engine system may comprise: varying a compression ratio of a cylinder by selectively releasing combustion charge from the cylinder through a bleed valve on a cylinder head; and transforming the released combustion charge into usable electrical power at a turbine generator coupled downstream of the bleed valve. In this way, the compression ratio may be varied based on engine operating conditions to promote better engine performance and efficiency while producing electrical power from the charge gas bled from one or more cylinders in the engine.