Water-Based Fuel Internal Combustion Engine System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current internal combustion engines rely heavily on fossil fuels, which are depleting and polluting, and alternative fuel solutions have been inefficient or incompatible with existing infrastructure, with previous water-based systems failing due to high energy requirements and impractical hydrogen production.

Innovation Solution

An internal combustion engine system that injects a mixture of hydrogen and air into a combustion chamber, along with a fuel consisting of water and a flammable, water-soluble substance like alcohol, which is compressed to high pressure and ignited to generate power, allowing for efficient operation without fossil fuels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen to fuel an internal combustion engine, then the engine can run on a renewable fuel source, but the energy required to separate water exceeds the energy produced by the engine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss in water separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-mixes hydrogen with air in specific proportions (2:1 or 4:1) before injection into the combustion chamber, and pre-heats the water fuel to optimize vaporization. This preliminary preparation reduces the energy required during actual combustion and improves overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of water from liquid to vapor through heating and compression, and controls the hydrogen-to-air ratio parameters to optimize combustion efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves net positive energy output from water-based fuel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If a large amount of hydrogen mixture is used to run a typical automotive engine, then the engine can generate sufficient power, but the system becomes impractical due to the large volume required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine power outputVSAvoidvolume of hydrogen mixture
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges hydrogen with air in a pre-mixer to create a combined gas mixture before injection. This merging allows the engine to use atmospheric air as the oxygen source, dramatically reducing the volume of stored hydrogen needed while maintaining sufficient power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses atmospheric air as a universal oxygen source, eliminating the need for dedicated oxygen storage. The hydrogen-air mixture serves multiple functions: fuel source, oxidizer carrier, and combustion enhancer, reducing overall system volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If fossil fuels are used to run internal combustion engines, then the engines can operate efficiently with existing infrastructure, but the world supply is depleting and the fuels are very polluting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine efficiencyVSAvoidpollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fuel composition parameters by using water-based fuel with controlled hydrogen content and specific air-to-fuel ratios. This parameter change enables complete combustion with water vapor as the primary exhaust, eliminating harmful pollutants while maintaining engine efficiency through optimized combustion chamber design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If alternative fuel systems are introduced to reduce petroleum depletion, then renewable energy use increases, but a completely new infrastructure is required for production and distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable energy usageVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be universally compatible with existing internal combustion engines, using components like fuel injectors, spark plugs, and exhaust systems that already exist in conventional vehicles. This multi-functionality approach allows renewable water-based fuel to be used without requiring a completely new infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses water as an intermediary substance that can be easily stored, transported, and converted into hydrogen fuel on-demand. Water serves as a universal carrier that bridges the gap between renewable energy sources and existing engine infrastructure, eliminating the need for complex new distribution systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system achieves efficient power generation with minimal pollution, using renewable resources and reducing the need for new infrastructure, as it can run indefinitely at high RPM with reduced air intake and produces clean exhaust.

Implementation Method 1

The resulting liquid/gas mixture is then compressed to a very high pressure, which causes the temperature to rise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic heating: Adiabatic Heating

Implementation Method 2

an ignition device causes combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The combustion results in hot and pressurized gases that cause the piston to move and generate power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2828509B1Internal combustion engine using a water-based mixture as fuel and method for operating the same
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 MAYMAAN RES LLC
  • EP2828509B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2828509B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2828509B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder with a combustion chamber and a piston selectively changing the volume of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber receives a mixture of air, hydrogen and a liquid fuel consisting essentially of water and a flammable, preferably non-fossil, substance. The contents of the combustion chamber are ignited generating power.