EP0663043A1

EP0663043A1 - Controlled mixture formation

Info

Publication number: EP0663043A1
Application number: EP92917624A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Beat A. Frei
Original assignee: FALTAS MIKHAIL William; FREI Beat
Current assignee: FALTAS MIKHAIL William; FREI Beat
Priority date: 1992-08-21
Filing date: 1992-08-21
Publication date: 1995-07-19
Also published as: AU2439792A; WO1994004812A1; US5520864A

Abstract

The invention concerns the generation of homogenous mixtures having a freely selectable composition. The mixture is made using a rotary distribution vessel (1) with its own motor (6) and metered quantities of fuel mixture are introduced into the primary chamber (7) of the vessel via the intake pipe (10) through the metering valve (27), radially distributed by centrifugal force, very finely divided and mixed with air in the mixing chamber (21). The quantitiy and composition of the mixture are adjusted by means of the metering valve (27) in conjunction with the control valve (28) in such a way that the production of the mixture and its conveyance take place at approximately ambient pressure. A motor characteristic establishes the optimum setting for the metering valve and regulating valve for mixture production at approximately ambient pressure while improving fuel consumption and the quality of the exhaust gases. The invention, in connection with the control system described, is especially suitable for the best possible operation of four-stroke engines with lean mixtures at lambda values of at least 1.5 and, in general, 1.8.

Description

REGULATED MIXTURE FORMATION

The invention relates to the production of homogeneous mixtures and, in particular, to a method and a mixture former for the continuous production of homogeneous mixtures with a freely selectable composition in a mixing chamber with an inlet, an inlet pipe, a rotating fuel distributor and a mixture outlet.

It also relates to the supply of internal combustion engines with ignitable fuel-air mixtures by means of external mixture formation, in particular of gasoline engines, and a control system which are intended in particular for the supply of gasoline engines with lean fuel-air mixtures.

Various devices for the preparation of fuel-air mixtures have been proposed, and in this connection, for example, the following patent publications are mentioned: US 4,353,848, US 4,469,075, GB 1,588,856, DE 2,809,066 A1, DE 3,024 181 A1, WO 84/03735 A1, WO 83/04282 A1, WO 85/00412, CH 663 823, CH 606 784, EP 0 209 073 A2 and EP 0 208 802 A1.

In the case of changing operating conditions, however, the fulfillment of the conditions for perfect combustion through the finest distribution of the fuel and uniform mixing with the combustion air is particularly problematic in that the required composition cannot be guaranteed in the case of transient operating states if uncontrolled amounts of fuel in the Mixture to be carried. Therefore, on the one hand, proper fuel control with highly variable air volumes and, on the other hand, the use of the simplest possible technical means is of critical importance for the trouble-free continuous operation of motor vehicles in the entire operating range.

Motor vehicles with a petrol engine are now equipped as standard with the well-known regulated three-way catalytic converter in order to be able to comply with the legal regulations with regard to the permissible pollutant limits. As part of the ongoing discussions about measures to reduce pollutant emissions, the so-called lean concept is also mentioned. The operation of gasoline engines with lean fuel-air mixtures with a significant excess of air according to the lean concept offers the possibility of reducing pollutant emissions and at the same time reducing fuel consumption. This would allow the gasoline engine to be designed to be more fuel efficient.

The interest in the development of so-called lean-burn engines or lean-burn mixed engines i.e. Numerous publications clearly show that petrol engines work with over-stoichiometric air-fuel ratios (lambda values considerably greater than 1).

An article by G. Lech and V. Harms in the journal

"Motortechnische Zeitschrift", 47 (1986) 10, pp. 423-427, relates to the

Problems of lean combustion with changing air conditions (lambda values up to 1.7).

However, the requirements for vehicle operation with lean engines are particularly strict and sometimes contradictory.

Investigations within the scope of the present invention have now shown that the potential advantages of the lean concept for the operation of gasoline engines with lean mixtures with a high excess of air can only be achieved if no stratified charge combustion or stratified charge-like swirl combustion takes place, i.e. if the combustion takes place evenly in the entire operating range of the engine. This is the only way to ensure that the reaction temperature • in the advancing flame front is uniform, that is homogeneous, and has no local peak values due to inhomogeneous charge distribution in the combustion chamber.

The object of the invention is to ensure the continuous production of homogeneous mixtures with a freely selectable composition, in particular of ignitable fuel-air mixtures, and to ensure the correct mixture control while reducing pollutant emissions and fuel consumption with relatively simple, reliable technical means. Another object of the invention is to ensure the automatic control of the mixture formation by the perfect flow control and finest distribution of fuel as well as the uniform mixing with the combustion air with variable air throughput under all necessary operating conditions and in particular in the case of transient operating states.

The invention also has the special task of ensuring that lean mixtures are supplied to internal combustion engines, which are homogeneous and have a freely selectable composition with the highest possible excess of air, in order to ensure in particular the optimal operation of gasoline engines in their entire operating range.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by the method according to claims 1 to 7, the control system according to claim 8 and the mixture former according to claims 9 to 18. The method for the production of homogeneous "mixtures according to the invention consists essentially in the combination of the pre-metering and axial introduction of a component of the mixture into the rotating distributor cup with its own motor drive on the one hand and the fine distribution of this component by centrifugal force by means of this distributor cup on the other hand in order to continuously produce homogeneous mixtures with a predetermined composition.

To supply internal combustion engines, the rotating distributor cup is advantageously driven by a motor that is independent of the operating state of the internal combustion engine. and supplied with metered quantities of fuel, so that the composition of the mixture produced in each case can be set in the entire operating range of the internal combustion engine independently of the quantity.

Furthermore, for the supply of gasoline engines, a fuel metering valve is operatively connected to a mixture control flap in a previously defined, preferred operating range of the gasoline engine, with fuel being supplied to the rotating distributor via the metering valve, which adapts accordingly to the engine power required in each case are that the gasoline engine at each operating point in the preferred Operating range can be optimally operated, the amount and composition of the mixture with the help of the control flap in connection with the metering valve are continuously adapted to the desired operating point. The quantity and the composition of the mixture are continuously adapted to the desired operating point with the help of the control flap in connection with the metering valve.

The control flap is preferably set at each operating point in such a way that the mixture formation and the transport of the mixture in the intake line of the gasoline engine can take place approximately at ambient pressure in most operating points of the preferred operating range.

According to the invention, gasoline engines are advantageously supplied with very lean mixtures with an excess of air of at least 50%, which namely have a lambda value of at least 1.5 and are preferably in the range of 1.8 or higher.

An engine map is set up in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine, which determines the optimal setting of the control flap and the fuel metering valve at corresponding operating points, so that the mixture preparation and supply in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine take place approximately at ambient pressure, reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions can be.

The outlet of the mixing chamber is preferably adapted to the intake line, so that the fuel mixture can be transported to the gasoline engine with insignificant pressure loss. The preferred range for the operation of the gasoline engine with lean mixtures with a freely selectable composition and the highest possible air excess can advantageously be delimited in advance by gradually scanning the operating range of the gasoline engine at different speeds and loads, the fuel consumption, the mixture, and exhaust gas composition and the intake pressure, in connection with the metering valve adjusts the control flap and sets up an engine map that defines the optimal position of the control flap at the corresponding operating points, so that when operating with the highest possible excess air in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine, the mixture preparation and supply of the gasoline engine takes place essentially at ambient pressure, the fuel consumption is reduced and the pollutant emissions can be reduced.

On the other hand, the amount of air drawn in by the internal combustion engine can either be determined directly, for example with the aid of a hot wire anemometer, or indirectly via the measured intake pressure, the temperature and the engine speed.

The control system according to the invention advantageously has a data processing unit with a microprocessor unit which, in conjunction with a data storage unit, depending on the power required by the gasoline engine and the engine speed, simultaneously the fuel metering valve and a servomotor of the control flap and the ignition of the gasoline engine according to a stored program, that controls a map in the previously defined operating range of the gasoline engine.

In addition to a signal corresponding to the power required by the gasoline engine, the microprocessor unit receives input signals on the one hand via corresponding sensors on the gasoline engine, which relate at least to the engine speed, the intake pressure and the temperature of the gasoline engine. On the other hand, it receives additional input signals via sensors from outside which relate at least to the respective ambient pressure and the respective ambient temperature.

Furthermore, this microprocessor unit, in conjunction with the data storage unit, continuously delivers corresponding control signals for regulating the fuel metering valve, the servomotor of the control flap and the ignition of the gasoline engine, depending on the input signals mentioned, in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine.

Each operating point defines the exact setting of the control flap, the metering valve and the engine ignition by means of predetermined values of the corresponding control signals, so that the gasoline engine is optimal in the entire preferred operating range with mixtures with a freely selectable composition and maximum air excess while reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions can be operated. The mixture generator according to the invention essentially comprises a rotating distributor cup with its own drive motor, a distributor plate and a riser cylinder with an upper distributor edge, an inflow pipe with a metering valve and an annular space between the distributor cup and the wall of the mixing chamber, the free one End of the inflow pipe protrudes into the distributor cup without contact and its outlet opening is arranged at an axial distance from the distributor cup.

The distributor cup advantageously has a central prechamber which is open at one end and has a bottom at the other end, the free end of the inflow tube projecting axially into the prechamber without contact and its outlet opening being arranged centrally at the axial distance mentioned from this bottom .

Furthermore, a control flap with a servomotor is preferably provided such that the composition and the amount of the mixture can be continuously adjusted by means of the metering valve with the aid of this control flap, and the mixture formation and the transport of the mixture can take place approximately at ambient pressure. This control flap is preferably arranged in the region of the outlet of the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is advantageously designed with the rotating distributor in such a way that it limits an aerodynamically favorable flow path between the air inlet and the mixture outlet.

Investigations within the scope of the invention have shown that the generation of homogeneous mixtures according to the invention practically eliminates the annoying formation of a liquid film on the channel walls, which is otherwise common in the case of external mixture formation. This could be due to the fact that the liquid fuel is distributed extremely finely and evenly in the homogeneous mixture and the mixtures are unsaturated when there is a large excess of air, whereby any partial wetting that may occur is rapidly evaporated.

For safety reasons, however, one could provide the wall of the mixing chamber with a heating jacket in the case of the mixture former according to the invention, so that any possibility of film formation on the wall of the mixing chamber is excluded by evaporation. The free end of the drive shaft can also have an axial blind hole which forms the central prechamber mentioned with the floor.

The rotating distributor cup can advantageously have a central hollow socket which delimits the central prechamber, the drive shaft forming an annular intermediate chamber with the hollow socket, which via at least a first radial bore with the central prechamber and via a second radial bore with the distribution surface of the Plate communicates. These radial bores can preferably be arranged diametrically opposite one another. The drive motor can advantageously be arranged below the distributor cup, the distributor edge standing free and giving off the fuel radially, so that it mixes with the surrounding air.

The distributor cup is advantageously covered by a hood that widens from the air inlet of the mixing chamber in the direction of the distribution edge, so that the air is supplied to the rotating distributor unhindered.

A fixed covering for the holder of the distributor cup can advantageously be provided so that it is flush with the wall of the

Mixing chamber forms a streamlined annular channel between the air inlet and the mixture outlet.

The drive motor can also be arranged below the distributor cup and with it within the casing so that the free end of the drive shaft is directed downward and projects axially into the hollow socket of the distributor cup, this cup under the drive motor at the lower end of the protrudes mentioned panel.

In this case, the drive shaft can extend downward through the drive motor and the hollow connector and have an axial bore and be closed at its lower end so that it forms the central prechamber and the inflow pipe extends downward through this axial bore without contact. According to another embodiment, the drive shaft extends downward through the drive motor and the hollow connector, its lower end having a blind hole and thus forming an antechamber open at the bottom with an upper floor. In this case, the inlet pipe protrudes from below into this antechamber, its outlet opening being at a distance below the floor, the annular intermediate chamber and the radial bores are arranged below the outlet opening and the upper end of the inlet pipe is provided with a deflection head which escaping fuel redirects down to the first hole.

At the lower end of this antechamber, an end bushing with an axial bore is then provided such that the inflow pipe extends through this axial bore without contact.

The mixture formation according to the invention is based in particular on the combined effect of the continuous metering and axial introduction of the fuel into the rotating distributor cup with a drive motor, on the one hand, with the immediately subsequent removal and distribution of the fuel by centrifugal force, on the other hand.

On the one hand, the fuel is first metered continuously and precisely in the inflow pipe, emerging freely from it and thus axially metered into the distributor cup. On the other hand, it is captured directly by the rotating distributor cup, inevitably spread radially by centrifugal force, finely distributed and evenly mixed with the surrounding air flow.

This combination now results in a special mode of operation according to the invention, which now enables homogeneous mixtures to be produced continuously, the fuel quantity to be regulated independently of the air quantity when the mixture is being formed, the composition and the quantity of the mixture produced continuously by means of a metering valve in connection with a control flap to be adjusted precisely, to be changed immediately as required and thus to match the required performance of a gasoline engine in such a way that the mixture formation and the transport of the mixture in the intake line can take place approximately at ambient pressure. It has now been found to be practical that the combination according to the invention of the fuel metering with the rotating distributor cup with drive motor enables the exact setting and immediate change of the mixture composition even with strong and rapid changes in the air quantity, the fuel quantity and the mixing ratio , the rotating distributor with drive motor always ensuring the exact metering and extremely fine and uniform distribution of the fuel and thus flawless homogeneous mixture formation.

Tests on the test stand have also shown that the mixture generator provided according to the invention with the rotating distributor cup and its own drive motor with various liquid and gaseous fuels can be used effectively in precisely metered amounts and in all cases ensures the perfect formation of homogeneous mixtures, which are particularly suitable for supplying internal combustion engines with ignitable mixtures of any desired composition in the entire operating range.

Fuel is understood here to mean any suitable liquid or gaseous fuel, fuel or propellant which can give the advantages of the mixture formation according to the invention. The lean mixtures which are suitable for the supply and optimum operation of gasoline engines in the context of the invention are, in particular, those mixtures with a very large excess of air of at least 50%, they preferably having lambda values in the range from 1.6 to 1. Will have 8 or more. The mixture formation according to the invention was carried out with a rotating distributor cup of the type described in more detail below, which is equipped with an electric drive motor at a constant speed, the problem-free mixture formation and regulation of the composition of the mixture being able to be ensured in a large operating range.

The rotating distributor cup can also be driven by a motor with adjustable speed in order to further favor the optimally controlled mixture formation in an extended operating range by controlling the speed. The invention is now based on. Embodiments of the

Mixing agent explained in more detail, which are shown schematically in the accompanying drawings as follows. Similar elements have the same designations throughout the drawings. Fig. 1 shows schematically a partial longitudinal section through a mixture former according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a partial longitudinal section through a mixture former according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 schematically shows the arrangement of the mixture generator on an internal combustion engine.

Fig. 5 shows schematically a control system for the operation of a lean burn engine with the mixture generator.

1 has a relatively simple structure and essentially comprises a mixing chamber 21 with an air inlet 24 and a mixture outlet 25, an inflow pipe 10 with a metering valve 27, a rotating distributor cup 1 with a drive motor 6 and a control flap 28 with a servomotor 29.

Fig. 1 shows the distributor with a rotating distributor cup 1, which is mounted on the drive shaft 5 of an electric drive motor 6, carried with this in an approximately spherical casing 20 and is arranged axially within the mixing chamber 21. The mixing chamber 21 has a curved, rotationally symmetrical wall 22 which is adapted to the cladding 20, forms a streamlined annular channel 23 therewith and is provided with a schematically indicated heating jacket 26.

The fixed inflow pipe 10 in operative connection with the metering valve 27 extends axially through the air inlet 24 into the distributor cup 1. The outlet opening 11 of the inflow pipe 10 can be provided with a check valve, not shown, which closes at ambient pressure when the fuel flow is interrupted. A conical hood 30 covers the open top of the distributor cup 1 at a short distance above the distribution edge 16 of the cup 1.

The air inlet 24 of the mixing chamber 21 is normally connected to an air filter (not shown), the mixture outlet 25 being connected here to the schematically indicated intake line 31 of a gasoline engine.

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the wall 22 of the mixing chamber 21 and the cladding 20 of the distributor with the drive motor are arched and adapted to one another, so that the annular channel 23 has a streamlined or aerodynamically favorable flow path between the rounded air inlet 24 around the hood 30 and the panel 20 results up to the mixture outlet 25.

The rotary distributor consists of the upwardly open distributor cup 1 with a central hollow pieces 2, an annular distribution plate 3 and a riser cylinder 4 and is mounted on the drive shaft ^"5 of the engine. 6

The hollow connector 2 encloses the free lower end of the drive we + fe 5, which has an axial blind hole and thus delimits a central prechamber 7, which is open at the upper end and has a bottom 8 at the lower end of the blind hole.

The inflow pipe 10 projects axially into the central prechamber 7 without contact, its fixed central outlet opening 11 being at a sufficiently large axial distance from the bottom 8 of the prechamber 7 so that the fuel can escape axially from this opening 11 in any desired controlled quantity .

An inner annular groove is also provided in the hollow connector 2 so that it forms an annular intermediate chamber 12 with the tubular end of the drive shaft 5, which is connected to the central prechamber 7 via a radial bore 13 in the region of the base 8. The intermediate chamber 12 is connected to the distribution surface 14 via a second radial bore 19 in the hollow connector 2, the bores 13 and 19 being arranged diametrically opposite one another. The distribution plate 3 of the rotating cup 1 has an upper, ring-shaped distribution surface 14 which extends to the base of the rising cylinder 4, which has an upwardly increasing inner rising surface 15. The upper end of the riser surface 15 is further connected via a radially inwardly projecting overflow edge 16 and a subsequent rounded end surface 17 with a distribution edge 18 on the outside of the riser cylinder 4 so that the fuel rising by centrifugal force at the overflow edge 16 radially inwards directed, then fed radially outward via the rounded end face 17 to the distribution edge 18, finely distributed thereon and mixed uniformly with the surrounding air.

When the mixture generator is in operation, the drive motor 6 rotates at a high speed of 10,000 rpm, for example, and the fuel is fed in a precisely controlled amount to the central outlet opening 11 via the metering valve 27 and the inflow pipe 10, flows freely from the latter into the antechamber 7, is deflected radially outwards at the bottom 8 and fed to the distribution surface 14 of the plate 3 by centrifugal force via the bore 13, the intermediate chamber 12 and the bore 19.

As a result, a fuel film is formed which spreads radially on the distribution surface 14, rises on the conical inner rising surface 15, is deflected inward via the overflow edge 16 and reaches the upper distribution edge 16 via the end surface 17, where the fuel is distributed finely and radially is delivered.

The fuel distributor is thus designed in such a way that the fuel escaping from the fixed central opening 11 is distributed successively by centrifugal force in the prechamber 7, in the intermediate chamber 12, on the distribution surface 14 and the rising surface 15, in the form of a uniform fuel -Films of very small thickness are supplied to the overflow edge 16 and distributed at the distribution edge 18 to extremely small fuel particles (for example drops with a size of 20 microns), radially dispensed and intimately mixed with the air flow in the annular channel 23.

With this arrangement of the distributor cup 1, the amount of fuel regulated via the metering valve 27 and emerging from the opening 11 is continuously removed by centrifugal force from the central prechamber 7, repeatedly distributed, evenly spread and the inner overflow edge 16 as an extremely thin fuel film fed the at the End face 17 and the distribution edge 18 is completely divided and released radially.

This special arrangement and mode of operation of the distributor cup 1 results in an even distribution of the fuel, any discontinuity being compensated for, which occur in particular as a result of transient effects when the operating state or the fuel supply changes, and which can more or less impair the mixture formation.

The fuel fan part in the mixture is regulated independently of the amount of air sucked in by the metering valve 27. The second exemplary embodiment shown schematically in a similar manner in FIG. 2 essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment described in accordance with FIG. 1, but in this case the 3-fuel distributor 1 is arranged below the drive motor 6 and protrudes from the underside of the covering 220, which here has a conical hood 230.

Furthermore, the drive motor 6 is arranged in reverse within this casing 220, the free end of the drive shaft 250 pointing downward, axially projecting into the hollow connector 2 from above and being designed such that it has the central prechamber 270 in a similar manner with a base part 80 limited with the bottom 280 and the lateral bore 13.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the top of the covering 220 and the drive motor 6 is covered by a conical hood 230 in the region of the air inlet 24. The drive shaft 250 has an axial bore, the fuel inflow pipe 10 extending through the hood 230 and the shaft 250 without contact and the fuel distributor 1 delimiting a tapered annular channel with a lower conical guide body 240. In the variant shown in FIG. 3, the fuel distributor 1 also protrudes under the drive motor 6 at the lower end of the casing 220, the lower free end of the drive shaft 350 having an axial blind hole and thus an antechamber 370 open at the bottom with an arranged at the top Bottom 380 and the radial bore 13 forms. The inflow pipe 310 projects axially from below into this antechamber 370 and its outlet opening 31 1 is arranged at a certain distance below the base 380. The radial bore 13, the annular intermediate chamber 12 and the radial bore 19 are arranged below this outlet opening 11, a conical hood 340 being mounted on the inflow pipe 31 here.

A deflection head 320 at the upper free end of the inflow pipe 310 redirects the escaping fuel to the circumference of the prechamber 370 and down to the first radial bore 13, a terminating bush 330 having an axial bore being provided at the lower free end of the drive shaft 350, through which the fixed inflow pipe 310 extends into the prechamber 370 without contact.

4 schematically shows an arrangement of the mixture generator MFD according to the invention on a lean-burn engine LE, here four cylinders C1, C3, C2, C4 are shown in their firing order.

The fuel-air mixture is continuously generated from the air A drawn in by the engine LE and the fuel F in the mixture generator MFD and distributed via the intake line IM of the lean-burn engine LE in the cylinders C1-C4, the ignition being controlled by an ignition control signal SC becomes. This mixture generator MFD is equipped according to the invention as described with a metering valve and a control flap and forms a regulated mixture generator which can regulate the quantity and the composition of the mixture precisely and can optimally adapt to all required operating states of the lean engine LE without additional aids. 5 schematically shows a control system with a mixture generator according to the invention for supplying a gasoline engine with lean fuel with a freely selectable composition, the outlet of the mixing chamber being adapted to the intake line of the gasoline engine LE. The control system in Fig. 5 has a data processing unit with a microprocessor unit MPU, which in connection with a data storage unit DSEM (with EPROM and RAM) depending on the performance of the gasoline engine required by the driver and the engine speed, the fuel metering valve and the servo motor Control flap of the Mixture generator MFD and the ignition of the gasoline engine controls according to a stored program that corresponds to a map in a previously defined operating range of the gasoline engine.

In addition to the signal DI corresponding to the required power, the microprocessor unit MPU receives input signals on the one hand via corresponding sensors on the gasoline engine LE, which at least correspond to the engine speed RPM, the intake pressure IP and the cooling water temperature WT of the gasoline engine, and on the other hand receives additional input signals via sensors from the outside which correspond at least to the respective ambient pressure AP and the respective ambient temperature AT.

The microprocessor unit MPU in connection with the data storage unit DSEM gives depending on these input signals DI, RPM, IP, WT, AP, AT, according to the above-mentioned map in the previously ^" delimited operating range of the gasoline engine LE, corresponding control signals FM, MC and IC for the control of the fuel_f_ dosing valve, the servomotor of the control flap of the mixture generator or the ignition of the gasoline engine.

In the limited operating range of the gasoline engine, the characteristic map precisely defines the setting of the control flap, the metering valve and the engine ignition for each operating point by means of predetermined values of the corresponding control signals (MC, FM, IC), so that the gasoline engine is mixed with mixtures in the entire operating range freely selectable composition and maximum air surplus can be operated optimally while reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

Such an automatic control system thus enables optimal vehicle operation with lean fuel mixtures, high efficiency and reduced fuel consumption while reducing pollutant emissions.

Thanks to the controllable mixture generator according to the invention, a greatly simplified control system is thus achieved which, with the aid of only three control signals, enables optimal control of the lean-burn engine operation. Both the composition and the amount of the fuel mixture and the ignition can be continuously and automatically adjusted to the optimal conditions for the operation of the engine in question.

The mixture preparation and supply of gasoline engines provided with lean fuel according to the invention can also be supplemented with suitable means and measures such that the engine continues to work satisfactorily with high lambda values at ambient pressure even at very low load values.

A variable valve control could be provided for this purpose, for example. Furthermore, the selective return of a small part of the exhaust gases into the intake line could be provided via a corresponding return line with a control valve.

The mixture generator according to the invention can also be supplemented in that a compressor is switched on before the air intake of the mixture generator at very high loads such that the lean mixture can still ensure operation with a high lambda value, reduced consumption and reduced pollutant emissions.

The control system can also be designed in such a way that the gasoline engine can only be briefly supplied with mixtures with a low lambda value of about 1 at very high loads.

Test bench tests were carried out in the context of the invention on a gasoline engine with a controllable mixture generator according to FIG. 1 in connection with a control system according to FIG. 5.

These investigations were carried out on a gasoline engine with the following features: displacement 1, 6 I, 4 cylinders, 16 valves, bore 80 mm, stroke 77 mm, compression 11: 1, two camshafts, central ignition device.

The test stand engine was equipped with the mixture generator described, the control system and the necessary measuring equipment, and operated on a test stand with conventional load, speed, pressure and temperature detection, so that the load conditions after the FTP75 cycle were simulated on the test stand can be. The control system for the test bench tests was calibrated so that an excess of air can be maintained in the entire area of the engine map with gasoline-air mixtures, which is between 1, 6 and 1, 8 with lambda values. Furthermore, the test stand engine for the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) was followed by a relatively simple oxidation catalyst with a conversion rate of 70%.

The total unburned hydrocarbons (HC values) including methane were taken into account in the exhaust gas measurements at the outlet of the oxidation catalytic converter.

The measurements during engine operation in the FTP75 cycle with lean mixtures at lambda values from 1.6 to 1.8 show that the USA standards LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) standards or even the emissions (NOx, HC and CO) standards ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) according to the "US 1990 Ciean Air Act" can be achieved with greatly reduced fuel consumption and thus the CO "emissions have been reduced accordingly.

The measured gasoline consumption in the entire lean operating range is considerably lower than with a conventional engine with 3-way catalytic converter. It can also be seen that the characteristics of constant consumption determined from the measurements have a smaller increase with increasing engine speeds than with conventional engines with a 3-way catalytic converter.

For example, with Lambda 1, 7 and a constant speed of 2000 rpm, the determined gasoline consumption with the mean pressure (in bar) varies between 440 gr / kWh at 1 bar and less than 240 gr / kWh at 5 bar. In relation to the measured Emissions should first be noted that during stationary engine operation, the NOx emissions in the upper load range at an average pressure of more than 3 bar at values of 0.2 to 0.3 gr / kWh and in the lower load range at an average pressure of less than 3 bar at 0.3 to 0.6 gr / kWh. Furthermore, it should be noted in particular that no emission peaks occur in transient operating states. It should also be noted that in the entire load and speed range, by means of appropriate settings, the NOx values (determined according to the CLD method) can be between 20 and 50 ppm.

The measured HC emissions are inconsistently distributed in the engine map between 0.25 and 1.2 gr / kWh with individual exceptions up to 3 gr / kWh.

The measured CO emissions are usually below the response threshold (100 ppm CO) of the devices used.

The HC and CO emissions can be greatly reduced by the use of an oxidising ^'catalyst with a higher, common today conversion rate of more than 90%.

The measured low HC and CO emissions are already within the strictest American standards (ULEV standards) and can be reduced even further by further developments. The proportion of oxygen in the exhaust gases is also 5% to 9% (even when idling) and thus favors the use of an oxidation catalytic converter with conversion rates of more than 90% even at temperatures around 200 ° C.

The results of these investigations have clearly shown that, thanks to the regulated supply of the gasoline engine according to the invention with lean mixtures with a freely selectable composition and with a very high excess of air (with lambda values of 1.6 to 1.8), this relatively unfavorable US-FTP75 Cycle, the nitrogen oxide emissions (when a simple oxidation catalytic converter is connected) and the carbon monoxide emissions can be reduced under the strictest USA exhaust gas standards, while at the same time significantly reducing fuel consumption and thus COp emissions.

In the course of these test bench tests, the mixture formation and supply according to the invention during engine operation using different fuels were also examined, including normal gasoline, n-pentane, propane and butane.

These examinations have shown that these very different fuels, without structural changes to the mixture generator, the engine or the control device, are a flawless, controllable, homogeneous Mixture formation and supply as well as the operation of the test stationary engine in the lean range with lambda values from 1.6 to over 2.3 result.

The invention offers various technical, economic and ecological advantages which are closely linked and are particularly important for the optimal operation of gasoline engines with lean mixtures and can be summarized briefly as follows:

A. Control of the composition ensuring a perfect mixture formation due to precise metering and axial introduction of the fuel into the rotating distributor cup. B. Control of fuel supply regardless of air flow in one and immediate adjustment to the required quality and amount of the mixture.

C. Continuous formation of homogeneous mixtures of freely selectable composition and amount approximately at ambient pressure. D. Uniform combustion of homogeneous, ignitable mixtures throughout the combustion chamber.

E. Increased combustion efficiency through the uniform filling of the combustion chamber with a homogeneous mixture, the reaction temperature being uniform and having no local peak values as a result of lambda variations.

F. The local reaction temperatures during the combustion of homogeneous mixtures correspond approximately to the adiabatic flame temperature, which with a sufficient excess of air does not significantly exceed the lower decomposition limit of nitrogen (higher than 1800 ° C). G. Internal combustion engines can be optimally operated due to the homogeneous, precisely controllable, external mixture formation in the entire load range with a very high excess of air and only negligible nitrogen oxide emissions.

G. The CO and HC emissions in homogeneous combustion thanks to such an external, homogeneous mixture formation are also largely reduced and meet the strictest international exhaust gas regulations when an unregulated oxidation catalytic converter is connected. H. The gasoline engine responds immediately to transient load changes without any fuel enrichment as a result of the precise, stepless regulation of the mixture quality by means of the metering valve in connection with the control flap. I. The fuel consumption is considerably reduced thanks to the mixture formation almost at atmospheric pressure and the gas exchange losses and wall heat losses due to the low combustion temperature, which are thus largely reduced.

J) Homogeneous, ignitable mixtures with a large excess of air are generated solely by means of the rotating distributor with drive motor in all operating states of the gasoline engine, regardless of the amount of air drawn in, approximately at ambient pressure.

K) The exact, stepless regulation of the quality and the quantity of the mixture is ensured only with the fuel metering valve in connection with the control flap, whereby the gasoline engine with lean mixtures can be supplied practically at atmospheric pressure with a very high excess air and can be operated optimally.

L. The internal combustion engine is operated efficiently in the entire load range with a very high, variable excess air while reducing fuel consumption and significantly improving the exhaust gas quality, so that a reduction catalytic converter or a regulated three-way catalytic converter becomes superfluous.

For the reasons explained above, the invention can be used with particular advantage for the operation of gasoline engines with a very large excess of air with lambda values in the range from 1.5 to 1.8 and more. The generation of homogeneous mixtures according to the invention and the uniform combustion thus achieved likewise offer important practical advantages for other applications, namely for various combustion processes, the course of which is to be regulated while reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A process for the continuous production of homogeneous mixtures with a freely selectable composition in a mixing chamber with an inlet and an inlet pipe for two gaseous or liquid components of the mixture, a rotating distributor and an outlet for the mixture, characterized in:

(a) that a first component of the mixture is fed via a fixed inflow pipe (10) to a rotating distributor cup (1) with its own drive motor (6) and the outlet (1 1) of the inflow pipe (10) at an axial distance from the Arrange the distributor cup (1) in such a way that this first component can exit axially unhindered and be fed to the distributor cup (1).

(b) that a stream of the second component of the mixture with the throughput required for the mixture formation is passed through an annular space (23) between the distributor cup (1) and the wall of the mixing chamber (21) and

(c) that the first component of the mixture is continuously metered into the distributor cup (1) axially in metered quantities, so that the first component is radially removed from the distributor cup (1) due to the centrifugal force , finely distributed and uniformly mixed with the surrounding stream of the second component of the mixture in the annular space (23) and that continuously homogeneous mixtures with the required composition are thus produced.

2. The method according to claim 1 for the continuous production of homogeneous fuel-air mixtures with a freely selectable composition, characterized in:

(a) the fuel is supplied via the fixed inflow pipe (10), the outlet (11) being arranged at an axial distance from the rotating distributor cup so that the fuel can escape unhindered,

(b) that an air flow is continuously conducted through the annular space (23) between the rotating distributor cup (1) and the wall of the mixing chamber (21) and

(c) that the fuel supply is metered continuously, so that the fuel via the outlet (11) of the inflow pipe (10) to the distributor cup (1) axially metered, due to the centrifugal force from the distributor cup (1) directly radially discharged, spread out, finely distributed and evenly mixed with the air flow in the annular space (23).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating distributor cup (1) is provided with a central prechamber (7) which is open at one end and has a bottom (8) at the other end, wherein the The free outlet end of the fixed inflow pipe (10) projects axially into this prechamber (7) without contact and is arranged at a sufficient axial distance from the floor (8).

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3 for the supply of internal combustion engines with ignitable fuel-air mixtures with a freely selectable composition by external mixture formation, characterized in that the rotating distributor cup provided with a drive motor independent of the operating state of the internal combustion engine and with metered fuel quantities is supplied, so that the composition of the mixture produced in each case in the entire operating range of the internal combustion engine is set independently of the quantity.

5. The method according to claim 4 for the mixture preparation and the supply of gasoline engines with ignitable fuel-air mixtures with freely selectable composition, characterized in that a fuel metering valve (27) in operative connection with a control valve in a previously delimited, preferred Operating range of the petrol engine regulates that quantities of fuel are fed to the rotating distributor cup via the metering valve (27), which are adjusted according to the required engine power so that the engine can be operated optimally at any operating point in the preferred operating range mentioned, the amount and the composition of the mixture can be continuously adapted to the desired operating point with the aid of the control flap in connection with the metering valve.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the control flap is adjusted at each operating point so that the mixture formation and the transport of the mixture in the intake line of the Otto engine in most operating points of the preferred operating range can take place approximately at ambient pressure.

7. The method according to claim 6 for the operation of gasoline engines with lean mixtures which have a lambda value of at least 1.5 and generally in the range of 1.8, characterized in that the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine is defined in advance and sets up an engine map that determines the optimal setting of the control flap and the fuel metering valve at corresponding operating points, so that the mixture preparation and supply in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine take place approximately at ambient pressure, fuel consumption is reduced and pollutant emissions can be reduced.

8. Control system for performing the method according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in: (a) that the control system is a data processing unit with a

Microprocessor unit (MPU) which, in conjunction with a data storage unit (DSEM), depending on the power required by the gasoline engine (DI) and the engine speed (RPM), simultaneously the fuel metering valve (27) and the servomotor (29) of the control flap (28 ) and controls the ignition of the gasoline engine according to a stored program that corresponds to a map in a previously defined operating range of the gasoline engine,

(b) that the microprocessor unit (MPU), in addition to a signal (DI) corresponding to the power required by the gasoline engine (LE), receives input signals on the one hand via corresponding sensors on the gasoline engine (LE), which signals at least the engine speed (RPM), the intake pressure (IP ) and the temperature values (WT) of the gasoline engine, and on the other hand receives additional input signals from sensors that correspond at least to the respective ambient pressure (AP) and the respective ambient temperature (AT), the microprocessor unit (MPU) in connection with the Data storage unit (DSEM) depending on these input signals (DI, RPM, IP, WT, AP, AT) in the preferred operating range of the gasoline engine continuously corresponding control signals (FM, MC, IC) for the control of the fuel metering valve (27), the servomotor ( 29) of the control valve (28) and the ignition of the gasoline engine and (c) that each operating point precisely defines the setting of the control flap (28), the metering valve (27) and the engine ignition by predetermined values of the corresponding control signals (MC, FM, IC), so that the gasoline engine is free in the entire preferred operating range selectable composition and maximum air surplus can be optimally operated while reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

9.Mixer for the continuous production of homogeneous mixtures with a freely selectable composition in a mixing chamber with an inlet and an inlet pipe for two gaseous or liquid components of the mixture, a rotating distributor and an outlet for the mixture, characterized by:

(a) a rotating distributor cup (1), which is mounted on a drive shaft (5), is equipped with its own drive motor (6) and has a distributor plate (3) and a riser cylinder (4) with an upper distributor edge (18) and

(b) an inflow pipe (10) with a metering valve (27) for a first component of the mixture and an annular space (23) for the passage of the second component of the mixture between the distributor cup (1) and the wall of the mixing chamber (21) , The free end of the inflow pipe (10) protruding into the distributor cup (1) without contact and its outlet opening (11) being arranged at an axial distance from the distributor cup (1) so that the first component of the mixture is metered in Quantities can flow freely from the inflow pipe (10) axially into the distributor cup (1), radially spread on the distributor plate (3) by centrifugal force, radially finely distributed on the upper distributor edge (18) and with the second component in the annular space (23 ) is mixed and thus homogeneous mixtures with the required composition are produced.

10. Mixer according to claim 9, characterized in that the distributor cup has a central prechamber (7) which is open at one end and has a bottom (8) at the other end, the free end of the inflow pipe (10) being non-contact protrudes axially into the antechamber (7) and its outlet opening (11) is arranged centrally at the said axial distance from this base (8).

11. Mixer according to claim 10 or 11 for the supply of internal combustion engines according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a control flap (28) is provided with a servomotor (29) so that in connection with the metering valve (27) With the help of this control flap (28) the composition and the amount of the mixture can be continuously adjusted and the mixture formation and the transport of the mixture can take place approximately at ambient pressure.

12. Mixer according to claim 11, characterized in that the wall (22) of the mixing chamber (21) is provided with a heating jacket (26).

13. Mixture generator according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the control flap (28) is arranged in the region of the mixture outlet (25) of the mixing chamber (21).

14. Mixer according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the free end of the drive shaft (5) has an axial blind hole which forms the central prechamber (7) with the bottom (8).

15. Mixer according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the distributor cup (1) has a central hollow socket (2) which delimits the central prechamber (7), the drive shaft (5) with the hollow socket (2 ) forms an annular intermediate chamber (12) which is connected to the central prechamber (8) via at least a first radial bore (13) and to the distribution surface (14) of the distribution plate (3) via a second radial bore (19).

16. A mixture former according to claim 15, characterized in that the first and second bores (13 and 19) are diametrically opposite one another.

17. Mixer according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the drive motor (6) is arranged below the distributor cup (1), wherein the distribution edge (18) is free and releases the fuel radially, so that this is with the surrounding air mixed.

18. Mixer according to claim 17, characterized in that the distributor cup (1) is covered by a hood (30) which widens from the air inlet (24) in the direction of the distribution edge (16), so that the air unhindered the fuel -Distributor is fed.