GB2450616A

GB2450616A - Internal combustion engine and method of operation

Info

Publication number: GB2450616A
Application number: GB0811538A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivor Flaherty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2008-06-24
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB0712450D0; GB0811538D0

Abstract

An internal combustion engine has at a combustion cylinder 2 with inlet valve means 4 and outlet valve 6. Movement means in the form of a piston are associated with the combustion cylinder 2, the piston being driven as a result of the combustion in said cylinder. Means, eg a pair of dependant cylinders 14 and 16, are provided to further compress the exhaust fluid from the first combustion cylinder 2 to generate further heat, to drive movement of said movement means, further movement means and/or to drive or power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus associated with the engine. Water may be injected into the exhaust manifold 8 by a water injector 34 so that when the exhaust gases from combustion cylinder 2 are compressed in the dependent cylinders 14,16 the water turns to steam to generate more power. The exhaust gases from the dependent cylinders 14,16 may drive a turbocharger 26,28,32 for the combustion cylinder 2 and may be used for heating. The combustion cylinder 2 may operate on two-stroke cycle while the dependent cylinders operate on a four-stroke cycle.

Description

Engine and Method of Operation Thereof This invention relates to an

improved engine and method of operation thereof.

It is common for internal combustion engines provided in vehicles, machinery and/or the like to use a "four stroke" engine cycle. The four strokes refer to the movements of a piston in an engine cylinder that take place during rotation of a crankshaft; namely an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a combustion or power stroke and an exhaust stroke. Figures la-Id illustrate the workings of a conventional four cylinder, four stroke engine cycle. The engine includes an inlet manifold 2, an exhaust manifold 4 and four cylinders 6, 8, 10, 12 with reciprocating pistons movably mounted in said cylinders located between said inlet and exhaust manifolds. Each cylinder has intake and exhaust valves and the valves of the cylinders are typically operated by a cam shaft such that a different stroke of the cycle is being performed by each cylinder at any one time.

In the intake stroke, the inlet valve to the cylinder is open, the * ..

exhaust valve to the cylinder is closed and the piston is *.*. . . descending in the cylinder. As the piston descends the pressure is reduced in the cylinder and a mixture of fuel and/or air is * forced into the cylinder through the inlet valve or sprayed into the cylinder. In the compression stroke, both the inlet and *. .: exhaust valves to the cylinder are closed and the piston is rising.

*: The air-fuel mixture is then ignited, typically at the top of the compression stroke, via a spark plug in a petrol engine or as a result of heat and pressure in a diesel engine. This results in burning of the fuel and expansion of the burning gases which forces the piston downwardly to create the power stroke. In the power stroke, both the inlet and exhaust valves to the cylinder are closed. In the exhaust stroke, the exhaust valve is open, the inlet valve is closed and the piston is rising, thereby forcing the products of combustion from the cylinder.

The abovementioned process inevitably produces heat and a large proportion of the hot exhaust gas generated by the process is simply vented to atmosphere and wasted.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved internal combustion engine which utilises at least some of the heat generated by the engine to power the engine, thereby reducing the fuel requirement for the engine whilst maintaining the same power output.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of operation of an improved internal combustion engine.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an engine, said engine including at least a first combustion chamber, means for allowing fuel and/or fluid to enter the chamber and combust, and outlet means for allowing fluid generated from the combustion process to be exhausted, * ** movement means being associated with the at least first combustion chamber, the movement means being driven as a result of the combustion in said at least first combustion :. chamber, and wherein means are provided to further compress the exhaust fluid from the at least first combustion chamber to generate further heat, to drive movement of said movement means, further movement means and/or to drive or power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus associated with the engine.

In one embodiment the movement means includes at least one piston capable of reciprocal movement in the first combustion chamber in the form of at least a first combustion cylinder, such as for example in the combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine.

Preferably the means for further compressing the exhaust fluid is in the form of at least one further cylinder. The further cylinder is preferably provided with movement means in the form of a piston capable of reciprocal movement therein. The exhaust fluid exhausted from the at least first combustion chamber passes into the further cylinder and is compressed in this further cylinder to generate movement of the piston therein.

Thus, rather than the exhaust fluid being exhaust directly to atmosphere after leaving the first cylinder, the exhaust fluid passes directly or indirectly into a further cylinder and is used to generate movement of a piston in the further cylinder.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an engine, said engine including at least a first cylinder with a piston capable of reciprocal movement therein, said first cylinder including means for allowing fuel and/or fluid to enter the cylinder and combust, and outlet means for allowing exhaust fluid from the combustion process to exhaust from the cylinder, * ** and wherein at least one further cylinder is connected either directly or indirectly to said first cylinder and said further cylinder has a piston capable of reciprocal movement therein, the exhaust gases from said first cylinder entering the further cylinder and the heat from said exhaust gases being used to generate movement of the piston in said further cylinder.

Preferably the fuel entering the first cylinder is in gaseous form.

If liquid fuel is used, the liquid fuel is typically vaporised prior to or at the time of entering the cylinder. Vaporising means can be provided to vaporise the fuel.

Preferably air is injected into the first cylinder with the fuel and/or separately thereto. Gas other than air, such as a gas containing oxygen by percentage volume other than the percentage volume of air, can be used in the first cylinder to generate combustion of the fuel if required.

Preferably the engine is an internal combustion engine, such as an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. Further preferably the engine is a water cooled internal combustion engine.

In one embodiment the pistons in each of the at least first and further cylinders undergoes a four stroke cycle; namely an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke and an exhaust stroke.

In one embodiment the piston in the at least first cylinder undertakes a two stroke cycle and the piston in the at least one further cylinder undertakes a four stroke cycle.

Preferably a liquid is introduced into the exhaust fluid or gas as **1*' it passes between the first combustion chamber or cylinder and * ** s... the means for compressing the exhaust fluid or further cylinder *5..

and/or on entry of the exhaust fluid into the further cylinder.

Preferably the liquid is vaporised liquid and further preferably atomised water. The liquid is typically turned to gas, such as in the form of steam, on compression of the liquid via the piston . of the further cylinder and/or on heating via the exhaust fluid from the first cylinder, thereby generating a power stroke in the further cylinder. The power stroke generated by the piston of the movement cycle of the further cylinder can be used to power one or more further elements of the engine and/or vehicle.

The liquid or atomised water is typically introduced in a pre-determined amount, such that on vaporisation of the same, a pre-determined power stroke is generated by the further cylinder. Metering means can be provided to allow the pre-determined amount of liquid to be supplied.

The liquid or atomised water and exhaust gas are typically introduced into the at least one further cylinder on an intake stroke, the compression stroke following the intake stroke compresses and heats the liquid, thereby vaporising the liquid (into steam) and drives the piston of the further cylinder downwardly to generate the power stroke.

The liquid or atomised water or fluid can be introduced directly into the further cylinder or can introduced into a manifold or conduit prior to entry into the further cylinder.

The step of vaporising liquid into steam is typically rapid and explosive, thereby generating a large amount of energy that can be used to drive the piston of the further cylinder. * S. * S S * *.

At least one further element of the engine and/or vehicle or S.,.

apparatus associated with the engine can be powered by the power stroke of the further cylinder and/or can be powered by the exhaust gases being exhaust during the exhaust stroke after the power stroke.

In one embodiment the exhaust gas from the at least one further cylinder can be used to drive air inlet turbo means or turbo means of the at least first cylinder.

In one embodiment the exhaust gas from the further cylinder is used to heat an interior area of a housing or vehicle associated with said engine. For example, the exhaust gas or fluid from the further cylinder can pass through a heat exchanger and/or be exhaust to atmosphere.

In one embodiment the exhaust gas from the further cylinder can be condensed and pass to a fluid reservoir, such as a water tank. Filtering means can be provided on or associated with the fluid reservoir to filter condensed exhaust fluid.

Preferably a manifold is provided which allows the exhaust gas to be directed from the first cylinder or combustion chamber to the at least one further cylinder or compression means.

Preferably a common piston spindle is provided between the at least first cylinder and the at least further cylinder to drive movement of the first cylinder turbo/turbine means. For example, turbo means associated with the at least further cylinder can be used to drive the turbo means of the first cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment at least two further cylinders are provided, a proportion of the exhaust fluid or gas from the first * *.

cylinder or combustion chamber being directed to each of said further cylinders. *0 * S * .5.

If the first cylinder is a four stroke cylinder, the two further cylinders preferably receive exhaust gas substantially : simultaneously. If the first cylinder is a two stroke cylinder, the two further cylinders preferably receive exhaust gas alternately (i.e. each receives exhaust fluid every other exhaust cycle).

Preferably substantially ecjual volumes of exhaust gas are directed from the first cylinder to each of the further cylinders.

The cubic capacity of the further cylinders can be different to or substantially the same as the first cylinder as required.

Preferably the first cylinder is arranged substantially centrally of the two further cylinders.

The cylinders and/or the entire engine can be insulated against heat loss as required using suitable insulating means.

Preferably cooling means are associated with the at least first cylinder to allow control of the temperature of the same.

Further preferably the cooling means includes a liquid cooling arrangement.

In one embodiment, liquid in the cooling arrangement which has been heated via the first cylinder is used as the liquid which is injected/atomised into the exhaust gas on leaving the first cylinder/entering the further cylinder.

Any number of first cylinders and further cylinders can be provided as required, depending on the power required to be a generated by the engine.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an internal combustion engine, said engine including at least a first cylinder with a piston capable of reciprocal movement therein, said first cylinder including inlet means for * *. allowing fuel and air to enter the cylinder and outlet means for allowing exhaust gas to be exhausted from the cylinder, the at least first cylinder undergoing a four stroke cycle in use comprising an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke and an exhaust stroke, and wherein the engine is provided with at least one further cylinder with a reciprocating piston located therein and capable of undergoing a four stroke cycle, means being provided in the engine such that on the exhaust stroke of the at least first cylinder, exhaust gas is directed to the at least one further cylinder and a liquid is introduced therein, vapourisation of the liquid taking place during a compression stroke of the at least one further cylinder to generate a power stroke which can be used to power a further element of the engine.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an engine, said engine including at least a first combustion chamber and said method including the steps of allowing fuel and/or fluid to enter the at least first combustion chamber and combust, allowing fluid generated from the combustion process to be exhausted from said at least first combustion chamber, and compressing the exhaust fluid from the at least first combustion chamber to generate further heat, to drive movement of movement means associated with the first combustion chamber, further movement means and/or to drive or power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus associated with the engine. * ** * S * * ** S...

1*** According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

* Although the enclosed description refers to movement of the *:*. pistons in the cylinders either rising or descending, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that this is merely a convenient way to describe the direction of travel of the pistons in the cylinders but does not limit the movement to vertical movement only.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Figures Ia-id illustrate the different piston positions in a conventional four stroke, four cylinder internal combustion engine; and Figures 2a-2d illustrate the different piston positions in a four stroke internal combustion engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figures 2a-2d, there is illustrated a first combustion chamber in the form of a four stroke cylinder 2 of an internal combustion engine of a type used for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention utilises the heat generated by cylinder 2 to provide further power for the engine and/or vehicle rather than simply exhausting a substantial part of the generated heat to atmosphere as is currently the case with conventional engines.

A piston (not shown) is provided in the cylinder 2 and capable of reciprocal movement therein. * .*

The first central cylinder 2 has an intake valve 4 located at a *.** first end of the cylinder and an exhaust valve 6 located at an :. opposite end of the cylinder. A manifold 8 is provided with two * arm portions 10, 12, each arm portion 10, 12 communicating S..

* with two further cylinders 14, 16 (hereinafter referred to as *:*. dependent cylinders). Cylinders 14, 16 are provided either side *:*. of first cylinder 2. Each cylinder 14, 16 has an intake valve 18, connected to manifold 8 and an exhaust valve 22, 24. Each exhaust valve communicates with an exhaust turbo 26, 28. The exhaust turbos are connected to a rotatable spindle 30 which communicates with the air intake turbo 32 of the first cylinder 2.

Atomised water is ejected into manifold 8 by a water ejector 34.

The water ejector 34 is located at a position suitable to atomise the water to enter cylinders 14, 16.

Each cylinder 14, 16 has a piston (not shown) located therein and is capable of undergoing reciprocal movement according to a four stroke cycle.

In operation of the engine, the first cylinder 2 undertakes the four stroke cycle in a similar manner to a conventional engine; namely the intake stroke, the compression stroke, the power stroke and the exhaust stroke. On the exhaust stroke of the first cylinder, as shown in figure 2a, the piston is rising, the inlet valve 4 is closed and the exhaust valve 6 is open. During this time, the dependent cylinders 14, 16, are on the intake stroke, with the inlet valves 18, 20 open, the exhaust valves 22, 24 closed and the piston descending. Both cylinders 14, 16 undertake the same stroke substantially simultaneously. The direction of movement of the cylinders is shown by the arrows.

As the hot exhaust gas pass out of the cylinder 2 and into manifold 8, it is split into two volumes which travel along arm * ** portions 10, 12 respectively. A pre-determined amount of *.*.

atomised water is ejected from water ejector 34 into the hot :. exhaust gas and this water/gas mixture passes through the inlet * valves 18, 20 of the dependent cylinders 14, 16. *.. *

*.: The dependent cylinders 14, 16 then undertake the compression stroke, as shown in figure 2b; with the piston rising and the inlet and exhaust valves 18, 20, 22, 24 are closed. This causes the atomised water and hot exhaust gas to be compressed, thereby generating increased heat and pressure until a pre-determined point where the atomised water turns to steam. At the same time, the first cylinder 2 undertakes an inlet stroke; with the inlet valve 4 open to allow air and fuel to mix in the cylinder, the exhaust valve 6 closed and the piston descending.

As the atomised water turns to steam in the dependent cylinders 14, 16, this generates a power stroke, as shown in figure 2c; whereby the piston is descending and both the inlet and exhaust valves 18-24 are closed. More particularly, two power strokes are generated by the two dependent cylinders. At the same time, the first cylinder 2 undertakes a compression stroke; with the piston rising, the inlet valve 4 closed and the exhaust valve 6 closed.

On the exhaust stroke of the dependent cylinders, as shown in figure 2d, the exhaust valves 22, 24 are open, the inlet valves 18, are closed and the piston is descending. The exhaust gases passing through exhaust valves 22, 24 drive the turbos/turbines 26, 28 which cause rotation of spindle 30, thereby driving the air intake turbo 32 of the first cylinder.

The atomised water injected via ejector 6 can be pre-heated by the first cylinder. For example, water used to cool the first cylinder can be heated during this process and then ejected from *:*::* ejector 6 in an atomised form. * .

:. It can therefore be understood that the dependent cylinders use * the exhaust gas from the first cylinder to generate power for the I..

* engine to drive a further element of the engine. The further *. : element of the engine can be any suitable element and need not ben limited to driving the turbo as in the above described embodiment

Claims

Claims: 1. An engine, said engine including at least a first combustion

chamber, means for allowing fuel and/or fluid to enter the chamber and combust, and outlet means for allowing fluid generated from the combustion process to be exhausted, movement means being associated with the at least first combustion chamber, the movement means being driven as a result of the combustion in said at least first combustion chamber, and wherein means are provided to further compress the exhaust fluid from the at least first combustion chamber to generate further heat, to drive movement of said movement means', further movement means and/or to drive or power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus associated with the engine.
2. An engine according to claim 1 wherein the at least first combustion chamber is in the form of a cylinder and the movement means includes at least one piston capable of reciprocal movement in said cylinder. * ** * S S * S.
3. An engine according to claim 1 wherein the means for :. further compressing the exhaust fluid is in the form of at * : least one further cylinder, said at least one further cylinder SI.

provided with movement means in the form of at least one piston capable of reciprocal movement in said further *:*. cylinder.
4. An engine according to claim 1 wherein the fuel entering the at least first cylinder is in gaseous form.
5. An engine according to claim I wherein if the fuel for entering the, at least first cylinder is in liquid form, vaporising means are provided to vaporise said fuel prior to or at the time of entering the cylinder.
6. An engine according to claim 1 wherein the engine is an internal combustion engine.
7. An engine according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the pistons in each of the at least first and further cylinders undergo a four stroke cycle; an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke and an exhaust stroke.
8. An engine according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the piston in the at least first cylinder undertakes a two stroke cycle and the piston in the at least further cylinder undertakes a four stroke cycle.
9. An engine according to claim I wherein a pre-determined amount of liquid is introduced into the exhaust fluid as it passes from the first combustion chamber to the means for further compressing the exhaust fluid.
10. An engine according to claim 9 wherein the liquid is atomised water.
11. An engine according to any preceding claim wherein as the liquid is compressed by the piston of the at least . : further cylinder, this heats the liquid causing the same to *.:; vapourise to generate a power stroke of the piston cycle.
12. An engine according to claim 11 wherein the power stroke generated in the movement cycle of the piston in the at least further cylinder is used to power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus with which the engine is associated.
13. An engine according to claim 12 wherein the exhaust gas from the at least one further cylinder is used to drive air inlet turbo means or turbo means associated with the at least first cylinder.
14. An engine according to claim 12 wherein the exhaust gas from the at least one further cylinder is used to heat an interior area of a housing or vehicle associated with the engine.
15. An engine according to claim I wherein a manifold is provided between the at least first combustion chamber and the means for compressing the exhaust fluid.
16. An engine according to any preceding claim wherein a common piston spindle is provided between the at least first cylinder and the at least further cylinder to drive movement of the turbo and/or turbine means of the first cylinder.
17. An engine according to claim 3 wherein two further cylinders are provided, a proportion of the exhaust gas from the first combustion chamber being directed to each * of said two further cylinders.
18. An engine according to claim 17 wherein when the first combustion chamber is in the form of a four stroke cylinder, the two further cylinders receive exhaust fluid substantially simultaneously.
19. An engine according to claim 17 wherein when the first combustion chamber is in the form of a two stroke cylinder, the two further cylinders receive exhaust fluid alternately.
20. An engine according to claims 18 or 19 wherein substantially equal volumes of exhaust fluid are directed from the first cylinder to each of the further cylinders.
21. An engine according to claims 18 or 19 wherein the first cylinder is arranged substantially centrally of the two further cylinders.
22. An engine according to claim 2 wherein cooling means are associated with the at least first cylinder.
23. An engine according to claim 22 wherein liquid in the cooling means which has been heated by the at least first cylinder is used as liquid which is injected into the exhaust fluid prior to compression via the at least one further cylinder.
24. A method of operating an engine, said engine * ** including at least a first combustion chamber and said S...

method including the steps of allowing fuel and/or fluid to enter the at least first combustion chamber and combust, * allowing fluid generated from the combustion process to S..

* be exhausted from said at least first combustion chamber, *:*. and compressing the exhaust fluid from the at least first *.: combustion chamber to generate further heat, to drive movement of movement means associated with the first combustion chamber, further movement means and/or to drive or power one or more elements of the engine and/or vehicle or apparatus associated with the engine.