JP5439681B2 - Deposit removing device and combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for removing deposits adhering to a combustion engine, and more particularly to a device for removing deposits using plasma and a combustion engine.

  Combustion engines such as internal combustion engines adhere to fuel, lubricant, contaminants such as additives and impurities, or incomplete combustion products of such fuel, lubricant, contaminants, etc. May accumulate. This deposit is called deposit. Excessive deposit build-up adversely affects the performance and emissions characteristics of combustion engine components. As a result, the operation as expected cannot be performed, and problems such as an increase in the amount of hydrocarbons in the exhaust, an increase in vibration of the combustion engine, and a decrease in fuel consumption are induced. In particular, deposits adhering to injectors, spark plugs and the like have a serious influence on the operation of the combustion engine. The deposit can be removed by decomposing and cleaning, but it is desirable to remove the deposit without disassembling the combustion engine and even during operation.

  In addition to conventional general techniques such as cleaning with a cleaning liquid, coating with a catalyst, forced knocking, use of a photocatalyst, etc., there are techniques for removing deposits using plasma. For example, the fuel injection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a deposit removal mechanism that provides a discharge electrode at the tip of the valve body of the fuel injection device and generates non-thermal equilibrium plasma between the discharge electrode and the periphery of the injection hole. Yes.

JP 2006-161731 A

  The deposit removing mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is configured to perform corona discharge or streamer discharge between the discharge electrode and the nozzle hole periphery. Generally, the inside of the flow path of the working fluid of the combustion engine has a high pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure. Since the mean free path of electrons and ions becomes shorter as the atmosphere becomes higher, it is necessary to make the distance between the electrodes closer in order to establish corona discharge or streamer discharge under a high pressure atmosphere. Therefore, at least the discharge electrode of the constituent members of the deposit removing mechanism must be brought close to the region where the deposit occurs.

  The area where deposits occur is the area where fuel, lubricant, or their incomplete combustion products fly and adhere. The nearby members are also subject to their flying and sticking. Further, such a member itself may stop the flow of fuel or the like, and promote the accumulation of fuel, lubricating oil, or their incomplete combustion products. Therefore, the deposit removing mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is an inefficient mechanism that removes the deposit while promoting the generation of the deposit.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an appropriate and efficient deposit removal apparatus and combustion engine using plasma.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a deposit removing apparatus according to the present invention has any one of the following configurations.

[Configuration 1]
A device for removing deposits in a combustion engine, which is charged by supplying charged particles into a second space communicating with the first space where deposits are deposited, and by irradiating electromagnetic waves to increase the electric field strength of the second space. Electromagnetic radiation means for energizing particles to form plasma, and acceleration means for charged particles in the plasma in the second space. The acceleration means introduces the plasma in the second space into the first space and deposits it. It is characterized by being exposed to plasma.

  Charged particles supplied by the charged particle supply means are exposed to electromagnetic waves emitted by the electromagnetic wave irradiation means, and induce a so-called electronic avalanche in the second space. That is, the charged particles receive the electromagnetic energy and accelerate to collide with the substance in the second space. The impacted material is ionized and becomes charged particles. Due to this chain, plasma is generated in the second space. By such a combination of charged particle supply and electromagnetic wave irradiation, plasma is easily started and expanded. As a result, an amount of charged particles sufficient for deposit removal is prepared. The acceleration means introduces plasma into the first space. Deposits deposited in the first space are exposed to the introduced plasma. Thereby, the deposit is etched. Alternatively, the deposit reacts and decomposes with high oxidizing power species in the plasma.

[Configuration 2]
The deposit removing apparatus having the configuration 1, wherein the charged particle supply means supplies charged particles using an ignition means of a combustion engine.

  In a combustion engine, regardless of the ignition method, ignition means is provided to start combustion. The ignition means generates charged particles by various operations for igniting the fuel or by combustion performed as a result. By supplying the charged particles to the second space, a series of operations for deposit removal is started.

[Configuration 3]
A deposit removing apparatus having Configuration 1 or Configuration 2, wherein the acceleration means accelerates charged particles in the plasma by controlling any one of an electric field, a magnetic field, and a pressure field. .

  By introducing the plasma into the deposit depositing part by controlling the electric field, the magnetic field, and the pressure field, each component of the deposit removing device can be moved away from the deposit depositing part.

[Configuration 4]
A combustion engine equipped with a deposit removing device having any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein a surface adjacent to the first space is electrically insulated from surrounding members by a dielectric. To do.

  When the member adjacent to the first space is made of a dielectric, the electric field restraint condition on the member wall surface in contact with the first space is relaxed. Therefore, a region having a strong electric field strength is formed up to the vicinity of the first space. That is, the second space approaches the first space. Since the second space approaches the first space, the energy required for acceleration of the charged particles by the acceleration means is reduced.

[Configuration 5]
A combustion engine equipped with a deposit removing device having any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a standing wave of an electromagnetic wave radiated by an electromagnetic wave radiation means is formed at least when the deposit removing device is in operation. And the resonance chamber of the shape chosen so that the space used as the stomach may overlap with the 2nd space is formed.

  By using the resonance structure, it becomes easy to form a region of a strong electric field in the second space.

  According to Configuration 1, by forming plasma in a second space different from the first space where deposits are deposited and introducing the plasma into the first space, the deposit can be removed using the plasma. Since it is not necessary to arrange a member for forming plasma in the first space, it is possible to remove deposits by plasma without adopting an inefficient mechanism such as removing deposits while promoting deposit generation. it can.

  According to the structure 2, since the function for deposit removal is realized by the ignition means provided in advance in the combustion engine, the number of parts can be reduced. Alternatively, ignition or combustion promotion can be performed using a mechanism for deposit removal.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The structure, function, and operation of the parts with the same reference numerals are the same. Therefore, the description of components having the same reference numerals will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment and an application example for removing deposits of an injector in an application example to a combustion engine. As shown in FIG. 1, the combustion engine 100 is an in-cylinder direct injection type diesel engine, and a straight line extending in a predetermined direction (up and down direction in FIG. 1; hereinafter, this direction is referred to as “vertical direction”) is used as a method. A cylinder block 101 having a wall surface forming a circular shape centering on an intersection of the straight line and the cross section is provided with a substantially uniform shape of each cross section as a line (hereinafter, this cross section is referred to as a “cross section”). The cylinder block 101 defines the cylinder C by this wall surface. The diesel engine 100 further includes a cylinder head 102 which is assembled to the cylinder block 101 so as to cover one end portion of the cylinder C via the gasket 104 and provided with a plurality of through holes respectively connected to the cylinder C. Has a substantially circular portion corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder C, and the cylinder C is slidably in contact with a wall surface forming the cylinder C of the cylinder head 101 (hereinafter, this wall surface is referred to as “cylinder inner wall”). The piston block 103 is reciprocally inserted therein, and the cylinder block 101, the cylinder head 102, and the piston 103 form a combustion chamber CC. Note that the cylinder block 101 and the cylinder 102 are electrically grounded to the housing.

  A recess called a piston chamber is provided on the cylinder head 102 side of the piston 103, and the opposite side is connected to a crankshaft which is an output shaft of the diesel engine 100 via a connecting rod. Connecting rods and crankshafts and their connecting mechanisms are well known and will not be described here.

  At least one of the through holes of the cylinder head 102 is provided so as to communicate with an exhaust pipe (not shown), and this through hole forms an intake port IN. The cylinder head 102 is further provided with a guide hole penetrating from the intake port IN to the outer wall of the cylinder head 102. A rod-shaped valve stem 121 is reciprocally fitted in the guide hole, and an umbrella-type valve head 122 is provided on the intake port IN side of the valve stem 121. The valve stem 121 and the valve head 122 constitute an intake valve 120 that opens and closes the combustion chamber side end of the intake port IN.

  At least one other through hole of the cylinder head 102 is provided so as to communicate with an exhaust pipe (not shown), and this through hole forms an exhaust port EX. The cylinder head 102 is further provided with a guide hole penetrating from the exhaust port EX to the outer wall of the cylinder head 102. A rod-shaped valve stem 126 is reciprocally fitted in the guide hole, and an umbrella-type valve head 127 is provided on the exhaust port EX side of the valve stem 126. The valve stem 126 and the valve head 127 constitute an exhaust valve 125 that opens and closes the combustion chamber side end of the exhaust port EX. The intake valve 120 and the exhaust valve 125 are each driven by a valve mechanism (not shown) having a cam or a solenoid.

  In yet another one of the through holes of the cylinder head 102, an injector 130 is installed. A nozzle is provided at a tip portion 131 facing the combustion chamber CC of the injector 130, and an electromagnetic valve (not shown) is incorporated therein. The injector 130 is connected to receive fuel from a fuel tank via an oil feed pipe, a pressure accumulating container and a supply pump (not shown), and the oil feed pipe, the pressure accumulating container and the supply pump, and an ECU (engine) for controlling them. A fuel injection system is configured together with a control unit) and an EDU (drive unit). The detailed operation of the fuel injection system itself is well known and will not be described here, but when this fuel injection system is driven, fuel is injected from the nozzle of the tip portion 131. In the present embodiment, at least the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 is made of a conductor such as metal.

  When fuel is injected from the nozzle, the fuel scatters and adheres to the tip portion 131. Or after fuel injection, fuel remains in a nozzle. The fuel that adheres or remains in this way eventually becomes a deposit. In order to remove the deposit, the diesel engine 100 has a configuration described below.

  A discharge line 140 formed by covering a high-voltage conductor and a ground conductor with a dielectric is inserted into another through hole of the cylinder head 102 and joined to the cylinder head 102. An electrode pair 150 consisting of a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode is provided at the end portion of the discharge line 140 on the combustion chamber CC side, and the other end portion causes dielectric breakdown of the working fluid between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode. A discharge voltage generator 160 that generates a sufficient voltage is connected.

  It is desirable that the discharge line 140 and the electrode pair 150 have thermal durability and mechanical durability enough to withstand the environment in the combustion chamber CC. Therefore, specifically, the discharge line 140 and the electrode pair 150 may be a spark plug for an internal combustion engine. In this case, the plug body and the cylinder head 102 into which the plug body is screwed become the ground conductor of the discharge line 140. When a spark plug is used as the discharge line 140 and the electrode pair 150, the type thereof may be a general monopolar gap type or a so-called multipolar plug. Moreover, what is called a creeping discharge type or a semi-creeping discharge type may be used. As the discharge voltage generator 160, specifically, an ignition coil connected to a 12V power source for automobiles may be used, or other various types of voltage generators may be appropriately selected and used. The voltage generated by the discharging voltage device 160 may be either a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

  Then, the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 is inserted into another through hole of the cylinder head 102 and joined to the cylinder head 102. An antenna 151 is provided at the end of the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 on the combustion chamber CC side, and the other end is connected to an electromagnetic wave generator 161 that generates an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency.

  The electromagnetic wave generator 161 includes an oscillator that oscillates upon receiving power supply and generates an electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency, and a power source thereof. The oscillator may be either a feedback type or a relaxation type. Moreover, what is called a high frequency generator may be used. Note that a 2.45 GHz oscillation magnetron is inexpensive and has a high output and is suitable as an oscillator. What is necessary is just to select a power supply suitably according to the oscillator to be used. For example, an inverter type pulse power supply device may be used. The electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 may be any type of a coaxial line, a parallel line, and a waveguide. In FIG. 1, a monopole antenna is illustrated as the antenna 151. However, the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 and the antenna 151 may be any shape as long as they can transmit and radiate electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator 161.・ The format etc. may be selected as appropriate. Specifically, the antenna 151 may be any of a linear antenna, a planar antenna, a three-dimensional antenna, a traveling wave antenna, an EH antenna, a magnetic field antenna, and a dielectric antenna, and may constitute an antenna array. Alternatively, a diversity antenna may be configured. Further, the feeding method to the antenna 151 may be current feeding or voltage feeding.

  Further, the cylinder head 102 supports and joins the injector 130 such that the tip 131 protrudes into the combustion chamber CC by a predetermined length L. The distance L from the tip of the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 to the cylinder head 102 is long enough for the member of the tip portion 131 to receive and excite an electromagnetic wave having the same frequency as the electromagnetic wave generated by the electromagnetic wave generator 161. To be elected. The tip portion 131 may be grounded via the cylinder head 102. It is desirable that both the electrode pair 150 and the antenna 151 are arranged at positions where the spray from the injector 130 does not hit directly.

  The discharge voltage generator 160 and the electromagnetic wave generator 161 are connected to a controller 171 that receives a predetermined input signal 170. Specifically, the control device 171 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory and a nonvolatile storage device, and a signal input / output interface, and is stored in the memory and the nonvolatile storage device. And a function of calculating and outputting a control signal for the discharge voltage generator 160 and a control signal for the electromagnetic wave generator 161 by operating the input signal 170. The input signal 170 may be an operation signal corresponding to a manual operation or a command signal from the ECU. Or the output signal of the various sensors installed in the diesel engine 100 or the system which mounts it may be sufficient. The sensor may be, for example, a pressure sensor, an air-fuel ratio sensor, a temperature sensor, a crank angle sensor, or the like, or may be an optical sensor. These may directly detect deposit adhesion, or may indirectly detect or estimate deposit adhesion based on various detection results.

  In the above configuration, the electric system including the discharge line 140, the electrode pair 150, and the discharge voltage generator 160 (hereinafter, this system may be referred to as “discharge system”) operates under the control of the control device 171. A charged particle supplier is formed that generates charged particles such as electrons and ions by discharge between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode of the electrode pair 150. An electrical system including the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141, the antenna 151, and the electromagnetic wave generator 161 (hereinafter, this system may be referred to as “electromagnetic radiation system”) operates under the control of the control device 171 and radiates electromagnetic waves from the antenna 151. Thus, an electromagnetic wave irradiator is formed that forms an electric field having a strength greater than or equal to a predetermined value in a space including at least a portion where discharge occurs, and gives energy to charged particles to form plasma. The electromagnetic wave radiation system and the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 receive energy of electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave radiation system and excite the tip portion 131 to give energy to charged particles in the space where the plasma is formed, thereby supplying the plasma to the tip portion. The accelerator introduced up to 131 is configured.

  When the control device 171 receives the input signal 170, the control device 171 gives a control signal corresponding to the state in which the discharge system is operated to the discharge voltage generator 160. The timing for giving the control signal is preferably before the start of fuel injection. Note that the volume and shape of the combustion chamber CC of the diesel engine 100 changes as the piston reciprocates. When the combustion chamber CC forms a standing wave of electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna 151 and a control signal is given at a timing to form a resonance chamber in which the antinode overlaps the second space, a strong electric field It becomes easy to form the region.

  In response to this control signal, discharge voltage generator 160 starts applying a voltage to electrode pair 150 via discharge line 140. By applying this voltage, the electrode pair 150 starts to discharge, and charged particles are generated.

  The control device 171 further gives a control signal corresponding to a state in which the electromagnetic wave emission system is operated to the electromagnetic wave generation device 161 so that the electromagnetic wave emission system starts emitting electromagnetic waves during a period in which charged particles are present due to discharge. At this time, it is desirable that the control device 171 gives the control signal to the electromagnetic wave generator 161 at a timing that takes into account the delay in the operation time of the discharge system and the electromagnetic wave radiation system. The electromagnetic wave generator 161 starts oscillation in response to this control signal, and applies an electromagnetic wave to the electromagnetic wave transmission path 141. The applied electromagnetic wave travels in the electromagnetic wave transmission path 141 and is radiated from the antenna 151.

  The charged particles generated by the discharge are irradiated with electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna and induce a so-called electronic avalanche. That is, the charged particles receive the electromagnetic energy and accelerate to collide with the substance in the second space. The impacted material is ionized and becomes charged particles. Due to this chain, plasma is generated in the second space. By such a combination of charged particle supply and electromagnetic wave irradiation, plasma is easily started and expanded. As a result, an amount of charged particles sufficient for deposit removal is prepared.

  However, since the cylinder body 101 and the cylinder head 102 are grounded, the electric field is constrained in the area near the cylinder body 101 and the cylinder head 102 in the combustion chamber C. Therefore, the electric field strength is weak in this region, and the possibility of an electronic avalanche is low. The surface of the injector 130 is grounded in terms of a direct current. However, since the tip portion 131 protrudes, this portion is excited by receiving electromagnetic waves as described above. Therefore, a strong electric field is formed in the space near the tip portion 131 and the member surface of the tip portion 131.

  When charged particles, particularly electrons, in the plasma generated by electromagnetic wave irradiation reach the region of this strong electric field, the charged particles are accelerated by receiving energy, and an electron avalanche occurs. As a result, a plasma is formed up to the deposit portion of the tip portion 131. Deposits are exposed to this plasma. Thereby, the deposit is etched. Alternatively, the deposit reacts and decomposes with high oxidizing power species in the plasma.

  In the present embodiment, the tip portion 131 is projected in order to excite the tip portion 131 of the injector 130, but the structure for exciting is not limited to this. Depending on the frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be used, the shape, structure, material, bonding form with other members, and the like may be appropriately selected so that this portion is excited.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the member of the distal end portion 131 of the injector 130 is excited by the electromagnetic wave radiated from the antenna 151. However, the distal end portion 131 of the injector 130 is separately fed with electromagnetic waves to excite the member of the distal end portion 131. You may let them. In this case, the member of the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 may receive power from the electromagnetic wave generator 161. In addition, an electromagnetic wave generation source and a transmission path may be provided separately from the electromagnetic wave generator 161, and power may be received from these sources.

[Third Embodiment]
Furthermore, when supplying power to the member of the tip portion 131 of the injector 130, this member may also serve as the function of the antenna 151. In addition, an electromagnetic wave may be superimposed on the high-voltage line of the discharge line 140, and the high-voltage electrode of the electrode pair 150 may be used as the antenna 151.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments described above, the plasma is introduced to the deposited portion of the deposit by exciting the charged particles by exciting the member of the deposited portion. It is not limited to such an embodiment. In this embodiment, the plasma is introduced to the portion where the deposit adheres by forming an electric field so that a potential difference is generated between the portion where the deposit adheres and at least a part of the plasma formation region.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the present embodiment and an application example thereof for removing deposits of an injector in an in-cylinder direct injection type diesel engine. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a capacitor 200 for electric field coupling between the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 and the electromagnetic wave generator 161 is provided, and the capacitor 200 has an electrode plate on the electromagnetic wave transmission line 141 side. A DC power supply 201 is connected to the antenna 151 side. The tip portion 131 of the injector 130 is grounded via the cylinder head 102. In the present embodiment, it is not necessary that the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 protrudes from the cylinder head 102 by L as in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the supply of charged particles by discharge and the formation and expansion of plasma by electromagnetic radiation are both performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the DC power supply 201 applies a DC voltage in this state, a potential difference is constantly generated between the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 and the antenna 151. This potential difference accelerates the charged particles in the plasma to polarize. Negatively charged charged particles such as electrons are accelerated toward a grounded member such as the tip 131 of the injector 130. Positively charged particles are accelerated towards the antenna. As a result, the plasma reaches the tip portion 131 of the injector 130, and deposits attached to this portion are exposed to charged particles in the plasma. As described above, in the present embodiment, a voltage is applied to plasma that has been generated in advance, instead of causing a direct discharge between the deposit and the electrode. Therefore, the DC power supply 201 does not need to form a DC electric field that is so strong that the working fluid between the antenna 151 and the deposited portion of the deposit directly breaks down. Accordingly, the applied voltage can be kept low even if the distance between the component for forming plasma and the deposit adhesion portion is increased.

  In the present embodiment, the polarities of the tip 131 of the injector 130 and the antenna 151 may be reversed. In the present embodiment, a DC voltage is applied using the DC power source 201 to form a potential difference. However, an alternating voltage or an AC voltage may be applied.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In each of the above-described embodiments, plasma is introduced up to the deposit adhesion portion by forming an electric field. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, plasma is blown and introduced to the deposited portion by the flow of the working fluid in the vicinity of the injector 130.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a small-capacity cavity 300 is provided so as to surround the electrode pair 150 and the antenna 151. An opening 302 is provided in a wall surface forming the cavity 300 at a position facing the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 so as to communicate the combustion chamber CC and the space inside the cavity 300. In the present embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, it is not necessary that the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 protrudes from the cylinder head 102 by L as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the cavity 300 and the working fluid flowing into the cavity 300 during the period until the formation of plasma act as a plasma accelerator as follows.

  In this embodiment, the supply of charged particles by discharge and the formation and expansion of plasma by electromagnetic radiation are both performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Part of the energy input in this operation is used for heating the working fluid in the cavity 300. When the working fluid in the cavity 300 is heated, the pressure inside the cavity 300 rises, and a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the cavity 300. Since the inside and the outside of the cavity 300 communicate with each other through the opening 302, a flow from the inside of the cavity 300 to the outside of the cavity is generated, and plasma generated in the cavity 300 by this flow is ejected from the opening 302. Since the opening 302 is provided toward the tip portion 131 of the injector 130, the ejected plasma flows toward the tip portion of the injector 131. As a result, the plasma is introduced into the portion of the tip portion 131 where the deposit adheres, and the deposit attached to this portion is exposed to charged particles in the plasma.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the plasma is accelerated by using the energy as the heat energy in the working fluid when the plasma is generated. Therefore, energy efficiency is high.

  In the present embodiment, plasma is accelerated and transported by generating a pressure difference using a small-capacity cavity. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The flow and turbulence of the working fluid generated during the operation of the diesel engine 100, such as the flow of squish flow or swirl or tumble generated in the combustion chamber CC, pressure vibration, shock wave, etc., may be used for plasma acceleration / transport.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the plasma is introduced up to the deposit adhesion portion by forming an electric field. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a magnetic resonance accelerator may be configured by installing a coil so as to surround the cylinder head 102 side from the nozzle of the injector 130 and generating a magnetic field in the coil. In addition, various plasma confinement methods or acceleration methods using a magnetic field may be used to introduce the plasma into the portion where the deposit is attached.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, plasma is introduced into this portion by exciting the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 using electromagnetic waves radiated from the antenna 151 and increasing the electric field strength of the portion to which the deposit adheres. By taking a long insulation distance from the adhering part to the grounded member, the electric field strength of this part can be maintained. For example, the tip portion 131 of the injector 130 may be formed of a dielectric such as ceramics, and the surface of the tip portion 131 may be covered with a dielectric. Further, for example, the injector 130 itself or the member of the tip portion 131 may be electrically insulated from the cylinder head 102.

[Other variations, etc.]
In each of the above-described embodiments, charged particles that trigger plasma formation are prepared and supplied by discharge, but supply of charged particles is not limited to this. For example, thermoelectrons may be emitted by heating with a heater such as a filament, a ceramic heater, or a glow plug. Heat or charged particles may be released by impact or friction such as flint and matches. You may make it form a flame using the pilot burner used for reignition and flame holding, such as a gas turbine engine, a gunpowder, a lead wire. An ignition device using laser light or the like can also be used for supplying charged particles. A flame formed in the combustion chamber CC by compression ignition in the diesel engine 100 can also be used as a source of charged particles. In this way, charged particles are generated by the operation accompanying ignition and combustion in the combustion engine. You may make it form plasma by using this charged particle as a trigger. Conversely, the above-mentioned charged particle supplier or electromagnetic wave emitter may be used for ignition, or support for ignition or combustion. Further, such a charged particle feeder may be installed in the immediate vicinity of the position where the deposit adheres. For example, you may install a heater etc. on the member surface between the nozzles of an injector. However, in this case, it is desirable to arrange the charged particle supply device at an appropriate position selected so as not to be splashed with fuel from the injector.

  The charged particle supplier, electromagnetic wave emitter, and accelerator described above are not necessarily installed in the cylinder head 102. You may install in the cylinder body 101, piston 103, the gasket 104, the intake valve 120, the exhaust valve 125, etc., and you may install in the other member of the diesel engine 100.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the deposit attached to the tip 131 of the injector 130 of the direct injection engine is removed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The injector may be applied to a PFI (Port Fuel Injection) type engine or a sub-chamber combustion type engine.

  In each above-mentioned embodiment, although the diesel engine was illustrated as a combustion engine, this invention is not limited to such a thing. It may be a self-ignition engine such as a spark-ignition internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine, an HCCI (premixed compression auto-ignition) engine, or an SCCI (stratified compression auto-ignition) engine. Further, the engine is not limited to the piston type internal combustion engine, and may be an internal combustion engine such as a rotary engine, a gas turbine engine, or a ram engine. Further, the present invention is applicable to a combustor or a furnace of an external combustion engine that is not limited to an internal combustion engine. Further, the deposit to be removed is not limited to the deposit attached to the nozzle of the injector. The present invention is applicable to any part where the working fluid flows in the spark plug, the boundary between the piston head and the cylinder, and the combustion engine to which the present invention is applied. In these cases, the arrangement and configuration of the charged particle supplier, electromagnetic wave emitter, and accelerator may be appropriately selected according to the application position of the combustion engine to be applied and the deposit position to be removed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is merely an example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after considering the description of the specification and the drawings, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the words described therein. It is a waste.

  The present invention is not limited to removing deposits from a combustion engine, but can be applied to plasma cleaning in general, and particularly to plasma cleaning of members that are constantly contaminated and difficult to disassemble and clean.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of 1st Embodiment, and the example of application to the deposit removal of the injector in the in-cylinder direct injection type diesel engine. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of 4th Embodiment, and the example of application to the deposit removal of the injector in the in-cylinder direct injection type diesel engine. It is a schematic block diagram of 5th this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Combustion engine (diesel engine)
101 Cylinder Block 102 Cylinder Head 103 Piston 104 Gasket 120 Intake Valve 125 Exhaust Valve 140 Discharge Line 141 Electromagnetic Wave Transmission Line 150 Electrode Pair 151 Antenna 160 Discharge Voltage Generator 161 Electromagnetic Wave Generator 171 Controller 200 Capacitor 201 DC Power Supply 300 Cavity

Claims (4)

A device for removing deposits in a combustion engine comprising a fuel injector,
Means for supplying charged particles into the second space communicating with the first space in which deposits are deposited;
Electromagnetic wave radiation means for irradiating electromagnetic waves and increasing the electric field strength of the second space to energize charged particles existing in the space to form plasma;
Accelerating means for accelerating charged particles in the plasma in the second space, introducing them into the first space and exposing them to deposits;
The deposit removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating means excites the tip of the injector by the electromagnetic wave radiated by the electromagnetic wave radiating means.   2. The deposit removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charged particle supplying means supplies charged particles using an ignition means of the combustion engine. A combustion engine equipped with the deposit removing device according to claim 1 or 2,
A combustion engine characterized in that a surface adjacent to the first space is electrically insulated from surrounding members by a dielectric. A combustion engine equipped with the deposit removing device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least when the deposit removing device is in operation, a standing wave of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the electromagnetic wave radiating means is formed, and a resonance chamber having a shape selected so that the antinode is overlapped with the second space is formed. A combustion engine characterized by

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