Internal combustion engine

• US 6,279,550 B1
• Filed: 05/23/1997
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clyde C Bryant
• Original Assignee: Clyde C Bryant
• Inventors: Bryant, Clyde C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KOCZO JR, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/863,103
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 606/051, 606/09, 606/12, 123/316, 123/432, 123/559.1, 123/562
• US Class Current: 123/559.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 7/12 using rockers and connecting-rods
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/053 overhead type
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/146 Push-rods
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/18 Rocking arms or levers
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/26 characterised by the provision of two or more valves operated simultaneously by same transmitting-gear; peculiar to machines or engines with more than two lift-valves per cylinder with coaxial valves F01L1/28
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/446 comprising a lift valve and at least one reed valve
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/0537 Double overhead camshafts [DOHC]
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2301/02 Using ceramic materials
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 3/08 Valves guides; Sealing of valve stem, e.g. sealing by lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 3/205 Reed valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/12 with compression ignition with fuel-air charge ignited by compression ignition of an additional fuel F02B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 19/12 with positive ignition engines with non-timed positive ignition, and with incandescent chambers F02B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2275/18 DOHC [Double overhead camshaft]
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2275/32 Miller cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0412 Multiple heat exchangers arranged in parallel or in series
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0418 the intake air cooler having a bypass or multiple flow paths within the heat exchanger to vary the effective heat transfer surface
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0475 the intake air cooler being combined with another device, e.g. heater, valve, compressor, filter or EGR cooler, or being assembled on a special engine location
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0493 Controlling the air charge temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/06 with reciprocating-piston pumps other than simple crankcase pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/26 : Four-stroke engines characterised by having crankcase pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/36 : of positive-displacement type
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/38 : of Roots type
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/446 : having valves for admission of atmospheric air to engine, e.g. at starting
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/00 : Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/04 : Engines with exhaust drive and other drive of pumps, e.g. with exhaust-driven pump and mechanically-driven second pump
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/16 : by bypassing charging air
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 39/10 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/02 : Engines characterised by their cycles, e.g. six-stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/22 : with cylinders in V, fan, or star arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/32 : Engines characterised by connections between pistons and main shafts and not specific to preceding main groups
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0215 : changing the valve timing only
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0261 : Controlling the valve overlap
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0269 : Controlling the valves to perform a Miller-Atkinson cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/028 : for two-stroke engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 2001/245 : the valve stems being orientated at an angle with the cylinder axis
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 2001/247 : the valve stems being orientated in parallel with the cylinder axis
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/08 : for engines having two or more intake charge compressors or exhaust gas turbines, e.g. a turbocharger combined with an additional compressor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

The invention is concerned with a method of deriving mechanical work from a combustion gas in internal combustion engines and reciprocating internal combustion engines for carrying out the method. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for managing combustion charge densities, temperatures, pressures and turbulence in order to produce a true mastery within the power cylinder in order to increase fuel economy, power, and torque while minimizing polluting emissions. In its preferred embodiments, the method includes the steps of (i) producing an air charge, (ii) controlling the temperature, density and pressure of the air charge, (iii) transferring the air charge to a power cylinder of the engine such that an air charge having a weight and density selected from a range of weight and density levels ranging from below atmospheric weight and density to heavier-than-atmospheric weight and density is introduced into the power cylinder, and (iv) then compressing the air charge at a lower-than-normal compression ratio, (v) causing a pre-determined quantity of charge-air and fuel to produce a combustible mixture, (vi) causing the mixture to be ignited within the power cylinder, and (vii) allowing the combustion gas to expand against a piston operable in the power cylinders with the expansion ratio of the power cylinders being substantially greater than the compression ratio of the power cylinders of the engine. In addition to other advantages, the invented method is capable of producing mean effective cylinder pressures ranging from lower-than-normal to higher-than-normal. In the preferred embodiments, the mean effective cylinder pressure is selectively variable (and selectively varied) throughout the mentioned range during the operation of the engine. In an alternate embodiment related to constant speed-constant load operation, the mean effective cylinder pressure is selected from the range and the engine is configured, in accordance with the present invention, such that the mean effective cylinder pressure range is limited, being varied only in the amount required for producing the power, torque and speed of the duty cycle for which the engine is designed.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, two cylinder inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled from said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

an intake valve selectively occluding each inlet port;

an exhaust valve selectively occluding said exhaust port;

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a conduit between said source of air and at least one cylinder inlet port;

at least one air cooler interconnected between said compressor and said inlet port; and

means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston, wherein one of said intake valves occupies an open position only while the other of said intake valves occupies a closed position.

2. The engine of claim 1, wherein said at least one compressor includes a first compressor, and further comprising:

a second compressor in fluid communication between said first compressor and said inlet port with which said compressor is in communication,

whereby at least part of the intake air is selectively compressed a second time prior to entering the cylinder;

wherein said means for controlling includes means for controlling the operation of said second compressor.

3. The engine of claim 1, wherein means are provided to minimize backflow of the charge during the closure of the higher pressure intake valve.

4. The engine of claim 3 wherein the means to minimize backflow is a one-way valve located between the intake valve and the cylinder.

5. The engine of claim 1, wherein the compression stroke results in compressing of air within the cylinder, with means for managing air charge volumes to provide a compression ratio lower than the expansion ratio of the engine.

6. The engine of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling operation of said compressor and said intake valves and for controlling one or more air charge characteristics selected from the group consisting of turbulence, density, pressure, temperature, and the mean and peak pressure.

7. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston.

8. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston and after compression has begun.

9. In an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft driven by at least one piston moving through at least a compression stroke and an intake stroke aided by combustion taking place within a cylinder, wherein the compression stroke results in the compressing of air within the cylinder, the improvement thereto comprising:

an external compression stage in which a second air charge is compressed outside the cylinder;

a delivery conduit linking said external compression stage to the cylinders, with an intercooler through which said secondary air charge is selectively directed from said external compression stage;

two cylinder intake ports with an intake valve in each port; and

means for directing low pressure air to one of said intake ports during the intake stroke of the piston and for directing highly compressed air to the other of said intake ports during the compression stroke of the piston, wherein one of said intake valves occupies an open position only during a compression stroke of said piston.

10. The engine of claim 9, wherein the compression stroke results in compressing of air within the cylinder, with means for managing air charge volumes to provide a compression ratio lower than the expansion ratio of the engine.

11. In an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft driven by at least one piston moving through at least a compression stroke and an intake stroke aided by combustion taking place within a cylinder, wherein the compression stroke results in the compressing of air within the cylinder, the improvement thereto comprising:

an external compression stage in which a secondary air charge is compressed outside the cylinder;

delivery conduit linking said external compression stage to the cylinder, with an intercooler through which said secondary air charge is selectively directed from said external compression stage;

two cylinder intake ports with an intake valve in each port;

means for directing low pressure air to one of said intake ports during the intake stroke of the piston and for directing highly compressed air to the other of said intake ports during the compression stroke of the piston; and

a second external compressor in which said low pressure air charge is lightly compressed outside the cylinder and conduit directing said air charge from said second external compressor through an air cooler to a low pressure port of the cylinder during the intake stroke.

12. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, first and second inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which air is exhausted from said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

an intake valve selectively occluding each said intake port;

an exhaust valve selectively occluding said exhaust port;

means for directing air at a first pressure to said first inlet port and for directing air at a second pressure, different from said first pressure, to said second inlet port during a compression stroke of the piston, wherein one of said intake valves occupies an open position only while the other of said intake valves occupies a closed position.

13. The engine of claim 12, wherein the compression stroke results in compressing of air within the cylinder, with means for managing air charge volumes to provide a compression ratio lower than the expansion ratio of the engine.

14. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, first and second inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which air is exhausted from said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

an intake valve selectively occluding each said intake port;

an exhaust valve selectively occluding said exhaust port; and

a first compressor directing air at a first pressure to said first inlet port and a second compressor directing air at a second pressure, different from said first pressure, to said second inlet port during a compression stroke of said piston.

15. The engine of claim 14, wherein the compression stroke results in compressing of air within the cylinder, with means for managing air charge volumes to provide a compression ratio lower than the expansion ratio of the engine.

16. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, two cylinder inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled through said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

an intake valve selectively occluding each inlet port;

an exhaust valve selectively occluding said exhaust port;

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a conduit between said source of air and at least one cylinder inlet port;

at least one air cooler interconnected between said compressor and said inlet port;

means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston; and

a second external compressor in which said low pressure air charge is lightly compressed outside the cylinder and conduit directing said air charge from said second external compressor through an air cooler to a low pressure port of the cylinder during the intake stroke.

17. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining a least one cylinder therein, a first inlet port through which air is introduced to said cylinder, a second inlet port through which air is introduced to said cylinder, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled from said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder, said piston moving through at least one intake stroke and one compression stroke;

a first intake valve selectively opening and closing said first inlet port, said first intake valve opening said first inlet port during at least a portion of said intake stroke;

a second intake valve selectively opening and closing said second inlet port, said second intake valve opening said second inlet port during at least a portion of said compression stroke;

an exhaust valve selectively opening and closing said exhaust port;

first conduit communicating said first inlet port to air at a first pressure; and

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a second conduit with said second inlet port, said compressor generating compressed air at least while said second intake valve is open, said second pressure being greater than said first pressure,

whereby air at at least the first pressure is introduced to the cylinder during the intake stroke and air at at least the second pressure is introduced into the cylinder during the compression stroke.

18. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, two cylinder inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled through said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

a first intake salve cooperating with a first of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

a second intake valve cooperating with a second of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

an exhaust valve cooperating with said exhaust port;

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a conduit between said source of air and at least said first of said inlet ports; and

wherein said first intake valve occupies its said open position only while said second intake valve occupies its closed position.

19. The internal combustion engine of claim 18, further comprising means for directing low pressure air to said second of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to said first of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston.

20. The internal combustion engine of claim 18, further comprising means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports daring an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston and after compression has began.

21. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, two cylinder inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled through said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

a first intake valve cooperating with a first of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

a second intake valve cooperating with a second of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

an exhaust valve cooperating with said exhaust port;

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a conduit between said source of air and at least said first of said inlet ports; and

wherein said first intake valve occupies its said open position only during a compression stroke of said piston.

22. The internal combustion engine of claim 21, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to said second of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to said first of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston.

23. The internal combustion engine of claim 21, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston and after compression has begun.

24. An internal combustion engine, comprising:

an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein, two cylinder inlet ports communicating between said cylinder and a source of air, and an exhaust port through which exhausted gases are expelled through said cylinder;

a piston movably mounted within said cylinder;

a first intake salve cooperating with a first of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

a second intake valve cooperating with a second of said inlet ports and selectively movable between a closed position and an open position;

an exhaust valve cooperating with said exhaust port;

at least one compressor in fluid communication via a conduit between said source of air and at least said first of said inlet ports; and

wherein said first intake valve occupies its said open position only after compression has begun during a compression stroke of said piston.

25. The internal combustion engine of claim 24, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to said second of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to said first of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston.

26. The internal combustion engine of claim 24, further comprising a means for directing low pressure air to one of said inlet ports during an intake stroke of the piston and for directing air highly compressed by said compressor to the other of said inlet ports during a compression stroke of said piston and after compression has begun.