Internal combustion engine having variable displacement

• US 6,640,543 B1
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Washington University
• Original Assignee: Western Washington University
• Inventors: Seal, Michael Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, THAI BA
• Application Number:
  US09/960,836
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 606/09, 606/00, 606/051, 605/99, 123/559.1, 123/198.F, 123/41.21, 123/41.31, 165/101
• US Class Current: 60/609
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/28 Construction of catalytic reactors
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2053/005 Wankel engines
• 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 41/00 Engines characterised by special means for improving conversion of heat or pressure energy into mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 53/02 Methods of operating
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A variable displacement engine is provided with a group of variably operated cylinders which are controllable to start and stop operation under predetermined operating conditions, and a group of invariable operated cylinders which are constantly in operation irrespective of the operating condition. The engine is operably connected to a variable displacement control system operable to deactivate the operation of the group of variably operated cylinders under predetermined operating conditions, such as idling, highway cruising speeds, and the like, so that the overall fuel efficiency of the engine is improved. In an aspect of the present invention, a turbocharger is provided. The turbocharger includes an inlet for receiving exhaust gas from the invariable operated cylinders and an outlet for supplying compressed air to the variable operated cylinders. In one embodiment, the engine is a reciprocating piston type engine, and in another embodiment, the engine is a rotary piston type engine.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine comprising:

a crankshaft;

a first cylinder including;

a first piston reciprocally movable within said cylinder to form a first working chamber, said first piston operably connected to said crankshaft;

at least one intake port adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of air; and

at least one exhaust port adapted to be connected to an exhaust manifold;

a second cylinder including;

a second piston reciprocally movable within said second cylinder to form a second working chamber, said second piston operably connected to said crankshaft;

at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port; and

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas from only said first cylinder and operable for supplying compressed air to said second cylinder, said turbocharger including an inlet in fluid communication with said first cylinder and an outlet in fluid communication with said second cylinder; and

an intercooler operably connected to said outlet of said turbocharger, wherein said intercooler includes tubes for circulating coolant, said tubes operably connected to an electric pump, said electric pump controllable to shut-off coolant flow through said intercooler.

2. The engine of claim 1, wherein said first working chamber has a compression ratio in the range of 6:

1 to 9;

1.

3. The engine of claim 1, wherein said second working chamber has a compression ratio in the range of 9:

1 to 12;

1.

4. An internal combustion engine comprising:

a first chamber operable for combustion;

a first piston movable within said first chamber;

a second chamber operable for combustion;

a second piston movable within said second chamber;

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas, and further operable for supplying compressed air, wherein said turbocharger is operably arranged such that said turbocharger receives exhaust gas from said first chamber, and supplies compressed air to said second chamber; and

a variable displacement control system for controlling the operation of said first and second chambers, said system operable to operate said first and second chambers during full-load operation, and operable to deactivate said second chamber during part-load operation, wherein said second chamber is maintained at an operational temperature during part-load operation.

5. The engine of claim 4, wherein said first and second movable pistons are reciprocally movable within said respective first and second chambers.

6. The engine of claim 4, wherein said first and second movable pistons are rotatably movable within said respective first and second chambers in the form of rotors, said engine operating as a rotary piston engine.

7. The engine of claim 4, wherein said variable control system includes an engine control unit in communication with at least one sensor.

8. The engine of claim 7, wherein said at least one sensor is a plurality of sensors.

9. The engine of claim 8, wherein said plurality of sensors are any sensors selected from the group consisting of an engine speed sensor, a throttle position sensor, an engine temperature sensor, an oxygen sensor, an intake air pressure sensor, and an air flow sensor.

10. The engine of claim 9, wherein said plurality of sensors produces signals corresponding to an engine operating parameters.

11. The engine of claim 10, wherein said engine control unit receives a signal from any one of said plurality of sensors or combinations thereof and controls the operation of said fuel injection system based on said signal.

12. The engine of claim 11, wherein said engine control unit determines the load status of said engine based on said signals obtained from said sensors, said load status of said engine being either full-load or part-load operation.

13. The engine of claim 12, wherein said engine control unit deactivates said second chamber when said engine control unit determines that said engine is in said part-load operation.

14. The engine of claim 12, wherein said engine control unit continues the operation of said first and second chambers when said engine control unit determines that said engine is in said full-load operation.

15. The engine of claim 4, further comprising an engine cooling system having at least one fluid pump for circulating fluid through said engine;

wherein said operational temperature of said second chamber is maintained by preventing circulation of said fluid through a portion of said engine associated with said second chamber during part-load operation.

16. The engine of claim 15, wherein said fluid pump is controllable to prevent circulation of said fluid through said portion of said engine during part-load operation.

17. An internal combustion engine comprising:

at least one first chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a first piston movable within said first chamber;

at least one second chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a second piston movable within said second chamber;

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas, and operable for supplying compressed air, wherein said turbocharger operably arranged such that said turbocharger receives exhaust gas from said first chamber, and supplies compressed air to said second chamber, and

a variable displacement control system for controlling the operation of said first and second chambers, said system operable to operate said first and second chambers during full-load operation, and operable to operate only said first chamber during part-load operation;

wherein said second chamber is maintained at an operational temperature.

18. The engine of claim 17, wherein said first and second movable pistons are reciprocally movable within said respective first and second chambers.

19. The engine of claim 17, wherein said first and second movable pistons are rotatably movable within said respective fist and second chambers in the form of rotors, said engine operating as a rotary piston engine.

20. The engine of claim 17, further comprising an ignition system.

21. The engine of claim 20, wherein said ignition system includes a distributor, a first spark plug associated with said first chamber, and a second spark plug associated with said second chamber.

22. The engine of claim 17, wherein said second chamber exhaust port is connected in fluid communication to a catalytic converter.

23. The engine of claim 17, wherein said turbocharger includes an inlet in fluid communication with said first chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said second chamber;

wherein said engine further comprises an intercooler operably connected to said outlet of said turbocharger, said intercooler including tubes for circulating coolant, wherein said tubes are operably connected to an electric pump, said electric pump controllable to shut-off coolant flow through said intercooler.

24. An internal combustion engine comprising:

at least one first chamber having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a first piston movable within said first chamber;

at least one second chamber having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a second piston movable within said second chamber;

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas from said first chamber and operable to supply compressed air to said second chamber,

a variable displacement control system for controlling the operation of said first and second chambers during predetermined operating conditions to operate said first and second chambers during full-load operation and to interrupt the operation of said second chamber during part-load operation, said system including an engine control unit in communication with at least one sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to engine operating conditions and a fuel injection system in communication with said engine control unit, said fuel injection system operable to deliver fuel to said second chamber based on said signal of said sensor; and

an engine cooling system having at least one fluid pump for circulating fluid through said engine, wherein circulation of said fluid through a portion of said engine associated with said second chamber is prevented during part-load operation.

25. The engine of claim 24, wherein said first and second movable pistons are reciprocally movable within said respective first and second chambers.

26. The engine of claim 24, wherein said engine control unit controls said fuel injector system so that said second chamber does not receive a supply of fuel when said engine control unit determines that said engine is in said part-load condition so as to deactivate said second chamber.

27. The engine of claim 24, wherein said engine control unit determines whether said engine is in part-load or full-load condition based on said signal obtained from said sensor.

28. The engine of claim 27, wherein said engine control unit controls said fuel injector system so that said second chamber does not receive a supply of fuel when said engine control unit determines that said engine is in said part-load condition so as to deactivate said second chamber.

29. The engine of claim 27, wherein said engine control unit controls said fuel injection system to supply fuel to said first and second chambers when said engine control unit determines that said engine is in said full-load condition.

30. An internal combustion engine comprising:

at least one first chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a first piston movable within said first chamber;

at least one second chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a second piston movable within said second chamber;

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas, and operable for supplying compressed air, wherein said turbocharger operably arranged such that said turbocharger receives exhaust gas from said first chamber, and supplies compressed air to said second chamber,

a variable displacement control system for controlling the operation of said first and second chambers, said system operable to operate said first and second chambers during full-load operation, and operable to operate only said first chamber during part-load operation, wherein circulation of said fluid through a portion of said engine associated with said second chamber is prevented during part-load operation; and

an engine cooling system having at least one fluid pump for circulating fluid through said engine, wherein circulation of said fluid through a portion of said engine associated with said second chamber is prevented during part-load operation.

31. The engine of claim 30, wherein said fluid pump is controllable to prevent circulation of said fluid through said portion of said engine during part-load operation.

32. The engine of claim 31, wherein said fluid pump is an electric fluid pump.

33. An internal combustion engine comprising:

at least one first chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a first piston movable within said first chamber;

at least one second chamber operable for combustion and having at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port, and a second piston movable within said second chamber;

a turbocharger operable for receiving exhaust gas, and operable for supplying compressed air, wherein said turbocharger includes an inlet in fluid communication with said first chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with said second chamber;

a variable displacement control system for controlling the operation of said first and second chambers, said system operable to operate said first and second chambers during full-load operation, and operable to operate only said first chamber during part-load operation; and

an intercooler operably connected to said outlet of said turbocharger, said intercooler including tubes for circulating coolant, wherein said tubes having a control valve disposed therein controllable to shut-off coolant flow through said intercooler.

34. An internal combustion engine having part-load and full-load operation, comprising:

at least one first chamber which continuously operates during part-load and full-load operation;

at least one second chamber which operates during full-load operation and does not operate during part-load operation, wherein said second chamber is maintained at an operational temperature during said part-load operation; and

a turbocharger having an inlet for receiving exhaust gas and an outlet for supplying compressed air, said turbocharger operably arranged such that said inlet receives exhaust gas from said first chamber, and said outlet supplies compressed air to said second chamber.

35. The engine of claim 34, further including pistons movable within said first and second chambers.

36. The engine of claim 35, wherein said first and second movable pistons are either reciprocally or rotatably movable within said respective first and second chambers.

37. The engine of claim 34, further comprising an engine cooling system having at least one fluid pump for circulating fluid through said engine, wherein circulation of said fluid through a portion of said engine associated with said second chamber is prevented during part-load operation for maintaining the operational temperature of said second chamber.

38. The engine of claim 37, wherein said fluid pump is controllable to prevent circulation of said fluid through said portion of said engine during part-load operation.