High efficiency, ternary mix engine

Abstract

Pressurized and superheated, dry steam is admitted into the working chamber of a spark ignition engine for the purpose of increasing the thermal efficiency of the engine. The steam is admitted into the working chamber near the end of compression, and before ignition of the fuel. An igniter ignites the fuel. Additional work is pneumatically recovered from the steam, thus augmenting the total work obtained by the engine.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 769,497, filed Feb. 18, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines admitting steam into the working chamber for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the engine, and more particularly, to the invention disclosed herein, referred to as a “Ternary Mix Engine”, wherein a ternary mixture comprising fuel, oxidizer, and steam is formed under compression. The ternary mixture is combusted upon ignition of the fuel by an igniter. The steam augments the work obtained by the engine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Due to rising fuel prices and concerns about future fuel availability, many have sought to increase the efficiency of engines. Desirably, by increasing engine efficiency, less fuel is consumed, and the cost of fueling internal combustion engines is decrease...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses a method to improve engine efficiency by minimizing heat loss during combustion. It suggests that adding too much gas to the engine after a portion of fuel has been combusted can lead to increased heat loss. By admitting all the fuel and oxidizer into the engine before ignition, the working fluid stays hotter and prevents additional heat loss. The text also mentions that the steam generator can be stored empty to prevent damage from freezing. Additionally, it mentions that draining or purging damage-prone areas with air or steam at shutdown can prevent damage from freezing. The engine can also start without adding steam until enough heat and water accumulate in the system. These technical methods help increase engine efficiency and minimize heat loss during combustion.

Problems solved by technology

The additional convective heat loss becomes much larger, and the efficiency of the engine suffers accordingly, if a large portion of any gas is admitted into the working chamber after a substantial portion of the fuel is combusted, because the working fluid is relatively much hotter than the working chamber boundaries, after a substantial portion of the fuel is combusted.

If the fuel were to be ignited by contacting of the fuel by the steam, then an early portion of the steam would ignite the fuel before the remaining late portion of the steam could be admitted into the working chamber, thereby incurring an excessive additional convective heat loss upon admission of the remaining late portion of the steam.

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