US4561406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Winged reentrant electromagnetic combustion chamber
Assignee: Combustion Electromagnetics Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-25
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Granted: 1985-12-31
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Expires: 2004-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine combustion chamber suitable for electromagnetic stimulation of combustion which has been improved by the addition of combustion chamber periphery extensions (wings) filled with dielectric material. The wing dimensions and filler dielectric material are chosen to allow for specification of the chamber EM resonant frequency, preferably at a frequency in the UHF range (where low cost DC operated devices can be used) and at an industrial allocated frequency. The wing chamber EM resonant modes are further designed to place relatively high electrical currents at the wing tips (which are totally closed surfaces), and low EM currents at the piston-cylinder gaps, thus eliminating the need for EM chokes. The EM feature of the chamber is further improved by shaping the piston face and/or cylinder head face in conjunction with the wing design to further lower the EM operating frequency and improve frequency stability with respect to piston motion about TDC. EM resonsant modes with high EM currents at the center of the chamber are preferably excited, which further improves frequency stability and EM coupling to the flame front plasma, especially when used with ceramic heat barrier coatings on the piston and cylinder faces. The engine uses dual plasma ignition and a simple EM loop coupler at the wing tip to introduce the EM energy which is modulated to minimize formation of unwanted plasma discharges. The engine uses an extremely lean mixture and minimal cooling for highest efficiency, lowest emissions, lightest weight and simplest design and operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. V. Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:55
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P23/00; F02P23/04; F02B; F02B23/00; F02B23/08; F02B51/00; F02F; F02F1/00; F02F1/24; F02F1/242; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B2023/085; F02B75/00; F02B75/12; F02B2075/125; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a combustion system including at least one combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining at least one major portion of said chamber, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement therein comprising a dielectric filled wing electrical volume of annular form placed at a perimeter of said chamber which is sufficient in volume and dielectric properties to lower resonant frequency fo of the chamber excluding the wing by at least one third the value fo, i.e., f=2/3* fo and construction of said volume and means for conducting E energy to provide a maximum of the current produced by conducting EM energy to the chamber in the annular wing and wherein said EM energy conducted during the period of combustion of the mixture is amplitude modulated during said period at a low frequency in the range of 1 KHz to 10 MHz with a duty cycle of a few percent to 100%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a combustion system including at least one combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining at least one major portion of said chamber, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement therein comprising a dielectric filled wing electrical volume of annular form placed at a perimeter of said chamber which is sufficient in volume and dielectric properties to lower resonant frequency fo of the chamber excluding the wing by at least one third the value fo, i.e., f=2/3* fo and construction of said volume and means for conducting E energy to provide a maximum of the current produced by conducting EM energy to the chamber in the annular wing and wherein said EM energy conducted during the period of combustion of the mixture is amplitude modulated during said period at a low frequency in the range of 1 KHz to 10 MHz with a duty cycle of a few percent to 100%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber is of fixed volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the continuous surface defines a fixed combustion chamber wall, on whose perimeter said wing is connected, and opposite said fixed wall there being movable cyclic compressible means to compress said mixture and to expand to extract work from the combusting mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber has a cylindrical configuration and wherein said wing forms one continuous electrically conducting surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as defined in claim 4, wherein the perimeter on which said wing is placed, is circular surface defining said cylindrical configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said continuous electrically conducting surface comprises a cylinder head of internal combustion (IC) engine, and wherein the surface opposite to said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, said piston used to compress said mixture and expand to extract work from combusting mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head of an internal combustion (IC) engine and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement therein comprising circular radially outwards disposed annular wing filled with dielectric material placed at a perimeter of said chamber such that EM energy conducted to said chamber is also conducted and stored in said wing and such that resonant frequency f of said chamber is substantially reduced from the value that would exist without the presence of said wing, and wherein said piston being constructed to compress said mixture and expand to extract work from combusting mixture and wherein said piston has an average length Lavg satifying the relationship: 1/8λ<Lavg<3/8λ, where λ is the free-space wavelength corresponding to f.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head of an internal combustion (IC) engine and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement therein comprising circular radially outwards disposed annular wing filled with dielectric material placed at a perimeter of said chamber such that EM energy conducted to said chamber is also conducted and stored in said wing and such that resonant frequency f of said chamber is substantially reduced from the value that would exist without the presence of said wing, and wherein said piston being constructed to compress said mixture and expand to extract work from combusting mixture and wherein said piston has an average length Lavg satifying the relationship: 1/8λ<Lavg<3/8λ, where λ is the free-space wavelength corresponding to f.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head, and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, said chamber including a radially outwards disposed circular annular slot or wing forming one continuous electrically conducting surface placed at a perimeter of said chamber and filled with dielectric material and wherein said wing is placed in said cylinder head on a line defined by the piston motion, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement wherein the means used to convey said EM energy are a loop disposed at extreme of said wing, said EM coupling loop formed by grounding a center conductor of EM conveying transmission line to an interior surface of said wing, and thus exciting magnetic component of EM energy stored in chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head, and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, said chamber including a radially outwards disposed circular annular slot or wing forming one continuous electrically conducting surface placed at a perimeter of said chamber and filled with dielectric material and wherein said wing is placed in said cylinder head on a line defined by the piston motion, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be resonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement wherein the means used to convey said EM energy are a loop disposed at extreme of said wing, said EM coupling loop formed by grounding a center conductor of EM conveying transmission line to an interior surface of said wing, and thus exciting magnetic component of EM energy stored in chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system as defined in claim 8 wherein said wing is placed in said cylinder sleeve, and EM coupling loop is formed by connecting directly a center conductor of coaxial EM transmission line to an inner side wall of the wing interior, with coupler disposed generally perpendicular to said wing (and cylinder sleeve) and near extreme of wing (high currrent region).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined in claim 8 wherein said EM resonant mode used to excite said chamber is the lowest WER mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said piston face has generally upwards pointed central portion defining an EM spark gap with said cylinder head at top dead center (TDC), said gap being part of the WER010(cone) EM mode sustained in the chamber and providing the high voltage needed to cause ignition, and eliminating the need for other independent means of ignition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as defined in claim 8 wherein central electrically conducting movable plunger is placed in said cylinder head to make contact with said piston for about 30 degrees either side of TDC and wherein said EM resonant mode maintained in said chamber is the WMR010 mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as defined in claim 12 wherein dielectric coating is placed on part of piston face and cylinder interior surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head, and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, said chamber including a radially outwards disposed circular annular slot or wing forming one continuous electrically conducting surface placed at a perimeter of said chamber and filled with dielectric material, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be reasonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement wherein the EM resonant mode used to excite said chamber is defined to be the WMR110 mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a combustion system including at least one cylindrical combustion chamber with one essentially continuous electrically conducting surface defining a cylinder head, and wherein surface opposite of said cylinder head comprises a movable piston contained in a cylinder sleeve, said chamber including a radially outwards disposed circular annular slot or wing forming one continuous electrically conducting surface placed at a perimeter of said chamber and filled with dielectric material, means for producing a combustible mixture therein, means for igniting said mixture, means for generating and for conducting to said chamber electromagnetic (EM) energy of frequency f to be reasonantly stored in said chamber during combustion of said mixture, the improvement wherein the EM resonant mode used to excite said chamber is defined to be the WMR110 mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 14 wherein WMR110 mode is excited in addition to said WER010(cone) ignition mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system as defined in claim 14 wherein said EM frequency f, said chamber, and said wing dielectric filler and dimensions are chosen such that maximum EM electric field minimum current are maintained near said chamber perimeter which is also near junction of said cylinder head, cylinder sleeve, and piston.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as defined in claim 16 wherein frequency shift of EM mode with piston position is minimum about TDC.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said igniting means comprise two spark/plasma ignitors disposed in said cylinder head about half way distant from the center to said chamber to its perimeter wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as defined in claim 18 wherein a cylindrical dielectric ceramic disc is placed in said piston face and fills a majority thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as defined in claim 19 wherein dielectric ceramic coating is placed on most of interior of cylinder head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined in claim 20 wherein said EM WMR110 mode is excited by means of a magnetic loop coupler disposed at the high current end of said dielectric filled wing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as defined in claim 21 wherein means for producing said combustible mixture is a fuel spraying device used in combination with air flow to premix air-fuel mixture prior to its combustion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 22 wherein said means to premix air-fuel mixture is a carburetor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as defined in claim 21 wherein said means for producing said combustible mixture comprises fuel injection means disposed at center of interior of said cylinder head, and injecting fuel under all engine conditions to the sites defined by the ignition plasma of each said ignitor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as defined in claim 21 wherein said loop coupler is disposed along a line joining said ignitors such that maximum EM electric field, in the angular cylindrical orientation, lies substantially along said line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as defined in claim 24 wherein means for igniting mixture is multiple pulse ignition system operated at a pulse rate equal to the modulation frequency of the EM energy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
85 words
Method of operating a combustion process comprising igniting a very lean combustible mixture in an enclosed basic volume substantially bounded by electrically conducting surfaces, generating an electromagnetic (EM) energy wave in the combusting mixture by applying external UHF to L-band EM energy thereto, and spreading the wave to establish its resonant wavelength at a dimension greater than the resonant wavelength allowed by the spanning dimensions of the basic volume and, inversely, to lower the resonant frequency of the EM wave by at least one third.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
85 words
Method of operating a combustion process comprising igniting a very lean combustible mixture in an enclosed basic volume substantially bounded by electrically conducting surfaces, generating an electromagnetic (EM) energy wave in the combusting mixture by applying external UHF to L-band EM energy thereto, and spreading the wave to establish its resonant wavelength at a dimension greater than the resonant wavelength allowed by the spanning dimensions of the basic volume and, inversely, to lower the resonant frequency of the EM wave by at least one third.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method in accordance with claim 27 wherein EM wave is spread consistent with reducing plasma discharge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
119 words
Internal combustion engine comprising: (a) means defining a basic chamber, (b) means defining a member movable cyclically in said chamber to establish a cyclically expanding and compressing space in cooperation with said chamber, (c) means for igniting a very lean combustible mixture in said space, (d) means for applying EM energy to the ignited mixture, and (e) means defining a reentrant in a conducting surface of at least one of the chamber and movable member surface defining said space which is constructed and arranged to admit EM energy to the reentrant from the said space but bar gas flow therefrom such that the reentrant increases the electrical volume of said chamber by at least 50% near top dead center.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
119 words
Internal combustion engine comprising: (a) means defining a basic chamber, (b) means defining a member movable cyclically in said chamber to establish a cyclically expanding and compressing space in cooperation with said chamber, (c) means for igniting a very lean combustible mixture in said space, (d) means for applying EM energy to the ignited mixture, and (e) means defining a reentrant in a conducting surface of at least one of the chamber and movable member surface defining said space which is constructed and arranged to admit EM energy to the reentrant from the said space but bar gas flow therefrom such that the reentrant increases the electrical volume of said chamber by at least 50% near top dead center.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
Engine apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein the means (e) comprises a construction of the engine with electrical spanning dimensions exceeding physical spanning dimensions of said space.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
Engine apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein the chamber and movable member are cylindrical and the means (e) comprises a reentrant annular wing in at least one of said chamber and member parts.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
Engine apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein the reentrant is filled with dielectric material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
Engine apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein the EM energy is applied in the WMR010 mode at resonance.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
107 words
Internal combustion engine comprising: (a) means defining a basic chamber, (b) means defining a member movable cyclically in said chamber to establish a cyclically expanding and compressing space in cooperation with said chamber, (c) means for igniting a very lean combustible mixture in said space, (d) means for applying EM energy to the ignited mixture in the WMR 110 mode at resonance, and (e) means defining a reentrant in a conducting surface of at least one of the chamber and movable member surface defining said space which is constructed and arranged to admit EM energy to the reentrant from the said space but bar gas flow therefrom.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
107 words
Internal combustion engine comprising: (a) means defining a basic chamber, (b) means defining a member movable cyclically in said chamber to establish a cyclically expanding and compressing space in cooperation with said chamber, (c) means for igniting a very lean combustible mixture in said space, (d) means for applying EM energy to the ignited mixture in the WMR 110 mode at resonance, and (e) means defining a reentrant in a conducting surface of at least one of the chamber and movable member surface defining said space which is constructed and arranged to admit EM energy to the reentrant from the said space but bar gas flow therefrom.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
Engine apparatus in accordance with claim 34 wherein WMR110 mode is excited in addition to said WER010(cone) ignition mode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-30 | 1989-07-01 | 1989-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-30 | 1993-07-01 | 1993-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-30 | 1997-07-01 | 1997-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |