US4700542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engines and methods of operation
Assignee: INTERCOOL DEVELOPMENT Ltd A CORP OF NEW YORK
•
Filing: 1986-08-21
•
Granted: 1987-10-20
•
Expires: 2006-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine apparatus and method of operation includes the monitoring of the exhaust gas temperature and air-fuel ratio on a continuing basis. The exhaust gas temperature is compared to a stored value and compression of the input air is varied to cause the exhaust gas temperature to equal the stored value. By minimizing the exhaust gas temperature increased engine efficiency can be realized. The invention may be embodied in a variety of engine configurations, including piston and turbine systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Lin-Shu Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:06
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G3/00; F02G3/02; F02B; F02B41/00; F02B41/02; F02B41/10; F02G5/00; F02G5/02; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02G2250/00; F02G2250/03; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
The method for the operation of an internal combustion engine having means in which an air-fuel input of variable ratio is combined and ignited to produce a high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream, comprising the steps of: (a) directing the exhaust gases through expansion means to extract work therefrom; (b) monitoring on a continuing basis the air-fuel ratio and the temperature of said exhaust gases after exiting from said expansion means; (c) continuously comparing the temperature of said exhaust gases to predetermined standards representing given high values of engine efficiency at the air-fuel ratios to create a control signal relating to said difference; and (d) continuously variably compressing the input air of said air-fuel mixture in response to said control signal such that said exhaust gas temperature is maintained at said predetermined standard during engine operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
The method for the operation of an internal combustion engine having means in which an air-fuel input of variable ratio is combined and ignited to produce a high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream, comprising the steps of: (a) directing the exhaust gases through expansion means to extract work therefrom; (b) monitoring on a continuing basis the air-fuel ratio and the temperature of said exhaust gases after exiting from said expansion means; (c) continuously comparing the temperature of said exhaust gases to predetermined standards representing given high values of engine efficiency at the air-fuel ratios to create a control signal relating to said difference; and (d) continuously variably compressing the input air of said air-fuel mixture in response to said control signal such that said exhaust gas temperature is maintained at said predetermined standard during engine operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of variably compressing said input air comprises passing said input air through first and second compressor means having intercooler means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of variably compressing the input air comprises passing said exhaust gas exiting from said expansion means through turbine means and driving variable compressor means by said turbine means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said variable compression step comprises varying the rotation rate of said turbine means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preheating said input air after said input air is compressed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said preheating is accomplished by heat transfer means between said exhaust gases and said input air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
An improved internal combustion engine comprising: means for producing a high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream from an air-fuel input mixture said production means comprising air and fuel input means; output means coupled to said exhaust gas production means for extracting output work from said exhaust gas stream; variable compressor means drive coupled to said exhaust gas production means for varying the pressure of the air portion of the input air-fuel mixture, said compressor means having an air input and an output coupled to said air input means; sensing means adapted and arranged for continuous monitoring of the temperature of said exhaust gas stream after passing through said output means and for monitoring the input air-fuel ratio at said air and fuel input means; and means for providing a continuous control signal for varying the compression of the input air by said variable compressor means based upon the temperature difference between the monitored temperature of said exhaust gas stream and a predetermined reference temperature for a given sensed air-fuel ratio such that said monitored exhaust gas temperature is continuously maintained at said predetermined reference temperature during engine operation, said predetermined reference temperature corresponding to a predetermined engine efficiency at a given air-fuel ratio.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
204 words
An improved internal combustion engine comprising: means for producing a high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream from an air-fuel input mixture said production means comprising air and fuel input means; output means coupled to said exhaust gas production means for extracting output work from said exhaust gas stream; variable compressor means drive coupled to said exhaust gas production means for varying the pressure of the air portion of the input air-fuel mixture, said compressor means having an air input and an output coupled to said air input means; sensing means adapted and arranged for continuous monitoring of the temperature of said exhaust gas stream after passing through said output means and for monitoring the input air-fuel ratio at said air and fuel input means; and means for providing a continuous control signal for varying the compression of the input air by said variable compressor means based upon the temperature difference between the monitored temperature of said exhaust gas stream and a predetermined reference temperature for a given sensed air-fuel ratio such that said monitored exhaust gas temperature is continuously maintained at said predetermined reference temperature during engine operation, said predetermined reference temperature corresponding to a predetermined engine efficiency at a given air-fuel ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said variable compressor means is drive coupled to said exhaust gas stream by turbine means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for providing the high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream comprises a gas turbine having compressor, combustion and compressor drive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for providing the high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream is a free piston gasifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for providing the high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream is a piston engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said variable compressor means and said turbine means are mounted on a single shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said single shaft is coupled to said means for producing the high temperature and pressure exhaust gas stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said single shaft is coupled to said production means by a variable ratio transmission.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said control signal varies said transmission ratio to vary the compression of said variable compressor means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said variable compressor means comprises first and second compressor means having intercooler means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said intercooler means comprise helical cooling coils mounted for convective cooling by by-pass air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR918852A
Cited
US2670724A
Cited
US2970433A
Cited
US2988884A
Cited
US3080708A
Cited
US3173242A
Cited
US3255586A
Cited
US3500636A
Cited
US3584459A
Cited
US3971208A
Cited
US4299088A
Cited
US4452043A
Cited
DE3224006A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-19 | 1991-04-20 | 1991-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-19 | 1995-04-20 | 1995-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-04-20 | 1999-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |