US4738227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal ignition combustion system
Assignee: Adiabatics Inc
•
Filing: 1986-09-16
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Granted: 1988-04-19
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Expires: 2006-09-16
Abstract
Abstract The thermal ignition combustion system comprises means for providing walls defining an ignition chamber, the walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m° C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg° C. with the ignition chamber being in constant communication with the main combustion chamber, means for maintaining the temperature of the walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel, and means for conducting fuel to the ignition chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Kamo
- 👤 Ramesh M. Kakwani
- 👤 Edgars Valdmanis
- 👤 Melvins E. Woods
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:10
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B9/00; F02B9/02; F02B9/04; F02B19/00; F02B19/14; F02B19/16; F02B19/165; F02F; F02F7/00; F02F7/0085; F02F7/0087; F02P; F02P21/00; F02B2019/006; F05; F05C; F05C2203/00; F05C2203/08; F05C2203/0865; F05C2203/0895; F05C2251/00; F05C2251/04; F05C2251/048; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A thermal ignition combustion system adapted for use with an internal combustion engine, said engine having a main combustion chamber, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising: (a) means for providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg° C., said ignition chamber being in constant communication with said main combustion chamber; (b) means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel; and (c) means for conducting fuel to said ignition chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A thermal ignition combustion system adapted for use with an internal combustion engine, said engine having a main combustion chamber, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising: (a) means for providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg° C., said ignition chamber being in constant communication with said main combustion chamber; (b) means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel; and (c) means for conducting fuel to said ignition chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 1, wherein the heat capacity of said chamber walls is greater than 22 J/°C. per liter displacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 2, wherein said means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls includes insulation of said chamber walls, said insulation of said chamber walls being located externally of said chamber walls and of said ignition chamber, and wherein said insulation of said chamber walls surrounds more than 85% of said chamber walls and said ignition chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 3, wherein said main combustion chamber is defined by a piston, cylinder walls, a cylinder head and a plurality of valves, and wherein said means for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls further includes insulation of said main combustion chamber, said insulation of said main combustion chamber being located between said main combustion chamber and said piston, said cylinder walls, said cylinder head and said valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 4, wherein said insulation of said chamber walls includes at least one insulating barrier, said insulation of said chamber walls having an effective thermal conductivity less than 10 W/(m·K).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 5, wherein said at least one insulating barrier includes an air pocket having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 6, wherein said at least one insulating barrier further includes a layer of zirconia located between said chamber walls and said air pocket, said layer of zirconia having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 5, wherein said threshold temperature is approximately 700° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 8, wherein said fuel is a processed coal such as powdered coal wherein the average particle size of said coal is about 5 microns and wherein the particle size of greater than 90% of said coal is less than 20 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 9, wherein said insulation of said main combustion chamber is zirconia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 5, wherein said threshold temperature is approximately 1300° F.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 11, wherein said fuel is natural gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 12, wherein said insulation of said main combustion chamber is zirconia.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 5, further comprising a glow plug for aiding combustion until the temperature of said chamber walls reaches said threshold temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of operating a thermal ignition combustion system in conjunction with an internal combustion engine using powdered coal as fuel, said engine having a main combustion chamber defined by a piston, a cylinder head, cylinder walls, a plurality of valves and an air intake and intake stroke of the piston, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising the steps of: (a) providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., said chamber walls being sufficiently insulated externally to said chamber walls and ignition chamber so as to be maintained above a threshold temperature of 700° F. during normal operation of said combustion system; (b) fumigation of powdered coal into the air intake during the intake stroke of the piston in the cylinder; and (c) providing a glow plug in said ignition chamber for igniting said fuel before said chamber walls reach a threshold operating temperature.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of operating a thermal ignition combustion system in conjunction with an internal combustion engine using powdered coal as fuel, said engine having a main combustion chamber defined by a piston, a cylinder head, cylinder walls, a plurality of valves and an air intake and intake stroke of the piston, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising the steps of: (a) providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., said chamber walls being sufficiently insulated externally to said chamber walls and ignition chamber so as to be maintained above a threshold temperature of 700° F. during normal operation of said combustion system; (b) fumigation of powdered coal into the air intake during the intake stroke of the piston in the cylinder; and (c) providing a glow plug in said ignition chamber for igniting said fuel before said chamber walls reach a threshold operating temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 15, wherein the material of said chamber walls has a heat capacity greater than 22 J/°C. per liter of displacement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said insulation of said chamber walls includes at least one insulating barrier, said insulation of said chamber walls having an effective thermal conductivity less than 10 W/(m·K).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one insulating barrier includes an air pocket having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one insulating barrier further includes a layer of zirconia located between said chamber walls and said air pocket, said layer of zirconia having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said chamber walls are sufficiently insulated so as to be maintained at a temperature within the range of 1000° F. to 2000° F. during normal operation of said combustion system.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a thermal ignition combustion system in conjunction with an internal combustion engine using natural gas as fuel, said engine having a main combustion chamber defined by a piston, a cylinder head, cylinder walls, a plurality of valves and an air intake and intake stroke of the piston, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising the steps of: (a) providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., said chamber walls being sufficiently insulated externally to said chamber walls and ignition chamber so as to be maintained above a threshold temperature of 1350° F. during normal operation of said combustion system; (b) injection of high pressure natural gas into the ignition chamber during the intake stroke of the piston in the cylinder; and, (c) providing a glow plug in said ignition chamber for igniting said fuel before said chamber walls reach a threshold operating temperature.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a thermal ignition combustion system in conjunction with an internal combustion engine using natural gas as fuel, said engine having a main combustion chamber defined by a piston, a cylinder head, cylinder walls, a plurality of valves and an air intake and intake stroke of the piston, said thermal ignition combustion system comprising the steps of: (a) providing ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber, said chamber walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., said chamber walls being sufficiently insulated externally to said chamber walls and ignition chamber so as to be maintained above a threshold temperature of 1350° F. during normal operation of said combustion system; (b) injection of high pressure natural gas into the ignition chamber during the intake stroke of the piston in the cylinder; and, (c) providing a glow plug in said ignition chamber for igniting said fuel before said chamber walls reach a threshold operating temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 21, wherein the material of said chamber walls has a heat capacity greater than 22 J/°C. per liter of displacement.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said insulation of said chamber walls includes at least one insulating barrier, said insulation of said chamber walls having an effective thermal conductivity less than 10 W/(m·K).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one insulating barrier includes an air pocket having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said at least one insulating barrier further includes a layer of zirconia located between said chamber walls and said air pocket, said layer of zirconia having a thickness no less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said chamber walls are sufficiently insulated so as to be maintained at a temperature within the range of 1300° F. to 1800° F. during normal operation of said combustion system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
A thermal ignition combustion system adapted for use with an internal combustion engine having a main combustion chamber, comprising: ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber in communication with the main combustion chamber, said chamber walls made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., and insulation means, substantially surrounding said chamber walls, for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
A thermal ignition combustion system adapted for use with an internal combustion engine having a main combustion chamber, comprising: ignition chamber walls defining an ignition chamber in communication with the main combustion chamber, said chamber walls made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m°C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg°C., and insulation means, substantially surrounding said chamber walls, for maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 27 wherein the heat capacity of said chamber walls is greater than 22 J/°C. per liter displacement.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 28 further including main combustion chamber insulation means, insulating the main combustion chamber, for aiding in maintaining the temperature of said chamber walls.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 27 wherein said threshold temperature is 700° F. and said fuel is a processed coal such as powdered coal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermal ignition combustion system of claim 27 wherein said threshold temperature is 1300° F. and said fuel is natural gas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |