Method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines
OwnerJames McCrabb, Jerald R. Gregginventors
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to a system for increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of internal combustion engines. In the system of the invention, the unused heat generated during normal engine operation in the exhaust gases, lubricating oil and engine coolant is utilized to compress air which produces additional energy that performs additional work in the engine system by means of a modified Rankine cycle. This same system used to maximize efficiency and increase power also acts to reduce pollutants in the exhaust emissions.
Claims19
An energy saving system for improving the efficiency and lowering the exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cycles, including an exhaust cycle, during which fuel introduction means and an air intake introduce fuel and air into a combustion chamber for combustion in the chamber after which the exhaust gases are discharged from the chamber during the exhaust cycle, the engine also having an exhaust system for receiving and discharging the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, a lubricating system utilizing a lubricating oil, and a cooling system for removing heat from the engine produced by combustion in the combustion chamber, said energy saving system comprising:
- a heat exchanger combined with the engine exhaust system for receiving the exhaust gases from the engine exhaust system;
- a closed-loop circulating system for circulating a working liquid under pressure through the heat exchanger;
- means for passing the working liquid in the circulating system under pressure through the heat exchanger so as to transfer heat from the exhaust gases into the working liquid and convert the working liquid into vapor;
- an air compressor for receiving air from the air intake and producing high pressure air;
- the circulating system including means to introduce the vapor produced in the heat exchanger into the air compressor so as to power the air compressor;
- and
- air control means for controllably introducing the high pressure air into the combustion chamber of the engine during the entire time of at least one of the cycles of the engine other than the exhaust cycle and for maintaining a predetermined minimum pressure in said chamber during the entire time of said one cycle by continuing the introduction of said high pressure air during the entire time of said cycle so as to increase the power produced by the engine.
A method for improving the efficiency and lowering the exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cycles, including an exhaust cycle, during which fuel introduction means and an air intake introduce fuel and air into a combustion chamber for combustion in the chamber after which the exhaust gases are discharged from the chamber during the exhaust cycle, the engine also having an exhaust system for discharging the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, a lubricating system utilizing a lubricating oil, and a cooling system for removing heat from the engine produced by combustion in the combustion chamber, said method comprising:
- providing a heat exchanger;
- passing the engine exhaust gases through the heat exchanger;
- providing a closed-loop circulating system for circulating a working liquid under pressure through the heat exchanger;
- circulating the working liquid in the closed-loop circulating system through the heat exchanger;
- converting the working liquid circulating through the heat exchanger into vapor by utilizing the heat from the exhaust gases flowing through the heat exchanger;
- providing an air compressor for receiving air from the air intake and producing high pressure air;
- introducing air from the air intake into the air compressor;
- powering the air compressor with the vapor produced in the heat exchanger so as to pressurize the air from the air intake;
- introducing the high pressure air from the air compressor into the combustion chamber of the engine during the entire time of at least one of the cycles of the engine other than the exhaust cycle;
- and
- maintaining a predetermined minimum pressure in said combustion chamber during the entire time of said one cycle by continuing the introduction of said high pressure air during the entire time of said cycle so as to increase the power produced by the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.