WO1994007011A1

WO1994007011A1 - Multi-mode energy conserving engine

Info

Publication number: WO1994007011A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/011154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanley Ptasinski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-15
Filing date: 1992-12-21
Publication date: 1994-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1995-03-15
Also published as: AU3418393A

Abstract

A programmable multi-mode energy conserving engine particularly for heavy power requirements in freight movers and power plants, consists of a two cycle Diesel engine modified to operate in one of five programmable modes; (1) fossil fuel mode, (2) compressed superheated air - superheated water injection mode (3) compressed superheated steam - superheated water injection mode (4) compressed superheated gas - superheated water injection mode (5) filter-selected and compressed superheated gas - superheated water injection mode. The waste energy resulting from heat due to fossil fuel combustion in the initial fossil fuel mode is utilized in a series of counterflow heat exchangers that are temperature and pressure monitored, and valved for computer control of the heat transfer rates, providing superheated water at the proper temperature and pressure for other selected modes of operation of the engine. The computer defaults to mode (1) fossil fuel operation of the engine when superheated water and mode selection conditions do not exist in the counterflow heat exchangers.

Description

MULTI-MODE ENERGY CONSERVING ENGINE

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to engines of the reciprocating piston type and more particularly to the modification of these engines for use as multi-mode engines wherein waste heat from burning fossil fuel is retained in a storage medium and subsequently utilized in another mode of operation, complement the fossil fuel mode, thereby saving energy and reducing pollution.

Description of the Prior Art

The prior art consists only of related water injection, a steam technology patents, except for patent number 5,035,115 t Ptasinski; July 30, 1991, which treats of an engine that switc from fossil fuel mode to water fuel mode when temperature and pressure conditions exist for superheated water injection. Th engine operates as a superheated water fueled engine in this mode.

The related art patents to Green, 4*637,352; Rogers, 4-,359,971; Miller 4,122,803 consist of Steam boosted internal combustion engines, wherein a water supply tank is heated by direct contact with an exhaust manifold to produce steam for injection into the intake manifold or cylinders of an internal combustion engine thereby assisting the combustion of fossil fuel. The patent to Ptasinski '115 can compress superheated ste on the compression stroke of the stated four cycle engine, if remains in the cylinder. At this time it is ready for explosiv reaction with the timed injection of superheated water to powe the piston downstroke.

Brief Description of the Invention

An approach for both conserving heat energy of the interna combustion engine, as well as reducing the pollution inherent fossil fuel consumption, in accordance with the present invention, is based on multi-mode operation of an engine such a Diesel engine in one of five modes; i.e., (1) fossil fuel mo

(2) compressed superheated air - superheated water injection m

(3) compressesd superheated steam -superheated water injection mode (4) compressed superheated gas - superheated water injection mode (5) filter-selected and compressed superheated gas - superheated water injection mode.

The choice of modes is controlled by computer which effec the mode change when all conditions of the system are correct a particular mode. The choice of operating mode is programmabl and depends on the environment, the efficiency required and the internal transient conditions of the engine at any given time.

For example, if_ superheated steam builds up as a result a gas - superheated water mode, switching to the superheated steam - superheated water mode provides the highest efficiency. In this mode, the accumulated superheated steam in the cylinde is compressed in the two cycle engine and, upon timed superhea water injection, explodes to produce the power stroke.

In the normal operating mode, fossil fuel is used, and th heat from the exhaust is directed through counterflow heat exchangers. The central tubes of the heat exchangers are in series and are connected to the exhaust ports of each cylinder the engine. All water fueling, heating, and cooling functions or the engine are derived from the fluid in the tanks of heat exchangers in series.

In accordance with the present invention, a series of counterflow heat exchangers and associated valves controlled by programmed microprocessor computer, can maintain the proper conditions of engine cooling and heat conservation whereby the combination of fossil fuel mode and superheated water modes can take place in the same engine. This optimizes the use of the fossil fuel so as to gain maximum benefit from minimal fuel consumption, and minimize the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere.

Accordingly, a two cycle engine such as a Diesel engine ca be modified by the addition of a microprocessor controlled dua fuel injector valve in each cylinder and a series of temperatur and pressure controlled counterflow heat exchangers that operat to:

1. Direct heat from the exhaust port of each cylinde of the engine by conduction of the exhaust heat into the centra tubes of each heat exchanger in series, forming an exhaust path for the cylinders of the engine, and terminating in a reservoir tank water scrubber for removing particulates and pollutants i the exhaust of fossil fuel burned in the engine.

Each heat exchanger segment has a counterflow reservoir ta that is isolated sufficiently from the other heat exchanger segments and valved to maintain a pressure and a temperature as 470 degrees Fahrenheit in the first segment, whereby superheated water is obtained for injection into the cylinde the engine, for multimode operation of the engine, and water lower temperature (180 degrees F) is obtained for the water jacket cooling.

2. Accumulate heat in the first counterflow heat exchanger tank until the counterflow water temperature is the desired maximum operating temperature for the superheated wat injection operation function of the engine, and valve the superheated water to an injector.

3. Accumulate heat in a second counterflow heat exchanger to store heat that is in excess of the desired waterjacket temperature and Valve the counterflow to obtain t maximum cooling temperature for the water jacket of the engi

4. Accumulate excess heat in a third counterflow h exchanger for counterflow through the series of counterflow h exchangers.

In order to maintain the desired temperatures for the superhe water injection and the cooling functions for the fossil fuel function of the engine, the counterflow rates of the CHEs are required to be constantly monitored and altered to maintain t proper temperature conditions. This is done by monitoring an continuously computing the proper counterflow rates for valvi the CHEs to attain the stable conditions required for the specific mode of operation of the engine at any given time. Changeover from one mode of operation, to the other, is accomplished automatically by the computer, based on the pres of proper operating temperatures and pressures. It should be noted that space is provided in each tank to accommodate counterflow differentials and that mixtures such water and ethylene glycol would normally be used. Such mixtur can raise the boiling point of the combined solution far above 212° F; for example a 60% solution can have a boiling point in excess of 260 ° F. However, the mixture has a lower heat conducting capacity than water alone, therefore the rate of fl of the mixture in a counterflow heat exchanger must be slower maintain a particular heat transfer rate.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a functional flow diagram of the engine showi the essential temperature control elements for maintaining the operating conditions and environment. Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the microprocessor computer program to effect the engine operating mode switching, and to monitor the proper temperature and pressure conditions in the various heat exchangers and cooling jacket.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the functional flow diagram, Figure 1, w see the engine 11 of the two cycle type, having cylinders in which fossil fuel such as diesel fuel or oil vapor is compress and exploded. In the case of a Diesel configuration, no ignit system is required for the run mode. Alternatively, the engin can use any other of the alternate fuels, such as natural gas, Methane, alcohol, in the fossil fuel mode. When superheat and pressure relationships are proper, as determined by the microprocessor computer controller, conversion to a superheate water mode can occur. I/O circuitry of the microprocessor 23 monitors all temperatur involved in the operation of the engine and controls the flow rates of the circulating fluids through electrically operated valves and pumps (to be described later in relation to specifi functions involved in the conservation and utilization of heat derived from the combustion of the fossil fuel).

Fluid; i.e., steam or fossil fuel exhaust, from the exhau ports is circulated through the central tubing 24 of the CHE 1 where heat is transferred to counterflowing water adjusted by valve 25 until the temperature of the fluid in the CHE 12 atta optimum operating temperature, for example 470 degrees F. At that temperature, the valve 26 is opened up by the computer 23 allow flow of fluid from the reservoir 15,to the watert jacket

The fluid in the CHE 12 tank becomes superheated above 21 degrees to about 470 degrees F and is injected through valve 1 nd pressure sensor 19 and injector 20 to the cylinders of the Diesel engine 11 where it explodes at the proper instant again the cylinder piston. Superheated steam at a temperature of 650 degrees in the cylinder 21 results when superheated water is injected at a timed rate to explode at an instant when the intracylinder pressure is lower than the tank pressure of the 12 such that the water injected into the cylinder will flash i superheated steam producing a force of about 2000 psi on the piston. Thus, the engine 11 acts as a steam engine producing rotation of the flywheel 27 and delivering horsepower to a loa connected thereto. This load can be a generator for producin electrical power or can be a source of torque for moving larg loads. It should be noted that the temperatures and pressures a monitored by the computer 23 such that the proper conditions maintained in the counterflow heat exchanger segments 12, 13, 14-. For example, temperature sensor 28 and pressure sensor 29 indications are used to control the counterflow through the va 25; similarly, temperature sensor 30 and pressure sensor 3 a used to control the flow through valve 26. Temperature senso and pressure sensor 32 are used to determine the flow from the storage tank 15. The control functions of the microprocessor computer 23 are valve proportional open-and-close digital sign to valves 18, 25, and 26 and. mode selection electrical pulses the fuel injector 20.

Reference is now directed to Figure 2, which shows the computer flow diagram illustrating the controller switching fr one of the five modes to another, when the proper conditions exist for changeover. It will be noted from Figure 2 that the fossil fuel mode of operation is the baseline Mode 1 to which all other modes default when the conditions are not correct fo any of the four superheated water injection modes. Mode 2 is steam operation mode wherein enough waste heat causes the injected superheated water to explode when it hits the hot pis causing expansion at about 2000 psi and the engine acts like a steam engine. Mode 3 supports the production of intra-cylinde steam accumulation resulting in compressed superheated steam timed injection of superheated water causing the power stroke -8-

the engine. Mode 4 provides for the compression of superheat gas such as air, natural gas, methane, nitrogen and others, a the timed injection of superheated water causing the power stroke. Similarly, the timed injection of superheated water a cylinder containing exhaust gases or a filter-selected spec gas in a recirculating exhaust or crankcase exhaust system ca cause diminution of specific oxides of nitrogen and carbon or other pollution products. It will be noted from the controller flow diagram, Figur that, after reset and initialization of the microprocessor computer, there is a capability for programming the various m of the engine in terms of sidereal time and duration of run i each mode. The temperatures and pressures at critical points the system are scanned and measured in each mode, and compare with previously set changeover values. If superheated water temperatures and pressures do not exist, the engine switches o to the fossil fuel mode.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, which compris a two cycle engine utilizing fossil fuels, having a cool waterjacket surrounding a plurality of internal combustion cylinders having exhaust ports and containing reciprocally mo pistons connected to a crankshaft; a segmented counterflow heat exchanger adapted to develo superheated fluid for injection and expansion in the cylinder said engine for operating said engine in a superheataed water mode, and coolant fluid for maintaining safe temperatures in fossil fuel operating mode, said segmented counterflow heat exchanger having valves between counterflow segments; sensing means monitoring temperature and pressure in sai segmented counterflow heat exchanger adapted to detect superh conditions for mode change operation of said engine; and controller means having inputs and outputs for switching from fossil fuel mode to at least one superheated water mode operation, and back to fossil fuel mode operation alternately, said controller means connected to said sensor means at the inputs and to the valves between counterflow segments at the outputs.

2. A two-cycle engine utilizing fossil fuels, having a coola waterjacket surrounding a plurality of internal combustion cylinders having exhaust ports and containing reciprocally mo pistons connected to a crankshaft, which comprises: a reservoir storing liquid at ambient temperature; a counterflow heat exchanger having at least one conduit located centrally in a tank, the conduit in fluid communicati with said exhaust port of one of said cylinders of said engin the tank containing liquid in conductive heat transfer contac with the conduit, the tank being in fluid communication with reservoir, the tank adapted to flow fluid in a direction oppo to the fluid flow in the centrally located conduit; temperature sensing means in the tank of said counterflo heat exchanger, monitoring the temperature of the fluid in th tank; pressure sensing means in the tank of said counterflow h exchanger, monitoring the pressure in the tank; a first valve means in fluid communication with the tank adapted to vary the flow rate of fluid in the tank; a second counterflow heat exchanger having a conduit loc centrally in a tank, said conduit in fluid communication wit least one of said plurality of cylinders of said engine, and tank containing fluid in conductive heat transfer contact wit said conduit, said tank in fluid communication with said reservoir; temperature sensing means in the tank of said second counterflow heat exchanger, monitoring the temperature of flu in said tank; pressure sensing means in the tank of said second counterflow heat exchanger, monitoring the pressure in the ta a second valve means in communication with the tank in s heat exchanger, adapted to adjust flow rate of fluid in the t a third valve means in communication with the tank of sa first counterflow heat exchanger, adapted to initiate and terminate the flow of superheated water from said first counterflow heat exchanger tank, to said engine; injector means in at least one of said cylinders of said engine, adapted to inject superheated water from said third va means into said cylinder; a fourth valve means in communication with said second counterflow heat exchanger, adapted to vary the flow of water from said second counterflow heat exchanger to said waterjack of said engine for maintaining operating temperature of said engine; a third counterflow heat exchanger having a conduit loca centrally in a tank, in fluid communication with said second counter low heat exchanger conduit, and in communication with tank of said second counterflow heat exchanger at one end, th tank being in fluid communication with said reservoir at the opposite end, the tank containing fluid in conductive heat transfer contact with the conduit; controller means connected to said four valve means, sa temperature sensor means and to said pressure sensor means fo computing the flows of counterflow fluids in said tanks and injector means to obtain superheated water operating modes temperatures; and programming means in said controller means adapted to sequence the timing and duration of said operating modes; whereby the superheated water temperature and pressure conditions in the plurality of counterflow heat exchangers is used to compute the amount of flow through the valves for producing superheated water for injection into the cylinders initiate superheated water modes of operation from fossil fue mode and return, whenever the proper temperature and pressure conditions exist for mode conversion.

3. A method for operating a two-cycle engine having a plural of cylinders each having a piston therein connected to a crankshaft, for heat and fuel conservation, which comprises: operating said engine in a fossil fuel mode; transferring heat from exhaust gases produced in said en flowing in a first direction in a heat exchanger, to counter- flowing water in said heat exchanger; varying the flow rate of said counterflow to produce superheated water; injecting said superheated water into at least one of sa plurality of cylinders to explode against said piston, produc torque in said crankshaft; monitoring the temperatures and pressures of the counterf water to determine the existence of superheated water; injecting fossil fuel if superheated water condition is met; controlling the counterflow rate to produce superheat; a injecting selected gas vapor for compression in the cylinder; and injecting said superheated water into the cylinders at t time required for the power stroke of the engine in the select mode of the multi-mode engine.

- An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described Claim 1 wherein said plurality of modes are: steam operation mode, wherein superheated water is inject against a heated piston causing the production of steam; superheated steam mode wherein compressed superheated ste in combination with timed injection of superheated water cause the engine power stroke; superheated air mode wherein hot air having average constituents is compressed and superheated water timed injecti causes engine power stroke; filter selected superheated gas is compressed and superheated water timed injection causes engine power stroke a selective combustion of gases; whereby the times and duration of operation in selected modes can be controller-selected and programmed.

5. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i Claim 1, wherein said fossil fuel mode utilizes diesel fuel.

6. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i Claim 1 wherein said fossil fuel is gasoline.

7. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i Claim 1 wherein said fossil fuel is natural gas.

8. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i Claim 1 wherein said fossil fuel is methane.

9. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i

Claim 1 wherein said controller means further comprises: programming means connected to the sensing means and the valves , whereby the siderial time and duration of operati in each each of any selected modes, can be preset.

10. An engine operable in a plurality of modes, as described i Claim 5 wherein crankcase gases are recirculated and combusted with the fossil fuel.