AU2012100195A4 - Method of and apparatus for enhancing air breathing (aspiration) and air flow of internal combustion engines increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. (abbreviated as CATz) - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for enhancing air breathing (Aspiration) of internal combustion engines including an air flow structure to or from the engine. The apparatus is a tubular or generally conical-shaped tube in which two or more helical vanes are mounted along the flow axis of the apparatus in an angular relationship to the axis of the airflow and having a free edge spaced inwardly from and substantially coaxial with the internal face to alter one or more characteristics of the flow, such as pressure and velocity of the gas flow. The apparatus may be positioned in the air intake system. Alternatively, the apparatus may be positioned in the exhaust system.

Description

IP Australia Description 2 4 FEB 2012 Title: REEIVEq METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING AIR BREATHING (ASPIRATION) AND AIR FLOW OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES INCREASING FUEL EFFICIENCY AND REDUCING EMISSIONS. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention has application to all kinds of internal combustion engines and is not limited to two stroke, four stroke, rotary naturally aspirated, fuel injected or turbo charged petrol, diesel or gas powered internal combustion engines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Having worked with the named inventor in PCT/AU2006/000965 this invention extends the application of that invention and simplifies construction and fitment. It is believed by the current inventor that the unrestricted flow of air into the internal combustion engine (ICE) provides better overall engine performance and lower emissions. The fuel efficiency and extent of the unburnt component of hydrocarbons and other fossil based fuel additives such as sulphur, nitrogen and their oxides identified as greenhouse gas emissions of an ICE depends on many factors including but not limited to the extent to which the fuel is mixed with air on the intake prior to combustion. Another factor that affects fuel efficiency is the amount of air that can be moved through the ICE. Generally the exhaust system produces a back-pressure when the engine is operating. It has been suggested by some that the back-pressure so generated is beneficial for efficient operation of internal combustion engines, however, if the backpressure in the exhaust system is too high relative to the optimal operation of the ICE the weight of gas in the exhaust system draws energy from the ICE i.e. directed to pushing the exhaust gases through the exhaust system and not realised as power or torque. Any unnecessary build up in backpressure while the ICE is operating at optimal restricts the amount of air that can be input to the ICE and increases the unburnt component of hydrocarbons and other fossil based fuel additives such as sulphur, nitrogen and their oxides which are emitted to the atmosphere as emissions. The ICE is used in many applications. Global production of ICEs in 2000 represented over 90 million units. There are eight (8) functional areas in which the ICE is applied domestically and worldwide: Motorcycles, Motor Vehicles, Mining and Heavy Transport, Agriculture, Aviation, Rail, Marine, and Stationary Engines. This invention has application to all eight (8) functional areas worldwide where the ICE is applied. A number of air breathing systems and apparatus have been proposed that attempt to provide better air / fuel mixing by imparting turbulence to the air intake or exhaust. As an example, one class of devices utilizes helical or serpentine geometries to impart swirl to the intake air on the theory that the swirling air will produce a more complete mixing with the fuel. Other devices utilize fins or vanes that deflect the air to produce a swirling effect. However, in such arrangements, the spiral flow path is a usually Page 1 of 6 constrained one, or alternatively, only a small butterfly-type baffle is provided. As a result, the angular momentum imparted to the air has been limited. The inventor has fashioned a device that imparts a vorticity to gases passing into or out of the ICE that is simple, robust, fixed, easily constructed and is installed into new, as well as existing, ICEs to effectively increase fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be placed in the air flow path to provide better fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine, and/or an engine utilizing such device. The apparatus is a tubular or generally conical-shaped tube in which two or more helical vanes are mounted along the flow axis of the apparatus in an angular relationship to the axis of the airflow and having a free edge spaced inwardly from and substantially coaxial with the internal face to alter one or more characteristics of the flow, such as pressure and velocity of the gas flow. The vanes are curved convex and distributed along a length of apparatus and are arranged at an angle to the axis of the apparatus. The vanes extend inward from the inner face of the apparatus and are of substantially constant width. The number of vanes can vary between 2 and 8 depending on the application and the size of the tube. The width of the vane is generally 0.4mm to 2mm thick depending on the application and the size of the tube. The length of the vane is relative to the length of apparatus and can vary depending on the angle of offset of the vane over the length but generally in the relationship of vane length is + 20% of the apparatus length. The surface area of the vanes in total are relative to the surface area of the apparatus and represent in total not more than 70% of the surface area of the apparatus and not less than 15% of the surface area of the tube but typically are at 45 - 55% of the surface area of the apparatus. An accepted method of manufacture as one example of the invention is where a rectangular sheet of fine gauge stainless steel is stamped in multiple places along part of its length, the punctures running across the diagonal to accommodate a number of curved convex vanes, considered spiralical in form, and being able to be rolled prior to the insertion of the vane. The vanes may be so twisted in a direction and inserted such that its outer edge is aligned with the outer face of the pipe. The vanes may be fixed in place by welding. Moreover, a plurality of vanes may be added to the apparatus in such manner, the vanes being of a height and number to generate a vortex in use, but not to restrict the flow of gases by being an obstruction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS In lieu of any laboratory study of simulated performance, an empirical study can provide a means to validate the design. For example the apparatus for enhancing air breathing of internal combustion Page 2 of 6 engines including an air flow structure to or from the engine can be installed on actual vehicles of various types, and the fuel efficiency, engine performance and the emission level can be measured over time of operation of the vehicles. Several such studies have been conducted with various airflow enhancement designs on many existing different types of vehicles, including small economy sized passenger cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to a fleet of larger freight trucks, of both spark ignition type engines and compression ignition engines, and even a motorcycle. The apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from the engine can be fabricated as a die-cut metal, but could be made of high strength plastic/ plastic composite material that is capable of withstanding the extremes of temperature and pressure that is possible in an ICE. The apparatus can be provided as a separate insert device for installing into the throttle body of gasoline engines or in the snorkel region in diesel-powered engines of existing vehicles, or can be designed and built into a newly manufactured engine. The apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from the engine may be positioned at various points in an ICE, including inside a duct or other passageway for intake air, a fuel-air mixture, or engine exhaust. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in view, this invention resides broadly in a method of enhancing air breathing of ICEs including: generating a vortex in the flow of gases; moving the gases in the air breathing system of the ICE such that the gases so moved include a torsional component. In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of enhancing air breathing of ICEs including: a tubular arrangement for flow of gases which is tubular or generally conical-shaped tube in which two or more helical vanes are mounted along the flow axis of the apparatus in an angular relationship to the axis of the airflow. The air breathing apparatus of the invention, in use, imparts vorticity in the flow of gases to and from the ICE. The vorticity is imparted directly to the gases as they pass through the apparatus of the invention, or vorticity may be imparted by inducting outside gases into the flowpath of the gases, and in so inducting, imparting a torsional component to the flow such that vorticity is imparted to the mixed gas flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an example of an airflow efficiency enhancement device; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an airflow efficiency enhancement device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Gases enter the vortex tube to create a vacuum from high speed spinning, in larger pipes, additional vanes can be used, more surface area can be applied and the curve and pitch of the vanes can be Page 3 of 6 provided at the appropriate angle to the axis of the tube for imparting the torsional component to the gas flow. The present invention is a breakthrough in engine technology and can enhance turbo and cyclone or ramflow induction. The system of the present invention is believed to provide a new dimension in ICE air breathing flow allowing ICEs to breathe more efficiently. It is believed that the inertial component of the torsional flow will improve cylinder filling on the intake side of the ICE and create maximum power by drawing a vacuum on the exhaust of the engine. Experimental use of the apparatus has provided horsepower gains of 8 - 20%, gas flow gains of 15 - 60%. Dynamometer testing has shown lower carbon monoxide emissions, less fuel usage (5% to 20%) and much smoother running. It is believed that any ICE will benefit from the efficiencies created by enhanced vorticity of gas flow by the installation of said apparatus according to the invention. In use, it is believed when installed on an ICE air breathing system, when the engine is running, gas starts to spin as it strikes the spiral fins in the tube, thus creating a vacuum that minimises velocity dampening that is caused by bends and other obstructions in the air breathing system . It is believed that the ICE will benefit, carbon monoxide may be reduced by the engine burning cleaner, reduced deposits in the manifold and the exhaust pipe are believed to occur, and exhaust emissions are believed to be cleaner and environmentally more friendly, in addition to the above, it is believed a better all round engine performance can be achieved. It is understood that by providing a plurality of non-exclusive spiral passages in the air breathing system in accordance with the invention imparts a higher degree of angular momentum than has been provide by prior systems. Whilst not being bound by theory, nor limiting the scope of this invention thereto, the non-exclusive nature and radially displaced disposition of the axially elongate spiral vanes provide for angular pseudo-forces such as the Coriolis effect and such like to be effected by providing a non-inertial reference frame within which cooling, and therefore, contracting gases with density increasing can pass. The air breathing apparatLis of the present invention may also produce a cyclonic effect along the tube. The cyclonic effect may extend from the location of the vanes which induce the angular component of gas flow towards or away from the ICE. Irrespective of whether a cyclonic effect is produced and whether such an effect extends within the air breathing system of an ICE, while the invention is not to be construed as being limited to such an effect, it is believed that an increase in airflow is effected when the invention as described herein is in use. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms which are encompassed within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined by the following claims. Page 4 of 6

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE including: a passage for flow of gases to or from the ICE along an axis of the passage; two or more vanes mounted to an internal face, said vanes being disposed in angular relationship to the axis of the passage and having a free edge spaced inwardly from and substantially coaxial with the internal face.

2. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE according to Claim 1, wherein the two or more vanes are located so as to impart a torsional component to gases passing into or out of the ICE.

3. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the two or more vanes are located to impart a torsional component to gases passing through the air breathing system of an ICE in such a position within the air breathing system to counter said system component which would dissipate the torsional component.

4. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein, in use gases entering or emerging from the ICE air breathing system include a vortex or torsional component.

5. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE according to any one of the preceding claims and including outside gas induction means arranged in operative association with the two or more vanes for imparting a torsional component to gases as they pass through the ICEs air breathing passage.

6. Apparatus for enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said two or more vanes is provided as a plurality of vanes along a length of tube forming part of an air breathing system of an ICE, the vanes being arranged at an angle to the axis of the tube.

7. A method of enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from the ICE including: providing or receiving a flow of gases to or from an ICE; generating a vortex in the flow of gases; breathing such that the gases so breathed include a torsional component.

8. A method of enhancing air breathing of ICEs including an air flow structure to or from an ICE including: giving or receiving a flow of gases associated with an ICE; generating a vortex in a flow of gas or gases in operative association with the flow of gases whereby a torsional component of flow is imparted to the flow of gases. Page 5 of 6