US20020011232A1 - Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same - Google Patents
Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020011232A1 US20020011232A1 US09/560,018 US56001800A US2002011232A1 US 20020011232 A1 US20020011232 A1 US 20020011232A1 US 56001800 A US56001800 A US 56001800A US 2002011232 A1 US2002011232 A1 US 2002011232A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- valve member
- engine
- valve body
- precombustion chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 6
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000567 combustion gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
- F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
- F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
- F02M21/0248—Injectors
- F02M21/0257—Details of the valve closing elements, e.g. valve seats, stems or arrangement of flow passages
- F02M21/026—Lift valves, i.e. stem operated valves
- F02M21/0263—Inwardly opening single or multi nozzle valves, e.g. needle valves
- F02M21/0266—Hollow stem valves; Piston valves; Stems having a spherical tip
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B19/00—Engines characterised by precombustion chambers
- F02B19/12—Engines characterised by precombustion chambers with positive ignition
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B43/00—Engines characterised by operating on gaseous fuels; Plants including such engines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
- F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
- F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
- F02M21/023—Valves; Pressure or flow regulators in the fuel supply or return system
- F02M21/0242—Shut-off valves; Check valves; Safety valves; Pressure relief valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
- F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
- F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
- F02M21/0248—Injectors
- F02M21/0251—Details of actuators therefor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
- F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
- F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
- F02M21/0248—Injectors
- F02M21/0275—Injectors for in-cylinder direct injection, e.g. injector combined with spark plug
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
- F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
- F02M21/0203—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels characterised by the type of gaseous fuel
- F02M21/0215—Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to reaction chamber isolation check valves, and more particularly to a combustion isolation check valve for use adjacent a precombustion chamber of a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine.
- gaseous fuel is supplied from one of a variety of sources, such as natural gas or gas produced from a landfill. While the chemical content of these sources of gaseous fuel can vary widely, they typically include substantial amounts of methane which is suitable for burning in gaseous fuel internal combustion engines. Depending to some extent upon the source, engineers have observed that some of the additional components of the gaseous fuel reveal themselves as solid deposits that are produced during combustion within the engine. In some instances, these solid deposits within the engine can cause inadequate valve sealing, which in turn can cause engine malfunctions, such as misfiring.
- a simple ball check valve separates the precombustion chamber from its fuel supply.
- These systems are designed such that compression and combustion pressure hold the ball valve against its seat in a closed position to isolate the precombustion chamber from its fuel supply during the combustion event.
- these ball check valves do not always seal adequately. This can allow combustion gases to travel up into the fuel supply passage. This in turn can cause engine misfiring.
- the present invention is directed to these and other problems associated with combustion isolation check valves, especially as they relate to gaseous fuel type engines.
- a combustion isolation check valve includes a valve body with a conical valve seat that defines an inlet and an outlet.
- a valve member is positioned in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position.
- the valve body and the valve member define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the inlet to the outlet when the valve member is in its open position.
- the valve body and the valve member substantially fluidly isolate the valve seat from the outlet when the valve member is in its closed position.
- the inlet of the valve body is connected to a source of fuel
- the outlet of the valve body is fluidly connected to a precombustion chamber within an internal combustion engine.
- FIG. 1 is a partial sectioned side elevational view of an internal combustion engine according to one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectioned side view of a combustion isolation check valve mounted adjacent a precombustion chamber according to one aspect of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are enlarged partial sectioned side views of the combustion isolation check valve of FIG. 2 shown in its open and closed positions, respectively.
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are enlarged partial sectioned side views of a combustion isolation check valve according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in its open and closed positions, respectively.
- a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine 10 includes an engine housing 11 that defines a main combustion chamber 12 separated from a precombustion chamber 13 by a flame communication passageway 14 .
- a combustion isolation check valve 30 is positioned between precombustion chamber 13 and a downstream end 16 of a fuel supply passage 15 .
- a spark plug 19 or any other suitable ignition device is positioned within precombustion chamber 13 .
- An upstream end 17 of fuel supply passage 15 is fluidly connected to a source of gaseous fuel 20 .
- a piston 18 reciprocates in main combustion chamber 12 with each engine cycle. Although only one piston 18 is shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the typical engine includes a plurality of pistons identical to that shown in FIG. 1.
- check valve 30 preferably includes a valve body 31 with a lower cylindrical outer surface 34 separated from a hex head 32 by a set of threads 33 .
- Valve body 31 is preferably generally symmetrical about centerline 29 .
- An o-ring 26 is mounted about the outer surface of valve body 31 in contact with bore 22 in order to prevent leakage in a conventional manner.
- the bottom surface of valve body 31 is separated from the precombustion chamber 13 by a washer 25 .
- the valve body 31 When properly mounted within an engine, the valve body 31 preferably defines an annulus 37 that is connected to the downstream end 16 of the fuel supply passage 15 .
- valve member 50 is movably positioned within an internal guide bore 35 defined by valve body 31 .
- Valve member 50 is moveable between an upward closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 b , and a downward open position as shown in FIG. 3 a .
- the valve surface 52 of valve member 50 which is preferably rounded, is received in contact with a conical valve seat portion 46 of valve member 31 .
- valve member 50 is in contact with a cylindrical dowel 24 that is attached to and mounted in a dowel bore 44 defined by valve body 31 .
- check valve 30 is illustrated as using a cylindrical dowel 24 as the stop component to limit the travel of valve member 50 , other suitable stop components known to those skilled in the art could be substituted.
- a flow passage 43 defined by valve member 50 and valve body 31 fluidly connects the downstream end 16 of fuel supply passage 15 to the precombustion chamber 13 .
- Fluid passage 43 includes a number of segments including annulus 37 , cross wise flow passages 38 , internal flow bore 36 , cross passage 40 , parallel passage 39 , cross passage 41 , annulus 53 , radial passages 51 , centerline flow passage 59 , and finally, the lower portion of internal guide bore 35 . It is important to know that different segments of fluid passage 43 are preferably defined solely by respective components of check valve 30 .
- valve body 31 defines upstream portions of fluid passage 43 which includes cross wise flow passages 38 and internal flow bore 36
- valve body 31 also defines cross passages 40 and 41 as well as parallel passage 39 .
- Valve member 50 defines different segments of fluid passage 43 , including radial passages 51 and centerline flow passage 59 .
- conical valve seat 46 is substantially fluidly isolated from precombustion chamber 13 due to the spool valve interaction of valve member 50 with guide bore 35 and cross passages 40 and 41 .
- the outer cylindrical guide surface 58 of valve member 50 is preferably a match clearance with the inner diameter of guide bore 35 such that fluid volumes above and below this guided area are substantially fluidly isolated from one another.
- several segments of fluid passage 43 are substantially fluidly isolated when valve member 50 is in its upward closed position. These include cross passages 40 and 41 as well as parallel passage 39 .
- This spool valve action can be thought of as creating at least two blocking locations in fluid passage 43 .
- One blocking location includes the internal wall portion of guide bore 35 that is adjacent annulus 53
- a second blocking location of fluid passage 43 can be thought of as the outer guide surface 58 of valve member 50 that is positioned adjacent the opening of cross passage 40 .
- valve member 50 could be mechanically biased in one direction or another by the inclusion of a spring, it is preferably not mechanically biased such that fluid pressures existing in the fluid supply passage 15 and the precombustion chamber 13 provide whatever necessary pressure differential that is needed to move valve member 50 in one direction or the other.
- valve member 50 can be thought of as including an opening fluid pressure surface 55 that is exposed to fluid pressure in internal flow bore 36 , and a closing fluid pressure surface 54 that is exposed to fluid pressure in the lower portion internal guide bore 35 , which communicates with precombustion chamber 13 .
- the conical valve seat 46 , the guide bore 35 , the guide surface 58 and valve surface 52 all share a common centerline 29 .
- the parallel passage segment 39 of fluid passage 43 is preferably parallel to centerline 29 .
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b an alternative embodiment of a check valve 130 is illustrated.
- an end cap 160 is used as the stop component for valve member 150 instead of the cylindrical dowel of the previous embodiment.
- a valve body 131 defines a guide bore 135 within which a valve member 150 is guided between an upward closed position as shown in FIG. 4 b and a downward open position as shown in FIG. 4 a .
- a fluid passage 143 connects an inlet 154 to an outlet 165 .
- check valve 130 If check valve 130 were mounted in an engine, in its preferred application, inlet 154 would be connected to the downstream end of a fuel supply passage, and the outlet 165 would open to a precombustion chamber.
- check valve 130 has some different geometry from that shown in the earlier embodiment, it functions essentially the same way in that pressure differentials in the upstream in the inlet versus the outlet control the position of the valve member, which is preferably mechanically unbiased.
- valve member 150 When valve member 150 is in its upward closed position, its conical valve surface 152 is seated in conical valve seat 146 .
- the interaction of the valve body and valve member serves to substantially fluidly isolate the conical valve seat 146 .
- a first blocking location 156 is created where a cross passage in valve member 150 opens against the wall of guide bore 135 .
- a blocking location 157 occurs where fluid passage 143 opens against the outer guide surface 158 of valve member 150 .
- a third blocking location occurs in the clearance between cylindrical portion 153 and the cylindrical bore 162 defined by end cap 160 , which can be considered a portion of valve body 131 .
- valve member 150 When valve member 150 is in its upward closed position, a segment 143 a of fluid passage 143 is substantially fluidly isolated from both the upstream inlet 154 and the downstream outlet 165 due to the blocking locations described previously. When valve member 150 is in its downward open position, its bottom surface is in contact with a stop surface 164 , which is a portion of end cap 160 .
- the present invention has been illustrated as preferably for use as a combustion isolation check valve in a gaseous fuel engine, it could potentially be used in other places where there is a need to isolate a valve seat of a valve positioned adjacent a chemical reaction chamber or space.
- the combustion isolation check valve of the present invention could find potential application in stratified engines, if needed, and possibly even in some non-engine applications where there is a need to isolate a chemical reaction chamber, particularly one in which solids are produced by the reaction.
- the precombustion chamber can be thought of as a reaction chamber, and the chemical reaction in the example is oxidation or combustion.
- check valve 30 opens and allows relatively pure gaseous fuel (not mixed with air) to flow into precombustion chamber 13 . Due, at least in part to the fluid connection provided by flame transfer passage 14 , some air from the relatively lean mixture existing in main combustion chamber 12 makes its way into precombustion chamber 13 to provide a relatively rich fuel/air mixture for ignition by an appropriate ignition device 19 . When piston 18 begins moving upward for the compression stroke, this raises pressure both in main combustion chamber 12 and precombustion chamber 13 and provides a means by which some of the air in the lean air mixture in main combustion chamber 12 can find its way into precombustion chamber 13 .
- Check valve 30 prevents the hot combustion gases from penetrating into the fuel supply passage 15 , and does so in a way that substantially fluidly isolates the valve seat. By substantially fluidly isolating the valve seat, solid combustion byproducts are unable to deposit on or near the seat in a way that could hinder the check valve's ability to completely close during subsequent combustion events.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
- Check Valves (AREA)
Abstract
An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing that defines a main combustion chamber separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passage way. A source of gaseous fuel is fluidly connected to one end of a fuel supply passage. A check valve, which includes a valve body with a valve seat, and a valve member, is positioned between the other end of the fuel supply passage and the precombustion chamber. The valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body and the valve member define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the fuel supply passage to the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its open position. The valve body and the valve member substantially fluidly isolate the valve seat from the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its closed position.
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of prior provisional application No. 60/131,736 filed Apr. 30, 1999.
- This invention relates generally to reaction chamber isolation check valves, and more particularly to a combustion isolation check valve for use adjacent a precombustion chamber of a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine.
- In one class of internal combustion engines, gaseous fuel is supplied from one of a variety of sources, such as natural gas or gas produced from a landfill. While the chemical content of these sources of gaseous fuel can vary widely, they typically include substantial amounts of methane which is suitable for burning in gaseous fuel internal combustion engines. Depending to some extent upon the source, engineers have observed that some of the additional components of the gaseous fuel reveal themselves as solid deposits that are produced during combustion within the engine. In some instances, these solid deposits within the engine can cause inadequate valve sealing, which in turn can cause engine malfunctions, such as misfiring.
- In an effort to reduce exhaust emissions from gaseous fuel type engines, there have been efforts to burn leaner gaseous fuel/air mixtures. In order to burn these leaner mixtures, some engines include a precombustion chamber, in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber. Typically, in these engines a rich mixture is placed in the precombustion chamber and a much leaner mixture in the main combustion chamber. Ignition of the rich mixture in the precombustion chamber is the means by which the lean mixture in the main combustion chamber is ignited. While this precombustion chamber concept has proved effective in reducing exhaust emissions in gaseous fuel type engines, the deposit of solids in and on the valve that separates the precombustion chamber from its fuel supply can cause engine misfiring.
- In most of these systems, a simple ball check valve separates the precombustion chamber from its fuel supply. These systems are designed such that compression and combustion pressure hold the ball valve against its seat in a closed position to isolate the precombustion chamber from its fuel supply during the combustion event. For a number of reasons, including the deposit of solids on the valve seat and other possible reasons such as pressure wave dynamics and other reasons not fully understood, these ball check valves do not always seal adequately. This can allow combustion gases to travel up into the fuel supply passage. This in turn can cause engine misfiring.
- The present invention is directed to these and other problems associated with combustion isolation check valves, especially as they relate to gaseous fuel type engines.
- A combustion isolation check valve includes a valve body with a conical valve seat that defines an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is positioned in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body and the valve member define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the inlet to the outlet when the valve member is in its open position. The valve body and the valve member substantially fluidly isolate the valve seat from the outlet when the valve member is in its closed position. In one aspect of the invention, the inlet of the valve body is connected to a source of fuel, and the outlet of the valve body is fluidly connected to a precombustion chamber within an internal combustion engine.
- FIG. 1 is a partial sectioned side elevational view of an internal combustion engine according to one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectioned side view of a combustion isolation check valve mounted adjacent a precombustion chamber according to one aspect of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3a and 3 b are enlarged partial sectioned side views of the combustion isolation check valve of FIG. 2 shown in its open and closed positions, respectively.
- FIGS. 4a and 4 b are enlarged partial sectioned side views of a combustion isolation check valve according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in its open and closed positions, respectively.
- Referring now to FIG. 1, a gaseous fuel
internal combustion engine 10 includes anengine housing 11 that defines amain combustion chamber 12 separated from aprecombustion chamber 13 by aflame communication passageway 14. A combustionisolation check valve 30 is positioned betweenprecombustion chamber 13 and adownstream end 16 of afuel supply passage 15. Aspark plug 19 or any other suitable ignition device is positioned withinprecombustion chamber 13. Anupstream end 17 offuel supply passage 15 is fluidly connected to a source ofgaseous fuel 20. As with a typical internal combustion engine, apiston 18 reciprocates inmain combustion chamber 12 with each engine cycle. Although only onepiston 18 is shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the typical engine includes a plurality of pistons identical to that shown in FIG. 1. - Referring now to FIG. 2, the
engine housing 11 defines abore 22 within which combustionisolation check valve 30 is threadably mounted. In order to facilitate this mounting arrangement,check valve 30 preferably includes avalve body 31 with a lower cylindricalouter surface 34 separated from ahex head 32 by a set ofthreads 33. Valvebody 31 is preferably generally symmetrical aboutcenterline 29. An o-ring 26 is mounted about the outer surface ofvalve body 31 in contact withbore 22 in order to prevent leakage in a conventional manner. The bottom surface ofvalve body 31 is separated from theprecombustion chamber 13 by awasher 25. When properly mounted within an engine, thevalve body 31 preferably defines anannulus 37 that is connected to thedownstream end 16 of thefuel supply passage 15. - Referring now in addition to FIGS. 3a and 3 b, a
valve member 50 is movably positioned within aninternal guide bore 35 defined byvalve body 31. Valvemember 50 is moveable between an upward closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3b, and a downward open position as shown in FIG. 3a. When in its upward closed position, thevalve surface 52 ofvalve member 50, which is preferably rounded, is received in contact with a conicalvalve seat portion 46 ofvalve member 31. When in its downward open position,valve member 50 is in contact with acylindrical dowel 24 that is attached to and mounted in adowel bore 44 defined byvalve body 31. Whilecheck valve 30 is illustrated as using acylindrical dowel 24 as the stop component to limit the travel ofvalve member 50, other suitable stop components known to those skilled in the art could be substituted. Whenvalve member 50 is in its downward open position, aflow passage 43 defined byvalve member 50 andvalve body 31 fluidly connects thedownstream end 16 offuel supply passage 15 to theprecombustion chamber 13. -
Fluid passage 43 includes a number ofsegments including annulus 37, crosswise flow passages 38,internal flow bore 36,cross passage 40,parallel passage 39,cross passage 41,annulus 53,radial passages 51,centerline flow passage 59, and finally, the lower portion of internal guide bore 35. It is important to know that different segments offluid passage 43 are preferably defined solely by respective components ofcheck valve 30. In particular,valve body 31 defines upstream portions offluid passage 43 which includes crosswise flow passages 38 andinternal flow bore 36 In addition,valve body 31 also definescross passages parallel passage 39. After machiningcross passages parallel passage 39, the same are isolated from the outer surface ofvalve body 31 by the inclusion of setscrews 27. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable fluid plug could be substituted in the place of setscrew 27. - Valve
member 50 defines different segments offluid passage 43, includingradial passages 51 andcenterline flow passage 59. Whenvalve member 50 is in its upward closed position,conical valve seat 46 is substantially fluidly isolated fromprecombustion chamber 13 due to the spool valve interaction ofvalve member 50 withguide bore 35 andcross passages cylindrical guide surface 58 ofvalve member 50 is preferably a match clearance with the inner diameter of guide bore 35 such that fluid volumes above and below this guided area are substantially fluidly isolated from one another. In addition, several segments offluid passage 43 are substantially fluidly isolated whenvalve member 50 is in its upward closed position. These includecross passages parallel passage 39. This spool valve action can be thought of as creating at least two blocking locations influid passage 43. One blocking location includes the internal wall portion of guide bore 35 that isadjacent annulus 53, and a second blocking location offluid passage 43 can be thought of as theouter guide surface 58 ofvalve member 50 that is positioned adjacent the opening ofcross passage 40. - Although
valve member 50 could be mechanically biased in one direction or another by the inclusion of a spring, it is preferably not mechanically biased such that fluid pressures existing in thefluid supply passage 15 and theprecombustion chamber 13 provide whatever necessary pressure differential that is needed to movevalve member 50 in one direction or the other. Thus,valve member 50 can be thought of as including an openingfluid pressure surface 55 that is exposed to fluid pressure in internal flow bore 36, and a closingfluid pressure surface 54 that is exposed to fluid pressure in the lower portion internal guide bore 35, which communicates withprecombustion chamber 13. Preferably, theconical valve seat 46, the guide bore 35, theguide surface 58 andvalve surface 52 all share acommon centerline 29. In order to simplify the manufacture ofvalve body 31, theparallel passage segment 39 offluid passage 43 is preferably parallel tocenterline 29. - Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4 b, an alternative embodiment of a
check valve 130 is illustrated. In this additional embodiment, anend cap 160 is used as the stop component forvalve member 150 instead of the cylindrical dowel of the previous embodiment. Like the previous embodiment, avalve body 131 defines aguide bore 135 within which avalve member 150 is guided between an upward closed position as shown in FIG. 4b and a downward open position as shown in FIG. 4a. Whenvalve member 150 is in its downward open position, afluid passage 143 connects aninlet 154 to anoutlet 165. Ifcheck valve 130 were mounted in an engine, in its preferred application,inlet 154 would be connected to the downstream end of a fuel supply passage, and theoutlet 165 would open to a precombustion chamber. Althoughcheck valve 130 has some different geometry from that shown in the earlier embodiment, it functions essentially the same way in that pressure differentials in the upstream in the inlet versus the outlet control the position of the valve member, which is preferably mechanically unbiased. - When
valve member 150 is in its upward closed position, itsconical valve surface 152 is seated inconical valve seat 146. The interaction of the valve body and valve member serves to substantially fluidly isolate theconical valve seat 146. In particular, whenvalve member 150 is in its upward closed position, afirst blocking location 156 is created where a cross passage invalve member 150 opens against the wall of guide bore 135. A blockinglocation 157 occurs wherefluid passage 143 opens against theouter guide surface 158 ofvalve member 150. In this example, a third blocking location occurs in the clearance betweencylindrical portion 153 and thecylindrical bore 162 defined byend cap 160, which can be considered a portion ofvalve body 131. Whenvalve member 150 is in its upward closed position, asegment 143 a offluid passage 143 is substantially fluidly isolated from both theupstream inlet 154 and thedownstream outlet 165 due to the blocking locations described previously. Whenvalve member 150 is in its downward open position, its bottom surface is in contact with astop surface 164, which is a portion ofend cap 160. - Industrial Applicability
- Although the present invention has been illustrated as preferably for use as a combustion isolation check valve in a gaseous fuel engine, it could potentially be used in other places where there is a need to isolate a valve seat of a valve positioned adjacent a chemical reaction chamber or space. Thus, the combustion isolation check valve of the present invention could find potential application in stratified engines, if needed, and possibly even in some non-engine applications where there is a need to isolate a chemical reaction chamber, particularly one in which solids are produced by the reaction. In the illustrated embodiment, the precombustion chamber can be thought of as a reaction chamber, and the chemical reaction in the example is oxidation or combustion.
- Referring back to FIG. 1, when
engine 10 is undergoing the intake portion of its cycle,check valve 30 opens and allows relatively pure gaseous fuel (not mixed with air) to flow intoprecombustion chamber 13. Due, at least in part to the fluid connection provided byflame transfer passage 14, some air from the relatively lean mixture existing inmain combustion chamber 12 makes its way intoprecombustion chamber 13 to provide a relatively rich fuel/air mixture for ignition by anappropriate ignition device 19. Whenpiston 18 begins moving upward for the compression stroke, this raises pressure both inmain combustion chamber 12 andprecombustion chamber 13 and provides a means by which some of the air in the lean air mixture inmain combustion chamber 12 can find its way intoprecombustion chamber 13. As pressure rises, it eventually produces a fluid pressure imbalance on thecheck valve 30 causing it to move towards its closed position. At an appropriate timing, the combustion event takes place. Checkvalve 30 prevents the hot combustion gases from penetrating into thefuel supply passage 15, and does so in a way that substantially fluidly isolates the valve seat. By substantially fluidly isolating the valve seat, solid combustion byproducts are unable to deposit on or near the seat in a way that could hinder the check valve's ability to completely close during subsequent combustion events. - It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. For instance, those skilled in the art will recognize that the check valve of the present invention could include a broad variety of different geometric features and still fall within the contemplated scope of the present invention. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications could be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present invention, which is defined in terms of the claims set forth below.
Claims (21)
1. An internal combustion engine comprising:
an engine housing defining a main combustion chamber separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passageway, and further defining a fuel supply passage with one end and an opposite end;
a source of fuel fluidly connected to said opposite end of said fuel supply passage;
a check valve, which includes a valve body with a valve seat and a valve member, positioned between said one end of said fuel supply passage and said precombustion chamber, and said valve member being movable between an open position and a closed position;
said valve body and said valve member defining a fluid passage that fluidly connects said fuel supply passage to said precombustion chamber when said valve member is in said open position; and
said valve body and said valve member substantially fluidly isolating said valve seat from said precombustion chamber when said valve member is in said closed position.
2. The engine of claim 1 wherein said source of fuel is a source of gaseous fuel.
3. The engine of claim 1 wherein each of said valve member and said valve body define different segments of said fluid passage.
4. The engine of claim 1 wherein said valve body defines a guide bore;
said valve member includes a guide surface guided in said guide bore and a valve surface positioned adjacent said valve seat; and
said valve seat, said guide bore, said guide surface and said valve surface all share a common centerline.
5. The engine of claim 1 wherein said valve member has a centerline; and
a segment of said fluid passage is defined by said valve member and extends along said centerline.
6. The engine of claim 1 further comprising a stop component attached to said valve body;
said valve member being in contact with said stop component when in said open position, but being out of contact with said stop component when in said closed position.
7. The engine of claim 6 wherein said stop component is at least one cylindrical dowel.
8. The engine of claim 1 wherein said valve member has a first fluid pressure surface exposed to fluid pressure in said precombustion chamber, and an opposing fluid pressure surface exposed to fluid pressure in said fuel supply passage.
9. The engine of claim 1 wherein said valve member is mechanically unbiased.
10. The engine of claim 1 wherein said valve body and said valve member block said fluid passage in at least two locations when said valve member is in said closed position.
11. A gaseous fuel internal combustion engine comprising:
an engine housing defining a main combustion chamber separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passageway, and further defining a fuel supply passage with one end and an opposite end;
a source of gaseous fuel fluidly connected to said opposite end of said fuel supply passage;
a check valve, which includes a valve body with a valve seat and a valve member, positioned between said one end of said fuel supply passage and said precombustion chamber, and said valve member being movable between an open position and a closed position;
said valve body and said valve member defining a fluid passage that fluidly connects said fuel supply passage to said precombustion chamber when said valve member is in said open position, and each of said valve member and said valve body define different segments of said fluid passage; and
said valve body and said valve member substantially fluidly isolating said valve seat from said precombustion chamber when said valve member is in said closed position.
12. The engine of claim 11 wherein said valve member has a first fluid pressure surface exposed to fluid pressure in said precombustion chamber, and an opposing fluid pressure surface exposed to fluid pressure in said fuel supply passage.
13. The engine of claim 12 further comprising a stop component associated with said valve body;
said valve member being in contact with said stop component when in said open position, but being out of contact with said stop component when in said closed position.
14. The engine of claim 13 wherein said valve member is mechanically unbiased.
15. The engine of claim 14 wherein said valve body and said valve member block said fluid passage at least two locations when said valve member is in said closed position.
16. The engine of claim 15 wherein said valve body defines a guide bore;
said valve member includes a guide surface guided in said guide bore and a valve surface positioned adjacent said valve seat;
said valve seat, said guide bore, said guide surface and said valve surface all share a common centerline; and
a portion of said fluid passage is defined by said valve member and extends along said common centerline.
17. The engine of claim 13 wherein said stop component is at least one cylindrical dowel.
18. The engine of claim 13 wherein said stop component is a stop surface formed on said valve body.
19. A reaction chamber isolation check valve comprising:
a valve body having a conical valve seat and defining an inlet and an outlet;
an valve member positioned in said valve body between said inlet and said outlet and being movable between an open position and a closed position;
said valve body and said valve member defining a fluid passage that fluidly connects said inlet to said outlet when said valve member is in said open position; and
said valve body and said valve member substantially fluidly isolating said valve seat from said outlet when said valve member is in said closed position.
20. The check valve of claim 19 wherein each of said valve member and said valve body define different segments of said fluid passage; and
said valve body includes an internal wall that blocks a portion of said fluid passage when said valve member is in said closed position.
21. The check valve of claim 20 wherein one of said different segments includes a pair of cross passages and a parallel passage defined by said valve body;
said cross passages being oriented perpendicular to said common centerline; and
said parallel passage being oriented parallel to said common centerline.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/560,018 US6390053B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-04-27 | Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13173699P | 1999-04-30 | 1999-04-30 | |
US09/560,018 US6390053B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-04-27 | Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020011232A1 true US20020011232A1 (en) | 2002-01-31 |
US6390053B2 US6390053B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
Family
ID=22450792
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/560,018 Expired - Lifetime US6390053B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-04-27 | Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6390053B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10020720A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130199494A1 (en) * | 2012-02-06 | 2013-08-08 | Vianney Rabhi | High-pressure spark-ignition and stratification device for an internal combustion engine |
US10584639B2 (en) | 2014-08-18 | 2020-03-10 | Woodward, Inc. | Torch igniter |
US11421601B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2022-08-23 | Woodward, Inc. | Second stage combustion for igniter |
US12305578B2 (en) | 2021-06-23 | 2025-05-20 | Woodward, Inc. | Ignition system for power generation engine |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110108009A1 (en) * | 2006-04-18 | 2011-05-12 | Megaion Research Corporation | System and method for preparing an optimized fuel mixture |
US8800536B2 (en) * | 2006-04-18 | 2014-08-12 | Megaion Research Corporation | System and method for preparing an optimized fuel mixture |
US8667951B2 (en) * | 2006-04-18 | 2014-03-11 | Megaion Research Corporation | System and method for preparing an optimized fuel mixture |
US8393156B2 (en) * | 2009-11-09 | 2013-03-12 | Woodward, Inc. | Variable performance valve of a fuel nozzle for a turbine engine |
JP6016682B2 (en) * | 2013-03-19 | 2016-10-26 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Sub-chamber fuel supply device for gas internal combustion engine |
JP6069062B2 (en) * | 2013-03-22 | 2017-01-25 | 川崎重工業株式会社 | Fuel supply control device for sub-chamber gas engine |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1998785A (en) | 1932-01-11 | 1935-04-23 | Eclipse Aviat Corp | Internal combustion engine |
US2795106A (en) | 1952-07-04 | 1957-06-11 | Rolls Royce | Liquid fuel systems |
US3095865A (en) | 1960-12-09 | 1963-07-02 | Gen Motors Corp | Inter-cylinder combustion control system for an internal combustion engine |
US3459217A (en) | 1966-03-21 | 1969-08-05 | Houdaille Industries Inc | Garter check valve |
US3406667A (en) | 1966-09-29 | 1968-10-22 | Alvin W. Evans | Ignition amplifying apparatus |
US3446156A (en) | 1966-11-17 | 1969-05-27 | Cosmodyne Corp The | Differential pressure poppet valve |
US3871351A (en) | 1970-07-31 | 1975-03-18 | Volkswagenwerk Ag | Cylinder arrangement having a combustion and a precombustion chamber therein and a separate fuel supply or dosing means therefor |
US3763834A (en) | 1970-07-31 | 1973-10-09 | Volkswagenwerk Ag | Cylinder arrangement having a combustion and a precombustion chamber therein and a separate fuel supply or dosing means therefor |
US3905343A (en) | 1973-09-21 | 1975-09-16 | John J Ryan | Stratified charge system |
US4006725A (en) | 1975-03-17 | 1977-02-08 | Baczek And James Company, Inc. | Spark plug construction for lean mixture burning internal combustion engines |
US4091772A (en) * | 1976-05-14 | 1978-05-30 | Cooper Industries, Inc. | Internal combustion engine with delayed torch ignition of oil fuel charge |
US4338897A (en) | 1980-08-06 | 1982-07-13 | Drumheller Dale G | Auxiliary precombustion chamber and combustion distributor for an internal combustion engine |
FR2488655A2 (en) * | 1980-08-18 | 1982-02-19 | Rockwell International Corp | FUEL INJECTOR EQUIPPED WITH A ULTRA-SOUND VIBRATION RETENTION CHECK, IN PARTICULAR FOR A DIESEL ENGINE |
US4550744A (en) * | 1982-11-16 | 1985-11-05 | Nippon Soken, Inc. | Piezoelectric hydraulic control valve |
US4736718A (en) * | 1987-03-19 | 1988-04-12 | Linder Henry C | Combustion control system for internal combustion engines |
US5222993A (en) * | 1992-09-28 | 1993-06-29 | Gas Research Institute | Ignition system for water-cooled gas engines |
US5791374A (en) | 1995-12-07 | 1998-08-11 | Black; Art | Check valve for the pre-combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine |
US5632253A (en) * | 1996-04-17 | 1997-05-27 | Paul; Marius A. | Universal combustion system |
US5947076A (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 1999-09-07 | Caterpillar Inc. | Fuel combustion assembly for an internal combustion engine having an encapsulated spark plug for igniting lean gaseous fuel within a precombustion chamber |
-
2000
- 2000-04-27 DE DE10020720A patent/DE10020720A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-04-27 US US09/560,018 patent/US6390053B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130199494A1 (en) * | 2012-02-06 | 2013-08-08 | Vianney Rabhi | High-pressure spark-ignition and stratification device for an internal combustion engine |
US10584639B2 (en) | 2014-08-18 | 2020-03-10 | Woodward, Inc. | Torch igniter |
US11421601B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2022-08-23 | Woodward, Inc. | Second stage combustion for igniter |
US11965466B2 (en) | 2019-03-28 | 2024-04-23 | Woodward, Inc. | Second stage combustion for igniter |
US12305578B2 (en) | 2021-06-23 | 2025-05-20 | Woodward, Inc. | Ignition system for power generation engine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE10020720A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
US6390053B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9822692B2 (en) | Fuel gas feed and ignition apparatus for a gas engine | |
US6095102A (en) | Dual fuel engine which creates a substantially homogeneous mixture of gaseous fuel, air, and pilot fuel during a compression stroke | |
US10287969B2 (en) | Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine | |
US5117801A (en) | Combustion system for dual fuel engine | |
CN105189967B (en) | The concubine fuel supply system of gas internal-combustion engine | |
EP1174608A3 (en) | Dual fuel compression Ignition Engine | |
JP2020037945A (en) | Injection device and method for using injection device | |
US6354263B2 (en) | Reaction chamber check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same | |
US6390053B2 (en) | Reaction chamber isolation check valve and gaseous fuel engine using same | |
ATE228614T1 (en) | FUEL INJECTION VALVE FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES | |
US5752481A (en) | Injection valve assembly for an internal combustion engine | |
US5870978A (en) | Dual fuel engine which utilizes valve lubricant as a pilot fuel | |
US4350129A (en) | Spark-ignition internal combustion engine capable of preventing noxious gas emissions | |
US10989146B2 (en) | Oil injection methods for combustion enhancement in natural gas reciprocating engines | |
US7464686B2 (en) | Leak fuel collection apparatus of internal combustion engine | |
KR920004876B1 (en) | Two cycle engine and method of operation | |
US8011094B2 (en) | Method of converting diesel engine to natural gas engine | |
US6910269B2 (en) | Method of converting diesel engine to natural gas engine | |
US5024385A (en) | Internal combustion engine fuel supply system | |
CN114961976A (en) | External source ignition type internal combustion engine | |
USRE46889E1 (en) | Method of converting diesel engine to natural gas engine | |
CA1044967A (en) | Internal combustion engine | |
WO2002033248A3 (en) | Fuel injection valve | |
US11773764B1 (en) | Purge device for passive or active prechambers | |
US20250075654A1 (en) | Internal combustion engine with combustion pre-chamber |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GILLIS, EDWARD R.;IBRAHIM, DAN R.;OGG, HAROLD E., JR.;REEL/FRAME:010970/0865;SIGNING DATES FROM 20000605 TO 20000609 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |