초록 ▼

An internal combustion engine includes air amplifiers to increase airflow. Air amplification with a high-pressure supply provides a practical way to provide large airflow producing higher rear wheel power. When synchronized to the valve openings the efficiency is enhanced while adding to the system

An internal combustion engine includes air amplifiers to increase airflow. Air amplification with a high-pressure supply provides a practical way to provide large airflow producing higher rear wheel power. When synchronized to the valve openings the efficiency is enhanced while adding to the system complexity. These additions also apply to an engine with a supercharger of turbocharger. When used in the exhaust path the air amplifiers can also help scavenge exhaust gases from the cylinder for added power.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of controlling air amplifiers on a per-cylinder basis, said method comprising the step of:synchronizing each of a plurality of air amplifiers to an associated valve and means for proper air-to-fuel ratio;wherein each said air amplifier comprises:(a) a pressure vessel providing an auxilia

1. A method of controlling air amplifiers on a per-cylinder basis, said method comprising the step of:synchronizing each of a plurality of air amplifiers to an associated valve and means for proper air-to-fuel ratio;wherein each said air amplifier comprises:(a) a pressure vessel providing an auxiliary air supply;(b) a control valve for operation of pressurized air;(c) means to control inlet and outlet airflow with additional pressurized inlet; and(d) an air pump and/or inlet to replenish said high pressure tank. 2. A method of providing supplemental flow to an internal combustion engine having an intake path and an exhaust path, said exhaust path being in communication with atmospheric air, said method comprising the steps of:storing a pressurized fluid in at least one pressure vessel;disposing, in said exhaust path, an air amplifier coupled to said at least one pressure vessel; andreleasing said stored pressurized fluid in the flow direction of said exhaust path via said air amplifier, whereby said stored pressurized air is directed to escape into said atmospheric air. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the steps of:disposing, in said intake path, an additional air amplifier coupled to said at least one pressure vessel; andreleasing said stored pressurized fluid in the flow direction of said intake path via said additional air amplifier. 4. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of:replenishing said at least one pressure vessel by means of a pump and/or inlet. 5. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of:controlling the release of said stored pressurized fluid by means of at least one control valve. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:obtaining a measurement by sensing one or more of (a) the number of revolutions per minute of said engine, (b) airflow in at least a portion of said engine, and (c) an air-to-fuel ratio; andoperating said control valve based, at least in part, on said obtained measurement. 7. A method of providing supplemental flow to an internal combustion engine having an intake path and an exhaust path, said method comprising the steps of:storing a pressurized fluid in at least one pressure vessel;disposing, in said intake path, an air amplifier coupled to said at least one pressure vessel;obtaining a measurement by sensing one or more of (a) the number of revolutions per minute of said engine, (b) airflow in at least a portion of said engine, and (c) an air-to-fuel ratio; andcontrolling the release of said stored pressurized fluid in the flow direction of said intake path via said air amplifier based, at least in part, on said obtained measurement. 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of:replenishing said at least one pressure vessel by means of a pump and/or inlet. 9. A method for providing supplemental flow to an internal combustion engine having an exhaust path and a plurality of cylinders, each said cylinder having an intake valve and an exhaust port, said method comprising the steps of:storing a pressurized fluid in at least one pressure vessel;disposing, directly into the intake valve or directly out of the exhaust port of at least one said cylinder, an air amplifier coupled to said at least one pressure vessel; andreleasing said stored pressurized fluid in the flow direction of the exhaust path of said engine via said air amplifier. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:integrating said air amplifier into said intake valve or exhaust port. 11. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:replenishing said at least one pressure vessel by means of a pump and/or inlet. 12. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:obtaining a measurement by sensing one or more of (a) the number of revolutions per minute of said engine, (b) airflow in at least a portion of said engine, and (c) an air-to-fuel ratio; andcontrolling the rel ease of said stored pressurized fluid via said air amplifier based, at least in part, on said obtained measurement. 13. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:controlling the release of said stored pressurized fluid based on the timing of the opening of at least one said intake valve. 14. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said internal combustion further has an intake path, and further comprising the steps of:coupling an additional air amplifier to said at least one pressure vessel;disposing said additional air amplifier in the intake path or in the exhaust path of said engine; andreleasing said stored pressurized fluid in the flow direction of said exhaust path via said additional air amplifier. 15. A method of providing supplemental flow to an internal combustion engine having an intake path and an exhaust path, and having a turbocharger or supercharger disposed in said intake or exhaust path, said turbocharger or supercharger having either an intake path in communication with atmospheric air or an exhaust path in communication with atmospheric air, said method comprising the steps of:storing a pressurized fluid in at least one pressure vessel;disposing, in the intake path or exhaust path of said turbocharger or supercharger, an air amplifier coupled to said at least one pressure vessel; andreleasing said stored pressurized fluid either (a) in the intake path of said turbocharger or supercharger via said air amplifier in the same flow direction as that of said atmospheric air entering said intake path, or (b) in the exhaust path of said turbocharger or supercharger via said air amplifier in a flow direction such that said stored pressurized air is directed to escape into said atmospheric air, and such that none of said stored pressurized air is fed back into said intake path. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of:replenishing said at least one pressure vessel by means of a pump and/or inlet. 17. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of:controlling the release of said stored pressurized fluid by means of at least one control valve. 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:obtaining a measurement by sensing one or more of (a) the number of revolutions per minute of said engine, (b) airflow in at least a portion of said engine, and (c) an air-to-fuel ratio; andoperating said control valve based, at least in part, on said obtained measurement.