Abstract:
An apparatus and method for establishing two operating compression ratios in an internal combustion engine resulting in improved mileage and including the provision of a fuel additive vapor for reducing a required temperature for compression.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains to a modified application of a four stroke Otto cycle engine. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for having a standard compression with a cold engine and shifting to a higher compression as the engine heats up. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The Otto cycle engine principle is employed in internal combustion engine operations and which consists of 1) intake/induction stroke, 2) compression stroke, 3) power stroke and 4) exhaust stroke. The efficiency of this type of engine is determined by its compression ratio. The highest compression ratio is limited by the type of fuel (such as unleaded octane rated gasoline alone or with ethanol). Standard octane rated gasoline exhibits a low ignition temperature, this resulting in limited compression during the ignition cycle. 
   As is known in gasoline engines utilizing the Otto cycle, air is drawn into each cylinder during downward travel of its associated piston. Subsequent upward travel of the piston compresses the air, however the temperature of compression cannot be so high that pre-ignition occurs in the combustion chamber and the fuel air mixture to explode. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of the Otto cycle engine by improving mileage in a vehicle by having a low starting compression ratio and higher ratio when the engine is heated up. To reduce the heat of compression and thereby preventing pre-ignition a water spray is added to the incoming engine air to reduce the cylinder air temperature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cutaway illustration is shown of a crank shaft and gear assembly in a high compression operating condition; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional cutaway view of a piston and cylinder arrangement associated with the assembly of  FIG. 1  and in a high compression condition; 
       FIG. 3  is a similar illustration to that shown in  FIG. 2  and showing the piston located at a low compression position within the cylinder; 
       FIG. 4  is a similar illustration of the assembly of  FIG. 1  and corresponding to the piston established in the low compression position; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a schematic arrangement with the oscillating connecting rod of  FIG. 1  line positioned for low compression; 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a similar schematic illustration to  FIG. 5  is again shown for a high compression line positioned for high compression; and 
       FIG. 7  is a control schematic for automatically establishing both low and high compression ratios, as determined by the piston position within the combustion chamber. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cutaway illustration is shown of a crank shaft and gear assembly in a high compression operating condition. A crank shaft is shown at  1  and includes crank arms  3  which are connected by a shaft  4 . A connecting rod  7  with bearing  8  is illustrated in a high compression mode level  24  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and oscillates on the outside diameter of a sleeve  5  with the inside diameter supported by the crank cross shaft  4 . 
   A ring gear  6 , affixed to the sleeve  5 , meshes with a pinion gear  12  driven by a hydraulic motor  11 . A ring  9 , located on the opposite side and part of a sleeve assembly  22  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) provides flanges to secure two associated half sleeves. The pinion gear  12  is driven by a hydraulic motor and supplied by pressurized oil through tubes  2 , these extending from a channel in the crank shaft  1 . 
     FIG. 2  is a sectional cutaway view of a piston and cylinder arrangement associated with the assembly of  FIG. 1  and in a high compression condition  23  (as again referenced in schematic in each of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Specifically, a cylinder  14  houses a piston  15  which defines an upper combustion chamber  16 . Also included are valves associated with an air inlet  17  and an exhaust  18 .  FIG. 3  is a similar illustration to that shown in  FIG. 2  and showing the piston  15  located at a low compression position  24  within the cylinder  14 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a similar illustration of the assembly of  FIG. 1  is shown and corresponds to the piston established in the low compression  23  position. 
     FIG. 5  is an illustration of a schematic arrangement corresponding with the connecting rod  7  ( FIG. 1 ) line positioned for low compression  23 . A sleeve  22  is provided with an off center internal diameter affixed with an end ring gear  21 , this meshing with a pinion gear  20  (see also at  12  in  FIG. 1 ) for 120 degree rotation. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a similar schematic illustration to  FIG. 5  is again shown for a high compression line  24 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the control diagram of a vehicle operating in an automatic mode requiring a voltage supply  64 ,  65 . The engine coolant water temperature raises above 120° F. contact  44  closes which is in series with the spray water temperature switch  43  contact which closes above 120° F. and float switch  42  is closed with adequate spray water level water relay  41  is energized contact  45  closes and energizes the spray water pump  46 . When the engine coolant water is above 130° F. the vapor pump relay  49  is energized along with time relay  52  controlling eccentric  6  rotation time relay  49  also closes contact  50  energizing the oil pump  51 . When the timer  52  times out contact  48  opens and shuts off pump motor  51 . This completes the 180 degree rotation of the eccentric sleeve  6 . The engine now is operating under high compression. 
   When the vehicle is shut off a second line voltage  61 - 62  is deenergized when the main engine oil pressure pump switch closes contact  57  and when the driver side door is opened a limited switch  55  closes timer  60  is energized and is locked in by contact  56  for a limited time the oil pump is reenergized through contact  59  reversing the eccentric sleeve  6  rotates 180 degrees to its original downtime position. The engine now is returned to low compression. 
   An associated method is also disclosed for injecting a water based fluid in the incoming air flow of an Otto cycle engine and can include a second fuel additive assisting in modifying combustion temperature in response to climate variations and exhibits a relatively small volume compared to total fuel component, and such as which normally includes a standard octane rated fuel and ethanol or other fuels. The composition of the fluid additive includes a water emulsion with a thin water skin (micelles) under 1 micron (such as approximately 0.2 microns in one variant) in thickness. 
   Upon the fluid emulsion being injected during pressurizing the film of water, it will instantly vaporize, thereby reducing the required temperature of compression and preventing pre-ignition. Upon the piston achieving a top dead center position and dwelling with the standard fuel injected, pre-ignition will not occur. Other liquid evaporation processes can also be used, such as water by itself under reduced surface tension and with high pressure can be vaporized into a fine mist, thereby mimicking the physical properties of a gas. The above can be employed for reducing a surface tension of the fluid by absorbing engine waste heat and injecting the same under high pressure, creating a finely disbursed fog and expanding to a gas during compression. 
   Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviation from the scope of the appended claims.