Emulsifying system and emulsifying process

Abstract

What is proposed is an emulsifying system with an emulsifying device and an injection nozzle as well as an emulsifying device for producing a water-fuel emulsion for an internal combustion engine, wherein the emulsifying device is embodied as a rotor-stator emulsifying device and/or fluid flow machine and/or is connected or connectable directly to an injection nozzle. The emulsifying device has a housing and a shaft, the shaft being drivable in a contactless manner, the housing having a guide apparatus having a plurality of guide channels for guiding the flow, and/or the housing being made at least partially from fiber composite material.

Claims

1. An emulsifying device that is capable of producing a water-fuel emulsion for an internal combustion engine, wherein the emulsifying device is embodied as a rotor-stator-emulsifying device or fluid flow machine, the emulsifying device comprising a housing and a shaft, wherein the emulsifying device has at least one of the following features: the shaft being drivable in a contactless manner; or the shaft being drivable magnetically.

2. The emulsifying device according to claim 1, wherein the emulsifying device comprises a pre-emulsifying stage and a fine emulsifying stage.

3. The emulsifying device according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises or forms a guide apparatus with a plurality of guide channels for guiding the flow, wherein the guide apparatus is arranged immediately before or upstream from one of the stages or running wheel(s) thereof.

4. The emulsifying device according to claim 3, wherein the guide apparatus is embodied so as to apply a deflected or directed flow or water-fuel emulsion to a downstream running wheel.

5. The emulsifying device according to claim 3, wherein the guide apparatus encloses the shaft radially.

6. The emulsifying device according to claim 3, wherein the guide apparatus is connected in at least one of a form-fitting, force-fitting, and bonded manner to the housing and/or is integrally formed with the housing.

7. The emulsifying device according to claim 3, wherein the guide apparatus protrudes into the flow channel.

8. The emulsifying device according to claim 1, wherein the emulsifying device has a drive with a stator and a rotor.

9. The emulsifying device according to claim 8, wherein the rotor comprises a permanent magnet.

10. The emulsifying device according to claim 8, wherein the rotor is arranged between two stages of the emulsifying device.

11. The emulsifying device according to claim 8, wherein the rotor is or can be flowed around at least partially.

12. The emulsifying device according to claim 1, wherein the emulsifying device has a first lid and a second lid, with at least one of the lids sealing the housing axially and the shaft being supported in the lids.

13. The emulsifying device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pre-emulsifying stage and the fine emulsifying stage is embodied as an axial stage.

14. The emulsifying device according to claim 11, wherein the rotor is or can be flowed around at least partially with the emulsion formed by the first stage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other aspects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the present invention follow from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawing.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a proposed internal combustion engine with a proposed injection system according to a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a proposed internal combustion engine with a proposed injection system according to a second embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a proposed emulsifying system according to a first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic section of the emulsifying system according to FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic section of a proposed emulsifying system according to a second embodiment; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross section of the emulsifying system according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In the partially not-to-scale, merely schematic figures, the same reference symbols are used for same, congeneric, or similar components, with it being possible for corresponding or comparable characteristics and advantages to be achieved even if a repeated description is omitted.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a proposed internal combustion engine 1 with the proposed injection system 2.

(10) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has at least one emulsifying system 3.

(11) The injection system 2 is preferably designed to inject fuel and/or water into one or more combustion chambers (not shown) of the internal combustion engine 1, preferably under pressure, particularly at greater than 50 MPa or 100 MPa.

(12) The emulsifying system 3 is preferably designed to mix or emulsify water and fuel, particularly diesel, and/or to create or produce a water-fuel emulsion or a water-diesel emulsion, from water and fuel, particularly diesel. In principle, however, other fluids can also be emulsified with one another by means of the emulsifying system 3.

(13) In the depicted embodiment, the internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 has a plurality ofin this case sixemulsifying systems 3, preferably with one emulsifying system 3, respectively, being associated or associable with one cylinder (not shown) of the internal combustion engine 1 and/or being fluidly connected or connectable to one cylinder and/or combustion chamber, of the internal combustion engine 1.

(14) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 and/or the emulsifying system 3 preferably has an emulsifying device 4 and/or an injection nozzle or an injector 5.

(15) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a fuel rail or diesel rail or a common rail 6, preferably wherein a plurality of emulsifying systems 3, emulsifying devices 4, and/or injection nozzles 5 arepreferably each individuallyfluidly connected or connectable to the common rail 6, preferably each via a high-pressure or injection line 7.

(16) The emulsifying device 4 is preferably arranged between the common rail 6 and the injection nozzle 5.

(17) In the following, the schematic structure of the internal combustion engine 1 and the injection system 2 will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 before the emulsifying system 3 and the emulsifying device 4 are explained in greater detail.

(18) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a fuel tank 8, a fuel precompression pump 9, a fuel filter 10, a fuel meter 11, particularly a fuel volume meter, and/or a high-pressure fuel pump 12, preferably on a (common) fuel supply line 13.

(19) Preferably, the high-pressure fuel pump 12 and/or the common rail 6 has/have a high-pressure regulator 14 and/or a fuel return line 15.

(20) The fuel return line 15 preferably connects the common rail 5, the fuel precompression pump 9, and/or high-pressure fuel pump 12 to the fuel tank 8, the fuel return line 15 preferably having a (an additional) fuel meter 16.

(21) Preferably, the injection system 2 and/or the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 is fluidly connected via the fuel supply line 13 to the fuel tank 8.

(22) In particular, the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 can be supplied with fuel, particularly diesel, and another componentwater, in this casepreferably in order to produce a water-fuel emulsion.

(23) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a water tank 17, a water precompression pump 18, a water filter 19, and/or a high-pressure water pump or metering unit 20, preferably on a (common) water supply line 21.

(24) Preferably, the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 is connected via the water supply line 21 to the water tank 17 and/or can be supplied with water.

(25) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 and/or the emulsifying system 3, the high-pressure fuel pump 12 and/or high-pressure water pump 20 preferably has/have a particularly hydraulic drive 22, the drive 22 preferably having a pump 23 and/or a valve 24, particularly for pressurizing with or supplying water or another hydraulic fluid, preferably at variable or adjustable pressure.

(26) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a control unit 25, the control unit 25 being preferably designed to control or feedback control the composition of the water-fuel emulsion or the water component in the water-fuel emulsion, preferably as a function of at least one operating parameter and/or engine operation, especially preferably as a function of the engine load M, engine speed N, and/or cooling-water temperature T.

(27) Preferably, the water component in the water-fuel emulsion can be altered, varied and/or adapted as a function of the engine operating point.

(28) Using dashed lines, FIG. 1 shows the corresponding preferred and/or optional signal connections, control lines, or the like of the control unit 25 with the corresponding components.

(29) Preferably, the controller 25 is or can be electrically connected to the injection system 2, the emulsifying system 3, the emulsifying device 4, the injector 5, the common rail 6, the fuel precompression pump 9, the fuel meter 11, the high-pressure fuel pump 12, the fuel meter 16, the water precompression pump 18, the high-pressure water pump 20, and/or the drive 22.

(30) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has at least one pressure sensor 26, 27 and/or at least one pressure sensor 26, 27 is integrated into the fuel supply line 13 and/or water supply line 21, the control device 25 being preferably electrically connected to the pressure sensor 26, 27 and/or measurement signals of the fuel pressure and/or of the water pressure can be transmitted to the control device 25.

(31) In the depicted embodiment, the internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a fuel pressure sensor 26 and/or a water pressure sensor 27.

(32) Preferably, the fuel pressure sensor 26 is arranged in the common rail 6 and/or designed to measure the pressure of the fuel in the common rail 6.

(33) Preferably, the water pressure sensor 27 is arranged immediately after or downstream of the high-pressure water pump 20 and/or designed to measure the water pressure immediately before the emulsifying system 3.

(34) As already explained at the outset, the internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a plurality of emulsifying systems 3, emulsifying devices 4 and/or injection nozzles 5.

(35) Preferably, the emulsifying systems 3 and/or emulsifying devices 4 and/or injection nozzles 5 are connected in parallel to the fuel supply line 13 and/or the common rail 6 and/or the water supply line 21 and/or are or can be supplied in parallel with fuel and/or water.

(36) In the depicted embodiment, each cylinder and/or each injection nozzle 5 is preferably associated with a separate or its own emulsifying device 4. However, constructive solutions are also possible in which a plurality of cylinders or injection nozzles 5 are connected to a (common) emulsifying device 4, as FIG. 2 illustrates.

(37) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 and/or the emulsification system 3 preferably has a bypass line or purge line 28 and/or a bypass valve or purge valve 29, preferably wherein fuel can be fed via the bypass line 28 and bypass valve 29 from the fuel supply line 13 and/or the common rail 6 directly or immediately to the injection nozzle 5 and/or past the emulsifying device 4.

(38) Especially preferably, the bypass line 28 is connected in parallel to the emulsifying device 4 and/or the bypass line 28 connects the injection nozzle 5 directly to the common rail 6.

(39) The bypass line 28 and/or the bypass valve 29 can be preferably used to flush the injection nozzle 5 with fuel and/or to ensure an at least substantially loss-free supply of the injection nozzle 5 with fuel when the emulsifying device 4 is deactivated. It is thus possible for the internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 to be supplied with fuel at least substantially without interruption and/or loss even with a deactivated and/or defective emulsifying device 4.

(40) The internal combustion engine 1 and/or the injection system 2 preferably has a leakage line 30 and/or a leakage line 30 is connected to the emulsifying system 3, particularly to the injection nozzle 5. It is preferably possible to use the leakage line 30 to flush the emulsifying system 3, particularly the emulsifying device 4 and/or the injection nozzle 5, with fuel and/or to flush residual quantities of the water-fuel emulsions from the emulsifying system 3, particularly from the emulsifying device 4 or the injection nozzle 5, preferably without fuel getting into an associated cylinder.

(41) The leakage line 30 is preferably connected to a water separator and/or fuel separator 31 and/or connects the injection nozzle 5 to a water separator and/or fuel separator 31.

(42) The water separator 31 is preferably designed to separate fuel and water of the water-fuel emulsion from one another and/or to separate off water and/or fuel.

(43) The fuel that is separated off by means of the water separator 31 can be preferably fed to the fuel return line 15 and/or fuel tank 8.

(44) The water that is separated off by means of the water separator 31 can be preferably fed via a corresponding water return line 32 to the water tank 17.

(45) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a proposed internal combustion engine 1 according to an alternative embodiment in which the injection nozzles 5 are connected in pairs to a common emulsifying device 4 and/or an emulsifying system 3 has a plurality of injection nozzles 5 (two in this case). The further remarks and explanations regarding the first embodiment according to FIG. 1 apply accordingly or in addition.

(46) FIG. 3 shows the proposed emulsifying system 3 with a proposed emulsifying device 4 and an injection nozzle 5 in a perspective view. FIG. 4 shows the emulsifying device 4 as well as partially the injection nozzle 5 in a schematic section.

(47) The emulsifying device 4 preferably has a housing 33 and a shaft 34, the shaft 34 being preferably arranged at least partially in the housing 33. In the depicted embodiment, the shaft 34 is arranged completely in the housing 33.

(48) The housing 33 is preferably elongate and/or cylindrical or embodied like or as a hollow cylinder. Especially preferably, the housing 33 is rotationally symmetrical.

(49) The housing 33 preferably delimits or defines, radially and/or laterally, a flow channel and/or emulsifying chamber, preferably wherein in the flow channel and/or emulsifying chamber the water-fuel emulsion is produced and/or water and fuel is mixed or emulsified.

(50) The flow channel and/or emulsifying chamber is preferably elongate and/or cylindrical.

(51) The shaft 34 is preferably arranged centrally in the housing 33 and/or in the emulsifying chamber.

(52) The shaft 34 can be preferably rotated about a rotation axis R. Especially preferably, the longitudinal axis or rotation axis R of the shaft 34 corresponds to the longitudinal axis or axis of symmetry of the housing 33 and/or of the emulsifying chamber.

(53) The emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 can be preferably flowed through at least substantially axially. In particular, the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 are designed to be open at the axial ends, preferably such that water and fuel can flow axially into the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 and can flow out of the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33, preferably as an emulsion, axially and/or on another, preferably opposing side.

(54) It is very especially preferred that the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 have an inline construction.

(55) Preferably, the axial ends of the housing 33 are each closed or can each be closed by a lid 35, 36, particularly in a pressure-proof manner.

(56) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 has a first lid 35 and a second lid 36, the first lid 35 and/or the second lid 36 preferably being connected or connectable in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or bonded manner, particularly by gluing, to the housing 33.

(57) Preferably, the shaft 34 is mounted axially and/or radially in or by means of the first lid 35 and/or the second lid 36.

(58) Especially preferably, the shaft 34 is rotatably supported by means of a bearing 37 in the housing 33, particularly in the first lid 35 and/or second lid 36.

(59) The bearing 37 is preferably embodied as a slide bearing, with the shaft 34 and/or the bearing 37 in particular being lubricated by means of the water and/or fuel and/or the emulsion. However, other structural solutions are also possible here, particularly in which the bearing 37 is embodied as an antifriction bearing.

(60) In the depicted first embodiment, the bearing 37 of the emulsifying device 4 is preferably embodied as a fixed-floating bearing. However, it is also possible for the bearing 37 to be formed as a support bearing and/or for the shaft 34 to be supported in a floating manner.

(61) The housing 33, the first lid 35, and/or the second lid 36 is/are made at least in part with or from fiber composite material, particularly carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. This enables or supports an especially stable and light construction of the emulsifying device 4.

(62) The housing 33 or the housing wall is preferably multilayered or multi-ply, particularly in the radial direction. In particular, the housing 33 has a plurality of material layers, each of the material layers being preferably integrally formed.

(63) The emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 preferably has a reinforcement and/or coating 38 on an inner side 33A and/or the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 is coated and/or reinforced on the inside or on an inner side 33A, preferably by means of a reinforcement and/or coating 38.

(64) The coating 38 is preferably made of or formed by metal, particularly aluminum, or paint, plastic, or a resin. In this way, the stability, durability, and/or tightness of the emulsifying device 4 and/or housing 33 is achieved or increased, particularly for pressures above 5 MPa, 10 MPa, 15 MPa, or 50 MPa.

(65) In the depicted embodiment, the housing 33 is formed by a sleeve, particularly an aluminum sleeve, and a jacket, in particular a fiber composite jacket, preferably wherein the sleeve and the jacket each are integrally formed. Especially preferably, the sleeve is arranged on a side facing the emulsifying chamber and/or the jacket surrounds the sleeve on the outside and/or on a side facing away from the emulsifying chamber. Very especially preferably, the sleeve forms the reinforcement or coating 38 and/or the sleeve has the reinforcement or coating 38.

(66) The emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 preferably has an inlet Especially preferably, the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 has a fuel inlet 39 and a water inlet 40, preferably wherein fuel can be fed via the fuel inlet 39 and/or water can be fed via the water inlet 40 to the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4, particularly to the emulsifying chamber. However, constructive solutions are also possible in which the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 has a common inlet for fuel and water and/or water and fuel can be fed together via a common inlet to the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4.

(67) Preferably, the fuel inlet 39 and the water inlet 40 are formed by the housing 33, particularly the first lid 35.

(68) In particular, fuel and/or water can be fed to the emulsifying device 4 and/or to the emulsifying chamber, at least substantially axially and/or parallel to the rotation axis R or longitudinal or symmetrical axis of the housing 33 and/or emulsifying chamber.

(69) The emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 is preferably connected or connectable to the common rail 6 and/or the injection line 7 via the fuel inlet 39 and to the water supply line 21 and/or the high-pressure water pump 20 via the water inlet 40.

(70) As already explained at the outset, the emulsifying device 4 is connected or connectable preferably immediately or directly to at least one injection nozzle 5, particularly fluidly and/or mechanically.

(71) Especially preferably, the emulsifying device 4 is or can be connected in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner to an associated injection nozzle 5, particularly by screwing, preferably directly and/or rigidly.

(72) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 and at least one injection nozzle 5 together form a fixed and/or rigid assembly or structural unit.

(73) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 can be screwed or plugged immediately or directly onto an injection nozzle 5. This enables or supports easy mounting and/or dismounting of the emulsifying device 4.

(74) The emulsifying device 4 is preferably arranged so as to be coaxial with the associated injection nozzle 5 or a fuel flange thereof and/or the emulsifying device 4 and the injection nozzle 5 and/or the fuel flange of the emulsifying system 3 have a common longitudinal axis. However, other structural solutions are also possible here.

(75) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 and/or the housing 33 have an outlet 41, preferably wherein the water-fuel emulsion can be supplied to the injection nozzle 5 via the outlet 41 and/or the second lid 36 has or forms the outlet 41.

(76) The outlet 41 is preferably arranged centrally in the second lid 36 and/or coaxially with the rotation axis R or axis of symmetry of the rotationally symmetrical emulsifying chamber.

(77) The injection nozzle 5 is or can be preferably connected immediately or directly in a fluid manner to the outlet 41. Very especially preferably, the injection nozzle 5 can be screwed into or onto the outlet 41. However, other structural solutions are also possible here, particularly in which the emulsifying device 4 is integrated into the injection nozzle 5 and/or at least partially arranged within the injection nozzle 5 or formed by the injection nozzle 5. In particular, the emulsifying device 4 can be arranged in an inlet of the injection nozzle 5 and/or can be integrally formed with the injection nozzle 5. In one variant, the housing 33 is securely connected to a housing of the injection nozzle 5 or integrally formed therewith.

(78) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 has a bearing 37 that is or can be flowed around at least partially and/or at least one support of the bearing 37, here the fixed bearing, can be flowed around.

(79) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 has a bearing star 42, in particular the bearing star 42starting from the housing 33protruding into the emulsifying chamber and/or being connected to the housing 33 and/or one of the lids 35, 36.

(80) The bearing star 42 preferably has a plurality of radial supports or struts 43, the radial supports 43 preferably being embodied so as to receive a bearing, particularly a slide bearing, and/or to form a bearing, particularly a slide bearing, for the shaft 34. Other solutions are also possible here, however.

(81) As already explained at the outset, the emulsifying device 4 is preferably embodied as a rotor-stator emulsifying device or fluid flow machine or fluid-flow work machine. Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 is exclusively designed to emulsify water and fuel or to produce a water-fuel emulsion. However, solutions are also possible in which the emulsifying device 4 (additionally) has a pumping function or is designed as a pump and/or is designed to convey or pump water and fuel and/or the water-fuel emulsion, preferably to the injection nozzle 5. Very especially preferably, the emulsifying device 4 is designed to reduce flow loss, particularly pressure losses, of the flow during the creation of the emulsion.

(82) The emulsifying device 4 is preferably embodied as a multi-stage, here two-stage, rotor-stator emulsifying device or fluid flow machine, and/or the emulsifying device 4 has a plurality of, here two, stages or emulsifying stages.

(83) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 comprises a first stage 44 and a second stage 45, preferably wherein the first stage 44 comprises or is formed by a first running wheel 46 and the second stage 45 comprises or is formed by a second running wheel 47.

(84) Optionally, the first stage 44 and/or the second stage 45 (each) comprise(s) a guide wheel (not shown), the guide wheel preferably being arranged just before or upstream of the or just after or downstream from the first running wheel 46 and/or second running wheel 47.

(85) The first and/or second running wheel 46 or 47 is preferably connected to the shaft 34 in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner, in particular by means of feather key, by pressing and/or by gluing, preferably such that a torque from the shaft 34 can be transferred to the first running wheel 46 and/or second running wheel 47 or vice versa.

(86) Preferably, the optional guide wheel is connected in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner to the housing 33.

(87) The first and/or second running wheel 46, 47 preferably has a plurality of blades and/or teeth 48, 49, the blades and/or teeth 48, 49starting from the shaft 34 and/or the rotation axis Rpreferably protruding into the flow channel and/or emulsifying chamber radially.

(88) The blades and/or teeth 48, 49 are preferably flat, elongate, plate-shaped, angular, and/or sharp-edged.

(89) In particular, the stage 44, 45, the running wheel 46, 47 and/or the blades and/or teeth 48, 49 are designed to mix and/or to emulsify water and fuel with one another and/or to distribute and/or disintegrate the water in the fuel, preferably in order to produce a homogeneous water-fuel emulsion having a small average water droplet size, preferably of less than 1 m or 0.5 m.

(90) Optionally, the stage 44, 45, the running wheel 46, 47 and/or the blades and/or teeth 48, 49 are designed to convey water and fuel and/or to pump water and fuel toward the injection nozzle 5.

(91) The blades and/or teeth 48, 49 or the flat sides thereof are preferably trapezoidal, the upstream edges or sides of the blades and/or teeth 48, 49 preferably being arranged obliquely or at an inclination relative to the rotation axis R. In particular, the angle that is included in a longitudinal section, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, between the front side or front edge of the blades and/or teeth 48, 49 and the rotation axis R is less than 90 or 80.

(92) Preferably, the first stage 44 is embodied as a pre-emulsifying stage and the second stage 45 as a fine emulsifying stage.

(93) In particular, the first stage 44 is embodied so as to intermix preferably separately inflowing water and fuel, and the second stage 45 is embodied so as to (further) homogenize the water-fuel emulsion produced by the first stage 44 and/or to (further) reduce the droplet size of the water in the fuel.

(94) In the depicted embodiment, the first stage 44 and second stage 45 are preferably embodied as axial stages. Other solutions are also possible here, however, as FIG. 5 illustrates.

(95) FIG. 5 shows the proposed emulsifying device 4 according to a second embodiment in which the first stage 44 is embodied as a radial or diagonal stage.

(96) Especially preferably, water and fuel flow or the water-fuel emulsion flows into the first stage 44 in a manner that is at least substantially parallel to the rotation axis R. In the depicted example, the water-fuel emulsion emerges radially or at least substantially orthogonally to the rotation axis R from the first stage 44 or first running wheel 46.

(97) Preferably, the housing 33 or a downstream guide wheel (not shown) is embodied so as to divert water and fuel or the water-fuel emulsion, preferably such that the water and the fuel or the water-fuel emulsion then flow or flows (again) through the emulsifying device 4 at least substantially parallel to the rotation axis R.

(98) In the depicted second embodiment of the emulsifying device, the second stage 45 is preferably embodied as an axial stage and/or the water-fuel emulsion flows through the second stage 45 at least substantially axially or parallel to the rotation axis R. However, other structural solutions are also possible here, particularly in which the second stage 45 is (also) embodied as a radial or diagonal stage.

(99) In the second embodiment, the emulsifying device has three stages or emulsifying stages, and/or the second stage 45 is followed by an additional, third stage 50.

(100) Preferably, the third stage 50 has the same fundamental construction as the second stage 45. In particular, the third stage 50 has a running wheel 51 with a plurality of blades and/or teeth 52.

(101) Optionally, the injection nozzle 5 forms the third stage 50 or an additional stage and/or an emulsifying stage of the emulsifying system 3. In particular, the injection nozzle 5 can be designed to (further) homogenize the water-fuel emulsion and/or to reduce the average droplet size of the water in the fuel.

(102) The injection system 2 and/or the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 preferably has a (first) guide apparatus 53, the guide apparatus 53 preferably being designed to guide and/or deflect the flow or the water-fuel emulsion in the emulsifying chamber.

(103) The guide apparatus 53 is preferably connected in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner to the housing 33, formed integrally with the housing 33, in particular with the coating 38, and/or preferably protrudes into the flow channel and/or emulsifying chamber.

(104) The guide apparatus 53 is preferably circumferential. The guide apparatus 53 preferably encloses the shaft 34 radially.

(105) The guide apparatus 53 is preferably located immediately before or upstream from one of the stages 44, 45, 50 and/or embodied so as to apply a deflected or directed flow or water-fuel emulsion to a downstream running wheel 46, 47, 51.

(106) In the first embodiment, the guide apparatus 53 is preferably arranged immediately before or upstream from the second stage 45 or second running wheel 47, and/or associated with the second stage 45.

(107) In addition or alternatively, the first stage 44 has a (further) guide apparatus 53 and/or the guide apparatus 53 is arranged immediately before or upstream from the first stage 44 or first running wheel 46, and/or is associated with the first stage 44.

(108) In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the emulsifying device 4 has a second guide apparatus 54, the second guide apparatus 54 being preferably arranged immediately before or upstream from the third stage 50 or third running wheel 51, and/or being preferably associated with the third stage 50.

(109) The guide apparatus 53, 54 preferably has a plurality of guide channels 55, 56, preferably wherein the guide apparatus 53, 54 can be flowed through by means of the guide channels 55, 56.

(110) The guide apparatus 53, 54 preferably has more than two, preferably more than four or six, particularly more than eight or twelve, guide channels 55, 56.

(111) In the depicted embodiments, the guide channels 55, 56 are preferably arranged at least substantially parallel to the rotation axis R. However, other constructive solutions are also possible here, particularly in which the guide channels 55, 56 run obliquely and/or in the direction of flow from the outside to the inside or from the inside to the outside.

(112) Preferably, the guide channels 55, 56 are arranged in an at least substantially central manner in the guide apparatus 53, 54 and/or the guide channels 55, 56 lead to mid-height of the blades and/or teeth 49, 52 that are arranged downstream.

(113) In particular, the flow and/or the water-fuel emulsion can be guided or deflected by the guide apparatus 53, 54 and/or the guide channels 55, 56 at least substantially centrally to the blades and/or teeth 49, 52 that are arranged downstream.

(114) The guide apparatus 53, 54 is preferably adapted to the blade contour or geometry of the associated running wheel 46, 47, 51.

(115) In particular, the distance between the guide apparatus 53, 54 and the blades and/or teeth 48, 52 that are arranged downstream remains at least substantially the same or constant over the radius of the emulsifying chamber.

(116) The emulsifying device 4 preferably has a radial gap 57 between the guide apparatus 53, 54 and the shaft 34, preferably in such a way that the shaft 34 extends in a contactless manner through the guide apparatus 53, 54.

(117) Preferably, water, fuel and/or the water-fuel emulsion is able to flow through the radial gap 57. However, other solutions are also possible here, particularly in which a preferably dynamic seal, in particular a shaft sealing ring, especially preferably an axial shaft sealing ring, is arranged between the guide apparatus 53, 54 and the shaft 34 and/or in which the flow and/or the water-fuel emulsion is able to flow only through the guide channels 55, 56.

(118) FIG. 6 shows the emulsifying device in a sectional view along the sectional line VI-VI (cf. FIG. 4).

(119) On a side facing the associated running wheel 47, 51, the guide apparatus 53, 54 preferably has tear-off edges, vortices, shearing edges, or other surface structures that preferably have an emulsion-homogenizing effect. In the depicted example, a plurality of recesses 58 are provided, preferably wherein the recesses 58 are arranged in a star shape around the shaft 34 and/or extend from the shaft 34 to the housing 33.

(120) The recesses 58 are preferably elongate and/or embodied as a groove. Preferably, the recesses 58 extend at least substantially radially.

(121) Preferably, the recesses 58 are arranged between the guide channels 55, 56, in particular centrally.

(122) In particular, the recesses 58 are designed to distribute the water-fuel emulsion flowing through the radial gap 57 radially outward and/or along the blades and/or teeth 48, 52. Moreover, the recesses 58 make it possible to achieve or support the circulation of the water-fuel emulsion in the emulsifying chamber. The recesses 58 can also be or form one-sided edges, vortex-forming bodies, or the like.

(123) The emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device can be preferably driven in a contactless manner. In particular, a torque can be transferred to the shaft 34, preferably without contact.

(124) Preferably, the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 has a drive 59, the drive 59 being preferably designed to drive the shaft 34 or to set it in rotation, preferably in a contactless manner.

(125) The rotational speed of the shaft 34 that can be generated by the drive 59 (in revolutions per minute) is preferably greater than 5000 1/min or 10,000 1/min, especially preferably greater than 20,000 1/min or 30,000 1/min, in particular greater than 50,000 1/min or 80,000 1/min.

(126) The drive 59 preferably has a stator 60 and a rotor 61, preferably wherein the stator 60 is connected in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner to the housing 33 and/or the rotor 61 is connected in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and/or bonded manner to the shaft 34, and/or forms the shaft 34 or a portion thereof.

(127) Preferably, the drive 59 is formed by a brushless electric motor, and the shaft 34 is electrically driven.

(128) In particular, the drive 59 is embodied as a direct-current machine or as a three-phase machine, preferably as aparticularly brushlessthree-phase synchronous machine or three-phase asynchronous machine. Especially preferably, it is a so-called brushless direct-current motor or electronically commutated three-phase synchronous machine. Other solutions are also possible here, however, particularly in which the drive 59 is embodied as a hydraulic or pneumatic drive 59, the drive 59 preferably transmitting torque to the shaft 34 via a magnetic coupling.

(129) In another embodiment (not shown), the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 or the shaft 34 thereof, is or can be preferably driven passively and/or by the flow energy. In particular, constructive solutions are possible in which one of the stages 44, 45, 50, particularly a running wheel 46, 47, 51, is designed to draw energy from the flow, the fuel, the water and/or the water-fuel emulsion and/or to drive the shaft 34 or set it in rotation with flow energy. Advantageously, in this way an (active) driving of the emulsifying system 3 or emulsifying device 4 can be omitted.

(130) The drive 59, particularly the stator 60, preferably has a plurality of coils 62, preferably wherein a magnetic field can be generated by means of the stator 60 or the coils 62. Especially preferably, a rotating magnetic field can be generated, preferably as a function of the frequency of a current, preferably of a three-phase current, and/or by sensor-controlled electronic commutation, for example.

(131) The rotor 61 of the drive 59 is preferably a magnet, particularly a permanent magnet, and/or the rotor comprises a magnet, particularly permanent magnet, the rotor 61 preferably being rotatable in the magnetic field or by means of the magnetic field generated in the stator. Especially preferably, the rotor 61 or the permanent magnet thereof has at least one north pole and one south pole, respectively. However, the drive 59 can also be embodied as an asynchronous motor with coils or electromagnets in the rotor 61.

(132) The rotor 61 and/or the shaft 34 preferably rotates synchronously or asynchronously with the magnetic field of the stator 60.

(133) Preferably, the rotor 61 is or can be flowed around at least partially. Additionally or alternatively, the rotor 61 can be flowed through.

(134) In particular, constructive solutions are possible in which the rotor 61 has boreholes or channels through which the water and/or the fuel and/or the water-fuel emulsion can flow.

(135) Especially preferably, the surface of the rotor 61 is rough, structured, and/or provided with raised areas and/or depressions and/or designed to mix or emulsify the passing water and the passing fuel.

(136) In an especially preferred embodiment (not shown), the rotor 61 has a plurality of blades and/or teeth or ribs and/or a plurality of blades and/or teeth are arranged on the surface of the rotor 61.

(137) The drive 59 and/or rotor 61 is preferably arranged centrally in the emulsifying device 4 and/or the emulsifying chamber, and/or between the first stage 44 or the first running wheel 46 and the second stage 45 or the second running wheel 47. Other solutions are also possible here, however.

(138) In the following, the proposed emulsifying method or the proposed use of a rotor-stator emulsifying device or fluid flow machine for producing a water-fuel emulsion is explained in greater detail.

(139) The proposed emulsifying method is preferably carried out by means of the internal combustion engine 1, the injection system 2, the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4.

(140) The fuel is preferably taken from the fuel tank 8, preferably by means of the fuel precompression pump 9.

(141) Preferably, the fuel is filtered in a fuel supply line 13, preferably by means of the fuel filter 10.

(142) Preferably, the fuel is pressurized, preferably by means of the fuel precompression pump 9 and/or the high-pressure fuel pump 12, and fed to the common common rail 6.

(143) The fuel pressure in the common rail 6 and/or in the emulsifying system 3 and/or in the emulsifying device 4, in particular in the fuel inlet 39, is preferablyat least temporarily or depending on the engine loadgreater than 50 MPa, 100 MPa or 150 MPa, more preferably greater than 180 MPa or 200 MPa, particularly greater than 220 MPa.

(144) The water is preferably taken from the water tank 17, preferably by means of the water precompression pump 18.

(145) Preferably, the water is filtered or purified, preferably by means of the water filter 19.

(146) Preferably, the water is pressurized, preferably by means of the water precompression pump 18 and/or the high-pressure water pump 20.

(147) Preferably, the fuel and the water are equally pressurized and/or the pressure of the fuel immediately before the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 and/or in the fuel inlet 39 is equal to or slightly greater than the pressure of the water immediately before the emulsifying system 3 and/or the emulsifying device 4 and/or in the water inlet 40.

(148) The fuel is preferably conducted past the emulsifying system 3 and/or emulsifying device 4, preferably by means of the bypass line 28 and/or the bypass valve 29, for example in the event of a defect in the emulsifying system 3 and/or emulsifying device 4.

(149) Preferably, after the pressurization of the water and fuel, the water and the fuel are supplied to the emulsifying system 3 or emulsifying device 4, preferably separately from each other. Especially preferably, fuel is fed from the common rail 6 via the fuel inlet 39 and water is fed from the high-pressure water pump 20 via the water inlet 40 to the emulsifying system 3 or emulsifying device 4.

(150) Alternatively, however, it is also possible for water and fuel to be fed together or collectively or via a common line to the emulsifying system 3 or emulsifying device 4.

(151) Preferably, the fuel and the water are mixed or (pre-)emulsified in a first stage 44 and/or by means of a first running wheel 46 in the emulsifying device 4. Here, the fuel inlet 39 directs the fuel and/or the water inlet 40 directs the water onto the running wheel 46 preferably transversely, in particular in a manner at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the running wheel 46.

(152) Preferably, the emulsifying device 4 or the shaft 34 thereof is driven in a contactless manner and/or magnetically, preferably by means of the drive 59.

(153) Preferably, the shaft 34 rotates (in revolutions per minute) at greater than 5000 1/min or 10,000 1/min, especially preferably greater than 20,000 1/min or 30,000 1/min, in particular greater than 50,000 1/min or 80,000 1/min.

(154) Preferably, the maximum circumferential speed of the first running wheel 46, the second running wheel 47, the third running wheel 51, and/or the rotor 61 is greater than 10 m/s or 20 m/s, especially preferably greater than 30 m/s or 40 m/s.

(155) Preferably, the (premixed) water-fuel emulsion is then conveyed or pumped past and/or through the rotor 61. In particular, the water-fuel emulsion flows laterally around the rotor 61.

(156) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is deflected in the flow channel and/or emulsifying channel and/or emulsifying chamber, preferably by means of the guide apparatus 53 and/or the guide channels 55. The guide channels 55 direct the water-fuel emulsion preferably transversely, particularly at least substantially perpendicularly, to the plane of rotation of the following running wheel 47, 51 onto the blades and/or teeth 49, 52 thereof.

(157) Preferably, theparticularly deflectedwater-fuel emulsion is fed to the second stage 45 and/or second running wheel 47.

(158) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is (further) homogenized, mixed, or emulsified in the second stage 45 or by means of the second running wheel 47, and/or the water droplets are further reduced or disintegrated in the second stage 45 and/or by means of the second running wheel 47.

(159) The water-fuel emulsion is preferably circulated in the emulsifying chamber, particularly by means of the guide apparatus 53, and/or at least a portion of the water-fuel emulsion is conducted counter to the main direction of flow, preferably such that the dwell time of the water-fuel emulsion in the emulsifying device 4 increases. For this purpose, a radially outwardly directed pressure can be generated by the running wheel 47, 51, which causes emulsion to flow back counter to the main flow direction and along the shaft 34 back to the running wheel 47, 51. The emulsion is further homogenized as a result, and a homogenized emulsion is made available with little emulsion being removed and without water and fuel separating again or demixing.

(160) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is further mixed or homogenized in an optional third stage 50. For this purpose, the emulsion can be directed again by guide channels 56, preferably transversely, particularly at least substantially perpendicularly, to the plane of rotation of the third running wheel 51 on the blades and/or teeth 52 thereof.

(161) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is (subsequently) fed via the outlet 41 to the injection nozzle 5.

(162) Especially preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is (further) emulsified or homogenized in the injection nozzle 5, the injection nozzle 5 preferably being embodied as a third stage 50 or additional emulsifying stage.

(163) The injection nozzle 5, particularly the distributor chamber or vortex chamber thereof, preferably forms in this regard an additional emulsifying stage, particularly for high-pressure emulsion.

(164) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is atomized or misted and/or emulsified in the injection nozzle 5 such that the average water droplet size is less than 1 m.

(165) It is therefore proposed to use a preferably multistage rotor-stator emulsifying device or fluid flow machine and/or the emulsifying device 4 together with the injection nozzle 5 in order to produce the water-fuel emulsion for the internal combustion engine 1, particularly together or as a structural unit.

(166) Preferably, the speed of the emulsifying device 4, of the drive 59 and/or of the rotor 61 is controlled by means of the control device 25, particularly as a function of the engine speed, the engine torque, and/or the cooling temperature.

(167) Preferably, the emulsifying system 3, particularly the emulsifying device 4 and/or the injection nozzle 5, is flushed with (pure) fuel as needed, the fuel and/or emulsion residues preferably being fed to the leakage line 30 and/or the water separator 31.

(168) Preferably, the water-fuel emulsion is fed by means of the injection nozzle 5 to an associated cylinder and/or injected into an associated combustion chamber.

(169) Individual aspects and features of the present invention as well as individual method steps can be implemented independently of each other or also in any combination and/or sequence.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(170) TABLE-US-00001 1 combustion engine 2 injection system 3 emulsifying system 4 emulsifying device 5 injection nozzle 6 common rail 7 injection line 8 fuel tank 9 fuel precompression pump 10 fuel filter 11 fuel meter 12 high-pressure fuel pump 13 fuel supply line 14 high-pressure control 15 fuel return line 16 fuel meter 17 water tank 18 water precompression pump 19 water filter 20 high-pressure water pump 21 water supply line 22 drive 23 pump 24 valve 25 control device 26 fuel pressure sensor 27 water pressure sensor 28 bypass line 29 bypass valve 30 leakage line 31 water separator 32 water return line 33 housing 33A inner side 34 shaft 35 first lid 36 second lid 37 bearing 38 coating 39 fuel inlet 40 water inlet 41 outlet 42 bearing star 43 radial supports 44 first stage 45 second stage 46 first running wheel 47 second running wheel 48 blades and/or teeth (first running wheel) 49 blades and/or teeth (second running wheel) 50 third stage 51 third running wheel 52 blades and/or teeth (third running wheel) 53 first guide apparatus 54 second guide apparatus 55 guide channels (first guide apparatus) 56 guide channels (second guide apparatus) 57 radial gap 58 recesses 59 drive 60 stator 61 rotor 62 coils M engine load N engine speed R rotation axis T cooling-water temperature