Porsche files patent application for six-stroke engine
Porsche has filed a patent for an innovative six-stroke engine instead of the traditional four-stroke internal combustion engine.
The patent, filed under the name "Method for a Combustion Machine With Two Times Three Strokes," refers to the alternating sequence of two three-strokes.
A six-stroke engine consists of two three-stroke minicycles, the first three strokes being "intake, compression, explosion (similar to a four-stroke cycle)" and the second three strokes being "compression, explosion, exhaust".
*In a normal 4-stroke engine, the process is "intake, compression, explosion, exhaust."
The engine also uses a crankshaft that rotates on a planetary gear, creating two different top and bottom dead centre positions allowing for variable compression and different piston strokes.
What are 4-stroke and 2-stroke?
...Well, I don't really understand the complicated technical aspects (I'm being reckless (lol)), but basically, it seems to be a combination of 4-stroke and 2-stroke engine designs.
Hmm, I don't think I can understand it at all unless I first understand what a stroke is.
So, starting from the most basic basics, what is a "stroke"?
This is the up and down movement of the piston inside the cylinder, and the engine uses this stroke to generate power.
With each stroke of the piston (from top to bottom and bottom to top), the crankshaft rotates half a revolution.
How a four-stroke engine works
As mentioned above, in a four-stroke engine, one cycle involves four movements: intake, compression, explosion (power stroke), and exhaust, and in order for this to happen the crankshaft must rotate two times (since the piston makes two strokes during one rotation of the crankshaft, four strokes are completed in two rotations of the crankshaft).
By the way, the items performed in one cycle are:
- Intake: The piston moves down to take in air and fuel.
- Compression: The piston rises and compresses the mixture.
- Explosion: Fuel burns, pushing a piston down and creating power.
- Exhaust: The piston rises again, expelling the burnt gases.
2-stroke engine
In contrast, a two-stroke engine completes the cycle in one crankshaft revolution.
Although it is highly efficient, environmental regulations are becoming stricter due to the difficulty of treating exhaust gases.
What are two three-strokes?
So, Porsche's idea of a "two three-stroke" engine for which a patent has been filed this time seems to be an attempt to take advantage of the strengths of both four-stroke and two-stroke engines.
A mix of 4-stroke cleanliness and 2-stroke efficiency.
In reality, it would likely become extremely complicated due to a variety of factors, so it is unclear whether development will actually be based on the details of this patent, but if this six-stroke engine is created, it has the potential to provide power more efficiently, which could make it possible to downsize engines for performance cars and also be more environmentally friendly.
Rather than me writing about it because I don't understand it, if you are interested, please check out the actual contents of the patent application here. That's the correct way to do it.
Click on the image to open the patent application page.
In any case, the application shows that Porsche is still exploring the evolution of the internal combustion engine in parallel with the development of eFuel, which is a nice thing for those who hope that the internal combustion engine will remain in the future.
Source:
◆Porsche patents cleaner, more powerful six-stroke engine design
◆Porsche's Six-Stroke Engine Could Kill Four-Stroke Designs
◆Porsche Has Been Working On A Six-Stroke Engine
I'm Rika, the author of this article. Ever since Porsche 911 became my favorite car, I've become totally addicted to Porsche, and I can't stop loving Porsche, so I started this blog. My favorite cars are 911 Carrera (991.2), 911 Carrera Cabriolet (992.1), and 911 Carrera T (992.1).
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