IRIS engine
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The Internally Radiating Impulse Structure (IRIS) is the conceptual core of a new conceptual category of power generation device, the IRIS Engines. These devices are expected to be smaller, lighter, and more fuel efficient than traditional engines. They achieve these gains by replacing the piston and cylinder architecture found in conventional engines with a device designed to more fully harness the energy of combustion activity.[1]
Geometry of the IRIS
IRIS encompasses a broad mechanical concept with potential commercial applications in industries ranging from aeronautics to medical devices.
In an IRIS chamber a number of inverted segments of a circle, or "chordons," interact to create a continuously sealed chamber of variable volume. The IRIS engine design was conceptualized to harness a spark-ignition combustion event identical to that of a standard engine. As a result, the temperatures, pressures, and lubrication challenges are all similar to those encountered in piston designs. Existing chamber designs become longer during combustion; in contrast, an IRIS chamber expands in diameter. This innovation means the vast majority of the IRIS chamber's surface area reacts productively to the forces of combustion, generating torque throughout each combustion cycle. Surfaces exposed to combusting gases in an engine can react either productively, by moving, or wastefully, by heating. In traditional engines an average of less than 25% of the combustion chamber's surface area is productive. In an IRIS that average rises to more than 70% of the chamber's surface area, dramatically reducing the amount of energy wasted in the form of heat.[2]
IRIS geometry makes the design more compact, lighter weight, and more powerful in comparison to piston or rotary engines of the same displacement and materials. It also offers greater valve area, reductions in friction losses, and a lower parts count. The cascading benefits of the IRIS engine's design provide the foundation for an engine that could be cleaner, more powerful, and more efficient.
Design variations
IRIS engines are designed to run on traditional fuels, but could also be adapted to use biodiesel, natural gas, or hydrogen. IRIS technology can also be utilized to create pumps, compressors and medical devices.[3]
Recognition
In January 2008, NASA engineers and a panel of experts from Ford, Boeing, and other industry leaders awarded the IRIS engine first prize for transportation technology in NASA's annual "Create the Future" design competition.[4][5]
Designers
The IRIS was conceived of by Timber Dick, a Denver, Colorado inventor and businessman. Three of his sons, Corban, Levi, and Tomicah Tillemann-Dick, also contributed to the design and are credited on patents relating to the IRIS engine.[6][7]
References
- ^ http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYM11004022008-1.htm
- ^ http://www.irisengine.com/6901/6922.html
- ^ http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=666
- ^ http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYM11004022008-1.htm
- ^ http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/prizes/winners.html
- ^ http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=0&f=S&l=50&TERM1=radial+impulse+engine&FIELD1=&co1=AND&TERM2=&FIELD2=&d=PG01
- ^ http://www.irisengine.com/599.html