Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: estimating progress level of oxidation reaction in reformer; and controlling operation of reform unit based on progress level of oxidation reaction estimated.

Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.

Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: estimating progress level of oxidation reaction in reformer; and controlling operation of reform unit based on progress level of oxidation reaction estimated.

Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.

Abstract: A fuel reforming system to reform a fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine includes a reformer, a first filter, and a first flow path. The reformer includes a reforming catalyst to reform a fuel including a hydrocarbon to produce an alcohol and benzoic acid as a by-product using air. The first filter includes a sodium catalyst to trap the benzoic acid produced by the reforming catalyst. The alcohol produced by the reforming catalyst passes through the first filter. Air passes through the first filter to reform the benzoic acid to phenol. The phenol is mixed with the alcohol produced by the reforming catalyst via the first flow path. Alternatively, the phenol is directly supplied to the internal combustion engine as a fuel via the first flow path.

Abstract: A fuel reforming device includes a reformer, a mixer, and a condenser. The condenser includes a first casing, a second casing, a fluid mixture flow portion, and a gas-liquid separator. The first casing extends from a bottom portion side of the condenser to an upper portion side of the condenser opposite to the bottom portion side to serve as an outer shell of a main body of the condenser. The second casing is disposed inside the first casing and extends from the bottom portion side to the upper portion side so that a prescribed space is provided between an inner surface of the first casing and an outer surface of the second casing. The fluid mixture flow portion is provided in the prescribed space so that a gas-liquid fluid mixture passes through the fluid mixture flow portion.

Abstract: A mixer to mix a fuel with air includes plural fluid inlets, at least one fluid outlet, a casing, a plurality of stirring blades, and a particle material or a porous material. The casing has a substantially tubular shape extending in an axial direction of the casing between the plural fluid inlets and the at least one fluid outlet. The plurality of stirring blades are provided in the casing to align in the axial direction so that a torsional turning direction of the plurality of stirring blades is sequentially reversed in an order of alignment. The particle material or a porous material is disposed in the casing to fill an entire space containing the plurality of stirring blades from the plural fluid inlets to the at least one fluid outlet. Sizes of gaps existing in the entire space are less than a quenching distance of the fuel.

Abstract: A heat accumulator includes a thermally insulated heat storage vessel having an opening formed in a bottom wall thereof, a quantity of heat accumulating medium arranged within the vessel, and a fluid circulation tube of double tube structure inserted from the opening into the vessel and extending vertically upward toward a top wall of the vessel for introducing a fluid into the vessel or discharging the fluid out of the vessel. The heat accumulator further includes a heat-insulating layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the fluid circulation tube and extending over at least a longitudinal portion of the fluid circulation tube extending from the bottom wall of the vessel in an upward direction to a predetermined height of the vessel.

Abstract: A warming-up system for vehicle includes: a heat storage device having a heat storage element; a first heat transfer medium circuit for causing a first heat transfer medium to circulate through the heat storage device; and a second heat transfer medium circuit for causing a second heat transfer medium to circulate through the heat storage device. The first and second heat transfer mediums flow into first and second warming-up targets, respectively. The heat storage device includes a first chamber in communication with the first heat transfer medium circuit, a second chamber in which the heat storage element is arranged, and a third chamber in communication with the second heat transfer medium circuit. Heat exchange can be carried out among the first heat transfer medium of the first chamber, the heat storage element of the second chamber and the second heat transfer medium of the third chamber.

Abstract: A heat accumulator includes a thermally insulated heat storage vessel having an opening formed in a bottom wall thereof, a quantity of heat accumulating medium arranged within the vessel, and a fluid circulation tube of double tube structure inserted from the opening into the vessel and extending vertically upward toward a top wall of the vessel for introducing a fluid into the vessel or discharging the fluid out of the vessel. The heat accumulator further includes a heat-insulating layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the fluid circulation tube and extending over at least a longitudinal portion of the fluid circulation tube extending from the bottom wall of the vessel in an upward direction to a predetermined height of the vessel.

Abstract: A heat storing device for exchanging heat energy between a heat storing material and a fluid. The heat storing device has a heat storing module having heat storing material spaces filled with a heat storing material and fluid passages for a fluid to flow through adjacent to the heat storing material spaces. The heat storing module includes multiple plates in a stack. Each of the multiple plates has fluid passages in one side thereof. In mutually adjacent pairs of plates, the sides having the fluid passages face each other. When each pair of plates is seen face-on, with respect to the fluid passages of one of the plates, the fluid passages of the other plate intersect substantially at right angles, and the fluid passages of the two plates connect at these positions where they intersect.

Abstract: Appropriate amount of brazing material is put on each of inner and outer recessed portions of a first heat storing element. Then, the first heat storing element is placed close to and substantially parallel to a second heat storing element, and an inner projected portion of the second heat storing element is fitted into the inner recessed portion of the first heat storing element, and simultaneously an outer projected portion of the second heat storing element is fitted into the outer recessed portion of the first heat storing element.

Abstract: As a heat storage unit wherein, the volume variation of a heat storage material can be absorbed without an accompanying decrease in heat capacity, decrease in heat transfer coefficient, and oxidation and deterioration of the heat storage material due to oxygen in the air, so that the heat storage capacity can be adequately maintained and high performance can be attained, and moreover, the number of parts and the cost can be reduced, there is provided on the outside of a main member having; a fluid passage formation section which forms a fluid passage for circulating a fluid introduced from an inlet, on the inside of an outer wall section, and a heat storage material filling space formation section which forms a heat storage material filling space for filling with a heat storage material for which the volume varies corresponding to the heat storage condition, adjacent to the fluid passage, a passage switching section which selectively switches a flow-in destination of a fluid introduced from the inlet by the p

Abstract: A heat storing device for exchanging heat energy between a heat storing material and a fluid. The heat storing device has a heat storing module having heat storing material spaces filled with a heat storing material and fluid passages for a fluid to flow through adjacent to the heat storing material spaces. The heat storing module includes multiple plates in a stack. Each of the multiple plates has fluid passages in one side thereof. In mutually adjacent pairs of plates, the sides having the fluid passages face each other. When each pair of plates is seen face-on, with respect to the fluid passages of one of the plates, the fluid passages of the other plate intersect substantially at right angles, and the fluid passages of the two plates connect at these positions where they intersect.

Abstract: A heat storage apparatus comprises a heat storage material accommodation cell for accommodating therein a heat storage material having an electricity conductive characteristic and configured to be electrically heated, and a fluid passageway for allowing a heat exchanging fluid to flow therethrough, the fluid passageway being adjacent to the heat storage material accommodation cell via a bulkhead. The heat storage material accommodation cell and the fluid passageway are put in a spiral configuration together with the bulkhead in a heat storage main body of the heat storage apparatus. Heat held in the heat storage material is transferred to the heat exchanging fluid so as to be taken out of the heat storage apparatus.

Abstract: As a heat storage unit wherein, the volume variation of a heat storage material can be absorbed without an accompanying decrease in heat capacity, decrease in heat transfer coefficient, and oxidation and deterioration of the heat storage material due to oxygen in the air, so that the heat storage capacity can be adequately maintained and high performance can be attained, and moreover, the number of parts and the cost can be reduced, there is provided on the outside of a main member having; a fluid passage formation section which forms a fluid passage for circulating a fluid introduced from an inlet, on the inside of an outer wall section, and a heat storage material filling space formation section which forms a heat storage material filling space for filling with a heat storage material for which the volume varies corresponding to the heat storage condition, adjacent to the fluid passage, a passage switching section which selectively switches a flow-in destination of a fluid introduced from the inlet by the p

Abstract: A heat storage apparatus comprises a heat storage material accommodation cell for accommodating therein a heat storage material having an electricity conductive characteristic and configured to be electrically heated, and a fluid passageway for allowing a heat exchanging fluid to flow therethrough, the fluid passageway being adjacent to the heat storage material accommodation cell via a bulkhead. The heat storage material accommodation cell and the fluid passageway are put in a spiral configuration together with the bulkhead in a heat storage main body of the heat storage apparatus. Heat held in the heat storage material is transferred to the heat exchanging fluid so as to be taken out of the heat storage apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle seat temperature conditioner includes a Peltier element, a heat exchanger for performing a heat exchange between heat generated or absorbed by the Peltier element and air transferred from a blower, and a case housing the Peltier element and heat exchanger together so as to provide the temperature conditioner as an independent self-contained unit or module. The housing case is made of a resilient and flexible material and functions also as a connector for coupling with an air intake pipe to introduce air from a blower into the vehicle seat temperature conditioner and with an air discharge pipe to discharge temperature-conditioned air from the temperature conditioner to air holes formed in the vehicle seat.