Fuels, Lubricants And Additives Patents (Class 123/1A)
  • Patent number: 4568248
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the actual volume of a liquid chemical additive used to treat fuel is measured by an additive flow transducer so that a desired mix ratio can be maintained. In a first preferred embodiment, the amount of additive measured is converted to an equivalent volume treated fuel, and displayed. The user watches the display and stops adding additive when the display indicates that he has already added sufficient additive to treat the actual amount of fuel to be added to the fuel tank. In a second preferred embodiment, the user sets in the desired mix ratio and the volume of fuel that is to be added to the tank, and an electrically driven pump adds additive to the tank until a desired mix ratio obtains. In a third preferred embodiment, both the cumulative fuel flow and cumulative additive flow are sensed and the rate of additive flow is controlled by an automatic control system seeks to maintain a desired mix ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Mark R. Harders
  • Patent number: 4565548
    Abstract: A clear stable motor fuel composition having an improved octane rating comprising alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol in the amount of about 2.0 to 5.0 vol. %, ethanol in the amount of about 2.0 to 10.0 vol. %, and mixtures thereof in the amount of about 3 to 9.0 vol. %; about 2.0 to 10 vol. % of a cosolvent alcohol selected from the group consisting of tertiary butyl alcohol, isopropanol, and mixtures thereof; water to provide a total water concentration of about 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % (basis weight of motor fuel composition); about 0.01 to 3.0 weight percent (basis weight of motor fuel composition) of a nonionic ethoxylated bisphenol surfactant; and the balance of said motor fuel composition comprising gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall E. Davis, Rodney L. Sung
  • Patent number: 4563982
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for introduction of a fluid or liquid medium into working or operating chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. For the purpose and object of reduction of nitric oxide emission as well as for an improvement of the efficiency there is proposed with a method and apparatus for introduction of the fluid or liquid medium into the working or operating chamber of an internal combustion engine operated with gaseous fuels to admix the fluid continuously or intermittently as to the gaseous fuel and subsequently to blow-in the fuel or power gas/fluid or liquid mixture into the working or operating chamber of the internal combustion engine under the pressure of the fuel or power gas. Hereby there can be utilized or employed advantageously besides the water also alcohol and alcohol/water mixtures, which means media with bound OH-groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Forschungsgesellschaft fur Energietechnik und Verbrennungsmotoren mbH
    Inventors: Franz Pischinger, Robert Sollner
  • Patent number: 4557221
    Abstract: A diesel engine fuel supply system wherein additives for improving the cetane number of diesel fuel are mixed with the diesel fuel and wherein return fuel containing such additives are recirculated to the engine without being passed to the fresh fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mostafa M. Kamel, Larry D. Wells, Jerry C. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 4553504
    Abstract: A system for effecting alternate fuel fumigation in an internal combustion engine including a fuel injector nozzle located in a scroll of a supercharger compressor associated with the engine. Schedules of secondary fuel addition as a function of engine load and as a function of engine speed are also disclosed as are fluid circuits used to effect such alternate fuel addition schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinod K. Duggal, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Edward D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4550691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying a liquid-vapor fuel mixture to internal combustion engines which includes a first conventional petroleum fuel supply and a second vapor fuel supply consisting of combustible vapors which are obtained from a heated fermentation reservoir carried by a motor vehicle and in which combustible vapors are produced and wherein the first and second fuel supplies are selectively mixed before becoming introduced into the internal combustion engine which powers the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Duncan R. McWade
  • Patent number: 4547356
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogen generating system which produces hydrogen instantaneously from water ready for use upon demand. The system includes a reactor that has reaction zones wherein catalyst and elevated temperatures generate hydrogen from steam. The zones in the reactor can be in the form of tubes about a heat generating chamber, and the zones are adapted to be interconnected to each other, to atmosphere, and to the source of steam, all to maximize the generation of hydrogen by providing a reactor of optimum flexibility.The present invention also is directed to systems which include the hydrogen generating system and which utilize the generated hydrogen as a fuel or a chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Unique Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald I. Papineau
  • Patent number: 4546732
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the amount of alcohol and gasoline injected into an engine which uses a mixed fuel, where alcohol is the main fuel and gasoline is the auxiliary fuel. The fuel injection rates vary depending in part upon the temperature of the engine coolant, the position of a transmission's shifting device, engine RPM, engine air intake rate and oxygen sensor readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisao Mae, Kazuo Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 4545356
    Abstract: A liquified petroleum gas carburetor (12) receiving LPG as a liquid and through a pair of pressure regulators (20, 30) and a heat exchanger (22) reducing the liquid to a vapor for ingesting into the engine (8). The heat exchanger (22) is mounted integral with the carburetor (12) and is contiguous with the intake manifold (24) thereby providing a large thermal mass for elevating the temperature of the LPG. Connected for synchronous movement are the fuel metering valve (40) and the air metering valve (10) for each carburetor bore. The fuel metering valve moves in response to the air metering valve (10). A vacuum pressure control (66) is shown to maintain a variable fuel/air ratio in response to engine requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Casey
  • Patent number: 4531497
    Abstract: There is provided a natural gas charging system for a vehicle which has an internal combustion engine adapted to run on gasoline or on natural gas, as well as a gasoline tank adapted to feed gasoline through a carburetor to the engine. The gas charging system includes storage means such as tanks which are adapted to store natural gas under a given storage pressure, and delivery means through which natural gas can be delivered from the storage means through an air-mixing means to the carburetor of the vehicle. A compressor is adapted to receive low-pressure natural gas and to compress it up to the storage pressure, and the engine is made to drive the compressor through drive means. Conduit means are provided from the output of the compressor to the storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Eneroil Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert W. Smith
  • Patent number: 4525174
    Abstract: The control of the octane requirement increase phenomenon in a spark ignition, internal combustion engine is achieved by continuously or intermittently introducing with the combustion charge a fuel composition containing (a) an oil-soluble iron compound, (b) a volatile carboxylic acid or ester, and (c) a nonvolatile polar compound capable of solubilizing carbonaceous engine deposits, wherein said nonvolatile polar compound is introduced either simultaneously with said oil-soluble iron compound and said volatile carboxylic acid or ester during the intermission. Preferably said nonvolatile polar compound comprises an oxidation resistant hydrocarbon moiety covalently connected to a polar moiety selected from the group consisting of primary and secondary amino, formamido and sulfo radicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Union Oil Company Of California
    Inventor: Michael C. Croudace
  • Patent number: 4523548
    Abstract: A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described, which generally comprises means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which a given amount of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, has means for combining the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel with air to produce the mechanical energy therefrom necessary to move the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
    Inventors: Larry J. Engel, John W. Turko
  • Patent number: 4522158
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for the supply of a hydrocarbon fuel to an internal combustion engine. The system comprises a pressure storage vessel for storing a hydrocarbon fuel vapor under pressure, a compressor for withdrawing hydrocarbon fuel vapor from a liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank and feeding the vapor under pressure to the pressure storage vessel, a heater for maintaining the fuel vapor in a heated condition during use, and supply means leading from the pressure storage vessel for the supply of fuel vapor to an internal combustion engine during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Lester R. Wisegerber
  • Patent number: 4522159
    Abstract: A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described which generally comprises on-board means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The on-board storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The conveying means is adapted to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the on-board storing means from a stationary source of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and also to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the combining means of the prime mover during the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Michigan Consolidated Gas Co.
    Inventors: Larry J. Engel, John W. Turko
  • Patent number: 4520763
    Abstract: Discloses a fuel injection system for the timed introduction of a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen gas into a combustion volume of an internal combustion engine. The system comprises (a) a chamber of fixed volume into which, at one time, gas flows from a fuel source and out of which, at another time, gas flows to a combustion volume of an internal combustion engine and (b) means for varying the pressure of the gas flowing to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Ergenics Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin E. Lynch, Nathaniel R. Baker
  • Patent number: 4519342
    Abstract: A reactor apparatus comprisinga reaction chamber having a wall, inlet means operatively connected to a methanol source, and outlet means connected to an internal combustion engine,inner fins along the chamber wall,dissociation catalyst material within the chamber,an outer housing surrounding the reaction chamber and having an inlet connected to the exhaust of the engine and an outlet, andcombustion catalyst within the space between the chamber wall and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Conco Inc.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4519341
    Abstract: This alcohol-water injection system first electrically heats a alcohol-water mixture to a superheated gaseous state, then utilizes the vacuum conditions in the carburetor to control the flow of the gaseous alcohol-water mixture into the intake manifold of the engine where it is mixed with gasoline and air from the carburetor to power the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Inventor: Clarence D. McGarr
  • Patent number: 4516547
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel pump which draws fuel from a supply tank. A subsidiary fuel tank receives fuel from the supply by way of a conduit which incorporates a one way valve. The inlet of the pump is connected to a pipe which extends to adjacent the lower wall of the subsidiary tank. The subsidiary tank can be pressurized with air to force fuel towards the pump and a safety valve is fitted to the subsidiary tank to limit the pressure build up therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Derek Williams
  • Patent number: 4510912
    Abstract: A fuel system for use with an internal combustion engine includes primary and secondary carburetors and vaporizing apparatus. When starting the engine, liquid fuel is supplied by a fuel pump to the primary carburetor via a first switchable valve means. After the engine has warmed sufficiently, liquid fuel is prevented from reaching the primary carburetor, and instead is supplied to the vaporizing apparatus via second switchable valve means. Vaporized fuel is supplied to the primary carburetor from the vaporizing apparatus via the secondary carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Inventor: David E. Gamble
  • Patent number: 4509464
    Abstract: An internal combustion steam engine is operated with an alcohol-water fuel mixture vaporized prior to combustion by heated engine coolant that flows through a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger or vapor generator uses the waste heat from the engine coolant to heat and vaporize the alcohol-water mixture. A second heat exchanger using exhaust gases heats the combustion air before passage through the intake manifold. Complete vaporization of the alcohol fuel is accomplished to overcome the lower caloric power potential of alcohol as compared to gasoline and to insure complete and regular combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Inventor: Herbert N. W. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4508064
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas internal combustion engine provided with a hydrogen gas jet nozzle and water spray jet nozzle in the combustion chamber to directly jet hydrogen gas and the water spray therein. The sprayed water is instantly vaporized to steam by igniting the hydrogen gas thereby utilizing the combustion/explosion energy of the hydrogen gas and the steam energy generated from the vaporization of the steam in a combination to obtain mechanical dynamic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Katsuji BABA
    Inventor: Kenji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4503832
    Abstract: A system is described for improving performance of spark ignition, internal combustion engines using fuels such as liquified petroleum gas (LP-gas), which have conventionally been stored as a liquid and delivered to the engine as a vapor. This system stores such fuels as liquids (10) and delivers the fuel to the engine inlet air stream as a liquid. The absorption of heat by the vaporizing fuel lowers engine inlet air temperature, increasing its density and permitting more fuel to be burned in each cycle. Vaporizing heat in a pilot line (17) provides the cooling to the liquid fuel in the main fuel line (20) and provides fuel to maintain the engine idling. A member (27) slides within a fuel delivery chamber (25) for covering or uncovering a series of orifices (26) through which the liquid fuel passes into the inlet air stream of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Prodatek Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Pefley, James B. Pullman
  • Patent number: 4502453
    Abstract: A fuel supply passage has connections to two sources of fuel, and valves responsive to pressurization of the connections inhibit circulation of fuel from one of the sources to the other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel F. Kabasin, Donald Stoltman
  • Patent number: 4501253
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for a vehicle including an on-board compressor for recharging an associated pressure storage tank. The compressor and tank are mounted on the vehicle as a structural unit whereby the tank shields the compressor and high pressure gas flow circuits therebetween and provides a heat exchanger surface for the compressor. A regulator in series with a supply line of low pressure gas prevents gas flow when the compressor does not operate to maintain a vacuum in an intervening dispensing line. An O.sub.2 sensor disconnects the compressor motor when the percentage of O.sub.2 exceeds a predetermined safe limit. A bypass circuit allows the tank to be filled from a high pressure supply without operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Gerstmann, William M. Hauck, Robert Raymond, Paul F. Swenson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4499887
    Abstract: The dual fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine has a carburetor including a fuel/air induction passage having means defining a low pressure zone and a secondary orifice and further including a cavity communicating with the fuel induction passage through the secondary orifice. A first or primary fuel supply includes a first float bowl connected to a source of a primary fuel, such as kerosene, a first float controlled valve operable to control the supply of the primary fuel to the first float bowl, a fuel nozzle for supplying the primary fuel from the first float bowl to the low pressure zone, and a conduit connecting the first float bowl in communication with the carburetor cavity. The second or secondary fuel supply includes a second float bowl communicable with the carburetor cavity and connected to a source of a second or secondary fuel, such as gasoline, and a second float controlled valve operable to control the supply of the secondary fuel to the second float bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Henry C. Billingsley, Amos M. Clark
  • Patent number: 4499861
    Abstract: According to the method in the two-fuel system, using diesel and alcohol l, the alcohol fuel is continuously supplied with a fuel pump and the diesel fuel is discontinuously supplied with an injection pump by way of separate lines of an injection apparatus. An apparatus, which is suitable for carrying out the method, has a nozzle body (10) with the fluid-controlled needle valves (17; 18a; 18b) which are operated after the opening pressure p.sub.o, which is adjusted at the pressure springs (19; 20a; 20b), is reached by the diesel fuel conveyed through the ring conduit (12) and the pressure channels (13; 14a; 14b), in which case the opening pressure p.sub.o for the needle valve (17) is constantly adjusted to a lower value in respect of the satellite needle valves (18a; 18b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Wiegand, Klaus Baumer
  • Patent number: 4499862
    Abstract: The injection device has a nozzle body (10) wherein the liquid-controlled edle valves (17; 18) are opened by the diesel fuel supplied by an injection pump via the annular line (12) and the pressure channels (13; 14) when the opening pressure p.sub.o, which is set at the pressure springs (19; 20) by way of the pressure adjusting discs (21; 22), is reached. In this connection the two needle valves (17; 18) can be opened and closed at different times within certain limits so that at a relatively low opening pressure p.sub.o for the needle valve (17) relative to the needle valve (18) the diesel fuel issuing through the spray aperture (24) into the combustion chamber (25) serves during the entire injection period as ignition jet for the alcohol fuel issuing from one or more spray apertures (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Baumer, Herbert Wiegand
  • Patent number: 4499864
    Abstract: In a method of producing fuel for start-up to an automobile internal combustion engine which is continuously operated after start-up on alcohol and/or dissociated alcohol and/or liquid hydrocarbonthe improvement comprising the steps of:(a) providing a readily replaceable first container having an initial amount of hydride therein in fluid flow communication with said internal combustion engine,(b) heating said hydride whereby hydrogen is produced leaving a hydride product and a remainder of hydridesaid remainder of hydride being lesser in amount than said initial amount of hydride,(c) initially starting said engine,whereby hydrogen is produced from the hydride for initially starting said engine and said remainder of hydride without regeneration of hydride product is available for the next starting of said engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Lovercheck, George P. Curran
  • Patent number: 4499267
    Abstract: The additive for Otto cycle engines according to the present invention consists of a mixture of water, ethanol, methanol and butanol to which is added a determined quantity of a liquid obtained by pressing prickly pear leaves. Added in a small percentage to the fuel, gasoline, LP or methane, this additive prevents the oxidation associated with the use of water and/or alcohols in Otto cycle engines, lowers fuel consumption and allows the use of low octane fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Inventor: Mario Scifoni
  • Patent number: 4497304
    Abstract: The invention comprises a system for introducing gaseous or vaporized fuels into a carburetor from a storage tank including a regulator connected between the tank and the carburetor for providing a supply of hydrocarbon fuel in a gaseous state at a regulated vapor pressure to a mixing chamber having air and fuel intake ports to blend said hydrocarbon fuel with intake air for injection into the carburetor. In a typical installation, the pressure change of the vacuum manifold alters the pressure within the mixing chamber to draw in fuel and air in proportion to a near constant equivalence ratio, due to the respective areas of the intake ports, over the entire operating range of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Dual Fuels Associates Corporation
    Inventors: Reginald Wintrell, Vaughn R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4495930
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable on two kinds of fuel properly selected according to engine operating conditions. A control system is provided which controls the total amount of fuel supplied to the engine in response to intake air flow and controls the ratio between the amounts of the two kinds of fuel supplied to the engine in response to engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yasuo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 4495900
    Abstract: A methane-powered vehicle can utilize methane which is stored as the fuel in a pressurizable tank containing a solid filling which enables a packing density of methane in adsorbed or otherwise trapped form to exceed 10 times the density of the methane at room temperature and a pressure of about 10 bar. The filling can be readily charged with the methane or can release the methane for powering the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Rolf Stockmeyer
  • Patent number: 4494488
    Abstract: A fuel charging system injects liquid nitrous oxide into the engine of a high performance vehicle to provide an instant burst of power to the vehicle. A supply cylinder of pressurized liquid nitrous oxide is connected by an outlet conduit to the vehicle engine. A cylinder of nitrogen gas under a considerably higher pressure than that of the nitrous oxide is connected to the nitrous oxide cylinder by an inlet conduit. The nitrogen gas inlet conduit and nitrous oxide outlet conduit are connected to the nitrous oxide cylinder by an adapter valve. The nitrogen gas passes through a pressure regulator located in the inlet conduit and maintains a high pressure blanket of gas above the nitrous oxide in the cylinder to force the nitrous oxide from the cylinder and into the engine at a constant and sustained rate eliminating the heretofore rapid drop in the supply pressure of the nitrous oxide as the supply of nitrous oxide is dissipated from the supply cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ram Automotive Company
    Inventor: William M. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 4494487
    Abstract: An engine efficiency device is provided for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine having an air intake means, such as a carburetor, for mixing fuel with the inducted air to form a combustible charge for the engine. The engine efficiency device comprises a source of petroleum distillates and a pump which feeds the petroleum distillates from the source and into the inducted air flow to the engine continuously during the operation of the engine. In the preferred form of the invention, the petroleum distillate is an aliphatic petroleum naptha-mineral spirit produced by the process of alkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: John Nixon
  • Patent number: 4488517
    Abstract: A method of cold starting an internal combustion engine operated on atomized liquid fuel after start up comprising the steps of:heating a vaporization means with an electrical resistance heating element,heating a catalytic dissociation reactor with an electrical resistance element,pumping liquid alcohol to said heated vaporization means to form a vaporized alcohol,conveying air and vaporized alcohol to said catalytic dissociation reactor wherein partial combustion of said vaporized alcohol occurs as well as dissociation of said vaporized alcohol to form a partial start up fuel mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,pumping liquid alcohol to an atomization means to form atomized liquid alcohol,adding said partial start up fuel mixture and said atomized liquid alcohol to form a complete start up fuel mixture,conveying said complete start up fuel mixture to said internal combustion engine,starting said internal combustion engine by igniting a mixture of air and complete start up fuel mixture therewithin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4483303
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating fuel supply to a liquefied petroleum gas engine comprising a housing divided by a lower chamber passing through the fuel in liquid phase from a fuel supply to a vaporizer and an upper chamber connected to a carburetor of the engine passing through the fuel in gas phase from the vaporizer to the carburetor by a partition wall having a passage therein, the composition of the fuel being determined in temperature and vapor pressure of the fuel in liquid phase in the lower chamber, the flow of the fuel in gas phase from the passage in the partition wall to the upper chamber being controlled by valve means actuated in response to the temperature and the pressure of the fuel in liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Carbureter Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norikazu Ishikawa, Masanori Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 4482353
    Abstract: Coking in and around the injector nozzle of indirect injection compression ignition engines is reduced by means of distillate fuel with which has been blended suitable concentrations of(a) organic nitrate ignition accelerator,(b) copolymer of an alpha-olefin having from 8 to 30 carbon and an N-substituted maleimide wherein the N-substituents are organic radicals having from 3 to 60 carbons and from 1 to 5 amine nitrogens, said copolymer having from 4 to 20 repeating olefin-maleimide units, and(c) hydrocarbyl amine having from 3 to 60 carbons and from 1 to 10 nitrogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: J. Vincent Hanlon
  • Patent number: 4481908
    Abstract: A closed loop fuel control system for an automobile internal combustion engine, which derives a control signal indicative of the air-fuel mixing ratio and adapted to control the supply of a mixture of gasoline with alcohol to maintain the air-fuel mixing ratio at a stoichiometric value is used to control either the ignition timing or the rate of supply of exhaust gases being recirculated through the EGR system. This is applicable where as an automobile fuel, a mixture of air with blended fuel comprising, for example, gasoline and alcohol is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Iida
  • Patent number: 4480595
    Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an auxiliary fuel system which utilizes anhydrous ammonia dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen gas for use as an auxiliary fuel with the hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture of the engine. The improvements provide for feeding ammonia gas from a relief valve on a storage tank for anhydrous ammonia into the bottom of the windshield wiper container for a vehicle having water therein to absorb the ammonia to prevent the release of the ammonia to the atmosphere. The improvements also provide for a first auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate the ammonia utilizing the exhaust heat of the engine and a second auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate ammonia until the engine generates sufficient heat for the operation of the first dissociator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventors: William M. Hobby, Joseph M. Valdespino
  • Patent number: 4478177
    Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine (10, 90) having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers which utilizes ammonia gas as an auxiliary fuel which is partially dissociated and added to the fuel-air mixture of the engine (10, 90). The dissociated ammonia allows the engine to have its fuel-air ratio leaned down well below the misfire limits of hydrocarbon fuel and air to thereby improve the mileage of a vehicle and reduce certain pollutants in the exhaust of the engine. The ammonia is stored in a liquefied state under pressure in a storage container (24, 98) and is fed to a dissociator (28) including a heater (30, 106) using heat from the engine's exhaust and a catalyst chamber (31, 107) and is then fed to the engine (10, 90). The partially dissociated ammonia being fed to the engine is metered simultaneously with the changing of the fuel-air mixture and is controlled to lean the normal fuel-air mixture down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: Joseph M. Valdespino
  • Patent number: 4475483
    Abstract: A system for delivering a catalyst into a forced draft entry port of a chemical reaction chamber, such as a fossil-fuel combustion chamber, includes a container having an aqueous solution of the catalyst. A suction line extends from an air space above the solution to the entry port. An intake line at atmospheric pressure enters the container and has an end submerged below the surface of the aqueous solution, the submerged end having a float for maintaining the end at a predetermined distance below the surface and thereby establishing a predetermined back pressure. A layer of oil floats on top of the aqueous solution and may contain a second dissolved catalyst. The air from the intake line bubbles up through the aqueous solution and the oil layer absorbing minute quantities of the catalysts which are carried by the air into the reaction chamber. Rhenium and manganese catalysts improve the efficiency of fossil-fuel combustion such as that of the home oil burner and the automotive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Barnett J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4475484
    Abstract: An apparatus for the catalytic transformation of fuel for use with an internal combustion engine is described. The apparatus comprises a catalytic reactor in the form of a chamber containing catalytic material, and through which liquid or vaporized fuel is passed, the reactor chamber being in close thermal communication with the exhaust gases leaving the internal combustion engine. Said reactor chamber is either placed within the exhaust gas chamber of the engine exhaust manifold, or in very close proximity thereto. In a preferred arrangement, there are two reactor chambers in series, one being formed within the exhaust manifold of the engine, and the other being mounted closely adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventors: Antonio V. Filho, Pietrangelo V. De Biase
  • Patent number: 4465028
    Abstract: Nitric acid esters of monosaccharides and/or polysaccharides can be used as ignition improvers for alcoholic fuels for internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Waniczek, Herbert Bartl, Klaus Kruger
  • Patent number: 4454850
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for liberation of energy by controlled nuclear fusion reaction involving isotopes of hydrogen gas. Highly ionized hydrogen gas containing a higher proportion of deuterium than in naturally occurring hydrogen is pressurized, together with an oxidizing gas within combustion chamber of reciprocating piston and cylinder engine. An electrical discharge within the combustion chamber causes generation of heat by atomic dissociation and exothermal recombination of hydrogen atoms and electrical excitation of ionized gas. Ionized deuterium in the hydrogen gas undergoes a nuclear fusion reaction with consequent liberation of heat energy and remaining hydrogen gas burns in the oxidizing gas to provide control on fusion reaction. Apparatus for producing ionized hydrogen gas in appropriate form by treatment of normal industrial hydrogen gas is disclosed, and also gas mixing apparatus for mixing the ionized hydrogen with atmospheric air as the oxidizing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Beeston Company Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Horvath
  • Patent number: 4453502
    Abstract: Combustion control in a spark ignited internal combustion engine for inhibition of incipient detonation, or knock, is provided by the addition of exhaust gases or other diluent gases to the intake manifold of the engine prior to opening of the intake valve. The addition of this diluent gas causes a prestratification of the charge entering the combustion chamber of the engine. Upon compression and ignition of the charge, the diluent gas inhibits spontaneous combustion of the portions of the charge furthest away from the site of ignition of the charge, thereby preventing one cause of incipient detonation. This combustion control allows the engine to operate on much lower octane fuel than would be possible without prestratification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin L. Resler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4447246
    Abstract: An improvement in the cetane number of diesel fuels is achieved through the addition of a small, but effective, amount of a dithiocarbamate or a sulfonamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Clifford E. Smith, Harold W. Mark, Rector P. Louthan, Howard F. Efner
  • Patent number: 4446830
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of the spark ignition type with a fuel having a high latent heat of vaporization such as methanol by injecting the fuel in two stages, the first major portion of the fuel being injected at the start of the intake stroke into a bowl-in-piston cavity combustion chamber to be vaporized and atomized, the second smaller portion being injected late in the compression stroke just prior to ignition to remain close to the injector tip to richen the mixture adjacent the spark plug, and igniting the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Aladar O. Simko, Peter H. Havstad, Joseph A. Harrington
  • Patent number: 4444158
    Abstract: A method of methyl alcohol treatment and distribution for an automobile internal combustion engine including the sequence of steps as follows:(a) heating a catalyst bed reactor to a start-up temperature using exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine being operated on atomized methyl alcohol; the catalyst bed reactor including a partial combustion catalyst and a methanol dissociation catalyst;(b) isolating the catalyst bed reactor from the exhaust;(c) vaporizing liquid methyl alcohol to form alcohol vapor;(d) mixing the alcohol vapor with air in a constant ratio of oxygen to alcohol at variable alcohol flow rates, to form a partial combustion mixture;(e) contacting the partial combustion mixture and the partial combustion catalyst to exothermically form dissociation mixtures the dissociation mixture including methanol vapor, water vapor, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen each in substantial proportion;(f) contacting the dissociation mixture and the dissociation catalyst to endothermically form hydrogen-rich
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4444166
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combusting diesel, gasoline, kerosene, alcohol and other compression ignition fuels in either direct or indirect injection compression auto ignition internal combustion engines which enables such engines to operate at low compressions. The apparatus includes an ignition chamber which functions to receive a portion of the incoming fuel charge thereby concentrating such portion in an area separate from the auxiliary or primary combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Kovacs Research Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Geza Kovacs, Mihaly Kovacs, Endre Kovacs, Peter Kovacs
  • Patent number: 4444159
    Abstract: An acetylene gas generator is comprised of inner and outer nested chambers in which the inner chamber has a plurality of trays inserted therein, with a grid located above each tray. Water is provided to the inner chamber and is dispersed throughout the inner chamber by the grids to the trays containing calcium carbide or like material. Space between the inner and outer chambers is used to provide liquid cooling of the inner chamber.The generator can be used for a variety of purposes including the provision of acetylene for primary or auxiliary power for an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: Gregory K. Earl