Generating Plants Patents (Class 123/3)
  • Publication number: 20110008694
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Kyoichi Tange, Norihiko Nakamura, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa
  • Publication number: 20110005473
    Abstract: A hydrogen supply device which generates hydrogen from hydrogen storing material which chemically stores hydrogen by a catalyst, wherein said device comprises valves on the fuel supply port and the exhaust port, and a valve controller which controls timing to opening and close the valves. Fuel supply pressure is 2 to 20 atm. Hydrogen generation pressure is 5 to 300 atm. Exhaust pressure is atmospheric pressure to 0.01 atm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Takao Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kanemoto, Masafumi Noujima, Takeyuki Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20110006544
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator comprising an enclosure, a series of spaced plates contained within the enclosure and defining between them liquidtight cells, with a plate forming a first wall of each cell of a nobler material than a plate forming a second wall of that cell, and where a first place of the series is an anode arranged to be connected to a power supply and the last plate of the series is a cathode arranged to be connected to a power supply, an inlet to each cell arranged to allow an electrolyte to flow into the cell, and an outlet from each cell arranged to allow an electrolyte and hydrogen gas to flow out of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: David Geurts
  • Publication number: 20100326374
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a chamber having a longitudinal centreline, inlet valving operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into the chamber for combustion therein to provide a pressure increase and outlet valving operable to release an outflow of liquid from the chamber under the influence of that pressure increase as an energy output of the chamber. The chamber has a flowpath defined therein for flow of the liquid towards the outlet valving. The flowpath diverges from centreline in a downstream direction thereof and has a cross-section area in a direction perpendicular to the centreline that remains substantially equal or decreases in the downstream direction of the flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Nigel Alexander Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7856714
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting for electrical power generation an internal combustion engine (including a plurality of pistons connected to a common crankshaft) includes applying to at least one and optionally to each piston a power converter operable to convert mechanical energy of the piston to and from electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, William H. Gates, III, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 7856950
    Abstract: An ethanol fuel reforming system for internal combustion engines performs a reaction of reforming ethanol into diethyl ether at a constant temperature with stability. The system has a reformer for containing a reforming catalyst, a first heat exchanger for heating a heating medium with the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, a second heat exchanger for heating an ethanol fuel with the heating medium, and heating medium circulating means for circulating the heating medium. The heating medium makes distribution of temperature in the reformer uniform. The heating medium heats the reformer and the ethanol fuel to an identical temperature. The reformer is an ethanol fuel channel filled with the catalyst, and the ethanol fuel channel is bent in the reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Kuzuoka, Junichi Kamio
  • Publication number: 20100319636
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) comprises a chamber (12), inlet valving (24, 26) operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into that chamber for combustion in that chamber to provide a pressure increase in that chamber, outlet valving (16) operable to release an outflow of liquid from that chamber under an influence of that pressure increase as an energy output of that chamber and an output storage device (14) for receiving that outflow of liquid from that chamber. That output storage device (14) is arranged such that that outflow of liquid is released into a region of that output storage device that is maintained substantially free of stored liquid at least while that liquid flows into that output storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Nigel Alexander Buchanan, Ian Kurt Rosen
  • Publication number: 20100319635
    Abstract: Improved alcohol reforming processes and reformed alcohol power systems utilizing those processes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the alcohol reforming processes utilize a thermally conductive reforming catalyst that allows efficient, low-temperature reforming of an alcohol fuel to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising hydrogen. The present invention makes possible the efficient utilization of alcohol fuels in an internal combustion engine to generate electrical or mechanical power such as in vehicular applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: David A. Morgenstern
  • Publication number: 20100307431
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) comprises a chamber (12), inlet valving (24, 26) operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into the chamber for combustion in the chamber to provide a pressure increase in the chamber, outlet valving (16) operable to release an outflow of liquid from the chamber under the influence of that pressure increase as an energy output of the chamber, input valving (136) for selectively admitting a heated aqueous fluid into chamber and a supply system (130, 132, 134) for supplying heated aqueous fluid to the input valving. The input valving is arranged to admit the heated aqueous fluid into a region of the chamber in which combustion of the combustible mixture occurs such that at least a portion of the heated aqueous fluid will dissociate to provide hydrogen that is combusted in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Nigel Alexander Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7845315
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a membrane dividing the fuel tank into at least a first and second portion, the membrane preferentially diffusing a substance from a mixture, the substance having an increased knock suppression relative to the mixture, and a controller adjusting delivery of condensed water to the tank responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20100300381
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic reactor and related methods for supplementing the air-intake of an internal combustion engine with hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: James Harper
  • Publication number: 20100300382
    Abstract: Fuel reforming catalysts 28 generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas when they come into contact with exhaust gas that contains a reforming fuel. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors 58, 60 are respectively installed upstream and downstream of the fuel reforming catalysts 28. The upstream air-fuel ratio sensor 58 outputs a upstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 60 outputs a downstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration by using zirconia's oxygen detection capability and a change of a diffusion layer's hydrogen-concentration-dependent oxygen detection capability. An ECU 50 detects the hydrogen concentration without being affected by the oxygen concentration through the use of the upstream sensor signal in which only the oxygen concentration is reflected and the downstream sensor signal in which the oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration are reflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Yahagi, Isamu Nakada, Keiichiro Aoki, Takanori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100288211
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for burning liquid ammonia in an energy device such as a diesel engine, boiler or gas turbine. In particular, the process and apparatus include mixing a renewable fuel with a low flame speed and high ignition temperature, e.g., ammonia, with a combustible liquid fossil or bio-fuel and supplying the mixture into a closed fuel loop where part is efficiently burned in an engine combustion chamber, and part is used to cool the engine and returned by the loop for mixture with fresh incoming fuel mixture. The invention provides for the mixing and emulsifying in such a way that vapour lock is avoided. In the loop, the mixture is emulsified into a disperse distribution of fuel droplets such that upon injection of a portion into the combustion chamber, the renewable fuel in an emulsified droplet evaporates, mixes with the air and forms a small combustion cell surrounding the liquid fuel droplet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Vito Agosta
  • Publication number: 20100288212
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a system and apparatus for direct retrofit into any internal combustion engine a system and apparatus for an engine that uses only water as the raw fuel sources hydrogen, oxygen, and steam. The system is designed for on demand conversion of distilled water to hydrogen, oxygen and a slight amount of water vapor. Sensors, minor chamber modifications are the only minor changes to the original or OEM system provides an elegant answer to a question of alternative energy. With addition of multiple heat exchange units or steam generators, surplus energy is made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Norman Williams
  • Publication number: 20100282188
    Abstract: A method and reactor suitable for reformation of fuels at low temperatures is disclosed. The method includes introducing an oxidized porous metal felts with a catalyst powder in a reaction chamber having a heat exchange relationship with a heat-providing chamber, vaporizing a liquid mixture of alcohol and water using an lconel tubing, and introducing the vaporized liquid into the reaction chamber for producing a methane gas. The fuel reforming reactor includes a heat-providing chamber in a heat exchange relationship with at least one reaction chamber. Each reaction chamber having an aluminum shim lining on at least one interior surface. Each reaction chamber accommodating a catalyst powder and an oxidized porous metal felt. The catalyst powder loaded onto the oxidized porous metal felt to facilitate production of methane gas from alcohol for use with the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Anand Chellappa, Donovan A. Pena, John K. Hughes, Duraiswamy Kandaswamy
  • Publication number: 20100282189
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust gas cleaner by which nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas can be efficiently removed in a wide temperature range from a low temperature. The exhaust gas cleaner (10) is for use in purifying the exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine (15) in which fuel is fed under periodical rich or lean conditions and burned. The cleaner (10) comprises: a reforming means (11) which generates a reforming gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a means of low-temperature oxidation (12) which contains palladium and which thereby can oxidize and adsorb nitrogen oxides at low temperatures and oxidize the hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and a purifying means (13) which under lean conditions adsorbs nitrogen oxides and which under rich conditions releases the adsorbed nitrogen oxides and removes the released nitrogen oxides with the hydrogen and carbon monoxide present in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Ishimaru, Jun Iwamoto, Go Motohashi, Hitoshi Mikami
  • Publication number: 20100275858
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a water reservoir and a fuel cell in fluid communication with the water reservoir. An oxygen line is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen fuel cell and receives and transports oxygen away from the fuel cell. A hydrogen line is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and receives and transports hydrogen away from the fuel cell. An engine gas interface is fluidly coupled to the oxygen line and the hydrogen line, and operatively coupled to an engine intake. The engine gas interface receives oxygen and hydrogen from the oxygen and hydrogen lines, and introduces the hydrogen and oxygen into the engine intake. A vibration sensor is operatively coupled to the engine gas interface to detect engine vibration of the internal combustion engine, and deactivates the fuel when the sensor does not detect vibration from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Arthur Jeffs, Heber Barlow
  • Publication number: 20100275859
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for supplementing fuel for an internal combustion engine by applying a current across a cathode and an anode in an aqueous electrolyte solution to generate fuel gas such as hydrogen; directing the fuel gas to fill a collapsible bag; directing the fuel gas past the collapsible bag to the internal combustion engine when the collapsible bag is full; and allowing the fuel gas that filled the collapsible bag to be drawn into the engine when the engine requires a fuel boost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Alternative Power Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark N. Klotz
  • Patent number: 7823570
    Abstract: A process for operating a compression ignition internal combustion engine in combination with a catalytic partial oxidation reformer and, optionally, an exhaust gas aftertreater, wherein: (a) a mixture of a first fuel and air, wherein the first fuel comprises Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel, is introduced in the combustion chamber of the engine; (b) exhaust gas is discharged from the engine and optionally partly recirculated to the combustion chamber of the engine; (c) a second fuel and oxygen and/or steam are supplied to the catalytic partial oxidation reformer to produce synthesis gas, wherein the second fuel comprises Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel; (d) at least part of the synthesis gas is supplied to: (i) the exhaust gas aftertreater; (ii) the combustion chamber of the engine; or to both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Roger Francis Cracknell, Gert Jan Kramer, Eric Johannes Vos
  • Publication number: 20100270810
    Abstract: A system for generating energy using the rotating wheels of a vehicle and for collecting such energy is provided. An alternative system for powering vehicle engines using relatively inexpensive fuel sources is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Raanan Liebermann
  • Patent number: 7819091
    Abstract: A water electrolysis unit delivers hydrogen to an internal combustion engine. The electrolysis unit comprises an outer housing and an inner container. Between the outer housing and the inner container is a space for the collection of gases. The upper portion of the inner container is provided with a series of alternating peaks and valleys. At the tops of the peaks are louvered openings which permit the gases formed in the electrolysis to enter the space between the inner container and the outer housing. At the bottom of each valley of the inner container are a plurality of electrically conductive sleeves. The bottom of the inner container is provided with a series of troughs which are disposed beneath the valleys and in which the lower ends of the conductive sleeves are received. Each sleeve is provided with a plurality of holes which are disposed on the outside of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: James T. Sego
  • Publication number: 20100268442
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine employing PCCI combustion, capable of realizing high-stability operation of the engine throughout a large operation area, is provided. The engine control device comprises a fuel supply system which supplies light oil or mixed fuel containing light oil to the engine, a gas supply system which supplies hydrogen to the engine, and a required premixed gas calculating unit which previously stores and uses multiple combustion waveforms (changing depending on hydrogen addition concentration) as data. The required premixed gas calculating unit selects one of the combustion waveforms so as to achieve high thermal efficiency depending on the status of the engine and determines the hydrogen addition concentration (addition concentration of the hydrogen to be supplied to the engine) corresponding to the selected combustion waveform, by which the generation of PM and NOx can be reduced while also improving the thermal efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Kabashima, Yasuhiro Urata, Kazushi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100242453
    Abstract: A power system has an energy conversion device and a volume expansion engine. The energy conversion device is configured to receive fuel, implement an electro-chemical process to generate an electrical output, and produce a first exhaust flow. The volume expansion engine is configured to receive the first exhaust flow, combust the first exhaust flow to generate a power output, and produce a second exhaust flow directed into the energy conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Darrin A. Johnston, Brian D. Terrell, John C. Lauper, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100242864
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system, which upgrades exhaust gas purification while curtailing an increase in an operating cost, is disclosed. The exhaust gas purification system comprises an SCR catalyst for reducing and removing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas from an engine (10) by bringing the nitrogen oxides into contact with a reducing agent, oxidation catalysts (11, 17) for oxidizing gas components in the exhaust gas, a water electrolysis device (24) for producing oxygen by electrolyzing water, and an oxygen supply pipe (29) for supplying the oxygen produced by the water electrolysis device (24) to the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masazumi Tanoura, Shuuji Fujii, Masatoshi Katsuki, Daishi Ueno, Yuko Ujihara
  • Publication number: 20100236938
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a fuel additive comprises a canister having an inlet and an outlet. An electrode may be concentrically aligned within the canister and project from the canister. A plurality of electrode plates may be included, the plates generally concentric to the electrode. A plurality of insulation layers may also be included, wherein each insulation layer may be disposed between the plates. The apparatus may also include a transparent column externally mounted to the canister. A ball may be disposed in the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Lynell Braught, John R. Lersch
  • Patent number: 7801668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling combustion in a pilot ignition gas engine connected to an electric generator of a power generator unit installed near a coal mine. The engine utilizes recovered methane gas and ventilation air methane gas from the coal mine by adjusting methane concentration to produce a lean air-methane gas mixture. Gas engine output torque is controlled to maintain |?Td|?|?Ts|>0, where |?Td| is the absolute value of change rate of load torque Td required to drive the generator in relation to engine rotation speed, and |?Ts| is the absolute value of change rate of output torque Ts in relation to engine rotation speed at an intersection of torque curves. Excess air ratio is controlled to be 2 or larger so that lean mixture burning is performed while avoiding misfiring and knocking by controlling the mixing ratio of recovered methane gas with ventilation air methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuninori Ito, Michio Abe
  • Publication number: 20100229807
    Abstract: A fuel consumption reduction apparatus is implemented in an automobile and utilizes a magnetic device to magnetize fuel oil within a fuel pipe. Besides, the apparatus also utilizes an electrolytic device to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen gases. Then, the oxygen gas generated from the electrolytic device and magnetized fuel oil are introduced into an engine. Because the oxygen gas and the magnetized fuel oil respectively have opposite charges, fuel combustion is much more perfect and fast. Then, power from fuel combustion is significantly increased. The present invention brings a less damage against environment in addition to energy saving and power increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: JEN-SHENG LUNG
  • Publication number: 20100224141
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable with a mixed fuel composed of alcohol and gasoline and excellent in fuel efficiency and durability. A separator separates the mixed fuel, which is composed of gasoline and ethanol, into high-concentration ethanol and high-concentration gasoline. A reforming fuel supply device supplies the high-concentration ethanol, as a reforming fuel, into an exhaust gas removed through a branch pipe. A fuel reforming catalyst supported in a reforming chamber within a heat exchanger works to cause a reforming reaction between the high-concentration ethanol and exhaust gas and generate a reformed gas that contains H2 and CO. The reformed gas is supplied into an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine via a reformed gas conduit pipe. The separated high-concentration ethanol and high-concentration gasoline are remixed by a mixer and supplied from a fuel injection device to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Nakada
  • Publication number: 20100224142
    Abstract: An exhaust cleaning method and exhaust cleaning apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) in which a fuel is fed and burned under periodical rich/lean combustion conditions. In a fuel reformer (18) disposed independently of an exhaust channel (11) in the engine (1), the fuel for the internal combustion engine (1) is reformed to produce a reformed gas containing carbon monoxide. The reformed gas is supplied to the exhaust to be introduced into an exhaust converter (17) having, disposed therein, a catalyst which adsorbs and reduces nitrogen oxides. The nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are adsorbed and reduced. Thus, the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust are removed at a high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jun Iwamoto, Go Motohashi, Naohiro Sato, Hiroshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 7789048
    Abstract: A method for providing fuel for vehicle or power plant engines, including disassociating water into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis and catalysing the reformation of water vapor by spark catalysis is disclosed. The apparatus according to the invention incorporates utilization of a steam turbine and solar panels to provide additional electrical energy for electrolysis of the water fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Ray Stratton Coffey, Jr., Jacob D. Cox
  • Patent number: 7788925
    Abstract: The vehicle power generation system, which is mounted on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine as a travel drive power source, and a cooling device for cooling the internal combustion engine by use of coolant containing one of alcohol and ether, includes a fuel cell generating electric energy by electrochemical reaction between one of alcohol and ether as fuel and oxidant in the fuel cell, and a fuel supply device operating to supply one of alcohol and ether contained in the coolant to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsurou Kikuchi, Hiroyuki Usami, Akira Kato, Hisayoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 7789047
    Abstract: A hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine that uses liquid hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen gas as fuel, which improves mixability of liquid hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen gas and reduces the number of parts required for a fuel supply that supplies the two types of fuel. The hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection device injecting hydrocarbon fuel; a fuel supply supplying hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel injection device; and a microbubble generation device generating microbubbles of hydrogen gas and mixing the generated microbubbles of hydrogen gas into liquid hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel supply. The hydrogen gas microbubbles are supplied, for instance, to a fuel supply path and fuel tank, which constitute the fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Yasushi Ito, Makoto Suzuki, Kenichi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100221174
    Abstract: This disclosure related to systems and methods that produce hydrogen and electricity from hydrocarbon fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Lawrence CLAWSON, Michael Leshchiner, Darryl Pollica, Atul Sharma
  • Publication number: 20100218734
    Abstract: A bio-diesel fuel engine system and bio-diesel fuel engine operating method capable of producing a biomass fuel from a liquid state biomass source material of a fat-containing vegetable or animal oil allowing fuel to be combusted in a conventional diesel engine while providing the benefits of low fuel consumption, stable engine operation, and extended engine service life, with compared to use a biomass fuel reformed by methyl-ester method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Tetuo Sugioka, Akira Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20100212611
    Abstract: A fuel reforming catalyst is installed in an internal combustion engine, the catalyst generating a combustible gas from a reforming fuel by using heat of the exhaust gas. In the reforming control, the combustible gas generated by action of the fuel reforming catalyst is refluxed into the intake system. An ECU varies a lower limit temperature of the reforming control depending on a mixture ratio of a gasoline and an ethanol in the reforming fuel. If the temperature of the fuel reforming catalyst is lower than the lower limit temperature, the ECU suspends the injection of the reforming fuel. The device can enlarge a temperature range to perform reforming control as much as possible, and perform the reforming control under suitable temperature conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo Yahagi
  • Patent number: 7780149
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph L. Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20100206646
    Abstract: An oxyhydrogen vehicle includes an oxyhydrogen generating unit for electrolytically converting an electrolyte into oxyhydrogen gas, a combustible fuel supply unit for storing combustible fuel, an engine unit coupled to the oxyhydrogen generating unit and the combustible fuel supply unit, and an electric power supply system electrically connected to the oxyhydrogen generating unit for providing electric power thereto. The electric power supply system includes: a storage battery; an alternator driven by the engine unit to generate an electrical output, and electrically connected to the storage battery; a current controller electrically connecting the storage battery and the alternator to the oxyhydrogen generating unit for controlling electric current flow to the oxyhydrogen generating unit; and an auxiliary electricity generating unit electrically connected to the storage battery, and driven by renewable energy resources so as to generate an electrical output for charging the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: YU CHUAN TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Chang LIN
  • Publication number: 20100206249
    Abstract: Turbocharged or supercharged spark ignition engine. The engine includes a source of methanol for direct injection of methanol into the engine and for delivering a portion of the methanol to a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7775196
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine by injecting liquid fuel from a fuel injection valve into a suction port is configured by a microbubble generator that generates microbubbles and an ultrasonic wave generator that generates an ultrasonic wave depending on a gas in the microbubbles generated by the microbubble generator. In the fuel supply apparatus, the generated microbubbles are mixed into the liquid fuel that is supplied to the fuel injection valve, and the liquid fuel in which the microbubbles are mixed is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave depending on the driving state of the internal combustion engine. When the liquid fuel in which the microbubbles are mixed is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, a temperature of the liquid fuel is raised instantaneously due to contraction of the microbubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Yasushi Ito, Rentaro Kuroki, Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7770545
    Abstract: Improved alcohol reforming processes and reformed alcohol power systems utilizing those processes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the alcohol reforming processes utilize a thermally conductive reforming catalyst that allows efficient, low-temperature reforming of an alcohol fuel to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising hydrogen. The present invention makes possible the efficient utilization of alcohol fuels in an internal combustion engine to generate electrical or mechanical power such as in vehicular applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: David A. Morgenstern
  • Publication number: 20100192879
    Abstract: Methods and systems for starting a vehicle engine are provided. One example method for starting a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders may include generating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas onboard the vehicle from water. The method may further include maintaining the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas together as a gaseous mixture. The method may further include injecting the gaseous mixture to at least one cylinder of the engine during a start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 7765961
    Abstract: Systems capable of using kinetic/inertial and renewable energy to generate hydrogen for use as a fuel in vehicles and other applications are provided, including systems in which hydrogen is generated during vehicle braking and which is operable with an internal combustion engine, and which can be retrofitted to vehicles with such an engine as well as to stationary combustion devices. Methods for generating hydrogen to power vehicles and vehicles utilizing the inventive technology, stationary devices, such as space heaters and water heaters, capable of generating hydrogen for use as a fuel additive therewith, and methods of generating hydrogen using such devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Rutledge
  • Patent number: 7769527
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (100) comprises a fuel injection valve (21, 22) which supplies a first fuel having a higher self-ignitability than gasoline and a second fuel having a higher combustion speed than gasoline such that an air-fuel mixture containing the first fuel and the second fuel is formed in a combustion chamber (14), a spark plug (25) which ignites the air-fuel mixture, and a programmable controller (41) programmed to control supply proportions of the first fuel and the second fuel such that the ignited air-fuel mixture undergoes flame propagation combustion and then undergoes self-ignition combustion. Thus, a reduction in emissions can be achieved, and high thermal efficiency can be realized through the self-ignition combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Noda, Atsushi Teraji, Takashi Araki, Akihiko Kakuho, Isamu Hotta, Koichi Ashida, Masaharu Kassai
  • Patent number: 7762218
    Abstract: An engine system comprising an electrolysis apparatus interconnected to an internal combustion engine. The electrolysis apparatus cleaves water into a mixture of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The mixture of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas is input into, and fuels, the internal combustion engine. A vehicle comprising the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced R F Designs, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John R. Hallenbeck
  • Publication number: 20100180837
    Abstract: An fuel cell for inducing an electrolytic effect via one or more fluids to decrease the temperature of an internal combustion engine includes, a power supply, a voltage reducer operatively connected to the power supply, and a chamber. The chamber has a cathode, an anode, and a fluid disbursement member which is operatively coupled to an intake of the internal combustion engine. The power supply transmits energy to the voltage reducer to cause the hydrogen to be produced from one or more fluids. The hydrogen is then transmitted into the intake of an internal combustion engine to cause a decrease in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Robert High
  • Publication number: 20100180838
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes an engine block assembly, an air intake system coupled to the engine block assembly and an alternative fuel delivery system coupled to the air intake system. The alternative fuel delivery system includes a control module that monitors measurements of operational data of the internal combustion engine from the one or more sensors. In response to the operational data, the control module determines a fuel flow rate of alternative fuel and controls injection of the alternative fuel to provide the determined fuel flow rate of alternative fuel into the air intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: H2 SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: JOSEPH E. LEWIS, III, ANDREW A. ROBBINS
  • Publication number: 20100180839
    Abstract: A system is provided that draws heat from an open-loop engine cycle into a closed-loop working fluid circulatory system that utilizes computer-aided feedback mechanisms. The closed-loop working fluid draws engine heat from multiple sources: exhaust stack gases, the engine block, the engine transmission, and the engine headers and exhaust manifold near the valves. Heat exchangers are arranged in an ascending pattern according to the temperature of the heat at each heat generating location of the open-loop engine cycle. A wankel or similar type engine receives the heated working fluid and rotates a shaft connected to a generator to generate electricity. An electrolysis unit is powered by the generated electricity and separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. A reformation unit receives fuel such as diesel and the generated hydrogen to reform the fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Gemini Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Otterstrom, Charles P. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7757676
    Abstract: A process for operating a marine engine (1) in combination with a catalytic partial oxidation reformer (2) and, optionally, an exhaust gas aftertreater (3), wherein: (a) a mixture of a first fuel and air, is introduced in the combustion chamber of the engine (1); (b) exhaust gas is discharged from the engine and optionally partly recirculated to the combustion chamber of the engine (1); (c) a second fuel and oxygen and/or steam are supplied to the catalytic partial oxidation reformer (2) to produce synthesis gas, wherein the second fuel comprises Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel; (d) at least part of the synthesis gas is supplied to: (i) the exhaust gas aftertreater (3); (ii) the combustion chamber of the engine (1); or to both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Roger Francis Cracknell
  • Publication number: 20100175639
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the on-hoard treatment of a portion or all of the hydrocarbon fuel used to power an internal combustion engine mounted in a conventional transportation vehicle, utilize known decarbonization technology to break the fuel's hydrogen-carbon bond. The compounds are then cooled and separated into (1) elemental carbon powder that is stored on-board for later recovery and industrial use, and (2) hydrogen, or a hydrogen-rich gas stream, that is burned as a fuel in the ICE and/or diverted to other on-board energy related applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ali M. Al-Dawood, Fahad Ibrahim Al-Muhaish
  • Publication number: 20100175638
    Abstract: The instant invention presents combustion of hydrogen with oxygen producing environmentally friendly combustion products, wherein management of energy and of combustion is improved. The instant invention presents improved thermodynamics, thereby improving combustion power and efficiency. The instant invention utilizes steam from combustion to: 1) maintain power output of combustion, 2) provide method(s) of energy transfer, 3) provide method(s) of energy recycle, 4) provide power, and 5) cool the combustion chamber. Steam is used as a potential energy source, both from kinetic and available heat energy, as well as conversion to H2 and O2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Alan HAASE