Generating Plants Patents (Class 123/3)
  • Publication number: 20120073524
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Owens
  • Publication number: 20120073523
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Owens
  • Publication number: 20120073525
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Owens
  • Publication number: 20120073521
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Owens
  • Patent number: 8141523
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor employing an electrolysis subassembly connected in an electrical circuit which includes the electric motor. While controlling the throughput of electrical current through the electrolysis subassembly, there is simultaneously generated a fuel gas useful for fueling an internal combustion engine. The invention includes a novel electrolyte utilizing novel electrode structure and mode of operation. The electrolysis may be powered by a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Petrolfree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky L. Gammons, Zachary A. Henry, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20120067304
    Abstract: One embodiment of an improved method for reducing engine system (10) fuel requirement comprised of recovering engine (12) waste energy (30) and of converting (60) engine waste energy (30) into usable energy (64)(66); and, a means of re-introducing usable energy into engine (12), whereby engine primary fuel requirement is reduced and air emissions diminished. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Jon Littmann
  • Publication number: 20120055423
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a fuel reformer which reforms ethanol into a reformate gas comprising H2, CO, and CH4 for fueling an engine are provided. Degradation of the fuel reformer may be indicated based on an amount of ethanol injected into the fuel reformer and an amount of at least one of H2, CO, and CH4 produced by the fuel reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120055422
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Owens
  • Patent number: 8127750
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of using lean fuel-air mixtures at all operating regimes of a spark ignition engine, which is provided with an intake port fuel injection system, wherein said method is characterized in that in order to achieve the efficient lean mixture combustion process, an HHO oxy-hydric gas direct injection should be at a minimum pressure of 10 bar, during compression stroke, after intake valve closing, so that the hydrogen/fuel mixture volumetric fractions value is within the range of about 15% to 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hydrogen Technology Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Klein, Corneliu Dica, Cristian Georgescu, Cristian Pamfilie, Radu Chiriac
  • Publication number: 20120048216
    Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a self-cleaning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine can have an intake, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust with the EGR system accepting exhaust gas from the exhaust and supplying exhaust gas to the intake. The internal combustion engine also has a hydrogen source in fluid communication with a hot side of the EGR system, the hydrogen source affording hydrogen to flow into and through the EGR system and remove at least a portion of carbon-containing deposits therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FEV MOTORENTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Dean Tomazic, Marek Tatur
  • Patent number: 8118012
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen gas as fuels and including a fuel injection device that injects liquid fuel, a hydrogen-blended fuel in which hydrogen gas is contained in the form of minute bubbles in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, that is supplied to the fuel injection device. The hydrogen-blended fuel is stored in a fuel tank. Hydrogen gas that has escaped from the hydrogen-blended fuel in the fuel tank is fed to a minute-bubble producing device, which forms the fuel gas into minute bubbles and mixes the minute bubbles back into the hydrogen-blended fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Masahiko Masubuchi
  • Patent number: 8117999
    Abstract: In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Martinrea International Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Cerny, Francis Michael Burke
  • Publication number: 20120037098
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for achieving efficient combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in internal combustion engines to enhance the engine performance with reduced fuel consumption and emissions, comprising at least an infrared radiation source emitting infrared at wavelengths covering at least a portion of 3-20 micrometers wavelength range for exciting the hydrocarbon fuel and a hydrogen source providing hydrogen gas to be burned along with the infrared-excited hydrocarbon fuel in engine cylinder. The hydrocarbon fuel can be any of hydrocarbon-based fuels, including methane, propane, gasoline, ethanol, diesels, biodiesels, and renewable fuels, that are used to power internal combustion engines. The expectation is to provide an effective means of improving hydrocarbon fuel efficiency in engines for better engine performance with increased torque and power, improved fuel economy, and reduced exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Chin-Tang Wey
  • Publication number: 20120040261
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus for effectively generating hydrogen from ammonia and relates to the hydrogen generating apparatus for generating hydrogen from ammonia. The apparatus comprises an ammonia oxidation part having ammonia oxidation catalysts which oxidizes ammonia, and an ammonia decomposition part having an ammonia decomposition catalyst which decomposes ammonia to generate nitrogen and hydrogen. The decomposition part is located downstream of the oxidation part in a direction of feed gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi, Sadao Araki, Takuma Mori
  • Publication number: 20120037099
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a mixture of conventional gasoline and hydrogen-containing additive, such as ethanol, destined for use as a fuel for an ICE, is processed through a fuel generator interposed between a source of the fuel mixture and an internal combustion engine (ICE). Within the fuel generator, the mixture is subjected to electrolysis and then fed to the ICE, one objective being to more efficiently power the ICE, with a fuel mixture having a minimum, and preferably no gasoline in the mixture. A method and apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Petrolfree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Henry, Ricky L. Gammons
  • Publication number: 20120031353
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4, or the fuel may change state to vaporized alcohol. The present method provides for ramping injection of the gaseous fuel so that stoichiometric combustion may be maintained while gaseous fuel is injected to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120031352
    Abstract: A device that injects hydrogen gas into an engine's air intake or intake manifold that is demand controlled by the vehicle's throttle linkage in an approximately linear manner. When the throttle is depressed, hydrogen generation can start or increase, and when the throttle is released, hydrogen generation can stop of decrease. The device of the present invention uses the vehicle's own vacuum to control the production of hydrogen by forcing a liquid to rise in a chamber and into contact with metal in response to increasing vacuum thus producing an increasing amount of hydrogen gas with increasing throttle depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Eduardas Ceremis, Lolita Ceremiene
  • Patent number: 8109354
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yu Chuan Technology Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Lin
  • Publication number: 20120024242
    Abstract: A series of control circuits and the use of a stable Hydrogen/Oxygen Generator Cell to protect passengers and automobile from fire or destruction of the engine under malfunction conditions. Improper electrolyte concentration, cell running at very low or very high electrolyte level, or water reaching the motor intake, may cause serious hazard conditions or damage to the vehicle and the occupants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Maurizio Mario Gramigni
  • Patent number: 8100092
    Abstract: A hydrogen supplementation fuel apparatus and method having a power source, a hydrogen generator and an accumulator for supplementing hydrogen gas to improve the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines. The hydrogen generator uses electrodes that are helically wound about a separator to increase the hydrogen generation output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Clean-Fuel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McBride, Dominic Ciacelli
  • Patent number: 8100093
    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 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: David A. Morgenstern
  • Patent number: 8096269
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an engine system using a small-sized heat exchanger having a high efficiency and a stable performance for heating and vaporizing a hydrogen medium supplied to a reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sano, Takao Ishikawa, Atsushi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20120000435
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique method for operating an engine. Another embodiment is a unique engine system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for engines and engine systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Scotto
  • Publication number: 20110315096
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for the efficient, clean and simultaneous conversion of multiple fuels, including but not limited to waste derived gas, liquid and solid phase fuels, to electrical energy. The present invention used a closely coupled combined thermal cycle system based on an air fed gasifier and an internal combustion engine. Steam generated by exhaust heat from an internal combustion engine and from the combustion of syngas produced by the gasifier is used to power an admission steam turbine in an efficient system in which components such as water treatment, heat recovery, and other components are common to gasifier and the internal combustion engine. The invention offers several advantages over other combined cycle power plants employing gasifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ITI Group Corporation
    Inventors: Bary Wilson, Brandon Ruf Wilson, Barry Liss
  • Patent number: 8082889
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Gemini Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Otterstrom, Charles P. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 8082890
    Abstract: Apparatus for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a tank and the quantity of water contained in said tank is dissolved. A quantity of a conductivity promoting material suspended or dissolved in said water to form an electrically conductive fluid and a plurality of plates suspended in said electrically conductive fluid and a reactive agent selected from the group consisting of derivatives of vegetable materials, derivatives of highly resinous vegetable materials, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized highly resinous vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, and water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Common Sense Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vernon Roth, Gregory Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110308482
    Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for recovering energy from flare gases in chemical plants and refineries. The systems use an engine to burn a portion of gas diverted from the flare system. The engine may be a reciprocating engine, or a burner in a boiler system, among others. The power generated by burning the flare gas is then used to power an energy recovery device. The energy recovery device may be an electrical generator, a compressor, or a steam boiler, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventor: John D. Hottovy
  • Publication number: 20110303166
    Abstract: The single stage hydrogen compression and delivery system for internal combustion engines utilizing an air cooling system and an electrical heater (HCDS-ICAir-Single) consists of a thermally driven single compression stage metal hydride hydrogen compressor in line with high pressure hydrogen storage tanks and a pressure regulating hydrogen delivery system that supplies a controlled release of hydrogen to the internal combustion engine. The air cooling absorbs the excess energy produced upon hydrogen absorption and the electric heater supplies the thermal energy needed to drive the hydrogen compression within the compression stage of the system. The compressor is intended to be inseparable from the storage tank to ensure safe operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Ryan Reid Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20110296809
    Abstract: A gas inlet configured to convey a gas stream from a feed source to the system. A hydrogen sulfide removal stage includes a first vessel configured to receive a first media. A primary compression stage is configured to elevate a pressure of the gas stream. A moisture removal stage is configured to condense and separate remaining moisture from the gas stream. A siloxane removal stage includes a second vessel configured to receive a second media. A carbon dioxide removal stage includes a single-stage membrane configured to separate carbon dioxide from the gas stream by a permeability characteristic of the gas stream. A secondary compression stage is configured to elevate a pressure of the gas stream to a level suitable for distribution to CNG-compatible vehicles. An electrical generator set has a prime mover configured to be fueled by the gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Adam Richard Brotherton, Mark John Torresani
  • Publication number: 20110290201
    Abstract: A portable, on-demand hydrogen generation system is provided for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines, more particularly to vehicles. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen and oxygen is passed back thru the supply tank for distribution and water preservation. The gases are kept separate by a divider in the tank and the water level in the tank. In the case of gasoline engines, the hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is optionally powered by the vehicle battery, a stand alone battery, waste heat of the internal combustion engine or solar energy. The system utilizes a vacuum switch or other engine sensor that permits power to the device and therefore hydrogen production only when the engine is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Wade Owens
  • Publication number: 20110290202
    Abstract: A method for producing a biogas is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polyculture of aquatic plants to a growth system; continuously providing water, carbon dioxide, air and nutrients to the polyculture contained within the growth system; growing the polyculture for a time sufficient to produce an aquatic plant-based biomass; withdrawing a portion of the aquatic plant-based biomass contained within the growth system; and treating the withdrawn aquatic plant-based biomass to produce a biogas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Smith, Edward William Gaine
  • Patent number: 8065979
    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: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20110283959
    Abstract: An ammonia burning internal combustion engine in which, in addition to ammonia, a reformed gas reformed at a reformer is fed into a combustion chamber. When a reforming ability of the reformer is less than a predetermined reforming ability, an ammonia ratio is increased to a ratio more than the ammonia ratio after completion of engine warmup set in advance in accordance with an operation state of the engine, and secondary air is fed from a secondary air feeding device into an engine exhaust passage upstream of an exhaust purification catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ASO, Takahiko Fujiwara, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110283960
    Abstract: An ammonia-engine system is capable of supplying an ammonia cracking catalyst with a temperature necessary to promote a reaction even during low load operation in which a temperature of an exhaust gas from an ammonia engine is lower than an operating temperature of the ammonia cracking catalyst. In an ammonia-engine system provided with an ammonia engine (2) using ammonia as fuel and an ammonia cracking device (5) including an ammonia cracking catalyst that cracks ammonia and cracking ammonia to produce hydrogen, an ammonia oxidizing device (4) is provided between the ammonia engine (2) and the ammonia cracking device (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa
  • Patent number: 8056322
    Abstract: A system is provided for supplying reductants to an emission treatment unit. The system comprises a fuel tank adapted to directly or indirectly supply a first premixed fuel stream and a second premixed fuel stream, wherein each fuel stream comprises a primary fuel component and an oxygenate reductant component. An engine is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, wherein the engine is configured to receive the first premixed fuel stream and create an exhaust stream. The system further includes an emission treatment unit to treat the exhaust stream. A separation unit is configured to receive the second premixed fuel stream, separate the second premixed fuel stream into a first fraction stream and a second fraction stream, and supply the first fraction stream to the emission treatment unit, wherein the first fraction stream comprises a higher concentration of the oxygenate reductant component than the second fraction stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Hale Winkler, Dan Hancu, Frederic Vitse, Norberto Silvi, Hua Wang, Ke Liu
  • Publication number: 20110265736
    Abstract: Disclosed is an engine system with a reformer, the engine system comprising a reformer and driving an engine using, as a fuel, a reformed fuel produced by reforming pre-reformed fuel with the reformer, in which the reformer is connected with both a pre-reformed fuel supply adjustment unit which adjusts the amount of the pre-reformed fuel supplied to the reformer and a reformed fuel supply adjustment unit which adjusts the amount of reformed fuel supplied to the engine, and the reformer is installed adjacent to the engine combustion chamber via the reformed fuel supply adjustment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Takao Ishikawa, Tadashi Sano
  • Publication number: 20110265737
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for reforming fuels by subjecting them to ultrasonic energy. Such methods and systems can be conducted and carried on-board vehicles powered by combustion engines to enhance fuel efficiency and/or modify exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Ryon
  • Publication number: 20110265738
    Abstract: A wire catalyst for hydrogenation reaction and/or dehydrogenation reaction comprises a metallic core and an oxide surface layer covering at least part of the surface thereof. The metallic core is electrically conductive so that the metallic core itself can generate heat by directly passing an electric current therethrough or electromagnetic induction. The oxide surface layer is made of an oxide of a metallic element constituting the metallic core. The oxide surface layer is provided with a porous structure having pores opening at the surface of the oxide surface layer. The catalytic material is supported in the pores of the oxide surface layer. When a shaped wire catalyst is manufactured, the shaping into a specific shape is made before the oxide surface layer having the porous structure is formed and the catalytic material is supported thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Masaru ICHIKAWA, Yoshinori TANIMOTO, Tsuneo AKIURA
  • Patent number: 8047165
    Abstract: A medium circulating apparatus of engine oil, which improves startability and warm up ability of an internal combustion engine, includes a microbubble generator that generates microbubbles and mixes the microbubbles into the circulating engine oil. Further, the medium circulating apparatus includes a medium temperature acquiring unit that acquires a temperature of the engine oil. The microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generator when the temperature of the engine oil is less than or equal to a predetermined value in order to decrease a viscosity, a heat conductivity, and a heat capacity of the engine oil in which the microbubbles are mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Makoto Suzuki, Kenichi Yamada, Rentaro Kuroki, Tomohiro Shinagawa
  • Publication number: 20110259285
    Abstract: An ammonia burning internal combustion engine using ammonia as fuel comprises an ammonia feed device feeding ammonia to a combustion chamber and a temperature/pressure raising system raising the temperature or raising the pressure of ammonia fed to the ammonia feed device. The temperature/pressure raising system raises the temperature or raises the pressure of ammonia by energy produced along with the operation of the internal combustion engine. As a result, an ammonia burning internal combustion engine maintaining high energy efficiency for the internal combustion engine as a whole or a vehicle mounted with the internal combustion engine as a whole while appropriately controlling the temperature or pressure of ammonia fed to an ammonia injector is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo MICHIKAWAUCHI, Shiro Tanno, Yasushi Ito
  • Publication number: 20110253071
    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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph L. Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20110253070
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator for apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle for increasing the efficiency of the engine and decreasing emissions from the engine has stainless-steel electrolysis plates that are close-spaced in the generator housing. The hydrogen unit is configured to inject hydrogen after the throttle body and the carburetor using a spacer located between the intake manifold and the throttle body or carburetor. Alternative, a modified spark plug equipped with a tube and a check valve is mounted on the engine, while being controlled by the generator's PCB controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Haring
  • Publication number: 20110256052
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a hydrogen fuel gas is provided. In particular, a hydrogen fuel product is produced from steam exposed to a heated catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen fuel product produced is used in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: THOMAS MERRITT
  • Publication number: 20110253072
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a controlling a flow of reformate fuel in a fuel system which includes a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in a vehicle. The system includes a pump located between the reformer and the storage tank that is selectively operated in order to reduce parasitic losses on the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert Walter McCabe
  • Patent number: 8037850
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4, or the fuel may change state to vaporized alcohol. The present method provides for ramping injection of the gaseous fuel so that stoichiometric combustion may be maintained while gaseous fuel is injected to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20110247574
    Abstract: Engine surge includes oscillations in engine torque resulting in bucking or jerking motion of a vehicle that may degrade driver experience. The present application relates to increasing reformate entering an example engine cylinder in response to engine surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20110247573
    Abstract: A fuel system for an automotive engine comprises a dehydration catalyst device in fluid communication with a fuel injection system and a fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank is configured to store a fuel having an oxygenate content, wherein the dehydration catalyst device is configured to receive the fuel from the fuel tank, wherein the dehydration catalyst device is configured to dehydrate at least a portion of the oxygenate content into an ether to form an output fuel, and wherein the dehydration catalyst device is configured to provide the output fuel to the fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: DAVID M. McCANN
  • Patent number: 8033255
    Abstract: An engine system comprising an engine, hydrogen medium capable of repeating chemically storing and discharging hydrogen, an exhaust gas pipe from said engine; and a reactor unit bearing a catalyst; wherein the hydrogen generated using the heat of the exhaust gas in said reactor unit or the mixture of the hydrogen and said hydrogen medium being supplied to said engine; wherein said reactor unit includes at least first reactor and second reactor in said exhaust gas pipe and each of said reactors comprises a partition wall disposed between an exhaust gas passage and a hydrogen medium passage; and wherein the thermal resistance of said partition wall of said first reactor positioned on the upstream side is larger than that of said second reactor positioned on the downstream side, and said hydrogen medium is supplied from said first reactor to said second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sano, Shigenori Togashi, Takao Ishikawa, Atsushi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20110239962
    Abstract: An alternative or supplement to combustion within an engine is decomposition of nitrous oxide into two parts nitrogen, one part oxygen. This decomposition releases thermal energy that may be captured and converted to useful work. Traditional combustion engines are limited to oxidizer/fuel ratio ratios near the proportional mixture of fuel and oxidizer that achieves complete combustion of the fuel. The presently disclosed technology increases the oxidizer/fuel ratio above that of all traditional combustion engines and still achieves useable power output primarily through decomposition of nitrous oxide. Decomposition of nitrous oxide into nitrogen and oxygen in an engine outputs two parts nitrogen and one part oxygen, which is roughly equivalent to oxygen rich atmospheric air. Output of carbon dioxide and other undesirable chemical compounds is avoided when compared to combustion of a carbon-hydrogen fuel and an oxidizer containing oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FIRESTAR ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Mungas, Jon Anthony Smith
  • Publication number: 20110232589
    Abstract: A process is provided for improving combustion control and fuel efficiency in rotary and reciprocating IC engines by enabling leaner combustion at higher compression ratios using less heat for ignition. Embodiments employ secondary chambers of minimal total volume within a cylinder periphery. These chambers communicate with a main chamber via conduits and enable a radical ignition (“RI”) species generation and supply process that starts in earlier cycles to be augmented and used in later cycles. Measures regulate the RI species generated and provided to the main chamber. These species alter dominant chain-initiation reactions of the combustion ignition mechanism. Also employed when preferable are fluids of higher heat of vaporization and volatility but lower ignitability than the fuel. This process improves combustion in radical ignition engines and radical augmented spark and compression ignition engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: David A. Blank