Combustible Mixture Ionization, Ozonation, Or Electrolysis Patents (Class 123/536)
  • Patent number: 11305612
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly unit for a fuel-operated vehicle heater includes a combustion chamber housing, a combustion chamber formed in the combustion chamber housing, an evaporator medium for the absorption of liquid fuel and for the discharge of fuel vapor into the combustion chamber, and a heating/ignition device for heating the evaporator medium or/and for igniting a mixture of fuel and combustion air formed in the combustion chamber. The heating/ignition device includes at least one radiation source for the emission of electromagnetic radiation into the combustion chamber and at least one absorption body for the absorption of electromagnetic radiation emitted into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: EBERSPÄCHER CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Jörg Keefer
  • Patent number: 11098689
    Abstract: It is made possible to control ignition appropriately. An ignition device 1 for an internal combustion engine includes a spark coil 50 including: a primary side coil 51 connected to a direct current power supply 40 and a secondary side coil 52 magnetically connected to the primary side coil 51 and connected to an ignition plug 60; a switch element 30 that performs switching between energization and interruption of primary current I1 to the primary side coil 51; and a switch element controlling circuit 20 that controls the switch element 30 on the basis of an ignition controlling signal 51 supplied from an ECU 10. A turn-on delay adjustment circuit 22 that delays a control timing of the switch element 30 is disposed between the ECU 10 and the switch element 30 such that first resonance noise generated due to interruption of the primary current I1 to the primary side coil 51 is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shima, Koji Shibata, Yoichiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10907586
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer comprises a primary vaporization chamber comprising a heating chamber fluidly coupled to a fuel tank. The heating chamber is configured to receive a liquid fuel from the fuel tank and vaporize the liquid fuel into a fuel vapor and discharge the fuel vapor to an intake line of a utility application. A heating source is thermally coupled to the heating chamber. The heating source is configured to heat the liquid fuel to produce the fuel vapor. An air supply is fluidly coupled to the heating chamber, the air supply is configured to inject air bubbles into the liquid fuel. A secondary vaporization chamber is fluidly coupled to the intake line, at least one ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the secondary vaporization chamber and configured to vaporize the liquid fuel in communication with the secondary vaporization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Diesel Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald William Rowley
  • Patent number: 10815942
    Abstract: A combustion engine electromagnetic energy disruptor includes shaped disruptor carried in an enclosure, and configured to disrupt, distort, and/or agitate electromagnetic energy proximate a combustion engine and fuel system. The disruptor incorporates electromagnetically responsive constituents dispersed in a substantially water-free resin hardened above about Shore D 60 into a predetermined volume and density. The resin and constituents are combined to have a mass ratio of about 50% resin and 50% powdered constituents. A permittivity of the enclosure does not exceed about 3.5, and of the resin and constituents in combination substantially exceeds about 3.5. The resin includes a urethane resin that is mixed prior to curing into a substantially homogenous dispersion with the constituents. The constituents include one or more of piezoelectric, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferrimagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Harmoniks, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerry Anthony Avalos, Vanessa Grace Jao Herrera
  • Patent number: 10801464
    Abstract: A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a microwave generator and a directional coupler, which delivers the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and receives a reflected signal from the MEC antenna. A feedback path determines a desired frequency for the MEC input signal, based on the reflected signal, and also determines a power feedback correction value. An open loop path determines desired power and timing for the MEC input signal, based on various engine conditions. The desired power is corrected with the power feedback correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Yilun Luo, Scott R. Hotz, Terrence F. Alger, Robert T. Coppersmith, III
  • Patent number: 10781786
    Abstract: A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a directional coupler to deliver the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and to receive a reflected power signal from the MEC antenna. A feedback path determines a desired frequency, based on the reflected power and using an impedance-matching controller that matches the reflected power to a desired frequency value. Additional inputs, such as various engine conditions, can also be used to determine the desired frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence F. Alger, II, Yilun Luo, Scott R. Hotz, Ronnie E. Randolph
  • Patent number: 10677454
    Abstract: Two or more unipolar voltage generation systems may apply respective voltages to separate but complementary electrodes. The complementary electrodes may be disposed substantially congruently or analogously to one another to provide bipolar electrical effects on a combustion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Igor A. Krichtafovitch
  • Patent number: 10669974
    Abstract: It is widely appreciated that renewable sources of energy are desirable. In particular, in recent years the development of biodiesel has been encouraged in order to find a replacement for fossil fuels in internal combustion engines. Typically, such biodiesel is based on triacylglycerols of vegetable origin. Animal fat, due to its different chemical composition and production process presents additional challenges when attempted to be used as a source of fuel. Most known methods require extensive processing of naturally occurring fats in order for them to be usable in conventional engines. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine to generate power by applying a first electrical charge to an oxidizer (e.g. air) and applying a second electrical charge to the organic fat opposite in polarity to the first electrical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: IONIZINGENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Bruce Palmer
  • Patent number: 10655573
    Abstract: An environmentally friendly energy saving device includes a hollow metal inner pipe inserted in a hollow metal outer pipe, and the inner pipe includes: a middle portion defining a receiving chamber with respect to the hollow metal outer pipe, two connecting portions located at two ends of the middle portion and extended out from two ends of the hollow metal outer pipe, and a thinning groove formed in the middle portion and in communication with the receiving chamber. Far infrared powder are filled into the receiving chamber and the thinning groove and pressurized into a block. Two ends of the receiving chamber are sealed. By thinning the part of the outer wall of the inner pipe that is connected to the receiving chamber, the energy-saving efficiency of the environmentally friendly energy saving device is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HONG JIE SHENG INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 10655514
    Abstract: In order to be able to easily check the state of foreign matter contained in oil regardless of an installation location, a device main body 10 having a housing chamber 11 in which oil is stored, a plug 20 attached to a bottom portion of the housing chamber 11 in a state where an end surface of a shaft portion 20a faces upward, a spacer member 30 formed by a transparent member and arranged on the plug 20 in such a manner that one end surface 30a faces an inside of the housing chamber 11; and an imaging unit 40 arranged on the plug 20, the imaging unit 40 imaging the inside of the housing chamber 11 via the spacer member 30 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Shuuji Hori, Hiroyuki Chikugo, Mutsumi Ono, Takuya Nohara, Yuta Baba, Toshiyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10563626
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection into a combustor of a gas turbine engine including: applying a first electrical charge to fuel such that the fuel becomes a charged fuel; and applying a second electrical charge to a component of the combustor, wherein the first electrical charge is applied to the fuel at a first frequency and the second electrical charge is applied to the component at a second frequency such that at least one of a selected tone, a selected screech, and a selected noise is produced by spraying the charged fuel through the component and into a combustion chamber of the combustor from a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jon E. Sobanski
  • Patent number: 10487783
    Abstract: There is provided a system for reducing fuel consumption and increasing output of an internal combustion engine using an output-wave, the system comprising: an output-wave generation and amplification device configured to generated an amplified output-wave; an output-wave transmitter connected to the output-wave generation and amplification device for transmitting an output-wave to an air intake channel of an internal combustion engine, wherein the output-wave transmitter is inserted into the channel; an output-wave adjuster configured to adjust the output-wave from the output-wave generation and amplification device, wherein the output-wave adjuster is disposed between the output-wave transmission terminal and the output-wave transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventor: Yun Sik Lim
  • Patent number: 10270370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion substrate using a liquid and, more specifically, to an energy conversion substrate using a liquid capable of converting mechanical energy into electric energy through a flow of a liquid on a substrate having an energy conversion layer. Thus, the present invention enables easy manufacture and easy liquid circulation to be obtained by implementing an energy conversion device using a liquid through one substrate instead of a pair of opposing substrates and can implement the energy conversion device without a lubricating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: KOREA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Won Keun Kim, Soon Hyung Kwon, Youn Sang Kim, Jun Woo Park
  • Patent number: 10151291
    Abstract: To improve a propagation speed of a flame by effectively utilizing energy of the electromagnetic wave in the combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine that promotes combustion of fuel air mixture in a combustion chamber by means of an electromagnetic wave. The internal combustion engine includes, in addition to an internal combustion engine main body and an ignition device, an electromagnetic wave emission device and a control device. The electromagnetic wave emission device emits an electromagnetic wave to the combustion chamber while the flame is being propagated after ignition of the fuel air mixture. The control device controls a frequency of the electromagnetic wave emitted to the combustion chamber in view of a resonant frequency of the combustion chamber in accordance with an operation condition of the internal combustion engine main body or a propagation condition of the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10082092
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for generating vacuum within an engine intake. An intake throttle including a hollow throttle plate having a plurality of perforations along its circumference is mounted on a hollow shaft, which in turn may be coupled to a vacuum consumption device. When vacuum is demanded by the vacuum consumption device, the opening of the throttle plate may be decreased and vacuum may be generated by flowing intake air past the perforated edge of the throttle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9920738
    Abstract: A method for introducing microwave energy into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine in which the microwaves reach a combustion chamber through a microwave window, wherein the microwaves are run about a circumference of the combustion chamber and radially coupled into the combustion chamber after passing through the microwave window. Accordingly a device for introducing microwave energy into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder with a cylinder head and a combustion chamber in the cylinder includes at least one circumferential annular hollow conductor cavity extending about the combustion chamber and including at least one feed for the microwave and at least one outlet opening for the microwave arranged between the annular hollow conductor cavity and the combustion chamber. An internal combustion engine includes the features of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MWI Micro Wave Ignition AG
    Inventors: Armin Gallatz, Volker Gallatz, Arnold Moebius, Manfred Thumm
  • Patent number: 9909757
    Abstract: A low NOx burner is configured to support a combustion reaction at a selected fuel mixture by anchoring a flame at a conductive flame anchor responsive to current flow between charges carried by the flame and the conductive flame anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph Colannino
  • Patent number: 9867270
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave emission device in which the destination to which an electromagnetic wave is supplied can be switched among a plurality of emission antennas, wherein there are no problems such as breakage of a switching element even in a case where a large-power electromagnetic wave is emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9759171
    Abstract: An intake device for a vehicle, in which an intake passage wall surface defining an intake passage is charged with positive charges, includes: a self-discharge static eliminator that is provided on the intake passage wall surface and that decreases an electrification charge amount on that part of the intake passage wall surface which is within a limited range around a mounting part of the self-discharge static eliminator, by providing the self-discharge static eliminator on the intake passage wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Yoji Kanehara, Koshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9669414
    Abstract: A magnetic filtration device (105) configured to entrap magnetically susceptible material and non-magnetically susceptible material. An array of magnetic columns (703, 704) of alternating north and south polarity are positioned within a plurality of chambers (308, 309) that direct the fluid flow in an extended flowpath through a magnetic field circuit created by the columns of magnets (703, 704). A separator flange (305) acts to entrap nonferrous particles for subsequent removal and isolation from a fluid network in which the device (105) maybe installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ECLIPSE MAGNETICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Steve McAllorum, Kevin Martin, Gary Liptrot
  • Patent number: 9624880
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intake system of an internal combustion engine. A plasma actuator is provided in a region which is on an inner wall surface of an intake passage and to which fuel injected from a fuel injection valve adheres. The plasma actuator is disposed so as to generate an airflow in a predetermined direction not including a component in a direction toward a downstream side of the intake passage at the time of its operation. A control unit is configured to control the plasma actuator so as to actuate the plasma actuator in at least a part of a period from start of fuel injection by the fuel injection valve to start of valve opening of an intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 9538631
    Abstract: The antenna structure has a high frequency wave transmission line that transmits a high frequency wave and an emission antenna part for emitting the high frequency wave supplied via the high frequency wave transmission line. The emission antenna part includes a metal antenna having a rod-like shape and a ceramic layer that covers at least a part of the metal antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Ryoji Tsuruoka
  • Patent number: 9443690
    Abstract: A device for generating microwaves has a plurality of separately controlled microwave generators. Each of the generators includes a resonator, each with a capacitor structure formed with two electrodes that are separated by a spark gap. A high voltage supply charges the individual capacitor structures, which can be discharged by a breakdown of the spark gap. The individual capacitor structures are charged up by way of the high voltage supply device to a voltage that lies below the breakdown voltage of the individual spark gaps. A triggering device for triggering a breakdown of the respective spark gap is associated with each spark gap and the triggering devices are individually controlled by a common control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Stark
  • Patent number: 9377004
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the issue of improving generation efficiency of plasma in relation to usage power in a plasma generation apparatus. The present invention is directed to a plasma generation apparatus provided with an electromagnetic wave emission antenna and a discharge electrode. The plasma generation apparatus includes a plasma control device that controls generation of plasma, and is characterized that the plasma control device causes the electromagnetic wave emission antenna to intermittently emit electromagnetic waves by way of a drive sequence control. Especially, the plasma control device may preferably control an oscillating frequency, a power, output timing, a pulse width, a pulse cycle, and a duty cycle of the electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9355821
    Abstract: A large-area plasma generating apparatus is disclosed, which includes a reaction chamber; a first electrode disposed in the reaction chamber; a second electrode parallel with the first electrode and disposed in the reaction chamber; and a discharge region formed between the first and second electrodes and a plasma can be formed therein; wherein a travelling wave or a traveling-wave-like electromagnetic field is generated via at least one of the first and second electrodes and travels from one end of the discharge region to its opposite end, so as to uniform the plasma in the discharge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Hsin-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chang Hsieh, Deng-Lain Lin, Yan-Zheng Du, Chi-Fong Ai, Ming-Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 9347422
    Abstract: In an plasma generation device 30 that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting electromagnetic waves to a combustion chamber 21 of an internal combustion engine 20, combustion is promoted by increasing the amount of gas to be brought into contact with the electromagnetic wave plasma in the combustion chamber 21. An antenna 36 extends along a ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 21. The antenna 36 is provided with an adjustment unit 37 that changes the location of a strong electric field on the antenna 36, which is supplied with the electromagnetic wave. During a generation period of the electromagnetic wave plasma, a control device 10 controls the adjustment unit 37 based on a condition of the combustion chamber 21 and changes the location of the electromagnetic wave plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9341112
    Abstract: A combination air pressure system and a plasma ion gas generator system adapted for mounting next to an intake manifold of a turbocharged diesel engine. The system includes a water holding tank for supplying water to a plasma ion gas generator. The gas generator includes a housing with a plurality anode and cathode electrode plates. The system also includes an on/off switch and amp meter. The on/off switch is connected to the vehicle's battery. When the system is turned “on”, power is supplied to the gas generator for generating combustible gases. The air pressure system includes an air line connected to a vehicle's high pressure air line. The system's air line is connected to the water holding tank for pressurizing the gas mixture before it's introduced in the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CFT GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventors: Kenny Kerstiens, Patric Galvin
  • Patent number: 9212648
    Abstract: A laser ignition plug, comprising a pumped light source and a longitudinally pumped laser resonator, which are each arranged in the housing of the laser ignition plug, characterized by a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet and a cooling region connecting the cooling air inlet with the cooling air outlet, wherein the cooling region is surrounding the pumped light source at least in certain sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Friedrich Gruber, Markus Kraus
  • Patent number: 9194344
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine block that at least partially defines a cylinder bore, and a cylinder liner disposed within the cylinder bore. The engine system may also have at least one air intake port radially formed within the cylinder liner, a piston slidingly disposed within the cylinder liner and configured to open and close the at least one air intake port, a cylinder head configured to close off an end of the cylinder liner and form a combustion chamber, and at least one exhaust valve disposed within the cylinder head. The engine system may further have a valve actuation system configured to cyclically move the at least one exhaust valve between open and closed positions, and a variable timing device configured to selectively interrupt cyclical movement of the at least one exhaust valve to change a compression ratio of the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Gamache Foege
  • Patent number: 9169814
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for delivery a fluidic substance using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to accelerate particles into a chamber includes distributing a fluidic substance between electrodes configured at a location proximate a chamber, in which electrodes include a low work function material, generating a current of ionized particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fluidic substance, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized particles into the chamber. In some implementations, the method further includes applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized particles within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9151265
    Abstract: An ignition apparatus comprising a microwave device emitting microwave into a combustion/reaction field to increase temperature of a mixture, and create a plasma discharge, in the combustion/reaction field to increase radical concentration, an igniter igniting the mixture in the combustion/reaction field, and a controller controlling the microwave radiator and the igniter. The microwave radiator and igniter are controlled to repeat a cycle wherein the microwave radiator radiates the microwave into the combustion/reaction field to increase the temperature of the mixture in the combustion/reaction field and creates the plasma in the combustion/reaction field. When the igniter ignites the mixture, the microwave radiator creates the plasma in the combustion/reaction field by radiating the microwave into the combustion/reaction field to increase the radical concentration, so that the flame propagation speed is promoted, and the combustion reaction of the mixture is promoted in the combustion/reaction field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9080547
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus has an electric discharge device, a voltage application device, a fuel supplying device, and a control unit. The electric discharge device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is arranged opposite the first electrode to produce radicals within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine by a non-equilibrium plasma discharge that is generated between the electrodes before autoignition of the air-fuel mixture occurs. The voltage application device is operatively coupled to the first electrode for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes to generate the non-equilibrium plasma between the first and second electrodes. The fuel supplying device forms an air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. The control unit is operatively coupled to the electric discharge device to set a discharge start timing of the electric discharge device to occur during an intake stroke of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taisuke Shiraishi, Eiji Takahashi, Tomonori Urushihara
  • Patent number: 9022006
    Abstract: Many IC engine inefficiencies are linked to the relatively low mixture formation rates of current injection methods. Process intensification (PI) is excellent at high mixture formation rates, high mass transfer rates, and short residence times, therefore a wall integrated injection method and device featuring PI has been provided. It allows increased number of injection sites and interfacial surface area between fluid jets and the volume of the squash area, hence high mixture formation rates shorter Liquid Lengths and the use of micro nozzles to further intensify the mixing process by locally mixing fuel and oxidant. This allows high EGR and low compression ratios and better control of HCCI start of ignition. PI effectively achieves thermo and species stratification for extending the load range of the HCCI engine while permitting effective water addition for reciprocating and turbine for lower exhaust heat and less fuel burned hence less CO2 emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Enock N Segawa
  • Patent number: 8997722
    Abstract: A tunable throttle plate for customizing fuel delivery to a supercharged engine includes a plate that may be coupled to intake manifold of an engine. A fuel aperture extends through the plate. A spray rod is coupled to the fuel aperture. A fuel nozzle is coupled to the spray rod. The fuel nozzle delivers a fuel to the plate through the spray rod. A solenoid is coupled to the fuel nozzle. The solenoid is coupled to a fuel source so the solenoid delivers the fuel to the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Russell D. Fowler
  • Patent number: 8944029
    Abstract: A turbo charger driven by exhaust gas from a combustion engine via an exhaust inlet to the turbo charger, the turbo charger having an axial inlet for combustion air generally at atmospheric pressure, from an outlet at a bent pipe portion with an inlet from an inlet channel from an air inlet, the inlet channel having at least one arched wall of non-magnetic material, with an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface relative to the inlet channel, wherein along the arched wall is arranged a series of at least three magnets having sequentially opposite magnetization directions directed mainly orthogonal to the wall, and with a pole surface of each magnet generally in level with the wall, and with a mutual separation between the magnets being at least as long as a half of a first width of the inlet channel's cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carbon Reduction Solutions AS
    Inventor: Anders Thalberg
  • Patent number: 8941291
    Abstract: A plasma actuator (1) includes four electrodes (11) and three dielectrics (10) and is disposed on the side of an object surface (B). When a high voltage is applied to the electrodes (11), a plasma (15) is generated at an end (10a) of each dielectric (10) exposed so as to be accessible to a gas. In the plasma actuator (1), the electrodes (11) and dielectrics (10) are alternately stacked one on another. The plasma actuator (1) includes a stepped exposed portion (X). The plasma actuator (1) in which the electrodes (11) and dielectrics (10) are arranged such that the ends (10a) of the dielectrics (10) are exposed in the normal line direction of the object surface (B) in the stacked order in the stepped exposed portion (X) can suppress the flow of the generated plasma even when the plasma actuator is exposed to a high-speed airflow under high pressure. This stabilizes the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoonho Kim, Takeshi Serizawa, Akira Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8910619
    Abstract: A method of improving the combustion of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. Such engines have at least one cylinder, each cylinder having a compression chamber and operated such that an air-fuel mixture introduced into the combustion chamber is ignited to cause a combustion event. An antenna is placed within the combustion chamber, and is used to apply electromagnetic energy to the combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger, II, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8905007
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a heat-generation chamber disposed so as to be adjacent to a combustion chamber, a heat-generation chamber valve capable of setting up either a communicating state or a shut-down state between the heat-generation chamber and the combustion chamber, and a heat-recovery pipe for recovering heat of a gas guided into the combustion chamber and utilizing the heat as recovered for warm-up. The heat-generation chamber is provided with a heat-generation-chamber spark plug. A catalytic unit is provided between the heat-generation-chamber spark plug and the heat-recovery pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Motomasa Iizuka, Kimitaka Saito, Hisashi Iida
  • Patent number: 8820285
    Abstract: In a plasma device 30 that emits an electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber 10 of an engine 20 so as to generate electromagnetic wave plasma thereby igniting mixture gas, fuel efficiency for lean burn mixture combustion of an engine 20 is improved. During a flame propagation after the mixture gas is ignited in the combustion chamber, the electromagnetic wave is emitted to the combustion chamber 10 so that electrons in a propagating flame resonate with the electromagnetic wave. The resonance between the electrons in the propagating flame and the electromagnetic wave increases flame propagation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Imagineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Kaneko, Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8800537
    Abstract: A plasma equipment comprising a microwave oscillator for generating a predetermined microwave band, a microwave resonant cavity for allowing the predetermined microwave band to resonate, and microwave radiation means for radiating the microwave into the microwave resonant cavity, wherein the microwave radiation means is a microwave radiation antenna having the shape and the size so as to form a strong electric field of the microwave in a plasma generation field formed by the microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Imagineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8800536
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and method for converting ozone and fuel into mechanical energy and waste products. In some embodiments, a super-combustor may be used to provide a combustion engine with an improved ability to combust fuel. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide for an improved spark plug or modified engine having a super-combustor built in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Megaion Research Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos A. Plata
  • Patent number: 8794217
    Abstract: Fuel efficiency in a combustion engine is increased by treating the fuel in a reaction chamber prior to delivering the fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes the step of entraining a stream of exhaust gas to travel upstream through the reactor chamber in a first flow pattern. The method also includes the step of entraining a stream of fuel to travel downstream through the reactor chamber in a second flow pattern, where at least one of the first and second flow patterns comprises a structured turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Thrival Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett Hill, Scott Lazar, Dustin Stonehouse, Justin Tombe
  • Patent number: 8777130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel injector configuration that treats a dielectric fluid such as gasoline fuel with strong electric and, optionally, magnetic fields to form a homogeneous charged fuel or fuel/air mixture for combustion in an internal combustion engine. The electric field is supplied by a triboelectric dipole and the magnetic field is supplied by permanent magnets. Small charged fuel particles are produced and combust more readily than untreated particles. Fuel efficiency is increased and emissions are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ronnell Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Tamol
  • Patent number: 8763590
    Abstract: A mixture of conventional gasoline and hydrogen-containing additive, such as ethanol, destined for use as a fuel for an internal combustion engine, is processed through a fuel generator interposed between a source of the fuel mixture and the internal combustion engine. Within the fuel generator, the mixture is subjected to electrolysis and then fed to the internal combustion engine, one objective being to more efficiently power the internal combustion engine. A method and apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Petrolfree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary A. Henry, Ricky L. Gammons
  • Patent number: 8667951
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and method for converting ozone and fuel into mechanical energy and waste products. In some embodiments, a super-combustor may be used to provide a combustion engine with an improved ability to combust fuel. Certain embodiments of the invention may provide for an improved spark plug or modified engine having a super-combustor built in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Megaion Research Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos A. Plata
  • Patent number: 8640677
    Abstract: An electrostatic air charging system that includes a primary electro-forming exciter (PEFE) having a plurality of tubes that define chambers that receive electrically conductive elements to electrostatically charge the air within an air intake assembly. The system further includes an electric conduit that directs low voltage current to the electrically conductive elements. The charging system further also includes a secondary electro-forming exciter (SEFE) within a positive crankcase ventilation system and connected to a ground within a vehicle. The SEFE includes a secondary tube that defines a secondary chamber having a secondary electrically conductive element disposed therein to electrostatically charge the particles within a positive crankcase ventilation system to provide greater combustion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: James Gonzales, James R. Rosa
  • Patent number: 8613273
    Abstract: Fuel conditioning modules that condition a combustible fuel prior to combustion are provided so that fuel to be conditioned is brought into contact with a fuel conditioning insert assembly which includes a zeolite catalyst material comprised of a mixture of zeolite particulates and rare earth metal or metal oxide particulates in a solid resin binder disposed in a housing flow through passageway such that the fuel flowing in the passageway between inlet and outlet ends of the housing contacts the fuel conditioning insert assembly. The catalytic metal is most preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium, chromium, barium, calcium, platinum, palladium, nickel, bronze and iron. The zeolite catalyst material may be dispersed in the form of solid chips throughout a mass of metallic elements form of a catalytic metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Royce Walker & Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Joel S. Ratner
  • Patent number: 8602005
    Abstract: A multiple discharge plasma apparatus is provided with a plurality of discharge devices, each with an electrode exposed to the combustion chamber and installed in at least one of members constituting the combustion chamber; an antenna installed in at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber so as to radiate electromagnetic waves to the combustion chamber; an electromagnetic wave transmission line installed in at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber, with one end connected to the antenna and the other end covered with an insulator or dielectric and extending to a portion, of at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber, distant from the combustion chamber; and an electromagnetic wave generator for feeding electromagnetic waves into the electromagnetic wave transmission line; wherein the multiple discharge plasma apparatus is configured such that discharge is generated by the electrodes of a plurality of discharge devices and the electromagnetic wav
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Imagineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8590516
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to an internal combustion engine are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods include modifying a conventional internal combustion engine to enhance an operating efficiency. In other embodiments, an internal combustion engine of enhanced operating efficiency is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Hull, Nathan Rogers
  • Patent number: 8555823
    Abstract: An improved method of powering an engine using water as a fuel by separating the hydrogen and oxygen atoms and igniting the hydrogen with high voltage high amperage dc electricity in the compression/combustion chamber of the engine and recycling the exhaust water for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Fred Dawson