Abstract: A motor vehicle has an engine compartment (123) and a compression ignition engine (100) disposed within engine compartment (123). Engine (100) has an air intake (110) through which combustion air enters the engine. A heater (120) heats combustion air passing through air intake (110). A sensor (116) indicates temperature in air intake (110). When temperature indicated by sensor (116) is greater than a reference temperature that demarcates a warm engine from a cold engine, a control (102) enables heater (120) to heat combustion air passing through air intake (110) upon engine starting and during a subsequent period of initial engine running whose duration is a function of temperature indicated by sensor (116) at engine starting.

Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intake pipe for a combustion engine, comprising a housing (1) with a supply duct (2) for especially compressed air, a heat exchanger (8) which is disposed within a main duct (4) in the housing (1) and through which the air can flow in order to exchange heat with a fluid, and a bypass duct (5) that is separated from the main duct (4) in at least some sections and is fitted with at least one positioning element (7) to allow the fed air to adjustably bypass the heat exchanger (8). An end of the bypass duct (5) on the engine side is placed at a still flow-relevant short distance from an opening (11) of an intake valve (10) of the combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus for an internal combustion engine or other type of spark ignition engine having an associated pressurised fuel delivery system, the apparatus comprising a chamber for receiving a volume of a pressurised liquid fuel; and means for heating the fuel within the chamber to provide heated liquid fuel to the fuel delivery system of the engine, to thereby minimise condensation of the fuel and facilitate ignition of the engine within relatively low ambient temperature environments. The apparatus has particular application with ‘heavy fuels’, such as diesel or kerosene, and improves the reliability and performance of the engine especially during ‘cold starts’ and while transitioning to fast-idling.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine (2) of a portable handheld work apparatus, the cylinder (3) is provided with cooling ribs (4, 4?). A cooling airflow is generated by the fan wheel (13) and is guided over the cooling ribs. A carburetor (9) is temperaturized as required by the heated cooling air. A control of the cooling airflow to the carburetor (9) takes place in that an opening (11), which passes the heated cooling air, is selectively closed or opened via a closure element (12). In order to obtain improved cooling of the cylinder during summer operation as well as during winter operation, the closure element (12) is provided with at least one air guide wall which extends essentially transversely to the cooling airflow and causes this cooling air to be partially backed up and deflected.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: According to the method, the gases are circulated in a liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) prior to their entering the internal combustion engine (58) and a high temperature liquid and/or a low temperature liquid is circulated in the liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) in order to heat and/or cool the gases (84) as required. The liquid/gas heat exchanger may comprise a single stage or two stages, that is a high temperature stage and a low temperature stage. It can also be used to cool the recirculating exhaust gases prior to their entering the engine.

Abstract: A gas cooler for an internal combustion engine is provided that includes a first heat exchanger having a plurality of flow channels which are cooled by a liquid coolant and through which compressed charge air flows in a main flow direction of the charge air, and includes a second heat exchanger having a plurality of flow channels which are cooled by the liquid coolant and through which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine flows in a main flow direction of the exhaust gas, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being designed as a structurally integrated module, and the main flow direction of the charge air and the main flow direction of the exhaust gas forming an angle of more than 45°.

Abstract: A throttle plate for use with internal combustion engines comprised of a relatively thin piece of material so that installation of the throttle plate between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold of a vehicle does not require additional brackets or components to correct throttle cable linkage length or geometry. The throttle plate comprises a plate having apertures to accommodate pre-existing connectors and a perimeter that corresponds to connections between, and the geometry of, the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold. The plate fits between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold and defines at least one airflow hole corresponding to the airflow path in the carburetor or throttle body. If there are multiple airflow paths between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold, then there will be multiple airflow holes. One or more vanes integral with the plate extend radially from the perimeter of each airflow hole toward its center.

Abstract: There is provided a duct, an inlet portion of which is disposed so as to be exposed to an upper-side portion of an air intake opening and an outlet portion of which connects to an inlet of an intake passage of an engine. There can be provided an engine intake passage structure of a front vehicle body which can properly reduce a risk of the water coming into the inlet of the intake passage of the engine even when the vehicle travels on the flooded road.

Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.

Abstract: Most of the cars in today's market give a maximum of 30 to 40 miles per gallon and hybrid cars giving upto 50 miles per gallon. The efficiency of Internal Combustion Engines used for this purpose is very low, about 25%. The heat generated during the combustion of fuel is converted into work to drive the car is wasted to the atmosphere, as anti-freeze(Ethylene Glycol) is used to cool the engine and circulated through a radiator which transfers the heat to the atmosphere. The heat generated by combustion of fuel such as gasoline or diesel is converted into the work because of the pressure created by the combustion process. In this invention, the heat is recovered by pre-heating/pressurizing the fresh air used for the process of combustion. The temperature of the pre-heated fresh air used for combustion is increased to above 1400 degrees Fahrenheit by passing through a heat exchanger to recover heat from combustible gases. Fresh air for combustion is heated to about 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A valve for a combustion engine air intake circuit, where the valve includes a main pipe and a bypass duct with upstream and downstream ends opening into the main pipe. The valve also includes a heating member that is positioned in the bypass duct and a shut-off member mounted such that it can move between a first position in which airflow can pass through the main pipe and a second position in which airflow can pass through the bypass duct.

Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.

Abstract: Device for air intake of a heat engine including: —a main circulation system (105) which connects a supercharging apparatus (106) or an air intake manifold (107) which incorporates a heat exchanger (108), —a bypass system (109) linked to the main circulation system along the exchanger, the bypass system incorporating a heating apparatus (29), —a circuit selection device mounted between the main circulation system and the bypass system to channel at least some of the air into one or the other system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and its method of operation including at least one embodiment operating on a six-stroke cycle and including at least one piston and cylinder assembly. The six-stroke cycle includes two power strokes, the latter of which is the result of a water to steam conversion process utilizing the heat of the exhaust gas from the first power stroke. A second embodiment comprises a hybrid power generating assembly incorporating alternative, first and second power sources respectively comprising an internal combustion engine and a water injection engine, the latter of which operates on the water to steam conversion process, wherein the required heat therefore is derived from the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. Another preferred embodiment comprises the utilization of different normally wasted heat sources from an IC engine for the generation of sufficient work energy to drive a power take-off, such as hybrid drive assembly.

Abstract: An engine system for a power unit is disclosed. The engine system includes an exhaust system having at least one exhaust treatment device and an air induction system having at least one heater. The heater is configured to raise the temperature of an intake flow in the air induction system in response to a physical property of the exhaust treatment device.

Abstract: In a method for heating up the intake air of an internal combustion engine during the preglow phase or start-up phase, the heating power is controlled by a control unit of the engine electronics as a function of the operating data of the internal combustion engine. During the preglow phase, the heating element is initially supplied with full current until the heating element reaches its reference temperature. After the reference temperature has been reached and until the start-up phase, a post-heating phase begins in which the heating element is kept at a constant temperature by way of a relatively low power. During the start-up phase, in a first time period, the heating element is switched off, and in a second time period in which the speed of the internal combustion engine is raised to the starting speed, the heating element is switched on again.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine coupled in a hybrid powertrain, the method comprising of extracting waste energy from a component of an electrical power system of the hybrid powertrain, and adjusting intake air temperature during homogeneous charge compression ignition operation of the engine by using said extracted waste energy.

Abstract: The snow remover has a cooling fan for directing cooling air to an engine, and an air cleaner. The air cleaner has an air intake for drawing in outside air. The cooling fan and the air intake of the air cleaner is housed within the engine cover. Cooling air is changed to warm air by the cooling of the engine body, and this warm air is guided towards the air intake of the air cleaner by a guide duct.

Abstract: A heating device for use in an internal combustion engine having an intake defining a passage is disclosed. The intake includes an opening in communication with the passage. The heating device includes a one-piece housing having a mounting flange portion and a first leg portion positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a second leg portion. The mounting flange is adapted to mount to the intake and cover the opening. The heating element is coupled to the one-piece housing and positioned between the first and second leg portions. The heating element is positioned in a heat transfer relation with the passage to thereby heat air flowing through the passage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes in one aspect a source of a pressurized working medium and an expander. The expander has a housing and a piston, movably mounted within and with respect to the housing, to perform one of rotation and reciprocation, each complete rotation or reciprocation defining at least a part of a cycle of the engine. The expander also includes a septum, mounted within the housing and movable with respect to the housing and the piston so as to define in conjunction therewith, over first and second angular ranges of the cycle, a working chamber that is isolated from an intake port and an exhaust port. Combustion occurs at least over the first angular range of the cycle to provide heat to the working medium and so as to increase its pressure.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder, the method comprising of directing a first air stream to an intake valve of the cylinder; directing a second, separate air stream to a second intake valve of the cylinder, said second air stream at a higher temperature than said first air stream; operating said first intake valve and adjusting at least one of an opening timing and a closing timing of said first intake valve to adjust engine output; and intermittently operating said second intake valve to maintain said higher temperature of said second air stream.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed in which some cylinders are adapted to run in homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and at other cylinders are adapted to run in spark-ignition (SI) combustion mode. HCCI cylinders are at least 2 compression ratios higher than SI cylinders. A method for starting such engine is provided in which combustion is initiated in the SI cylinders and no fuel is supplied to HCCI cylinders. In one embodiment, preheating of HCCI cylinders is provided by a heat exchanger disposed in the exhaust of SI cylinders through which intake air to HCCI cylinders passes. Alternatively, preheating of HCCI cylinders is provided by opening an exhaust gas recirculation valve which is disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation duct between an exhaust of the SI cylinders and an intake of HCCI cylinders. When temperature in HCCI cylinders reaches a threshold, combustion in HCCI cylinders is initiated.

Abstract: A vapor fuel air mixture supply system for a combustion engine, whereby the mixture of air and fuel is elevated in temperature prior to combustion. The air to fuel mixture may result in an improvement in fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A system for an internal combustion engine, the engine having an intake and exhaust manifold, the system comprising of a heat exchanger configured to extract energy from engine exhaust gases; a catalyst coupled between said heat exchanger and the exhaust manifold of the engine; a spark plug in a cylinder of the engine; and a controller to operate the engine to perform spark ignition of a mixture of air and fuel in said cylinder during an engine cold start, where said air is heated with the energy before being inducted into said cylinder.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: The system is meant to heat the intake air in internal combustion Diesel engines and is based on the use of a resistor having two segments (1) and (1?) joined to each other on one end (2), the segments (1) and (1?) being made of different metal alloys to form a thermocouple that allows using the module determined by this resistor with a control circuit to automatically regulate the temperature of the intake air, as well as to know the flow rate entering each cylinder from a measurement of the amount of heat supplied to the air flow entering each cylinder of the engine. The system will be disposed in correspondence with the intake duct (4) of the corresponding engine cylinder (3), where the union (2) of the segments (1) and (1?) which form the resistor must be located at the center of said duct (4), where the air flow is greatest.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine system which uses a blended fuel of gasoline and ethanol, operates with high efficiency, and can inhibit nitrogen oxide and the like from being discharged. The internal combustion engine system comprises: a fuel tank 3 that accommodates a blended fuel having an octane number of 80 to 100, which has been prepared by blending gasoline having the octane number of 30 to 85 and ethanol into a weight ratio between 9:1 and 6:4; separating means 4 for adding water to the blended fuel to separate the blended fuel into the gasoline and an ethanol-water mixture liquid; reforming means 8 for reforming one part of the ethanol-water mixture liquid to produce a mixture liquid of diethyl ether and water; and fuel injectors 10a, 10b and 10c which independently inject each of the gasoline, the ethanol-water mixture liquid and the mixture liquid of diethyl ether and water.

Abstract: A thermal transfer internal combustion engine with an air transfer cylinder located between a pair of power cylinders. The transfer cylinder has an intake valve and two transfer valves alternately feeding the two power cylinders. The power cylinders each contain a mono valve used for both intake and exhaust. Counter-flow manifolds connect the mono valves of the power cylinders to the transfer valves of the transfer cylinder. A regenerator with catalytic converter properties is located in each counter-flow manifold. The regenerator is heated by exhaust gases exiting the power cylinders, prior to exiting the engine through exhaust dump valves. Uncompressed intake air is pushed from the transfer cylinder through the regenerator where it is heated and delivered to the power cylinder for conventional processing. The heat recovery system provides high compression temperatures at low compression ratios, reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a device for preheating of the inlet air to a combustion engine that powers a portable tool. The preheating of the air is activated when the surrounding temperature is low and deactivated when there is no need for preheating of the inlet air. When the preheating is activated is the air led through a first channel (14) that is integrated in the wall of a crankcase (10) so that the air is heated. When there is no need for preheating is the inlet air lead via a second channel (16) placed outside the crankcase (10).

Abstract: A heating element for preheating intake air for an internal combustion engine and having a housing for attaching the heating element to an air intake line of the internal combustion engine. At least one heating strip (1), which runs in windings (1a), is held in the housing and is provided with electrical terminals (6) that lead from the housing to the outside. The heating strip (1) is held in the housing by a support (3) running between two housing walls, which runs, electrically insulated, through the windings (1a) of the heating strip (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating flange, in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine. The heating flange comprises at least one heating element for heating the air flowing past said heating element, and a body for mechanically holding and electrically contacting said heating element. For providing an improved heating flange, which is used in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine and which guarantees fast heating of the intake air as well as increased robustness and simplified mounting, said body comprises a fastening bow having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and said heating element comprises at least one substantially U-shaped meander loop which is fixedly connected to the base of said fastening bow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating flange, in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine. The heating flange comprises at least one heating element for heating the air flowing past said heating element, and a body for mechanically holding and electrically contacting said heating element. For providing an improved heating flange, which is used in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine and which guarantees fast heating of the intake air as well as increased robustness and simplified mounting, said body comprises a fastening bow having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and said heating element comprises at least one substantially U-shaped meander loop which is fixedly connected to the base of said fastening bow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a throttle device for the intake section of an internal combustion engine, wherein the throttle device has a multi-part housing that contains a throttle valve device in movable fashion, which can be actuated by means of an actuating drive unit. A base housing, which is embodied as an injection molded component and accommodates the throttle valve device, can also accommodate first housing parts of different flange patterns as interfaces with the intake section and additional second housing parts, which are accommodated so that they can move in relation to the base housing, in order to modify the air conduction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine waste heat recovery system is provided in which a second heat exchanger, a fifth heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, and a first heat exchanger are disposed sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of exhaust gas in an engine exhaust passage. Water, used as a working medium, is supplied sequentially to the first, second, third, fourth and the fifth heat exchangers. Water having the lowest temperature can be supplied to the first heat exchanger on the most downstream side of the gas flow, to which exhaust gas having a comparatively low temperature is supplied. Water having a comparatively low temperature, which has passed only through the first heat exchanger, can be supplied to the second heat exchanger on the most upstream side.

Abstract: There is provided a portable power working machine, which is capable of rationally and effectively preventing the generation of the icing without giving rise to early clogging of air cleaner, the malfunction of a internal combustion engine and deterioration of performance. This working machine comprises a small air-cooled internal combustion engine which is mounted inside a main housing, a cooling fan disposed on one side of the main housing; a carburetor coupled to an upper portion of an intake port of the internal combustion engine; a clean air chamber disposed on an upstream side of the carburetor; an air cleaner cover coupled to the clean air chamber; a warm air introducing passageway for introducing, through a region adjacent to the intake port, part of air which has been sucked by the cooling fan for cooling the internal combustion engine into the air cleaner cover; and a shutter for and externally opening or closing the warm air introducing passageway as desired.

Abstract: Electrical resistances to carry out heating of air necessary for the combustion process of an engine, each of said resistance being in continuous tape form, with a pronounced coiled trajectory so that the resistance is distributed uniformly in an orifice for the passage of air established in a support and has its larger faces located in imaginary planes parallel to the axis of said orifice so that the electrical resistance presents its front rim to the passage of the air with a minimum loss of head, while presenting a wide contact surface to the air. The resistance is fastened to the support in arched recesses defined in diametrically opposed areas of said support, with the interposition of respective ceramic insulators being connected to ground by one of its ends and by its other end to the electricity supply cable.

Abstract: A manually guided implement having an internal combustion engine and a carburetor for supplying a fuel/air mixture to the engine is provided. Disposed between the internal combustion engine and the carburetor is a housing wall in which is arranged a preheating window for guiding to the carburetor a preheating air stream that is heated-up by the internal combustion engine. A pivotably mounted switching element is provided for closing and opening the preheating window.

Abstract: A heating flange especially for the preheating of the intake air of an internal combustion engine with a frame (8), a supporting ceramic element (2) with a heating band (10) fitted thereto. The supporting ceramic element 2 is held in the frame at an inner side of the frame, and a support spring (1) is arranged between the supporting ceramic element (2) and the inner side of the frame. The support spring (1) is a leaf spring which is straight in the non-stressed state, and sits under an initial prestess between the supporting ceramic element (2) and the inner side of the frame. As a result of this configuration, low friction arises between the supporting ceramic element (2) and heating band (10), as well as leaf spring (1), which reduces failures due to vibratory loading, and a defined initial spring tension with a defined spring deflection is produced.

Abstract: A system for improving part throttle efficiency of spark ignition piston engines by utilizing waste heat to increase the temperature of the combustion air is provided. The engine combustion air intake is provided with an ambient temperature air supply and a high temperature air supply. The high temperature supply is heated by engine coolant and or exhaust system waste heat. A computer controlled fuel injection system is required to regulate the temperature of the combustion air by mixing the two supplies based on the power output required. The fuel injection control system is also required to maintain correct fuel air ratios over the extended range of combustion air temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating flange, in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine. The heating flange comprises at least one heating element for heating the air flowing past said heating element, and a body for mechanically holding and electrically contacting said heating element. For providing an improved heating flange, which is used in particular for preheating air in an intake line leading to an internal combustion engine and which guarantees fast heating of the intake air as well as increased robustness and simplified mounting, said body comprises a fastening bow having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and said heating element comprises at least one substantially U-shaped meander loop which is fixedly connected to the base of said fastening bow.

Abstract: There is provided a portable power working machine, which is capable of rationally and effectively preventing the generation of the icing without giving rise to early clogging of air cleaner, the malfunction of a internal combustion engine and deterioration of performance. This working machine comprises a small air-cooled internal combustion engine which is mounted inside a main housing, a cooling fan disposed on one side of the main housing; a carburetor coupled to an upper portion of an intake port of the internal combustion engine; a clean air chamber disposed on an upstream side of the carburetor; an air cleaner cover coupled to the clean air chamber; a warm air introducing passageway for introducing, through a region adjacent to the intake port, part of air which has been sucked by the cooling fan for cooling the internal combustion engine into the air cleaner cover; and a shutter for and externally opening or closing the warm air introducing passageway as desired.

Abstract: Engine-driven portable tools are widely used for different kinds of work where the surrounding conditions are very different. Large variations in temperature can cause problems for the engine, especially during low temperatures that occur during winter. The present invention reduces these problems in a simple and effective way by guiding heated air from the area adjacent to the muffler through a channel placed outside the casing to the air inlet for the engine. The cold air sucked into the engine is mixed with the heated air from the channel so that the temperature of the air mixture is increased.

Abstract: A superintegration of heat exchanger and a typical three way catalyst is disclosed for controlling the temperature of the air entering an internal combustion engine in a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine system. The superintegrated heat exchanger includes a typical catalyst reaction chamber, a coolant pipe coil and a heat exchange unit. A portion of the fresh air induced into air pathway in the superintegrated heat exchanger is preheated by coolant pipe coil and hot surface of the three way catalyst and then is finally heated by exhaust gas through a heat exchanger unit. The heated air is fed back to an intake temperature control valve and is mixed with another portion of fresh air after a Y junction following engine throttle. The intake temperature control valve driven by a step motor can precisely and rapidly control the temperature of fresh and heated air mixture by a locally close-loop controller.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for preheating combustion (intake) air of an internal combustion engine during extreme cold ambient temperatures. A valve arrangement is provided to alter the flow of coolant through a radiator and aftercooler. During conditions where intake air temperature is below a predetermined temperature a fluid control valve causes coolant to first flow through a jacket water portion of the engine and next through the aftercooler where the intake air is preheated.

Abstract: A manually guided implement having an internal combustion engine and a carburetor for supplying a fuel/air mixture to the engine is provided. Disposed between the internal combustion engine and the carburetor is a housing wall in which is arranged a preheating window for guiding to the carburetor a preheating air stream that is heated-up by the internal combustion engine. A pivotably mounted switching element is provided for closing and opening the preheating window.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with a combustion heater for elevating a temperature of an engine related element, there is provided a combustion heater comprising a combustion chamber and a heat exchange portion for transmitting to an engine related element heat held by burnt gas that has been burnt in said combustion chamber is provided, characterized by a first burnt gas discharging portion for discharging from the combustion heater the burnt gas which has passed through the heat exchange portion, a second burnt gas discharging portion for discharging from the combustion heater the burnt gas which has not yet passed through the heat exchange portion, and a burnt gas passage controlling unit for supplying at least one of burnt gas discharged by the first burnt gas discharging portion and burnt gas discharged by the second burnt gas discharging portion to elevate the temperature of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for chemically heating one or more components of, or intake air flowing to, an internal combustion engine by feeding hydrogen to a catalyst. In accordance with the invention, condensation of fuels on cold engine cylinder walls during and after cold start-ups is prevented, thereby reducing wear on the engine. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for reducing pollutants commonly occurring during cold start-up of combustion engines by heating components of, or intake air flowing to, a combustion engine, in order to quickly warm the engine and its catalytic converter to operating temperatures. Preferably, the hydrogen is supplied from an electrolyzer or other on-board source of hydrogen and the hydrogen and a source of oxygen are provided to the catalyst resulting in exothermic oxidation of hydrogen to heat the air intake or other components of the engine.