Hydrogen Patents (Class 123/DIG12)
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Patent number: 4421072Abstract: In accordance with the proposed method the combustible mixture fed to the engine is formed from a petrol-air flow and a hydrogen-air flow. Depending on the load on the engine shaft the composition of the combustible mixture is controlled by varying the amount and composition of said mixtures in said flows so that at full load the resulting combustible mixture contains (by weight) from 5.8 to 6.0% of petrol, from 0.14 to 0.17% of hydrogen, and from 93.7 to 94.0% of air, and a load constituting 0.1 of the full load, said mixture contains from 1.2 to 1.5% of petrol, from 0.42 to 0.45% of hydrogen, and from 98.1 to 98.4% of air. There are also given the quantities of the components in said combustible mixture for other load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1981Date of Patent: December 20, 1983Inventors: Anatoly I. Mischenko, Gennady B. Talda, Alexandr V. Belogub, Anatoly N. Podgorny, Alexandr A. Makarov, Anatoly T. Zhemerenko, Anatoly I. Domrachev, Petr K. Efremov
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Patent number: 4411223Abstract: In fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine, hydrogen gas is generated in a reaction vessel by the reaction of an alkali or alkaline earth metal with water and passes through a duct to the intake of the engine. A vacuum-operated non-return valve admits hydrogen gas from the reaction vessel to the duct when the pressure at the engine intake is less than the pressure in the reaction vessel. Air and optionally oxygen, also pass to the engine intake through respective ducts. A valve in each duct is interlinked with those in the other ducts and the valves control the flow of gas in the respective ducts so that the flow of hydrogen to the engine intake is in controlled proportion to the flows of air and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1981Date of Patent: October 25, 1983Inventor: Martin Kiely
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Patent number: 4409931Abstract: A controlled amount of a fluid (steam or water or a solution of water plus additives) is injected into an internal combustion engine to improve combustion, efficiency, and to reduce emissions. The amount of the fluid injected is controlled in response to engine need. The steam is generated by the heat produced by the engine. Combustion gas temperature is used to control the amount of steam produced by varying the fluid flow through one or more fixed or variable orifice control valves. The steam is injected in a piston engine to cool peak temperatures, to prevent detonation and pre-ignition, to smooth out hot spots, to prevent auto-ignition or dieseling, and to use the vapor energy in the expansion cycle to increase low speed torque and acceleration. The steam is used to cause full retard of the vacuum spark advance during acceleration at full load from low speed, and a large amount of steam is injected at this point in the cycle to prevent pre-ignition and detonation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1980Date of Patent: October 18, 1983Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & EricksonInventor: John E. Lindberg
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Patent number: 4407238Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide comprising contacting methanol in the vapor phase with a catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. to 900.degree. F., a pressure in the range of from 0.1 to 50 atmospheres absolute and a contact time of 0.1 to 100 seconds whereby hydrogen and carbon monoxide are formed, said catalyst comprising manganese, copper and chromium.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1981Date of Patent: October 4, 1983Assignee: Conoco Inc.Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
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Patent number: 4402187Abstract: Discloses a hydrogen compressor having two series of chambers or hydride containers specifically located in a pair of jackets adapted to contain flowing heat exchange liquid, e.g. water. The series of chambers are connected through a check valve arrangement and flow of hot and cold water through said jackets is controlled by a timing means.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1982Date of Patent: September 6, 1983Assignee: MPD Technology CorporationInventors: Peter M. Golben, Matthew J. Rosso, Jr.
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Patent number: 4393817Abstract: A controlled amount of a fluid (steam or water or a solution of water plus additives) is injected into an internal combustion engine to improve combustion, efficiency, and to reduce emissions. The amount of the fluid injected is controlled in response to engine need. The steam is generated by the heat produced by the engine. Combustion gas temperature is used to control the amount of steam produced by varying the fluid flow through one or more fixed or variable orifice control valves. The steam is injected in a piston engine to cool peak temperatures, to prevent detonation and pre-ignition, to smooth out hot spots, to prevent auto-ignition or dieseling, and to use the vapor energy in the expansion cycle to increase low speed torque and acceleration. The steam is used to cause full retard of the vacuum spark advance during acceleration at full load from low speed, and a large amount of steam is injected at this point in the cycle to prevent pre-ignition and detonation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1980Date of Patent: July 19, 1983Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & EricksonInventor: John E. Lindberg
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Patent number: 4389981Abstract: System and apparatus for the controlled intermixing of a volatile hydrogen gas with oxygen and other non-combustible gasses in a combustion system. In a preferred arrangement the source of volatile gas is a hydrogen source, and the non-combustible gasses are the exhaust gasses of the combustion system in a closed loop arrangement. Specific structure for the controlled mixing of the gasses, the fuel flow control, and safety are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1982Date of Patent: June 28, 1983Inventor: Stanley A. Meyer
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Patent number: 4385726Abstract: A method of preheating vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines involves the utilization of the heat released when hydrogen is combined with a high-temperature hydride-forming material contained within a high-temperature reservoir. The high-temperature reservoir contains a sufficient quantity of low-temperature reservoir hydride-forming material that when hydrogen is added from a low-temperature reservoir to the high-temperature reservoir, the quantity of heat which is initially released by the low-temperature hydride-forming material is sufficient to raise the high-temperature reservoir hydride-forming material also contained in the high-temperature reservoir to the reaction temperatures required for absorption of hydrogen and the release of heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1980Date of Patent: May 31, 1983Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventors: Otto Bernauer, Helmut Buchner
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Patent number: 4380970Abstract: The invention provides an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines in which the exhaust heat is used to thermally dissociate water to its constituent gases hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen so produced is introduced into the combustion chamber of the engine to at least partially replace the conventional fuel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, water is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen in a dissociation chamber in the form of a transition tube containing a spirally wound ribbon arranged to urge water in the transition tube outwardly into contact with walls of the transition tube, said walls being heated by exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1981Date of Patent: April 26, 1983Inventor: Roy A. Davis
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Patent number: 4376097Abstract: Oxalic acid, dispersed in glycerol is heated to form formic acid which is then heated at a higher temperature to form hydrogen. By-product carbon dioxide is absorbed. The hydrogen is used directly with a fuel cell to produce electricity or as fuel for an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1981Date of Patent: March 8, 1983Inventor: Melvin Emelock
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Patent number: 4369737Abstract: A cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen comprised of a plastic housing and a plurality of regularly spaced metallic electrode rods positioned substantially parallel to the bottom of the housing; an aqueous solution of sodium bi-sulfate in which the rods are immersed; half of the rods being positive and attached to a source of D. C. electricity and the other half of the rods being negative and attached to a ground connection; the rods being positioned alternately such that each positive rod is adjacent solely to negative rods and each negative rod is adjacent solely to positive rods. This cell finds particular use as a fuel generator for internal combustion engines.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1980Date of Patent: January 25, 1983Inventors: Cledith A. Sanders, Margaret M. Sanders, Cledith A. Sanders, II
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Patent number: 4368696Abstract: A combination internal combustion engine and electrolyzer for producing hydrogen and oxygen gases from water on board a motor vehicle in order to supplement the gasoline fuel for the engine further includes a heat activated engine such as a Stirling engine to provide the electrical current necessary to decompose the water, the Stirling engine being activated directly from heat derived from the exhaust of the internal combustion engine. The oxygen and hydrogen gases formed by the electrolysis of water are passed to the air intake of the carburetor of the internal combustion engine and enable the use of a much leaner gasoline to air mixture to run the engine thus increasing gas mileage and reducing air pollutants formed by the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1980Date of Patent: January 18, 1983Inventor: Weldon E. Reinhardt
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Patent number: 4367698Abstract: Reactants having negligible activation energy react spontaneously and instantly upon contact to release heat. Such reactants are injected as colliding jets into a working fluid compressed in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The released heat causes the working fluid to expand against a movable member of the engine whereby mechanical energy is developed.Preferred reactants having negligible activation energy are an alkali metal with water and a preferred working fluid is air. The combustion chamber reaction occurs in two distinct steps: In the first step, the alkali metal and water react with negligible activation energy to evolve hydrogen. In the second step, the evolved hydrogen and working fluid oxygen react with substantial activation energy. Undesirable effects of the activation energy are reduced by the substantial portion of heat release occurring in the first step and by improved ignition of the hydrogen as it evolves.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1980Date of Patent: January 11, 1983Inventor: Stephen F. Skala
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Patent number: 4364336Abstract: Conventional reactants, such as hydrocarbons or hydrogen with air, which are used by most internal combustion engines have substantial activation energies which limit conditions under which the engines will start and operate. In a typical starting process, a separate starter motor turns the engine through several full cycles so that a compressed mixture of the reactants will ignite.The invention includes reactants which have negligible activation energy, such as an alkali metal with water, and thus react upon contact to evolve a hot gas. An internal combustion engine is stopped in an expansion phase where it may remain for a time which is sufficient to approach equilibrium at ambient temperature and pressure in a combustion chamber. Starting comprises injecting the reactants in a contacting relationship into the combustion chamber which is stopped in an expansion phase whereby ignition must occur to rapidly evolve the hot gas and force the engine to advance.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1980Date of Patent: December 21, 1982Inventor: Stephen F. Skala
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Patent number: 4362137Abstract: An ultralean fuel mixture ignition and induction system is disclosed in which very lean fuel-air mixtures are used in internal combustion engines by means of a novel method and apparatus which greatly increases the burning rate of extremely lean mixtures to thereby prevent afterfire and backfire which would otherwise result from these lean mixtures when used in an engine, this same improvement in burning rate being able to provide improved fuel economy in that less fuel is required per combustion event and it is also able to provide better control over exhaust emission products in that combustion is cooler and more complete. The increased burning rate producing these effects is achieved when fuel that is being directly injected by conventional methods is routed through a pyrolysis cell and a cooler on its way to the combustion chamber, the fuel being thereby stripped of some of its hydrogen and being thereby impelled along with the hydrogen into the cylinder during the compression cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1980Date of Patent: December 7, 1982Inventor: Louis R. O'Hare
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Patent number: 4361474Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid fuel system for an engine which normally operates on fuel such as kerosene, gasoline, propane or the like and is adapted to be used in conjunction with the traditional fuel at selected times during the running of the engine. The system includes an electrolysis chamber provided with a fluid inlet and outlet, a pipe disposed within the chamber to allow the metered dispensing of a portion of the fluid contained within the pipe to an electrolysis area in such a manner that the dissociation of the fluid into its elemental components occurs quite readily. The configuration of the electrolysis area is such that remigration of the elemental components is extremely unlikely, and to this end an angled roof having faces which meet at an area above the pipe cause the elements to be separated and migrate on separate faces of the roof and thereafter to an opening which communicates with a conduit for admission of the elemental components into the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1981Date of Patent: November 30, 1982Inventors: George Shoaf, David Pearson
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Patent number: 4359969Abstract: For the improved combustion of hydrocarbon compounds, for example those contained in gasoline, diesel fuel etc., in internal combustion engines a liquid composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, water, aliphatic alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms, and preferably thin lubricating oil and anticorrosive is admixed with the fuel air mixture in the internal combustion engines.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1980Date of Patent: November 23, 1982Inventors: Allan Mellovist, Thorild N. K. E. Anderberg
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Patent number: 4344831Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of a gaseous hydrogen or hydrogen and oxygen mixture for use as a fuel. The apparatus includes an electrolytic tank having means for circulating and cooling the electrolyte solution therein, gas removal means and a source of electric power communicating with the electrolyte solution. The method is characterized by dissociation of the aqueous portion of the electrolyte solution and maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte below 150.degree. F.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1980Date of Patent: August 17, 1982Inventor: Charles T. Weber
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Patent number: 4343770Abstract: Oxygen and water impurities are cleaned from hydrogen, which is to be stored in tanks containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy, using a novel, self-cleaning filter system. The impurity-containing hydrogen gas is first passed through a catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is adapted to convert oxygen in the presence of hydrogen to water. The gas then passes through an adsorbent capable of adsorbing water from the gas stream, thereby substantially removing water impurities from the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is charged into a storage tank containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy which absorbs the hydrogen by reacting therewith to form hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride. When the storage tank is to be discharged, the hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride in the tank is treated to release hydrogen gas therefrom. The released gas is passed back through the adsorbent, thereby cleaning the adsorbent of water impurities deposited therein when the tank was being charged with hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1980Date of Patent: August 10, 1982Assignee: Billings Energy CorporationInventor: Harold M. Simons
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Patent number: 4341184Abstract: The formation of noxious exhaust gases is prevented in internal combustion engines by passing steam in contact with an element comprising cerium and germanium and then to a location at which the formation of the noxious gases would normally take place.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1979Date of Patent: July 27, 1982Inventor: Maria Temmerman
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Patent number: 4332219Abstract: A reciprocating motor, comprising: a piston/cylinder assembly, having an input/output port; an electrolytic cell for generating a combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases, the cell being connected to the input/output port of the piston/cylinder assembly; and, means for igniting the combustible mixture in the cylinder, the piston being first driven outwardly by the force of the exploding gas mixture, and immediately afterward, being pulled back by a vacuum formed when the exploded gas mixture recombines into a trace amount of water, whereby a single charge of the combustible gas mixture achieves a double power stroke. The input/output port is preferably funnel shaped, the larger end being directed into the cylinder, and the smaller end being directed into the electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell utilizes sets of bipolar electrodes in the form of laminated panels having a wrap-around overlapping border. A free wheeling piston can be utilized to drive a pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1980Date of Patent: June 1, 1982Inventor: Ernesto Gonzalez
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Patent number: 4328768Abstract: Hydrogen gas filled hollow hole-free microspheres are stored in a chamber. The microspheres are directed from the storage chamber to a heated chamber where the hydrogen gas is diffused through the outer surface of the microspheres and delivered to an engine for use as a fuel. After substantially all the hydrogen gas is removed, the microspheres are transported to another storage chamber from which they are completely removed for refilling with hydrogen gas while the first mentioned storage chamber is refilled with fueled microspheres.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1980Date of Patent: May 11, 1982Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph C. Tracy, Jan F. Herbst
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Patent number: 4318369Abstract: A recyclable-fuel engine system designed for use in a vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen-producing catalytic unit having plural catalytic beds, and a hydrogen-fueled engine having combustion and exhaust chambers. The catalytic beds, when supplied with heat, catalyze a reduced form of a hydrocarbon carrier to hydrogen and a dehydrogenated form of the carrier. One of the catalytic beds is supplied heat by direct heat transfer from the engine's exhaust chamber. The remaining catalytic beds are supplied heat by heat pipes receiving heat from the combustion and exhaust chambers. The hydrogen produced in the catalytic unit is supplied to the engine, to power the same. Also disclosed herein are apparatus and method for regenerating the catalytic beds periodically.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1979Date of Patent: March 9, 1982Inventor: Marshall W. Cronyn
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Patent number: 4290267Abstract: A method and apparatus for at least partially recovering the exhaust heat of combustion operations in which hydrogen is used at least partially during the combustion, which is stored in the form of metal hydride in a metal storage device and is released therefrom by a supply of heat energy. Exhaust heat of the combustion is supplied to the metal hydride for the release of the hydrogen while the metal storage device freed at least to a large extent of the hydrogen is utilized as storage device of latently bound heat energy whose heat energy is utilized, such latently bound heat energy being released during the filling of the metal storage device with hydrogen into metal hydride.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1978Date of Patent: September 22, 1981Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventor: Helmut Buchner
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Patent number: 4276131Abstract: An automobile engine is fueled with a mixture of air and a vapor derived by passing electric current through an electrolytically conductive emulsion of gasoline and water. Specific compositions of the conductive emulsions are disclosed as are unique designs for vaporizers for the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1980Date of Patent: June 30, 1981Inventor: Arnold I. Feuerman
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Patent number: 4271793Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an electrical generation system, such as an alternator. An electrolytic cell is attached adjacent to the engine to generate hydrogen and oxygen upon the application of a voltage between the cathode and anode of the electrolytic cell. The gas feed connects the electrolytic cell to the engine fuel system for feeding the hydrogen and oxygen to the engine combustion chambers. Improvements include placing the electrolytic cell under a predetermined pressure to prevent the electrolyte from boiling off, a cooling system for the electrolytic cell and safety features.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1979Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Inventor: Joseph M. Valdespino
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Patent number: 4270360Abstract: A device for the storage of hydrogen, comprising a container, two porous plates opposed parallelly to each other across a fixed distance and fastened to the inner wall of the container, heating/cooling members disposed one each outside the porous plates and separated by a fixed distance from the corresponding porous plates, and an alloy capable of storing hydrogen placed in the spaces formed between the porous plates and the heating/cooling members.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1980Date of Patent: June 2, 1981Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & IndustryInventors: Masanori Nakane, Yasuaki Osumi, Hiroshi Suzuki, Aakihiko Kato
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Patent number: 4256060Abstract: The manifold hydrogen generator units for automotive I. C. engines are intended to provide a supplementary hydrogen fuel supply for conventional automotive I. C. engines, in addition to any primary fuel including gasoline, gasohol or hydrogen.The hydrogen is produced in a three stage process starting with the conversion of water to steam by means of multiple coils of copper tubing closely fitted to the exhaust manifold(s) of the I. C. engine. The steam is directed into one or two reactor cylinders containing rotating wire brushes axially disposed within the reactor cylinder(s) which remove a portion of the oxygen through progressive oxidation of the iron wire brushes. Periodic forced purging of the wire brushes is provided by combined aeration and vibrating of the rotating brushes.A final reforming stage of the partially reformed steam/hydrogen flow is obtained by steel wool packs which are periodically replaced.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1979Date of Patent: March 17, 1981Inventor: Donald A. Kelly
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Patent number: 4253428Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for use in conjunction with and as an alternative to a hydrocarbon fuel system in a motor vehicle or other apparatus having a combustion unit and a mixing device for mixing hydrogen gas with air for introduction into the combustion unit. The hydrogen fuel system includes a hydrogen storage tank for holding hydrogen under pressure, a conduit for conveying hydrogen gas from the tank to the mixing unit, and a solenoid disposed in the conduit and responsive to a first signal for allowing the flow of hydrogen gas to the mixing unit, and responsive to a second signal for preventing flow of hydrogen gas to the mixing unit. Also included is a hydrocarbon fuel tank, a conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion unit, and a fuel pump responsive to the first signal for preventing flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion unit, and responsive to the second signal for pumping fuel to the combustion unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1978Date of Patent: March 3, 1981Inventors: Roger E. Billings, Ronald L. Woolley, Vaughn R. Anderson
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Patent number: 4246080Abstract: A solar-energy-process-converter system whereby the energy from the sun is accumulated and projected by a parabolic reflector so as to impinge upon a cluster of thermocouples to create electrical energy for activating an electrolysis unit through which hydrogen and oxygen are generated and stored. The system can also include a steam-turbine electrical-generator plant that is adapted to be operated by the burning of the hydrogen and oxygen, and the gases can further be used to establish heat to drive a thermocouple electrical-generator plant, wherein the stored hydrogen is further employed as a fuel for vehicle and other engines.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1979Date of Patent: January 20, 1981Inventor: William A. Shinn
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Patent number: 4226213Abstract: An internal combustion engine with walls delimiting the working space or spaces of the internal combustion engine, in which a hydrogen-impervious, encapsulated metal hydride storage device is provided which is in heat-conducting contact with these walls; the interior of the encapsulation is adapted to be selectively connected to a source of hydrogen and/or to a separate further hydrogen storage device.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1978Date of Patent: October 7, 1980Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventor: Otto Bernauer
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Patent number: 4225320Abstract: A metal hydride fuel system incorporating a plurality of storage elements that may be individually replaced to provide a hydrogen fuel system for combustion engines having a capability of partial refueling is presented.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1979Date of Patent: September 30, 1980Inventor: Harold A. Gell
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Patent number: 4214699Abstract: The passenger compartment of a motor vehicle operated at least partially on hydrogen may be heated after the engine is shut off by using a LT/HT hydride combination reservoir as the hydride reservoir for the vehicle. The heat capacity of the reservoir, present after the engine is shut off or produced by charging the HT reservoir with hydrogen from the LT reservoir, is supplied at least partially to the passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1978Date of Patent: July 29, 1980Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventors: Helmut Buchner, Helmut Saufferer
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Patent number: 4211537Abstract: A system for supplying hydrogen to an apparatus which utilizes hydrogen, contains a metal hydride hydrogen supply component and a microcavity hydrogen storage hydrogen supply component which in tandem supply hydrogen for the apparatus. The metal hydride hydrogen supply component includes a first storage tank filled with a composition which is capable of forming a metal hydride of such a nature that the hydride will release hydrogen when heated but will absorb hydrogen when cooled. This first storage tank is equipped with a heat exchanger for both adding heat to and extracting heat from the composition to regulate the absorption/deabsorption of hydrogen from the composition. The microcavity hydrogen storage hydrogen supply component includes a second tank containing the microcavity hydrogen supply. The microcavity hydrogen storage contains hydrogen held under high pressure within individual microcavities. The hydrogen is released from the microcavities by heating the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1978Date of Patent: July 8, 1980Inventor: Robert J. Teitel
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Patent number: 4200062Abstract: A safety cutoff switch for a hydrogen gas generator system is disclosed. The hydrogen gas generator system is of the type for use with automotive internal combustion engines wherein combustible hydrogen gas generated by the system is co-mingled with exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine and fed into the intake manifold. The hydrogen gas generator system includes a group or groups of hydrogen gas fuel cells which are provided with electrical current generated by alternators driven by the engine or the automotive drive train. The current from the alternators is supplied through the safety cutoff switch and individual, manually operable switches to each fuel cell. The safety cutoff switch comprises a solenoid structure having a spring biased armature carrying an electrical contactor for making an electrical circuit between two electrical contact posts.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1978Date of Patent: April 29, 1980Inventor: Charles E. Duckworth
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Patent number: 4185593Abstract: An improved means and process for providing for the removal of hydrogen from a catalytic cathode means whereby the hydrogen may be recombined with oxygen to provide explosive force to power an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1977Date of Patent: January 29, 1980Inventor: Kenneth S. McClure
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Patent number: 4182278Abstract: A unique process is disclosed for modifying an automobile engine to improve fuel economy and reduce harmful exhaust emissions by introducing water and an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, when the engine is under load. The carburetor of a standard engine is adjusted to provide a very lean air-fuel mixture and to increase the air-fuel ratio substantially (e.g., 10 to 20 percent). The amount of hydrogen peroxide injected into the engine depends on the rate of fuel flow and may be regulated by the throttle valve or intake manifold pressure. Means are provided for maintaining a supply of hydrogen peroxide including a high pressure mixing tank containing water and hydrogen peroxide and a pair of removable oxygen tanks for a continuous supply of oxygen to the tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1977Date of Patent: January 8, 1980Inventor: Charles A. Coakwell
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Patent number: 4181100Abstract: A lean mixture, rich in hydrogen, is introduced into the combustion chamber. Fuel is then injected to the center of the chamber to provide a rich strata. The rapid flame front propagation due to the hydrogen minimizes the HC production quench.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1977Date of Patent: January 1, 1980Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventors: Kimitaka Yamane, Akira Morita, Zene Ueno
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Patent number: 4178882Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided for engines which are adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel and which utilize a fuel tank containing a metal hydride for the storage of hydrogen. The system provides for high pressure operation when the hydride in the fuel tank is fully charged with hydrogen, as well as for operation at low pressures to allow maximum utilization of the hydrogen stored in the hydride. A supply conduit, which can supply the hydrogen needed during normal operation of the engine with minimal pressure drop, connects the storage tank to the fuel intake of the engine. A bypass conduit is provided having one end thereof connected to the supply conduit and its other end reconnected to the supply conduit downstream of the first connection. Valve means are adapted to direct the flow of hydrogen either directly through the supply conduit or to divert the flow of hydrogen from the supply conduit through the bypass conduit and back to the supply conduit downstream from the valve means.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1978Date of Patent: December 18, 1979Assignee: Billings Energy CorporationInventors: Vaughn R. Anderson, Ronald L. Woolley, Edward H. Davis
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Patent number: 4170200Abstract: The invention discloses an internal combustion engine of the type in which alcohol or alcohol-containing mixture and air undergo the thermal or catalytic reforming reaction, and the reformed gases containing hydrogen are directly charged or mixed with gasoline or the like and charged into the engine for combustion. The production of soot and tar during the thermal or catalytic reforming reaction may be minimized, and the emission of noxious combustion products may be also minimized.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1977Date of Patent: October 9, 1979Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Kouji Horie
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Patent number: 4167919Abstract: An internal combustion engine designed to operate with hydrogen fuel, comprises means for mixing water in the form of droplets, spray, or mist with gaseous hydrogen. The water-containing hydrogen gas is then introduced along with air in proportion for practical internal combustion and efficient power output to the cylinders or combustion chambers of the engine for combustion. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust gases from the engine, and the condensed water is used as the source of water to be mixed with hydrogen fuel so as to provide a continuing, self-supporting system. The resulting exhaust emissions from the engine are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and, in addition, engine backfiring is eliminated while the efficiency and power output of the engine is improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1977Date of Patent: September 18, 1979Assignee: Billings Energy CorporationInventors: Ronald L. Woolley, Vaughn R. Anderson
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Patent number: 4167920Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the power of internal combustion engines is disclosed and includes the method step of injecting pure oxygen, under pressure, into the combustion chamber of the engine after ignition of the usual fuel mixture. The apparatus includes a source of oxygen under pressure, suitable lines leading to a distributing valve which is controlled by the cam shaft of the engine and suitable lines leading from the distributing valve to the individual cylinders. The apparatus also includes a one way check valve to avoid back feed of exhaust gas into the oxygen system.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1977Date of Patent: September 18, 1979Inventors: Eugene D. Lepera, Clarence E. Ritenour
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Patent number: 4141326Abstract: Disclosed herein is a closed loop fuel control system for a hydrogen fuelled engine embodying a hydrogen sensor in the exhaust manifold to provide a feedback signal indicative of the quantity of unburned hydrogen in the engine's exhaust. The system electronically controls or trims the fuel delivery to the engine in response to signals indicative of the engine's operating parameters and the signal generated by the hydrogen sensor to maintain the concentration of hydrogen in the exhaust at a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1977Date of Patent: February 27, 1979Assignee: The Bendix CorporationInventor: William G. Wolber
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Patent number: 4140090Abstract: A gaseous fuel is used in a precombustion chamber for igniting lean fuel-oxidant mixtures in a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.The precombustion chamber preferably utilizes a highly combustible gaseous fuel which burns clean with little or no deposits and produces no pollutants.The combustion gas products from the precombustion chamber are injected into the main combustion chamber at high temperature and at high velocity to produce highly efficient turbulent mixing of a lean fuel-oxidant mixture in the main combustion chamber and to produce effective ignition and efficient burning of the fuel at the lean fuel-oxidant ratios in the main combustion chamber for increased engine efficiency and lowered emissions as compared to existing engine systems using conventional spark ignition.The precombustion chamber mechanism incorporates injection structure for producing standing waves in the main combustion chamber to provide a plurality of highly effective ignition points.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1975Date of Patent: February 20, 1979Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & EricksonInventor: John E. Lindberg
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Patent number: 4133847Abstract: An automobile engine is fueled with a mixture of air and a vapor derived by passing electric current through an electrolytically conductive emulsion of gasoline and water. Specific compositions of the conductive emulsions are disclosed as are unique designs for vaporizers for the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1976Date of Patent: January 9, 1979Inventor: Arnold I. Feuerman
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Patent number: 4131086Abstract: A fuel reforming apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising hydrocarbon fuel supply means for producing a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel with air in a suitable air-fuel ratio, a burning chamber in which the mixture is ignited and burned, and a reactor which is packed with a catalyst adapted to carry out the catalytic reforming, with the aid of the heat of the combustion gases discharged out of the burning chamber, of the hydrocarbon fuel including little air to produce a reformed gas rich with hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1975Date of Patent: December 26, 1978Assignee: Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Masaaki Noguchi, Tsuchio Bunda, Taro Tanaka
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Patent number: 4125091Abstract: Method and equipment for control of an internal combustion engine with a fuel-reforming device wherein air passing through the fuel-reforming device is mechanically controlled depending on the volume of air to be sucked into the engine without passing through the fuel-reforming device and is supplied into the air not passing through the fuel-reforming device, upstream of a throttle valve by means of an air pump; the total air volume sucked into the engine is detected; and the volume of fuel matching the total air volume is electrically controlled so that it can be supplied upstream of the fuel-reforming device into the air passing through the fuel-reforming device, and if necessary, also into the air not passing through the fuel-reforming device.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: November 14, 1978Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryuzo Hori, Kunihiko Masunaga, Toshio Funayama, Hirohiko Hoshi, Kazuhiko Ishiguro, Hidetomo Umehara
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Patent number: 4119061Abstract: Method and equipment for control of an internal combustion engine including a fuel-reforming device includes appropriate control of the ratio of total air to total fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine through mechanical regulation of the volume of air to pass through the fuel-reforming device in accordance with the volume of air to be sucked into the engine without passing through the fuel-reforming device, suction being done utilizing the negative pressure downstream of the throttle valve; through electrical regulation of the volume of fuel to be supplied to the air passing through the fuel-reforming device in accordance with the volume of the air; and through electrical control of a separate fuel-supply provided in the air path which does not run through the fuel-reforming device and of a fuel-supply which runs through the fuel-reforming device.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: October 10, 1978Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohiko Hoshi, Toshio Funayama, Kazuhiko Ishiguro, Hidetomo Umehara
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Patent number: 4112875Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fueled internal combustion engine is described herein, which utilizes an inert gas, such as argon, as a working fluid to increase the efficiency of the engine, eliminate pollution, and facilitate operation of a closed cycle energy system. In a system where sunlight or other intermittent energy source is available to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, the oxygen and inert gas are taken into a diesel engine into which hydrogen is injected and ignited. The exhaust is cooled so that it contains only water and the inert gas. The inert gas in the exhaust is returned to the engine for use with fresh oxygen, while the water in the exhaust is returned to the intermittent energy source for reconversion to hydrogen and oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1976Date of Patent: September 12, 1978Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Eugene A. Laumann, Rollin K. Reynolds
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Patent number: 4111161Abstract: A lean air-fuel mixture and hydrogen gas are introduced into the combustion chamber so that high concentrations of hydrogen form about the spark plug and combustion chamber walls.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1975Date of Patent: September 5, 1978Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventors: Zene Ueno, Akira Morita, Shigeo Iwaki, Tadahiko Nagaoka, Tokuich Inagaki