DK179195B1

DK179195B1 - Method of cleaning an internal combustion engine and system therefore

Info

Publication number: DK179195B1
Application number: DKPA201600715A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Uffe Lauge Jensen
Original assignee: Hydrive Aps
Priority date: 2016-11-18
Filing date: 2016-11-18
Publication date: 2018-01-22
Also published as: DK201600715A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a gas delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas, and optionally oxygen gas, for cleaning an internal combustion engine. An internal combustion engine with an engine displacement of 1-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour. The hydrogen, and optionally the oxygen gas, is delivered into the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine. The hydrogen gas, and optionally the oxygen gas, is continuously produced by means capable of performing electrolysis on water, and wherein a direct current electrical supply is configured to deliver direct current pulses of 200-1000 Hertz to the means capable of performing electrolysis on water.

Description

<¹θ> DANMARK (10)

<¹²> PATENTSKRIFT

Patent- og

Varemærkestyrelsen (51) Int.CI.: F02 M 25/12 (2006.01) C25B 1/04(2006.01) C 25 B 15/02 (2006.01) (21) Ansøgningsnummer: PA2016 00715 (22) Indleveringsdato: 2016-11-18 (24) Løbedag: 2016-11-18 (41) Aim. tilgængelig: 2018-01-22 (45) Patentets meddelelse bkg. den: 2018-01-22 (73) Patenthaver: Hydrive ApS, Egebjergvej 42,8751 Gedved, Danmark (72) Opfinder: Uffe Lauge Jensen, Egebjergvej 42, 8751 Gedved, Danmark (74) Fuldmægtig: Larsen & Birkeholm A/S Skandinavisk Patentbureau, Banegårdspladsen 1,1570 København V, Danmark (54) Benævnelse: Method of cleaning an internal combustion engine and system therefore (56) Fremdragne publikationer:

US 2013220240 A1 US 2011005939 A1 WO 2010069275 A1 US 2014367272 A1 WO 2015079316 A1 US 2012111734 A1 WO 2014025249 A1 WO 2011092667 A1 (57) Sammendrag:

Method of cleaning an internal combustion engine and system therefore

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to internal combustion engines.

Background of the invention

Most vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, boats, and portable machinery, such as electric generators, utilize internal combustion engines. Generally, these engines use fossil fuel to operate.

In the internal combustion engine, combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (air) in a combustion chamber. The expansion of the high temperature and high pressure gases produced by the combustion process exert forces to mechanical components of the engine transforming chemical energy into useful mechanical energy. Incomplete oxidation during the combustion, or improper combustion, may increase the emissions. Emissions carry harmful substances, such as carbon monoxides, nitrogen oxides, and other greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide that can adversely affect health and the environment. To control the emissions, users and manufacturers of internal combustion engines must comply with stringent regulations and emissions control standards.

For economic and environmental reasons, technologies on fuel and engine have been developed to produce internal combustion engines with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. For example, unleaded fuels are used for reducing carbon deposits in the engine, and fuel additives are used for increasing performance and fuel efficiency of the engine. However, the effects of carbon build-up are still present in almost all vehicles, and the use of some fuel additives may further increase carbon deposits in the engine. Excessive build-up of carbon deposits in the engine will reduce engine performance and create significant drivability issues.

WO2014025249 discloses a method for enhancing performance of an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: performing an electrolysis process by using a minimal electrical current that will not overheat an electrolyte; generating uniform electro-magnetic fields around the electrodes during the electrolysis process for increasing production of combustible gases suitable for supplementing a combustion of the engine, channeling the gases produced by the electrolysis process to a combustion chamber of the engine; and during the combustion, hydrogen and oxygen gases act as a cleaning agent resultant to cleaning the engine and lowering emissions of the engine by removing carbon deposits in the engine.

It is therefore desirable to provide a system, which can reduce the build-up of carbon deposits in an internal combustion engine.

Summary of the invention

The inventor of the present invention has provided a system capable of reducing the build-up of carbon deposits in an internal combustion engine.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a gas delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas, and optionally oxygen gas, for cleaning an internal combustion engine; wherein an internal combustion engine with an engine displacement of 1-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour; wherein the hydrogen, and optionally the oxygen gas, is delivered into the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine; wherein the hydrogen gas, and optionally the oxygen gas, is continuously produced by means capable of performing electrolysis on water, and wherein a direct current electrical supply is configured to deliver direct current pulses of 200-1000 Hertz to the means capable of performing electrolysis on water.

A second aspect relates to a gas delivery system adapted for cleaning an internal combustion engine, the gas delivery system comprising:

- means capable of performing electrolysis on water; and

- means adapted for transferring the produced hydrogen to an internal combustion engine;

- a direct current electrical supply configured to deliver direct current pulses of 200-1000 Hertz to the means capable of performing electrolysis on water; and

- a controller adapted for receiving user input about the engine displacement of an internal combustion engine to be treated, the engine displacement being within the range of 1 -20 liters, and in response to said input, instruct the means capable of performing electrolysis on water to produce a specific amount of hydrogen per hour within the range of 9002,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour.

Detailed description of the invention

A first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a gas delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas and optionally oxygen gas for cleaning an internal combustion engine; wherein an internal combustion engine with an engine displacement of 1-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour; wherein the hydrogen, and optionally the oxygen gas, is delivered into the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine; wherein the hydrogen gas, and optionally the oxygen gas, is continuously produced by means capable of performing electrolysis on water, and wherein a direct current electrical supply is configured to deliver direct current pulses of 200-1000 Hertz to the means capable of performing electrolysis on water.

When a pulsed voltage is imposed on the terminals of an electrochemical cell a corresponding pulsed current through the cell is produced. In the present context, the pulsed current and pulsed voltage are generally interchangeable. A peak current is turned on for a period of time called the on-time, followed by a zero current for a period of time called the off-time. The sum of on-time and off-time is known as the period of the pulse and the inverse of the period is known as the frequency of the pulse. The percent on-time in a pulse is defined as the duty-cycle of the pulse.

In one or more embodiments, the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas is continuously produced by means capable of performing electrolysis on water, and wherein a direct current electrical supply is configured to deliver direct current pulses of 200-1000 Hertz to the means capable of performing electrolysis on water, such as within the range of 250-950 Hertz, e.g. within the range of 300-900 Hertz, such as within the range of 350-850 Hertz, e.g. within the range of 400-800 Hertz, such as within the range of 450-750 Hertz, e.g. within the range of 500-700 Hertz, such as within the range of 550-650 Hertz.

In one or more embodiments, an internal combustion engine with an engine displacement of 1-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour

In one or more embodiments, an internal combustion engine with an engine displacement of 10-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, such as within the range of 900-2,400 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, e.g. within the range of 900-2,300 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, such as within the range of 900-2,200 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, e.g. within the range of 950-2,100 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, such as within the range of 1,000-2,000 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, e.g. within the range of 1,100-1,900 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, such as within the range of 1,200-1,800 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, e.g. within the range of 1,300-1,700 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, such as within the range of 1,400-1,600 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, e.g. within the range of 1,450DK 179195 B1

1,550 liters of hydrogen gas per hour.

In one or more embodiments, the hydrogen and oxygen gas is delivered into the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine.

In one or more embodiments, the hydrogen and oxygen gas is mixed with the air entering the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine prior to reaching the internal combustion engine.

- means capable of performing electrolysis on water; and

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

The present invention is not limited by a specific type of means capable of performing electrolysis on water. However, an example of a means capable of performing electrolysis on water could comprise:

an electrolytic cell, for generation of a water electrolytic gas, including an electrolyte inlet (e.g. formed in a bottom wall), an outlet (e.g. formed in a top wall) adapted to extract a mixture of an electrolyte and a generated gas, an anode plate (e.g. internally arranged near the bottom wall), a cathode plate (e.g. internally arranged near a top wall), and an electrolyte spinning and passing portion, for spinning and passing an alkali electrolyte in a direction leading from the anode plate to the cathode plate;

a separation cell, for an electrolyte/water electrolytic gas, in which gasliquid separation is performed for the mixture that has been extracted from the outlet in the upper end of the electrolytic cell and the mixture that includes the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas, and as a result, gas components comprising the water electrolytic gas are separated from the electrolyte, so that only the gas components are externally extracted, while an electrolyte component is retained, internally; and an electrolyte circulation unit, for circulating, toward the electrolytic cell, the electrolyte that has been retained in the separation cell. The electrolyte spinning and passing portion, which is located between the anode plate and the cathode plate in the electrolytic cell, may comprise a predetermined number of metal plates with a plurality of electrolyte passage openings. The metal plates are arranged by sequentially displacing the electrolyte passage openings at a predetermined angle, so that the electrolyte is passed through the metal plates, while spinning is being performed.

The metal plates are not electrically connected to the anode plate or the cathode plate, or to another portion or each other. Instead, the metal plates are securely supported by an insulating member.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH), which is an alkali electrolyte, and water are introduced into the electrolytic cell, and a direct-current voltage is applied between the anode plate, arranged inside, near the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and the cathode plate, arranged near the top thereof, in accordance with the polarities of these electrodes. As a result, the potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte and water are forced upwards in the electrolytic cell, while being spun between the anode plate, located near the bottom, and the cathode, located near the top. During this process, electrolysis progresses, while the reaction for the generation of hydrogen gas (and oxygen gas) continues to develop in the electrolyte solution.

When electrons collide with a metal plate (that serves as a member of the electrolyte spinning and passing portion), arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate, oxonium ions (ΗΗΟ) are generated by the collisions and are moved to the cathode side, and anions (OH^-) are also so generated and are moved to the anode side. When multiple metal plates have been so arranged, a large quantity of water electrolytic gas can be generated in the electrolytic cell. Thereafter, the mixture of the electrolyte and an increased amount of the thus generated hydrogen gas is extracted via the outlet formed in the upper end of the electrolytic cell. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the size of the anode and cathode plates, the magnitude of the electric current (voltage, amperes) used, and the flow and temperature of the electrolyte solution are decisive for the amount of generated hydrogen gas (and oxygen gas).

The thus extracted mixture of the electrolyte and the hydrogen gas is passed through a connecting pipe to a separation cell, in which gas-liquid separation is thereafter performed to separate the hydrogen gas from the electrolyte. Hence, only the hydrogen gas (and oxygen gas) is extracted via the lead-out pipe, and is transferred to the internal combustion motor. The residual electrolyte is recirculated through the electrolytic cell to continue the above described reaction process.

Claims

Requirements

Use of a gas delivery system adapted to supply hydrogen gas, and optionally oxygen gas, to purify an internal combustion engine; wherein an internal combustion engine having a stroke volume of 1-20 liters is treated with 900-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour, the hydrogen gas and possibly the oxygen gas being supplied to the combustion engine's air intake duct; wherein the hydrogen gas and optionally the oxygen gas is continuously produced by means adapted to perform electrolysis on water, and wherein a direct current supply is configured to provide pulsed direct current of 200-1000 hertz to the means adapted to perform electrolysis on water.

Use according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen gas and optionally the oxygen gas is mixed with the air entering the combustion engine's air intake duct before it reaches the combustion engine.

Use according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein an internal combustion engine having a stroke volume of 10-20 liters is treated with 1,450-2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour.

A gas delivery system adapted to practice the method of any one of claims 1-3, comprising:

- means adapted to perform electrolysis on water;

- means adapted to transfer the produced hydrogen gas to an internal combustion engine;

a direct current supply configured to provide pulsed DC of 200-1000 hertz to the means adapted to perform electrolysis on water; and

a controller adapted to receive user input on the stroke volume of an internal combustion engine to be cleaned; wherein the stroke volume is within the range of 10-20 liters and in response to said input is configured to instruct the agent adapted to perform electrolysis on water to produce a specific amount of hydrogen gas per hour within the range of 900- 2,500 liters of hydrogen gas per hour.

Daausø Fatso? even Taaosoiaok Öma

SEARCH REPORT - PATENT Application No. PA 2016 00715 1. 1 1 Certain claims were found unsearchable (See Box No. I). 2, 1 1 Unity of invention is lacking prior to search (See Box No. II). A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER F 02 M 25/12 (2006.01); C 25 B 1/04 (2006.01); C 25 B 15/02 (2006.01) According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED PCT minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) IPC: C01B, C25B, F02M; CPC: C01B, C25B, F02B, F02D, F02M Documentation searched other than PCT minimum documentation Electronic database consulted during the search (name of database and, where practicable, search terms used) EPODOC, WPI C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category * Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim no. X X X X X US 2013220240 A1 (JONSON et al.) August 29, 2013, see sections [0128] - [0133], [0147] - [0148] and figures 1 and 2. US 2011005939 Al (HAYWOOD) January 13, 2011, see section [0020] - [0022] and figure 1. WO 2010069275 Al (VICE POWER COMPANY LTD) June 24, 2010, see page 6, line 5-39, page 7, line 26 - page 8, line 13 and figure 6. US 2014367272 Al (HAYWOOD) December 18, 2014, see section [0022] - [0027] and figure 1. WO 2015079316 Al (A.N.D. HOLDING LTD) June 4, 2015, see page 8, line 24 page 9, line 31 and figure 1. 9 and 10 9 and 10 9 and 10 9 and 10 9 and 10 M Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. * Special categories of cited documents: A Document defining the general state of the art which is not considered to be of particular relevance. D Document cited in the application. Έ Earlier application or patent but published on or after the filing date. L Document which may throw doubt on priority claim (s) or which is cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other special reason (as specified). O Document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other betyder. P Document published prior to the filing date but later than the priority date claimed. T Document not in conflict with the application but cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the invention. X Document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the document is taken alone. Y Document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be considered to involve an inventive step when the document is combined with one or more other such documents, such combination being obvious to a person skilled in the art. Document member of the same patent family. Danish Patent and Trademark Office Helgeshøj Allé 81 DK-2630 Taastrup Denmark Telephone No. +45 4350 8000 Facsimile No. +45 4350 8001 Date of completion of the search report 8 May 2017 Authorized officer Vemer Holm Telephone No. +45 4350 8354

Search Report

SEARCH REPORT - PATENT Application No. PA 2016 00715 C (Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category * Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim no. X US 2012111734 Al (KRAMER) 10 May 2012, see sections [0033] - [0045] and figure 1. 9 and 10

Search Report

SEARCH REPORT - PATENT Application No. PA 2016 00715 Box No. In Observations where certain claims were found unsearchable This search report has not been established in respect of certain claims for the following reasons: 1. 1 1 Claims Note: because they relate to subject matter not required to be searched, namely: 2. Claims Nos .: because they relate to parts of the patent application that do not comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that no meaningful search can be performed, specifically: 3. 1 1 Claims Note: because of other matters. Box No, II Observations where unity of invention is Sacking prior to the search The Danish Patent and Trademark Office found multiple inventions in this patent application, as follows:

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SEARCH REPORT - PATENT Application No. PA 2016 00715 SUPPLEMENTAL BOX Continuation of Box [.]

Search Report