WO2003072925A1 - Air/fuel conditioning - Google Patents

Air/fuel conditioning Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003072925A1
WO2003072925A1 PCT/GB2003/000747 GB0300747W WO03072925A1 WO 2003072925 A1 WO2003072925 A1 WO 2003072925A1 GB 0300747 W GB0300747 W GB 0300747W WO 03072925 A1 WO03072925 A1 WO 03072925A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
air
fuel
polarity
combustor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/000747
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003072925A8 (en
Inventor
Paul Antony Collins
Original Assignee
Qinetiq Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qinetiq Limited filed Critical Qinetiq Limited
Priority to GB0419866A priority Critical patent/GB2401151A/en
Priority to AU2003208433A priority patent/AU2003208433A1/en
Publication of WO2003072925A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003072925A1/en
Publication of WO2003072925A8 publication Critical patent/WO2003072925A8/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M27/00—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like
    • F02M27/04—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like by electric means, ionisation, polarisation or magnetism

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for conditioning air and fuel supplied to combustors and more particularly (though not exclusively) is concerned with the conditioning of air and petrol or diesei fuels supplied to internal combustion engines.
  • the invention accordingly resides in apparatus for conditioning air and fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: a first chamber through which, in use, air flows to a combustor; a second chamber through which, in use, fuel flows to a combustor; first electrode means extending into the first chamber; second electrode means extending into the second chamber; and one or more electric power supplies adapted to be connected to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
  • the apparatus is adapted to generate ions of negative polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of positive polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
  • the first and second electrode means preferably comprise respective needles, pins or the like pointed members.
  • the invention also resides in a combustor equipped with air and fuel conditioning apparatus as defined above.
  • the invention also resides in a method of conditioning air an fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: causing air to flow through a first chamber into which first electrode means . extend; causing fuel to flow through a second chamber into which second electrode means extend; and applying electrical power to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
  • Figure 1 is a section though the air ionising unit in one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a section through the fuel ionising unit of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 illustrate examples of air and fuel ionising units which may typically be used in conjunction with a diesei or other internal combustion engine.
  • the unit 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is intended to be inserted in the air induction system of the engine. It comprises a generally tubular housing 2 of electrically insulative material fitted with inlet and outlet connectors 3 and 4 of stepped external diameters which can be cut to fit a range of air hose diameters as required.
  • the interior of the housing 2 defines a chamber 5 through which filtered air passes on its way to the engine's combustion chambers.
  • a plurality of needle-like metal electrodes 6 extend into this chamber and are connected by a cable 7 to an ion generator power supply (not shown).
  • the latter applies a low-current high DC or pulsed voltage (typically 3 to 1 ,000 kV) of negative polarity to the base of each electrode 6.
  • the consequent surface electric field concentrated at the tip of each electrode results in corona discharges and the generation of negatively charged particles (ions) in the air.
  • the unit 8 illustrated in Figure 2 is intended to be inserted in the fuel line to the engine, preferably downstream of the fuel pump. It comprises a main housing 9 and cover 10 of electrically insulative material.
  • the housing 9 has inlet and outlet connectors 11 and 12, and defines a passageway 13 leading to a chamber 14 through which fuel passes on its way to the engine's fuel injectors.
  • the cover 10 carries a plurality of needle-like metal electrodes 15 extending into the chamber 14 and connected by a cable 16 to an ion generator power supply (not shown).
  • the latter applies a low-current high DC or pulsed voltage (typically 3 to 1 ,000 kV) of positive polarity to the base of each electrode 15.
  • the consequent surface electric field concentrated at the tip of each electrode results in corona discharges and the generation of positively charged particles (ions) in the fuel.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning air and fuel supplied to a combustor (e.g. internal combustion engine) generates ions of opposite polarities in the air and fuel prior to mixing. The apparatus provides respective chambers (such as 5) through which the air and fuel flows, into which needle-like electrodes (such as 6) extend. The electrodes are connected to low-current high voltage power supplies of respective polarity to generate ions in the respective fluids by corona discharge. This promotes atomisation and dispersal of the fuel into finer droplets within the combustor and more rapid and complete intermixing with the air.

Description

Air/Fuel Conditioning
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for conditioning air and fuel supplied to combustors and more particularly (though not exclusively) is concerned with the conditioning of air and petrol or diesei fuels supplied to internal combustion engines.
Various systems have been proposed which purport to improve the performance of and/or reduce emissions from internal combustion engines by electrically charging or ionising the supplied air and/or fuel, as known e.g. from US4071004, US4183337, US4308844, US5010869 and US6463917. The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and method whereby such aims may be more readily achieved.
In one aspect the invention accordingly resides in apparatus for conditioning air and fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: a first chamber through which, in use, air flows to a combustor; a second chamber through which, in use, fuel flows to a combustor; first electrode means extending into the first chamber; second electrode means extending into the second chamber; and one or more electric power supplies adapted to be connected to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
Preferably the apparatus is adapted to generate ions of negative polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of positive polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
The first and second electrode means preferably comprise respective needles, pins or the like pointed members.
The invention also resides in a combustor equipped with air and fuel conditioning apparatus as defined above.
The invention also resides in a method of conditioning air an fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: causing air to flow through a first chamber into which first electrode means . extend; causing fuel to flow through a second chamber into which second electrode means extend; and applying electrical power to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
These and other features of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a section though the air ionising unit in one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; and
Figure 2 is a section through the fuel ionising unit of the apparatus.
The drawings illustrate examples of air and fuel ionising units which may typically be used in conjunction with a diesei or other internal combustion engine.
The unit 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is intended to be inserted in the air induction system of the engine. It comprises a generally tubular housing 2 of electrically insulative material fitted with inlet and outlet connectors 3 and 4 of stepped external diameters which can be cut to fit a range of air hose diameters as required. The interior of the housing 2 defines a chamber 5 through which filtered air passes on its way to the engine's combustion chambers. A plurality of needle-like metal electrodes 6 extend into this chamber and are connected by a cable 7 to an ion generator power supply (not shown). The latter applies a low-current high DC or pulsed voltage (typically 3 to 1 ,000 kV) of negative polarity to the base of each electrode 6. The consequent surface electric field concentrated at the tip of each electrode results in corona discharges and the generation of negatively charged particles (ions) in the air.
The unit 8 illustrated in Figure 2 is intended to be inserted in the fuel line to the engine, preferably downstream of the fuel pump. It comprises a main housing 9 and cover 10 of electrically insulative material. The housing 9 has inlet and outlet connectors 11 and 12, and defines a passageway 13 leading to a chamber 14 through which fuel passes on its way to the engine's fuel injectors. The cover 10 carries a plurality of needle-like metal electrodes 15 extending into the chamber 14 and connected by a cable 16 to an ion generator power supply (not shown). The latter applies a low-current high DC or pulsed voltage (typically 3 to 1 ,000 kV) of positive polarity to the base of each electrode 15. The consequent surface electric field concentrated at the tip of each electrode results in corona discharges and the generation of positively charged particles (ions) in the fuel.
Although not all the effects of air and fuel ionisation in an apparatus as exemplified above are fully understood at present it is believed that applying charges of like polarity to the fuel assists in the subsequent atomisation and- dispersal of the fuel into finer droplets within the engine. Furthermore by charging the air for combustion at the opposite polarity to the fuel, subsequent intermixing of the fuel and air should be more rapid and more complete. The consequences are that combustion can be initiated more reliably and the mixture can burn more completely, leading in turn to better fuel economy, higher power output and reduction in the amounts of unburnt hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and particle emissions.

Claims

1. Apparatus for conditioning air and fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: a first chamber through which, in use, air flows to a combustor; a second chamber through which, in use, fuel flows to a combustor; first electrode means extending into the first chamber; second electrode means extending into the second chamber; and one or more electric power supplies adapted to be connected to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 adapted to generate ions of negative polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of positive polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first electrode means comprises one or more pointed members extending into the first chamber.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second electrode means comprises one or more pointed members extending into the second chamber.
5. A combustor equipped with apparatus according to any preceding claim for conditioning air and fuel supplied to the same.
6. A combustor according to claim 5 being an internal combustion engine.
7. A method of conditioning air and fuel supplied to a combustor, comprising: causing air to flow through a first chamber into which first electrode means extend; causing fuel to flow through a second chamber into which second electrode means extend; and applying electrical power to said electrode means whereby to generate ions of a first polarity in air flowing through the first chamber and to generate ions of opposite polarity to said first polarity in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein ions of negative polarity are generated in air flowing through the first chamber and ions of positive polarity are generated in fuel flowing through the second chamber.
9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8 performed by means of apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.
PCT/GB2003/000747 2002-02-26 2003-02-24 Air/fuel conditioning WO2003072925A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0419866A GB2401151A (en) 2002-02-26 2003-02-24 Air/fuel conditioning
AU2003208433A AU2003208433A1 (en) 2002-02-26 2003-02-24 Air/fuel conditioning

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0204411A GB0204411D0 (en) 2002-02-26 2002-02-26 Air and fuel condition system for the combustion engine
GB0204411.3 2002-02-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003072925A1 true WO2003072925A1 (en) 2003-09-04
WO2003072925A8 WO2003072925A8 (en) 2003-10-02

Family

ID=9931749

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2003/000747 WO2003072925A1 (en) 2002-02-26 2003-02-24 Air/fuel conditioning

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003208433A1 (en)
GB (2) GB0204411D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2003072925A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005083256A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-09 Hyanol Limited Air/fuel conditioning
ITBO20100177A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-09-20 Magneti Marelli Spa METHOD AND FUEL HEATING DEVICE IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
GB2538336A (en) * 2015-11-06 2016-11-16 Ionizingenergy Ltd A method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine
US10669974B2 (en) 2015-11-06 2020-06-02 Ionizingenergy Limited Method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4071004A (en) 1976-01-08 1978-01-31 Ostergaard Neil A Electro-static fuel mixture system
US4176637A (en) * 1975-02-14 1979-12-04 F. D. Farnam Co. Apparatus for electrostatic fuel mixing
US4178759A (en) * 1978-04-07 1979-12-18 Cook Billy G Ion repulsion engine and method of operating same
US4183337A (en) 1976-04-06 1980-01-15 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Air-fuel mixture ratio control using electrostatic force
JPS56162257A (en) * 1980-04-24 1981-12-14 Yukiya Sato Apparatus for feeding oxygen and for ionizing air and fuel in intake manifold and carbureter of internal combustion engine
US4308844A (en) 1979-06-08 1982-01-05 Persinger James G Method and apparatus for improving efficiency in combustion engines
JPS61255257A (en) * 1985-05-07 1986-11-12 Hideyori Takahashi Ionization apparatus for carburetor type engine
JPH01232156A (en) * 1988-03-11 1989-09-18 Hideyori Takahashi Ionization device for internal combustion engine
US5010869A (en) 1989-08-11 1991-04-30 Zenion Industries, Inc. Air ionization system for internal combustion engines
JP2000161153A (en) * 1998-11-20 2000-06-13 Ikunojo Hyogo Internal combustion engine with engine intake air loaded with high voltage ion electron
US6463917B1 (en) 2001-10-29 2002-10-15 Jack Silver Device for improving combustion and eliminating pollutants from internal combustion engines

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4718759A (en) * 1985-05-13 1988-01-12 Butler Louis L Apparatus for the alignment and balance of the wheels of a motor vehicle

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4176637A (en) * 1975-02-14 1979-12-04 F. D. Farnam Co. Apparatus for electrostatic fuel mixing
US4071004A (en) 1976-01-08 1978-01-31 Ostergaard Neil A Electro-static fuel mixture system
US4183337A (en) 1976-04-06 1980-01-15 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Air-fuel mixture ratio control using electrostatic force
US4178759A (en) * 1978-04-07 1979-12-18 Cook Billy G Ion repulsion engine and method of operating same
US4308844A (en) 1979-06-08 1982-01-05 Persinger James G Method and apparatus for improving efficiency in combustion engines
JPS56162257A (en) * 1980-04-24 1981-12-14 Yukiya Sato Apparatus for feeding oxygen and for ionizing air and fuel in intake manifold and carbureter of internal combustion engine
JPS61255257A (en) * 1985-05-07 1986-11-12 Hideyori Takahashi Ionization apparatus for carburetor type engine
JPH01232156A (en) * 1988-03-11 1989-09-18 Hideyori Takahashi Ionization device for internal combustion engine
US5010869A (en) 1989-08-11 1991-04-30 Zenion Industries, Inc. Air ionization system for internal combustion engines
JP2000161153A (en) * 1998-11-20 2000-06-13 Ikunojo Hyogo Internal combustion engine with engine intake air loaded with high voltage ion electron
US6463917B1 (en) 2001-10-29 2002-10-15 Jack Silver Device for improving combustion and eliminating pollutants from internal combustion engines

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 006, no. 048 (M - 119) 27 March 1982 (1982-03-27) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 011, no. 111 (M - 578) 8 April 1987 (1987-04-08) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 559 (M - 905) 12 December 1989 (1989-12-12) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 09 13 October 2000 (2000-10-13) *

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005083256A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-09-09 Hyanol Limited Air/fuel conditioning
CN100439698C (en) * 2004-02-26 2008-12-03 海亚奴尔有限公司 Air/fuel conditioning
ITBO20100177A1 (en) * 2010-03-19 2011-09-20 Magneti Marelli Spa METHOD AND FUEL HEATING DEVICE IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
GB2538336A (en) * 2015-11-06 2016-11-16 Ionizingenergy Ltd A method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine
GB2538336B (en) * 2015-11-06 2017-08-09 Ionizingenergy Ltd A method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine
US10669974B2 (en) 2015-11-06 2020-06-02 Ionizingenergy Limited Method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine
AU2016348827B2 (en) * 2015-11-06 2021-05-13 Ionizingenergy Limited A method and apparatus for oxidizing organic fats within an internal combustion engine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003208433A1 (en) 2003-09-09
GB2401151A (en) 2004-11-03
GB0419866D0 (en) 2004-10-13
WO2003072925A8 (en) 2003-10-02
GB0204411D0 (en) 2002-04-10

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