WO2011160176A1 - Switchable hydrogen fuelling system for ic engine - Google Patents

Switchable hydrogen fuelling system for ic engine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011160176A1
WO2011160176A1 PCT/AU2011/000762 AU2011000762W WO2011160176A1 WO 2011160176 A1 WO2011160176 A1 WO 2011160176A1 AU 2011000762 W AU2011000762 W AU 2011000762W WO 2011160176 A1 WO2011160176 A1 WO 2011160176A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid fuel
fuel
line
flow
delivery line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2011/000762
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2011160176A8 (en
Inventor
Dorothy Johns
Elalne Johns
Peter Feeley
Original Assignee
Globo Hydro Power I.P. Pty Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Globo Hydro Power I.P. Pty Ltd filed Critical Globo Hydro Power I.P. Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2011160176A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011160176A1/en
Publication of WO2011160176A8 publication Critical patent/WO2011160176A8/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0673—Valves; Pressure or flow regulators; Mixers
    • F02D19/0678—Pressure or flow regulators therefor; Fuel metering valves therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0639—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels
    • F02D19/0642—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions
    • F02D19/0644—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels at least one fuel being gaseous, the other fuels being gaseous or liquid at standard conditions the gaseous fuel being hydrogen, ammonia or carbon monoxide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/08—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels
    • F02D19/081—Adjusting the fuel composition or mixing ratio; Transitioning from one fuel to the other
    • 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
    • F02M43/00—Fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels, or on a liquid fuel and another liquid, e.g. the other liquid being an anti-knock additive
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0602—Control of components of the fuel supply system
    • F02D19/0613—Switch-over from one fuel to another
    • F02D19/0615—Switch-over from one fuel to another being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/066—Retrofit of secondary fuel supply systems; Conversion of engines to operate on multiple fuels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0697—Arrangement of fuel supply systems on engines or vehicle bodies; Components of the fuel supply system being combined with another device
    • 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
    • F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
    • F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
    • F02M21/0218—Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02M21/0293—Safety devices; Fail-safe measures
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fuel systems for internal combustion engines and, more particularly , to the provision of fuel additives.
  • a fueling system for an internal combustion engine including a first and second liquid fuel delivery line and a hydrogen gas supply line; characterized in that supply of liquid fuel to said engine is switchable between oaid first liquid fuel delivery line and a combination of said second liquid fuel delivery line and said hydrogen gas supply.
  • said first liquid fuel delivery line is an existing fuel delivery line of a combustion engine powered vehicle; said fuel line connecting a liquid fuel tank of said vehicle with fuel injection equipment of said engine.
  • 3aid second fuel delivery line is an auxiliary iuel delivery line installed between said liquid fuel tank and said fuel injection equipment.
  • a hydrogen gas line conveys hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas tank to said an air intake of said engine.
  • each of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines is provided with a fuel solenoid valve.
  • said second liquid fuel line is further provided with an adjustable fuel flow regulator.
  • an electronic relay is connected between said fuel solenoid valves of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines; said relay operable from a control switch provided on a control panel of said vehicle.
  • said switch provides selection of liquid fuel flow from .said liquid fuel tank through either said first or said second liquid fuel delivery line.
  • said adjustable fuel flow regulator restricts flow of said liquid fuel through said second liquid tuel line to a percentage of fuel flow through said first liquid tuel line. Preferably, said percentage is approximately 50%.
  • said hydrogen gas line extends between a hydrogen gas cylinder mounted in a rear portion of said vehicle and an inlet manifold of said engine; said hydrogen gas line provided with a gas regulator valve.
  • said hydrogen gas line is further provided with a flame arrestor element mounted between said gas regulator valve and said inlet manifold.
  • said liquid fuel is a hydrocarbon based fuel, Pruferab.ly, said liquid fuel is any one selected from petrol, Liquid Petroleum Gas, diesel or ethanol.
  • a method of enhancing fuel economy of an internal combustion engine powered .vehicle includes the steps of:
  • liquid tuel flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line is regulated to a percentage of liquid fuel flow through gaid first liquid fuel delivery line.
  • a method of switching from a first fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine to a second economy enhancing fuel delivery system comprising delivery of liquid fuel to said engine; said second delivery system comprising delivery of a combination of said liquid fuel and hydrogen gas; said method including the ste of:
  • said percentage is approximately 50%.
  • said percentage is approximately 50% .
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fuel delivery system of the assisted propulsio system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • an internal combustion engine powered vehicle 30 is provided with standard liquid fuel delivery system comprising a liquid fuel delivery line 12 ⁇ hereinafter the first liquid fuel delivery line) extending between a conventional fuel tank 14 and the fuel injection equipment of the engine 16.
  • the fuel delivered by this conventional system may be a hydrocarbon fossil fuel, petrol, Liquid Petroleum Gas or diesel, or may be ethanol or some other liquid bio-fuel.
  • the present invention provides for an auxiliary or second liquid fuel delivery line 18 also extending between the liquid fuel tank 14 arid the fuel injection equipment of the engine 16.
  • a fuel solenoid valve 20 is nstalled on the first liquid fuel delivery line 12 and a similar fuel solenoid valve 22 ig provided on the second liquid fuel delivery line IS
  • An electronic relay 24 is installed between the two fuel solenoid valves 20 and 20 and is operable by a switch (not shown) on the vehicle's control panel. By means of this relay 24 fuel flow through one of the two liquid fuel delivery lines 12 or 18 may be out off while simultaneously allowing fuel to flow through the other; that is, when solenoid valve 22 is open, solenoid valve 20 is closed and vice versa.
  • Second liquid fuel delivery line 18 is further provided with an adjustable fuel regulator valve 26 located between the liquid fuel tank 14 and the fuel solenoid valve 22. This adjustable regulator valve 26 restricts the liquid fuel flow through the second liquid fuel delivery line 18 to a percentage of that able to flow through the first liquid fuel delivery line 12.
  • the percentage flow through the second liquxd fuel delivery line 18 is approximately 50% of that through the first liquid fuel delivery line 12 at equivalent power demands, that is at equivalent accelerator pedal positions.
  • the system of the invention further provides for a hydrogen gas delivery system 28.
  • This hydrogen gas delivery system comprises a compressed hydrogen gas cylinder 30 preferably mounted in the rear of the vehicle . ' .0 as shown in Figure 1.
  • Supply of gas from cylinder 30, typically at up to 7 litres/minute depending on the application, is regulated by a gas regulator 32 mounted adjacent, the cylinder 30.
  • Suitable* hosing or pipework 34 for example, low pressure stainless steel braided hosing or metal piping, connects the regulator's outlet to the air intake manifold of the engine 16.
  • gas regulator 32 includes a solenoid operated shut-off valve 3 ⁇ which is electrically ii: communica ion with the lr ' nag triqqering system (not shown) of the vehicle.
  • a solenoid operated shut-off valve 3 ⁇ which is electrically ii: communica ion with the lr ' nag triqqering system (not shown) of the vehicle.
  • a hydrogen flow control solenoid valve 40 mounted adlacent to the engine 14 is connected to the accelerator pedal linkages (not shown) of the engine. Depressing of the accelerator pedal causes a proportional opening of the solenoid valve 40 and a corresponding increase in the flow of hydrogen flowing to the engine air intake.
  • the arrangement is such that qas can only flow to the engine when there is at least soma depression of the accelerator.
  • the engine 14 received the required optimum mixture of liquid fuel and hydrogen gas when switched to the 3econd liquid fuel delivery system of the invention.
  • the hydrogen gas added to the conventional liquid, hydrocarbon fossil fuels becomes an active fuel enhancer, achieving up to 50% savings in current fuel costs and up to 45% in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Hydrogen is highly soluble in hydrocarbon based fossil tuclo and, when added to a liquid fuel such fts petrol and diesel causes greater fragmentation within the combustion chamber, in effect producing a greater surface to volume ratio and fuller burn.
  • the restriction of liquid fuel flow to the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is effected by means of a single, that is the pre-existing or standard, fuel line between the liquid fuel tank of the vehicle and the fuel injection equipment of the engine.
  • the existing liquid fuel line is provided only wi h a solenoid controlled adjustable regulator adapted to restrict the flow of fuel to a percentage of normal flow when the regulator is activated by means of its solenoid control e emen .
  • the present system allows a vehicle (or other combustion engine powered device) equipped with the invention, to significantly enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle or device and lower its operating cost.
  • the production of pure hydrogen through the so-called "chemical path" method from hydrocarbon fossil fuels (such as natural gas) at large gcale facilities can ⁇ ⁇ hydrogen at considerably lower cost and with smaller environmental. impact than can be provided by on -board electrolyiiia of wate ,
  • Tests of the system of the present invention have shown that fuel cost savings, taking into account the cost of the hydrogen used, can be up to 503 ⁇ 4 on average. In addition to the savings in fuel costs, testing has shown the system of the invention also provides significant reductions in exhaust pipe emissions of total hydrocarbons (THC) , including significant reductions in nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
  • THC total hydrocarbons
  • the vehicle can be used in either mode. This is clearly advantageous in those situations in which a replacement supply of hydrogen is not immediately to hand when the on-board cylinder becomes exhausted.
  • the fuel enhancing system of the invention may be readily retrofitted r.o any conventionally fuelled internal combustion powered vehicle. It will also be understood that, although the above description is focused on the application of the system to road vehicles, it may equally be applied to railway dieael engines, marine diesel engines as well as any sort of plant powered by an internal, combustion engine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Output Control And Ontrol Of Special Type Engine (AREA)

Abstract

A fueling system for an internal combustion engine; said system including a first and second liquid fuel delivery line and a hydrogen gas supply line; characterized in that supply of liquid fuel to said engine is switchable between said first liquid fuel delivery line and a combination of said second liquid fuel delivery line and said hydrogen gas supply.

Description

SWITCHABLE HYDROGEN FUELLING SYSTEM FOR IC ENGINE
The present invention relates to fuel systems for internal combustion engines and, more particularly , to the provision of fuel additives.
BACKGROUND
The realisation that "peak oil" is imminent, or In the view of some experts, has already past, there is an urgent need to replace the transport industry's reliance on fossil fuels with alternatives, but also to extend the efficiency of fossil fuel usage into the foreseeable future.
Many fuel enhancing systems have been devised though few have lived up to the expectation o promises accompanying their introduction, and there remains a need for a fossil fuel enhancement system which can stretch the fossil fuel reserves and deliver real cost saving to the industry .
Although systems which promote the combination of hydrogen gas with a conventional liquid fuels are known, they typically suffer from safety concerns as well as a lack of energy saving in real terms. This is especially true of the so-called "brown' s Gas" systems which produce a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen through water electrolysis "on-board" the vehicle or as associated equipment in the case of stationary diesel power generating plants. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel enhancing system based on almost pure hydrogen.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system in which a user may select to operate an either liquid fuel only, or on a combination of liquid fuel and hydrogen .
It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate gome of the above disadvantages. Notes
1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".
2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an adm ssion t at any intormation discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a fueling system for an internal combustion engine; said system including a first and second liquid fuel delivery line and a hydrogen gas supply line; characterized in that supply of liquid fuel to said engine is switchable between oaid first liquid fuel delivery line and a combination of said second liquid fuel delivery line and said hydrogen gas supply.
Preferably, said first liquid fuel delivery line is an existing fuel delivery line of a combustion engine powered vehicle; said fuel line connecting a liquid fuel tank of said vehicle with fuel injection equipment of said engine. Preferably, 3aid second fuel delivery line is an auxiliary iuel delivery line installed between said liquid fuel tank and said fuel injection equipment.
Preferably, a hydrogen gas line conveys hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas tank to said an air intake of said engine. Preferably, each of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines is provided with a fuel solenoid valve.
Preferably, said second liquid fuel line is further provided with an adjustable fuel flow regulator.
Preferably, an electronic relay is connected between said fuel solenoid valves of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines; said relay operable from a control switch provided on a control panel of said vehicle.
Preferably, said switch provides selection of liquid fuel flow from .said liquid fuel tank through either said first or said second liquid fuel delivery line.
Preferably, said adjustable fuel flow regulator restricts flow of said liquid fuel through said second liquid tuel line to a percentage of fuel flow through said first liquid tuel line. Preferably, said percentage is approximately 50%.
Preferably, said hydrogen gas line extends between a hydrogen gas cylinder mounted in a rear portion of said vehicle and an inlet manifold of said engine; said hydrogen gas line provided with a gas regulator valve.
Preferably, said hydrogen gas line is further provided with a flame arrestor element mounted between said gas regulator valve and said inlet manifold.
Preferably, said liquid fuel is a hydrocarbon based fuel, Pruferab.ly, said liquid fuel is any one selected from petrol, Liquid Petroleum Gas, diesel or ethanol.
In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of enhancing fuel economy of an internal combustion engine powered .vehicle; said method includes the steps of:
(a) installing a second liquid fuel delivery line between a liquid fuel tank of said vehicle and fuel injection equipment of said engine,
(b) providing solenoid valves and an electronic relay to allow selection of liquid fuel flow through cither a first liquid fuel delivery line or said second liquid fuel delivery line,
(c) providing a hydrogen gas supply system for delivery of hydrogen gas to said engine in con unction with liquid fuel through said second liquid fuel delivery line. Preferably, liquid tuel flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line is regulated to a percentage of liquid fuel flow through gaid first liquid fuel delivery line.
In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of switching from a first fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine to a second economy enhancing fuel delivery system; said first fuel delivery systems comprising delivery of liquid fuel to said engine; said second delivery system comprising delivery of a combination of said liquid fuel and hydrogen gas; said method including the ste of:
(a) providing switching between liquid fuel flow through either of a first liquid fuel delivery line or a second liquid fuel delivery line; said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines extending between a liquid fuel tank and said internal combustion engine,
(b) regulating liquid fuel flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line to a percentage of liquid fuel flow through said first liquid fuel delivery line,
(c) switching from flow of said liquid fuel through said first liquid fuel de .l i. v e i y l .ne to flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line,
(d) simultaneously switching on a flow of hydrogen gas to said internal combustion engine when liquid fueJ flow is provided through said second liquid fuel delivery line.
Preferably, said percentage is approximately 50%.
In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of switching from a supply of liquid fuel to a supply of liquid fuel in combi ation with a hydrogen gas supply, to an internal combustion engine; said method including the steps of;
(a) activating a solenoid controlled regulator provided on a liquid fuel supply line between a liquid fuel tank and liquid fuel injection equipment of said engine,
(b) sim ltaneously activating said hydrogen gas supply, wherein said solenoid controlled regulator reduces flow of said liquid fuel tu a percentage of tho. flow through said liquid fuel supply line when said regulator is in an deactivated state.
Preferably, said percentage is approximately 50% .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing wh r in :
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fuel delivery system of the assisted propulsio system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Preferred Embodiment
With reference to Figure 1, an internal combustion engine powered vehicle 30 is provided with standard liquid fuel delivery system comprising a liquid fuel delivery line 12 {hereinafter the first liquid fuel delivery line) extending between a conventional fuel tank 14 and the fuel injection equipment of the engine 16. The fuel delivered by this conventional system may be a hydrocarbon fossil fuel, petrol, Liquid Petroleum Gas or diesel, or may be ethanol or some other liquid bio-fuel.
The present invention provides for an auxiliary or second liquid fuel delivery line 18 also extending between the liquid fuel tank 14 arid the fuel injection equipment of the engine 16. A fuel solenoid valve 20 is nstalled on the first liquid fuel delivery line 12 and a similar fuel solenoid valve 22 ig provided on the second liquid fuel delivery line IS An electronic relay 24 is installed between the two fuel solenoid valves 20 and 20 and is operable by a switch (not shown) on the vehicle's control panel. By means of this relay 24 fuel flow through one of the two liquid fuel delivery lines 12 or 18 may be out off while simultaneously allowing fuel to flow through the other; that is, when solenoid valve 22 is open, solenoid valve 20 is closed and vice versa.
Second liquid fuel delivery line 18 is further provided with an adjustable fuel regulator valve 26 located between the liquid fuel tank 14 and the fuel solenoid valve 22. This adjustable regulator valve 26 restricts the liquid fuel flow through the second liquid fuel delivery line 18 to a percentage of that able to flow through the first liquid fuel delivery line 12.
Preferably, the percentage flow through the second liquxd fuel delivery line 18 is approximately 50% of that through the first liquid fuel delivery line 12 at equivalent power demands, that is at equivalent accelerator pedal positions.
The system of the invention further provides for a hydrogen gas delivery system 28. This hydrogen gas delivery system comprises a compressed hydrogen gas cylinder 30 preferably mounted in the rear of the vehicle .'.0 as shown in Figure 1. Supply of gas from cylinder 30, typically at up to 7 litres/minute depending on the application, is regulated by a gas regulator 32 mounted adjacent, the cylinder 30. Suitable* hosing or pipework 34, for example, low pressure stainless steel braided hosing or metal piping, connects the regulator's outlet to the air intake manifold of the engine 16.
Λ flame arrestor 36 is interposed between the engine air intake and the gas regulator 32 to stop a potential spark of flame in the engine flowing back to the hydrogen cylinder. In the case of an installation of the invention la a passenger or similarly equipped road vehicle, gas regulator 32 includes a solenoid operated shut-off valve 3Θ which is electrically ii: communica ion with the lr'nag triqqering system (not shown) of the vehicle. Thus in an accident sufficiently serious to cause a deployment or the airbags of the vehicle, the gas supply is automatically shut off.
A hydrogen flow control solenoid valve 40 mounted adlacent to the engine 14 is connected to the accelerator pedal linkages (not shown) of the engine. Depressing of the accelerator pedal causes a proportional opening of the solenoid valve 40 and a corresponding increase in the flow of hydrogen flowing to the engine air intake. The arrangement is such that qas can only flow to the engine when there is at least soma depression of the accelerator.
By this means, the engine 14 received the required optimum mixture of liquid fuel and hydrogen gas when switched to the 3econd liquid fuel delivery system of the invention. The hydrogen gas added to the conventional liquid, hydrocarbon fossil fuels becomes an active fuel enhancer, achieving up to 50% savings in current fuel costs and up to 45% in greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen is highly soluble in hydrocarbon based fossil tuclo and, when added to a liquid fuel such fts petrol and diesel causes greater fragmentation within the combustion chamber, in effect producing a greater surface to volume ratio and fuller burn.
Seaond Preferred Embodiment
In this further preferred embodiment of the invention, the restriction of liquid fuel flow to the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is effected by means of a single, that is the pre-existing or standard, fuel line between the liquid fuel tank of the vehicle and the fuel injection equipment of the engine. Tn this arrangement, the existing liquid fuel line is provided only wi h a solenoid controlled adjustable regulator adapted to restrict the flow of fuel to a percentage of normal flow when the regulator is activated by means of its solenoid control e emen .
The activation of the regulator simultaneously brings into action the hydrogen gas supply system, arranged in the same manner as described for the first embodiment above. In Use
The present system allows a vehicle (or other combustion engine powered device) equipped with the invention, to significantly enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle or device and lower its operating cost. The production of pure hydrogen through the so-called "chemical path" method from hydrocarbon fossil fuels (such as natural gas) at large gcale facilities can Γυνί β hydrogen at considerably lower cost and with smaller environmental. impact than can be provided by on -board electrolyiiia of wate ,
Tests of the system of the present invention, have shown that fuel cost savings, taking into account the cost of the hydrogen used, can be up to 50¾ on average. In addition to the savings in fuel costs, testing has shown the system of the invention also provides significant reductions in exhaust pipe emissions of total hydrocarbons (THC) , including significant reductions in nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Because of the dual installation of the conventional liquid fuel delivery system on the one hand and the combined system of liquid fuel and hydrogen, the vehicle can be used in either mode. This is clearly advantageous in those situations in which a replacement supply of hydrogen is not immediately to hand when the on-board cylinder becomes exhausted. It will be clear from the above description that the fuel enhancing system of the invention, may be readily retrofitted r.o any conventionally fuelled internal combustion powered vehicle. It will also be understood that,, although the above description is focused on the application of the system to road vehicles, it may equally be applied to railway dieael engines, marine diesel engines as well as any sort of plant powered by an internal, combustion engine.
The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fueling system for an internal combustion engine; said system including a first and second I iquid fuel delivery line and a hydrogen gag supply line; characterized in that supply of liquid fuel to said engine is switchable between said first liquid fuel delivery line and combination of said second liquid fuel delivery line and said hydrogen gas supply.
2. The fueling system of claim 1 wherein said first liquid fuel delivery line is an existing fuel delivery line of a combustion engine powered vehicle; said fuel line connecting a liquid fuel tank of said vehicle with fuel injection equipment of said engine.
3. Tin- fueling system ct claim 1 or 2 wherein said second fuel delivery line is an auxiliary fuel delivery line installed between said liquid fuel tank and said fuel injection equipment.
4. The fueling system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein a hydrogen gas line conveys hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas tank to said an air intake of said engine.
5. The fueling system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines is provided with a fuel solenoid valve.
6. The fueling system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said second liquid fuel 1 i.ne is further provided with an adjustable fuel flow regulator. '/ . The fueling system of claim 5 or 6 wherein an electronic relay is connected between said fuel solenoid valves of said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines; said relay operable from a control switch provided on a control panel of said vehicle.
0. The fueling system of claim 7 wherein said switch provides selection of liquid fuel flow frorr, said liquid fuel tank through either said first or said second liquid fuel delivery line.
9. The fueling system of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said adjustable fuel flow regulator restricts flow of said liquid fuel through said second liquid fuel line to a percentage of fuel flow through said first liquid fuel line .
10. The fueling system of claim 9 wherein said percentage is approximately 50%.
11. The fueling system of any one of claims 4 to 103 wherein said hydrogen gas line extends between a hydrogen gas cylinder mounted in a rear portion of said ve icle and an inlet manifold of said engine; said hydrogen gas line provided with a gas regulator valve.
1 2 . The fueling system of any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein said hydrogen gas line is further provided with a flame arrestor element mounted between said gas regulator valve and said inlet manifold.
13. The fueling sy3tem of any one o£ claims 1 to 12 wherein said liquid fuel is a hydrocarbon based fuel.
14. The fueling system of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said liquid fuel is any one selected from petrol, Liquid Petroleum Ras, diesel or ethanol.
15. A method of enhancing fuel economy of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle; said method includes the ctep3 of:
(a) installing a second liquid fuea delivery line between a liquid fuel tank of said vehicle and fuel injection equipment of said engine,
(b) providing -solenoid valves and an electronic relay to allow selection of liquid fuel flow through either a first liquid fuel delivery line or said second liquid fuel delivery line,
(c) providing a hydrogen gas supply system for delivery of hydrogen gas to said engine in conjunction with liquid fuel through said second liquid fuel delivery line.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein liquid fuel flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line is regulated to a percentage of liquid fuel flow through said first liquid fuel delivery line.
17. A method of switching from a first fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine to a second economy enhancing fuel delivery system; said first fuel delivery systoma comprising delivery of liquid fuel to said engine; said second delivery system comprising delivery of a combination of said liquid fuel and hydrogen gas; said method including the steps of;
3 (a) providing switching between liquid fuel flow through either of a first liquid fuel delivery line or a second liquid fuel del i very line; said first and second liquid fuel delivery lines extending between a liquid fuel tank and said internal combustion lu engine,
(b) regulating liquid fuel flow through said .second liquid fuel delivery line to a percentage of liquid fuel flow through said first liquid fuel delivery line,
15 (c) switching from flow of said liquid fuel through said first liquid fuel delivery line to flow through said second liquid fuel delivery line,
(d) simultaneously switching on a flow of hydrogen gas to 3aid internal combustion engine when liquid fuel 20 flow is provided through said second liquid fn ".
delivery line.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said percentage is approximately 50%.
19. A method of .switching from a supply of liquid fuel to 25 a supply of liquid fuel in combination with a hydrogen gaa supply, to an internal combustion engine; said method including the steps of;
(a) activating a solenoid controlled regulator provided on a liquid fuel supply line between a liquid fuel
J tank and liquid fuel injection equipment of said engine ,
(b) simultaneously activating said hydrogen gas supply, wherein said solenoid controlled regulator reduces flow of said liquid fuel to a percentage of the flow through said0 liquid fuel supply line when said regulator is in an deactivated state.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said percentage is approximately 50%.
21. A fuelling system for an internal combustion engine as5 hereinbefore particularly described with reference to figure 1.
22. A method of enhancing fuel economy of an internal combustion engine powered vehicle as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to figure 1.
0
PCT/AU2011/000762 2010-06-25 2011-06-24 Switchable hydrogen fuelling system for ic engine WO2011160176A1 (en)

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