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US 10,119,497 B2Granted
Internal combustion engine with aqueous fluid injection
AssigneeHydro-Ject, LLC
InventorsEran Sher, Ilai Sher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An internal combustion engine injector valve or combustion initiator has a portion that is a catalyst for a steam reformation process that takes place in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine following injection of a steam reforming fuel and an aqueous fluid into the combustion chamber during an intake gas compression phase of an operating cycle of the internal combustion engine.
Claims31
A method of operating an internal combustion engine that comprises a variable volume combustion chamber and at least one of (i) an injector valve arranged to inject at least one of a fluid into said combustion chamber, and (ii) a combustion initiator to supply energy into said combustion chamber to at least assist in initiating a combustion event in said combustion chamber, said method comprising:
- at a first pressure in said combustion chamber, admitting an intake gas comprising an aspirant into said combustion chamber;
- reducing the volume of said combustion chamber to compress said intake gas to raise pressure in said combustion chamber from said first pressure to a second pressure that is greater than said first pressure;
- admitting an aqueous fluid and a steam reforming fuel into said combustion chamber when the pressure in said combustion chamber reaches a predetermined pressure intermediate said first and second pressures so that said aqueous fluid and steam reforming fuel absorb heat generated by said compression of said intake gas and a catalyst provided on said injector valve or said combustion initiator and disposed in said combustion chamber promotes a steam reformation process by which hydrogen is separated from said steam reforming fuel or said aqueous fluid;
- when the pressure in said combustion chamber is at least at said second pressure, admitting a combustible fuel into said chamber and combusting said combustible fuel and hydrogen;
- and
- wherein the volume of said combustion chamber is varied by moving a body in said combustion chamber and combustion of said fuel and hydrogen causes movement of said body to increase the volume of said combustion chamber and said movement of said body provides an energy output of said combustion chamber.
3 more elements
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- a housing and a body movable in said housing to define a variable volume combustion chamber;
- first valving to admit an intake gas into said combustion chamber;
- an aqueous fluid supply system;
- second valving connected with said aqueous fluid supply system and operable to admit aqueous fluid from said aqueous fluid supply system and a steam reforming fuel into said combustion chamber, said second valving comprising at least one first injector valve that comprises a catalyst for a steam reforming process, wherein said catalyst is disposed in said combustion chamber;
- a controller configured to i) cause said first valving to admit a charge of intake gas into said combustion chamber and ii) when a predetermined condition exists in said combustion chamber during movement of said body to reduce the volume of said combustion chamber so as to compress said intake gas to raise pressure of said intake gas from a first pressure to a second pressure, cause said second valving to admit aqueous fluid from said aqueous fluid supply system and an amount of said steam reforming fuel into said chamber so that said aqueous fluid and steam reforming fuel absorb heat generated by said compression of said intake gas and said catalyst promotes a steam reformation process by which hydrogen is separated from said steam reforming fuel or said aqueous fluid;
- and
- wherein said combustion of said fuel and hydrogen causes movement of said body and said movement of said body provides an energy output of said combustion chamber.
4 more elements
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- a housing and a body movable in said housing to define a variable volume combustion chamber;
- first valving to admit an intake gas into said combustion chamber;
- an aqueous fluid supply system;
- second valving connected with said aqueous fluid supply system and operable to admit aqueous fluid from said aqueous fluid supply system and a steam reforming fuel into said combustion chamber;
- a combustion initiator that comprises a catalyst for a steam reformation process;
- a controller configured to i) cause said first valving to admit a charge of intake gas into said combustion chamber and ii) when a predetermined condition exists in said combustion chamber during movement of said body to reduce the volume of said combustion chamber so as to compress said intake gas to raise pressure of said intake gas from a first pressure to a second pressure, cause said second valving to admit aqueous fluid from said aqueous fluid supply system and an amount of said steam reforming fuel into said chamber so that said aqueous fluid and steam reforming fuel absorb heat generated by said compression of said intake gas and said catalyst promotes a steam reformation process by which hydrogen is separated from said steam reforming fuel or said aqueous fluid;
- and
- wherein said combustion of said fuel and hydrogen causes movement of said body and said movement of said body provides an energy output of said combustion chamber.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.