Fuel treatment module, system and method
AssigneeCameron Dynamics, LLC
InventorsWilliam Richard Grovatt, Richard Michael Vihonski, Thomas D. Mesko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel treatment module treats fuel with infrared radiation from a plurality of infrared radiation emitting elements arranged in a structure configured to ensure sufficient exposure of the fuel to infrared radiation. Such structure includes a head cap and spacer having through bores providing a manifold through which fuel flows into multiple IR/shunt columns of infrared radiation emitting elements that are disposed within a canister. Then the fuel moves out of the multiple IR/shunt columns into the open area of the canister where the fuel then flows around the exterior of the columns, exposing the fuel to further infrared radiation treatment.
Claims18
A fuel treatment module comprising:
- a head cap comprising a fuel inlet defined by a fuel inlet opening to receive fuel, a fuel outlet defined by a fuel outlet opening to allow fuel to exit the fuel treatment module, and a head cap opening perimeter;
- a spacer comprising a plurality of through bores and a spacer opening perimeter;
- a distribution chamber formed between the head cap and the spacer;
- a plurality of IR/shunt columns, each comprising a shunt tube and a plurality of infrared radiation emitting elements, wherein the shunt tube of each of the plurality of IR/shunt columns is attached to the spacer at one of the plurality of through bores;
- a canister having a body and an end cap configured to enclose the plurality of IR/shunt columns and to enclose fuel flowing out of each shunt tube such that the fuel fills the open areas of the canister and flows out of the canister into the spacer;
- and
- a fluid-tight conduit extending between the spacer opening perimeter and the head cap opening perimeter to the fuel outlet, wherein the fuel flowing out of the canister flows through the fluid-tight conduit to exit the fuel treatment module at the fuel outlet.
A fuel treatment module comprising:
- a head cap comprising a fuel inlet defined by a fuel inlet opening to receive fuel, a fuel outlet opening to allow fuel to exit the fuel treatment module, and a head cap opening perimeter;
- a spacer comprising a plurality of through bores and a spacer opening perimeter;
- a distribution chamber formed between the head cap and spacer;
- a plurality of IR/shunt columns, each comprising a shunt tube and a plurality of infrared radiation emitting elements;
- wherein the shunt tube of each of the plurality of IR/shunt columns is attached to the spacer at one of the plurality of through bores;
- wherein the infrared radiation emitting elements comprise multiple ceramic sections;
- wherein multiple ones of the ceramic sections are configured to be arranged around the shunt tube to form a disk-like shape;
- and wherein multiple ones of the ceramic sections are formed of a far infrared-emitting material and multiple ones of the ceramic sections are formed of a medium infrared-emitting material;
- a canister having a body and an end cap configured to enclose the plurality of IR/shunt columns and to enclose fuel flowing out of each shunt tube such that the fuel fills the open areas of the canister and flows out of the canister through an opening in the spacer;
- a spline having an open distal end and a proximal end attached to the spacer opening perimeter, wherein the fuel flows from the canister, through the spline, and through the fluid-tight conduit to exit the fuel treatment module at the fuel outlet;
- column bindings, wherein the plurality of IR/shunt columns are attached to the spline by the column bindings;
- and
- a fluid-tight conduit extending between the spacer opening perimeter and the head cap opening perimeter to the fuel outlet, wherein the fuel flowing out of the canister flows through the fluid-tight conduit to exit the fuel treatment module at the fuel outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.