Ultra-compact system for characterization of physical, chemical and ignition properties of fuels
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsMatthew J. Mcnenly, Geoffrey M. Oxberry, Ahmed E. Ismail, Nicholas Killingsworth, Daniel L. Flowers
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a miniaturized fuel laboratory system having exterior dimensions enabling the system to be at least one of hand-holdable or contained on a component. The system makes use of a processor, a fuel inlet port for receiving a quantity of fuel to be used as a fuel test sample, and at least one fuel sensor in communication with the fuel inlet port for receiving the fuel test sample. The processor uses the information obtained by the fuel sensor to determine at least one characteristic of the fuel test sample.
Claims19
A miniaturized fuel laboratory system having exterior dimensions enabling the system to be at least one of hand-holdable or integrated into an engine of a fuel-consuming component, the system comprising:
- a housing;
- a processor housed within the housing;
- a fuel inlet port supported from the housing for receiving a quantity of fuel to be used as a fuel test sample;
- at least one fuel sensor housed in the housing in communication with the fuel inlet port for receiving the fuel test sample;
- an electronic input/output communications port housed in the housing for bidirectionally communicating with the processor and with an electronic controller associated with the engine of the fuel-consuming component;
- the processor configured to receive combustion related information concerning a combustion event occurring within the engine;
- the processor using information obtained by the fuel sensor to determine at least one characteristic of the fuel test sample;
- and
- the processor further using the combustion related information in analyzing the fuel test sample, and to communicate information back to the electronic controller of the engine.
A miniaturized fuel laboratory system adapted to be contained on a fuel burning vehicle and powered by the vehicle's DC battery, the system comprising:
- a housing;
- a processor housed within the housing;
- an electrical input/output communications port supported on the housing adapted to be placed in communication with a wiring harness of the vehicle to bidirectionally communicate with the processor and with an electronic control module (ECM) of the vehicle;
- a fuel inlet port supported on the housing for receiving a quantity of fuel to be used as a fuel test sample;
- at least one fuel sensor supported from the housing and in communication with the fuel inlet port for receiving the fuel test sample;
- the processor using information obtained by the fuel sensor to determine at least one characteristic of the fuel test sample, and to receive combustion related information concerning combustion occurring within an engine of the vehicle;
- a fuel return line to return an unused portion of the fuel test sample to a fuel tank of the vehicle;
- and
- the processor further using the combustion related information in analyzing the fuel test sample, and to communicate additional information back to the ECM of the vehicle for use by the ECM in controlling the engine.
A method for forming a miniaturized fuel laboratory system having exterior dimensions enabling the system to be contained on a motor vehicle and powered by an on-board electrical system of the vehicle, the method comprising:
- using a fuel inlet port disposed on a housing for receiving a quantity of fuel from a fuel tank of the motor vehicle, to be used as a fuel test sample;
- using an electronic input/output communications port disposed on the housing to bi-directionally communicate with a processor disposed within the housing and with an electronic control module of the motor vehicle, wherein the electronic control module is used to assist in controlling an engine of the motor vehicle;
- using at least one fuel sensor housed within the housing and in communication with the fuel inlet port for receiving the fuel test sample and providing information relating to at least one characteristic of the fuel test sample;
- using a processor to analyze the information obtained by the at least one fuel sensor, and to receive combustion related information concerning combustion events taking place within the engine;
- and
- further using the processor and the combustion related information in analyzing the fuel test sample, and to communicate information back to the electronic controller of the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.