# US 12,006,888 B2 · Multifuel automotive engine-derived systems for clean grid load balancing and non-grid electricity applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,888 B2 - Document ID: US12006888B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/968,526 - Filed: 2022-10-18 - Published: 2023-02-09 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-28 - Applicants: Daniel R. Cohn; Leslie Bromberg; Howard Gruenspecht - Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn; Leslie Bromberg; Howard Gruenspecht - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006888B2 ## CPC - F02B 63/04: for electric generators - F02D 29/06: peculiar to engines driving electric generators - F01N 3/101: {Three-way catalysts} - F01N 3/2066: {Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]} - F02B 43/10: Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen - F02D 19/0644: {the gaseous fuel being hydrogen, ammonia or carbon monoxide} - F02D 19/0647: {the gaseous fuel being liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], liquefied natural gas [LNG], compressed natural gas [CNG] or dimethyl ether [DME]} - F02D 19/0655: {at least one fuel being an alcohol, e.g. ethanol (F02D19/084 takes precedence)} - F02D 19/084: {Blends of gasoline and alcohols, e.g. E85} - F02D 25/00: Controlling two or more co-operating engines - H02J 7/14: for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle - H02J 7/1423: {with multiple batteries} - H02J 7/1476: {by mechanical action on the generator} - H02K 7/1815: {structurally associated with reciprocating piston engines (general aspects of generating sets, e.g. housing, F02B63/04)} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - F01N 2590/11: for hybrid vehicles - F01N 2610/02: the substance being ammonia or urea - F01N 2610/14: Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits - F01N 2900/08: said parameters being related to the engine - F02B 2043/103: {Natural gas, e.g. methane or LNG used as a fuel} - Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Modestly modified automotive engine powered generator systems to substantially improve capability for providing renewable electricity powered grid reliability and energy storage are disclosed. The use of these engines to improve capability for non-grid electricity generation, including affordable and clean fast charging of electric vehicles, is also disclosed. In one embodiment, these automotive engines use high RPM and stoichiometric air fuel ratio operation so as to provide the advantages of substantially reduced cost and NOx emissions. These engines also have multifuel capability that provides highly flexible use of low carbon fuels (such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia) as well as the use of present fuels that are widely available. When these low-carbon fuels are produced with excess electricity from the grid and supplied to the grid when there is an electricity-supply shortfalls, they can serve as a means of energy storage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An engine powered generator that uses a modified automotive engine that is operated with a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio; wherein the engine powers a generator that provides charging of a vehicle battery; wherein the engine powered generator also provides charging for a stationary battery that provides electricity for stationary use at a lower power than is provided for vehicle battery charging; wherein AC electricity from the generator is converted into DC electricity; wherein the speed of the engine is varied together with the electric power that is used for vehicle charging and for charging of the stationary battery; and wherein the engine is fueled by at least one of at least one of natural gas, propane, ethanol, an ethanol-gasoline mixture, gasoline, hydrogen, methanol or ammonia. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is fueled by E85, by propane, or by propane and E85. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is fueled by natural gas, by E85, or by a combination of natural gas and E85. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is turbocharged and engine power is increased by use of E85. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is operated with a power density that is between 50 and 200 kW of mechanical power per liter of engine displacement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein a three-way catalyst is used to reduce NOx emissions from the engine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein a flywheel or a supercapacitor is used between the generator and the stationary battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is operated at an engine speed of at least 3600 RPM and the vehicle battery is charged at power level that is in the 50 to 250 kW range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the stationary battery is charged at a power level that is less than the power level that is used for the vehicle battery charging and more than the level at which the stationary battery provides power for stationary use. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The engine power generator of claim 1, wherein the duty factor for charging the stationary battery is between 1% and 5%. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the engine is fueled with at least one of low carbon methanol or ammonia. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The engine powered generator of claim 1, wherein the exhaust from the engine passes through a three-way catalyst and the exhaust from the three-way catalyst is combined with air and urea, ammonia, or diesel exhaust fluid and is then passed through an SCR and wherein addition of air provides a desired lean fuel/air mixture that enters the SCR. ### Claim 13 An engine powered generator that uses a spark ignition engine that is operated with a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio; wherein the electricity from the engine powered generator is used for charging of a vehicle battery; wherein AC electricity from the generator is converted into DC electricity; wherein a speed of the engine is varied along with the electric power that is used for vehicle battery charging; wherein a three-way catalyst is used for decreasing NOx in exhaust from the engine; and wherein the engine is fueled by at least one of methanol, ethanol, an ethanol-gasoline mixture or ammonia; and wherein hydrogen is also introduced into the engine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine is fueled by methanol and the methanol is a low-carbon methanol. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine is fueled with ammonia. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the exhaust from the engine passes through a three-way catalyst and the exhaust from the three-way catalyst is combined with air and at least one of urea, ammonia, or diesel exhaust fluid, and is then passed through an SCR and wherein addition of air provides a lean fuel/air mixture that enters the SCR. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The engine powered generator of claim 16, wherein ammonia is passed through the SCR. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, comprising multiple engine powered generators that are used in a system for electric vehicle battery charging. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine powered generator has fuel switching capability fueling for operation with at least one of natural gas, propane, or gasoline. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine powered generator also provides charging for a stationary battery that provides electricity for stationary use at a lower power than is provided for vehicle battery charging. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine is a modified automotive engine. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The engine powered generator of claim 13, wherein the engine is a modification of a spark ignition engine used in natural gas powered medium or heavy duty trucks. ### Claim 23 A power module that provides electricity, wherein the power module is a container that is transportable by truck hauling and provides electricity from at least 8 engine powered generators; wherein at least one engine powered generator of the at least 8 engine powered generators uses a modified automotive engine that operates at engine RPM of at least 3000 RPM; wherein the at least one engine powered generator is operated with a stoichiometric fuel air ratio; wherein the at least one engine powered generator is fueled by at least one of natural gas, propane, ethanol, an ethanol-gasoline mixture, gasoline, hydrogen, methanol or ammonia; wherein the at least one engine powered generator provides DC electricity; wherein the RPM and power of the at least one engine powered generator is varied; wherein the power module provides at least 2 MW of electricity; wherein the power module is used in an electricity generation system comprising multiple power modules that produce DC electricity; and wherein the power generated by the electricity generation system can be varied by varying the RPM in the engines, turning the engines on or off and/or by turning the power modules on or off. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the at least one engine powered generator is operated with a power density that is between 50 and 200 kW of mechanical power per liter. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the at least one engine powered generator is fueled by at least hydrogen and at least one of methanol or ammonia. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the engine powered generators and power modules are synchronized by use of DC electricity. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The power module of claim 26, wherein the cold start response time of the electricity generation system of multiple power modules is less than 10 seconds. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the electricity generation system that comprises multiple power modules provides electricity that is added to electricity from a gas turbine or a large reciprocating engine and wherein the electricity system of multiple power modules is operated with a lower capacity factor than the gas turbine or large reciprocating engine. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the at least one engine powered generator is fueled with natural gas, ethanol or an ethanol-gasoline mixture, or the combination of natural gas and ethanol or an ethanol-gasoline mixture. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the at least one engine powered generator is turbocharged wherein the fuel in the at least one engine powered generator is ethanol or an ethanol-gasoline mixture and the engine powered generator produces more than 500 kW. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The power module of claim 23, wherein the exhaust from the engine passes through a three-way catalyst and the exhaust from the three-way catalyst is combined with air and urea, ammonia, or diesel exhaust fluid and is then passed through an SCR, and wherein addition of air provides a lean fuel/air mixture that enters the SCR.