Loading patent…
AssigneeClimate Energy Investments, LLC
InventorsJulie Blumreiter, Bernard Johnson
Estimating the term…
Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of operating internal combustion (IC) engines by combusting various fuel chemistries therein. Specifically, engines described herein can operate a wide range of fuel chemistries with varying molecular formulas. The chemical compositions of the fuels described herein make them more difficult to ignite than long chain hydrocarbons (i.e., fuels that include 6 or more carbon atoms in a molecule). In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that have the chemical properties of alcohols. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that include hydroxide groups. Examples of such fuels include methanol and/or ethanol. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust natural gas. These fuel chemistries are difficult to ignite, particularly at low temperatures and during initial engine startup. Systems and methods described herein address these ignition difficulties, particularly in diesel engine architectures.
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine defining a combustion chamber, the method comprising:
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine defining a combustion chamber, the method comprising:
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine defining a combustion chamber, a piston disposed in and configured to move in the combustion chamber, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.