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US 2009/0255255 A1Published application
System and method for extracting propulsion energy from motor vehicle exhaust
AssigneeEnergyield LLC
InventorRobert Hotto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen may be stored in a hydrogen tank, and may be used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge a vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system.
Claims21
A system for enhancing fuel utilization in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a pipe coupled to the engine to receive engine exhaust gases;
- and
- a reformer connected to the pipe, the reformer configured to produce hydrogen from the exhaust gases.
A method for enhancing fuel utilization in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- generating exhaust gases from combustion in the engine;
- coupling the exhaust gases from the engine to a reformer configured to produce hydrogen from the exhaust gases;
- and
- transferring the hydrogen to a hydrogen storage tank.
1 more element
A method of enhancing combustion engine operation, comprising:
- receiving, at a reformer having an input coupled to an exhaust output of the engine, exhaust gases produces by the engine;
- generating in the reformer, from hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases, hydrogen;
- and
- transferring the hydrogen to a hydrogen storage tank or a fuel cell.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.