# US 2016/0258352 A1 · Flexible fuel generator and methods of use thereof

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- Number: US 2016/0258352 A1
- Document ID: US20160258352A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/875,441
- Filed: 2015-10-05
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-04
- Assignees: INI Power Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: INI Power Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Larry J. Markoski; Timothy C. Simmons; Mack L. Nance
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258352A1

## CPC

- F02B 63/048: {Portable engine-generator combinations}
- F01N 3/005: {for draining or otherwise eliminating condensates or moisture accumulating in the apparatus (F01N3/02 takes precedence)}
- F01N 3/103: {Oxidation catalysts for HC and CO only}
- F01N 5/02: the devices using heat
- F01P 7/16: by thermostatic control
- F02B 5/00: Engines characterised by positive ignition (engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition F02B1/02; engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with positive ignition F02B3/02; with non-timed positive ignition F02B9/06; characterised by both fuel-air mixture compression and air compression, or characterised by both positive ignition and compression ignition F02B11/00)
- F02B 63/042: {Rotating electric generators}
- F02B 69/02: for different fuel types, other than engines indifferent to fuel consumed, e.g. convertible from light to heavy fuel
- F02B 69/04: for gaseous and non-gaseous fuels
- F02D 19/0615: {being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions}
- F02D 19/0649: {Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers}
- F02D 29/06: peculiar to engines driving electric generators
- F02D 41/0025: {Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures}
- F02D 41/062: {for starting (F02D41/061 takes precedence)}
- F02N 3/02: having pull-cords
- F02N 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- F01N 2590/06: for hand-held tools or portables devices
- F01P 2007/146: {using valves}
- F02B 9/04: Methods of operating
- F02D 2400/06: Small engines with electronic control, e.g. for hand held tools
- Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies
- Y02T 10/30: Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
- Y10T 29/49231: I.C. [internal combustion] engine making
- F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G)
- 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)
- F01P: COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with cooling of propulsion units in vehicles B60K11/00; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00; {cooling of gas-turbine engines F02C7/12}; heat exchange in general, radiators F28)
- 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)
- F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, includes: a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder, a primary fuel tank fluidly connected to the cylinder, an air intake path fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder, a start module including a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, where the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path, a coolant path which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and a thermal controller along the coolant path. Furthermore, the engine has full cylinder cooling.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, comprising:
(1) a cylinder, and a spark plug in the cylinder,
(2) a primary fuel tank, fluidly connected to the cylinder,
(3) an air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder,
(4) a start module, comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path,
(5) a coolant path, which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and
(6) a thermal controller, along the coolant path,
wherein the engine has full cylinder cooling.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator is air-cooled.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:1.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator does not include a battery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the cylinder comprises aluminum.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a starting fuel dispenser, fluidly connecting the starting fuel tank to the starting fuel line.

### Claim at position 9

9-10. (canceled)

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the starting fuel tank contains a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel.

### Claim at position 11

12-13. (canceled)

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein an air filter is present along the air intake path, and the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein:
the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,
the thermal controller is a thermal door, and
the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

### Claim at position 14

16-18. (canceled)

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing, and
wherein the generator is air-cooled,
the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:1,
the cylinder comprises aluminum,
the generator does not include a battery,
the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure,
an air filter is present along the air intake path,
the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder,
the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,
the thermal controller is a thermal door, and
the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

### Claim 20

(canceled)

### Claim 21

A method of generating electricity with a generator, the generator having an engine comprising a cylinder and a spark plug, the method comprising:
operating the engine in the isothermal range of 120-180° C., and
fueling the engine with a running fuel comprising a heavy fuel.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein the heavy fuel is diesel fuel.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with a gaseous low-flashpoint fuel.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with a starting fuel comprising a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel.

### Claim at position 21

25-30. (canceled)

### Claim 31

A method of making a portable flexible fuel generator, comprising modifying a portable gasoline generator,
wherein the modifying comprises:
adding a starting module comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the stating fuel line is fluidly connected to an air intake path of the portable gasoline generator,
adding a thermal door, along the coolant path of the portable gasoline generator, and
retarding the spark plug ignition timing.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the portable gasoline generator is air cooled, has a compression ratio of greater than 8:1, does not include a battery for starting the generator, and a cylinder of the generator comprises aluminum.

### Claim at position 24

33-38. (canceled)

### Claim 39 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the modifying further comprises adding a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line, and
the starting fuel tank comprises pressurized diethyl ether.

### Claim 40 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein:
the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio greater than 8:1, uses fixed timing, and has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine, and
the portable gasoline generator comprises:
a generator housing,
an air filter along an air intake path which supplied air for combustion of fuel, and
a coolant path having an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,
wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing,
the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure, the starting fuel enclosure comprises a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover,
the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder, and
the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.

### Claim at position 27

41-45. (canceled)