Method and apparatus for hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines
AssigneeBillings Energy Research Corporation
InventorRoger Evan Billings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The hydrogen engine hereof introduces water as vapor with inlet hydrogen and air, as a mixture proportioned for practical internal combustion and efficient power output. Water vapor is a substantial component of the exhaust of hydrogen fueled engines. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust, and thereupon arranged to provide the input water as a continuing self-supporting process. The resultant emissions are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and readily meet the EPA Standards on pollutants as presently set for 1976. Further, and importantly, engine backfire is eliminated in the operation. Also, engine output power and efficiency are improved with the invention principles.
Claims32
An internal combustion engine having an engine fuel intake and one or more cylinders in which fuel combustion occurs, said engine including first means for introducing gaseous hydrogen and air in metered relation to the engine intake for sequential combustion in the cylinders, second means for producing water droplets, spray or mist from supplied liquid water and for introducing said water droplets, spray or mist to said intake in conjunction with the hydrogen and air, means for condensing exiting resultant water vapor of the hydrogen combustion process, and means for supplying the condensed water to said second means in such proportion whereby the engine is supplied with hydrogen, water and air at its intake to inhibit backfiring in its operation.
In an internal combustion engine having an engine fuel intake, one or more chambers in which fuel combustion occurs, and structure for introducing air into the engine intake, the improvement comprising
- first means for introducing gaseous hydrogen into the air introducing structure for combustion in the chambers,
- second means for producing finely divided water, including droplets, spray or mist, from input water and for introducing the finely divided water into the air introducing structure in conjunction with the hydrogen,
- a reservoir for holding water, and
- means for conveying water from said water reservoir to said second means,
- said first and second means being adapted to supply the intake hydrogen and intake water in such proportion as to inhibit backfiring.
A method of inhibiting backfiring in a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine comprising
- a. introducing gaseous hydrogen and air in metered relation to the engine intake for combustion in the cylinders,
- b. storing water,
- c. producing liquid water droplets, spray or mist from the stored water, and
- d. applying the droplets, spray or mist to the engine intake for admixing with the hydrogen in a predetermined mass ratio sufficient to inhibit backfiring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.