Engine emissions control apparatus and method
AssigneeMidwest Power Concepts, Ltd.
InventorDwayne Fosseen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for reducing the emissions of a diesel engine. A hydrous alcohol fuel of low proof supplements the diesel fuel, particularly in high acceleration and high r.p.m. conditions. The fuel is fumigated into the airstream of the intake manifold of the engine by a fuel injector that is supplied both the alcohol fuel and air under pressure. Control apparatus begins delivery of the alcohol fuel above a selected engine r.p.m. and the amount delivered generally corresponds to engine r.p.m. Under heavy acceleration, the flow of diesel fuel is reduced and engine power is brought back up by the alcohol fuel. No alcohol fuel is used when the engine is decelerating or reducing its r.p.m.'s.
Claims16
Apparatus for reducing the emissions of a diesel engine, comprising:
- (a) a hydrous alcohol fuel of between about 33 percent and about 70 percent alcohol by volume and between about 30 percent and 67 percent water by volume;
- (b) a fuel injector for delivering said hydrous alcohol fuel for combustion in the engine;
- and
- (c) means for controlling the delivery of said fuel to the engine in response to operating conditions of the engine, such that said fuel is delivered for combustion only when the engine is being operated to increase the rate of engine revolutions and when the engine is being operated substantially to maintain the rate of engine revolutions.
A method for reducing the emissions of a diesel engine, comprising the steps of:
- (a) injecting a hydrous alcohol supplemental fuel for combustion in the engine, said fuel being a mixture of between about 30 percent and 67 percent alcohol by volume and between about 33 percent and 70 percent water by volume;
- and
- (b) controlling said injecting in response to operating conditions of the engine wherein said hydrous alcohol fuel is injected only when the engine is being operated to increase engine r.p.m. and when the engine is being operated substantially to maintain engine r.p.m.
Apparatus for reducing the emissions of a diesel engine having an intake manifold and an accelerator, comprising:
- (a) a hydrous alcohol fuel of between about 33 percent and about 70 percent alcohol by volume and between about 30 percent and 67 percent water by volume;
- (b) a water-soluble oil added to said hydrous alcohol fuel in a ratio of between about one part oil to four hundred parts hydrous alcohol fuel by volume and about one part oil to nine hundred parts hydrous alcohol fuel by volume to increase the lubricity of said hydrous alcohol fuel and to reduce corrosion of engine parts by said hydrous alcohol fuel;
- (c) intake manifold of the engine for delivering said hydrous alcohol fuel into the intake manifold for combustion in the engine;
- (d) pressurized air supply means responsive to the position of the accelerator;
- (e) said fuel injector including an air flow region in communication with said pressurized air supply means and a hydrous alcohol fuel flow region for fumigating said hydrous alcohol fuel inside said intake manifold;
- (f) a fuel regulator for regulating the flow of said hydrous alcohol fuel to said fuel injector;
- and
- (g) means for controlling said fuel regulator in response to said pressurized air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.