Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsAlexander Rabinovich, Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Rotary power system. The system includes a source of hydrocarbon fuel which is supplied to a plasmatron which reforms the fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine is connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron. The engine powers an electrical generator and the generated electricity is connected to the plasmatron. In one embodiment, the engine also receives hydrocarbon fuel along with the hydrogen rich gas. The combination of plasmatron and internal combustion engine results in lowered exhaust emissions.
Claims8
Rotary power system comprising:
- a source of hydrocarbon fuel;
- a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas;
- an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron;
- and
- a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron.
Rotary power system comprising:
- a first and a second source of hydrocarbon fuel;
- a plasmatron for receiving hydrocarbon fuel from the first source of hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas;
- an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron and to receive hydrocarbon fuel from the second source of hydrocarbon fuel;
- and
- a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron.
Rotary power system comprising:
- a source of hydrocarbon fuel;
- a compact plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen rich gas;
- an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen rich gas from the plasmatron;
- a generator/motor powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to the battery;
- a battery connected to receive electrical energy from the generator/motor, a portion of electrical energy being supplied to the plasmatron.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.