Diagnostics and control of an on board hydrogen generation and delivery system
AssigneeLynntech, Inc.
InventorsOliver J. Murphy, Craig C. Andrews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system is described for a system that delivers hydrogen to the exhaust system of a vehicle and other parts of the vehicle. The control system controls the operation of valves for delivering hydrogen in a variety of different methods to the vehicle exhaust system, so the catalytic converter may be preheated in order to bring the catalytic converter to full functioning level very rapidly. The control system also controls the generation of hydrogen by electrolysis, the on-board diagnostics of the system, and the delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle's exhaust system.
Claims68
An apparatus for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a vehicle exhaust system;
- a hydrogen delivery system;
- and
- a controller for controlling the hydrogen delivery system to supply hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system and the internal combustion engine, wherein the controller comprises an output electrically connected to the hydrogen delivery system for sending a signal to the hydrogen delivery system to release hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system and the internal combustion engine.
An apparatus for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a vehicle exhaust system;
- hydrogen delivery system;
- and
- a controller for delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system, the controller comprising an output electronically connected to the hydrogen delivery system for sending a signal to the hydrogen delivery system to release hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system;
- the hydrogen delivery system comprising first and second valves electrically connected to the controller;
- wherein the controller sends a signal to the first and second valves to instruct the first and second valves to open or close, thereby permitting hydrogen to flow to the vehicle exhaust system corresponding to signals from the controller.
An apparatus for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a vehicle exhaust system;
- a hydrogen delivers system;
- and
- a controller for delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system, the controller comprising an output electrically connected to the hydrogen delivery system for sending a signal to the hydrogen delivery system to release hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system;
- wherein the hydrogen delivery system includes at least one sensor capable of detecting at least one parameter of the hydrogen delivery system and sending a signal to the controller indicating the value of the at least one parameter, the controller further comprising at least one input for receiving the signal indicating the value of the at least one parameter;
- wherein each of the at least one parameter indicates a performance level of a part of the hydrogen delivery system, a value of the at least one parameter falling within a predetermined window indicating a normal performance level of the part of the hydrogen delivery system, and a value of the at least one parameter falling outside the predetermined window indicating an abnormal performance level of the part of the hydrogen delivery system.
A system for delivering hydrogen to an exhaust system of a vehicle, the hydrogen delivery system comprising:
- a controller having an output for sending a release signal and a release subsystem connected to the exhaust system and electrically connected to the controller for receiving the release signal, the release subsystem releasing hydrogen to the exhaust system in response to the release signal;
- a hydrogen generation subsystem connected to the release subsystem and electrically connected to the controller, the hydrogen generation subsystem generating hydrogen for release to the exhaust system;
- wherein the controller has an output for sending a start-hydrogen-generation signal and the hydrogen generation subsystem has an input for receiving the start-hydrogen-generation signal, the hydrogen generation subsystem generating hydrogen in response to the start-hydrogen-generation signal.
A vehicle having an engine, an electrical system connected to the engine and an exhaust system connected to the engine, the vehicle comprising a hydrogen delivery system connected to the exhaust system;
- a controller electrically connected to the hydrogen delivery system
- wherein the hydrogen delivery system includes a dual valve subsystem having a first valve and a second valve, the dual valve subsystem controlling the release of hydrogen to the exhaust system.
A vehicle having an engine, an electrical system connected to the engine and an exhaust system connected to the engine, the vehicle comprising a hydrogen delivery system connected to the exhaust system;
- a controller electrically connected to the hydrogen delivery system;
- and
- a hydrogen generation system electrically connected to the controller and connected to the hydrogen delivery system for generating hydrogen to be released,
- wherein the controller has an output for sending a start-hydrogen-generation signal and the hydrogen generation system has an input for receiving the start-hydrogen-generation signal, the hydrogen generation system generating hydrogen in response to the start-hydrogen-generation signal.
A method of controlling use of hydrogen onboard a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system, comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system and the internal combustion engine;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (c) delivering hydrogen to the internal combustion engine.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a first valve and a second valve;
- and
- (d) closing the first valve and the second valve after a specified time period;
- whereby hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system continuously during the specified time period.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a second valve;
- (d) opening a first valve;
- (e) closing the first valve;
- (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for a specified time period;
- and
- (g) closing the second valve;
- whereby hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system in pulses during the specified time period.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a first valve;
- (d) closing the first valve;
- (e) opening a second valve;
- (f) closing the second valve;
- and
- (g) repeating steps (c)-(f) for a specified time period;
- whereby hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system in packets during the specified time period.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a first valve and a second valve;
- and
- (d) closing the first valve and the second valve after a specified volume of hydrogen has been delivered to the vehicle exhaust system;
- whereby the volume of hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system continuously.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a second valve;
- (d) opening a first valve;
- (e) closing the first valve;
- (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until a specified volume of hydrogen has been delivered to the vehicle exhaust system;
- and
- (g) closing the second valve;
- whereby the volume of hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system in pulses.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) opening a first valve;
- (d) closing the first valve;
- (e) opening a second valve;
- (f) closing the second valve;
- and
- (g) repeating steps (c)-(f) until a specified volume of hydrogen has been delivered to the vehicle exhaust system;
- whereby the volume of hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle exhaust system in packets.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (c) cycling a valve system to release the hydrogen during a predetermined time period.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (c) cycling a valve system to release a predetermined volume of hydrogen.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- (c) producing the hydrogen by electrolyzing water;
- and
- (d) storing the produced hydrogen prior to delivering the produced hydrogen.
A method of controlling delivery of hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- (a) receiving a release signal to deliver hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- (b) delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system
- wherein a hydrogen delivery system delivers the hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system, the method comprising the further step of monitoring at least one parameter of the hydrogen delivery system
- detecting that the at least one parameter is not within a specified window;
- generating an error signal when the at least one parameter is detected not to be within the specified window;
- and
- executing a predetermined response to the error signal.
A method of controlling hydrogen onboard a vehicle having an exhaust system and an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:
- electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen;
- storing the produced hydrogen;
- delivering hydrogen to the exhaust system;
- and
- delivering hydrogen to the internal combustion engine.
A method of providing hydrogen within a vehicle for a hydrogen delivery system for delivering hydrogen to the vehicle's exhaust system comprising the steps of:
- electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen;
- and
- storing the produced hydrogen;
- wherein the produced hydrogen is stored in a storage vessel having a hydrogen pressure sensor,
- detecting a desired pressure from the hydrogen pressure sensor;
- and
- stopping the electrolyzing of water in response to detecting the desired pressure.
A method of performing diagnostics on a hydrogen delivery system for delivering hydrogen to a vehicle exhaust system comprising the steps of:
- monitoring at least one parameter of the hydrogen delivery system;
- detecting that the at least one parameter is not within a specified window;
- generating an error signal when the at least one parameter is detected not to be within the specified window;
- and
- executing a predetermined response to the error signal.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first variable flow control valve in fluid communication between a hydrogen delivery system and a vehicle exhaust system;
- a controller in communication with the first variable flow control valve for controlling the flow of hydrogen through the first variable flow control valve to the vehicle exhaust system and in communication with the hydrogen delivery system for delivering hydrogen to a vehicle engine.
An apparatus comprising:
- a controller having an output for sending a hydrogen flow control signal and a hydrogen generation signal;
- a variable hydrogen flow control valve in communication with the controller for receiving the hydrogen flow control signal, wherein the variable hydrogen flow control valve is in fluid communication with a vehicle exhaust system for releasing hydrogen to the vehicle exhaust system in response to the hydrogen flow control signal;
- a hydrogen generator in communication with the controller for receiving the hydrogen generation signal, wherein the hydrogen generator is in fluid communication with the variable hydrogen flow control valve;
- and
- a second valve in fluid communication between the hydrogen generator and a vehicle engine, wherein the controller is in communication with the second valve for controlling the flow of hydrogen through the second valve to the vehicle engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.