Hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine
OwnerStephen M. Flessner, Eric S. Flessnerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. The engine exhaust may be recycled through the electrolyer where it is converted to hydrogen and oxygen. A water reservoir in fluid communication with the electrolyzer maintains the water level in the elctrolyzer. The hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolyzer may be routed to the internal combustion engine and provide the fuel for the engine. Hydrogen and oxygen not consumed by operation of the engine is stored in separate pressurized storage tanks. Expanders lower the pressure of pressurized hydrogen and oxygen for use to power the engine and provide electric power to the electrolyzer.
Claims25
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- (a) an air intake port open to the atmosphere;
- (b) a hydrogen storage tank containing pressurized hydrogen operatively connected to said engine;
- (c) an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen operatively connected to said engine;
- (d) a water reservoir in fluid communication with said electrolyzer;
- (e) electric circuit means for providing electric power to said electrolyzer;
- (f) conduit means for supplying pressurized hydrogen to said engine;
- and
- (g) an engine exhaust conduit extending from said engine in fluid communication with said electrolyzer.
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- (a) an oxygen storage tank containing pressurized oxygen operatively connected to said engine;
- (b) a hydrogen storage tank containing pressurized hydrogen operatively connected to said engine;
- (c) an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen operatively connected to said engine;
- (d) a water reservoir in fluid communication with said electrolyzer;
- (e) electric circuit means for providing electric power to said electrolyzer;
- (f) conduit means for supplying pressurized hydrogen and oxygen to said engine;
- and
- (g) an engine exhaust conduit extending from said engine in fluid communication with said electrolyzer.
A method of generating hydrogen for an internal combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrolyzer operatively connected to said engine;
- (b) connecting said electrolyzer to a power source and applying an electric current for generating hydrogen and oxygen;
- (c) pressurizing and storing hydrogen within a first storage container;
- (d) supplying pressurized hydrogen to said engine while said engine is operating;
- (e) providing a water reservoir in fluid communication with said electrolyzer;
- and
- (f) recycling exhaust vapor generated by said engine to said electrolyzer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.