U.S. patent application number 15/264429 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-06 for coherent-structure fuel treatment systems and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is ThrivalTech, LLC. Invention is credited to Garrett Hill, Scott Lazar, Dustin Stonehouse, Justin Tombe.
Application Number | 20170096970 15/264429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51022405 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170096970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill; Garrett ; et
al. |
April 6, 2017 |
COHERENT-STRUCTURE FUEL TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
Fuel efficiency in a combustion engine is increased by treating
the fuel in a reaction chamber prior to delivering the fuel into
the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes the step
of entraining a stream of exhaust gas to travel upstream through
the reactor chamber in a first flow pattern. The method also
includes the step of entraining a stream of fuel to travel
downstream through the reactor chamber in a second flow pattern,
where at least one of the first and second flow patterns comprises
a structured turbulent flow.
Inventors: |
Hill; Garrett; (Ashland,
OR) ; Lazar; Scott; (Ashland, OR) ;
Stonehouse; Dustin; (Ashland, OR) ; Tombe;
Justin; (Ashland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ThrivalTech, LLC |
Ashland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51022405 |
Appl. No.: |
15/264429 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14848053 |
Sep 8, 2015 |
9441581 |
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15264429 |
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14278769 |
May 15, 2014 |
9145803 |
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14848053 |
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13870106 |
Apr 25, 2013 |
8794217 |
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14278769 |
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61762099 |
Feb 7, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 13/08 20130101;
F02G 5/02 20130101; Y02T 10/126 20130101; F02M 27/02 20130101; F02M
27/04 20130101; F01N 3/10 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101; F02M 31/18
20130101; F02B 51/02 20130101; F02M 31/08 20130101; F01N 5/02
20130101; F02M 27/00 20130101; Y02T 10/16 20130101; F02M 31/16
20130101; F01N 3/00 20130101; F02B 51/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02M 31/08 20060101
F02M031/08; F02B 51/04 20060101 F02B051/04; F02M 31/18 20060101
F02M031/18; F02B 51/02 20060101 F02B051/02; F02M 27/02 20060101
F02M027/02; F02M 27/04 20060101 F02M027/04 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A system for reforming a substance, comprising: a first
housing; a second housing that entrains a stream of the substance
and that is disposed within the first housing, wherein the second
housing encloses an inner wall with surface features that are
substantially large enough to be identified by naked eyes, and
comprise a pattern of features selected from a group consisting of
bumps, dimples, cavities, ridges, grooves, and wedges; and a
connection structure that entrains the stream of the substance from
a first end of the second housing to a first end of the first
housing.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the inner wall comprises
coherent surface features that entrain the second stream to travel
in a coherent-structured turbulence.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein an inner wall of the first
housing also includes surface features that are substantially large
enough to be identified by naked eyes, and comprise a pattern of
features selected from the group consisting of bumps, dimples,
cavities, ridges, grooves, and wedges.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein an outer wall of the second
housing comprises coherent surface features that cooperates with
coherent surface features on the inner wall of the first housing to
entrain the first stream to travel in a coherent structured
turbulence.
21. The system of claim 17, further comprises an inlet that
connects to a second end of the second housing and entrains the
stream of the substance into the second housing.
22. The system of claim 17, further comprising an outlet that
connects to a second end of the first housing and entrains the
stream of the substance out of the system.
23. The system of claim 17, further comprises a wave guide disposed
in a cavity of the second housing.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the wave guide comprises a
powered electrode.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the inner wall of the second
housing comprises an electrode with opposite electrical polarity to
the powered electrode of the wave guide.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein the wave guide has a shape,
selected from a list consisting of a rod, an egg, a sphere, and an
ellipsoid.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein the wave guide has a surface
catalyst comprising an element selected from a group consisting of
Fe, Ti, Ni, Pd, Pt and Cu.
28. The system of claim 17, further comprising a magnetic field
producer disposed in the second housing and configured to apply a
magnetic field to at least a portion of the stream of the substance
within the second housing.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the magnetic field producer
comprises a stimulation coil.
31. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the inner and
an outer wall of the second housing has a surface catalyst
comprising at least one of an element selected from a group
consisting of Fe, Ti, Ni, Pd, Pt and Cu.
32. The system of claim 17, further comprising an energy pickup
coil configured to receive electrical energy from the stream of the
substance, and an action of a wave guide disposed within the second
housing.
33. The system of claim 17, further comprising an ion field
generator disposed within the second housing and configured to
generate ions within the stream of the substance.
34. The system of claim 17, further comprising an electric field
generator disposed within the second housing and configured to
apply an external electric field to at least a portion of the
stream of the substance.
35. The system of claim 17, further comprising a high voltage
electrode configured to ionize the substance.
36. The system of claim 17, further comprising one of a filter or a
catalyst substrate disposed within the first housing.
37. The system of claim 17, wherein an enclosure of the second
housing comprises pores large enough to enable at least a portion
of the stream of the substance to travel from the first housing
into the second housing.
38. The system of claim 17, wherein the substance comprises a
liquid.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/848,053, filed Sep. 8, 2015, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/278,769, filed
May 15, 2014, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,803, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/870,106, filed
Apr. 25, 2013, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,217, which claims the
benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/762,099,
filed Feb. 7, 2013. This and all other extrinsic materials
discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention is combustion engine system, more
specifically, a fuel treatment system for a combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The following description includes information that may be
useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an
admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art
or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any
publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0004] Internal combustion engines have been around since early
nineteenth century. Even with the increasing popularity of hybrid
and electric cars, internal combustion engines are still the main
driving force of a majority of today's vehicles.
[0005] In an internal combustion engine (ICE) system, a mixture of
fuel (e.g., gasoline) and gas (e.g., oxygen) is injected into a
combustion chamber. Upon ignition, the mixture combusts and
produces gases (usually contains steam, carbon dioxide, and other
chemicals) in very high temperature. As the gases expand due to
high temperature, they generate a force that drives the moving
parts (e.g., pistons) of the engine. In short, the ICE system
produces power by transferring chemical energy that is stored in
the fuel-air mixture to thermal energy.
[0006] However, even though ICEs have been in existence for a long
period of time, they have never attained high efficiency levels. In
fact, most ICEs in cars being produced today are only about 25% to
30% efficient (total thermal efficiency). Inefficiency of an ICE is
usually caused by incomplete combustion of fuel, which also results
in emission of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and soot. As
such, improvements to the ICE's efficiency would reduce both fuel
consumption and air pollution.
[0007] Efforts have been made in the past to improve the efficiency
of ICE systems. Several patent literatures, including U.S. Pat. No.
8,291,891 to Francis et al. entitled "EGR System with Dedicated EGR
cylinders", filed Jun. 17, 2008, U.S. patent publication
2012/0266594 to Christmann entitled "Internal Combustion Engine",
filed Dec. 14, 2010, and U.S. patent publication 2012/0285426 to
Hayman et al. entitled "Intake Manifold Assembly for Dedicated
Exhaust Gas Recirculation", filed May 10, 2011 and others, disclose
the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) techniques to reduce
loss of thermal energy and to reduce formation of harmful gases
within the combustion system.
[0008] In a more sophisticated effort, U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,764 to
Lee entitled "Pre-ignition Fuel Treatment System", filed Feb. 21,
2008 discloses a pre-ignition fuel treatment system that improves
combustibility and reduction of by-products produced by cracking
and ionizing the fuel in a reactor vessel before entering into the
combustion chamber. In addition, Lee further discloses the use of
high temperature, high pressure environment of the engine's exhaust
gases to create a reaction zone in which the hydrocarbon molecules
of the fuel are cracked.
[0009] However, even with EGR and pre-ignition fuel treatment
techniques, the efficiency of ICE has still yet to reach an optimal
level. Thus, there is still a need to improve on existing ICE
systems to further improve efficiency and reduce emission of
harmful by-products.
[0010] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication or patent application
were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated
reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that
term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein
applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not
apply.
[0011] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of
ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions,
and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the
invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances
by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the
numerical parameters set forth in the written description and
attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the
desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular
embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be
construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and
by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the
numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of
some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical
values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely
as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments
of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting
from the standard deviation found in their respective testing
measurements.
[0012] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural
reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as
used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in"
and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0013] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended
to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated
herein, each individual value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language
(e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments
herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and
does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the
invention.
[0014] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the
invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations.
Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in
any combination with other members of the group or other elements
found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or
deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or
patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the
specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified
thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used
in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and
methods in which a fuel is being treated before ignition in a
combustion engine in order to improve efficiency of the engine. In
one aspect of the invention, a pre-ignition fuel treatment system
for an engine is presented. The system includes a reactor that
passes a stream of the exhaust gas past a stream of the fuel. The
reactor includes a first structure that entrains the fuel stream to
travel in a first flow pattern. The reactor also includes a second
structure that entrains the exhaust gas stream to travel in a
second flow pattern, wherein at least one of the first and second
flow patterns comprises a coherent-structured turbulence.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first structure of the pre-ignition
fuel treatment system includes a wave guide that enables the fuel
stream to travel in the first flow pattern. The wave guide has
several characteristics. First, the wave guide has a surface
topology comprising a pattern of features. The pattern of features
can include features selected from the group of features including:
bumps, dimples, cavities, ridges, grooves, and wedges.
[0017] In some embodiments, the pattern of features in the surface
topology is configured to induce a rotating movement within the
first flow pattern. In addition, the surface topology of some
embodiments is configured to induce micro-rotations of the fuel
stream within the first flow pattern.
[0018] The wave guide of some embodiments also has a shape. The
wave guide's shape can be a rod, an egg, a sphere, or an ellipsoid.
In addition, the wave guide can also have a surface catalyst that
is selected from the group of elements consisting of iron (Fe),
titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), Copper
(Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Chromium (Cr). Also, the surface topology in
some embodiments defines several scales that are disposed in a
coniferous ovulate cone pattern.
[0019] In some embodiments, the wave guide also has a core that
includes at least a magnetic material or a diamagnetic
material.
[0020] In addition to the wave guide, the first structure also
includes a housing. In some embodiments, the housing has an inlet
and an outlet, and, at least one of the inlet and the outlet has a
flow form with phi-based proportions and dimensions. In some
embodiments, the inner wall of the housing also has a surface
topology comprising a pattern of features that are selected from
the group consisting of bumps, dimples, cavities, ridges, grooves,
and wedges. Also, either the inner wall or the outer wall (or both)
of the housing has a surface catalyst that includes at least one of
the element selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe),
titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), Copper
(Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Chromium (Cr).
[0021] The second structure of some embodiments also has a housing.
The housing of the second structure includes an inlet and an
outlet, and either the inlet or the outlet (or both) of the housing
has flow form with phi-based proportions and dimensions. In some
embodiments, the inner wall surface of the second structure's
housing has a surface topology that entrains the exhaust gas stream
to travel within the housing in a coherent dynamic flow
pattern.
[0022] In some embodiments, the first and second structures are
disposed in a manner such that the first flow pattern comprises a
fuel gas vortex, and the second flow pattern comprises an exhaust
gas vortex. In some of these embodiments, the fuel gas vortex
travels inside of the exhaust gas vortex.
[0023] In some embodiments, the reactor also includes a stimulation
coil that is configured to apply an external ionization field to at
least a portion of the fuel stream. In addition, the reactor can
also include an energy pickup coil that is configured to receive
electrical energy from the fuel stream, the exhaust gas stream, or
an action of the wave guide.
[0024] In addition to the reactor, the pre-ignition fuel treatment
system of some embodiments further includes a mechanism that
introduces at least 20 weight percentage (wt %) of the fuel stream
into the reactor in a vapor state. In these embodiments, the
reactor is configured to transform at least some of the fuel stream
from the vaporized state to a plasma state before delivering the
fuel to the engine's combustion chamber.
[0025] In some embodiments, the reactor is configured to mix at
least a portion of the exhaust gas stream with the at least a
portion of the fuel stream to form a mixed stream. In some of these
embodiments, at least 10 wt % of the mixed stream is derived from
the exhaust gas stream. Alternatively, the fuel stream is entirely
separated from the exhaust stream by a barrier.
[0026] In another aspect of the invention, a method for improving
combustion efficiency for a combustion engine is presented. The
combustion engine is designed to combusts a fuel to produce power
and an exhaust gas. The method comprises the step of entraining a
stream of the fuel to travel downstream through the reactor chamber
in a first flow pattern. The method also comprises the step of
entraining a stream of the exhaust gas to travel upstream through a
reactor chamber in a second flow pattern. wherein at least one of
the first and second flow patterns comprises a structured turbulent
flow.
[0027] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step
of applying an external ionization field to at least a portion of
the fuel stream.
[0028] In addition, the method of some embodiments further
comprises the step of receiving the fuel stream at the reactor
chamber, where at least 50 wt % of the fuel stream is in a
vaporized state. The method comprises the step of transforming the
fuel stream from the vaporized state to a plasma state. The method
also comprises the step of directing the transformed fuel stream to
the engine's combustion chamber.
[0029] In some embodiments, the method also comprises the step of
mixing at least a portion of the fuel stream with at least a
portion of the exhaust gas stream. In some of these embodiments,
the method also comprises passing the fuel stream past the exhaust
gas stream as counter-rotating vortices.
[0030] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with
the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent
like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an engine having a pre-ignition
fuel treatment system.
[0032] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate example stimulation coils of some
embodiments.
[0033] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate example flow patterns induced by a
wave guide of some embodiments.
[0034] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a "pinecone" arrangement of
surface features and charges on a wave guide.
[0035] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate example magnetic fields induced by a
wave guide of some embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a schematic of an inlet chamber having phi-based
proportions.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic of an ion generator of some
embodiments for affecting the exhaust gas stream.
[0038] FIGS. 9A-9B are diagrams of relative counter-rotating flows
of fuel and exhaust mixtures.
[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates examples of surface features of some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The following discussion provides example embodiments of the
inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a
single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject
matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the
disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B,
and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the
inventive subject matter is also considered to include other
remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly
disclosed.
[0041] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise,
the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling
(in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each
other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional
element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms
"coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.
[0042] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and
methods in which a fuel is being treated before ignition in a
combustion engine in order to improve fuel efficiency of the
engine. In one aspect of the invention, a pre-ignition fuel
treatment system for an engine is presented. The system includes a
reactor that passes a stream of the exhaust gas past a stream of
the fuel. The reactor includes a first structure that entrains the
fuel stream to travel in a first flow pattern. The reactor also
includes a second structure that entrains the exhaust gas stream to
travel in a second flow pattern, wherein at least one of the first
and second flow patterns comprises a coherent-structured
turbulence.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pre-ignition fuel
treatment system 100 according to an aspect of the invention. As
shown, the pre-ignition fuel treatment system 100 includes a fuel
tank 120, an air intake device 125, a reactor unit 130, and a
combustion engine 105.
[0044] The combustion engine 105 has an intake manifold 110 and an
exhaust manifold 115. In some embodiments, the combustion engine
105 is designed to combust fuel (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel such as
gasoline, etc.) and air mixture that comes through the intake
manifold to produce power and an exhaust gas (e.g., carbon dioxide,
etc.).
[0045] The workings of a combustion engine that turns chemical
energy stored within fuel and oxygen into thermal energy is well
known in the art, and will not be described in detail here. In
short, the engine 105 allows an amount of fuel and air (with
oxygen) mixture into a combustion chamber of the engine 105 via the
intake manifold 110. The engine 105 then ignites the fuel-air
mixture to initiate the combustion process. The fuel and air turns
into very high temperature and high pressure gas, which expands to
drive the moving parts (e.g., pistons) of the engine 105. The
by-products of the combustion process, such as carbon dioxide, are
collectively referred to as exhaust gas. The engine 105 then
releases the exhaust gas from the chamber into the exhaust manifold
115.
[0046] In FIG. 1, the fuel tank 120 and the air intake 125 are
connected to the engine through the reactor unit 130. In some
embodiments, the fuel from the fuel tank and air from the air
intake are merged to form a fuel/air mixture before entering into
the reactor unit 130. In addition, the pre-ignition fuel treatment
system 100 of some embodiments includes a mechanism (not show in
the figure) that converts at least some of the fuel into vapor form
before mixing with the air and entering into the reactor unit 130.
In some embodiments, at least 20 wt % of the fuel entering into the
reactor unit 130 is in vapor form (e.g., vaporized fuel 180).
[0047] The reactor unit 130 of some embodiments is configured to
treat the fuel/air mixture before sending the fuel/air mixture to
the engine 105. As shown, the reactor unit 130 of some embodiments
comprises a reactor housing 135 through which the stream of
fuel/air mixture flows through before reaching the intake manifold
110 of the engine 105, and a wave guide 140 located within the
reactor housing 135.
[0048] Studies have shown that the ionization of the fuel before
combustion allows the fuel to combust more efficiently, as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,764 to Lee entitled "Pre-ignition
Fuel Treatment System", filed Aug. 10, 2007 (hereinafter "Lee").
Thus, according to some embodiments of the invention, the reactor
unit 130 includes one or more ionization devices (not shown in the
figure) for applying an ionization field to at least a portion of
the fuel.
[0049] To facilitate the ionization of the fuel, the reactor unit
130 includes ionization catalysts in the reactor housing 135.
Suitable catalyst elements include iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), nickel
(Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and
Chromium (Cr). These elements under high temperature conditions
become oxidized, which can act as catalysts in the ionization
process. These catalysts can be placed on the surface of the wave
guide 140 or along the inner wall of the reactor housing 135.
[0050] To further facilitate the ionization process, the reactor
unit 130 can also include a stimulation coil (not shown in the
figure) in the reactor housing 135 to apply an external ionization
field to at least a portion of the fuel that passes through the
reactor housing 135. In some embodiments, the stimulation coil can
be placed inside of the reactor housing 135 or around the reactor
housing 135.
[0051] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate examples of suitable
stimulation coil configurations. In FIG. 2A an upper coil 240 and a
lower coil 250 encase the wave guide 230 in a clamshell
configuration. FIG. 2B shows an embodiment that utilizes a single,
toroidal stimulation coil 280 that surrounds a wave guide 260
within a reactor housing 235.
[0052] To even further facilitate the ionization process, the
reactor unit 130 can include a magnetic or diamagnetic material as
the core of the wave guide 140. In some embodiments, the wave guide
140 is rotatable around an axis (such as axis 175 in FIG. 1) that
is parallel to the elongated length of the reactor housing 135. In
these embodiments, rotational movement of the waveguide 140
generates an electromagnetic field. Additionally, as the ionized
fuel molecules move around/along the wave guide, they further
magnetize the wave guide 140. As the wave guide accelerates in its
rotation, and its magnetic field is strengthened, the wave guide
140 further ionizes the fuel molecules.
[0053] The faster motion of the fuel molecules in turn strengthens
the magnetization of the wave guide 140. Thus, the ionized fuel
molecule and the wave guide 140 create a positive feedback loop
that eventually drives at least some of the fuel into a plasma
state. Accordingly, the reactor unit 130 turns at least some of the
fuel from the liquid/vapor state into a plasma state before
delivering the fuel/air mixture to the engine 105.
[0054] One purpose of this ionization process is to ionize as many
fuel molecules within the reactor unit 130 as possible (and
converting them into plasma state) before delivering the fuel to
the engine 105. When the fuel/air mixture passes through the
reactor housing 135 in a laminar flow, only a portion of the fuel
molecule can be in contact with the catalyst on the wave guide 140
or the catalyst on the inner wall of the reactor housing 135. It is
contemplated that entraining the fuel/air mixture stream to travel
through the reactor housing 135 in a flow form that comprises a
coherent-structured turbulence allows more fuel molecules to
contact the catalysts on the wave guide 140 and the inner wall of
the reactor housing 135. In addition, the coherent-structured
turbulence flow form also forces the fuel/air mixture to be exposed
to the catalysts for a longer period of time than they would
otherwise if they were to travel in a laminar fashion. It has been
shown that these two factors dramatically increase the ionization
level of the fuel molecules.
[0055] Different embodiments provide different implementations to
induce the fuel/air mixture to travel in a coherent-structured
turbulence flow form. In some embodiments, the reactor unit 130 can
include a wave guide 140 in a specific shape (e.g., a rod, an egg
shape, a sphere, or an ellipsoid) that would induce the
coherent-structured turbulence flow form. In addition, the wave
guide 140 can include a pattern of features on its surface (i.e.,
to have a surface topology) to induce the fuel/air mixture to flow
through the reactor housing in a coherent-structured turbulence
flow form. Features that can be selected to be used on the wave
guide's surface include, but not limited to, bumps, dimples,
cavities, ridges, grooves, and wedges.
[0056] In some of these embodiments, the surface topology of the
wave guide 140 is configured to induce a rotating movement within
the flow form. In some embodiments, the surface topology is
configured to induce micro-rotations within the flow form. Further,
the surface topology can also be configured to induce vortices
within the flow form. These rotating movements, micro-rotations,
and vortices can add to improve the ionization of the fuel
molecules.
[0057] It is also contemplated that wave guide designs that emulate
biological systems (e.g. pine cones, conifer scales and bracts,
seashells, etc.) can be very effective in inducing
coherent-structured turbulences. Thus, in some embodiments, it is
contemplated that the wave guide 140 can include scales, tiles, or
horns (collectively referred to as "scales") on the surface to
induce structured turbulences. In some of these embodiments, the
scales are disposed on the wave guide's surface in a coniferous
ovulate cone pattern.
[0058] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate example flow patterns
induced by a wave guide 300 of some embodiments. As shown, the wave
guide 300 contain scales on its surface that emulate the scales on
a coniferous ovulate cone. The multiple arrows that go in and out
of the scales represent example flows of a fuel/air mixture when
the mixture encounters the wave guide 300. As shown, the scales on
the wave guides can effectively induce rotating movements, and
sometimes, micro-rotation movements as the fuel/mixture flows pass
the wave guide. In some embodiments, these rotating movements and
micro-rotation movements create the coherent-structured turbulence
within the reactor housing 135 of the reactor unit 130. FIG. 3C
shows a detailed illustration of an example flow of fuel/air
mixture when the mixture passes by scale 305 and 310 of the
waveguide 300.
[0059] To further facilitate the flow form of the fuel/air mixture,
the inner wall of the reactor housing 135 also has a surface
topology that induces the coherent-structured turbulence. In some
embodiments, similar to the surface topology of the wave guide, the
surface topology of the housing's inner wall also has at least one
of the following features: bumps, dimples, cavities, ridges,
grooves, and wedges. FIG. 10 illustrates examples of these
features. In some embodiments, the surface topology of the reactor
housing's inner wall and the surface topology of the wave guide are
configured to complement each other to promote the
coherent-structured turbulence flow form.
[0060] In some embodiments of the inventive concept, surface
patterning of the rotatable wave guide can be applied to properties
such as electrical charge or magnetic polarity. An example of this
is shown in the lower portion of FIG. 4, which shows a wave guide
400 with a floral or "pine cone" pattern of positive 405 and
negative 410 charges. Although a floral or pine cone pattern is
illustrated, it should be appreciated that other patterns as
discussed above can be suitable. Such patterning can be utilized to
pattern the flow of magnetic or electric charge responsive species
within a flow of fuel/air mixture. Alternatively, such patterning
of electrical or magnetic properties can be utilized to enhance the
modification (for example the ionization or "cracking") of species
within a flow of fuel/air mixture passing over the patterned
surface. In some embodiments, the wave guide is rotatable
[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates an egg-shaped wave guide 500 that is also
a source of a magnetic field. The arrows shown in this figure
illustrate the direction of the magnetic field induced by the wave
guide 500 that will help ionizing the fuel/air mixture as it passes
around the wave guide 400. FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative
embodiment of the egg-shaped wave guide. In this figure, the wave
guide 600 includes surface pattern 605 for inducing flow patterns
of the fuel/air mixture.
[0062] Referring back to FIG. 1, the reactor housing 135 has an
inlet 145 coupled to the fuel tank 120 and the air intake 125 for
receiving the fuel/air mixture, and an outlet 150 coupled to the
intake manifold 110 of the engine 105 for sending the treated
fuel/air mixture to the engine 105. In some embodiments, the inlet
145 and outlet 150 can also be configured to facilitate the
induction of the coherent-structured turbulence flow form of the
fuel/air mixture through the reactor unit 130.
[0063] It is contemplated that one or both of the inlet 145 and the
outlet 150 have a flow form with phi-based proportions and
dimensions. FIG. 7 illustrates an example reactor unit 700 having
an inlet 705 and an outlet 710 with a phi-based flow form. As
shown, the inlet 705 comprises a curve that conforms to a phi
progression that leads the gas into the reactor chamber. It has
been long observed that fluids and gasses tend to move in spirals
or vortices by nature. These spirals or vortices generally conform
to a mathematical progression known as the Golden Mean Ratio, or
phi. These motions are well understood to be the most efficient in
terms of minimizing waste energy due to friction or drag. More
details about the phi progressions of fluids and gasses can be
found in the International Publication Number WO2005/003616 to
Harman, filed Jun. 29, 2004. The use of these forms and proportions
in the inlet 145 and outlet 150 allow for 1) maximization of the
thermal and kinetic energy delivered to the reactor unit 130, and
2) imparting helical motion to the gas stream, resulting in a
counter-rotational relationship between the exhaust and intake
gasses.
[0064] It is noted that the ionization of fuel molecules is a
highly endothermic reaction, which requires a large amount of heat
energy for the ionization to take place. It has been contemplated
to use the heat from the exhaust gas as a heat energy source for
the reactor unit 130.
[0065] Referring back to FIG. 1, the reactor unit 130 includes an
exhaust housing 155. As shown, the exhaust housing 155 receives
exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold 115 of the engine 105, runs
the exhaust through the reactor unit 130, and release the exhaust
at the other end of the exhaust housing 155.
[0066] As shown in the figure, the exhaust housing 155 of some
embodiments encapsulates the reactor housing 135, such that heat
from the exhaust gas can be effectively transferred to the fuel/air
mixture in the reactor housing 135. To further facilitate the heat
transfer from the exhaust gas to the fuel/air mixture, it is
contemplated that the exhaust housing 155 of some embodiments can
be configured to entrain the exhaust gas to flow in a
coherent-structured turbulence flow form (e.g., a coherent dynamic
flow pattern, vortices, structured rotations, rotating vortices,
etc.). There are many benefits to entraining the exhaust gas to
travel within the exhaust housing 155 in a coherent-structured
turbulence flow form instead of a laminar form (as described in
Lee). One of the benefits is that the rotation flow form forces the
exhaust gas to have a longer period of exposure to the reactor
housing 135 so that more heat can be transferred from the exhaust
gas to the fuel/air mixture. In some studies, this flow form allows
the center of the reactor housing 135 to reach a temperature of 450
degrees Celsius, when it appears that existing systems reach a
considerably lower temperature.
[0067] To induce the coherent-structured turbulence, the inner wall
of the exhaust housing 155 includes a pattern of features, such as
bumps, dimples, cavities, ridges, grooves, and wedges, that directs
the flow of the exhaust gas in a certain flow pattern. FIG. 10
illustrates examples of these features.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust housing 155 has an inlet 165
that directs the exhaust gas into the exhaust housing 155 and an
outlet 170 that directs the exhaust gas out of the exhaust housing
155. To further induce the exhaust gas to travel in the
coherent-structured turbulence flow form and to create the
counter-rotational relationship between the exhaust gas and intake
gas, the inlet 165 and the outlet 170 also have flow form with
phi-based proportions and dimensions that is similar to the
inlet/outlet illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0069] The ionized fuel generates a magnetic field as it passes
through the reactor unit 130. Similarly, the exhaust gas also
generates another magnetic field as it passes through the reactor
unit 130. It has been contemplated that interactions between two
counter magnetic fields would enhance plasma formation in the fuel.
Thus, in some of these embodiments, the exhaust housing 155 and the
reactor housing 135 are configured to entrain the exhaust gas and
the fuel/air mixture to rotate in opposite directions, as shown by
the arrows within the exhaust housing 155 and the arrows within the
reactor housing 135, to generate the counter magnetic fields.
[0070] Due to a relatively low number of positive ions in the
exhaust gas, an ion generator (e.g., an electrode) can be
integrated into the pre-ignition fuel treatment system 100 of some
embodiments. In some embodiments, the ion generator can either
protrude into the reactor chamber and/or the exhaust housing, or
are flush mounted, in order to precondition and ionize both intake
and exhaust gases.
[0071] FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of such an ion
generator. In this figure, the ion generator comprises a fuel
injector 805 and high voltage electrodes 810. The fuel injector 405
injects water mist or other types of fuel into the exhaust gas
stream. The electrodes turn the water molecules into ionizing
charge carriers, which in turns help ionization of the exhaust gas.
Both the fuel injector 805 and the high voltage electrodes 810 can
be placed upstream, in the middle, and/or downstream of the reactor
unit 130.
[0072] In addition to rotation movements, the exhaust housing 155
and the reactor housing 135 are configured to entrain the exhaust
gas and the fuel/air mixture to travel in vortices, to further
increase the interactions between the magnetic fields and the two
streams. Although not shown in this figure, either the fuel/air
mixture or the exhaust gas (or both) can flow in other forms of
coherent-structured turbulence (e.g., vortices) in addition to the
rotation.
[0073] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example flow patterns for the
exhaust gas and the fuel/air mixture. Specifically, FIG. 9A
illustrates the rotation movements of the exhaust gas and fuel/air
mixture viewed from the perspective of a cross-section of the
reactor unit. In this example, the exhaust gas travels through the
exhaust housing into the drawing and the fuel/air mixture travels
through the reactor housing out of the drawing. As shown, the
fuel/air mixture rotates within the rotation movement of the
exhaust gas. In addition, the fuel/air mixture and the exhaust gas
rotate in opposite directions (fuel/air mixture rotates in a
counter-clockwise direction while the exhaust gas rotates in a
clockwise direction).
[0074] FIG. 9B illustrates a three-dimensional simulation of how
the exhaust gas and fuel/air mixture flow through the reactor unit
130. As shown, the exhaust gas rotates through the reactor unit at
the outset (as shown by arrows 905) while the fuel/air mixture
rotates through the reactor unit 130 in the center (as shown by
arrows 910). As illustrated by this figure, at least a portion of
the fuel/air mixture is induced to flow in micro vortices after
passing through the reactor unit 130 (as shown by arrows 915).
[0075] It is noted that a charged particle naturally enters a
magnetic field and exhibits a helical motion of left or right spin
depending on its charge (i.e., positively or negatively charged).
In some embodiments, inductive and capacitive coupling can be used
to influence the inherent spin of the ions and electrons present in
the intake and exhaust of the reactor, which sustain the particles'
charge over a longer period. The high proportion of charged
particles within both the fuel-air and exhaust streams facilitates
the plasma reaction. In some embodiments, the helical motion of the
particles is imparted by the magnetic field from the rotating wave
guide, the interaction between the rotating wave guide and the
fuel/air stream, and the magnetic fields generated by the external
stimulation coils.
[0076] Being able to modify (enhance or diminish) the inherent
instabilities within the plasma field allows "tuning" for a more
desirable plasma reaction, leading to greater efficiencies. With an
electrostatic field present, longitudinal waves create an ion
cyclotron plasma instabilities and with shearing of a two-phase
flow with the EGR (in the turbulent interaction of the fuel stream
with the EGR), a shear flow velocity is able to create a diocotron
instability, which can be seen on the surface flow of the auroras,
galactic arms, and pulsars. In some embodiments, the shear flows
will be complemented by the surface features of the wave guide and
inner walls of the reactor.
[0077] More detailed information regarding benefits and effects
from counter-rotating charged particles can be found in the
following patent literatures: U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,238 to Phillips
et al. entitled "Pinched Plasma Reactor", filed Jun. 19, 1958; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,548,752 to Pavlenko et al. entitled "System and Method
for Generating a Torsion Field", filed Nov. 16, 2001; and U.S.
Patent Publication 2012/0223643 to Haramein entitled "Plasma Flow
Interaction Simulator", filed Mar. 5, 2012.
[0078] Referring back to FIG. 1, it has also been contemplated that
the magnetic fields that are generated by the flow of the exhaust
gas, the flow of the fuel/air mixture, and the rotation of the
waveguide can be converted into power for other usage. Accordingly,
in some embodiments, the reactor unit 130 also includes an energy
pickup coil (not shown in the figure) that converts magnetic fields
into electrical current. In some embodiments, the energy pickup
coil and the stimulation coil mentioned above can be the same coil
(but not necessarily).
[0079] The above examples of the embodiments describe the exhaust
gas flows separately in the exhaust gas housing from the fuel/air
mixture. In some embodiments, the fuel/air mixture is completely
separated from the exhaust gas within the reactor unit by a barrier
(e.g., the wall of the reactor housing). However, it is also
contemplated that there are some benefits to have at least a
portion of the exhaust gas stream to mix with a portion of the
fuel/air mixture. The direct interference between the two elements
allows more efficient gas exchange. Thus, in some embodiments, the
reactor housing wall allows at least a portion of the exhaust gas
to pass through from the exhaust housing into the reactor housing
(as shown by arrow 185 in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, at least 10
wt % of the mixture within the reactor housing is derived from the
exhaust gas stream.
[0080] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
more modifications besides those already described are possible
without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive
subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the
spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the
specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in
the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In
particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be
interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a
non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,
components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with
other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly
referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one
of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . .
and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element
from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
* * * * *