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Hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine

Hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine description/claims

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen fuel.

A typical internal combustion engine that is used in automobiles, trucks or other vehicles is generally powered by gasoline or diesel fuel. A gasoline powered internal combustion engine, however, generates pollutants that are expelled into the atmosphere. Pollution from internal combustion engines is a serious problem and many remedies have been proposed. It is known, for example, that adding oxygen into the fuel stream decreases the pollution caused by internal combustion engines. It is also known that hydrogen provides a source of clean energy. Furthermore, the combustion of hydrogen generates water as a by-product that may be electrolyzed to form hydrogen and oxygen gases.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,175 (Mosher et al.) describes apparatus for generating hydrogen and oxygen from an electrolysis unit. The gases are gathered separately in the unit and flow to the intake manifold of the engine in separate conduits. U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,049 (Baumert et al.) describes a vehicle with a fuel cell system. Electric power from the vehicle's alternator is used to power an electrolyzer. Hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer is used as fuel for the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system provides electric power for the low power electrical requirements of the vehicle, i.e., lighting, air conditioner, radio, etc., when the engine of the vehicle is not running. While these apparatus contribute to a reduction of pollutant emissions of internal combustion engines, hydrocarbon fuels still provide the primary energy requirements for the vehicles. Pollutant emissions of motor vehicles, however, must still be drastically reduced to have an environmental impact.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an internal combustion engine powered by a hydrogen fuel system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle having an electrolysis unit for generating hydrogen and oxygen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle fuel system that recycles engine exhaust as input to an electrolysis unit to generate hydrogen and oxygen which may be re-used as fuel to power the vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle fuel system having removable storage capacity for hydrogen or oxygen generated by an electrolysis unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle fuel system utilizing expanders to generate electric power from high pressure gases.

In accordance with the present invention, a hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. The exhaust of the engine may be recycled through the electrolyzer where it is converted to hydrogen and oxygen which may be used as fuel for the internal combustion engine. A water reservoir in fluid communication with the electrolyzer is provided to maintain the water level in the electrolyzer at an optimum operating level. Hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolyzer may be routed to the internal combustion engine to provide the fuel for the engine. Hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolyzer which is not consumed by operation of the engine may be stored in pressurized storage tanks for use when required to power the internal combustion engine. Expanders are incorporated in the fuel system of the invention for lowering the pressure of the pressurized hydrogen and oxygen to the engine pressure requirements and for utilizing the potential energy stored within the pressurized gases to provide a portion of the electrical power requirements of the fuel system. The fuel system includes external ports and electrical outlets for connecting to external water and power sources.

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted for using an air and hydrogen fuel mixture and recycled engine exhaust vapor to power an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1 wherein the engine exhaust vapor is passed through a catalytic converter and vented to the atmosphere;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention adapted for using a hydrogen and oxygen fuel mixture and recycled engine exhaust vapor to power an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3 wherein the engine exhaust vapor is vented to the atmosphere;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3 adapted for mixing air with pressurized oxygen stored in a storage tank for supplying pressurized air and oxygen to the fuel mixture to power an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 5 wherein the engine exhaust vapor is passed through a catalytic converter and vented to the atmosphere;

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• Utility Patent

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