Supplying gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an engine

• US 10,030,613 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2015
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westport Fuel Systems Canada Inc. (Westport Fuel Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Westport Power Inc. (Westport Fuel Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Melanson, Bradley E., Mumford, David K., Blomerus, Paul M., McKinnon, Melissa S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Solis, Erick
• Application Number:
  US14/677,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20150219044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 1231425 R, 1231425 E, 123525-527, 123529, 123549-551, 123557
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/18 Heater
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/06 for pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 73/00 Combinations of two or more engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 25/00 Controlling two or more co-operating engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 5/00 Profiting from waste heat of combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 5/04 in combination with other waste heat from combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0245 High pressure fuel supply systems; Rails; Pumps; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0287 characterised by the transition from liquid to gaseous phase F02M21/06 takes precedence; Injection in liquid phase; Cooling and low temperature storage
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/06 Apparatus for de-liquefying, e.g. by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/125 Fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/166 with mechanical generation of heat, e.g. by surface friction
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/18 to vaporise fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/10 by heating of engine coolants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

A method for supplying gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an internal combustion engine includes employing a second internal combustion engine as a source of energy, pumping the gaseous fuel in the liquid state by transforming energy from the source of energy into mechanical work for the pumping, exchanging waste heat from the second internal combustion engine in a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the second internal combustion engine to a second heat exchange fluid, vaporizing the gaseous fuel pumped from the liquid state with heat from the second heat exchange fluid, and delivering the gaseous fuel vaporized from the liquid state to the internal combustion engine. Pressure of the gaseous fuel delivered to the internal combustion engine is maintained within a predetermined range of tolerance by the pumping.

Claims

1. A method for supplying gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

employing a second internal combustion engine as a source of energy;

pumping said gaseous fuel in said liquid state by transforming energy from said source of energy into mechanical work for said pumping;

exchanging waste heat from said second internal combustion engine in a first heat exchange fluid circulating through said second internal combustion engine to a second heat exchange fluid circulating in a heat exchange loop separate from said internal combustion engine;

vaporizing said gaseous fuel pumped from said liquid state with heat from said second heat exchange fluid; and

delivering said gaseous fuel vaporized from said liquid state to said internal combustion engine;

whereby a pressure of said gaseous fuel delivered to said internal combustion engine is maintained within a predetermined range of tolerance by said pumping.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said source of energy is at least one of mechanical energy, hydraulic energy and electrical energy.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising supplying said electrical energy to railroad cars.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising vaporizing said gaseous fuel pumped from said liquid state with heat generated from a first heat source.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said source of energy is electrical energy, and said first heat source generates heat by transforming said electrical energy into thermal energy.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first heat source generates heat by burning boil-off gas delivered from a storage vessel for holding said gaseous fuel in said liquid state.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising employing said first heat source to vaporize said gaseous fuel when said internal combustion engine is starting.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising vaporizing said gaseous fuel pumped from said liquid state with waste heat from said internal combustion engine.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with a second fuel, which is different from said gaseous fuel.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with said gaseous fuel.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with boil-off gas from said gaseous fuel which is stored in said liquid state.

12. An apparatus for supplying gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an internal combustion engine comprising:

a second internal combustion engine for supplying a source of energy;

a liquid pumping apparatus for pumping said gaseous fuel in said liquid state, comprising an energy converter for converting energy from said source of energy to mechanical energy which drives said liquid pumping apparatus;

a first heat exchanger for heating a heat exchange fluid with waste heat from said second internal combustion engine, said heat exchange fluid circulating in a heat exchange loop separate from said internal combustion engine;

a second heat exchanger for vaporizing said gaseous fuel received from said pumping apparatus with said heat exchange fluid; and

a controller programmed to operate said liquid pumping apparatus to maintain a pressure of said gaseous fuel supplied to said internal combustion engine within a predetermined range.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a third heat exchanger for selectively heating said heat exchange fluid with heat from a first heat source.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a fourth heat exchanger for selectively heating said heat exchange fluid with heat from a second heat source.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first heat source comprises an electric heater.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said source of energy is electrical energy and said electric heater transforms said electrical energy into thermal energy.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first heat source comprises a burner.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said burner burns boil-off gas delivered from a storage vessel storing said gaseous fuel in said liquid state.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a third heat exchanger for heating said heat exchange fluid with waste heat from said internal combustion engine.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said source of energy is at least one of mechanical energy, hydraulic energy and electrical energy.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an electrical conductor for supplying said electrical energy to railroad cars.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with a second fuel which is different than said gaseous fuel.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with said gaseous fuel.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second internal combustion engine is fueled with boil-off gas delivered from a storage vessel storing said gaseous fuel in said liquid state.