Temperature varying circulation system for use with alternative fuels
First Claim
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1. A fuel conditioning and delivery system for selectively delivering either an OEM fuel or a conditioned alternative fuel to an internal combustion engine that uses coolant to remove excess heat from the engine, comprising:
- an alternative fuel tank to store the alternative fuel;
a fuel conditioning manifold comprising at least a fuel conditioning circulation loop in fluid communication with the alternative fuel tank and a manifold heat exchanger, the circulation loop comprising at least one alternative fuel pump, one or a plurality of sensors, and one or a plurality of circulation valves;
a fuel selector valve in fluid communication with both the fuel conditioning circulation loop and the engine for selectively directing either a flow of OEM fuel or a flow of alternative fuel into the engine; and
an electronic control unit in electronic communication with the alternative fuel tank, the fuel conditioning manifold and the fuel selector valvewhereby alternative fuel is not supplied to the engine until it is conditioned.
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Abstract
The present invention is a system and method for modifying an engine for use with an alternative fuel that needs to be conditioned. Coolant is diverted from the original engine heater core and is used to heat or condition the alternative fuel both in the alternative fuel tank and in a special manifold that heats and circulates the fuel before delivering it to the engine. An electronic control unit monitors the temperature and pressure to ensure proper viscosity and engine operation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel conditioning and delivery system for selectively delivering either an OEM fuel or a conditioned alternative fuel to an internal combustion engine that uses coolant to remove excess heat from the engine, comprising:
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an alternative fuel tank to store the alternative fuel; a fuel conditioning manifold comprising at least a fuel conditioning circulation loop in fluid communication with the alternative fuel tank and a manifold heat exchanger, the circulation loop comprising at least one alternative fuel pump, one or a plurality of sensors, and one or a plurality of circulation valves; a fuel selector valve in fluid communication with both the fuel conditioning circulation loop and the engine for selectively directing either a flow of OEM fuel or a flow of alternative fuel into the engine; and an electronic control unit in electronic communication with the alternative fuel tank, the fuel conditioning manifold and the fuel selector valve whereby alternative fuel is not supplied to the engine until it is conditioned. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selectively delivering either an OEM fuel or an alternative fuel to an engine comprising:
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pumping the alternative fuel out of an alternative fuel tank and into a conditioning manifold; circulating the alternative fuel within the manifold so that it is heated by a heat exchanger; sensing a temperature of the alternative fuel in the manifold; opening a fuel selector valve connected to the manifold when the alternative fuel reaches a predetermined temperature;
whereby the alternative fuel enters the engine to be combusted. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of selectively using an alternative fuel instead of an OEM fuel, the alternative fuel needing to be conditioned in an engine comprising:
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sensing that the engine has been started using the OEM fuel; pumping the alternative fuel into a circulation loop and heating the alternative fuel; monitoring a temperature of the alternative fuel in the circulation loop; selectively using the alternative fuel instead of the OEM fuel when the alternative fuel reaches a pre-determined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification