Fuel Additive Concentrate Dosing System

• US 20080210184A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Valentine, James M., Knapper, Curtis J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,523,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/1A
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/14 adding anti-knock agents, not provided for in subgroups F02M25/022 - F02M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A safe, reliable system for automatically dosing diesel truck fuel tanks with a fuel additive is provided. The additive, such as a concentrated solution containing fuel borne catalyst (FBC), is fed by gravity and dosing is controlled with a signal from a switch located on the ignition switch and/or the fuel tank cap and filler spout. When the ignition switch is in the on position and/or the cap is removed, a solenoid opens a valve and permits a timed or otherwise measured amount of additive to flow into the tank while the cap is off. Replacing the cap and/or turning off the ignition switch preferably stops the flow of additive, the flow rate being set to supply a predetermined amount of additive during an average refueling interval.

Claims

1. A safe, reliable system for automatically dosing fuel tanks with a fuel additive, particularly a concentrate containing a fuel borne catalyst (FBC) using gravity as the means of injection on the basis of a signal from a switch located on the fuel tank filler spout and is actuated by removal of the filler cap.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the switch is a reed switch.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein dosing is stopped after a predetermined period of time, e.g., 10 minutes, after cap removal.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the signal operates a solenoid valve which opens to permit flow of additive.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein magnets in the cap hold a reed switch open while the cap is on the filler spout and permit it to close when the cap is removed.

6. A safe, reliable system for automatically dosing fuel tanks with a fuel additive, particularly a concentrate containing a fuel borne catalyst (FBC) using gravity as the means of injection on the basis of a signal from an ignition key switch and a controller to periodically supply a predetermined amount of additive to the fuel tank.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the rate of additive supply is based on average fuel consumption.

8. A system according to claim 6 wherein dosing is stopped when the key is in the off position.

9. A system according to claim 6 wherein the signal operates a solenoid valve which opens to permit flow of additive.

10. A system according to claim 6 wherein a fuel additive reservoir is provided to maintain sufficient concentrate to permit driving for a day.