Method of and apparatus for hydrogen enhanced diesel engine performance

• US 7,430,991 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Goens, Tom M. Vanhoose
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Goens, Tom M. Vanhoose
• Inventors: VanHoose, Tom M., Goens, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAMEN, NOAH P
• Application Number:
  US11/800,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1.A, 123/3, 123/198.D, 123/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/12 Methods of operating
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/12 Hydrogen

Abstract

A system includes an electrolysis unit capable of producing hydrogen and oxygen gases and interoperably connected to a diesel engine. The amount of amount of hydrogen and oxygen gases produced by the electrolysis unit is proportionally correlated to the stroke type and stroke displacement of the diesel engine. The system also includes a power supply system that is interoperably connected to the electrolysis unit. The power supplied by the power supply system is proportional to an amount of hydrogen and oxygen to be supplied to the diesel engine. The system also includes a safety mechanism interoperably connected to the power supply system so as to terminate power to the electrolysis unit in response to cessation of operation of the diesel engine.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an electrolysis unit capable of producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas and interoperably connected to a diesel engine;

wherein an amount of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas produced by the electrolysis unit is proportionally correlated to a fixed stroke type and stroke displacement;

a power supply system interoperably connected to the electrolysis unit and comprising a variable voltage control unit regulating the amount of power to the electrolysis unit;

wherein when power being supplied by the power supply system is increased an amount of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas supplied to the diesel engine increases; and

a safety mechanism interoperably connected to the power supply system to terminate power to the electrolysis unit responsive to cessation of operation of the diesel engine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is based upon a temperature of the electrolysis unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is dependent upon a concentration of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas produced.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is dependent upon a concentration of oxygen gas in the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas produced.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is dependent upon a concentration of gases in an air intake of the diesel engine.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is dependent upon a concentration of hydrocarbons in an exhaust system of the diesel engine.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit is dependent upon a flow volume of the hydrogen and oxygen gases from the electrolysis unit to an air intake of the diesel engine.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of hydrogen and oxygen produced is proportionally correlated to the fixed stroke type and stroke displacement, wherein the engine is a short stroke engine and the amount of hydrogen produced is about 0.06 liters of hydrogen gas per minute per liter of stroke displacement.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount of hydrogen and oxygen produced is proportionally correlated to the fixed stroke type and stroke displacement, wherein the engine is a long stroke engine and the amount of hydrogen produced is about 0.11 liters of hydrogen gas per liter of stroke displacement.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a solenoid switch.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein a position of the solenoid switch is controlled by an oil pressure sensor.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a position of the solenoid switch is controlled by an ignition circuit.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a position of the solenoid switch is controlled by an alternator circuit.

14. A method comprising:

providing power to an electrolysis unit;

wherein the power provided is proportional to an amount of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to be produced by the electrolysis unit;

producing, by the electrolysis unit, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas;

transmitting at least some of the produced hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to a diesel engine;

obtaining information regarding the transmitted hydrogen gas and oxygen gas; and

determining, based on the obtained information, whether the amount of power provided to the electrolysis unit should be adjusted.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of adjusting the amount of power provided to the electrolysis unit.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the amount of hydrogen gas produced in the producing step is about 0.06 liters of hydrogen gas per minute per liter of stroke displacement for a short stroke engine.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the amount of hydrogen gas produced in the producing step is about 0.11 liters of hydrogen gas per liter of stroke displacement for a long stroke engine.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of terminating power to the electrolysis unit responsive to cessation of operation of the diesel engine.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of terminating power comprises removing power to the electrolysis unit via a solenoid switch.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the solenoid switch actuates responsive to information received from an oil pressure sensor.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the solenoid switch actuates responsive to information received from an ignition circuit.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the solenoid switch actuates responsive to information received from an alternator circuit.