Multifuel storage, metering and ignition system

• US 7,628,137 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2008
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin; Stephen K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bacon; Anthony L
• Application Number:
  US12/006,774
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1.R, 123295-297, 123/304, 123/435, 123/467, 123/480, 123/525, 123/673, 123/679, 429/20
• US Class Current: 123/297
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0206 Non-hydrocarbon fuels, e.g. hydrogen, ammonia or carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0215 Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0221 Fuel storage reservoirs, e.g. cryogenic tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0245 High pressure fuel supply systems; Rails; Pumps; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/026 Lift valves, i.e. stem operated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0275 for in-cylinder direct injection, e.g. injector combined with spark plug
• 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 21/0296 Manufacturing or assembly; Materials, e.g. coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 51/0671 the armature having an elongated valve body attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/06 the devices being sparking plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A system for safe storage and efficient utilization of a variety of fuel selections that range in composition and phase from cryogenic mixtures of solids and liquids to elevated temperature gases is provided for unique applications with various types of heat engines and fuel cells including hybridized combinations.

Claims

1. A multi-fuel fuel injection system comprising:

a microprocessor

a fuel injector for injecting fuel, wherein the fuel is injected by the opening of a valve element;

means for igniting said fuel, wherein the means for igniting the fuel is integral to the injector and is located near the valve element;

wherein the valve element is opened with one of a cable or rod connected to an actuator;

wherein the cable or rod are electrically insulated and further comprise a fiber-optic element for communicating combustion data to the microprocessor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for igniting the fuel is selected from one of a spark, multiple sparks or a plasma discharge.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel is injected to at least one of a heat engine, a fuel cell and an appliance.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the valve element is made from one of the group of sapphire, quartz, glass and a high-temperature polymer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel is passed through a heat exchanger before being supplied to the injector.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel is delivered to an engine and combusted according to one of a stratified charge combustion mode, a homogenous charge combustion mode and a stratified charge combustion mode within a homogenous charge.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electromechanical actuator.

8. The system of claim 1 or 7, wherein the actuator provides an impact force upon the cable or rod.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is located in a body of the fuel injector.

10. The system of claim 1 or 9, wherein the fuel is used to cool one or more components of the injector.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said fuel is stored in a fuel tank suitable for storing cryogenic fuels.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of cryogenic liquid fuel, cryogenic solid fuel and cryogenic gaseous fuel.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of solid fuel, liquid fuel and gaseous fuel.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the fuel is a mixture of cryogenic and non-cryogenic fuels.