Flexible fuel generator and methods of use thereof

• US 9,188,033 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Dewey Electronics Corp.
• Original Assignee: Ini Power Systems Inc. (The Dewey Electronics Corp.)
• Inventors: Markoski, Larry J., Simmons, Timothy C., Nance, Mack L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Solis, Erick
• Assistant Examiner(s): STAUBACH, CARL C
• Application Number:
  US14/370,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20150034025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 123/2, 123/3, 123 4104- 4105, 123 4156- 4162, 123/41.67, 123/41.7, 123/304, 123/575, 123/576, 123/179.7, 123/179.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2590/06 for hand-held tools or portables devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/005 for draining or otherwise eliminating condensates or moisture accumulating in the apparatus F01N3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/103 Oxidation catalysts for HC and CO only
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 5/02 the devices using heat
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2007/146 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 5/00 Engines characterised by positive ignition engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition F02B1/02; engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition with positive ignition F02B3/02; with non-timed positive ignition F02B9/06; characterised by both fuel-air mixture compression and air compression, or characterised by both positive ignition and compression ignition F02B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/042 Rotating electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/048 Portable engine-generator combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 69/02 for different fuel types, other than engines indifferent to fuel consumed, e.g. convertible from light to heavy fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 69/04 for gaseous and non-gaseous fuels
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 9/04 Methods of operating
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0615 being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0649 Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/06 Small engines with electronic control, e.g. for hand held tools
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/06 peculiar to engines driving electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 3/02 having pull-cords
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• 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: Y10T 29/49231 : I.C. [internal combustion] engine making

Abstract

A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, includes: a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder, a primary fuel tank fluidly connected to the cylinder, an air intake path fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder, a start module including a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, where the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path, a coolant path which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and a thermal controller along the coolant path. Furthermore, the engine has full cylinder cooling.

Claims

1. A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, comprising:

(1) a cylinder, and a spark plug in the cylinder,

(2) a primary fuel tank, fluidly connected to the cylinder,

(3) an air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder,

(4) a start module, comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path,

(5) a coolant path, which provides a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder,

(6) a thermal controller, along the coolant path,

(7) a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line, and

(8) a temperature sensor, measuring the temperature of the engine block,

wherein the engine has full cylinder cooling, the starting fuel tank contains a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel, and the low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel in the starting fuel tank is pressurized,

the thermal controller is capable of controlling cooling of the engine so that the engine operates at a temperature of 120-180°

C., and

the primary fuel tank contains a heavy fuel.

2. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator is air-cooled.

3. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio of 8.2:

1, has fixed spark plug ignition timing, and has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine.

4. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the generator does not include a battery.

5. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the cylinder comprises aluminum.

6. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing.

7. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein an air filter is present along the air intake path, and

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder.

8. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator.

9. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the thermal controller is a thermal door at the exit of the coolant path.

10. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure comprising a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover.

11. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising a starting fuel dispenser, fluidly connecting the starting fuel tank to the starting fuel line.

12. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel is diethyl ether.

13. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, wherein the heavy fuel comprises diesel fuel.

14. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 13, wherein the diesel fuel is JP-8.

15. A method of generating electricity with a generator according to claim 1, the method comprising:

operating the engine in the isothermal range of 120-180°

C., and

fueling the engine with a running fuel comprising the heavy fuel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heavy fuel is diesel fuel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the diesel fuel is JP-8.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with the starting fuel comprising the low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the starting fuel comprises a mixture of the low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel and the heavy fuel.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel comprises diethyl ether.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the operating of the engine comprises operating the engine in the isothermal range of 150-170°

C.

22. A method of making the portable flexible fuel generator according to claim 1, the method comprising modifying a portable gasoline generator,

wherein the modifying comprises:

adding the starting module comprising the starting fuel tank holder and the starting fuel line, wherein the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path of the portable gasoline generator,

adding the thermal controller, wherein the thermal controller comprises a thermal door, along the coolant path of the portable gasoline generator, and

retarding the spark plug ignition timing.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio of 8.2:

1, uses fixed spark plug ignition timing, has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine, is air cooled, includes a pull start for starting the generator, and the cylinder comprises aluminum.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the portable gasoline generator comprises a generator housing, and

the start module is attached to the generator housing.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure comprising a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the portable gasoline generator comprises an air filter along the air intake path to supply air for combustion of fuel, and

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein air enters the generator via an entrance of the coolant path and exits via an exit of the coolant path, and

the thermal controller is a thermal door at the exit of the coolant path.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the modifying further comprises adding a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line, and

the starting fuel tank contains pressurized diethyl ether.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio of 8.2;

1, uses fixed timing, and has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine, and

the portable gasoline generator comprises;

a generator housing,

an air filter along the intake path supplying air for combustion of fuel,

the coolant path having an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,

wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing,

the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure, the starting fuel enclosure comprises a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover,

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder, and

the thermal controller comprises a thermal door at the exit of the coolant path.

30. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 1, further comprising:

a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing, and

a starting fuel dispenser, fluidly connecting the starting fuel tank to the starting fuel line,

wherein an air filter is present along the air intake path,

the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder,

the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator

the thermal controller is a thermal door at the exit of the coolant path, and

the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure comprising a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover.

31. The portable flexible fuel generator of claim 30,

wherein the starting fuel line has an exit end which delivers starting fuel onto the air filter.