Patent ID: 6543428
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
An intake air separation system adapted for providing nitrogen enriched air for the combustion process within an internal combustion engine, said intake air separation system comprising:a first exhaust gas turbocharger including a first exhaust driven turbine; an intake air inlet adapted to receive said intake air used in the combustion process for said engine; an intake air compressor being in fluid communication with said intake air inlet, said intake air compressor operatively driven by said first exhaust driven turbine, said intake air compressor being adapted to force intake air through said intake air inlet; an intake air separation device in flow communication with said intake air inlet and adapted for receiving therein and processing therethrough substantially all said intake air used in the combustion process for said engine and separating said intake air into a flow of said oxygen enriched air and a flow of nitrogen enriched air; a permeate outlet in fluid communication with said intake air separation device and adapted to receive said flow of said oxygen enriched air; a retentate outlet in fluid communication with said intake air separation device and said intake manifold, said retentate outlet adapted to provide said flow of said nitrogen enriched air to said intake manifold for use in the combustion process; a permeate air driver operatively driven by said first exhaust turbine and placed in fluid communication with said permeate outlet, said permeate air driver being a permeate air compressor, wherein said flow of oxygen enriched air is forcibly drawn to said permeate air driver via said permeate outlet.