Abstract:
A mixing block to supply a throttle-able hydrogen and air mixture to an internal combustion engine includes a bore through the mixing block between an air intake side and an engine intake side. A slider chamber is disposed orthogonal to and intersecting the bore, where the slider chamber houses a movable slider biased to at least partially block the bore but throttle-able to overcome the bias and reduce blockage of the bore. A jet chamber is disposed parallel to and intersecting the slider chamber and extending away from the slider chamber a distance sufficient to accommodate a shaped needle, where the needle is connected to the slider on one side such that the needle moves within the jet chamber as the slider moves in the slider chamber.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/470,902 filed Apr. 1, 2011. 
     
    
       [0002]    There is a growing need in the internal combustion arts to improve engine longevity, reduce emissions and lessen dependence on fuels or raw materials from less stable trading partners. Modifications to currently available internal combustion engines are detailed below to accomplish some or all of these. 
         [0003]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems, methods, and so on that illustrates various example embodiments of aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. An element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements in the drawings may not be to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary mixing block. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary mixing block. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a slider assembly. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is bottom plan view taken along lines IV-IV of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is top plan view taken along lines V-V of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is top plan view of an exemplary mixing block. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a view of an internal combustion engine system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a chart of cubic feet per hour hydrogen use at exemplary RPM&#39;s on a sample internal combustion engine. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary hydrogen and air mixing block  100  is shown. The mixing block  100  may be machined, cast, injection molded or otherwise formed to comprise an air intake side  102  which may be configured for attachment with an air-filter (not shown) to reduce particle or other contaminant entry into the mixing block. The mixing block  100  may also comprise an engine intake side  104  configured for connection with a fuel/air intake of an internal combustion engine (not shown). A bore  106  is formed through the mixing block  100  between the air intake side  102  and the engine intake side  104 . Mixing block  100  additionally includes a gas inlet  108  for connection with a source of pressurized hydrogen gas. As will be more completely discussed below, the mixing block  100  may also include a hydrogen gas interrupter, in other words, a fuel shut off shown in  FIG. 1  as an electrically controlled solenoid  110 . 
         [0013]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of an exemplary mixing block  200  is shown. Formed within mixing block  200  is a slider chamber  202  shaped to accommodate a slider assembly (not shown) more completely described below. Slider chamber  202  extends from a first, top side  204  of the mixing block and continues partially through the mixing block body to intersect bore  206  that extends between the air intake side and the engine intake side. Connected to the top side  204  of the mixing block is a slider cap  208 . Slider cap  208  retains interior elements more completely discussed below and permits passage of a throttle cable through stay  210  threaded into slider cap  208 . Also formed within mixing block  200  is a jet chamber  212  shaped to accommodate a gas flow-control device (not shown) such as a shaped needle more completely described below. Jet chamber  212  connects the slider chamber  202  and a source of pressurized hydrogen gas and permits fluid communication therebetween. 
         [0014]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a slider assembly  300  is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the slider assembly includes a biasing mechanism  310  such as a spring, a retainer  320 , a slider  330 . and a flow controller  340  such as a shaped needle. When installed in the mixing block, a first side  342  of biasing mechanism  310  is mechanically retained by a slider cap connected to the mixing block. Retainer  320  is disposed on a second side  344  of the biasing mechanism opposite the first side  342 . In the illustrated embodiment, retainer  320  includes a circumferential lip  346  to engage biasing mechanism at the second side  344 . Retainer  320  is further closely fitted into a retaining cavity  348  formed in slider  330 . In one embodiment, retainer  320  includes a lug  352  extending away from retainer and shaped for close fitting into a complementary receptacle (not shown) in the slider  330 . Flow controller  340  passes through the slider  330  and is connected to the retainer  320  at a flow controller connection  354 . Retainer  320  and flow controller  340  may be integrally made or connected by a clip, threads, and the like. The bias achieved causes the slider  330  to at least partially interrupt the bore between the air intake side and the engine intake side of the bore, reducing or preventing air from passing to the engine while also seating flow controller  340  in the jet chamber, reducing or preventing hydrogen from passing to the engine. In other embodiments, the slider  330  and complementary shaped slider chamber 202 and/or the bore  106  may be cylindrical as shown, rectangular, conical or other shapes and combinations of shapes capable of providing the desired function. 
         [0015]    As best appreciated by reference to  FIG. 4 , retainer  320  includes an interruption  410  extending partially radially inward and throughout the retainer body to permit a throttle cable to pass through the retainer. Retainer  320  also includes: lug  352  to engage the slider and retain the throttle cable; and a flow controller connection  354 . 
         [0016]    As best appreciated by reference to  FIG. 5 , slider  330  includes a throttle cable retainer  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, throttle cable retainer  510  comprises a key-hole shape to accept a cable-keeper end of a throttle cable. During installation, the cable end is inserted through the larger diameter side  520  and slid to the smaller side  530  to retain the cable end. Once positioned, the lug  352  on retainer  320  is fit into the larger diameter side  520  holding the cable in the slider. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , mixing block  600  may additionally include a fuel supply interlock system. In one embodiment, the fuel supply interlock system includes a source of electrical power  610  connected to a user switch  620  that may be user operated to place the system in a safe or in other words no electrical connectivity. User switch  620  can take the form of a toggle-type switch, a key, push button or other electrical circuit interrupters. The user switch  620  is connected in electrical series with a vacuum switch  630 . The vacuum switch  630  is disposed on the engine intake side of the mixing block and senses vacuum created when the internal combustion engine turns. When vacuum is sensed, the vacuum switch  630  closes establishing electrical connectivity through the switch. The vacuum switch  630  is connected in electrical series with solenoid  640  and in turn to ground completing the circuit. When energized, solenoid  640  operates to permit pressurized hydrogen gas into the mixing block  600 . 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , an internal combustion engine  700  includes a source of hydrogen  710  in fluid communication with a mixing block  720 . The mixing block sets the hydrogen/air calibration based on user input including a throttle  730  setting. The internal combustion engine further includes a crank output shaft or driver  740  that may be connected to any known and future varieties of machines  750  capable of being powered by an internal combustion engine including but not limited to a transmission to provide motive power to a vehicle, an alternator or generator to provide electrical power a battery system or electrically powered devices, or a pump for hydraulic or other fluid power devices. In another embodiment, a mixing block may include both an input for a source of hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline or diesel and a source of hydrogen fuel. 
         [0019]    Experimental mixing blocks have been applied to multiple internal combustion engines and have accumulated over 400 hours of operation with a fuel source of industrial grade, commercially available hydrogen. Several examples are informative 
       Example 1-6 Horsepower (HP) Engine Configured with High Pressure Washer 
       [0020]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stock ICE 
                 Mixing Block ICE 
                 Mixing Block, Modified ICE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Class: 
                 Air Cooled Overhead 
                 Air Cooled Overhead 
                 Air Cooled Overhead 
               
               
                   
                 Cam, Chain Drive, ICE 
                 Cam, Chain Drive, ICE 
                 Cam, Chain Drive, ICE 
               
               
                 Shaft: 
                 Horizontal 
                 Horizontal 
                 Horizontal 
               
               
                 Cylinders: 
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Displacement: 
                 169 
                 cc 
                 169 
                 cc 
                 169 cc 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Cycles: 
                 4 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Fuel: 
                 Unleaded Gasoline 
                 Hydrogen 
                 Hydrogen 
               
               
                 Max HP/RPM: 
                 4.89/4000 (Gross HP) 
                 2.0/4000 (Gross HP) 
                 3.7/4000 (Gross HP) 
               
               
                 Bore X Stroke: 
                 67 × 48 (mm) 
                 67 × 48 (mm) 
                 67 × 48 (mm) 
               
               
                 Compression: 
                 9:1 
                 9:1 
                 10.2:1 
               
               
                 Timing: 
                 Factory set 
                 Factory 
                 Advanced 
               
               
                 Governor 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
               
               
                 System: 
               
               
                 Fuel System: 
                 Carbureted Float 
                 Mixing block 
                 Mixing block 
               
             
          
           
               
                 CO 2  Emissions: 
                 13 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
                 Not measured** 
               
               
                 O2 Emissions: 
                 2.59 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
                 Not measured** 
               
               
                 HC Emissions: 
                 174 
                 PPM 
                 2 
                 PPM* 
                 Not measured** 
               
               
                 NOX 
                 706 
                 PPM 
                 38 
                 PPM 
                 Not measured** 
               
               
                 Emissions: 
               
               
                 CO Emissions: 
                 2.94 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
                 Not measured** 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *particulate detected believed to be lubrication oil breakdown 
               
               
                 **not believed to materially differ from unmodified mixing block 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    In the column labeled “Mixing Block ICE,” changes are shown from the stock ICE. Aside from replacing the carburetor with a mixing block, another change from stock was to increase the gap on the spark plug called for by the manufacturer. In this case, we doubled the gap. Additionally, we used a regulator to regulate the pressure from the commercial hydrogen tank (approximately 2200 psi) down to working pressure (about 5 psi). As is seen, there was a slight reduction in observed horse-power in the mixing block modified ICE. In the third column, namely, “Modified Mixing Block ICE,” other modifications were made to improve performance. Specifically, the compression ratio was increased to 10.2:1 through a piston and head change and the timing was advanced by 2 degrees. These changes were able to increase observed horsepower by 1.5 HP. We believe that increasing the compression ratio to 14:1 will further increase observed horsepower. 
       Example 2-7.5 HP Engine Configured with Rototiller 
       [0022]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stock ICE 
                 Mixing Block, Modified ICE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Class: 
                 Air Cooled Overhead 
                 Air Cooled Overhead 
               
               
                   
                 Cam, Chain Drive, 
                 Cam, Chain Drive, 
               
               
                   
                 Gasoline Engine 
                 Gasoline Engine 
               
               
                 Shaft: 
                 Horizontal 
                 Horizontal 
               
               
                 Cylinders: 
                 1 
                 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Displacement: 
                 211 
                 cc 
                 211 
                 cc 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Cycles: 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Fuel: 
                 Unleaded Gasoline 
                 Hydrogen 
               
               
                 Max HP/RPM: 
                 5.1/4000 (Gross HP) 
                 To be determined 
               
               
                 Bore X Stroke: 
                 67 × 60 (mm) 
                 67 × 60 (mm) 
               
               
                 Compression: 
                 8.5:1 
                 10.2:1 
               
               
                 Timing: 
                 Factory set 
                 Advanced 
               
               
                 Governor 
                 Centrifugal 
                 Centrifugal 
               
               
                 System: 
                 Flyweight 
                 Flyweight 
               
               
                 Fuel System: 
                 Throttle Body - 
                 Mixing block 
               
               
                   
                 Electronic Fuel 
               
               
                   
                 Injection 
               
             
          
           
               
                 CO 2  Emissions: 
                 13.2 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
               
               
                 O2 Emissions: 
                 1.35 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
               
               
                 HC Emissions: 
                 149 
                 PPM 
                 1 
                 PPM* 
               
               
                 NOX 
                 426 
                 PPM 
                 26 
                 PPM 
               
               
                 Emissions: 
               
               
                 CO Emissions: 
                 2.38 
                 PPM 
                 0 
                 PPM 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *particulate detected believed to be lubrication oil breakdown 
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 3-8 HP Engine Configured with Generator 
       [0023]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stock ICE 
                 Mixing Block ICE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Class: 
                 Air Cooled Overhead Cam, 
                 Air Cooled Overhead Cam, 
               
               
                   
                 Chain Drive, Gasoline 
                 Chain Drive, Gasoline 
               
               
                   
                 Engine 
                 Engine 
               
               
                 Shaft: 
                 Horizontal 
                 Horizontal 
               
               
                 Cylinders: 
                 1 
                 1 
               
               
                 Displacement: 
                 305 cc 
                 305 cc 
               
               
                 Cycles: 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Fuel: 
                 Unleaded Gasoline 
                 Hydrogen 
               
               
                 Max HP/RPM: 
                 5.1/4000 (Gross HP) 
                 To be determined 
               
               
                 Bore X Stroke: 
                 3.12 × 2.44 (in.) 
                 3.12 × 2.44 (in.) 
               
               
                 Compression: 
                 8.5:1 
                 8.5:1 
               
               
                 Governor 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
               
               
                 System: 
               
               
                 Fuel System: 
                 Carbureted Float 
                 Mixing block 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 4-13.5 HP Engine Configured with Garden Tractor 
       [0024]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stock ICE 
                 Mixing Block ICE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Class: 
                 Air Cooled Gasoline 
                 Air Cooled Gasoline 
               
               
                   
                 Engine 
                 Engine 
               
               
                 Shaft: 
                 Vertical 
                 Vertical 
               
               
                 Cylinders: 
                 1 
                 1 
               
               
                 Displacement: 
                 405 cc 
                 405 cc 
               
               
                 Cycles: 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Fuel: 
                 Unleaded Gasoline 
                 Hydrogen 
               
               
                 Max HP/RPM: 
                 12/3600 
                 To be determined 
               
               
                 Bore X Stroke: 
                 3.43 × 2.66 (in.) 
                 3.43 × 2.66 (in.) 
               
               
                 Compression: 
                 8.5:1 
                 8.5:1 
               
               
                 Governor 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
               
               
                 System: 
               
               
                 Fuel System: 
                 Carbureted Float 
                 Mixing block 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 5-13 HP Engine Configured with EZ-Go 6 Passenger Shuttle 
       [0025]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stock ICE 
                 Mixing Block ICE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Class: 
                 Air Cooled Gasoline 
                 Air Cooled Gasoline 
               
               
                   
                 Engine 
                 Engine 
               
               
                 Shaft: 
                 Horizontal 
                 Horizontal 
               
               
                 Cylinders: 
                 1 
                 1 
               
               
                 Displacement: 
                 401 cc 
                 401 cc 
               
               
                 Cycles: 
                 4 
                 4 
               
               
                 Fuel: 
                 Unleaded Gasoline 
                 Hydrogen 
               
               
                 Max HP/RPM: 
                 13/3600 
                 To be determined 
               
               
                 Bore X Stroke: 
                 3.43 × 2.66 (in.) 
                 3.43 × 2.66 (in.) 
               
               
                   
                 (87 × 67 mm) 
                 (87 × 67 mm) 
               
               
                 Compression: 
                 8.4:1 
                 8.4:1 
               
               
                 Governor 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
                 Centrifugal Flyweight 
               
               
                 System: 
               
               
                 Fuel System: 
                 Carbureted 
                 Mixing block 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , hydrogen usage at two exemplary RPM settings, 1200 and 3100 are shown with corresponding fuel consumption measured in cubic feet hydrogen per hour. At 9:1 compression the internal combustion engine used 295 cubic feet of hydrogen/hour at an idle set at about 1200 RPM. At a sample working speed of 3100 RPM, the engine used about 40.0 cubic feet of hydrogen/hour. Significant fuel economy was achieved by increasing the compression of the internal combustion engine to 10.2:1. For example, at the selected idle speed 1200 RPM the engine used about 18.0 cubic feet of hydrogen/hour, and at the selected working speed 3100 RPM the engine used about 28.5 cubic feet of hydrogen/hour. We expect further significant fuel economy will be achieved at higher compression ratios. 
         [0027]    While the systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants&#39; general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0028]    As used herein, “connection” or “connected” means both directly, that is, without other intervening elements or components, and indirectly, that is, with another component or components arranged between the items identified or described as being connected. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one”. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).