Abstract:
An improved vehicle having a hydrogen generator providing a mixture of hydrogen and/or oxygen to a combustion chamber of a diesel powered engine which is combined with diesel fuel for improving the efficiency of the diesel powered engine and substantially preventing unwanted organic residue produced by the combustion of the diesel fuel, a secondary cooling fan connected to the diesel powered engine; and a control system controlling the operation of at least one of the generator, the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to enhance the performance of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/168,683 filed Apr. 13, 2009, entitled “DIESEL POWERED SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in general to an improved vehicle and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved diesel powered semi-trailer truck having a secondary hydrogen fuel source and a secondary cooling fan cooperating together to improve the fuel efficiency of the improved semi-trailer truck. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Diesel powered semi-trailer trucks are well known in the art. While diesel powered trucks are known in the art, they suffer from numerous drawbacks including, but not limited to, poor diesel engine performance caused by less than optimal fuel efficiency, the build up of carbon deposits within the combustion chamber of the diesel engine and unnecessary overuse and/or redundant use of certain engine components (e.g., the cooling fan). In general, a diesel powered truck comprises a glider kit in combination with a diesel powered engine. The glider kit includes a chassis with a cab, a plurality of wheels connected to a steering and braking system and optionally a plurality of other accessories. The diesel powered engine includes a primary fuel pump providing diesel fuel, a cooling system which includes a cooling fan and a radiator, and an exhaust system that carries away combustion gases produced by the diesel powered engine. 
         [0006]    Because of the weight of the truck and the aforementioned deficiencies inherent in the operation of common diesel powered trucks, the overall fuel efficiency of such diesel powered trucks is substantially reduced. 
         [0007]    Thus the need exists for an improved diesel powered truck that includes a secondary hydrogen fuel source providing hydrogen to the diesel engine and a secondary fan that can be operated in lieu of, or in concert with the primary cooling fan of the diesel engine to enhance the fuel efficiency of the same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an improved vehicle, the improved vehicle comprising a semi-trailer truck glider kit in combination with a diesel powered engine, the diesel powered engine having a combustion chamber, a primary diesel fuel source and a primary cooling fan, the diesel engine being adapted to operate on a diesel fuel, hydrogen and air mixture received by the combustion chamber, the improvement comprising: (a) a hydrogen generator providing hydrogen to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine, the combustion chamber combining hydrogen and air with the diesel fuel for improving the efficiency of the diesel powered engine and substantially preventing unwanted organic residue produced by the combustion of the diesel fuel; (b) a secondary cooling fan connected to the diesel powered engine; and (c) a control system controlling the operation of at least one of the generator, the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to enhance the performance of the vehicle. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the control system comprises a valve for delivering the hydrogen and air mixture at a selectively adjustable rate, the valve having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passage therebetween, wherein the fuel inlet is in fluid communication with the hydrogen generator and the fuel outlet is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment, the improved vehicle further comprises an engine sensor in electrical communication with the control system and sensing at least one operating parameter of the diesel powered engine, and wherein the control system selectively permits the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to operate independently of one another responsive to the at least one parameter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the engine sensor continuously monitors the fuel efficiency of the diesel powered engine and causes the control system to increase the amount of hydrogen provided to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine when the diesel powered engine operates at a fuel efficiency of less than 25 miles per gallon. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the engine sensor continuously monitors the operation of a turbocharger of the diesel powered engine to reduce the use of the same by modifying a gear ratio of a transmission of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the control system causes the hydrogen generator to deliver hydrogen to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing at least one of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment, the control system causes the hydrogen generator to deliver hydrogen to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing both of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the control system causes the primary cooling fan to cease operation and the secondary cooling fan to operate when the diesel powered engine is operated at ambient temperatures less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment the present invention is directed to an improved vehicle comprising a semi-trailer truck glider kit in combination with a diesel powered engine, the diesel powered engine having a combustion chamber, a primary diesel fuel source and a primary cooling fan, the diesel engine being adapted to operate on a diesel fuel, hydrogen and air mixture received by the combustion chamber, the improvement comprising: (a) a hydrogen generator providing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine, the combustion chamber receiving hydrogen, oxygen and air combined with the diesel fuel for improving the efficiency of the diesel powered engine and substantially preventing unwanted organic residue produced by the combustion of the diesel fuel; (b) a secondary cooling fan connected to the diesel powered engine; and (c) a control system controlling the operation of at least one of the hydrogen generator, the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to enhance the performance of the vehicle, wherein the control system comprises a valve for delivering a mixture of hydrogen and air at a selectively adjustable rate, the valve having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passage therebetween, wherein the fuel inlet is in fluid communication with the hydrogen generator and the fuel outlet is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the improved vehicle comprises an engine sensor in electrical communication with the control system and sensing at least one operating parameter of the diesel powered engine, and wherein the control system selectively permits the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to operate independently of one another responsive to the at least one parameter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment, the engine sensor continuously monitors the fuel efficiency of the diesel powered engine and causes the control system to increase the amount of hydrogen and air provided to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine when the diesel powered engine operates at a fuel efficiency of less than 25 miles per gallon. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, the control system delivers a hydrogen and oxygen mixture to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing at least one of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0020]    In another preferred embodiment, the control system causes the hydrogen generator to deliver hydrogen to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing both of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the control system causes the primary cooling fan to cease operation and the secondary cooling fan to operate when the diesel powered engine is operated at ambient temperatures less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an improved vehicle, the improved vehicle comprising a semi-trailer truck glider kit in combination with a diesel powered engine, the diesel powered engine having a combustion chamber, a primary diesel fuel source and a primary cooling fan, the diesel engine being adapted to operate on a diesel fuel, hydrogen and air mixture received by the combustion chamber, the improvement comprising: (a) a hydrogen generator providing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine, the combustion chamber receiving hydrogen, oxygen and air combined with the diesel fuel for improving the efficiency of the diesel powered engine and substantially preventing unwanted organic residue produced by the combustion of the diesel fuel; (b) a secondary cooling fan connected to the diesel powered engine; (c) a control system controlling the operation of at least one of the hydrogen generator, the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to enhance the performance of the vehicle; and (d) an engine sensor in electrical communication with the control system and sensing at least one operating parameter of the diesel powered engine, and wherein the control system selectively permits the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to operate independently of one another responsive to the at least one parameter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the engine sensor continuously monitors the fuel efficiency of the diesel powered engine and causes the control system to increase the amount of hydrogen and oxygen provided to the combustion chamber of the diesel powered engine when the diesel powered engine operates at a fuel efficiency of less than 25 miles per gallon. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the control system delivers a hydrogen and oxygen mixture to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing at least one of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment, the control system causes the hydrogen generator to deliver hydrogen to the combustion chamber at a selectively adjustable rate such that the diesel powered engine can be operated in excess of 30,000 miles without replacing both of an engine oil and an air filter of the diesel powered engine. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the control system causes the primary cooling fan to cease operation and the secondary cooling fan to operate when the diesel powered engine is operated at ambient temperatures less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying FIGURE. It will be understood that the FIGURE is not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
           [0028]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing wherein: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is schematic representation of the improved semi-trailer truck, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0031]    It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a schematic representation of an improved semi-trailer truck  10  including a diesel engine  12 . Although not shown, the improved semi-trailer truck  10  includes a semi-trailer truck glider kit that generally comprises all of the components of a semi-trailer truck less the power train, which in this case preferably comprises the diesel engine  12 . As stated previously, the glider kit includes a cab, a chassis with a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the chassis, a braking system, an exhaust system and other various accessories, for example, mirrors, lighting and the like. Therefore, the diesel engine  12 , provided in combination with the glider kit comprises a standard, operational semi-trailer truck. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the preferred diesel engine  12  selected for use in accordance with the present invention includes, for example, a Detroit Diesel Series 60 Recon Engine produced by the Detroit Diesel Corporation. It will be understood that other diesel engines  12  may be utilized so long as the diesel engine  12  utilized is capable of being adapted to operate on a mixture of diesel fuel and hydrogen fuel. Therefore, other diesel engines that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. The diesel engine  12  includes a cooling system comprising a primary cooling fan  14  operating in concert with a radiator (not shown) to transfer heat energy produced by the diesel engine  12  to improve the efficiency of the diesel engine  12 , a transmission  16  connected to the diesel engine  12 , a turbocharger  17  connected to the diesel engine  12 , and a combustion chamber  18  (e.g., a plurality of cylinders of the engine) for mixing and delivering air, fuel and/or hydrogen for combustion in the diesel engine  12 . 
         [0034]    The semi-trailer truck  10  additionally includes a primary diesel fuel source, for example, a primary fuel pump  20  providing diesel fuel to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12 , a hydrogen generator  22  providing hydrogen and/or oxygen to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12  and a secondary cooling fan  24 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the preferred hydrogen generator  22  selected for use in accordance with the present invention includes, for example, a Jetstar™ produced by Dynamic Fuel Systems Incorporated. It will be understood that other hydrogen generators  22  may be utilized so long as the hydrogen generator  22  utilized is capable of being adapted to provide hydrogen and/or oxygen to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12 . Therefore, other hydrogen generators  22  that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0036]    In particular, the hydrogen generator  22  gasifies a hydrogen compatible fuel, for example, Jetfuel™ also produced by Dynamic Fuel Systems Incorporated, by separating the hydrogen and oxygen molecules contained within the fuel to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. These gases are produced only while the diesel engine  12  is running and are produced under a slight pressure to ensure a consistent flow to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12 . The hydrogen generator  22  preferably draws only a small amount of power from the vehicle&#39;s electrical system (not shown) and therefore only negligibly affects fuel economy. With the addition of the hydrogen generator  22 , the combustion process is preferably more efficient. More specifically, emissions such as nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are substantially reduced both over time and distance. Also, the addition of a hydrogen and air mixture into the combustion chamber  18  allows the primary diesel fuel to burn within the diesel engine  12  more completely. Therefore, the hydrogen generator  22  may increase horsepower and, correspondingly, increase fuel mileage, resulting in lower maintenance and/or operating costs. For example, the inclusion of the hydrogen and air mixture may result in a substantially cleaner combustion chamber (not shown) relative to a diesel engine  12  without a hydrogen generator  22 . By way of non-limiting example, the improved semi-trailer truck  10  may preferably operate in excess of 30,000 miles without need of changing the oil and/or the air filter utilized by the diesel engine  12 . 
         [0037]    An example of the hydrogen generator  22  along with details for installation and use of the same are discussed in at least the following reference, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0047830, filed by Fairfull et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the preferred secondary cooling fan  24  selected for use in accordance with the present invention includes, for example, an electric fan. It will be understood that other secondary cooling fans  24  may be utilized so long as the secondary cooling fan  24  utilized is capable of being operated in combination with the primary cooling fan  14  or in some cases, in lieu of the primary cooling fan  14  as will be discussed in greater detail infra. Therefore, other secondary cooling fans  24  that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0039]    The secondary cooling fan  24  is preferably a smaller sized fan (e.g., reduced electrical energy consumption) relative to the primary cooling fan  14 . The secondary cooling fan  24  may be powered by, for example, an electrical current produced by the diesel engine  12  or other parts of the vehicle (e.g., an alternator or battery). The secondary cooling fan  24  is provided to work either concurrently or in lieu of the primary cooling fan  14 . For example, when the diesel engine  12  of the semi-trailer truck  10  is operated under strenuous conditions such as driving uphill, the secondary cooling fan  24  works in concert with the primary cooling fan  14  to remove excess heat generated by the diesel engine  12 . In contrast, when the diesel engine  12  is operated under lighter conditions, such as driving in the city on a cold day (e.g., temperatures lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit), the diesel engine  12  produces less heat. Therefore, the primary cooling fan  14  is temporarily rendered inoperative such that the secondary cooling fan  24  is operating alone. As the secondary cooling fan  24  requires less electrical energy to operate than the primary cooling fan  14 , the secondary cooling fan  24  allows the diesel engine  12  to operate more efficiently than the diesel engine  12  utilizing the primary cooling fan  14  exclusively. 
         [0040]    Examples of secondary cooling fans are discussed in at least the following references, U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,941, issued to Kurz, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,933, issued to Inoue, the details of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
         [0041]    The semi-trailer truck  10  preferably includes an electrical sensor  26  in electrical communication with a control system  28 . The electrical sensor  26  senses or monitors at least one operating parameter of the diesel engine  12 , for example, speed, revolutions per minute, fuel consumption, engine temperature, ambient temperature, and/or combinations thereof. The electrical sensor  26  outputs data to the control system  28  for optimizing the fuel efficiency of the diesel engine  12  by controlling the operation of various components of the diesel engine  12 . More specifically, the control system  28  is adapted to control the operation of at least the primary cooling fan  14 , the secondary cooling fan  24 , the primary fuel pump  20  and the hydrogen generator  22 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the control system  28  includes a valve (not shown) for delivering hydrogen and/or oxygen from the hydrogen generator  22  at a selectively adjustable rate. By way of non-limiting example, the valve is preferably provided with a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passage therebetween. The fuel inlet is in fluid communication with the hydrogen generator  22  and the fuel outlet is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12 . 
         [0043]    With respect to the primary and secondary cooling fans  14  and  24  respectively, when the electrical sensor  26  senses that the diesel engine  12  is operating under strenuous conditions such as driving uphill, the electrical sensor  26  communicates an electrical signal to the control system  28  which in turn communicates an electrical signal to the secondary cooling fan  24  to cause the secondary cooling fan  24  to operate in concert with the primary cooling fan  14  to remove excess heat generated by the diesel engine  12 . In contrast, when the diesel engine  12  is operated under lighter conditions, such as driving in the city on a cold day (e.g., temperatures lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit), the electrical sensor  26  communicates an electrical signal to the control system  28  which in turn communicates an electrical signal to the primary cooling fan  14  rendering it temporarily inoperative such that the secondary cooling fan  24  is operating alone. 
         [0044]    With respect to the primary fuel pump  20  and the hydrogen generator  22 , under typical operating conditions, for example, when the diesel engine  12  operates at a constant 1,800 revolutions per minute, the electrical sensor  26  communicates an electrical signal to the control system  28  which communicates with the hydrogen generator  22  to deliver a substantially constant amount of hydrogen and/or oxygen and a substantially constant amount of diesel fuel from the primary fuel source  20  to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12 . When the diesel engine  12  operates at higher revolution per minute, for example, when the semi-trailer truck  10  is operating on a hill, the electrical sensor  26  communicates an electrical signal to the control system  28  which communicates with the hydrogen generator  22  to deliver a greater amount of hydrogen and/or oxygen to the combustion chamber  18  of the diesel engine  12  than when the diesel engine  12  is operating at substantially constant rate of 1,800 revolutions per minute. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the engine sensor  26  continuously monitors the fuel efficiency of the diesel engine  12  and causes the control system  28  to increase the amount of hydrogen and/or oxygen provided to the combustion chamber  18  by the hydrogen generator  22  when the diesel powered engine operates at a fuel efficiency of less than 25 miles per gallon. It will be understood that during any and all operation of the diesel engine  12 , the control system  28  selectively controls the operation of both the primary fuel source  20  and the hydrogen generator  22  to maximize the fuel efficiency of the diesel engine  12 . 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the engine sensor  26  continuously monitors the operation of a turbocharger  17  of the diesel engine  12  to reduce the use of the same by modifying a gear ratio of the transmission  16  of the diesel engine  12 . 
         [0047]    Additionally, it will be understood that typical semi-trailer trucks having diesel engines adapted to operate on a hydrogen enhanced fuel mixture may preferably be retrofit with a hydrogen generator  22 , secondary cooling fan  24 , electrical sensor  26  and control system  28  to produce an improved semi-trailer truck  10 . 
         [0048]    The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.