"Ozone generator device for internal combustion engine"

~k ~k ~k The present invention relates to an ozone generator device for internal combustion engine.

As it is known, the ozone as a gas can be generated in different ways. The most known ozone generators are the corona effect type, which are particularly efficient. The corona effect used on oxygen-containing dry gas involves the passage of air through a high-voltage electric field. Air passing through an electric discharge, namely the corona, produces ozone. The formation of ozone by means of electric shocks in a gas is based on the lack of homogeneity of corona discharge in the air or in oxygen. In fact, the numerous micro - discharges distributed in the space allow to generate ozone. More specifically, the corona effect, or corona discharge, is a phenomenon whereby an electric current flows between a high voltage conductor and a surrounding neutral fluid, generally air. The effect occurs when the voltage gradient exceeds a determined value sufficient to cause the ionization of the insulating fluid but insufficient to cause the trigger of an electric arc. Once ionized, the fluid becomes plasma and conducts electricity. The electrical circuit closes when the electric charge carried by the ions slowly reaches the reference voltage of the generator, usually the ground.

One example is the patent GB2472681, which describes a gas treatment cell, for example for air treatment to produce ozone, which comprises a tube with multiple openings and a wire coil wound around or inside the tube and in proximity of these openings. The wire forms a pair of electrodes between which a corona discharge is generated when a potential difference is applied, so that the gas passing through the openings entering or exiting the tube also passes around the wire and then through said wire corona discharge, producing ozone.

Although advantageous for the high production of ozone and greater convenience in the costs, the production of ozone with corona effect and the necessary apparatuses are normally complex, as they need a source of oxygen, dust filters, gas dryers, ozone generators, a torch unit of contact and destruction.

In addition, the normal ozone generating devices are affected by the fact that generate a long electric arc that is dangerous and moreover require extremely dry air to ensure that the arc returns on the crown and therefore it is not directed outwards with danger of electrocution. Purpose of the present invention is to provide an ozone generator device for internal combustion engine that is simple, safe and efficient having, therefore, characteristics such as to overcome the limitations which still affect the devices described above with reference to prior art.

According to the present invention, an ozone generator device for internal combustion engine is provided, as defined in claim 1.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an ozone generator device for internal combustion engine, according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the ozone generator device for internal combustion engine in open configuration, according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the ozone generator device for internal combustion engines applied to an internal combustion engine, according to the invention. With reference to these figures and, in particular to Figure 1, an ozone generator device for internal combustion engine is shown, according to the invention.

More in detail, the ozone generator device 100 for internal combustion engines comprises a transformer 101, a support 102, and a pair of electric wires 103 and 104 connected to the transformer 101 and wound around the support 102, for example according to a spiral arrangement.

Advantageously according to the invention, the transformer 101 is configured to raise the voltage supplied to the electric wires 103 and 104 from 12 Volt in DC or from 220 Volt in alternating current to a value between 8000 Volts and 15000 Volts, and, preferably, 10000 Volt.

According to an aspect of the invention, the free ends of the pair of electric wires 103 and 104 after their winding around the support 102 are insulated, for example by means of insulating clamps.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electric wires 103 and 104 are arranged at a distance between 2 and 5 mm from one another for the generation of electric micro-discharges.

According to an aspect of the invention, the electric wires 103 and 104 are arranged so as to form a spiral and to maintain the wrapping open at its ends and not closed on itself, allowing the spiral to make both as a toroidal generating a magnetic field and as a condenser accumulating electricity, and this advantageously greatly amplifies the production of ozone.

According to an aspect of the invention, such a configuration allows to have a very high magnetic inductance and this results in the production of radical oxygen which further improves the efficiency of the combustion .

According to an aspect of the invention, the support

102 is metallic.

According to another aspect of the invention, the support 102 is made of plastic.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the support 102 comprises an open initial section and a final section also open through which the air can flow freely entering the support 102 from the open initial section and exiting from the open final section.

Advantageously according to the invention, the support 102 is free of obstructions, for example shutter plates or similar structures, which can bind or dimensioning the passage of air. Advantageously according to the invention, the free passage of air through the support 102 results in a greater generation of ozone.

In use, the spiral arrangement of the two wires 103 and 104 around the support 102 causes a very short electric arc between the wires but extended to the entire length of the spiral. In fact, since the wires 103 and 104 are separated only by the thickness of the insulator which surrounds each of them and since this insulator is semi- permeable, the electric arc that is generated between them is continuous and made up of numerous micro arches, making it easier to control.

In support of the technical validity of the present invention, the Applicant has carried out the experimental tests, whose results, presented below, have shown the advantages of: reduction of the pollutants in the gaseous emissions; increased internal combustion engine power; fuel saving, i.e. reduction of consumption; easy use; efficiency; low cost.

The reduction of the pollutants is demonstrated by two experimental tests the results of which are shown below.

A first test consisted in a bench test carried out on a Citroen Cactus 1600 Turbo Diesel maintained at engine idle speed, then accelerated to 5170 rpm bottom per minute. Without the installation of the ozone generator device, the OPAC stood at 0,06 for about 3 seconds, then at 0,05 for about 1 second, then 0.04 for 1 more second, and finally at 0,03 and, only in the last phase, at 0,02 (keeping the engine at a constant speed of 5170 laps / minute) .

With the installation of the ozone generator device, the OPAC stood at 0,03 for the first 2 seconds and then dropped to 0,02, namely a 50% reduction in the OPAC.

A second experimental test was carried out on a

Volkswagen Golf 1900 of 2006 with no catalyst or FAP, maintained at 3000 rpm. Comparing the results obtained, there is a significant reduction in the values of nitrogen oxides (NOx) , both in absolute value and in percentage value, thanks to the installation of the ozone generator device. Specifically, a reduction from 1313 mg/m ³ to 965 mg/m ³ was measured with Ref 5% O2.

Moreover, the ozone generator device allows to obtain a greater power, especially during acceleration, thanks to the fact that it allows to produce a higher torque.

This feature was demonstrated by a bench test carried out on a Citroen Cactus 1600 Turbo diesel. The results obtained show advantages obtained from the installation of the ozone generator device: in particular an increase in torque up to 1,1 Kg*m, an acceleration from 0 to lOOKm/h improved by about 1 second (0,96 seconds for accuracy) and a maximum speed increased by 18%.

Fuel consumption has been tested using a series of tests carried out on generators, on agricultural vehicles as well as on cars. In both cases, fuel savings of around 28% were achieved at the same load and working time.

The ozone generator for internal combustion engines can be installed both on new vehicles and on vehicles already in circulation, since it has reduced production volumes and does not require the addition of any type of substance, as it merely changes the molecular structure of the air in suction.

The ozone generator device 100 for internal combustion engines modifies the molecular structure of the intake air, improving combustion and consuming 200 W taken from the car's electrical system.

In order to better interpret the experimental data and the advantages of the system described above, it is important to point out that these tests were carried out using an ozone generator device made with recycled materials and that, therefore, the results can be further improved . Advantageously according to the invention, the cost of making the ozone generator device is very low and is below € 100, further reduced by organizing a series production.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the ozone generator device 100 can work with very high humidity.

Advantageously according to the invention, the ozone generator device 100 allows to keep the temperature of the generated plasma very low.

Therefore, the ozone generator device for internal combustion engines according to the invention is able to guarantee an efficient production of ozone.

Another advantage of the ozone generator device for internal combustion engines according to the invention consists in the fact that it is safe as the micro electric arcs are short-range with very low electrocution potential .

Finally, the ozone generator device for internal combustion engines according to the invention it is easily achievable, of low cost and high efficiency, since few watts are sufficient to generate large volumes of ozone.

It is finally clear that ozone generator device for internal combustion engines described and illustrated herein can be subject to modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.