TRi-BRID ENGINE USING ELECTRICITY FLEX FUELS AND H2O OXYGENIZER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of combustion engines and -more specifically to engines for vehicle propulsion.

BACKGROUND

There are various types of engines used for powering apparatuses such as mobile vehicles. Automobiles, for instance, have traditionally been powered by the combustion reaction of fuels such as diesel and gasoline taking place in an engine.

There are some vehicles known in the art that use hybrid technology. In the context of vehicle propulsion, a hybrid engine system generally consists of a rechargeable energy storage device and an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device usually comprises batteries and an electric motor. The combination of electric and combustion power sources provides more efficient fuel economy than a conventional internal combustion engine.

In the field of vehicle propulsion, variables such as power source, fuel supply means, power demand and speed influence the efficiency of the engine and of the combustion process. For instance, in many combustion engine systems, there is a variable demand for power output. In addition, given the ever stringent environmental regulations regarding greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, it is also important to minimize emissions and toxic compounds to the utmost.

Though various engine systems exist for managing internal combustion and combining combustion power with electric power, there are still difficulties in providing good control and adaptability to provide clean and efficient combustion.

It is desirable for vehicles and their engine systems that use internal combustion engines to enable an optimal octane rating, low emissions and clean combustion.

In the wake of the Kyoto accord and other regional, national and international regulations, it is increasingly important to provide improved vehicle engine systems.

The engine systems known in the art have various disadvantages regarding emissions, adaptability and efficiency as well as other disadvantages that would be known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tri-brid vehicle, an engine system and a propulsion method that overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the present invention provides a tri-brid vehicle comprising:

- at least one wheel;

- an internal combustion engine operable to provide torque to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle;

- a oxygenizer injection mechanism coupled to the internal combustion engine for providing H2O-based oxygenizer thereto; and

- an electric power source operable to provide torque to the at least one wheel.

The tri-brid vehicle of the present invention combines three aspects for improved vehicle propulsion: internal combustion of a primary fuel, an H2O-based oxygenizer injection for improving the combustion and an electric power source. The electric power source and the internal combustion engine are connected with the wheels of the vehicle for providing torque and the oxygenizer injection mechanism provides H2O-based oxygenizer to the combustion engine, thereby enabling torque to be provided to the wheels in an efficient and adaptable fashion.

The present invention also provides a tri-brid engine system for incorporation within a vehicle for supplying power thereto, the engine system comprising:

- an internal combustion engine operatively mountable to the vehicle to provide power for propulsion thereof;

- an oxygenizer injection mechanism coupled to the internal combustion engine for supplying H2O-based oxygenizer thereto; and

- an electric power source operatively mountable to the vehicle to provide electric power for propulsion thereof; and

wherein the internal combustion engine, oxygenizer injection mechanism and the electric power source are controlled according to the power demand, the engine temperature and/or the speed of the vehicle, and/or a combination of other operating conditions.

The tri-brid engine system enables advantageous power supply to the vehicle to improve adaptability and efficiency. The engine system enables responsive octane boosting, electricity supply and emissions reductions according to the power demand of the vehicle. For instance, acceleration responsive octane boosting is enabled with the controlled injection of H2O-based oxygenizer, while deceleration and/or idling responsive electricity supply is enabled by the controlled action of the electric power source. This tri-brid system is therefore adaptable to various power demands, speeds and engine temperatures, to optimally increase efficiency and/or decrease emissions. The adaptability of the tri-brid system to various engine demands and conditions - such as acceleration, cruising, idling, deceleration, low and high air intake for * combustion, low and high speeds - is an excellent advantage.

The present invention also provides a method for adaptably propelling a vehicle, comprising the steps of :

a) determining a power demand from the vehicle;

b) providing a corresponding power output for propulsion from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric power source; and

c) when the corresponding power output is provided at least in part by the internal combustion engine:

i) determining an octane demand and/or temperature of the engine;

ii) providing a corresponding octane boost and/or a corresponding cooling injection by injecting an H2O-based oxygenizer into the internal combustion engine.

In addition, step a) may comprise determining a different operating condition or demand on which to base the operation of the vehicle. Likewise, operating demands and conditions other than octane demand and engine temperature may determine the timed operation of fuel combustion, H2O injection and/or electrical powering of the vehicle. Various sequences and combinations of steps may be used in the tri-brid method to efficiently and adaptively propel the vehicle.

In a variant of the present invention, there is provided a tri-brid engine system for incorporation within a vehicle for supplying power thereto, the engine system comprising:

- an internal combustion engine operatively mountable to the vehicle to provide power for propulsion thereof;

- an oxygenator coupled to the internal combustion engine for supplying H2O- based oxygenizer thereto; and

- an electric power source operatively mountable to the vehicle to provide electric power for propulsion thereof; and

wherein the internal combustion engine, oxygenator and the electric power source are controlled according to the power demand, the engine temperature and/or the speed of the vehicle, and/or a combination of other operating conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following Figs:

Fig 1 is a perspective view schematic of a preferred embodiment of the tri-brid engine system according to the present invention.

Fig 2 is a side view schematic of a preferred embodiment of the tri-brid vehicle according to the present invention.

Fig 3 is a block diagram showing an arrangement including a preferred embodiment of the tri-brid engine system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Tri-brid vehicle

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to land-vehicles and systems and methods therefor. Land-vehicles include cars, trucks, buses, semitrailers, tractors, motorbikes, off-roading vehicles, snowmobiles, etc. However, other * embodiments could be directed to sea- or air-vehicles or other apparatuses using an engine system. The tri-brid system may replace existing vehicle engine systems or may be incorporated into newly manufactured tri-brid vehicles.

The preferred embodiment of the tri-brid vehicle of the present invention is an automobile 10, as shown schematically in Fig 2. This vehicle 10 includes a tri-brid engine system 11.

Referring briefly to Fig 1 , the tri-brid engine system 11 includes an internal combustion engine 12, an oxygenizer injection mechanism 14 and an electric power source 16.

Referring back to Fig 2, the combustion engine 12 and the electrical power source are coupled to at least one wheel.17 of the vehicle 10 for providing torque to the wheel for propulsion.

Tri-brid engine system

A preferred embodiment of the tri-brid engine system 11 is shown in greater detail in Fig 3. The internal combustion engine 12 is operable to provide torque T1 to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle. Various coupling mechanisms and elements including pistons and axels (not shown) may be used for this purpose. The combustion engine 12 is supplied with air through an inlet 18 which passes through a filter 20. The combustion engine 12 is fed with a fuel, which may be gasoline or ethanol, among others.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig 3, the oxygenizer injection mechanism 14 is coupled to the internal combustion engine 12 for providing an H2O-based oxygenizer to the combustion engine 12. The injection mechanism 14 may provide the H2O-based oxygenizer via a carburetor 19 for pre-mixture with the fuel and air. The "H2O-based oxygenizer" is preferably water-alcohol, but may also consist of H2O only or H2O combined with another type of fuel such as natural gas. The composition may be determined according to the environmental temperature, so that the oxigenizer avoids freezing. H2O can be used alone especially in warm climates and summer time.

The injection mechanism 14 may alternatively provide the H2O-based oxygenizer proximate the fuel injection mechanism.

In another embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated), instead of the injection mechanism, an oxygenator is used. In this embodiment the engine intake air passes through a double-cone ceramic tube, the tube being surrounding by H2O,

which passes through the ceramic material to oxygenate the intake air before it enters the engine. In this embodiment, diesel fuel is the preferred primary fuel to be combusted in the engine. The preferred construction of the oxygenator of this embodiment includes the ceramic double-cone tube as described in United States patent No. 4,397,268 (BROWN).

Referring back to Fig 3, the preferred embodiment of the injection mechanism 14 includes a reservoir 22 and a booster pump 24 which pumps the H2O-based oxigenizer via line 26 to the internal combustion engine 12, preferably via the carburetor 19 as illustrated. Preferably, the H2O is taken from the exhaust gas to make the H2O-based oxygenizer.

A preferred embodiment of an injection mechanism 14 that may be incorporated into the present invention is described in United States patent No.3,987,774 (WAAG). The control of the oxygenizer supply may be accomplished by the method described in this patent, and adapted to be coordinated with the control of the electric power source 16.

In operation, the injection mechanism 14 begins to function when the operator starts the engine and the H2O-based oxygenizer is contained in the reservoir 22. It may be seen that the engine immediately creates a vacuum in its intake manifold and an exhaust gas pressure in its exhaust manifold and that the vacuum and the exhaust gas pressure vary with the torque requirements of the engine. In this preferred embodiment, the injection mechanism has a fluid passage connection to the manifolds and it uses the vacuum and exhaust gas pressures to control the injection.

Referring still to Fig 3, the tri-brid engine system 11 also includes an electric power source 16 for providing torque T2. Preferably, the electric power source 16 includes a battery 28 and an electric motor 30, the latter being coupled to propulsion elements such as wheels.

It should be noted that the internal combustion engine 12 and the electric power supply can provide torques T1 and T2 concurrently or separately, to give the overall

torque T. The proportion of T1 : T2 depends on a variety of factors, some of which will be discussed hereinbelow.

The tri-brid engine system 11 is designed to be responsive to a variety of engine and propulsion variables in operation.

In operation, the internal combustion engine 12 is responsive to high torque demands and the oxygenizer injection mechanism 14 is responsive to octane demand and/or high engine temperatures. Preferably, the injection mechanism 14 is responsive to dominant vacuum and/or dominant exhaust gas conditions, enabled by a metering apparatus. During deceleration or idling, the oxygenizer injection mechanism 14 becomes inactive because the vacuum and exhaust gas conditions are minimal and no oxygenizer is injected at such times. The electric power source is responsive to low torque conditions by supplying a portion or all of the torque required to propel the vehicle.

The control and synchronization of the combustion engine, injection mechanism and electric power source are preferably enabled by a computer, which is signalled by a number of sensors. For instance, the vacuum and exhaust pressures may be measured to determine whether the electric power source should provide torque, and the engine temperature may be measured to determine whether the injection mechanism should supply the H2O-based oxygenizer.

It should be noted that the injection system 14 may take on a variety of forms and is preferably synchronized with the combustion engine 12 to obtain optimum factors of oxygenation from H2O injection. The oxygen contained in the H2O aids in the oxygenation of the combustion.

Octane boosting and emissions reductions are enabled by the engine system 11, whose components adaptively function together according to the power demand, speed and/or other conditions of the vehicle. The tri-brid system may be adaptable and responsive to various engine demands and conditions - such as acceleration, cruising, idling, deceleration, low and high air intake, speed, and temperature - by providing internal combustion, injection of H2O-based oxygenizer and/or electricity to

efficiently propel the vehicle under certain conditions. Improving efficiency and reducing emissions is enabled by the engine system.

A standard internal combustion engine is required to operate over a range of speed and power, yet its highest efficiency occurs in a narrow range of operation'. The injection mechanism 14 enables the range of efficient operation of the combustion engine to be expanded at certain conditions, and improves efficiency generally. The efficiency is also increased with the electric power source, which can be responsive at various operational conditions, preferably at certain speeds and power demands.

Preferably, the internal combustion engine 12 is operate on ethanol, but may also operate on gasoline or an ethanol blend.

Furthermore, the engine system 11 of the present invention may be used to convert conventional combustion engines to ethanol. The H2O-based oxygenizer preferably has a water-soluble oil emulsion inhibitor to prevent internal engine parts from being damaged, e.g. corroded, due to the solvent characteristics of ethanol. The inhibitors are miscible in water and also provide lubrication which enables longer lasting engine parts. The necessary ratio of water and soluble oil needs only to be less than one capful per gallon of H2O to the effective. This has been shown in tests conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers in a S.A.E. test paper 215-216. "Cutting oil" may for example be used as an inhibitor.

Conversion of engines to ethanol is also aided in that the H2O-based oxygenizer may compensate for the lower BTU value of ethanol versus gasoline.

Preferably, the air-fuel ratio, oxygen sensor and spark advance of the internal combustion engine are controlled with a computer that can be modified or made flexible. Existing computer programs may be modified to include the H2O-based oxygenizer injection variable. Factors such as speed, load demand and stop and go driving may be used to determine injection deficiency and to optimize the synchronization of the electric power source, injection mechanism and combustion engine.

Preferably, the H2O injection is performed at optimal conditions to maximize efficiency, e.g. when the engine temperature is above 1600 ⁰ F and/or when the load demand is over 12 inches of vacuum. Engine conditions enabling the thermal- chemical splitting of H2O may be taken advantage of by injection of H2O oxygenizer.

Regarding the H2O-based oxygenizer injection, a reduction of emissions of hydrocarbons, CO, NOx and/or CO2 may occur. E.P.A tests in California certified that 25.2% less fuel was burned when using H2O-based oxygenizer injection. The increase in MPG with H2O injection compensates for the lost BTU when ethanol is used as the fuel.

The oxygenizer injection supplies oxygen to the engine in the form of H2O, which on a mass basis contains 89% oxygen and is thus a rich source thereof. The H2O factor acts as a catalyst for octane as the rate of burn is affected by the oxygen and hydrogen content.

H2O-based oxygenizer injection has a variety of benefits. Oxygen creates better combustion and the government passed laws for oxygenated fuels years ago, knowing that gasoline and lead contain no oxygen.

The H2O oxygenizer injection method for boosting octane enables the engine to avoid MTBE chemicals as well as leaded gasoline. MTBE has been banned for being poisonous. Water injection is the cheapest and cleanest solution for oxygenation.

In addition, oxygen dilutes exhaust fumes in a gaseous manner.

Another advantage of H2O-based oxygenizer injection is that such H2O injection reduces engine combustion heat and lowers combustion temperatures. This has a corresponding effect in reducing NOx which are toxic compounds. It is known that NOx compounds are created around 2700 ⁰ F. The synchronisation of the H2O-based oxygenizer injection may be timed in so that injection occurs when engine heat is at a critical level. Thus, the tri-brid engine system enables a reduction of NOx by reducing temperatures. The electric motor may be used to reduce temperatures at low torque requirements by reducing the need for combustion, while the H2O-based oxygenizer

injection may be used to reduce emissions by reducing the temperature at high torque requirements. This is another aspect of the adaptability of the system.

Preferably, catalytic converter may be removed from the system. A catalytic converter creates CO2 by lowering the CO. Since CO2 was not regulated before the current CO2 crisis, the catalytic converter can now be replaced by various embodiments of the system of the present invention.

The H2O-based oxygenizer injection mechanism 14 preferably operates due to the vacuum of the existing combustion engine, and may be designed to calibrate and meter the correct amount of injection from the vacuum pressure. Special adjustable injector nozzles and jets may be engineered for the vehicles having various sizes of engines, to couple the injection mechanism 14 with the combustion engine. Preferably, the adjustable nozzles and jets are made in various sizes while the injection pump mechanism remains the same size.

Tri-brid propulsion method

There is also a tri-brid propulsion method according to the present invention. This method enables a vehicle to be adaptably propelled and includes the steps of :

a) determining a power demand from the vehicle;

b) providing a corresponding power output for propulsion from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric power source; and

c) when the corresponding power output is provided at least in part by the internal combustion engine:

i) determining an octane demand and/or temperature of the engine;

ii) providing a corresponding octane boost and/or a corresponding cooling injection by injecting an H2O-based oxygenizer into the internal combustion engine.

It should be noted that the propulsion method can have many iterations and permutations of the above steps, in various sequences, depending on the engine conditions and the demands made on the vehicle. A variety of sensors and control mechanisms may be employed to determine the engine conditions as well as the optimal octane and temperature for the efficient and clean operation of the combustion engine.

Of course, the embodiments illustrated and described herein may be modified without departing from what has actually been invented.