Cold start method with start-up gaseous fuel generation system for methanol fueled cars

Patent 4488517 Issued on December 18, 1984. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 15, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3886919

System to convert liquid fuel to gas
Patent #: 3931800
Issued on: 01/13/1976
Inventor: Gendron

Fuel heating apparatus
Patent #: 3989019
Issued on: 11/02/1976
Inventor: Brandt , et al.

Pre-engine converter for use with fuels containing oxygenated compounds
Patent #: 4046522
Issued on: 09/06/1977
Inventor: Chen , et al.

Electric fuel vaporizer
Patent #: 4047512
Issued on: 09/13/1977
Inventor: Hough , et al.

Hydrogen generator
Patent #: 4088450
Issued on: 05/09/1978
Inventor: Kosaka, et al.

Fuel reforming system
Patent #: 4143620
Issued on: 03/13/1979
Inventor: Noguchi , et al.

Internal combustion engine with reformed gas generator
Patent #: 4170200
Issued on: 10/09/1979
Inventor: Takeuchi , et al.

Fuel system for and a method of operating a spark-ignited internal combustion engine Patent #: 4210103
Issued on: 07/01/1980
Inventor: Dimitroff , et al.

Inventor

Yoon, Heeyoung

Assignee

Conoco Inc.

Application

No. 06/485149 filed on 04/15/1983

US Classes:

123/3, Generating plants123/1A, Fuels, lubricants and additives123/179.19, Includes auxiliary internal combustion engine123/179.8, Starting fluid123/557, Fuel only123/576, Fuel switched in response to engine starting condition48/197FMFuel mixtures

Examiners

Primary: Cross, Ethel R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

F02N 17/08 (20060101)
F02N 17/00 (20060101)
F02B 1/00 (20060101)
F02B 1/02 (20060101)

Abstract

A method of cold starting an internal combustion engine operated on atomized liquid fuel after start up comprising the steps of:heating a vaporization means with an electrical resistance heating element,heating a catalytic dissociation reactor with an electrical resistance element,pumping liquid alcohol to said heated vaporization means to form a vaporized alcohol,conveying air and vaporized alcohol to said catalytic dissociation reactor wherein partial combustion of said vaporized alcohol occurs as well as dissociation of said vaporized alcohol to form a partial start up fuel mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,pumping liquid alcohol to an atomization means to form atomized liquid alcohol,adding said partial start up fuel mixture and said atomized liquid alcohol to form a complete start up fuel mixture,conveying said complete start up fuel mixture to said internal combustion engine,starting said internal combustion engine by igniting a mixture of air and complete start up fuel mixture therewithin.

Other References

Kukuchi et al., Catalyst for On-Board Reforming of Methanol, J. Japan Petrol. Inst. 23, (5), 328-333 (1980)
Greiner et al., Engine Cold-Start with Dissociated Methanol, pp. 1-6, Tables 1-4, FIGS. 1-4