Patent US3978823A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3978823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
LPG burning internal combustion engine, especially Otto engine
Assignee: MAN AG
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Filing: 1973-08-27
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine, especially Otto engine, which utilizes fuel gas supplied in a low-temperature liquefied state for the combustion process. Heat exchange means are provided for effecting a heat exchange between the intake combustion air and the fuel gas such that the combustion air is cooled down prior to combustion by its use as a heat-emitting heat-exchanging medium for preheating the low-temperature liquefied fuel gas. In one preferred embodiment, the heat exchange means is a mixing carburetor arranged upstream of the engine combustion chamber and in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger means is a non-contact heat exchanger for effecting heat transfer without mixing of the combustion air and fuel gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/20; F02M21/00; F02M21/02; F02M21/06; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; F02D; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/06; F02D2200/0606; F02M21/0203; F02M21/0206; F02M21/0209; F02M21/0218; F02M21/0287; F02M21/04; F02M21/047; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An internal combustion engine arrangement comprising: fuel supply means for supplying the fuel gas in a low-temperature liquefied state, combustion air supply means for supplying combustion air at a temperature higher than said fuel gas in said fuel supply means, heat exchange means for effecting heat exchanger between said combustion air and said fuel gas, and conducting means for conducting said combustion air and fuel gas from said heat exchange means to an engine combustion chamber, whereby said combustion air is cooled down prior to combustion by its use as a heat-emitting heat-exchanging medium for preheating the low-temperature liquefied fuel gas, and wherein said heat exchange means is constructed as a carburetor which directly mixes said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas at a position upstream of said combustion chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An internal combustion engine arrangement comprising: fuel supply means for supplying the fuel gas in a low-temperature liquefied state, combustion air supply means for supplying combustion air at a temperature higher than said fuel gas in said fuel supply means, heat exchange means for effecting heat exchanger between said combustion air and said fuel gas, and conducting means for conducting said combustion air and fuel gas from said heat exchange means to an engine combustion chamber, whereby said combustion air is cooled down prior to combustion by its use as a heat-emitting heat-exchanging medium for preheating the low-temperature liquefied fuel gas, and wherein said heat exchange means is constructed as a carburetor which directly mixes said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas at a position upstream of said combustion chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said fuel supply means includes a storage tank for storing said liquefied fuel gas at a temperature of approximately -100°C, and wherein said combustion air supply means includes means for supplying air to said heat exchange means at a temperature of approximately 20°C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said heat exchange means is constructed as a carburetor which directly mixes said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas at a position upstream of said combustion chamber, said fuel supply means further including a fuel line connecting said storage tank to said carburetor so as to supply said liquefied fuel gas to said carburetor at approximately -100°C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is hydrogen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein combustion in said combustion chamber is in accordance with Otto engine operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is methane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is hydrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is maintained in said supply means at temperatures far below the ambient temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is of the type which will vaporize at a temperature far below the ambient temperature at atmospheric pressure, and wherein said combustion air is ambient air.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising: supplying fuel gas in a low-temperature liquefied state, supplying combustion air at a temperature higher than said fuel gas, effecting a heat exchange between said combustion air and said fuel gas to thereby cool said combustion air and heat said fuel gas, and conducting said fuel gas and combustion air after said heat exchange to a combustion chamber of said engine for combustion therein, wherein said step of effecting said heat exchange includes passing both said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas through a mixing carburetor arranged upstream of said engine to thereby mix said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas together preliminary to their conductance to said combustion chamber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising: supplying fuel gas in a low-temperature liquefied state, supplying combustion air at a temperature higher than said fuel gas, effecting a heat exchange between said combustion air and said fuel gas to thereby cool said combustion air and heat said fuel gas, and conducting said fuel gas and combustion air after said heat exchange to a combustion chamber of said engine for combustion therein, wherein said step of effecting said heat exchange includes passing both said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas through a mixing carburetor arranged upstream of said engine to thereby mix said combustion air and liquefied fuel gas together preliminary to their conductance to said combustion chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said fuel gas is supplied at a temperature of approximately -100°C and said combustion air is supplied at a temperature of approximately 20°C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is supplied at a temperature of approximately -100°C and said combustion air is supplied at a temperature of approximately 20°C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein combustion in said combustion chamber is in accordance with Otto engine operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is maintained in said supply means at temperatures far below the ambient temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said liquefied fuel gas is a cryogenic fluid, and wherein said combustion air is ambient air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |