Patent US2623901A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5437250A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5437250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1994-02-15
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Granted: 1995-08-01
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Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract Rotary power system. The system includes a source of hydrocarbon fuel which is supplied to a plasmatron which reforms the fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine is connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron. The engine powers an electrical generator and the generated electricity is connected to the plasmatron. In one embodiment, the engine also receives hydrocarbon fuel along with the hydrogen rich gas. The combination of plasmatron and internal combustion engine results in lowered exhaust emissions. The plasmatron may include water plasmatrons and partial oxidation plasmatrons.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Rabinovich
- 👤 Daniel R. Cohn
- 👤 Leslie Bromberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:11
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B43/00; F02B43/10; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/10; F02M25/12; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B2043/106; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S123/00; Y10S123/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron: and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron wherein the plasmatron is a partial oxidation plasmatron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron: and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron wherein the plasmatron is a partial oxidation plasmatron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the partial oxidation plasmatron is vortex and magnetically stabilized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the partial oxidation plasmatron includes a concentric electrode design.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the plasmatron includes a cathode made from a material selected from the group consisting of Zr and Hf.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron, the system further including a heat exchanger for receiving gases released from the plasmatron and for preheating air introduced into the plasmatron,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron, the system further including a heat exchanger for receiving gases released from the plasmatron and for preheating air introduced into the plasmatron,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to the plasmatron further including a battery for start up and transient operation of the plasmatron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to the plasmatron further including a battery for start up and transient operation of the plasmatron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel: a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron further including an additional on-board means for production of hydrogen-rich gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel: a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron further including an additional on-board means for production of hydrogen-rich gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a compact plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron further including a heat exchanger for receiving gases released from the plasmatron and for preheating water introduced into the plasmatron.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a compact plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to power the plasmatron further including a heat exchanger for receiving gases released from the plasmatron and for preheating water introduced into the plasmatron.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to the plasmatron, the system further including an additional storage source of hydrogen-rich gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
Rotary power system comprising: a source of hydrocarbon fuel; a plasmatron for receiving the hydrocarbon fuel and reforming it into a hydrogen-rich gas; an internal combustion engine adapted to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron; and a generator powered by the engine and connected to deliver electrical energy to the plasmatron, the system further including an additional storage source of hydrogen-rich gas.
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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) | 1998-07-31 | 1999-01-30 | 1999-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-31 | 2003-01-30 | 2003-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-31 | 2007-01-30 | 2007-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |