US6119637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On-board gasoline distillation for reduced hydrocarbon emissions at start-up
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1999-07-06
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Granted: 2000-09-19
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Expires: 2019-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A gasoline distillation apparatus (12) for an engine (14) includes a heated vapor separator (22), a condenser (24), and a controller (28). The heated vapor separator (22) partially vaporizes the engine's primary fuel (16) to generate a fuel vapor (44). The condenser (24) cools the fuel vapor (44) to produce a liquid secondary fuel (18) that is more volatile than the primary fuel (16). The controller (28) determines when the engine (14) is supplied with either primary (16) or secondary fuel (18). The secondary fuel (18) is used only during an initial engine operation period, while the primary fuel (16) is used all other times. After engine operation, the primary fuel (16) is purged from the engine (14) and replaced with the secondary fuel (18) to maximize secondary fuel (18) use during the initial engine operation period.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Matthews
- 👤 Rudolf H. Stanglmaier
- 👤 George Carver Davis
- 👤 Wengang Dai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:56
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M1/00; F02M1/16; F02M1/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A gasoline distillation apparatus for an engine, said engine having a fuel intake, coolant, a primary fuel tank for storing a supply of primary fuel and a fuel transfer means including a fuel pump and a supply fuel line connecting the primary fuel tank with said engine for transferring the primary fuel to said engine, said gasoline distillation apparatus comprising: a heated vapor separator for partially vaporizing said primary fuel to separate fuel vapor from said primary fuel; a condenser for condensing said fuel vapor into a secondary fuel; and a controller for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to said engine, said controller, during a post engine operation period, purging primary fuel from said engine and filling said supply fuel line with secondary fuel before a next engine operation period, whereby said supply fuel line does not have to be filled when said engine is restarted, and said controller, during an initial engine operation period, supplying secondary fuel to said engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A gasoline distillation apparatus for an engine, said engine having a fuel intake, coolant, a primary fuel tank for storing a supply of primary fuel and a fuel transfer means including a fuel pump and a supply fuel line connecting the primary fuel tank with said engine for transferring the primary fuel to said engine, said gasoline distillation apparatus comprising: a heated vapor separator for partially vaporizing said primary fuel to separate fuel vapor from said primary fuel; a condenser for condensing said fuel vapor into a secondary fuel; and a controller for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to said engine, said controller, during a post engine operation period, purging primary fuel from said engine and filling said supply fuel line with secondary fuel before a next engine operation period, whereby said supply fuel line does not have to be filled when said engine is restarted, and said controller, during an initial engine operation period, supplying secondary fuel to said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a secondary fuel tank wherein said secondary fuel is stored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising a vent in said secondary fuel tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said secondary fuel tank is connected to and in communication with said primary fuel tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said vapor separator is heated to a temperature between 60° Celsius and 95° Celsius through heat exchange with said coolant from said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said vapor separator is positioned in close proximity to said engine such that said vapor separator is heated to a temperature between 60° Celsius and 80° Celsius through heat exchange from said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one fuel injector mounted on said engine and in liquid communication with said supply fuel line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an overflow fuel line, said overflow fuel line supplying primary fuel to said vapor separator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a secondary fuel return line and a secondary fuel tank, said secondary fuel return line connecting said vapor separator in liquid flow communication with said secondary fuel tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said initial engine operating period is in the range from 30 to 120 seconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said post engine operation period begins when the temperature of said coolant is less then approximately 45° Celsius.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of reducing hydrocarbon emissions in the exhaust gas discharged from an engine having coolant and fueled by a primary fuel, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a portion of said primary fuel to a vapor separator; distilling said primary fuel to generate a secondary fuel; supplying said secondary fuel to said engine as part of a first fuel/air mixture during an initial engine operation period; terminating the supply of said secondary fuel to said engine after said initial engine operation period; supplying said primary fuel to said engine through a supply fuel line from a primary fuel tank as part of a second fuel/air mixture after said initial engine start-up period; purging said primary fuel from said supply fuel line during a post engine operation period; and filling said supply fuel line with said secondary fuel during said post engine operation period before a next engine operation period, whereby said supply fuel line does not have to be filled when said engine is restarted.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of reducing hydrocarbon emissions in the exhaust gas discharged from an engine having coolant and fueled by a primary fuel, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a portion of said primary fuel to a vapor separator; distilling said primary fuel to generate a secondary fuel; supplying said secondary fuel to said engine as part of a first fuel/air mixture during an initial engine operation period; terminating the supply of said secondary fuel to said engine after said initial engine operation period; supplying said primary fuel to said engine through a supply fuel line from a primary fuel tank as part of a second fuel/air mixture after said initial engine start-up period; purging said primary fuel from said supply fuel line during a post engine operation period; and filling said supply fuel line with said secondary fuel during said post engine operation period before a next engine operation period, whereby said supply fuel line does not have to be filled when said engine is restarted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of storing said secondary fuel in a secondary fuel tank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of venting said secondary fuel tank.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of heating said primary fuel comprises heating said primary fuel to a temperature between 60° Celsius and 95° Celsius through heat exchange with engine coolant from said engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of heating said primary fuel comprises heating said primary fuel to a temperature between 60° Celsius and 80° Celsius through heat exchange from proximity with said engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said secondary fuel is supplied to said engine by said supply fuel line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said primary fuel is supplied to said vapor separator by an overflow fuel line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said post engine operation period initiates when the temperature of said coolant in said engine is less than about 45° Celsius.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said initial engine operation period ranges between 30 to 120 seconds.
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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) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |