FUEL CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR IONIZING HYDROCARBON FUEL IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

DISPOSITIF DE CONDITIONNEMENT DE CARBURANT PAR IONISATION DU CARBURANT HYDROCARBURE DANS UN MOTEUR A COMBUSTION INTERNE

English Abstract

A fuel conditioning device (15) for securement to a fuel line (12) of an
internal combustion engine (13) which ionizes hydrocarbon
fuel (19) flowing in the fuel line to increase combustion efficiency. The
device (15) has a housing (16) in which is encapsulated a d.c. supply
voltage conditioning circuit (21) and an astable oscillator integrated circuit
(23). A pulse forming circuit (22) controls the perimeters of the
oscillator and has a charging capacitor (27) connected in series with two
resistances (25, 26). The resistances (25, 26) have predetermined
values to fix the charging of the capacitor (27) such that when the charge on
the capacitor reaches a reference voltage (Vcc) in the oscillator
circuit, it discharges through a pair of wire coils (17, 17') which are coiled
about the fuel line (12) or by to produce a varying magnetic
field about the fuel line which is concentrated to ionize the fuel particles
(19') thereby improving combustion and fuel efficiency.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif (15) de conditionnement de carburant destiné à être fixé sur un conduit (12) de carburant d'un moteur à combustion interne (13) ionisant le carburant hydrocarbure (19) s'écoulant dans le conduit de carburant afin d'améliorer le rendement de la combustion. Le dispositif (15) comprend un logement (16) dans lequel est encapsulé un circuit (21) de conditionnement de tension d'alimentation cc ainsi qu'un circuit intégré (23) à oscillateur astable. Un circuit (22) conformateur d'impulsions commande les périmètres de l'oscillateur et présente un condensateur de charge (27) connecté en série à deux résistances (25, 26). Les résistances (25, 26) présentent des valeurs prédéterminées pour fixer la charge du condensateur (27) de sorte que lorsque la charge du condensateur atteint une tension de référence (Vcc) dans le circuit oscillateur, il se décharge par une paire de bobines de fil (17, 17') lesquelles sont enroulées autour du conduit (12) de carburant afin de produire un champ magnétique variable autour du conduit de carburant, lequel est concentré pour ioniser les particules (19') de carburant améliorant ainsi le rendement de combustion et du carburant.

Claims

9
Claims:
1. A fuel conditioning device for securement to a fuel
line of an internal combustion engine to ionize
hydrocarbon fuel flowing in said fuel line to improve
combustion efficiency, said device comprising a housing
having a d.c. supply voltage conditioning circuit for
feeding an astable oscillator integrated circuit housed
in said housing, a pulse forming circuit to control the
parameters of said oscillator integrated circuit, said
pulse forming circuit charging a capacitor connected in
series with a first and a second resistance, said
series connection of said charging capacitor and said
first and second resistance being connected across said
d.c. supply voltage, said resistances having
predetermined values to fix the charging time of said
charging capacitor, said oscillator integrated circuit
having a reference voltage connection to which said
d.c. supply voltage is connected to provide a reference
voltage, a pair of thermally insulated antenna cables
connected to an output of said oscillator integrated
circuit, said charging capacitor discharging into said
antenna cables when its charge equals said reference
voltage whereby to produce a varying magnetic field
about said fuel line when said cables are coiled about
said fuel line.
2. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 1
wherein said d.c. supply voltage conditioning circuit
includes a filtering capacitor to filter and stabilize

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said d.c. supply voltage and a protection device to
maintain a constant polarity of said supply voltage.
3. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 2
wherein said conditioning circuit further comprises a
voltage indicator circuit comprised of a pair of
light emitting diodes connected in series with a
current limiting resistance to indicate the operating
status of said oscillator circuit.
4. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 3
wherein said astable oscillator circuit is an LM555
integrated circuit controlled by said first and
second resistance, and a pair of capacitors one of
which is said charging capacitor to make it oscillate
in an astable mode,
5. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 1
wherein said oscillator integrated circuit produces a
square wave output pulsating voltage oscillating at a
frequency of 5,600 Hz, said pulsating voltage having
a 50% pulse cycle with a maximum voltage of 12 volts.
6. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 1
wherein said antenna cables are multi-strand cables,
each said cables being coiled about said fuel line to
provide a concentrated pulsating magnetic field, said
coils each having twenty turns, and means to fix said
coils to said fuel line.

11
7. A fuel-conditioning device as claimed in claim 6
wherein said means to fix said coils to said fuel line
is comprised by adhesive tape.
8. A fuel-conditioning device as claimed in claim 6
wherein said conditioning circuit and oscillator
circuit are encapsulated in said housing.
9. A fuel-conditioning device as claimed in claim 6
wherein said housing is secured to said fuel line by
securement means.
10. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 9
wherein said securement means is a tie wrap.
11. A fuel-conditioning device as claimed in claim 1
wherein said d.c. supply voltage is provided by a 12
volt d.c. automotive battery.
12. A fuel conditioning device as claimed in claim 1
wherein said pulsating output voltage has the
following pulse characteristics;
i) for gas 4.40 khz with an amplitude of 9.55v
ii) for orange diesel 5.30 khz with an amplitude of
10.40v
iii) for red diesel 9.30 khz with an amplitude of
10.80v.

Description

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FUEL CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR IONIZING HYDROCARBON FUEL
IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a fuel conditioning
device for securement to a fuel line of an internal
combustion engine whereby to ionize hydrocarbon fuel flowing
in the fuel line. The fuel conditioning circuit is mounted
in a housing which is attached to the fuel line together
with two coiled antennas which have a predetermined number
of turns wherein a pulsating magnetic field, at a
predetermined frequency, is produced to achieve optimum
ionization of the fuel flowing in the gas line prior to
ignition.
BACKGROUND ART
Various devices have been developed in the pass to
improve fuel efficiency. It is also known that by ionizing
the fuel combustion efficiency is achieved and thus
improving fuel economy. This may be achieved by using a
rubber fuel line with a magnet attached to it and oriented a
certain way to focus a magnetic field on the flowing fuel.
Such a method and apparatus is disclosed in US Patents
5,080,080 and 5,271,369. US Patent 4,572,145 also describes
a magnetic device using a magnet which is embedded in a U-
shaped body of non-magnetic material and which fits over the
fuel line.
A disadvantage of such prior art is that the rubber
fuel line will be subjected to deterioration due to varying
temperature and humid conditions. Also, to install the line
it is necessary to cut the existing fuel line. This could
cause leakage and bring about serious consequences if the
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fuel was to leak on the hot engine during operation.
Accordingly, it is difficult to obtain certification of such
systems. Such known systems also do not appreciably achieve
fuel economy. Most known systems are difficult to install
and can cause interference with onboard computers or other
such electronic devices when using magnets.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a
fuel-conditioning device, which overcomes the disadvantages
of the known prior art.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide
a fuel-conditioning device, which is easy to install.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide
a fuel conditioning device which is compact and which
attaches directly to the fuel line without having to modify
the fuel line.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide
a fuel-conditioning device, which does not interfere with
electronic devices of an automotive vehicle.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide
a fuel-conditioning device which attaches directly to the
fuel line of an internal combustion engine and which can
provide a fuel economy in the range of 10 to 18~.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide
a fuel conditioning device which secures directly to the
fuel line of an internal combustion engine whether the
engine is operated with gas or diesel fuel
According to the above features, from a broad aspect,
the present invention provides a fuel conditioning device
for securement to a fuel line of an internal combustion
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engine to ionize hydrocarbon fuel flowing in the fuel line
to increase combustion efficiency. The device comprises a
housing having a d.c. supply voltage-conditioning circuit
for feeding an astable oscillator integrated circuit. A
pulse forming circuit controls the parameters of the
oscillator integrated circuit. The pulse forming circuit
charges a capacitor connected in series with a ffirst and a
second resistance. The series connection of the charging
capacitor, the first and second resistance are connected
across the d.c. supply voltage of the circuit. The
resistances have a predetermined value to fix the charging
time of the charging capacitor. The oscillator integrated
circuit has a reference voltage connection to which the d.c.
supply voltage is connected whereby to provide a reference
voltage. A pair of thermally insulated antenna cables are
connected to an output of the oscillator integrated circuit.
The charging capacitor discharges into the antenna cables
when its charge equals the reference voltage whereby to
produce a varying magnetic field about the fuel line when
the cables are coiled about such fuel line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified view illustrating the fuel
supply line of an automotive vehicle in relation to the
engine of the vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a simplified view illustrating how the fuel
conditioning device of the present invention is secured to
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the gas line together with its coiled antennas and the
connection of the device to the battery of the vehicle; and
FIG 3. is a schematic circuit diagram of the voltage
conditioning circuit and the astable oscillator integrated
circuit feeding the coil antennas.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly
to Figure 1, there is shown an automotive vehicle 10 having
a gas tank 11 and a fuel line 12 supplying gas to the
internal combustion engine 13. A battery 14, which is
utilized for the electrics of the vehicle also, supplies
the operating voltage of the fuel-conditioning device of
the present invention. The fuel-conditioning device of the
present invention is secured within the zone 15 of the fuel
line 12 in a selected area not to interfere with onboard
electronic devices of the automotive vehicle l0.
With reference now to Figure 2, there is shown at 15
the fuel-conditioning device of the present invention.
Essentially, it consists of a housing 16 in which the
electronic components are encapsulated and a pair of antenna
wires 17 and 17' which are wound or coiled respectively
about the fuel line 12. The wound or coiled antenna wires
17 and 17' are attached to the fuel line 12 by electric
adhesive tape 18. The d.c. 12v battery 14 of the automotive
vehicle 10 supplies voltage to the circuit which is sucured
within the housing 16. As hereinshown fuel 19 flows within
the fuel line 12 in the direction of arrow 20 and when it
exits the outlet of the second coiled antenna 17' it has
been ionized, that is to saw, its particles 19' have been
fractioned whereby enhancing the combustion of the gas.
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Referring now additionally to Figure 3, there will be
described the electronic circuitry which produces a varying
magnetic field within the antenna coils 17 and 17'.
As hereinshown the electronic circuit comprises a d.c.
5 supply voltage conditioning circuit 21 and a pulse forming
circuit 22. A frequency generator is provided by an
oscillator integrated circuit 23. A visual indicating
circuit 24 is also provided to indicate the operation of the
device.
The heart of the system is the astable oscillator 23
which is provided by an 'L.M. 555 integrated circuit. Its
parameters are controlled by a pair of resistances 25 and 26
and a pair of capacitors 27 and 28. The capacitance 27 is a
charging capacitor, which sets the pulsating frequency of
the magnetic field produced in the coiled antenna 17 and
17'. With the oscillator circuit operating in the astable
mode this assures that the oscillator produces a stable
frequency pulsed signal. This pulsating signal is indicated
at 29 and as can be seen it produces a square wave pulse
having a cycle wherein the pulse occupies 50% of the cycle
time and this is controlled by the charging capacitor in the
two resistances 25 and 26. This pulsating signal is
produced at the output 30 of the oscillator integrated
circuit 23 and to which the coils are connected.
The frequency of the output signal 29 is set at 5600HZ.
This frequency is adjusted by the resistances R1 and R2
which are 56 kohm and 5.1 kohm respectively and as well as
the capacitance 27 which has a value of 0.0022 ~f. The
pulsating signal 29 at the output 30 of the oscillator is
generated by the charge and discharge of the capacitance 27.
The charging time of the pulse is adjusted by the values of
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the resistances 25 and 26. The voltage supply line is
connected to the battery 14 and is applied across the series
connection of the resistances 25, 26 and the capacitor 27.
This supply charges the capacitor during a time period of
93,153 micro seconds. The discharge of the capacitor occurs
when the voltage charge on the capacitor 27 is equal to a
reference voltage Vcc which is also the 12v supply voltage
connected to the terminal 32 of the oscillator circuit 23.
When the charge on the capacitor 27 reaches this reference
voltage then the capacitor discharges into the resistance 26
and is applied at the output 30. The discharge time is
85,378 micro seconds. By adding the charging time with the
discharge time we obtain the total cycle time which is
178,531 micro seconds. Accordingly, the output signal is at
a frequency of 5, 600 HZ.
The battery 14 is connected to a connector 33 and a
protection diode 34 prevents accidental inversion of the
polarity of the supply voltage. The diode 34 conducts only
when the supply voltage is positive. A protection fuse 31
protects the circuit. The capacitor 35 forms part of the
conditioning circuit and it acts as a filter and stabilizer
for the supply voltage.
The light emitting diodes 36 and 37 together with the
series connected limiting resistance 38 forms the visual
indicating circuit 24. They indicate the proper functioning
of the device. This series connection is applied between
the 12v supply line 39 and ground 40. The first light
emitting diode 36 has in internal circuit which make it
flash approximately twice a second. The second diode 37
only lights when the first diode is "on" and will cause the
current to flow thereto. The resistor 38 limits the current
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to approximately 12 milliamps. The light emitting diodes
therefore light simultaneously depending on the speed of the
first diode 36. Therefore, when the supply voltage is
present both LEDs will flash. The oscillator integrated
circuit is thus fed a supply voltage and it produces a
square wave 12v signal at a frequency of 5, 600 HZ with the
pulse cycle time fixed at 50~.
For proper operation of the fuel-conditioning device,
it is important that each of the coil wires 17 and 17~ be
wound about the fuel line 12 with each having 20 turns. Any
excess wire can then be cut off. The wire is also
preferably a mufti-strand wire capable of being deformed.
Although these coiled antannas, when taped about the fuel
line provide support for the housing 16, a tie wrap 41 as
shown in Figure 2, may be secured about the fuel line 12 and
an eyelet 42 provided on the outer wall 43 of the housing
16. The electronic circuitry within the housing is also
protected by an encapsulated epoxy.
For optimum fuel efficiency it has been found, that
with different types of fuel used, the pulsating magnetic
field should preferably have the following parameters. It
has been found that for a standard type gas internal
combustion engine, the pulsating magnetic field should have
a frequency of 4.40 HZ and a peak voltage of 9.55v. When
orange diesel fuel is utilized the pulsating magnetic field
should have a frequency of 5.30 and a peak voltage of 10.40.
This has been found to be most efficient. When the diesel
fuel is a red fuel it has been found that the frequency
should be increased to 9.30 HZ with the voltage set at
10.80. These settings, as previously described, are set by
the values of the resistances 25 and 26. Resistance 44
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connected to the output line 30~ sets the peak voltage. As
illustrated in Figure 3 the voltage pulses can be set
between Ov to +12v.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to
cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodiment
described herein, provided such modifications fall within
the scope of the appended claims.
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Representative Drawing