Fuel Preheater and Emission Reducing Device For Diesel and Other Fuel Injected Engines

Abstract

Free heat or scavenged heat from the coolant system or circulating oil from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine supplies heat to a fuel pre-heater causing the liquid fuel to become superheated and partially vaporized. Liquid fuel preferably diesel is converted from a fluid at ambient temperature to a superheated fuel breaking down the hydrocarbons bonds of the fuel (cracking) before being sent directly to the fuel injectors. Water fog may be added to the air intake manifold. Catalysts inside the fuel preheater also aid in breaking down the fuel (cracking). The fuel pre-heater also operates as a coolant/oil filter to remove debris and sludge from the circulating coolant water or circulating crankcase oil of an internal combustion engine. Fuel efficiency has repeatedly been tested to increase 20% or better with highway driving. Exhaust emissions have been tested to show 20% or more reductions in greenhouse gases.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A fuel preheater for diesel fuel injected engines, comprising:
 a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a heat source liquid;   a fuel conduit in the housing and having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet whereby diesel fuel flowing through the conduit is heated by heat source liquid in the housing;   said fuel conduit having a straight portion and a coiled portion; and   a metal ion source formed from a plurality of metals which create a galvanic reaction by the contact of at least two dissimilar metals is positioned within said straight portion of said fuel conduit.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the inlet of the housing is connected to at least one of a source of heated engine coolant and a source of heated crankcase oil. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the fuel inlet is communicated with a source of fuel, and wherein the fuel outlet is communicated with fuel injectors of an engine. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the metal ion source comprises a plurality of metal rods. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of metal rods are positioned in the straight portion. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the straight portion has a larger diameter than the coiled portion. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the conduit comprises a coiled tube. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the coiled tube is a coiled metal tube. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the coiled metal tube is stainless steel. 
     
     
         39 . A fuel preheater system for a diesel fuel injected engine comprising:
 an engine having a plurality of fuel injectors;   a fuel supply comprising a fuel tank, lines feeding said diesel fuel to the engine, and lines recycling unused diesel fuel from the fuel injectors back to the tank;   a preheater comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a heat source liquid; and   a fuel conduit in the housing and having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet whereby the diesel fuel flowing through the conduit is heated by heat source liquid in the housing,   wherein the fuel inlet receives the diesel fuel from the fuel tank and the fuel outlet conveys the diesel fuel to the fuel injectors, wherein said fuel conduit has a straight portion and a coiled portion; and wherein a metal ion source formed from a plurality of metals which create a galvanic reaction caused by the contact of at least two dissimilar metals is positioned within said straight portion of said fuel conduit.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the inlet of the housing is connected to at least one of a source of heated engine coolant, and a source of heated crankcase oil. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the metal ion source comprises a plurality of metal rods. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of metal rods are positioned in the straight portion. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the straight portion has a larger diameter than the coiled portion. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the conduit comprises a coiled tube. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the coiled tube is a coiled metal tube. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the coiled metal tube is stainless steel.