Flexible fuel generator and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, includes: a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder, a primary fuel tank fluidly connected to the cylinder, an air intake path fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder, a start module including a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, where the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path, a coolant path which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and a thermal controller along the coolant path. Furthermore, the engine has full cylinder cooling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable flexible fuel generator, having an engine, comprising:
 (1) a cylinder, and a spark plug in the cylinder,   (2) a primary fuel tank, fluidly connected to the cylinder,   (3) an air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder,   (4) a start module, comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the starting fuel line is fluidly connected to the air intake path,   (5) a coolant path, which provide a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder, and   (6) a thermal controller, along the coolant path,   wherein the engine has full cylinder cooling.   
     
     
         2 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein the generator is air-cooled. 
     
     
         3 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:1. 
     
     
         4 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein the generator does not include a battery. 
     
     
         5 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         6 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing. 
     
     
         7 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line. 
     
     
         8 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a starting fuel dispenser, fluidly connecting the starting fuel tank to the starting fuel line. 
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein the starting fuel tank contains a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein an air filter is present along the air intake path, and the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder. 
     
     
         15 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,   the thermal controller is a thermal door, and   the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.   
     
     
         16 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The portable flexible fuel generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a generator housing enclosing the cylinder, wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing, and
 wherein the generator is air-cooled,   the cylinder has a compression ratio greater than 8:1,   the cylinder comprises aluminum,   the generator does not include a battery,   the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure,   an air filter is present along the air intake path,   the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder,   the coolant path has an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator,   the thermal controller is a thermal door, and   the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of generating electricity with a generator, the generator having an engine comprising a cylinder and a spark plug, the method comprising:
 operating the engine in the isothermal range of 120-180° C., and   fueling the engine with a running fuel comprising a heavy fuel.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the heavy fuel is diesel fuel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with a gaseous low-flashpoint fuel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising starting the engine while fueling the engine with a starting fuel comprising a low-boiling point low-flashpoint fuel. 
     
     
         25 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of making a portable flexible fuel generator, comprising modifying a portable gasoline generator,
 wherein the modifying comprises:   adding a starting module comprising a starting fuel tank holder and a starting fuel line, wherein the stating fuel line is fluidly connected to an air intake path of the portable gasoline generator,   adding a thermal door, along the coolant path of the portable gasoline generator, and   retarding the spark plug ignition timing.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the portable gasoline generator is air cooled, has a compression ratio of greater than 8:1, does not include a battery for starting the generator, and a cylinder of the generator comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         33 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the modifying further comprises adding a starting fuel tank, fluidly connected to the starting fuel line, and
 the starting fuel tank comprises pressurized diethyl ether.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the portable gasoline generator has a compression ratio greater than 8:1, uses fixed timing, and has a 4 cycle, 50 cc engine, and   the portable gasoline generator comprises:
 a generator housing, 
 an air filter along an air intake path which supplied air for combustion of fuel, and 
 a coolant path having an entrance for air to enter the generator and an exit for air to exit the generator, 
   wherein the start module is attached to the generator housing,   the start module further comprises a starting fuel enclosure, the starting fuel enclosure comprises a starting fuel button access and starting fuel button cover,   the starting fuel line is connected to the air intake path between the air filter and the cylinder, and   the thermal door is at the exit of the coolant path.   
     
     
         41 - 45 . (canceled)