WO1995018935A1

WO1995018935A1 - Fuel hose and apparatus for improving the efficiency of hydrocarbon and synthetic fuel combustion

Info

Publication number: WO1995018935A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Brian Thomas; James Wilson
Original assignee: Powerplus International Corporation Limited; Production Electronics Limited
Priority date: 1994-01-06
Filing date: 1995-01-06
Publication date: 1995-07-13
Also published as: GB9400150D0; AU1324495A

Abstract

A fuel hose (1) for fuel burning equipment comprises a fuel impermeable fuel inert sleeve (2) having an elongate metallic insert (4) within the sleeve such that fuel within the sleeve will contact the insert. The insert is preferably formed of a tin alloy having at least 70 % tin. An inner sleeve portion (6) of braided metal wire is sandwiched between the insert and an outer sleeve portion (8). The hose may be associated with means for providing a magnetic field through which the fuel, in use, is led. Fuel passing through the hose or apparatus of the invention is given enhanced combustion properties.

Description

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FUEL HOSE & APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF HYDROCARBON AND SYNTHETIC FUEL COMBUSTION

The present invention relates to a fuel hose or line for an internal or external combustion engine, or other fuel-burning equipment, and its application in an apparatus to improve the combustion efficiency of an internal or external combustion engine or other fuel-burning equipment. Several methods have been used in an attempt to improve the efficiency of the combustion of hydrocarbon fuel. The use of a fuel additive made from a formulation of metals including tin and/or lead typically improves the efficiency of combustion by about 3%. The use of a magnet, or a plurality of magnets, installed outside a fuel line near to the point of combustion has been shown to give an improvement of about 1% in the combustion efficiency.

Fuel additives may be provided by forming a mesh, rod, plate, ball, tube or lump of, for example, tin alloy, which is placed, individually or in a plurality, inside a steel container inside a fuel tank. If the fuel tan is made of steel, the steel container may be omitted.

It is also known to provide fuel additive in the form of a number of cones of tin alloy held within a cartridge, one end of the cartridge being joined to a conventional fuel line leading from the fuel storage tank and the other end joined to a conventional fuel line leading to the combustion chamber. Fuel passes through the cartridge on its way to the combustion chamber. European Patent Application EP-A-0399801 discloses such a cartridge in the form of a steel cylinder whose ends are closed, apart from an inlet and an outlet for attachment to a fuel line. The cylinder houses a fuel additive in the form of a plurality of single identical solid members of tin alloy disposed in a magnetic field which is provided by a permanent ferrite magnetic member. The fuel additive is located within the magnetic field of the magnet. Such a cartridge is fitted into an existing fuel line, but is somewhat inconvenient to fit and relative expensive to produce. The present invention in its various aspects is defined in the independent claims appended hereto. Advantageous features are defined in the appendant claims . As an example of the present invention there is provided a fuel hose for fuel burning equipment, the fuel hose comprising a fuel impermeable fuel inert sleeve having an elongate metallic insert within the sleeve such that fuel within the sleeve will contact the insert. The insert is formed of a tin alloy. The alloy is in the form of a helically wound wire. An inner sleeve portion of braided metal wire is sandwiched between the insert and an outer sleeve portion. The insert and inner sleeve portion extend continuously along the length of the outer sleeve portion to provide a flexible hose. The hose may be associated with means for providing a magnetic field through which the fuel, in use, is passed. Fuel passing through the hose or apparatus of the invention is given enhanced combustion properties .

Although the effect of the material of the insert has not been conclusively determined, it is thought to act as a catalyst in the combustion process.

The fuel hose or apparatus of the present invention is suitable for use with an internal combustion engine burning hydrocarbon fuel from natural sources. It may also be used for any fuel burning equipment having either an internal or an external combustion engine. For example, it may be used with a boiler. The hose or apparatus of present invention is also suitable for equipment which burns synthetic fuel.

The alloy preferably comprises at least 70% tin, although alloys of other metals such as lead, copper or zinc or a combination of such alloys may be used. Other alloys having the essential catalytic effect on the combustion of the fuel would be suitable. A suitable tin alloy from which the insert is formed comprises :

Metal Amount, % by weight

Tin 70% to 75%

Antimony 15% to 25%

Lead 1% to 2% Mercury 4% to 10%

Silver 0.25% to 5%

Copper 0.25% to 1.5%

The surface of the insert is preferably fully or partially oxidised.

The insert is preferably of helical construction formed by winding a wire or a flat strip. It may, however, be in the form of a mesh, gauze, tube, coil, longitudinal or radial configured strips, longitudinal or radial configured wires, woven braid, interlocked strands, strips or regular or irregular lumps. The insert may be a single or multi- layered construction. It may be formed of more than one metal, for example, the alloy may be used in combination with a ferrous material. Alternatively, more than one alloy may be used. One or more inserts may be employed of the same or different construction. Each may extend only partway along the fuel line.

Similarly the construction of the inner sleeve is not limited to braided metal wire. It may be formed by braiding or weaving wire or strips of metal. Suitable metal materials are ferrous materials and tin alloys. Alloys having a catalytic effect on the combustion of fuel may also be used. The inner sleeve may be formed of the same material as the insert. The insert may be provided by the inner sleeve alone.

The fuel hose and apparatus of the invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is an exploded cut away view of a fuel hose embodying the first aspect of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a cut away view of an apparatus for improving the combustion efficiency of fuel embodying a second aspect of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, this shows a short length of a fuel hose 1 for an internal combustion engine. The fuel hose comprises a fuel impermeable fuel inert sleeve 2 and an elongate metallic insert 4 within the sleeve such that fuel within the sleeve— ill contact the insert. The hose is flexible and sufficiently pressure resistant for its respective application. The dimensions of the hose are such that hydrocarbon fuel may be hydraulically conveyed to a dispensing or metering device of an internal combustion engine from a fuel storage tank. One end of the hose is intended for attachment to the fuel storage tank, the other to the dispensing or metering device of the engine.

The insert is formed of a wire of tin-based alloy which has been wound into a helical coil, each turn of the coil being separate and preferably equidistant from the adjacent turn. This surface of the wire is oxidised. The insert extends continuously along the length of the sleeve.

The alloy has the following composition, aside from impurities : tin 70% - 75%; antimony 15% - 25%; lead 1% - 2%; mercury 4% - 10%; silver 0.25% - 5%; and copper 0.25% -1.5%.

The sleeve 2 comprises an inner sleeve portion 6 of braided ferrous wire disposed around the insert. The inner sleeve portion extends continuously along the length of an outer sleeve portion 8. The wire of the inner sleeve portion is more cathodic than the alloy used to form the insert. The wire of the insert has a catalytic effect on the fuel, promoted by the braided ferrous wire of the inner sleeve portion. The outer sleeve portion 8 is formed of material which is impermeable and inert to the fuel which passes through the hose in use. It is also abrasive-resistant. In the illustrated embodiment it is made of synthetic rubber- compound. In use, fuel from the storage tank enters one end of the hose and contacts the insert as it passes through the hose. The fuel percolates through the spaces between the insert and the inner sleeve portion. The fuel comes into contact thus with the relatively large surface area of the insert and any oxides from the surface of the alloy become dispersed in the fuel. Vibration of the hose transmitted from, for example, tremulous operation of the engine, enhances this effect and assists in distributing these oxide particles evenly throughout the fuel stream.

Referring to Fig. 2, an apparatus for improving the combustion efficiency of fuel comprises a fuel hose 1 as described above, one end of which is coupled to a ferrous case 10 housing a permanent magnet or a number of magnets 12. The magnet or magnets are made of suitable ceramics or ferrous materials. The case has a fuel inlet 14 and a fuel outlet 16, the outlet being coupled, in use, to the fuel dispensing device or fuel metering device of the engine, usually via a short length of fuel hose.

Fuel passing into the apparatus along the hose enters the case and is subjected to a magnetic field. The ferrous case contains the field and prevents the fuel within the hose upstream being influenced by the field. The magnet (or magnets) is constructed of suitable ferrous or ceramic material and has dimensions, configuration and/or orientation to allow a high resistance to demagnetisation so that sufficient induction is available to provide an induction permeability having a sufficiently powerful magnetic field to effect the fuel within the apparatus. The induction permeability preferably has an inward orientation.

The permanent magnet may, alternatively, be made of an alloy, such as mumetal, which allows a very much more permeable induction through a material.

Alternatively, fuel passing to the engine may be subjected to a magnetic field provided by a magnet or magnets within or around that end of the hose which is, in use, nearest to the engine. The means for providing a magnetic field may be one or more electromagnets, excited by applying either an A/C or D/C electrical supply to them and/or an electromagnetic field.

Fuel passing through the hose or apparatus of the present invention is given enhanced combustion properties and burns with a more complete combustion. The increased combustion efficiency provides more power per unit of fuel. If disposed in a vehicle, the improved torque leads to a greater responsiveness "and an increased acceleration. Fewer - O - gear changes are necessary which has direct benefit for the driver, noticeably reducing driver fatigue.

The enhanced combustion efficiency reduces sooty carbon deposit, known as coking, which results in a cleaner engine. The lifetime of lubricating oil and oil filters associated with the engine is increased. A reduction in the maintenance required to run the engine leads to lower running costs.

The fuel hose and apparatus of the present invention have environmental advantages; an improved combustion efficiency reduces the amount of unburnt hydrocarbon in the exhaust gases and harmful partial combustion products such as carbon monoxide .

Due to the reduction in exhaust gas constituents, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and particulates entering a catalytic convertor or particulate trap, when such are fitted, the life expectancy of such catalytic convertor or particulate trap may be extended.

A suitable length of fuel hose of the invention may be cut to replace the entire fuel line of a conventional engine and is simple to fit. No modification of an existing fuel line by the insertion of a cartridge is necessary.

The invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing example or examples.

Claims

1. A fuel hose (1) for fuel burning equipment comprising a fuel impermeable fuel inert sleeve (2) and at least one elongate metallic insert (4) within the sleeve such that fuel within the sleeve will contact the insert.

2. A fuel hose according to claim 1 in which the insert (4) is formed of a tin alloy.

3. A fuel hose according to claim 1 or 2 in which the insert extends within the sleeve substantially continuously along the length of the hose.

4. A fuel hose according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the construction of the sleeve and insert is such that the fuel hose is flexible.

5. A fuel hose according to any preceding claim in which the insert is hollow.

6. A fuel hose according to any preceding claim in which the insert is helical.

7. A fuel hose according to any preceding claim having an outer sleeve portion (8) and an inner sleeve portion (6) , the inner sleeve portion being sandwiched between the insert and the outer sleeve portion and being formed of a ferrous material .

8. A fuel hose according to claim 7 in which the inner sleeve portion (6) is formed of a braided metal wire.

9. An apparatus for improving the combustion efficiency of fuel comprising a fuel hose (1) according to any preceding claim associated with means for providing a magnetic field through which, in use, fuel will be passed.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the means for providing a magnetic field comprises at least one permanent magnet (12) enclosed in a ferrous case (10) disposed at one end of the fuel hose.

11. A fuel line for fuel burning equipment comprising at least one metallic insert (4) extending within the line and substantially continuously along the line, the insert being of helical construction.

12. An apparatus for improving the combustion efficiency of fuel comprising a fuel line according to claim 11 associated with means for providing a magnetic field through which, in use, fuel will be passed.

13. An internal or external combustion engine, having a fuel line comprising an insert (4) extending within the line and substantially continuously along the line, the insert being formed of tin alloy.

14. A fuel hose substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus for improving the combustion efficiency of fuel substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings .