Device for magnetic actuation of fuels used in internal combustion engines, turbines and boilers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetic device with crossed magnetic fields for the magnetic actuation of fuels, applicable in various industrial sectors, including the automotive sector, and more specifically to the field of internal combustion engines. This device provides the advantage of reducing fuel consumption and reducing emissions of polluting gases in engines, turbines, boilers and related systems. The magnetic actuation device (DAM); a direct-contact magnetic actuation device (DAM-CD) and a linear magnetic actuation device (DAM-L) comprise a central tube (1); a plurality of horizontal-pole magnets (2) and vertical-pole magnets (3) arranged alternately around the central tube (1); and a casing (8) surrounding the central tube (1). The invention also relates to an alternative model in which the magnets (2) and (3) are in direct contact with the fuel.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] This patent application refers to three different types of magnetic devices with crossed magnetic fields for the magnetic activation of fuels, applied in various industrial sectors, including the automotive sector, more specifically in the area of ​​internal combustion engines. The proposed device uses a magnetic field to optimize combustion processes, offering the advantages of reducing fuel consumption and reducing the emission of polluting gases in engines, turbines, and boilers. The devices are designed in two typologies where the magnets are, or are not, in direct contact with the fuels.

[0004] Fundamentals of the invention

[0005] Magnetic fluid activation is a technique that uses magnetic fields to modify the properties of a fluid, generally with the goal of improving its performance in various applications. When a fluid is exposed to a magnetic field, the field can influence the fluid's structure and properties, such as its viscosity and fluidity. The exact way the magnetic field affects the fluid can depend on several factors, including the nature of the fluid and the intensity of the magnetic field.

[0006] As is known in technical circles, the Lorentz force is the force that electric and magnetic fields exert on electrically charged particles. The intensity of this force depends on the velocity vectors of the flux, the intensity of the magnetic field, and the angle between these two vectors, being maximized when these vectors are mutually perpendicular.

[0007] Magnetic activation of fuels is a topic that has been explored more recently, with experimental work revealing that fuels, such as diesel oil, gasoline, and kerosene, have their physical properties altered when subjected to magnetic activation. These alterations include a reduction in viscosity and polarization, which allows for improved engine performance and reduced pollutant emissions.

[0008] In 2010, researchers Farrag A.E1 Fattih published the article “Effect of Fuel Magnetism on Engine Performance and Emissions” (Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences). In this article, an experiment was conducted where permanent magnets were mounted on the fuel inlets of an internal combustion engine, where fuel savings of up to 15% and a reduction of up to 30% in NO emissions were observed. Years later, in 2017, researchers DKDond and NPGulhane published the article “Experimental Investigations on Fuel Properties Under the Influence of Magnetic Field” (International Journal of Engineering Research and Technologies Vol 5, Issue 2, 2017). In this article, more details are given regarding the gains obtained with various types of fuels as well as the respective magnetic fields used.

[0009] In 2020, the article “The Effect of Using Various Magnetic Materials on Diesel Engines using Biodiesel Fuel” (International Journal of Marine Engineering and Innovation and Research Vol. 5) was published by Aguk Suhd, Adhi Iswantoro, and Hafiz NHPerdana, which aimed to test the performance of a diesel engine using fuels that receive a magnetic field from three types of permanent magnets, namely, magnets made of Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), Aluminum Nickel Cobalt (AlNiCo), and Ferrite (Fe).

[0010] In 2023, Yossef Darvishi et al. published “Determining the Influence of a Magnetic Field on the Vibration and Fuel Consumption of a Heavy Diesel Engine” (Sustainability 2023, 15, 4088). This study aimed to evaluate fuel consumption and engine vibration (time domain) using magnetized fuel. It was found that, for the 4000 Gauss magnetized fuel, the average vibration acceleration was reduced by 12% to 15% compared to the respective control fuels. It was also demonstrated that engine fuel consumption and specific fuel consumption decreased by 2.3% with the use of magnetized fuel.

[0011] The non-patent documents mentioned above describe the recent research trajectory of magnetic fuel activation; however, it is observed that no document or publication specifies the optimal conditions for magnetic activation, with regard to parameters. These articles only established the viability and basis of this technology, considering only a select group of engines and not providing a device that is widely used in the market.

[0012] Searches conducted in Brazilian and international patent databases revealed the following findings.

[0013] US patent US6220231B1, entitled “Device and method for improving engine combustion by means of the use of magnetism,” discloses a combustion-enhancing device that can reduce harmful emissions such as soot smoke or nitrogen oxides. In this device, the magnetic poles of two magnets are arranged so that fuel fed from a fuel tank to the engine is guided to pass through a gap between the magnetic poles.

[0014] Chinese patent CN110573261B, titled "Fuel Atomizer and Fuel Atomization Method," discloses a fuel atomizer that has a conduit for fuel passage. In some embodiments, the atomizer has a movable magnet that is repelled by another magnet at the conduit outlet. The fuel flow carries the movable magnet toward the conduit outlet, while the other magnet repels the movable magnet backward, causing a repetitive motion.

[0015] US patent US2003183207A1, entitled "device for saving fuel and reducing emissions," discloses a device that can be inserted in a sealed manner into the air / fuel system of an internal combustion engine so that the longitudinal axis of the opening is coaxial with the direction of air / fuel flow, and in the circumferential portion of the support member in the opening, a series of permanent magnets forming a continuous magnetic field are arranged with opposite polarity. To reduce emissions, the device can also be installed in the engine's exhaust system.

[0016] Patents US6220231B1, CN110573261B, and US2003183207A1 disclose magnetic activation devices with symmetrically positioned poles, resulting in suboptimal flux orientation. Furthermore, the magnets used in these devices are not coated with a galvanized steel layer, which causes the dissipation of the fields directed outwards from the device, reducing its efficiency, in addition to the fact that the magnet array does not exhibit crossed magnetic fields.

[0017] Prior inventions presented the following problems and technical shortcomings, which have been resolved by the present invention, as shown below:

[0018] Magnetic devices for viscosity reduction are constantly subjected to vibration during their operation. Therefore, it is common for the permanent magnets in prior art devices to move after frequent use, causing displacement of the magnetic field and misalignment of its perpendicularity to the fuel flow, reducing the effectiveness of these devices. This is solved by the present invention through the use of high-strength resin that surrounds the magnets, ensuring greater adhesion and fixation even when subjected to high vibrations.

[0019] The magnetic field of several devices found in the prior art dissipates naturally, where the forces disperse internally and are not perpendicular to the flow velocity, reducing their effectiveness. This problem is solved by applying ferromagnetic galvanized steel sheets to their outer surface, whose properties allow for a partial reflection of the magnetic field, increasing the effect of the magnets on the fluid;

[0020] In current devices, magnets are positioned uniformly, with magnetic poles equally arranged, which reduces the effectiveness of the magnetic field. This is solved by a new arrangement of magnets with poles sequentially aligned perpendicularly, in a north-south and "east-west" direction, resulting in a radial field orientation towards the center of the tube, maximizing the magnetic flux; and The magnetic fields of devices currently on the market have a constant intensity, which reduces the efficiency of magnetic activation of fuels. This is solved by the present patent through magnets of different intensities, which cause the intensity of the magnetic field to exhibit a gradient in the direction of the flux.

[0021] The inventors already possess extensive experience in the field of magnetic activators, holding patent BR 102024006719 entitled "Magnetic activation device with crossed magnetic fields for reducing viscosity and fouling of crude oils and derivatives". This patent uses magnetic fields to reduce fouling in pipelines, offering a satisfactory solution to the problem it was developed to solve. However, when attempting to apply this technology to combustion engines, the inventors encountered several challenges. Unlike the device for petroleum, which seeks to obtain the lowest possible viscosity to make oil conduction more efficient, lower viscosity does not necessarily result in better efficiency for combustion engines. The characteristics of the combustion chamber must be taken into account to determine the optimal fuel-oxygen mixing points.

[0022] With this experience, the authors began their project by constructing several magnetic activators which were then installed on three different combustion engines. Various qualitative experiments were carried out, seeking a more complete combustion of the fuel, where reductions in CO and NO emissions and increased CO2 and NO2 emissions were observed. In this way, the optimal conditions for magnetic activation of fuels were established, resulting in higher engine efficiency, accompanied by optimizations in the exhaust process.

[0023] During the development phase, the inventors determined that the ideal magnetization conditions must also consider the characteristics of the combustion chamber, which is associated with viscosity reduction and the breakdown of fuel molecules. The inventors observed that in the combustion chamber, the particle cone formed by the atomization of the fuel from the injection nozzle has two parameters relevant to the studies: the Sauter mean diameter and the atomization cone angle.

[0024] The Sauter diameter is the average diameter of the fuel particles in the atomization cone. Therefore, to increase the surface area for reaction with oxygen, it is desirable for the Sauter diameter to be as small as possible. In "Empirical Equations for the Sauter Mean Diameter of a Diesel Spray" by Hiroyuki Hiroyasu et al., it was determined that the fuel viscosity is directly related to the resulting Sauter diameter. The cone angle should be as wide as possible, but simultaneously, the atomized particles should not touch the combustion chamber walls before the end of the breakup zone, thus maximizing fuel contact with oxygen. After experiments, the inventors determined that the amplitude of the cone angle is also related to the fuel viscosity, since less viscous liquids have weaker intermolecular interactions.The inventors then applied the teachings of magnetic activation, which already facilitated the atomization process by reducing particle size, also reducing fuel viscosity and, consequently, improving the efficiency of the combustion process.

[0025] The inventors also observed that different types of fuel exhibit greater efficiency with varying magnetic fields, requiring changes in the intensity of the magnets or the period of field incidence due to the different molecules that compose them.

[0026] Thus, the inventors determined that in order to establish the optimal conditions for magnetic activation of fuels and to achieve maximum efficiency in reducing consumption, as well as reducing polluting gases, the device must be designed and built considering four groups of variables, namely: Magnetic field parameters; Flow regime parameters through the Magnetically Active Zone; Fuel parameters; and Combustion chamber parameters.

[0027] Considering this set of variables, the inventors built several magnetic actuators, installing them in the fuel supply line of three engines with distinct characteristics, and observed significant gains in fuel economy and reduction of pollutant emissions.

[0028] Brief description of the drawings

[0029] For a better understanding of the present patent, the following figures are attached: illustrates the side view of the magnetic activation device (MAD) with the casing (8) partially removed, allowing a view of the central tube (1) and the coating (4); reveals the cutaway view (6A), revealing the cross-section of the magnetic activation device (MAD), the inner tubes (1) and their respective coatings (4) as well as the node (7); reveals the cutaway view of a section of the central tube (1) and the coating (4), demonstrating the configuration of the horizontal pole magnets (2) and the vertical pole magnets (3), including the cap (5); reveals a schematic illustration of the atomization cone (AC) of the injector nozzle (IB), including burst length (BL);

[0030] Illustrates a cutaway view of the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD), showing the straight central tube (1-CD), as well as the nozzle (9) that maintains the position of the housing (8); illustrates the view of the sections (AA), (BB), (CC) and (DD) indicated in figure 5, showing the spiral positioning of the magnets (2) and (3); illustrates the side cutaway view of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L), revealing the position of the sections (BB-2) and (CC-2); illustrates the front views of the sections (BB-2) and (CC-2), revealing the position of the horizontal pole magnets (2), the vertical pole magnets (3) and the voids (VA); illustrates the cutaway and perspective view of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L); and illustrates the front perspective view of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) without the nozzle (9).

[0031] Description of the invention

[0032] According to figures 1, 2 and 3, the magnetic activation device (MAD) has a central tube (1), made of non-magnetic material, in the shape of “S” serpentines; it has a plurality of horizontal pole magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3) that alternately surround the straight parts of the central tube (1), being fixed to the surface of the central tube (1) by means of bisphenol A epoxy resin or similar; it has a coating (4), made of galvanized ferromagnetic steel, which surrounds the magnets (2) and (3); it has a plurality of caps (5), made of non-magnetic material, which seal the exposed ends of the coatings (4); and it has an enclosure (8), made of non-magnetic material, which surrounds the central tube (1).

[0033] Alternatively to the magnetic activation device (MAD), a direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) can be used.

[0034] According to figures 5 and 6, the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) has a straight, non-magnetic central tube (1-CD) used to fix the magnets (2) and (3) around it, forming a plurality of rings with voids (VA); it has a non-magnetic, hollow, stepped cylindrical nozzle (9), whose larger diameter allows the fitting of the housing (8), and the smaller diameter allows the entry and exit of fuel; it has a plurality of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3), with voids (VA) between them, distributed equidistantly, forming chambers (11), and fixed by means of bisphenol A epoxy resin, or similar; it has a cap (5-CD), made of non-magnetic material, which directs the fuel flow from the inlet, or to the outlet, of the nozzle (9); and has a casing (8), which encloses the set of magnets (2) and (3) around the central tube (1-CD).

[0035] Alternatively, the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) can be made without the central tube (1-CD), in this way the magnets (2) and (3) are wedged, structured, harmonized and stabilized with each other, with or without the aid of glues; the sets of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3) are fixed to the inner wall of the enclosure (8); and having, at its ends, a nozzle (9) and caps (5-CD), enabling the entry and exit of fuel.

[0036] The rings formed by the horizontal pole magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3) of the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) are rotated from 30° to 120° between each chamber (11), allowing the fuel to follow a spiral path around the central tube (1-CD) as it passes through the voids (VA).

[0037] Alternatively to the magnetic activation device (MAD), a linear magnetic activation device (LMAD) can be used.

[0038] According to figures 7 to 10, the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) has a straight, non-magnetic central tube (1) used to fix the magnets (2) and (3) around it, forming a plurality of rings with voids (VA); it has a non-magnetic, hollow, stepped cylindrical nozzle (9), whose larger diameter allows the fitting of the casing (8), and the smaller diameter allows the entry and exit of fuel; it has a plurality of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3), with voids (VA) between them, distributed equidistantly, forming chambers (11), and fixed by means of bisphenol A epoxy resin, or similar; it has caps (5), of non-magnetic material, which seal the exposed ends of the magnets (2) or (3); and has a casing (8), which encloses the set of magnets (2) and (3) around the central tube (1).

[0039] The nozzle (9) of the linear magnetic activation device (LMAD) is fitted to the central tube (1) in such a way as to allow the fuel to flow inside it, without contact with the magnets (2) and (3).

[0040] Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0041] In the magnetic activation device (MAD), in order to position the casing (4) around the magnets (2) and (3), it is necessary to enclose them with a plate and secure it through the nodes (7), if a steel tube is used, the alignment of the magnets (2) and (3) will be affected by the gap and field intensity.

[0042] According to figure 2, the nodes (7) of the magnetic activation device (MAD) completely seal the magnets (2) and (3), preventing a gap from remaining at the meeting point of the coating (4) and, in this way, reducing magnetic field dissipation.

[0043] According to figures 7, 8 and 9, the voids (VA) and chambers (11) of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) are filled with resin, ensuring stable fixation even when subjected to vibration.

[0044] According to Figure 3 and Figure 7, the intensity of the horizontal (2) and vertical (3) pole magnets of the magnetic activation device (MAD); or the linear magnetic activation device (LMAD); must vary gradually, generating a magnetic gradient. Where the minimum value of the magnetic gradient along the fuel path is represented by the following equation: =5200G / mm

[0045] Or, alternatively:

[0046] =520T / m

[0047] B: Magnetic field vector along the “x” coordinate (direction of fuel flow)

[0048] X: Position coordinate of the magnetic field along the path of the flux.

[0049] According to figure 4, the length of the central tube (1) and the intensity of the magnets (2) and (3) must be changed depending on the fuel that will be used; and the dimensions of the engine combustion chamber in which the magnetic activation device (MAD); or the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD); or the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L); will be installed, taking into account the rupture length (CR) and the angle (a) of the atomization cone (CA).

[0050] The central tube (1) has a serpentine shape to reduce the length of the magnetic activation device (MAD) and facilitate its installation even in compact motors.

[0051] According to Figure 4, the magnetic activation device (MAD); or the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD); or the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L); ideally, should be installed immediately after the transfer pump so that there are no losses in fuel activation, in this way there will be a greater reduction in the Sauter mean diameter and a greater amplitude of the angle (a) of the atomization cone (CA).

[0052] According to figure 6, for the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD), the internally arranged permanent magnets (2) and (3) will be in direct contact with the fuel that will be percolating between the chambers (11) and the designed voids (VA), therefore, the generated magnetic fields will be achieved directly, in order to guarantee the same magnetic gradient of 5200G / mm already described for the magnetic activation device (DAM).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, characterized by the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) having a straight, non-magnetic central tube (1-CD), which may be solid, used to fix the magnets (2) and (3) in a spiral manner around it, allowing the formation of voids (VA); having a non-magnetic nozzle (9) that allows the fitting of the casing (8) and allows the entry and exit of fuel; having a plurality of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3) distributed in a spiral manner around the central tube (1-CD) and fixed by means of bisphenol A epoxy resin; having a lid (5-CD), made of non-magnetic material; and has a casing (8), which encloses the set of magnets (2) and (3) around the central tube (1-CD).

2. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 1, characterized in that, alternatively, the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD) can be made without the central tube (1-CD), in this way the sets of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3) are wedged and fixed to the inner wall of the housing (8).

3. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 1, characterized by, alternatively, making use of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) which has a straight, non-magnetic central tube (1) used to fix the magnets (2) and (3) around it forming a plurality of rings with voids (VA); has a non-magnetic, hollow, stepped cylindrical nozzle (9), whose larger diameter allows the fitting of the casing (8), and the smaller diameter allows the entry and exit of the fuel; has a plurality of horizontal pole permanent magnets (2) and vertical pole magnets (3), with voids (VA) between them,; distributed equidistantly, forming chambers (11), and fixed by means of bisphenol A epoxy resin, or similar; It has covers (5), made of non-magnetic material; and it has a casing (8), which surrounds the set of magnets (2) and (3) around the central tube (1).

4. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by, alternatively, making use of the magnetic activation device (MAD) which has a central tube (1), of non-magnetic material; having a plurality of permanent magnets, with horizontal pole (2) and magnets with vertical pole (3) that surround the straight parts of the central tube (1) in an alternating manner, being fixed to the surface of the central tube (1) by means of bisphenol epoxy resin. A or similar; has a coating (4), made of galvanized ferromagnetic steel, which surrounds the magnets (2) and (3); has a plurality of covers (5), made of non-magnetic material, which seal the exposed ends of the coatings (4); and has an enclosure (8), made of non-magnetic material, which surrounds the central tube (1).

5. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claims 3 and 4, characterized by the intensity of the horizontal (2) and vertical (3) pole magnets of the magnetic activation device (MAD); or of the linear magnetic activation device (MAD-L); varying gradually, generating a magnetic gradient.

6. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 4, characterized by the nodes (7) sealing the magnets (2) and (3) in such a way that there are no gaps at the meeting point of the coating (4).

7. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the length of the central tube (1) and the intensity of the magnets (2) and (3) are variable, depending on the fuel to be used and the dimensions of the combustion chamber.

8. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 1, characterized by the fuel flowing through the vacuum (VA) between the magnets (2) and (3) of the direct contact magnetic activation device (DAM-CD).

9. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 3, characterized in that the nozzle (9) of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) is fitted to the central tube (1) in such a way as to allow the fuel to flow inside it, without contact with the magnets (2) and (3).

10. DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC ACTIVATION OF FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES, TURBINES AND BOILERS, according to claim 3, characterized in that the voids (VA) and chambers (11) of the linear magnetic activation device (DAM-L) are filled with resin.

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