Charged Fuel Cleaning Fluid for Engine Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine cleaning methods using solvent and detergent mixtures can be corrosive, damage engine surfaces, and increase emissions by moving carbon deposits downstream, posing environmental and health risks, and requiring vehicles to run a full tank of gas before passing emissions tests.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a pre-combustion and post-combustion cleaning process with fuel-derived cleaning fluids enriched in aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, respectively, which are charged to improve combustion characteristics, delivered through a fuel system without stopping the engine, allowing for thorough cleaning with reduced toxic emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solvent and detergent cleaning fluids are used to clean engine surfaces, then carbon deposits are dislodged and removed, but emissions are dramatically increased as carbon and sludge move downstream to the combustion chamber and exhaust system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of carbon deposits by using controlled combustion to burn them off as clean exhaust gases, transforming the harmful carbon buildup into beneficial clean combustion products that exit through the exhaust system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces oxygen into the combustion chamber to enable complete combustion of carbon deposits, converting them into carbon dioxide and water vapor through accelerated oxidation, thereby eliminating toxic emissions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Reliability
If strong solvent cleaning fluids are used to clean engine surfaces, then carbon deposits are removed, but the cleaning fluid becomes corrosive and damages internal surfaces of the engine and oxygen sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful solvents and detergents from the cleaning process, replacing them with a water-based cleaning fluid combined with controlled combustion, thereby eliminating corrosion and damage to engine surfaces and oxygen sensors while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning fluid from conventional solvents and detergents to a water-based solution, and changes the physical state through combustion, transforming the cleaning mechanism to eliminate corrosive effects on engine components
3Reliability
If conventional engine cleaning treatments are performed, then carbon deposits are removed from fuel systems, but vehicles must be driven for a full tank of gas before passing emissions tests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of the engine during the cleaning process, allowing carbon deposits to be removed and burned off in real-time without requiring the vehicle to be taken offline or requiring extended driving periods, thereby eliminating the waiting time before emissions testing
4Productivity
If millions of vehicles are serviced annually with conventional cleaning methods, then engine carbon deposits are removed, but cumulative harmful emissions substantially affect the environment and expose technicians to toxic fumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful carbon deposits into beneficial clean exhaust gases through controlled combustion, transforming the cleaning process from a source of toxic emissions to an environmentally friendly process that can be scaled to serve millions of vehicles annually without cumulative environmental damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled combustion environment that completely oxidizes carbon deposits into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapor, eliminating toxic fumes that would otherwise expose technicians to harmful chemicals and pollute the environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively cleans internal combustion engines, fuel systems, and emission systems without leaving deposits downstream, reducing emissions and extending the life of components like oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, while being safer for technicians and the environment.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode in a cleaning fluid flow path configured to apply a charge to a cleaning fluid
Implementation Method 2
carbon and other organic compounds tend to build up on internal surfaces of the engine... cleaning fluid... to clean these surfaces
Implementation Method 3
pre-combustion and post-combustion cleaning process... operating the engine using at least one or both of the cleaning fluids
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides compositions and methods for more thoroughly cleaning internal combustion engines, fuel systems and emission systems and that operate with reduced toxic emissions. The invention provides an apparatus that contains at least one vessel for receiving a cleaning fluid and an electrode in a cleaning fluid flow path configured to apply a charge to a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluids are unique fuel derived products which do not contain detergents. The apparatus is unique in that it can provide any of several cleaning processes including a pre-combustion cleaning process, a post-combustion cleaning process or a combined pre-combustion and post-combustion cleaning process. The method is particularly effective at cleaning oxygen sensors in exhaust systems.