초록 ▼

A fuel injection and mixing system is provided. The system includes an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defines a fuel flow path between the inlet and outlet. The fuel flow path may include a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fu

A fuel injection and mixing system is provided. The system includes an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defines a fuel flow path between the inlet and outlet. The fuel flow path may include a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body. The flow path also may include an expansion chamber downstream from and in fluid communication with the helical flow passage, as well as a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for delivering fuel. Heating means is also provided in thermal communication with the injector body. The heating means may be adapted and configured for maintaining the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path. A method of preheating and delivering fuel is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel injection system, comprising: a) an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defining a fuel flow path therebetween, the fuel flow path having: i) a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the inje

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel injection system, comprising: a) an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defining a fuel flow path therebetween, the fuel flow path having: i) a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body; ii) an expansion chamber downstream from and in fluid communication with the helical flow passage, wherein an outlet end portion of the helical flow passage is connected to the expansion chamber by way of at least one feed hole, and iii) a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for delivering fuel; and b) elongated heating means extending along an axial length of the injector body, the helical flow passage surrounding the heating means, the heating means being in thermal communication with the injector body, the heating means adapted and configured for maintaining the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path. 2. The fuel injection system of claim 1, wherein the flow path further includes an annular cavity in fluid communication with and located between the helical flow passage and the fuel inlet. 3. The fuel injection system of claim 1, wherein the heating means includes a thermocouple in thermal communication with a portion of the injector body, the thermocouple being adapted and configured to detect the temperature of the injector body. 4. The fuel injection system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flow path is coated with a coating resistant to formation of carbon deposits thereon. 5. The fuel injection system of claim 4, wherein the coating is chosen from the group consisting of polymeric materials, ceramic materials, diffused aluminide and fused silica. 6. A fuel injection system, comprising: a) an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defining a fuel flow path therebetween, the fuel flow path having: i) a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body; ii) an expansion chamber downstream from and in fluid communication with the helical flow passage, wherein an outlet end portion of the helical flow passage is connected to the expansion chamber by way of at least one feed hole, and iii) a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for delivering fuel; and b) heating means in thermal communication with the injector body, the heating means adapted and configured for maintaining the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path; c) wherein the heating means further includes a cartridge heater adapted and configured to heat the injector body. 7. The fuel injection system of claim 6, wherein the heating means further includes: a) a thermocouple in thermal communication with a portion of the injector body, the thermocouple being configured to detect the temperature of the injector body; b) a power source; and c) a temperature controller, the temperature controller in operable communication with the thermocouple, the cartridge heater, and the power source, wherein the temperature controller is adapted and configured to apply electrical power from the power source to the cartridge heater in response to a signal received from the thermocouple, the signal being indicative of the temperature of the injector body. 8. A fuel injection and mixing system comprising: a) an injection housing including: i) an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defining a fuel flow path therebetween, the fuel flow path having: 1) a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body; 2) an expansion chamber downstream from and in fluid communication with the helical flow passage by way of at least one feed hole, and 3) a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for delivering fuel; ii) elongated heating means extending along an axial length of the injector body, the helical flow passage surrounding the heating means, the heating means being in thermal communication with the injector body, the heating means adapted and configured for maintaining the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path; and iii) at least one injector for injecting a second fluid; b) a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the outlet of the injector housing for atomizing and mixing fine droplets of fuel from the fuel delivery device with the second fluid to provide a fuel vapor mixture; and c) a mixer structured and arranged in the mixing chamber for stabilizing and mixing the fuel vapor mixture. 9. The fuel injection and mixing system of claim 8, further comprising a control system for controlling the flow of fluids into the mixing chamber to form the fuel vapor mixture. 10. The fuel injection and mixing system of claim 9, further comprising: a) a plurality of controllable valves, each controllable valve adapted and configured to control the flow of fluids into the system, and wherein the control system includes a valve controller operably coupled to the plurality of valves, the valve controller being adapted and configured to control the flow of fluids into the system by operating the controllable valves. 11. The fuel injection and mixing system of claim 10, wherein the heating means includes: a) a thermocouple disposed on the injector body adapted and configured to measure the temperature of the injector body; b) a heater disposed in the injector body, the heater being adapted and configured to heat fuel traversing the flow path; c) a power source; and d) a temperature controller in operable communication with the thermocouple, the heater and the power source, the temperature controller being adapted and configured to apply electrical power from the power source to the heater in response to a signal received from the thermocouple indicative of the temperature of the injector body. 12. The fuel injection and mixing system of claim 11, wherein the control system further includes a machine readable program containing instructions for controlling the fuel injection system, wherein the program comprises: a) means for operating the temperature controller to maintain the temperature of the injector body at the predetermined temperature and for heating fuel traversing the flow path; and b) means for operating the valve controller to modulate the flow of fluids into the system to form a fuel mixture in the mixing chamber. 13. A method of providing a fuel vapor mixture comprising the steps of: a) directing fuel into an injector body along a predetermined fuel flow path between a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet of the injector body, the fuel flow path having a generally helical flow passage with an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body; b) simultaneously heating and pressurizing the fuel traversing the fuel flow path using an elongated heating means extending along an axial length of the injector body, wherein the helical flow passage surrounds the heating means, the heating means being in thermal communication with the injector body and being adapted and configured to maintain the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path; c) expanding the heated and pressurized fuel so as to promote atomization; d) atomizing the expanded fuel; and e) directing the fuel through a fuel delivery device. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of directing fuel from the fuel delivery device into a mixing chamber. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of introducing a flow of a second fluid into the mixing chamber to form a fuel mixture. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of introducing a flow of a third fluid into the mixing chamber to modify the fuel mixture. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the third fluid is anode gas recycled from an anode of a fuel cell. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is sufficient to establish two-phase fuel flow through at least a portion of the fuel flow path. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined temperature is sufficient to evaporate all of the fuel to establish a gas flow through at least a portion of the fuel flow path.