Patent · US Expired

Water sources for automotive devices

US6804949B2 · kind B2 · utility

31Cited by
14References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 2002
Grant dateOct 19, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T90/40
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-replenishing liquid water source onboard an automobile for supplying liquid water to an electrolyzer, such as an on-board hydrogen generator useful for the suppression of unwanted emissions. While automobiles typically have water reservoirs resupplied by a person, the invention provides a passive means of water collection for reliable replenishment due to operations of the automobile itself. The invention provides condensate from the engine exhaust gas by cooling a region of the exhaust system using cooling fluid from the engine coolant system. The cooling fluid is circulated during a period following the engine cold start event when the heat load on the engine coolant system is low.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.