Fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus

Abstract

Efficient and effective fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus is disclosed. A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus may include a receptacle containing a material such as a liquid. The liquid may include one or more catalytic materials. The apparatus may further include a vibration pump configured to convert the liquid to an aerosol to be delivered into an intake air of a combustion zone, a pressure equalizer configured to maintain the pressure level of the receptacle at about the same pressure level as that of the intake air of the combustion zone, and a liquid delivery device configured to deliver the liquid to the vibration pump. The apparatus may further include an electronic control module and a mounting bracket or a docking station. The electronic control module may be used to control the vibration pump. The apparatus may further include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure level of the intake air of the combustion zone so that the vibration pump can regulate the delivery rate of the liquid into the intake air as the aerosol based on the pressure level of the intake air. The vibration pump may be also configured to regulate the delivery rate of the liquid into the intake air as the aerosol, based on an actual fuel consumption rate in the combustion zone.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus comprising:
 a receptacle containing a material, the receptacle for coupling to or coupled to a nebulizer,   the nebulizer configured to convert the material to an aerosol to be delivered into an intake air of a combustion zone, the nebulizer configured to control the amount of the aerosol being delivered into the intake air,   a regulator to allow the aerosol to be delivered into the intake air of the combustion zone regardless of a pressure level of the intake air.   
   
   
       25 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the nebulizer includes a piezoelectric device, and the piezoelectric device is for being operated at a pulse rate between 10 pulses per second to 100 pulses per second. 
   
   
       26 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle is made from one or more materials having a softening or deforming point above about 200° F., and
 wherein the nebulizer includes one or more components, and all of the one or more components of the nebulizer are made from one or more materials having a softening or deforming point above about 200° F.   
   
   
       27 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle is attached to the nebulizer, and the nebulizer is for being disabled to prevent the nebulizer from being operated using a refilled material or a different material. 
   
   
       28 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising:
 a control module for recognizing the level of the material remaining in the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is coupled to the nebulizer.   
   
   
       29 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising:
 a control module for monitoring vibration of a vehicle or equipment to determine whether combustion is occurring, the control module for allowing the nebulizer to operate while the vibration is detected and for turning off the nebulizer when the vibration is not detected.   
   
   
       30 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising:
 a control module for evaluating fuel consumption to control a delivery rate of the material as the aerosol.   
   
   
       31 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising:
 a control module for recording the total time the receptacle is used with the nebulizer and for recording the number of times receptacles or bags are replaced.   
   
   
       32 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the nebulizer is for being disabled when the material contained in the receptacle is consumed, wherein the nebulizer is coupled to the receptacle. 
   
   
       33 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the nebulizer is for being disabled when the receptacle is opened. 
   
   
       34 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a control module for connecting to a computer system of a vehicle or equipment to regulate the amount of the aerosol to be delivered into the intake air. 
   
   
       35 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  for being placed after a turbo charger or a supercharger in an engine compartment. 
   
   
       36 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a pressure level of the intake air varies from below the atmospheric pressure level to above the atmospheric pressure level. 
   
   
       37 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a quick disconnect coupler for quickly disconnecting the fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus from an air intake duct, wherein the receptacle is coupled to the nebulizer. 
   
   
       38 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the nebulizer includes at least an orifice. 
   
   
       39 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the orifice is configured to eject the aerosol from the nebulizer and to inject the aerosol into the intake air. 
   
   
       40 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the orifice is not greater than 20 μm in diameter. 
   
   
       41 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the nebulizer further includes:
 a plate including the orifice,   a diaphragm,   a piezoelectric device and   a chamber,   wherein the chamber contains the plate, the diaphragm and the piezoelectric device.   
   
   
       42 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the chamber has an opening for exposing the orifice to the intake air,
 wherein at least a first side of the plate and a first side of the diaphragm are for being exposed to the material.   
   
   
       43 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24  further including:
 a diaphragm,   a wick and   either a flexible bag or a baffling foam containing the material,   wherein a first portion of the wick is for delivering the material to the diaphragm, a second portion of the wick is in contact with the material and extends into either the flexible bag or the baffling foam.   
   
   
       44 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the material includes one or more catalytic materials. 
   
   
       45 . A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein components of the fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus exposed to or configured to be exposed to a fuel or fuel fume are made from one or more materials inert to the fuel and fuel fume.