Hydrogen delivery system and method for an internal combustion engine

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HYDROGEN DELIVERY SYSTEMAND 0012 FIG. 5 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of METHOD FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION a method for hydrogen delivery in accordance with the ENGINE present invention.

0013 FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram of another embodi

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ment of a method for hydrogen delivery in accordance with the present invention.

0001 1. Field of the Invention 0002 The application generally relates to internal com DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION bustion engines, and more particularly to an improved system 0014 While the invention will be described in connection and method for hydrogen delivery to an internal combustion with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it engine. is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. 0003 2. Description of the Related Art On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modi 0004. In an internal combustion engine, fuel and an oxi fications, and equivalents thereof. Similar parts will be dizer are combined in a cylinder or combustion chamber. labeled with the same numbers in the figures though a person Typically engines use either a spark method or a compression of skill in the art would appreciate that various alternatives, method to achieve ignition. Through ignition, an exothermic modifications and equivalents may be substituted for Such chemical reaction or combustion occurs in the cylinder in similar parts.

which hot gases expand to move a part of the engine, such as 0015. As described above, the current systems for hydro a piston or a rotor. Typically, the oxidizer for an internal gen delivery introduce a constant Volume of hydrogen to the combustion engine is air, and the fuel is a hydrocarbon based air intake system of an internal combustion engine regardless fuel derived from petroleum or biomass. Such as diesel, gaso of air flow rate, engine load or engine revolutions per minute line, petroleum gas, ethanol, biodiesal or propane or combi (RPM) considerations. However, the airflow rate through the nation thereof. air intake system varies. By only injecting an unvarying Vol 0005. The increasing cost of petroleum fuels for internal ume of hydrogen, different hydrogen to air ratios are pro combustion engines has created a demand for greater fuel duced in the air intake system and in the cylinders during the efficiency. One approach that has been developed is the addi combustion process. This differing values of hydrogen to air tion of hydrogen to the combustion process. It has been found rates in the cylinders creates inefficiencies in the combustion that when hydrogen is mixed with a hydrocarbon based fuel in process. As such, there is a need for an improved system and the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, there is an method for hydrogen delivery to an internal combustion improved combustion efficiency and a reduction of noxious engine. An embodiment of the present invention monitors the emissions. In current systems, hydrogen is added to the air flow rate of air and adjusts the delivery of hydrogen to the air that is introduced into the cylinder. Typically, the same vol intake system of the internal combustion engine to optimize ume of hydrogen is added to the air regardless of airflow rate, the hydrogen to air ratio for the internal combustion engine. engine load or engine revolution per minute (RPM) consid 0016 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodi erations. ment of an internal combustion engine with a hydrogen deliv 0006. As such, there is a need for an improved system and ery system in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 method for hydrogen delivery to an internal combustion illustrates an internal combustion engine (ICE) 100 coupled engine. to an ICE powered equipment 102. The ICE powered equip ment 102 includes for example, vehicles, airplanes, locomo

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tives, generators, oil field equipment and other applications. The ICE 100 includes an engine block assembly 104, an air 0007. The present invention is directed to a system and intake system 106 and a hydrogen delivery system 110 method for hydrogen delivery to an internal combustion coupled to the air intake system 106. The engine block assem engine as described in the following Brief Description of the bly 104 includes the engine block, cylinders and pistons or Drawings, the Detailed Description of Embodiments of the rotors. The air intake system 106 delivers air to the cylinders Invention and The Claims. The features and advantages of the in the engine block assembly 104. The air intake system 106 present invention will become apparent from the following may include a turbocharger and air filter. detailed description of the invention made with reference to 0017. In operation, the hydrogen delivery system 110 the accompanying drawings. monitors the air flow rate through the air intake system 106 and controls the injection of hydrogen into the air intake

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS system 106 to produce a desired, predetermined hydrogen to air ratio. In an embodiment, the hydrogen may be injected 0008 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodi after the turbocharger in the air intake system 106. In another ment of an internal combustion engine with a hydrogen deliv embodiment, the hydrogen may be injected before the turbo ery system in accordance with the present invention. charger Such that it pressurizes the air and hydrogen together. 0009 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodi This helps to mix the hydrogen and air and more uniformly ment of a hydrogen delivery system in accordance with the distribute the hydrogen in the air. present invention. 0018 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodi 0010 FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another ment of the hydrogen delivery system 110 in accordance with embodiment of the hydrogen delivery system in accordance the present invention. The hydrogen delivery system 110 with the present invention. includes a control module 120, a hydrogen injector 122, one 0011 FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another or more sensors 124a-n and a hydrogen fuel Supply 126. The embodiment of the hydrogen delivery system in accordance control module 120 is a processing device including a micro with the present invention. processor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, micro

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computer, central processing unit, field programmable gate control module 120 continually updates the desired amount array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic cir of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake system 106. cuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, or any device that The control module 120 then controls the hydrogen injector manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard 122 to provide a flow rate of hydrogen fuel to the air intake coding of the circuitry or operational instructions. The pro system 106 to deliver the determined amount of hydrogen cessing device may have an associated memory element, fuel.

which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory 0022. For example, in an embodiment, the control module devices, or embedded circuitry of the control module. Such a 120 receives operational data of the engine RPM from one or memory device may be a read-only memory, random access more of the sensors 124a-n. Based on the engine RPM data, memory, Volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static the control module 120 determines the desired volume or memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, mass of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake system and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that 106. The control module 120 then controls the hydrogen when the control module implements one or more of its injector 122 to provide a flow rate of hydrogen fuel to the air functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital cir intake system 106 to deliver the desired volume or mass of cuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory element storing the hydrogen. In another embodiment, the control module 120 corresponding operational instructions may be embedded receives operational data of the throttle position from one or within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the State more of the sensors 124a-n. Based on the throttle position machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic cir data, the control module 120 determines the desired volume cuitry. Further note that, the memory element stores, and the or mass of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake control module executes, hard coded and/or operational system 106. In another embodiment, the control module 120 instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or receives operational data of the airflow from the mass airflow functions illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 herein. sensor through the air intake system 106. Based on the mass 0019. The sensors 124a-n measure operational data of the air flow data, the control model determines the desired vol internal combustion engine 100. The sensors may be coupled ume or mass of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake to the engine block assembly 104, the air intake system 106, system 106.

hydrogen delivery system 110. The sensors 124a-n include, 0023. In another embodiment, a sensor 124a-n provides interalia, thermometers, throttle body position sensors, revo operational data relating to the speed of a turbocharger rotor lutions per minute (RPM) sensor, pressure sensors, volume in the internal combustion engine 100. Based on the turbo flow sensor, or mass air flow sensor, such as hot film or hot charger rotor speed data, the control module 120 determines wire sensorbarametric pressure sensor, Cam Shaft Position the desired amount of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air Sensor, Crank Shaft Position Sensor, Exhaust Back Pressure intake system 106. In another embodiment, a sensor 124a-n sensor, engine oil temperature sensor, engine oil pressure provides operational data relating to amount of fuel. Such as sensor, exhaust back pressure regulator, Fuel Delivery Con diesel or gasoline or other type of fuel, injected into a com trol Signal, Glow Plug Relay, Hydraulically Actuated Elec bustion chamber of the engine block assembly 104. The con tronically controlled Unit Injector, Intake Air Temperature, trol module 120 may then correlate the fuel operational data Injection Control Pressure. Injection Pressure Regulator, to RPM of the engine block assembly 104 and determine the Injector Driver Module. Injector Driver Module Enable, desired amount of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air Injection Control Pressure Regulator, Idle Validation Switch, intake system 106. In another embodiment, a sensor 124a-n Manifold Absolute Pressure, Manifold Air Temperature Sen provides operational data relating to intake vacuum on a sor, Power train Control Module sensor, Speed Control Com turbocharger in an internal combustion engine 100. Based on mand Switch sensor, tachometer output sensor, Accelerator the operational data of the intake vacuum, the control module Position Sensor, Hall Effect Sensor, Magnetic Pick Up (Mag 120 may determine the desired amount of hydrogen fuel to be netic Speed Sensor), Thermister. Alternator Charge Output injected into the air intake system 106. In an embodiment Signal, Vehicle Speed Sensor, Vacuum Sensor. Alternator with an internal combustion engine 100 having a set opera Output Signal sensor, Glow Plug Control sensor, Vehicle tional RPM, such as a generator with a set RPM during Power Supply sensor, vehicle Reference Voltage sensor, and operation, the control module 120 may determine the desired Wastegate Control sensor. amount of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake 0020. The hydrogen injector 122 may be a high pressure system 106 based on one of these measurements. injector or a low pressure injector depending on the pressure 0024. In another embodiment, the control module 120 of the hydrogen fuel and the volume of hydrogen needed to be receives one or more measurements of operational data com injected into the air intake system 106. prising of inter alia, mass air flow, Volume air flow, intake 0021. In operation, one or more of the sensors 124a-n vacuum on a turbocharger, turbocharger rotor speed, amount provide measurements of operational data of the internal of fuel injected into the engine block assembly 104, tempera combustion engine 110. The measurements of operation data ture, engine RPM, manifold absolute pressure, throttle posi may include, interalia, measurements of mass air flow, Vol tion, engine load and crank shaft position and determines an ume air flow, vacuum, temperature, engine RPM, manifold amount of hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake absolute pressure, throttle position, engine load, crank shaft system 106 based on one or more of the measurements of position or other operational data. The control module 120 operational data.

monitors the operational data from the sensors 124a-n and 0025. In an embodiment, the hydrogen fuel supply 126 is determines a desired amount, either Volume or mass, of a tank or other type of container with high pressure hydrogen hydrogen fuel to be injected into the air intake system 106 in fuel. The hydrogen fuel may include hydrogen H oxygen, response to the measurements of operational data. As the methane, propane and any combination of these gases or operational data changes, for example due to increase or other hydrogen/carbon based gases. In another embodiment, decrease in the engine RPM, air flow, or other changes, the the hydrogen fuel source 126 is a hydrogen generator, Such as

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an electrolyser. In this embodiment, the hydrogen fuel module 120 receives data from the engine operation sensor includes an electrolyser gas consisting of hydrogen 2H and 162 and determines whether the internal combustion engine oxygen O. The control module 120 monitors the hydrogen 100 is operational or running. In response to the determina fuel supply 126 to determine a pressure of the hydrogen fuel. tion that the engine 100 is operational, the control module 120 Depending on the pressure of the hydrogen fuel, the type of signals the shut off valve 174 to open or in response to a hydrogen fuel, the control module 120 controls the opening determination that the engine 100 is not operational, the con and closing of the hydrogen injector 122. The hydrogen injec trol module 120 signals the shut off valve 174 to close. When tor 122 injects the desired flow rate of hydrogen into the air the pressure is within operating conditions and the engine is intake system 106 in response to control signals from the operational, the control module 120 determines an air flow control module 120. rate and then determines a flow rate of the hydrogen fuel into 0026 FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an the air intake system 106 to produce a predetermined hydro embodiment of the hydrogen delivery system 110 in accor gen to air ratio in the air intake system 106. dance with the present invention. The air intake system 106 0030. In an embodiment, the control module 120 may includes an air intake filter 152, an intake hose 154, a hydro determine a volume air flow rate or a mass air flow rate. The gen injection housing 156 and a turbocharger 158. An airflow control module 120 receives air flow measurements from the sensor 160 is coupled to the hydrogen injection housing 156 airflow sensor 160. The volume airflow rate is determined in to provide measurements of airflow in the hydrogen injection response to the airflow measurements and airflow area of the housing 156. In an embodiment, the air flow sensor 160 is a hydrogen injection housing 156. The control module 120 may mass air flow sensor, such as a hot wire or hot film anemom also receive air pressure measurements and air temperature eter. In an embodiment, an engine operation sensor 162 is measurements. From these measurements, the control mod coupled to the engine block assembly or component of the ule 120 may determine the approximate density of the air to internal combustion engine 100. The engine operation sensor determine mass airflow rate from the volume airflow rate. In 162 is operable to detect whether the engine is operational by another embodiment, the control module 120 may determine detecting any RPM of the engine 100 or ignition or other the mass airflow rate from the airflow sensor 160 when the air means. The air flow sensor 160 and engine operation sensor flow sensor is a mass air flow sensor Such as a hot film or hot 162 each may comprise one of the sensors 124a-in described wire anemometer.

in FIG.2. Other sensors 124a-n may also provide one or more 0031. The control module 120 then determines the flow additional measurements to the control module 120 as rate of the hydrogen fuel in response to the air flow rate. The described with respect to FIG. 2. control module 120 determines the hydrogen flow rate needed 0027. Referring again to FIG.3, the hydrogen fuel injector to provide a predetermined hydrogen to air ratio in the air 122 is coupled to the hydrogen injection housing 156 in the air intake system 106 or engine block assembly 104. The hydro intake system 160. The hydrogen injection housing 156 may gen flow rate determined also depends on the percentage of be mounted to an existing internal combustion engine 104 or hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel. For example, when the hydro be incorporated into manufacture of a new internal combus gen fuel source 180 is a tank with pressurized hydrogen, the tion engine 104. The hydrogen fuel injector 122 and air flow hydrogen fuel will have a high percentage of hydrogen. How sensor 160 are mounted before the turbocharger 158. In ever, when the hydrogen fuel Source is an electrolyser, the another embodiment, the hydrogen fuel injector 122 and air percentage of hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel is a lower per flow sensor 160 may be mounted after the turbocharger 158. centage. The control module 120 is programmed for the An injector controller 164 is coupled to the hydrogen fuel specified type of hydrogen based fuel. To produce predeter injector 122 and the control module 120. Depending on the mined hydrogen to air ratio in the air intake system 106, the implementation of the hydrogen fuel Supply 126, the injector control module 120 determines the flow rate of the hydrogen controller 164 may be incorporated as a component of the fuel into the hydrogen injection housing 156 in response to air hydrogen injector 122 or as a separate component. The injec flow, engine load or RPM. The control module 120 then tor controller 164 is operable to control the opening and controls injection of the hydrogen fuel into the air intake closing of the hydrogen injector 122 in response to control system to produce the predetermined hydrogen to air ratio. signals from the control module 120. Variable hydrogen fuel concentrations are compensated by 0028. The hydrogen fuel supply 126 is coupled to the the control module 120 programming to ensure the predeter hydrogen injector 122. The hydrogen fuel supply 126 mined hydrogen to air ratio is maintained. As the engine load includes a hydrogen fuel supply line 168, a fuel filter 172, a and RPM increases or decreases and the air flow rate shut off valve 174, a hydrogen fuel manifold 176, a pressure increases or decreases, the control module 120 continues to sensor 178 and a hydrogen fuel source 180. The pressure monitor the airflow rate and adjust the hydrogen flow rate into sensor 178 is coupled to the hydrogen fuel manifold 176 or the air intake system to produce a predetermined hydrogen to shut off valve or other component of the hydrogen fuel supply air ratio.

126 to measure the pressure of the hydrogen fuel. The pres 0032 FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another sure sensor 178 may comprise one of the sensors 124a-n embodiment of the hydrogen delivery system 110 in accor described in FIG. 2. The shut off valve 174 is a solenoid valve dance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the or other safety valve. The fuel filter 172 is operable to filter hydrogen fuel supply 126 includes an electrolyser 202, elec contaminates and moisture from the hydrogen fuel. trolyser control module 204 and filter 206. The electrolyzer 0029. In operation, the control module 120 receives pres 202 generates hydrogen and oxygen by a process of electroly sure measurements from the pressure sensor 178 and deter sis that separates hydrogen from water. The electrolyzer 202 mines whether the pressure is within operating conditions. includes one or more electrodes in a water and electrolyte When the pressure exceeds or falls below operating condi mixture. An electric current flows through the water and tions, the control module 120 signals the shut off valve 174 to electrolyte mixture and oxygen (O) and hydrogen gas (H2) close to protect the system integrity. In addition, the control are generated. The electrolyzer control module 204 controls

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the electrolyser 202 and is operable to regulate the fuel pro inter alia, measurements of mass air flow, Volume air flow, duction of the electrolyzer 202. By regulating the current vacuum, temperature, engine RPM, manifold absolute pres flow, the Volume of oxygen (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) Sure, throttle position, engine load and crank shaft position. generated by the electrolyzer may be adjusted. The generated 0036. In step 214, an amount of hydrogen, either volume oxygen (O) and hydrogen gas (H) comprise the hydrogen or mass of hydrogen, to inject into the air intake system 106 of fuel. The optional use of an oxygen separation filter 206 in the the internal combustion engine 100 is determined. The con electrolyzer fuel supply 126 reduces the oxygen in the hydro trol module 120 monitors the operational data from the sen gen fuel generated by the electrolyzer 202. In this embodi sors 124 and determines a desired Volume or mass of hydro ment, the hydrogen fuel Supply 126 may also include check gen to be injected into the air intake system 106 in response to valves, expansion chambers, flashback prevention compo the measurements of operational data. For example, in an nents, pressure Switches or other components. The electro embodiment, the control module 120 receives operational lyzer 202 may be powered by an alternator, battery or other data of the engine RPM. Based on the engine RPM, the means. The electrolyzer control module 204 is a processing control module determines the desired volume or mass of device including a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital hydrogen to be injected into the air intake system 106. The signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, control module 120 then controls the hydrogen injector 122 to field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, provide a flow rate of hydrogen fuel to the air intake system state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital cir 106 to deliver the desired volume or mass of hydrogen. In cuitry, or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or another embodiment, the control module 120 receives opera digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry or operational tional data of the throttle position. Based on the throttle posi instructions. The processing device may have an associated tion, the control module determines the desired volume or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a mass of hydrogen to be injected into the air intake system 106. plurality of memory devices, or embedded circuitry of the 0037. In step 216, a flow rate for hydrogen fuel is deter control module. Such a memory device may be a read-only mined in response to the amount of hydrogen needed to inject memory, random access memory, Volatile memory, non-vola into the air intake system. In step 218, the injection of hydro tile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, gen fuel into the air intake system is controlled to approxi cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital informa mately meet the determined flow rate for hydrogen fuel. tion. Note that when the control module implements one or 0038 FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram of another embodi more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, ment of a method 230 for hydrogen delivery in accordance digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory element with the present invention. In step 232, measurements of the storing the corresponding operational instructions may be air flow through the air intake system are monitored along embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the with other measurements from sensors 124a-in needed to state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic determine the volume airflow or mass airflow through the air circuitry. Further note that, the memory element stores, and intake system 106. For example, the control module 120 may the control module executes, hard coded and/or operational also receive air pressure measurements and air temperature instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or measurements. From these measurements, the control mod functions illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 herein.

ule 120 may determine the approximate density of the air to 0033. In operation, the control module 120 monitors, inter determine mass airflow rate from the volume airflow rate. In alia, the flow rate, pressure or volume of the hydrogen fuel another embodiment, the control module 120 may determine from the hydrogen fuel supply 126. To adjust the hydrogen the mass airflow rate from the airflow sensor 160 when the air fuel generated, the control module 120 transmits an electroly flow sensor is a mass air flow sensor Such as a hot film or hot ser control signal to the electrolyser control module 204. In wire anemometer.

response to the electrolyser control signal, the electrolyser 0039. In step 234, the amount of hydrogen to produce a control module 204 starts or terminates production of hydro predetermined hydrogen to air ratio is determined in response gen fuel by the electrolyser 202. The control module 120 to the air flow rate. In step 236, the flow rate of the hydrogen receives data from the engine operation sensor 162 and deter fuel needed to provide the amount of hydrogen for the pre mines whether the internal combustion engine 100 is opera determined hydrogen to air ratio in the air intake system 106 tional or running. In response to the determination that the is determined. The hydrogen flow rate depends on the per engine 100 is operational, the control module 120 signals the centage of hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel and pressure of electrolyser control module 204 to start production. In hydrogen fuel. In step 238, a signal controls the injection of response to a determination that the engine 100 is not opera the hydrogen fuel into the air intake system to produce the tional, the control module 120 signals the electrolyser control predetermined hydrogen to air ratio. In step 240, in an module 204 to terminate production. embodiment with an electrolyser, the generation of hydrogen 0034. In another embodiment, the electrolyser control fuel by the hydrogen fuel source is controlled in response to module 204 regulates the voltage or current applied to the the determined flow rate for the hydrogen fuel. The process electrolyser 202. The control module 120 can thus control the then continues back to step 232. As the operational conditions rate of production of hydrogenfuel in response to the flow rate of the internal combustion engine changes 100, the control needed at the hydrogen injector 122. module 120 continues to monitor the air flow rate and adjust 0035 FIG. 5 is a logic flow diagram of a method 210 for the hydrogen flow rate into the air intake system to produce a hydrogen delivery to an air intake system 106 of an internal predetermined hydrogen to air ratio. The predetermined combustion engine 100 in accordance with the present inven hydrogen to air ratio may be adjusted depending on the type tion. In step 212, one or more measurements from one or more of engine. For example, the hydrogen to air ratio may range sensors are monitored on a continuous basis as the operating from 0.01% to 5.0% for certain diesel engines and more or conditions of the internal combustion engine change. For less than this ratio for other types of engines. Typically, how example, the measurements of operation data may include, ever, the ratio will be less than 3% of hydrogen to air.

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0040 Embodiments of the present invention are thus able description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be to adjust the delivery of the volume or flow rate of the hydro defined so long as the specified functions and relationships gen fuel to maintain a approximately predetermined hydro are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries gen to air ratio with varying engine RPM and load conditions or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the of the internal combustion engine. This adjustment helps to claimed invention.

increase efficiency of the combustion process over the 0045. The present invention has been described above engine's operating range. With hydrogen gas blending, the with the aid of schematic block diagrams that are functional emissions of any ICE are greatly reduced across the engines building blocks illustrating the performance of certain sig entire operating range. nificant functions. The boundaries of these functional build 0041. The hydrogen delivery system 110 can be installed ing blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of on existing internal combustion engines as well as con description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as structed as part of a new internal combustion engine. It should the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. further be understood that the above described embodiments One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the are not limited to any particular shape, dimensions or size or functional building blocks can be implemented as illustrated materials. The hydrogen delivery system 110 may be adjusted or by including other functional building blocks into a single in scale and in shape to be operable with various types and functional building block or separating a functional building capacities of internal combustion engines. For example, the block into more than one component or including additional hydrogen delivery system 110 may be scaled to be operable or alternative building blocks that perform similar functions. with 1.0 L gasoline engine for a vehicle or 50 L diesel engine What is claimed is:

for a generator. The embodiments of the invention described 1. An internal combustion engine, comprising: are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, an engine block assembly, exact materials or embodiments shown and described, but an air intake system coupled to the engine block assembly: includes modifications and equivalents that are apparent to and one skilled in the art. As may be used herein, the term a hydrogen delivery system coupled to the air intake sys “approximately provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term. Such an industry-accepted tolerance tem, wherein the hydrogen delivery system monitors an ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corre air flow rate through the air intake system and controls sponds to, but is not limited to, ratio values, process varia injection of hydrogen fuel into the air intake system to tions, temperature variations, etc. produce a predetermined hydrogen to air ratio. 0042. In the above description, the hydrogen fuel may 2. The internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the include hydrogen H oxygen, methane, propane and any hydrogen delivery system further comprises: combination of these gases or other hydrogen/carbon based an air flow sensor coupled to the air intake system for gases. When other carbon based gases are incorporated into providing measurements relating to airflow through the the fuel, or used in place of hydrogen, the embodiments in air intake system.

FIGS. 1 through 6 may also be used to deliver such fuel to an 3. The internal combustion engine of claim 2, wherein the engine block assembly 104. As described herein, the control hydrogen delivery system further comprises: module 120 determines an amount of the fuel to produce a a control module that is operable to determine airflow rate predetermined gas to air ratio in response to one or more through the air intake system in response to the measure measurements of operational data. The flow rate of the fuel ments relating to airflow and to determine an amount of needed to provide the amount of gas is determined and an hydrogen fuel to inject into the air intake system. injector is controlled to provide the injection of the fuel into 4. The internal combustion engine of claim3, wherein the the air intake system to or engine block assembly 104. hydrogen delivery system further comprises: 0043. As may also be used herein, the terms “coupled to a hydrogen injector operable to inject the determined or “coupling includes direct coupling between items and/or amount of hydrogen into the air intake system in indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., response to control signals from the control module. an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an ele 5. The internal combustion engine of claim 4, wherein the ment, a circuit, and/or a module) so that the items are operable hydrogen delivery system further comprises: for their intended purpose. As may further be used herein, a hydrogen fuel Supply that provides hydrogen fuel to the inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to hydrogen injector.

another element by inference) includes direct and indirect 6. The internal combustion engine of claim 5, wherein the coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled hydrogen fuel Supply comprises:

to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable an electrolyzer, and to” or “operatively indicates that an item includes elements an electrolyzer control module that receives signals from necessary to perform one or more of its corresponding func the control module to produce hydrogen fuel. tions and may further include inferred coupling to one or 7. The internal combustion engine of claim 6, wherein the more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term air intake system comprises:

“associated with', includes direct and/or indirect coupling of a hydrogen injection housing coupled to the airflow sensor separate items and/or one item being embedded within and the hydrogen injector.

another item. 8. The internal combustion engine of claim 7, wherein the 0044) The present invention has also been described above air intake system comprises:

with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of a hydrogen injection housing coupled before or after the specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries turbocharger when applicable. and sequence of these functional building blocks and method 9. A method for hydrogen delivery to an internal combus steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of tion engine, comprising:

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monitoring measurements from one or more sensors 12. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com coupled to the internal combustion engine; and bustion engine of claim 9, wherein monitoring measurements adjusting a rate of hydrogen fuel injected into an air intake from one or more sensors coupled to the internal combustion system in response to the measurements from the one or engine comprises monitoring measurements of at least one of more sensors, wherein adjusting the rate of hydrogen the following: mass air flow, Volume air flow, engine revolu fuel comprises: tions per minute (RPM), manifold absolute pressure, throttle in response to the measurements, determining an position, engine load and crank shaft position. amount of hydrogen to deliver to an air intake system 13. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com bustion engine of claim 12, wherein monitoring measure of the internal combustion engine; ments from one or more sensors coupled to the internal com determining a rate of hydrogen fuel to inject to the air bustion engine comprises monitoring measurements of air intake system to deliver the determined amount of flow through the air intake system.

hydrogen to the air intake system; and 14. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com signaling a hydrogen fuel injector to inject the rate of bustion engine of claim 13, wherein adjusting the rate of hydrogen fuel into the air intake system. hydrogen fuel further comprises:

10. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com determining an air flow rate in response to the measure bustion engine of claim 9, further comprising: ments of air flow through the air intake system. signaling a hydrogen fuel source to regulate production of 15. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com hydrogen fuel in response to the rate of hydrogen fuel bustion engine of claim 14, wherein the step of determining injected into the air intake system. an amount of hydrogen to deliver to an air intake system of the internal combustion engine comprises:

11. The method for hydrogen delivery to an internal com in response to the air flow rate, determining an amount of bustion engine of claim 9, further comprising: hydrogen to deliver to the air intake to produce a prede signaling a hydrogen fuel source to start or terminate pro termined hydrogen to air ratio. duction of hydrogen fuel in response to engine opera tion. c c c c c