Dynamic variable fuel optimization system
Present invention optimizes utilization of different fuels in various single and multi-fueled engines. The fuel system and optimization controller links fuel properties (physical, reactionary, combustion etc.) to on-board computer systems during the refueling process. This link enables fuel and additive producers an opportunity to optimize combustion parameters of their proprietary fuel blends to increase performance, fuel efficiencies and reduce emissions.
1. A method of providing a blended fuel having a desired viscosity in an engine of a vehicle, said engine having a fuel system, said fuel system and said engine being responsive to an OEM electronic control unit said blended fuel including a first amount of a first fuel and a second amount of a second fuel, the amounts comprising a blended fuel ratio, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing said vehicle with a first fuel container for containing said first fuel, a second fuel container for containing said second fuel, and an optimizing electronic control unit in communication with said OEM electronic control unit and said fuel system, said optimizing electronic control unit having a microcontroller and a database, the database including fuel combustion maps for said first fuel and said second fuel such that said optimizing electronic control unit directs said OEM electronic control unit to direct the fuel system to at least one of (a) modify the blended fuel ratio or (b) change the temperature of the first fuel to cause the blended fuel to have the desired viscosity in response to real time engine conditions, air temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and load conditions;
b) initiating and continuing intercommunication among said optimizing electronic control unit, said OEM electronic control unit, and said fuel system such that said optimizing electronic control unit and said OEM electronic control unit continuously determine and provide blended fuel with the desired viscosity for combustion by said engine;
c) delivering said blended fuel for combustion in said engine through said fuel system; and
d) operating said engine using said blended fuel.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fuel is an alternative fuel and said second fuel is diesel fuel.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fuel system includes a fuel blending valve and said first and second fuel containers are in fluid communication with said fuel system by way of said blending valve.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying and logging the type and amounts of said first fuel being used to enable calculation of petroleum mitigation and emission reduction information.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises downloading, from an external fuel dispensing system, at least one of a fuel type and a fuel combustion map for a new fuel to the optimizing electronic control unit from an external fuel dispensing system or, if the fuel type or combustion map cannot be downloaded from the external fuel dispensing system, manually inputting the fuel type to said optimizing electronic control unit.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the desired viscosity is that of diesel fuel.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the viscosity of the first fuel and the second fuel can be adjusted by heating or cooling.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the second fuel is diesel fuel and the viscosity of the first fuel is adjusted by blending a predetermined amount of the second fuel into the first fuel.