JP2007022845A - Fuel reformr - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mix air and a fuel sufficiently and introduce them to a reforming catalyst even in the case where the amount of supplied air and the fuel varies, in a fuel reformer. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel reformer for reforming a fuel by introducing a mixed gas of a fuel and air to the reforming catalyst, a mixing part for mixing the fuel and air, an injector for supplying the fuel to the mixing part, and an air supply path for supplying air to the mixing part are arranged. Also, a variable means for varying the air passing area is provided at the air supply path and a passing opening for making air flow into the mixing part. The variable means is controlled so as to vary the air passing area based on the air amount to be introduced into the mixing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel reformer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fuel reforming apparatus that reforms a mixture of fuel and air by passing through a reforming catalyst.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-227419 discloses a fuel cell system using hydrogen as a fuel, which uses a fuel reformer as a hydrogen supply source. This fuel reformer obtains a hydrogen-containing gas using a fuel such as methanol and air. Specifically, first, after the sprayed fuel and preheated combustion air are mixed, the mixture is passed through a coarse mesh and a fine mesh in this order. As each mesh passes, the fuel is trapped and fully vaporized at the surface of the mesh. After sufficiently evaporating the fuel in this way, gas phase combustion is performed through the catalytic combustor. Thereby, a fuel and combustion air react and hydrogen-containing gas can be obtained. According to this prior art fuel reformer, since the fuel is sufficiently vaporized when passing through the catalytic combustor, a local increase in combustion temperature can be suppressed. Accordingly, hydrogen is obtained by clean combustion in which the generation of NO _{x and the} like in the fuel is reduced.

JP 2001-227419 A JP 2001-241365 A

Also in the internal combustion engine, a fuel reformer is used which obtains a reformed fuel by mixing fuel and air and passing through a reforming catalyst. This fuel reformer reforms an air-fuel mixture of hydrocarbon fuel and air supplied to an internal combustion engine to generate a reformed gas containing CO and H ₂ . In this reforming, in order to obtain a good reformed gas, it is necessary to pass the fuel and air in a sufficiently mixed state when passing through the reforming catalyst.

  In order to sufficiently mix the fuel and the air, it is preferable to supply the air with a certain flow rate to the mixing unit that mixes the air and the fuel. However, in the fuel reforming apparatus for an internal combustion engine, the amount of air to be mixed and the fuel injection amount are not constant and vary according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine. In such a case, it is difficult to sufficiently mix air and fuel according to the amount of change. That is, when the amount of air is small, the energy of collision between the supplied air and the fuel is low, and it may occur that the fuel and the air cannot be sufficiently mixed. On the other hand, the fuel reforming device of the above-mentioned prior art does not assume a case where the amount of air and fuel varies according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine, and therefore when the air amount varies, Fuel and air cannot be mixed sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even when the amount of fuel and air supplied varies, the fuel and air can be supplied to the reforming catalyst in a sufficiently mixed state. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved fuel reformer.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a fuel reformer for reforming by introducing a mixture of fuel and air into a reforming catalyst,
A mixing unit for mixing the fuel and the air;
An injector for supplying the fuel to the mixing unit;
An air supply path for supplying the air to the mixing unit;
A variable means for making the passage area of the air variable at a passage port through which the air flows into the mixing unit;
Control means for changing the passage area by the variable means based on the amount of air flowing into the mixing section;
It is characterized by providing.

  A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a flow rate control valve is disposed in the air supply path and controls an amount of air flowing in the air supply path.

A third invention is the slide according to the first or second invention, wherein the variable means is slidably disposed along a contact surface between the mixing portion and the air supply path, and opens and closes the passage opening by sliding. A valve,
The control means changes the passage area by sliding the slide valve.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the mixing section has a plurality of the passage openings,
The control means is characterized in that the passage area is changed by adjusting the number of passage openings opened by sliding the slide valve.

According to a fifth invention, in the fourth invention, a plurality of the passage openings are disposed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the mixing portion in one cross section perpendicular to the contact surface, and
A plurality of passage opening forming cross sections in which the passage openings are formed are arranged perpendicular to the contact surface.

6th invention is 5th invention. WHEREIN: In the passage opening formation cross section of one of the said passage opening formation cross sections, the direction through which the said passage opening penetrates the said mixing part wall surface is the following.
Of the passage opening forming cross sections, the direction of the passage opening penetrating the mixing portion wall surface is different in another passage opening forming cross section adjacent to the first passage opening forming cross section.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention based on the fifth aspect, in one of the passage opening formation cross sections, the passage opening extends in one direction from a tangent to the inner wall surface of the mixing portion. Formed through the wall surface of the mixing part,
Among the passage opening formation cross sections, in the other passage opening formation cross section adjacent to the one passage opening formation cross section, the passage opening has a tangent to the inner wall surface of the mixing portion in a direction opposite to the one direction. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to penetrate the mixing portion in a direction extending in the direction.

According to an eighth invention, in the fifth to seventh inventions, the diameter of the passage opening in one passage opening formation cross section of the passage opening formation cross sections is:
Of the passage opening forming cross section, the diameter of the passage opening is different from the diameter of the passage opening forming cross section different from the first passage opening forming cross section.

  According to 1st invention, the passage area of the air of the passage port which flows in air into a mixing part can be fluctuate | varied according to the quantity of air. Therefore, it is possible to allow air to flow into the mixing unit in a state where the flow rate of the air flowing into the mixing unit is adjusted to a flow rate at which air and fuel can be sufficiently mixed. Thereby, after air and fuel are sufficiently mixed, the air-fuel mixture can be passed through the reforming catalyst, and a good reformed gas can be obtained.

  According to the second invention, the air supply path is provided with the flow control valve. Therefore, the flow rate of air to the mixing unit can be controlled more precisely, and air and fuel can be sufficiently mixed.

  Further, according to the third to fifth inventions, the passage area of the air to the mixing unit is changed by sliding the slide valve to open and close the passage port. Therefore, the passage area can be easily changed according to the amount of air, and the flow velocity of the air flowing into the mixing unit can be easily adjusted.

  Further, according to the sixth or seventh invention, of the passage opening formation cross sections, the passage opening in one passage opening formation cross section penetrates the wall surface of the mixing portion and another passage opening formation cross section adjacent to the cross section. The passage opening is opened in a direction different from the direction in which the inner passage passes through the wall surface of the mixing portion. Therefore, the turbulence of the air when the air flows into the mixing unit can be increased, and the air and the fuel can be mixed more reliably.

  Further, according to the eighth invention, the diameter of the passage opening in one passage opening formation cross section of the passage opening formation cross section is different from other passage opening formation cross sections. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently mix air and fuel by supplying air having a high flow velocity to the mixing unit in response to a wider flow range of air.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
[System configuration of the first embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The system shown in FIG. 1 has an air supply pipe 2. An air cleaner 4 is disposed in the air supply pipe 2. A first air flow meter 6 is provided on the downstream side of the air flow in the air supply pipe 2 with respect to the air cleaner 4. The first air flow meter 6 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of air flowing through the air supply pipe 2. An electronic throttle 8 is disposed downstream of the first air flow meter 6. The electronic throttle 8 adjusts the amount of air supplied to the air supply pipe 2. The air supply pipe 2 is connected to the surge tank 10 downstream of the electronic throttle 8.

  Further, one end of the bypass pipe 12 is connected to the air supply pipe 2 downstream of the first air flow meter 6. A pump 14 is connected to the bypass pipe 12, and a second air flow meter 16 is connected downstream thereof. The second air flow meter 16 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of air flowing through the bypass pipe 12. The other end of the bypass pipe 12 is connected to the air / fuel mixing unit 22 of the reformer 20. In addition, an injector 24 for supplying fuel is inserted into the air-fuel mixing unit 22 so that the jet outlet thereof is exposed in the air-fuel mixing unit 22. An air-fuel mixture supply space 26 is provided downstream of the air-fuel mixing unit 22 of the reformer 20. A reforming catalyst 28 is provided downstream of the air-fuel mixture supply space.

  One end of a connection pipe 30 is connected to the reformer 20 on the downstream side of the reforming catalyst 28. The other end of the connection pipe 30 is connected to the surge tank 10. A temperature sensor 32 is installed in the middle of the connecting pipe 30. The temperature sensor 32 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature in the connection pipe 30.

  The downstream side of the surge tank 10 is connected to one end of the intake pipe 34. The other end of the intake pipe 34 is connected to an intake port that communicates with the combustion chamber 38 of the internal combustion engine 36. An exhaust pipe 40 is connected to an exhaust port communicating with the combustion chamber 38 of the internal combustion engine 36. An intake valve 42 is disposed at a communication portion between the intake port and the combustion chamber 38. An exhaust valve 44 is disposed at a communication portion between the exhaust port and the combustion chamber 38. An air-fuel ratio sensor 46 is installed in the exhaust pipe 40. The air-fuel ratio sensor 46 outputs a signal corresponding to the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas discharged to the exhaust pipe 40.

  A spark plug 48 is inserted into the combustion chamber 38 so that the tip is exposed. A piston 50 is provided below the combustion chamber 38 of the internal combustion engine 36. The piston 50 is connected to a crankshaft (not shown) via a connecting rod 52. A rotation speed sensor 54 is installed in the vicinity of the crankshaft. The rotation speed sensor 54 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 36.

  The system also includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 56. The ECU 56 is connected to various sensors such as the first air flow meter 6, the second air flow meter 16, the temperature sensor 32, the air-fuel ratio sensor 46, and the rotation speed sensor 54, and receives signals output from the sensors, Obtain information necessary for control. And based on the acquired information, the spark plug 48, the injector 24, the electronic throttle 8, etc. are controlled.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view for explaining the reformer 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a part of the cross section of the reformer 20 is shown in an enlarged manner.
As shown in FIG. 2, a bypass pipe 12 is connected to the air-fuel mixing unit 22 of the reformer 20. A cavity 60 is provided in the air-fuel mixing unit 22. The injection port at the tip of the injector 24 is disposed so as to be exposed in the cavity 60. The outer wall of the cavity 60 is exposed to air supplied into the air mixing unit 22. On the contact surface 60a where the outer wall surface of the cavity 60 is in contact with the air, a plurality of passage ports 62 penetrating the cavity 60 wall surface are formed.

  A slide valve 64 that opens and closes a plurality of passage ports 62 is formed on the contact surface 60 a of the cavity 60. The slide valve 64 is provided with a slide gear 66. By rotating the slide gear 66, the slide valve 64 can be slid along the contact surface 60a (that is, in the left-right direction in FIG. 2), whereby the passage port 62 can be opened and closed. The slide gear 66 is connected to the ECU 56 and controlled by the ECU 56.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross section in the AA ′ direction of FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the passage port 62 is formed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the cavity 60 on the radiation centering on the center of the inner wall 60b of the cavity 60 in a cross section perpendicular to the contact surface 60a. Further, the passage opening forming cross section 60c in which the passage openings 62 are formed in this way is arranged in parallel in a plurality of stages in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 60a.

[Operation of the system according to the first embodiment]
The mixture of air and fuel mixed in the cavity 60 is supplied to the mixture supply space 26 and supplied from the mixture supply space 26 to the reforming catalyst 28. In the reformer 20, the partial oxidation reaction represented by the following formula (1) proceeds, the fuel is reformed, and a reformed gas containing CO and H ₂ can be obtained.
C _m H _n + (m / 2) O ₂ → mCO + (n / 2) H ₂ (1)

In the equation (1), when the amount of air is excessive, the reaction in the reforming catalyst 28 does not stop at CO and H ₂ , and the reaction proceeds and CO ₂ and H ₂ O are generated. On the other hand, when the amount of supplied air is small, sufficient reforming cannot be performed. Therefore, it is necessary that fuel and air are mixed at an appropriate ratio and that the fuel and air are sufficiently mixed.

  According to the system of the first embodiment, the ECU 56 determines the fuel injection amount and the air amount as follows. That is, the ECU 56 calculates the total amount of air GA supplied from the air supply pipe 4 and the bypass pipe 12 based on the output of various sensors such as the air-fuel ratio sensor 46 and the rotation speed sensor 54 and information from the accelerator 58. The ECU 56 calculates the reforming air amount ga and the fuel injection amount supplied into the cavity 60 according to the total air amount GA.

  The air amount and the fuel injection amount supplied to the internal combustion engine 36 are calculated so that the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine 36 becomes a preset target air-fuel ratio in the vicinity of the theoretical air-fuel ratio. The total air amount GA is calculated from the amount of air supplied to the internal combustion engine 36. The reforming air amount ga and the fuel injection amount supplied to the reformer 20 are set so that O / C, which is the ratio of oxygen atoms in the air to carbon atoms in the supplied fuel, is 1. The When the mixture of fuel and air passes through the reforming catalyst 28 at a ratio of O / C = 1, the mixture is reformed most efficiently. O / C = 1 is a value corresponding to A / F≈5.

  In the system of the first embodiment, the flow rate of the air flowing into the cavity 60 is controlled in order to sufficiently mix the air supplied to the reforming catalyst 28 and the fuel. ECU56 memorize | stores the relationship between the flow rate of air required for sufficient mixing of fuel and air, and the fuel injection quantity according to it.

  The ECU 56 controls the flow rate of the air flowing into the cavity 60 by sliding the slide valve 64 with the slide gear 66 and increasing or decreasing the numerical aperture of the passage port 62 of the air flowing into the cavity 60. Specifically, when the reforming air amount ga is small, the slide valve 64 is slid so as to close many passage ports 62 in order to obtain a sufficient flow rate. As a result, the number of opening passages 62 opened is reduced, and the air passage area is reduced, so that the flow velocity of the air flowing into the cavity 60 is increased. On the other hand, when the reforming air amount ga is large, the slide valve 64 is slid so that the number of opening passages 62 opened increases. As a result, the air passage area increases and a large amount of reforming air amount ga can be supplied into the cavity 60.

  The system of the first embodiment can control the flow rate of air into the cavity 60 to be a constant flow rate by increasing or decreasing the number of passage ports 62 opened by sliding the slide valve 64. By controlling the flow rate of air in this way, the fuel and air injected from the injector 24 are sufficiently mixed. The ECU 56 stores the relationship between the reforming air amount ga and the sliding amount of the slide valve 64 for obtaining a flow rate required for the reforming air amount ga. The slide amount of the slide valve 64 is calculated.

[Control of the system of the first embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart executed by the ECU 56 in the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, first, a necessary total air amount GA is calculated (step S102). The ECU 56 calculates necessary data from the outputs of the rotational speed sensor 54, the accelerator 58, the air-fuel ratio sensor 46, and the like, and the total air amount so that the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine 36 becomes a preset target air-fuel ratio from this data. GA is calculated.

  Next, the reforming air amount ga supplied to the reformer 20 is calculated from the total air amount GA (step S104). The ECU 56 calculates the reforming air amount ga from a calculation formula relating to the prestored total air amount GA and the reforming air amount ga. Thereby, the reforming air amount ga supplied from the bypass pipe 12 is determined.

  Next, the slide amount of the slide valve 64 is calculated based on the calculated reforming air amount ga (step S106). The ECU 56 calculates the slide amount from the relationship between the reforming air amount ga stored in advance and the slide amount of the slide valve 64. Thus, the slide amount of the slide valve 64 is set so that the number of passage ports 62 necessary for obtaining a predetermined flow rate is opened with respect to the reforming air amount ga.

  Next, the fuel injection amount is calculated (step S108). The ECU 56 calculates the fuel injection amount according to the total air amount GA and the reforming air amount ga. The fuel injection amount is the O / O ratio in the reformer 20 because the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine 36 becomes a preset target air-fuel ratio and is related to the reforming air amount ga supplied to the reformer 20. It is set so that C = 1.

  Next, the slide valve 64 is slid in accordance with the calculated slide amount (step S110). The ECU 56 slides the slide valve 64 by rotating the slide gear 66 based on the slide amount calculated in step S106. As a result, the number of opening passages 62 opened is adjusted to a number corresponding to the reforming air amount ga, and the flow rate of the air flowing into the cavity 60 is adjusted to a predetermined speed required for mixing.

  Next, the calculated fuel injection amount of fuel is injected (step S112). The ECU 56 controls the injection amount of fuel calculated in step S108 to be injected, and causes the injector 24 to inject fuel. The fuel is injected into the cavity 60 and thoroughly mixed with the air whose flow rate is adjusted. Thereafter, the mixture of air and fuel passes through the mixture supply space 26 and flows into the reforming catalyst 28. In the reforming catalyst 28, the reforming reaction of the formula (1) occurs, and a good reformed gas is obtained. The reformed gas is supplied to the surge tank 10 and supplied from the intake pipe 34 into the combustion chamber 38 via the intake port.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the numerical aperture of the passage port 62 is controlled to be increased or decreased according to the reforming air amount ga supplied to the reformer 20. Therefore, air can be supplied into the cavity 60 at a flow rate necessary for sufficient mixing of air and fuel according to the reforming air amount ga. Therefore, even when the reforming air amount ga is small, the fuel and air can be sufficiently mixed.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the reformer of the first embodiment.
The reformer 120 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the reformer 20 shown in FIG. 2 except that it has a flow control valve 68 in addition to the reformer 20 shown in FIG.
In the reformer 120 shown in FIG. 5, a flow rate control valve 68 is installed in the bypass pipe 12. The flow control valve 68 adjusts the flow rate of the reforming air amount ga flowing into the cavity 60. The ECU 56 adjusts the numerical aperture of the passage port 62 by the slide valve 64 according to the adjusted air flow rate. Therefore, the flow rate and flow velocity of air can be precisely controlled from the numerical apertures of the flow control valve 68 and the passage port 62. Therefore, the reforming efficiency of the reformer 120 can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of passage openings 62 are formed in the same passage opening formation section 60c in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 60a so as to penetrate the cavity 60 wall surface radially, and the passage openings are formed. The case where the cross sections 60c are arranged in a plurality of steps and perpendicular to the contact surface 60a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to one in which the same passages 62 are regularly arranged as will be described later. For example, the passage port 62 may be arranged so as to randomly penetrate the wall surface of the cavity 60.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the case where the passage area of air was adjusted with the number of the opening passages 62 opened was demonstrated. However, in the present invention, the adjustment of the air passage area is not limited to this method. For example, the passage area may be adjusted by forming the diameter of the passage opening to a certain extent and adjusting the area of the passage opening 62 closed by the slide valve 64.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the slide valve 64 is slid by rotating the slide gear 66 to adjust the numerical aperture of the passage port 62 has been described. However, in the present invention, the slide method of the slide valve 64 is not limited to the rotation of the slide gear 66, and may be a slide mechanism by another mechanism.

  In the first embodiment, the case where air is supplied to the reformer 20 by bypassing from the air supply pipe 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a passage independent from the air supply pipe 2 may be provided to supply air to the reformer 20 from this passage.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining the reformer in the second embodiment. 6A is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are cross-sectional views taken along lines BB ′ and CC ′ of FIG. 6A. To express.
The reformer 70 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the reformer 20 shown in FIG. 2 except that the arrangement of the passage ports 62 provided on the contact surface 60a of the cavity 60 is different. This reformer 70 is used as a reformer in the system of FIG. 1 in the same manner as the reformer 20 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (B), the passage port 62 of the reformer 70 has a BB ′ cross section, that is, a passage port forming cross section 60d, and the left side of the tangent line of the inner wall 60b of the cavity 60 as viewed from the center. It is formed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the cavity 60 in a direction extending in one direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the CC ′ cross section, that is, in the passage opening forming section 60e, the passage opening 62 extends in one direction on the right side with respect to the tangent line of the inner wall 60b of the cavity 60 as viewed from the center. It is formed so as to penetrate the wall surface of the cavity 60 in the extended direction.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, on the wall surface of the cavity 60, the passage opening forming sections 60d and 60e in which the passage openings 62 having different opening directions are formed are alternately arranged in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface 60a. Yes. Thus, by arranging the passage ports 62 having different opening directions, the air is disturbed when supplied into the cavity 60. Therefore, fuel and air can be efficiently mixed in the cavity 60, and the performance of the reformer 70 can be improved.

  In the second embodiment, the case has been described in which the passage opening forming sections 60d and 60e in which the passage openings 62 whose opening directions are opposite to each other are alternately arranged. However, in the present invention, the arrangement of the passage openings 62 is not limited to this, and for example, the passage openings 62 may be arranged such that the opening directions are irregular.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a reformer 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The reformer 80 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the reformer 20 of FIG. 2 except that the diameter of the passage port 62 is not uniform. A reformer 80 shown in FIG. 7 is used as a reformer in the system shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of the passage port 62 on the wall surface of the cavity 60 gradually increases in order from the passage port formation cross-section 60 f on the side near the jet port of the injector 24. That is, the diameter of the passage opening 62 formed in the passage opening forming section 60f is the smallest, and the diameter of the passage opening 62 formed in the passage opening forming section 60g is the largest.

  When the amount of reforming air ga flowing into the cavity 60 is large, the slide valve 64 is slid and the passage port 62 having a larger diameter is opened so that the number of passage ports 62 to be opened increases. The slide valve 64 is slid. On the other hand, when the reforming air amount ga is small, the slide valve 64 is slid so that only the small diameter passage port 62 is opened. Thus, by forming the passage ports 62 having different diameters, it is possible to cope with both the size of the diameter of the passage port 62 and the numerical aperture of the reforming air amount ga. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the reforming air amount ga widely and fine control can be performed.

  In the third embodiment, the case has been described in which the diameter decreases in order from the downstream passage opening forming section 60g. However, the order in which the passage ports 62 having different diameters are arranged is not limited to this, and for example, the passage ports 62 may be arranged such that the diameters are reduced in order from the upstream side. Further, the present invention is not limited to the one in which the diameter of the passage port gradually changes in order from the upstream side or the downstream side. For example, a passage opening forming cross section with a large passage opening diameter and a passage opening forming cross section with a small passage opening diameter may be alternately arranged. It may be arranged at random.

  In the third embodiment, as in FIG. 3, the case where the passage openings 62 are arranged in a radial manner has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement of the passage openings 62. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the direction of the passage port 62 may be reversed for each passage port formation cross section.

  In the above embodiment, when referring to the number of each element, quantity, quantity, range, etc., the reference is made unless otherwise specified or the number is clearly specified in principle. The number is not limited. Further, the structures described in the embodiments, steps in the method, and the like are not necessarily essential to the present invention unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, the reformers 20, 120, 70, and 80 correspond to the “fuel reformer” of the first invention, and the cavity 60 corresponds to the “mixing” of the first invention. The injector 24 corresponds to the “injector” of the first invention, the bypass pipe 12 and the air-fuel mixing unit 22 correspond to the “air supply path” of the first invention, and the passage port 62 Corresponds to the “passage port” of the first invention, the slide valve 64 and the slide gear 66 correspond to the “variable means” of the first invention, and the ECU 56 corresponds to the “control means” of the first invention. Applicable. For example, the flow control valve 68 in the first embodiment corresponds to the “flow control valve” of the second invention.

  Further, for example, in the first to third embodiments, the contact surface 60a of the cavity 60 corresponds to the “contact surface” of the third invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the passage opening forming section 60c corresponds to the “passing opening forming section” of the fifth invention. In the second embodiment, the passage opening forming sections 60d and 60e correspond to the “passing opening forming section” of the sixth and seventh inventions. For example, in the third embodiment, the passage opening forming sections 60f and 60g correspond to the “passing opening forming section” of the eighth invention.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the reformer in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating the formation direction of the passage of the reformer in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the routine of control which the system of Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the other reformer of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the reformer of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the reformer of Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Air supply pipe 4 Air cleaner 6 1st air flow meter 8 Electronic throttle 10 Surge tank 12 Bypass pipe 14 Pump 16 2nd air flow meter 20, 120 Reformer 22 Air-fuel mixing part 24 Injector 26 Mixture supply space 28 Reforming catalyst 30 Connection pipe 32 Temperature sensor 34 Intake pipe 36 Internal combustion engine 38 Combustion chamber 40 Exhaust pipe 42 Intake valve 44 Exhaust valve 46 Air-fuel ratio sensor 48 Spark plug 50 Piston 52 Connecting rod 54 Speed sensor 56 ECU
60 Cavity 60a Cavity contact surface 60b Cavity inner wall 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f, 60g Cross section forming passage 58 Accelerator 62 Passing port 64 Slide valve 66 Slide gear 68 Flow control valve 70, 80 Reformer

Claims (8)

A fuel reformer for reforming by introducing a mixture of fuel and air into a reforming catalyst,
A mixing unit for mixing the fuel and the air;
An injector for supplying the fuel to the mixing unit;
An air supply path for supplying the air to the mixing unit;
A variable means for making the passage area of the air variable at a passage port through which the air flows into the mixing unit;
Control means for changing the passage area by the variable means based on the amount of air flowing into the mixing section;
A fuel reformer characterized by comprising:   The fuel reformer according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate control valve that is disposed in the air supply path and controls an amount of air flowing through the air supply path. The variable means is a slide valve that is slidably disposed along a contact surface between the mixing unit and the air supply path, and opens and closes the passage port by sliding,
The fuel reformer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means changes the passage area by sliding the slide valve. The mixing unit has a plurality of the passage openings,
4. The fuel reformer according to claim 3, wherein the control means changes the passage area by adjusting the number of passage openings opened by sliding the slide valve. A plurality of the passage openings are arranged so as to penetrate the wall surface of the mixing portion in one cross section perpendicular to the contact surface, and
The fuel reformer according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of passage forming sections where the passages are formed are arranged perpendicular to the contact surface. In one passage opening formation cross section of the passage opening formation cross section, the direction in which the passage opening penetrates the mixing part wall surface is:
The direction through which the passage port penetrates the mixing unit wall surface is different in another passage port formation section adjacent to the first passage port formation section among the passage port formation sections. 5. The fuel reformer according to 5. In one passage opening formation cross section among the passage opening formation cross sections, the passage opening is formed through the wall surface of the mixing portion in a direction extending in one direction with respect to the inner wall surface of the mixing portion,
Among the passage opening formation cross sections, in the other passage opening formation cross section adjacent to the one passage opening formation cross section, the passage opening has a tangent to the inner wall surface of the mixing portion in a direction opposite to the one direction. The fuel reformer according to claim 5, wherein the fuel reformer is formed so as to penetrate through the mixing portion in a direction extending in the direction. The diameter of the passing port in one passing port forming cross section of the passing port forming cross section is:
The fuel modification according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a diameter of the passage opening in a passage formation section different from the one passage formation section is different among the passage formation sections. Quality equipment.

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