| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To improve engine starting performance, by storing hydrocarbon fuel formed by cracking of liquid fuel at lower boiling point during engine operation, reducing the pressure of the hydrocarbon fuel to gasify same upon engine starting, and supply such a gasified fuel. CONSTITUTION:When hydrocarbon fuel level in a reservoir 14 becomes lower than a preset level during engine operation, current is conducted through a controller 20 to a heater 28 in accordance with an output from a level sensor 43, and at the same time, solenoid valve 12 is opened to supply liquid fuel such as gas oil to a cracking device 13. The liquid fuel is heated in a reaction chamber 25 filled with a catalyst 24 by the heater 28 to be cracked, thereby forming a hydrocarbon fuel of lower boiling point fraction such as propane, butane or the like. The gas fuel is fed through a piping 11, in which the fuel is cooled, to the reservoir 14, where it is condensed and liquefied for storing. Thus, the liquefied fuel is injected from a nozzle 17 upon engine starting, and is ignited for combustion by an ignition plug 18 for heating intaken air. |
