US 12,441,609 B2
Systems and methods for supplementing radiator cooling with an ammonia heat-exchange unit and adjustable air intake louvers
James L. Wall, II, Concord, NC (US); and David Gwynn Kapp, Jr., Concord, NC (US)
Assigned to First Ammonia Motors, Inc., Concord, NC (US)
Filed by First Ammonia Motors, Inc., Concord, NC (US)
Filed on May 29, 2025, as Appl. No. 19/222,111.
Application 19/222,111 is a continuation of application No. 18/904,051, filed on Oct. 1, 2024, granted, now 12,358,787.
Application 18/904,051 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/660,466, filed on May 10, 2024, granted, now 12,162,754, issued on Dec. 10, 2024.
Application 18/660,466 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/241,328, filed on Sep. 1, 2023, granted, now 11,981,562, issued on May 14, 2024.
Application 18/241,328 is a continuation of application No. 17/986,265, filed on Nov. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,840,449, issued on Dec. 12, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/395,820, filed on Aug. 6, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0289714 A1, Sep. 18, 2025
Int. Cl. F02M 21/02 (2006.01); C01B 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC C01B 3/047 (2013.01) [F02M 21/0206 (2013.01); F02M 21/0227 (2013.01); C01B 2203/0277 (2013.01); C01B 2203/085 (2013.01); C01B 2203/1035 (2013.01); C01B 2203/1205 (2013.01); C01B 2203/1623 (2013.01); C01B 2203/84 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for heat-exchange between ammonia and engine coolant for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
an electronic control unit (ECU);
an ammonia tank containing ammonia;
a heat-exchange unit fluidly coupled to the ammonia tank and to the internal combustion engine, the heat-exchange unit receiving ammonia from the ammonia tank;
a radiator fluidly coupled to the heat-exchange unit and to the internal combustion engine, the radiator receiving hot engine coolant from the internal combustion engine, and the radiator supplying the hot engine coolant to the heat-exchange unit;
a temperature sensor coupled to the ECU to detect a temperature of the internal combustion engine; and
at least one louver coupled to the ECU, the louver configured to be in an open state and a closed state,
wherein the ECU adjusts the louver to the open state when a difference between the temperature of the internal combustion engine and an optimal operating temperature is above a threshold value, thereby maximizing ambient airflow to the radiator to facilitate cooling of the hot engine coolant,
wherein the ECU adjusts the louver to the closed state when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is below the optimal operating temperature, thereby blocking ambient airflow to the radiator,
wherein heat is transferred from the hot engine coolant to the ammonia within the heat-exchange unit, resulting in heated ammonia and cooled engine coolant,
wherein the heated ammonia exits the heat-exchange unit and is supplied to the internal combustion engine, and
wherein the cooled engine coolant exits the heat-exchange unit and is supplied to the radiator.