Abstract: A valve is used with a carburetor, and the carburetor therefor. The valve has a throttle valve and an air valve. The air valve defines an air bore and has a baffle disposed within the air bore. The baffle separates one section of the air bore from another section, and impedes airflow through the air bore during at least some positions of the air valve.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes an electric motor with a casing and a drive shaft extending from the casing, a pumping element coupled to the drive shaft for rotation with the shaft to take in fluid and discharge it under pressure. The fuel pump casing may be sealed and a housing coupled to the casing may provide the inlet and outlet passages for fluid flow to and from the pumping element. The housing may be received in or communicated with other housing or module assemblies to provide a wide array of fuel pump assemblies. The pumping element may include one or more gear rotors, a turbine pumping element, or other pumping element, as desired.

Abstract: A versatile rotary carburetor has an idle adjustment needle, a high speed adjustment needle, and preferably an air bypass screw which are substantially parallel to one another and are axially exposed for adjustment in a substantially common direction. Preferably a cammed rotary throttle valve is seated in a body of the carburetor for rotation about and axial movement along an axis. The rotary throttle valve intersects a mixing passage in the body, and carries a through-bore that variably generally aligns to the mixing passage upon rotation of the throttle valve. The throttle valve projects axially through an external surface of the body and threadably receives the idle adjustment needle oriented concentrically to the axis.

Abstract: A carburetor for use with an internal combustion engine has a fuel and air mixing passage, a choke valve with a valve head disposed at least partially in the fuel and air mixing passage and an air bleed passage with at least a portion that is communicated with the choke valve head when the choke valve is in its closed position to at least partially restrict air flow out of the air bleed passage when the choke valve is closed. The air bleed passage preferably provides air to a fuel circuit of the carburetor when the choke valve is open. When the choke valve is closed the air flow through the air bleed passage to the fuel circuit is at least partially restricted to provide a richer fuel and air mixture to the engine during a choke assisted start and warming up of the engine.

Abstract: A carburetor has an air intake passage, a fuel passage, a fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel passage and having an opening through which fuel flows, a first valve in communication with the air intake passage and being movable between first and second positions, and a second valve in communication with the fuel nozzle and also being movable between first and second positions to vary the effective flow area of the fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle is preferably carried by a tube fitted sealably in a bore being in communication with the fuel passage. The opening is defined by the tube and is preferably elongated, extending axially with respect to the tube. A needle of the second valve moves axially within the tube to variably obstruct the opening to control fuel flow. Preferably, a method of manufacturing the tube utilizes a circular cutting tool which plunges into the tube cutting a slit as the opening having a sharp peripheral edge for atomizing the fuel.

Abstract: A housing for a fuel pressure regulator includes a body having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, a plurality of retention members, a bypass fitting, and preferably an electrical fitting and a ground fitting. Each retention member includes a catch that is constructed to engage and securely hold the fuel pressure regulator in the housing, while the fuel inlet, the fuel outlet and the bypass passage permit fuel routing as pressurized fuel passes through the fuel pressure regulator. The regulator housing preferably is made of an electrostatic charge dissipative material and is formed in one piece using a single manufacturing process such as injection molding.

Abstract: A pull-starter for a combustion engine of an engine-powered apparatus having a startup element automatically actuated upon initial pulling of a pull-cord. The pull-cord is attached to and wound around a recoil pulley, routed at least partially around a portion of a movable dampener member, and attached to a handle. The dampener member is biased toward a rest position and a portion thereof is linked to the startup element. The pull-cord is pulled to displace the dampener member away from its rest position, automatically actuate the at least one startup element, and unwind the pull-cord from around the recoil pulley and thereby rotate the recoil pulley in an unwind direction to rotate a crankshaft of the engine via a coupling. At least upon release of the pull-cord, the dampener member and the startup element automatically return to their normal state during engine operation.

Abstract: An engine carburetor and a solenoid valve assembly therefor and methods of assembling the same. The carburetor has a body with a fuel and air mixing passage communicating with an air bleed passage. A cavity extends into the body for communication with the air bleed passage. A solenoid housing is received in the cavity and maintains a coil body for receipt of a valve body therein. The valve body moves between a retracted position to substantially open the air bleed passage and an extended position to substantially close the air bleed passage.

Abstract: Methods and fuel systems to reduce evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. A fuel tank contains fuel, a carburetor mixes air with the fuel from the fuel tank, and a plurality of fluid paths route fuel amongst and/or between the fuel tank and the carburetor. A valve actuation device stops flow of fuel in one or more of the plurality of fluid paths and the carburetor is adapted to be drained of fuel during engine shutdown to reduce or prevent evaporative emissions from the fuel system. The carburetor is preferably designed so as to minimize a volume of fuel contained therein.

Abstract: A compact engine start device of a combustion engine rotary-type carburetor overrides normal operation of a rotary throttle valve to provide a richer mixture of fuel-and-air to start a cold engine. Rotation of a start lever of the start device activates a releasable camming interface coupler causing the throttle lever to rotate about a rotary axis and axially lift partially out of the carburetor at prescribed angular and axial distances. This provides the engine, through a fuel-and-air mixing passage, with a controlled and enriched ratio and volume of a fuel-and-air mixture. Preferably, the start lever has a projecting rod that inserts into a hole in the carburetor body for rotation about an axis orientated substantially parallel to the rotary axis.

Abstract: A controlled slow down apparatus and method for use in the event that a light-duty combustion engine has entered a state of excessive speeds or auto-ignition. The controlled slow down method is preferably initiated when the engine speed exceeds an activation speed for a predetermined number of engine revolutions. Once initiated, the controlled slow down method uses a combination of ignition timing and spark ratio manipulations in order to disrupt the auto-ignition conditions and slow down the engine in a controlled manner. Preferably, the controlled slow down method is only one part of an overall ignition control method, and can be incorporated within or utilized by one of a number of different ignition timing methods known in the art.

Abstract: A carburetor fuel adjustment assembly includes a low speed needle valve and preferably a high speed needle valve threaded into respective receptacles of a carburetor body. Each receptacle defines an elongated cavity which intersects a fuel passage and has a valve orifice or seat. Each needle valve has a shank which threadably engages the respective receptacles and a tip that extends into the axially-aligned orifice or seat. The tip is axially movable relative to the orifice by rotation of the needle valve to control the size of the opening between the valve and orifice for fuel flow. A resilient body cooperates with the valve shank in laterally biasing the tip into a steadfast position relative to the orifice or seat. The lateral bias assures constant area for fuel flow through the orifice by resisting needle movement until a sufficient torque is intentionally applied to the needle valve.

Abstract: A method, fuel system, and components for facilitating the delivery of liquid fuel from a fuel tank in fluid communication with a float bowl carburetor of an internal combustion engine, wherein evaporative emissions of the fuel from the fuel tank and float bowl carburetor are mitigated. During operation of the engine, fluid communication is permitted between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank. During inoperation of the engine, fluid communication is prevented between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A carburetor throttle valve actuation assembly for a combustion engine is readily adapted for use as a remote control actuator, a local control throttle actuator, or both together providing an optional choice for the end user. The carburetor has a throttle valve having a shaft journaled to a body for movement about a rotation axis. A slave lever connects rigidly to a distal end of the shaft projecting outward from the body. A connection spaced radially outward from the axis engages the slave lever to a radially projecting swivel member of a local, manually operated, throttle valve actuation assembly. The swivel member rotates in unison with the slave lever about the axis, is spaced axially outward from the shaft and is journaled to a bracket engaged rigidly to the body. Preferably, the connection has a hole in the slave lever. If the remote throttle control actuator is used, a Bowden wire engages to a pin projecting axially outward from the slave lever at the hole.

Abstract: A low cost bypass pressure regulator preferably for a returnless fuel system supplying liquid fuel to a fuel injector of the combustion engine. The pressure regulator preferably has a valve head disposed at least in part in a valve chamber defined by a circumferentially continuous inner surface carried by a valve body and which transitions radially outward with respect to a center axis and in a downstream direction. The valve head preferably tapers radially inward from a downstream peripheral outer edge of the head. In a closed position, the valve head engages a seat carried by the body with the peripheral outer edge downstream of the seat and radially spaced from and fitted closely to the valve chamber continuous inner surface thus defining a close fit region therebetween. As the valve head opens, the flow cross-section enlarges which reduces or eliminates oscillation of the valve head.

Abstract: A vapor control system includes a vapor receiver having an inlet through which vapor is received, an outlet through which vapor is discharged, and a control valve having a first inlet in communication with the outlet of the fuel receiver, a second inlet in communication with a pressure source and an outlet. The control valve also includes a valve having a closure moveable between a first position, preventing communication between the first inlet and the outlet, and a second position permitting communication between the first inlet and the outlet in response to a pressure signal over a threshold pressure provided from the pressure source through the second inlet. Movement of the closure to its second position permits routing of vapor from the vapor receiver, through the first inlet and out of the outlet of the control valve.

Abstract: A priming and purging system and method for an internal combustion engine having a diaphragm carburetor includes a pump in fluid communication with the carburetor, a portion of the engine, and a fuel tank. The pump is manually actuatable to draw liquid fuel and any fuel vapors and gases from the carburetor and to deliver at least some liquid fuel into a portion of the engine to prime the engine and liquid fuel and any fuel vapor and gases toward and preferably into the fuel tank to facilitate purging the carburetor.

Abstract: A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes an engine speed input signal and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence, a Warm Up sequence, a Normal Mode sequence, an Acceleration sequence, a Come Down sequence, a Recovery Bump sequence, and a Part Throttle sequence. During idling conditions, the Normal Mode sequence uses rapid changes in the ignition timing to maintain the engine speed in a small, idle engine speed range. By utilizing these operational sequences, the control system improves the performance of a low cost, light duty engine across a wide array of conditions.

Abstract: A method, fuel system, and a valve for facilitating the delivery of liquid fuel and fuel vapors from a fuel tank in fluid communication with a carburetor of an internal combustion engine. During operation of the internal combustion engine, the fuel tank is permitted to fluidically communicate the liquid fuel to the carburetor, and to vent the fuel vapors to one or more of a carbon canister, the atmosphere, and the carburetor. In contrast, when the internal combustion engine is not operating, the fuel tank is prevented from fluidically communicating the liquid fuel to the carburetor, and from venting the fuel vapors to one or more of the carbon canister, the atmosphere, and the carburetor, thereby preventing escape of evaporative emissions of the fuel from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A pass-through electrical connector assembly with a body having at least one through-hole formed therein. A pin is forced into the through-hole and held by the body. The pin has a shank with opposed ends, each with a blind hole to receive a wire and a solid center portion that seals the wires and the pin. The pin has a tip with a barb at one end and a head with a shoulder at the other end which captures the pin in the body after the pin is forced into the through-hole when the shoulder engages the body. The shank has a circumferential surface that is press-fit within the through-hole to form a seal between the pin and the body. The body can then be sealed to a mating flange of a fluid-holding tank.