Gaseous Fuel And Air Mixer Patents (Class 123/527)
  • Patent number: 11905895
    Abstract: A mechanical fuel lockout switch for a dual fuel engine includes a mechanical fuel valve actuatable between a first position and a second position to selectively control fuel flow to the dual fuel engine from a first fuel source through a first fuel line and a second fuel source through a second fuel line. The mechanical fuel lockout switch may also include a fuel lockout apparatus coupled to the mechanical fuel valve. The mechanical fuel valve may be configured to allow communication between the first fuel source and the dual fuel engine and prevent communication between the second fuel source and the dual fuel engine while in the first position, and prevent communication between the first fuel source and the dual fuel engine while in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Sarder, Aleko D. Sotiriades, James J. Dehn, Leigh Jenison
  • Patent number: 11840970
    Abstract: A generator and off-board fuel delivery system is disclosed. The generator is configured to operate on one or more fuels, including on a gaseous fuel supplied from a pressurized fuel source through a gaseous fuel line. A fuel regulator system is located off board the generator and is configured to regulate the gaseous fuel supplied from the pressurized fuel source in a first stage, with the gaseous fuel regulated down to a reduced pressure in the first stage. A second stage of the fuel regulator system regulates the reduced pressure gaseous fuel, with the reduced pressure gaseous fuel from the first stage regulated down to a desired pressure in the second stage for delivery through the gaseous fuel line to operate the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Sarder, Aleko D. Sotiriades, James J. Dehn, Leigh Jenison
  • Patent number: 11781508
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: EControls, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
  • Patent number: 11566545
    Abstract: A gas engine is disclosed. The gas engine may include a combustion cylinder. The combustion cylinder may include an intake with an intake valve. The combustion cylinder may include an exhaust with an exhaust valve. The gas engine may include a gas admission valve assembly coupled to the intake. The gas admission assembly may include a trimmable electro-hydraulically actuatable gas admission valve to control a gas flow into the intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Yu Zhang Chang, David Todd Montgomery, Scott Fiveland, Scott F. Shafer
  • Patent number: 11480301
    Abstract: Cryogenic fluid storage tank comprising a pipe for drawing off vaporized gas, which pipe is connected to a first casing and comprises a vaporizer and at least one control valve, a first filling pipe connected to the lower portion of the first casing, a second pipe for filling a downstream end connected to the upper portion of the first casing, a distribution valve assembly configured to enable distribution of the fluid from the fluid source in the filling pipes, a pressurization pipe connected to the lower end of the first casing and a second end connected to the upper portion of the first casing and at least one control valve and a heater, the tank further comprising an air vent regulator, the valve assembly for distribution in the filling circuit, the valve for controlling the pressurization pipe, the valve for controlling the drawing-off circuit and the air vent regulator being integrated into the same valve module, which shares at least one valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Olivier Beuneken, Didier Geneste, Regis Pointeau
  • Patent number: 11466646
    Abstract: A gas fuel supply system for supplying the gas fuel via an opening of an intake supply pipe that is connected to a combustion chamber in an engine operable in each of a gas fuel combustion mode and an oil fuel combustion mode includes: the gas fuel supply valve for regulating an amount of the gas fuel, the gas fuel supply valve having plural gas supply holes, from which the gas fuel is fed in a direction toward the opening when the valve is opened; and an opening regulation valve provided between the gas fuel supply valve and the opening and having an opening hole, an opening area of which can be regulated. The gas fuel supply system is configured that extended axes of all the gas supply holes pass through the fully opened opening hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kanoto
  • Patent number: 11441785
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas furnace including a mixer configured to mix air and fuel gas introduced from an intake pipe and a manifold respectively so as to produce an air-fuel mixture, a mixing pipe configured to allow the air-fuel mixture having passed through the mixer to flow therein, a burner assembly configured to combust the air-fuel mixture having passed through the mixing pipe so as to generate combustion gas, heat exchangers configured to allow the combustion gas to flow therein, an exhaust pipe configured to discharge exhaust gas, which is the combustion gas having passed through the heat exchangers, to the outside. The gas furnace further includes a recirculator installed around the exhaust pipe and configured to guide a portion of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust pipe to the mixer, and may thus greatly reduce or fundamentally block NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Janghee Park, Jusu Kim, Hansaem Park, Yongki Jeong, Doyong Ha
  • Patent number: 11384903
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for storing a two-phase cryogenic mixture of liquid and gas, comprising a first casing, at least one drawing pipe, a tank filling circuit, the tank comprising a sensor assembly measuring the pressure in the first casing, the tank comprising a pipe for pressurizing the internal casing, comprising an upstream end connected to the lower end of the first casing and a downstream end connected to the upper part of the first casing, the pressurization line comprising at least one regulating valve and a heater, in particular a vaporization heat exchanger. The invention is characterized in that the regulating valve is configured to automatically maintain the pressure in the first casing at a minimum value by ensuring, when the pressure in the first casing is lower than said first value, a circulation of liquid taken from the first casing in the heater and a re-injection of said heated fluid into the first casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Olivier Beuneken, Didier Geneste, Regis Pointeau
  • Patent number: 11203991
    Abstract: A gas control system of a non-road gas engine and a gas control method thereof are disclosed by the present disclosure. The gas control system includes a mixer, the mixer is provided with an air inlet, a gas inlet and a mixed gas outlet respectively, the air inlet is provided with a first pressure sensor, the gas inlet is provided with a second pressure sensor and a pressure regulating valve that are spaced apart, and the mixed gas outlet is provided with a third pressure sensor; the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the pressure regulating valve and the third pressure sensor are respectively electrically connected to a controller, and the controller controls an opening degree of the pressure regulating valve according to pressure information fed back by the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor so as to adjust an air-gas ratio of the mixed gas. The system has a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Weichai Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuaiqing Xu, Xuebin Wang, Feng Xie, Wang Li
  • Patent number: 11174993
    Abstract: When a pressure accumulator tank A3a is used as a low-pressure bank, a controller sends an open control signal to an electromagnetic open/close valve A10a to open the electromagnetic open/close valve A10a so that hydrogen in the pressure accumulator tank A3a can be supplied to a tank to be filled (not shown) of an FCV. In parallel with this, the controller sends an open control signal to a first electromagnetic open/close valve 6a and a second electromagnetic open/close valve 6b to open the first and second electromagnetic open/close valves 6a and 6b so that hydrogen can be supplied also from a compressor 2 to the tank to be filled of the FCV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Takahashi, Ryosuke Uchimoto
  • Patent number: 11168841
    Abstract: A service device for a pressure vessel system of a motor vehicle includes a service-device-side refueling coupling part which is connectable to a motor-vehicle-side refueling coupling part of the motor vehicle and a controller for activating the pressure vessel system. A method for the service of the pressure vessel system includes producing a connection between the service device and the pressure vessel system and activating the pressure vessel system by the service device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Szoucsek, Andreas Pelger
  • Patent number: 11156173
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of detecting hydrogen leakage from a power plant installation using hydrogen as fuel. A rate of supply of hydrogen to the power plant (“the supply rate”) is determined. A rate of change of mass of hydrogen in the tank arrangement (“the rate of mass change”) is determined. The supply rate is compared with the rate of mass change to determine whether leakage is taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ULEMCO LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Turner, Trevor Jasper
  • Patent number: 11105468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a tank system (10) comprising a number of at least two tanks (21, 22, 23, 24, 25), which are connected in parallel and which contain a gaseous substance, and in which an interior pressure (PX) prevails, for supplying a consumer unit (12), which requires a full load volume of the gaseous substance, wherein each tank (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) has a safety valve (31, 32, 33, 34, 35), which shuts down the tank if a flow volume of the gaseous material through the safety valve (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) exceeds a shut-off volume. If the interior pressure (PX) in at least one tank (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) falls below a first threshold, at least one other tank (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) that was previously shut down is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helerson Kemmer
  • Patent number: 11105299
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: EControls, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
  • Patent number: 11094948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (10) for storing natural gas as fuel, in particular for a motor vehicle or utility vehicle, wherein the system (10) has at least one storage tank (11) for the fuel. It is provided according to the invention that the storage tank (11) is assigned at least one fuel cell (12), wherein natural gas that has changed into the gaseous state can be fed from the storage tank (11) to the fuel cell (12) in order to be at least partially converted into electrical energy, wherein the storage tank (11) and the fuel cell (12) interact by way of a control unit (13). In this case, the fuel cell (12) is in the form of a solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Wach
  • Patent number: 10975806
    Abstract: A fuel system is comprising: a fuel tank; an internal combustion engine; a fuel regulator fluidly connecting the fuel tank to the engine, the fuel regulator being configured to reduce the pressure of the fuel from a first fuel pressure at the fuel tank to a second fuel pressure at the engine; an air supply assembly configured to supply air from an air inlet to the engine, the air assembly comprising: a first air supply line fluidly connecting the air inlet and the engine, the first air supply line being in thermal communication with the fuel regulator; a second air supply line fluidly connecting the air inlet and the engine, the second air supply line being in parallel with the first air supply line; and an air valve configured to adjust the air flowing through at least one of the first air supply line and the second air supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Swab
  • Patent number: 10941712
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a regulating device, whereby a fuel-air mixture is burned in the internal combustion engine with a combustion air ratio controllable by the regulating device, whereby the regulating device comprises an emission control loop, which is designed to control the charge-air pressure as a substitute variable for the NOx emission by the actuators influencing the charge-air pressure via a functional relationship, such that, for each target power or actual power of the internal combustion engine, a charge-air pressure target value can be set, and whereby the internal combustion engine further comprises a variable valve train, by means of which an operating characteristic of at least one inlet valve can be varied, whereby the functional relationship takes into account the influence of an adjustment of the operating characteristic of the at least one inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: INNIO JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Josef Thalhauser, Nikolaus Spyra, Ettore Musu
  • Patent number: 10696155
    Abstract: A fluid system for a vehicle is provided. The fluid system is configured to couple to a chassis of the vehicle. A frame assembly of the fluid system is configured to couple with the chassis directly or with another component that is coupled, directly or indirectly, with the chassis. A cowling of the fluid system can enclose a fuel pressure vessel and an auxiliary fluid vessel. The auxiliary fluid vessel is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the component powered or operated by the fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Todd F. Sloan, Chris Forsberg, Joseph Anthony Leduc, Tobiah R. Halter
  • Patent number: 10662882
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel pressure monitoring system of a vaporizer using a safety module which issues a fault signal by detecting a pressure using a fuel pressure sensor disposed in a pressure regulating chamber of the vaporizer within a predetermined time after an engine is stopped and determining that the pressure regulating mechanism fails when the detected pressure exceeds a threshold stored in a storage device to be increased to a predetermined pressure or higher, and the pressure regulating mechanism is determined to fail only when a water temperature of cooling water in the engine of the vaporizer reaches a predetermined temperature at which warming up of the engine can be determined to be completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Nikki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Endo, Tsutomu Murakami, Tomoaki Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 10619849
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leak detection and remote, non-intrusive, automatic shutoff in residential regulators are provided. Such systems and methods can include a shutoff device that includes a mounting bracket for mounting on a supply container, a linking device for coupling to a knob of a valve of a regulator of the supply container, and an actuator for, responsive to a control signal, automatically rotating the linking device, which rotates the knob, which rotates the valve from an on position to an off position. In some embodiments, a leak sensor can detect a presence of a fuel leak and, responsive thereto, transmit the control signal to the actuator, and in some embodiments, a position sensor can determine that a current position of the valve is indicative of the on position and, responsive thereto, transmit the control signal to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ramkrishna U. Pal, Sridhar Ravilla, Dilip Singh, Debasis Dash, Unmesh Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10551001
    Abstract: A compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station system includes a compressor, a dispenser, and at least one of a valve and an orifice disposed in fluid communication between the compressor and the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: J-W Power Company
    Inventors: Richard Allan Poorman, Paul Howison Bergthold, Courtney Ann McCollum, Bradley Wade Fontenot
  • Patent number: 10473006
    Abstract: In some embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a pressure gradient between a combustion chamber and a crankcase of an engine, the method having: receiving, at a control device, a signal indicating that a lubricant container is coupled to a lubricant circulation system associated with the engine, in response to the received signal, providing data to cause operation of a suction control device for facilitating control of the pressure gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Castrol Limited
    Inventors: Rana Ali, Steven Paul Goodier, Richard Pearson, Oliver Paul Taylor
  • Patent number: 10337419
    Abstract: A system and method for cylinder deactivation in a multi-cylinder diesel engine comprises pumping air in to an intake manifold of the diesel engine using a turbocharger. Air is pumped in to the intake manifold using an intake air assisting device. And, fuel injection is selectively deactivated to at least one of the cylinders in the diesel engine. An intake valve and an exhaust valve is selectively deactivated for the at least one of the cylinders of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Douglas John Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10316797
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: EControls, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
  • Patent number: 10294902
    Abstract: Present embodiments provide a throttle body which may be used with a variety of engines of different manufacturers. The throttle body may be used to replace mechanical or hydraulically controlled carburetors with electronic fuel injection. The throttle body may provide improved fuel pathways through and about the throttle body in order to move fuel to opposed side. The throttle bodies may have improved configuration of the fuel injectors. Further, the throttle body may have computer mounted on the throttle body and a notch formed in the throttle body to define a wire routing pathway from the computer to the injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Shehan, Amy Gieske, Jonathan Sams, Adam Layman, Douglas Flynn
  • Patent number: 10215127
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for monitoring a fuel level of a vehicle. The fuel may be a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas. An electronic control unit may be able to receive a signal from one or more sensors. The electronic control unit may provide a command to drive a fuel gauge to display the fuel level. The electronic control unit may determine the gauge command based on the received signal and a filling compensation scheme. The electronic control unit may be initialized through a user interface. A filling compensation scheme may be selected during initialization. The electronic control unit may be capable of communicating various sensors, gauges, devices, controls and/or other ECUs of varying specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg
  • Patent number: 10197012
    Abstract: A carburetor for supplying gaseous fuels in internal combustion engines, comprises a main body in which there are defined an intake section, a first pressure reduction section, a second pressure reduction section connected to the first section, a supply section connected to the second pressure reduction section, a Venturi device connected to the supply section, wherein the Venturi device forms a central portion of the carburetor, the first pressure reduction section and the supply section extending on opposite sides of the Venturi device, the second supply section being interposed between the first pressure reduction section and the supply section and wherein the supply section further comprises an actuating device that can to allow passage of gas through a third connecting conduit towards the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BIGAS INTERNATIONAL AUTOGAS SYSTEMS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Davide Cavagna
  • Patent number: 10151260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for a switching pressure calculation at a metering valve of a fuel metering device for metering fuel into an exhaust gas system of a combustion engine with a component that is assigned to the exhaust gas system of the combustion engine for a regeneration, for a temperature impinge and/or for a thermo management, whereby the fuel is injected before this component in streaming direction of the exhaust gas. The invention concerns furthermore a corresponding device for implementing the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Guenter Keusen, Damian Dyrbusch, Volker Reusing, Stefan Stein
  • Patent number: 10145510
    Abstract: A fully contained, mobile, compressed natural gas (CNG), compressed breathing air, or other compressed gas refueling unit, and methods of use of said refueling unit, that use a pneumatically powered booster pump to provide a consistent, high pressure filling of CNG storage tanks without using an external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: LUXFER-GTM TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: J. Michael Koonce
  • Patent number: 10113512
    Abstract: A gas mixer for mixing gaseous fuel and air for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The gas mixer may have a housing defining an air path for mixing the gaseous fuel and the air within the air path. The housing may have a narrowed portion. The gas mixer may also have a displacement body axially displaceable and coaxially arranged within the air path. The displacement body and the housing may define an air passage disposed at the narrowed portion. The gas mixer may further have a fuel inlet fluidly connected to the air passage. The fuel inlet may be configured to supply gaseous fuel to the air passage. Further, the gas mixer may have an adjusting unit disposed at least partially within the air path. The adjusting unit may be connected to the displacement body and may be configured to axially displace the displacement body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Böwing, Steffen Gruber
  • Patent number: 9874177
    Abstract: A device for mixing a gaseous fuel into an oxygen-containing gas flow of a gas-powered internal combustion engine includes a housing component having an inlet that connects to a gaseous fuel supply conduit and a slit that opens into an intake pipe. The slit has a longitudinal extension that is oriented approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the intake pipe. A valve body is movable relative to the housing component. An annular gap between the valve body and an outlet opening of the housing component has a cross-sectional area that varies in accordance with changes in the position of the valve body relative to the housing component. The annular gap determines the flow-through cross-section of a passageway between the inlet and the outlet. Furthermore, a gaseous fuel flow exiting from the slit is directed approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: NONOX B.V.
    Inventors: Peter-Josef Cremer, Hans-Peter Kraemer
  • Patent number: 9869278
    Abstract: A mixing device for introducing gaseous fuel into an intake passage of an engine, including a body, an annular channel within the body at least partially encircling the intake passage, the body defining a fuel inlet opening. The mixing device includes a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors arranged to discharge gaseous fuel into a fuel inlet manifold, a fuel connection passage extending between the fuel inlet manifold and the fuel inlet opening of the body, a diffuser positioned within the body to diffuse gaseous fuel from the annular channel into the intake airflow, and a valve positioned along the fuel connection passage and configured to selectively block fluid communication between the fuel inlet manifold and the fuel inlet opening of the body in response to a signal from at least one electronic controller programmed to execute control strategies controlling operation of the engine, the gaseous fuel injectors, and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul William Schwark, Justin Michael Kern
  • Patent number: 9863537
    Abstract: Check valves are disclosed that have a housing defining an internal cavity having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication therewith, and having a first seat defined by a first elastomeric V-ring seal and a second seat. and a check valve plate within the internal cavity that is translatable, in response to pressure differentials, between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat within the internal cavity of the housing. The first elastomeric V-ring seal includes a body having an interference fit to an annular channel defined by the housing and a lip extending from the body in a direction that defines a generally V-shaped void, viewed in cross-section, opening in a direction away from and generally perpendicular to the flow through the elastomeric V-ring seal into the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Keith Hampton, Matthew C. Gilmer, Andrew D. Niedert
  • Patent number: 9856835
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a reciprocating-piston engine includes a storage tank; a wall of the storage tank defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough; a first fuel injector fluidly coupled with the first aperture of the storage tank via a pressure control module and a first fuel injector supply conduit; a pump fluidly coupled with the second aperture of the storage tank; and a second fuel injector fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the pump via a second fuel injector supply conduit. The pressure control module is configured to maintain a pressure in the first fuel injector supply conduit within a pressure range that includes a pressure value that is less than a pressure inside the storage tank. The pump is configured to maintain a pressure inside the second fuel injector supply conduit that is greater than the pressure inside the first fuel injector supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Coldren, Glenn Cox, David Ginter, Alan Stockner, Martin Willi
  • Patent number: 9857802
    Abstract: A fuel control device or fuel valve assembly includes a valve for metering flow of gaseous fuel to an engine, a drive device associated with the valve to adjust the effective flow area of the valve, a flow meter with at least one fixed area orifice located upstream of the valve, and one or more sensors to measure predetermined parameters of the fuel flowing through the flow meter. A controller receives input from the flow sensor or sensors and a fuel demand signal from the engine control, calculates current flow rate based on the sensor inputs, and controls the drive device to adjust the valve flow area up or down depending on the difference between the calculated flow rate and current fuel demand signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Kristian W. Yates, David G. Fisher, Galina Laur, Hillary H. Grimes, III
  • Patent number: 9850845
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for monitoring a fuel level of a vehicle. The fuel may be a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas. An electronic control unit may be able to receive a signal from one or more sensors. The electronic control unit may provide a command to drive a fuel gauge to display the fuel level. The electronic control unit may determine the gauge command based on the received signal and a filling compensation scheme. The electronic control unit may be initialized through a user interface. A filling compensation scheme may be selected during initialization. The electronic control unit may be capable of communicating various sensors, gauges, devices, controls and/or other ECUs of varying specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AGILITY FUEL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg
  • Patent number: 9790883
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling a fuel gas composition may include a plurality of micro-sensors mounted in a single chamber, with each of the micro-sensors being configured to sense a characteristic of a mixture of gaseous fuel introduced into the chamber. The system may also include a plurality of heating elements, with each of the heating elements being associated with one of the plurality of micro-sensors, and the plurality of heating elements being configured to implement a different temperature level at each of the micro-sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Alexander Rebinsky
  • Patent number: 9702307
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a phase of gaseous fuel delivered to fuel injectors of a fuel delivery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel in each of a liquid and a gaseous phase during different engine operating conditions. The fuel pressure may be based on a temperature, composition, and desired phase of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Patent number: 9689363
    Abstract: A mixing device for introducing gaseous fuel into an intake airflow of an engine, the mixing device including an inlet, an outlet, an intake passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, an annular channel, and a plurality of fuel supply manifolds, each coupled to a main gaseous fuel inlet of the mixing device, and a separate plurality of gaseous fuel injectors coupled to each one of the plurality of fuel supply manifolds to receive gaseous fuel from the corresponding fuel supply manifold. The annular channel is configured to receive gaseous fuel injected from all of the separate pluralities of gaseous fuel injectors. The mixing device includes a diffuser, the diffuser arranged to receive gaseous fuel from the annular channel and operable to diffuse gaseous fuel from the annular channel into the intake airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Todd Wallace Helsel, Robert Royall Edens
  • Patent number: 9683497
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a throttle based on an intake oxygen sensor output. In one example, a method may include adjusting a position of a throttle based on a dilution threshold and a total aircharge dilution level, the total dilution aircharge level based on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. Additionally, spark timing may be adjusted based on the total aircharge dilution level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Michael Howard Shelby, James Alfred Hilditch, Jason Williams
  • Patent number: 9624871
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying gaseous fuel from a tender car to an internal combustion engine on a locomotive comprising storing the gaseous fuel at a cryogenic temperature in a cryogenic storage tank on the tender car; pumping the gaseous fuel to a first pressure from the cryogenic storage tank; vaporizing the gaseous fuel at the first pressure; and conveying the vaporized gaseous fuel to the internal combustion engine; whereby a pressure of the vaporized gaseous fuel is within a range between 310 bar and 575 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Melanson, Melissa S. A. McKinnon, Paul M. Blomerus
  • Patent number: 9611810
    Abstract: A mixing device for introducing gaseous fuel and recirculated exhaust gas into an intake passage of an engine, the mixing device including a body, an annular channel, the body defining a fuel inlet opening, and a plurality of gaseous fuel injectors fluidly coupled to the fuel inlet opening such that gaseous fuel from the plurality of gaseous fuel injectors is conveyed into the annular channel through the fuel inlet opening. The mixing device further includes a diffuser at a position of the annular channel to diffuse gaseous fuel from the annular channel into the intake airflow in the intake passage, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) inlet opening defined by the body and in fluid communication with the intake passage, and an exhaust gas recirculation supply pipe coupled to the EGR inlet opening and configured to direct recirculated exhaust gas from the engine into the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul William Schwark, Justin Michael Kern, Todd Wallace Helsel, Mohamed Moustafa El-Gammal
  • Patent number: 9605623
    Abstract: A method for equipping an engine with a mixing device for introducing gaseous fuel into an intake passage of the engine comprising the steps of providing a body through which the intake passage extends, wherein an annular channel encircles the intake passage, providing a fuel inlet manifold with injector receiving ports, each injector receiving port configured to receive a discharge end of a fuel injector, with each injector receiving port in fluid communication with the annular channel, and providing a fuel supply manifold including fuel injector ports, wherein each fuel injector port is configured to receive an upstream end of a fuel injector. The method further includes blocking at least one injector receiving port such that fluid communication through the injector receiving port is prevented, removably coupling fuel injectors between the fuel supply manifold and the unblocked injector receiving ports, and providing the mixing device to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Todd Wallace Helsel, Robert Royall Edens
  • Patent number: 9546588
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having a configuration adapted to match the mounting configuration of the oil passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The manifold has an oil outlet port directed to a remotely mounted oil cooler. The manifold also has a water passage having a configuration that is adapted to match the mounting configuration of the water passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The water passage causes the entirety of the flow of water to be discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine where it is circulated by the water pump through the water cooling passages in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Neal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 9488113
    Abstract: An engine includes one or more cylinders configured to receive gaseous fuel for use in combustion. Two gaseous fuel injectors per cylinder, include: a first injector directed at the corresponding cylinder and having an injection capacity of a first amount of gaseous fuel per injection, and a second injector directed at the corresponding cylinder and having an injection capacity of a second amount of gaseous fuel per injection, the second amount being greater than the first amount. The engine is operable in a first mode in which a per-cylinder fuel demand is at or below the first amount, and only the first injector is operable for each cylinder. The engine is operable in a second mode in which the per-cylinder fuel demand is greater than the first amount, and only the second injector is operable for each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Justin Michael Kern
  • Patent number: 9353712
    Abstract: Fuel interface modules that can be used in automotive vehicle fuel systems can include a body that defines a fuel channel and a plurality of ports through which fluid communication with the fuel channel can be established. Some modules include a check valve, a shutoff valve, and a coalescing filter assembly that are each coupled with a separate port. The fuel modules can be quickly installed and can eliminate many of the installing materials typically associated with automotive vehicle fuel systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Go Natural CNG, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 9327708
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 9303578
    Abstract: A single point fuel injection throttle body assembly including an idle air control circuit having an port opening into main intake bores downstream of the point of fuel distribution into the air stream. When the idle air control circuit is open, an air/fuel mixture, rather than simply air, is drawn into the into the intake manifold, thereby reducing the tendency for a lean fuel mixture at idle. A unique engine control unit “feed forward” algorithm controls the fuel injection as a function of the position of the idle air control motor so that as the idle air control circuit is opened, the pulse widths of the fuel injector signals are increased. This feature allows the initial open-loop-based fuel mixture supplied by system to be more accurate and eliminates rough unstable idle associated with closed-loop control lag times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MSD LLC
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Wittkopf, Todd Alan Petersen
  • Patent number: 9249935
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel gas tank; a temperature detecting portion; a fuel gas discharge flow path; a main stop valve that is provided in the fuel gas discharge flow path; and a control portion. The main stop valve includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a main valve that is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and that opens and closes the fuel gas discharge flow path, a pilot flow path that is provided so as to communicate the inlet portion with the outlet portion, a pilot valve that opens and closes the pilot flow path, and an actuator capable of opening and closing the main valve and the pilot valve at different timings. The control portion opens the pilot valve and closes the main valve when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a first reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Okawachi, Kazushi Numazaki
  • Patent number: 9233679
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a gaseous fuel pump is selectively activated to extend a vehicle's operating range. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that includes directly injected gaseous fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone