Fuel Switched In Response To Engine Starting Condition Patents (Class 123/576)
  • Publication number: 20020185086
    Abstract: A fuel supply for an internal combustion engine includes providing a source of a first fluid fuel and a source of a second fluid fuel which are separate from one another, sensing at least one operational parameter of an internal combustion engine, supplying the first fuel from the one source and the second fuel from the other source in quantities which are determined in correspondence with the sensed operational parameter of the internal combustion engine, and mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in with the quantities determined in correspondence with the sensed operational parameter so as to produce a fuel mixture to be supplied to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Newman, Dale Ulan
  • Patent number: 6467470
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel system as well as a method for controlling the same. More specifically, it relates to a fuel system of motor vehicles adapted to be powered by alcohol-containing fuels, and specifically by alcohol-containing fuels and by petrol, so-called Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV). These vehicles can be powered by fuels with varying alcohol content, and also by pure petrol. The fuel system according to the invention comprises a main tank (1) for fuel, a cold-start tank (2) with fuel which is sufficiently inflammable to be used in connection with cold starts, as well as fuel line system connecting these tanks to each other and to injection means of the engine of the vehicle, where at least one pump (8, 13) is adapted to transfer fuel through the fuel line system. Specifically, the invention relates to a system which is controlled so that fuel is transferred from the main tank (1) to the cold-start tank (2) when the alcohol content of the fuel is below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Jan Olof Carlsson, Lars Greger, Klas Bertil Jansson
  • Patent number: 6371094
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a fuel-air mixture for an internal combustion engine during a cold-starting and warmup phase. During the normal operation of the engine, fuel is evaporated by means of an evaporation and condensation system in order to recover low-boiling fuel components from the fuel delivered to first fuel delivery means during normal operation. The low-boiling fuel components condense and are collected as cold-starting fuel in a supply container. The engine, during the cold-starting and warmup phase, is supplied with cold-starting fuel from the supply container by means of second fuel delivery means, in order to reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas during the cold-starting and warmup phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Wagner
  • Publication number: 20010027781
    Abstract: A delivery device (2) for delivering fuel, having a delivery pump (3) and a fuel filter (7), has a bypass line (9) which is conducted past the fuel filter (7). When new, the delivery pump (3) delivers fuel through the fuel filter (7). After the fuel filter (7) has become clogged with dirt, the fuel is delivered by the bypass line (9) through a second fuel filter (10). By this means, pollution of the environment with fuel is kept particularly low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Bernd Rumpf, Christian Kochsmeier, Dieter Keller, Peter-Andreas Low
  • Patent number: 6135426
    Abstract: The priming system for a dual feed internal combustion engine provides a lighter, starting fuel to the venturi, the fuel nozzle, or to the carburetor bowl for engine starting. In a first embodiment, the starting or secondary fuel is mixed with the primary fuel in the fuel bowl, and the pure secondary fuel is provided to the fuel nozzle by actuation of a manually-operable primer. In a second embodiment, the secondary fuel is mixed with the primary fuel in the carburetor fuel bowl, and a shot of pure secondary fuel is provided directly to the carburetor venturi by the actuation of a manually-operable primer. In a third embodiment, a primer is manually operated before engine starting to remove primary fuel from the carburetor bowl and return it to the primary fuel tank. Thereafter, pure secondary fuel is provided directly to the carburetor bowl for engine starting through a changeover valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Wargolet, Tim Buszkiewicz, Paul Warren
  • Patent number: 6119637
    Abstract: A gasoline distillation apparatus (12) for an engine (14) includes a heated vapor separator (22), a condenser (24), and a controller (28). The heated vapor separator (22) partially vaporizes the engine's primary fuel (16) to generate a fuel vapor (44). The condenser (24) cools the fuel vapor (44) to produce a liquid secondary fuel (18) that is more volatile than the primary fuel (16). The controller (28) determines when the engine (14) is supplied with either primary (16) or secondary fuel (18). The secondary fuel (18) is used only during an initial engine operation period, while the primary fuel (16) is used all other times. After engine operation, the primary fuel (16) is purged from the engine (14) and replaced with the secondary fuel (18) to maximize secondary fuel (18) use during the initial engine operation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Matthews, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, George Carver Davis, Wengang Dai
  • Patent number: 6105561
    Abstract: In a fuel feeding system for an internal combustion engine adapted to selectively operate with gasoline or with a gas, such as LPG or methane, the engine is compelled to restart automatically in the gasoline mode after a stop during which the gas reservoir has been filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Massimo Ferrera, Riccardo Gozzelino, Aldo Perotto
  • Patent number: 5996562
    Abstract: A process is provided for drawing low-boiling volatile components, such as 2-methylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane and pentane, out of fuel in a fuel tank of a passenger car or utility vehicle by applying a vacuum to the fuel tank by means of a diaphragm pump; suctioning off the low-boiling volatile components and condensing the low-boiling volatile components under a pressure that is greater than 1.0 bar. The low-boiling volatile components may be stored in a storage tank and used as engine fuel during cold start of the engine or used as a reducing agent for nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Plog, Renato Andorf, Thomas Stengel
  • Patent number: 5775282
    Abstract: An auxiliary injector arrangement in a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine. The auxiliary injector arrangement includes at least one injector mounted in the inlet manifold upstream or downstream of the throttle and adapted to supply fuel at times when the main fuel supply system cannot supply sufficient fuel. The main fuel supply system and the auxiliary injector may be operated on LPG, natural gas or petrol. The auxiliary injector may be a liquid fuel injector or gaseous fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Energy Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney Sinclair Smith
  • Patent number: 5775281
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for determining the presence of heat soak conditions in an internal combustion engine (1) of a type using fuel injection. Particularly useful when the or one of the fuels used in the engine (1) is susceptible to vaporisation in a fuel rail (8) due to high engine temperatures. The method includes the steps of measuring a first temperature in a tank (10) for the fuel, measuring a second temperature at the fuel rail (8), ascertaining the difference between the first and second temperature, wherein a significant difference indicates heat soak conditions. If heat soak conditions are detected then an auxiliary injector (20) may be operated or in dual fuel engines a higher boiling point fuel may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Energy Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney Sinclair Smith
  • Patent number: 5566653
    Abstract: An improved starting system for internal combustion engines that normally use a liquid fuel such as gasoline. Gaseous fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, propane, butane and the like are used in place of the liquid fuel during engine starting and for a selected period thereafter. When starting is initiated, the gasoline introduction system is disabled and introduction of the gaseous fuel in initiated. Rapid engine start promptly occurs, even under very cold ambient conditions. Once the engine has started and has run for a period sufficient to reach a reasonable operating temperature, the gaseous fuel introduction system is interrupted and the gasoline system is enabled and provides the fuel thereafter. If desired, gaseous fuel flow may continue for a short period after liquid fuel flow has begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: James J. Feuling
  • Patent number: 5555873
    Abstract: A fuel tank switching apparatus provides for the automatic switching of fuel delivery systems from a tank or tanks containing fuel which is taxed, to an auxiliary tank which stores untaxed fuel therein. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use in large, over the road diesel powered semi trucks, but may be adapted to other types of motor vehicles as well. The apparatus automatically transfers fuel delivery and return to the auxiliary fuel tank whenever the parking brake is applied, which action will only occur when the truck or vehicle is parked, or possibly in very rare emergency situations. As both the parking brake annunciator (light or audible device) and the pneumatic pressure system are independent of the primary service brake system in large vehicles, the apparatus receives a signal from the parking brake system to switch tanks automatically with no intervention required or allowed by the driver or operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Jay A. Nolen
  • Patent number: 5549083
    Abstract: An improved starting system for internal combustion engines using gaseous fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, propane, butane and the like. In an engine using liquid fuel injection for normal operation, a sensor for the catalytic converter is provided to sense a "cold converter" condition of the sort which occurs when the engine has not been operated for some time. When starting is initiated, the gasoline introduction system is disabled and introduction of the gaseous fuel in initiated. Rapid engine start promptly occurs, even under very cold ambient conditions. Once the engine has started and has run for a period to warm the catalytic converter to a selected temperature the gaseous fuel introduction system is interrupted and the gasoline system is enabled and provides the fuel thereafter. Catalytic converter temperature is preferably measured at the catalytic material, although measurement of exhaust gas temperature at the converter or downstream thereof is often effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: James J. Feuling
  • Patent number: 5524582
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a pollution control system with a catalytic converter using a two-phase fuel system in which a small supply of flammable gaseous fuel is used for ignition and initial start-up of the engine. As the engine is warmed up and the catalytic converter is heated, the gaseous fuel is phased out and the liquid fuel is phased in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chung M. Suh, Jeong J. Park
  • Patent number: 5474047
    Abstract: A process for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine of the multi-cylinder type with controlled fuel injection and comprising a controlled fuel vapor recovery system. During predetermined operating phases of the engine, the fuel injection is stopped for a given period, while the fuel vapors trapped in the recovery system are recycled into an intake circuit of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Cochard, Bernard Vallee
  • Patent number: 5357908
    Abstract: A method for controlling exhaust gas emissions from an engine (16) includes extracting a light distillate fuel (Fd) from conventional gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbon fuel and supplying the engine with the light distillate fuel during an initial operation period of the engine. This reduces the oxidizable pollutants in the engine exhaust during a cold-start period before a catalytic converter (22) used to abate pollutants in the engine exhaust gases has not yet attained its operating temperature. After the catalytic converter (22) has been sufficiently heated, the fuel supply to the engine (16) is switched to gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Both the distillate fuel (Fd) and the liquid hydrocarbon fuel may be passed through a heated cracking catalyst bed (30) to crack the fuel fed to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Shiang Sung, John J. Steger, Joseph C. Dettling, Patrick L. Burk
  • Patent number: 5181488
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an outboard motor having a main fuel supply for supplying fuel to the engine and an enrichment fuel supply for supplying a different fuel for starting and cold running. The enrichment fuel supply supplies fuel to the engine through a common enrichment control housing assembly that includes an enrichment pump and an enrichment fuel flow control which are both operated simultaneously. In addition, the enrichment fuel source has a vent system including a vent valve that is operated simultaneously with the enrichment fuel valve and the enrichment pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5010870
    Abstract: An engine for a portable engine-pump assembly is designed to operate on a safe fuel such as JP5 or DFM. The engine is started by a starting fuel such as propane which is supplied to the engine from a pressurized propane-containing cartridge. The propane starting system uses a puncturing device which has a built-in check valve function to isolate the propane system from moisture and contaminants in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Hale Fire Pump Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Laskaris, Kalman Broitman, Richard E. Teske, David L. Miller, Michael Sulmone
  • Patent number: 5000134
    Abstract: Several embodiments of additional fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines that supply supplemental fuel in addition to the normal charge forming device to satisfy certain specific requirements such as cold starting and cold running. In each embodiment, a separate fuel pump is provided for the supplemental fuel discharge but it is contained within and operated by the same operator of the main fuel pump for supplying fuel to the main fuel discharge. In some embodiments, the fuel pump is downstream of the supplemental fuel control and in other embodiments it is upstream of it. In one embodiment, the fuel pump and the supplemental control are all formed in the same housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujimoto, Seiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 4955326
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine system and method of operating the engine reduces emission rates of polutants. The dual fuel engine includes a fuel oil supply connected to the engine and a fuel gas supply connected to the engine. Means connected between the fuel oil supply and the engine inject low levels of diesel fuel into the engine. In particular, the injection of diesel fuel is limited to pilot injection quantities only. The exhaust emission of NOx is maintained at less than 1 GM/HP-HR, where natural gas is used as the primary fuel, and less than 0.5 GM/HP-HR where digester gas is used as the primary fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin J. Helmich
  • Patent number: 4911116
    Abstract: A cold-start apparatus for alcohol-fueled internal combustion engines in which a certain quantity of gasoline is injected directly into the combustion chambers upon starting. To assure reliable start-up of the engine with the aid of gasoline, and beyond a predetermined temperature, the engine is operated with only alcohol fuel. In order to make gasoline available for the cold start without entailing a major expense, a gasoline storage and supply device is provided. The supply device includes a piston which divides the housing into a work chamber which is filled with alcohol fuel from a work chamber which is filled with gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner P. Prohaska, Alvarao A. Vasconcelos
  • Patent number: 4878475
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for internal combustion engines in which two different fuels are used, one to start the engine, to operate it at idling speed and to supplement the other fuel during acceleration, and the second to operate the engine at its normal working speed. The first fuel may be propane for starting, idling and for an acceleration supplement. The second fuel for normal working speed, or normal driving speed may be gasoline. A first vacuum controlled valve assembly delivers the first fuel such as propane from a pressurized supply tank to the carburetor below the conventional butterfly valve of the throttle control to start the engine and operate it at idle speed. A second vacuum controlled valve assembly delivers the first fuel, such as propane, to the carburetor above the butterfly valve only when the accelerator opens the throttle and its butterfly valve to initiate acceleration, and only during acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Ludwig Birsa
  • Patent number: 4876989
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for enhancing performance of an alcohol fueled engine during cold conditions, with such enhancement being particularly effected by generation of ether to assist cold operation including starting and/or to achieve reduced emissions during cold running. Dimethyl ether is generated by catalytic dehydration of vaporized methanol using a catalyst, preferably fluorinated alumina. Apparatus is disclosed for generating dimethyl ether on board as needed for immediate mixing with combustion air and methanol and/or for storage to enable later mixing of the dimethyl ether with combustion air and methanol to effect subsequent cold starts and/or cold running operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Technology Development Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Karpuk, Scott W. Cowley
  • Patent number: 4757796
    Abstract: Apparatus including a mixing chamber is installed between a standard carburetor base and the intake manifold of a gasoline engine. The mixing chamber includes an air inlet port for admitting a controlled amount of outside air into the mixing chamber and a gasoline vapor port for admitting gasoline vaporized externally of the carburetor into the mixing chamber, a carburetor inlet port for receiving a mixture of air and partially vaporized gasoline from the carburetor throat, and an outlet port through which a mixture of all the gases exhausts into the intake manifold. The carburetor includes a first throttle valve for controlling the air amount and partially vaporized gasoline passing into the mixing chamber. A second throttle valve controls the amount of mixed gas drawn through the mixing chamber outlet port into the intake manifold. A linkage connected to the automobile accelerator cable opens the second throttle in response to initial accelerator displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Miguel A. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 4712516
    Abstract: A dual fuel supply for a rotary piston engine in which there is one fuel supply means for a running fuel of low volatility and another fuel supply for a starting fuel of high volatility. The starting fuel is contained in safe scaled pressurized cartridges. The temperature of the running fuel is raised to improve its combustion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Hale Fire Pump Company
    Inventor: H. Alfred Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 4646691
    Abstract: In an alcohol engine using a alcohol and foreign fuel having combustibility higher than that of the alcohol as a fuel, an auxiliary fuel quantity adjusting means and control means are provided so that a ratio of a quantity of the foreign fuel to a quantity of the alcohol in the fuel to be supplied to the engine upon cold starting of the engine may be different from that upon warm-up of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuhiko Kiyota, Tooru Okada, Jun Isomoto
  • Patent number: 4606319
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlled vaporization of a liquid fuel and delivery of the vaporized fuel to an internal combustion engine. Vaporizing apparatus, which uses heat generated by the internal combustion engine vaporizes the liquid fuel, and the vaporized fuel is fed to the carburetor of the engine. Means are provided for automatically supplying a vapor fuel to the carburetor as necessary to operate the engine in the absence of sufficient vaporized liquid fuel. The vapor fuel is also delivered to the engine during high acceleration or when the engine is working under very large loads. Means are also included for controlling the generation of vaporized liquid fuel in proportion to the load on the engine, and for recovering any vaporized liquid fuel and vapor fuel which is not used by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Robert E. Silva
  • Patent number: 4570605
    Abstract: A dual fuel supply for a piston engine in which there is one fuel supply means for a running fuel of low volatility and another fuel supply for a starting fuel of high volatility. The starting fuel is contained in safe scaled pressurized cartridges. The temperature of the running fuel is raised to improve its combustion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Hale Fire Pump Company
    Inventor: H. Alfred Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 4506649
    Abstract: A fuel system for a dual fuel outboard motor having a fuel connector in position to have a second connector connected to it to enable fuel to be transfered to the motor from a remote fuel tank via a hose leading to the second connector. A small tank of starting fuel is mounted on the motor and has a vent and a vent conduit leading to a valve in the motor-mounted fuel connector. The valve opens and closes the vent in response to connection and disconnection, respectively, of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Chester G. DuBois
  • Patent number: 4499862
    Abstract: The injection device has a nozzle body (10) wherein the liquid-controlled edle valves (17; 18) are opened by the diesel fuel supplied by an injection pump via the annular line (12) and the pressure channels (13; 14) when the opening pressure p.sub.o, which is set at the pressure springs (19; 20) by way of the pressure adjusting discs (21; 22), is reached. In this connection the two needle valves (17; 18) can be opened and closed at different times within certain limits so that at a relatively low opening pressure p.sub.o for the needle valve (17) relative to the needle valve (18) the diesel fuel issuing through the spray aperture (24) into the combustion chamber (25) serves during the entire injection period as ignition jet for the alcohol fuel issuing from one or more spray apertures (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Baumer, Herbert Wiegand
  • Patent number: 4499864
    Abstract: In a method of producing fuel for start-up to an automobile internal combustion engine which is continuously operated after start-up on alcohol and/or dissociated alcohol and/or liquid hydrocarbonthe improvement comprising the steps of:(a) providing a readily replaceable first container having an initial amount of hydride therein in fluid flow communication with said internal combustion engine,(b) heating said hydride whereby hydrogen is produced leaving a hydride product and a remainder of hydridesaid remainder of hydride being lesser in amount than said initial amount of hydride,(c) initially starting said engine,whereby hydrogen is produced from the hydride for initially starting said engine and said remainder of hydride without regeneration of hydride product is available for the next starting of said engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Lovercheck, George P. Curran
  • Patent number: 4499861
    Abstract: According to the method in the two-fuel system, using diesel and alcohol l, the alcohol fuel is continuously supplied with a fuel pump and the diesel fuel is discontinuously supplied with an injection pump by way of separate lines of an injection apparatus. An apparatus, which is suitable for carrying out the method, has a nozzle body (10) with the fluid-controlled needle valves (17; 18a; 18b) which are operated after the opening pressure p.sub.o, which is adjusted at the pressure springs (19; 20a; 20b), is reached by the diesel fuel conveyed through the ring conduit (12) and the pressure channels (13; 14a; 14b), in which case the opening pressure p.sub.o for the needle valve (17) is constantly adjusted to a lower value in respect of the satellite needle valves (18a; 18b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Wiegand, Klaus Baumer
  • Patent number: 4488517
    Abstract: A method of cold starting an internal combustion engine operated on atomized liquid fuel after start up comprising the steps of:heating a vaporization means with an electrical resistance heating element,heating a catalytic dissociation reactor with an electrical resistance element,pumping liquid alcohol to said heated vaporization means to form a vaporized alcohol,conveying air and vaporized alcohol to said catalytic dissociation reactor wherein partial combustion of said vaporized alcohol occurs as well as dissociation of said vaporized alcohol to form a partial start up fuel mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,pumping liquid alcohol to an atomization means to form atomized liquid alcohol,adding said partial start up fuel mixture and said atomized liquid alcohol to form a complete start up fuel mixture,conveying said complete start up fuel mixture to said internal combustion engine,starting said internal combustion engine by igniting a mixture of air and complete start up fuel mixture therewithin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4475484
    Abstract: An apparatus for the catalytic transformation of fuel for use with an internal combustion engine is described. The apparatus comprises a catalytic reactor in the form of a chamber containing catalytic material, and through which liquid or vaporized fuel is passed, the reactor chamber being in close thermal communication with the exhaust gases leaving the internal combustion engine. Said reactor chamber is either placed within the exhaust gas chamber of the engine exhaust manifold, or in very close proximity thereto. In a preferred arrangement, there are two reactor chambers in series, one being formed within the exhaust manifold of the engine, and the other being mounted closely adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventors: Antonio V. Filho, Pietrangelo V. De Biase
  • Patent number: 4463734
    Abstract: A diesel engine is designed to burn on a mixture of liquid fuel or diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas, or gas. The diesel is injected into the cylinders as is conventional on diesel engines. The gas is mixed into the intake air. The output of the governor connects to a diesel control and a gas control. As more fuel is consumed, both the amount of diesel and the amount of gas is increased; however, the amount of gas is increased at a much faster rate than the amount of diesel is increased. At no load, the engine operates on about 76 percent diesel and 24 percent gas. At 100 percent load, the engine operates on about 80 percent gas and 20 percent diesel. A special gas valve is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Richard T. Akeroyd
  • Patent number: 4441467
    Abstract: A supplementary fuel system adds gasoline to the induction passage of an ethanol fueled engine to start and sustain operation of the engine at low temperatures. The gasoline is added during cranking of the engine and in response to a rapid increase in induction passage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Powell
  • Patent number: 4441475
    Abstract: A supplementary fuel system adds propane to the induction passage of an ethanol fueled engine to start and sustain operation of the engine at low temperatures. The propane flow is cycled on and off during cranking of the engine and the propane delivery pressure is varied with induction passage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bouchard, Jack B. King
  • Patent number: 4421087
    Abstract: A liquid fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine in which the fuel, gaseous under ambient conditions, is injected in liquid form under compression into the intake manifold of the engine. Fuel is controlled largely by intake manifold pressure together with the RPM of the engine. Some fuel bypasses the injector, is vaporized and fed into the intake manifold through a sleeve in sufficient amounts to maintain the engine at idle and low load conditions and prevent the injector from freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Eiko A. Schuurman
  • Patent number: 4418653
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine fuel treatment including in sequence the steps as follows:providing a dual catalyst reactor having a dehydration catalyst and dissociation catalystproviding alcohol,vaporing the alcohol to form alcohol vapor,dehydrating a portion of the feed alcohol vapor over the dehydration catalyst to form a first gaseous mixture including ethers, residual alcohol vapor and water,dissociating the residual alcohol vapor over the dissociation catalyst, to form a second gaseous mixture including H.sub.2 and CO,conveying the second gaseous mixture to the internal combustion engine,whereby the engine is operated on the second gaseous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4413594
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for starting an alcohol engine equipped with a starting motor, alcohol is converted into a high-temperature gaseous mixture containing a relatively highly volatile substance. The gas is cooled to provide a liquid condensate containing the relatively highly volatile substance. The liquid condensate is supplied to the engine as fuel when the starting motor is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshio Hirota
  • Patent number: 4412511
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is described capable of burning porous solid char fuels alone or with oil fuels. Air is forced into the char pore spaces during the compression process of the engine cycle in order to achieve the rapid burning needed for reasonable engine speeds. Fresh char fuel is periodically furnished into a combustion chamber and ashes are removed therefrom. Engine torque is controlled by control of intake air density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Inventor: Joseph C. Firey
  • Patent number: 4408571
    Abstract: Cold start-up of a engine fueled by alcohol or hydrogen dissociated from alcohol by vaporizing alcohol in a first vaporizer contacting that vapor with methanation catalyst in a methanation reactor to form methane, passing methane and alcohol delivered through a by-pass conduit to the engine, starting the engine, vaporizing alcohol in a second vaporizer to form additional alcohol vapor, contacting the additional alcohol vapor and a dissociation catalyst in a dissociation reactor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide, conveying the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Jackson, Heeyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 4408572
    Abstract: In a system including an alcohol fuel container, a first catalyst containing reactor, an internal combustion engine, alcohol is passed from the container through the first reactor which contains dissociation catalyst. The alcohol is dissociated in the first reactor to form a combustible gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen. The hydrogen is then fed to the engine. The improvement includes passing alcohol through a second reactor containing dehydration catalyst to form ether. Then passing that ether to the engine for start-up. Thus, the engine may be started using a mixture of ether formed in the second reactor and alcohol and then operated using hydrogen formed in the first reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Heeyoung Yoon, Robert G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4402296
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for supplying an internal combustion engine with a plurality of fuels wherein a first fuel source 10 which is conventional lead-free gasoline is provided and a second source of fuel 12 which consists of from 180 to 190 proof ethanol is provided as a second fuel source. The fuels are maintained separately and are fed to the intake manifold 18 of the internal combustion engines separately and simultaneously via injection valves 34 and 36. Upon injection to the heated intake manifold, the fuels are vaporized and mixed in the vapor phase prior to combustion in the combustion chambers 32. An electric coil 46 is provided for heating the alcohol fuel and enhancing vaporization. The method also includes injecting water vapor into the combustion chamber with the gasoline and alcohol in the ratio of 0.5 to 2.5 percent and of including either Diethanolaminebenzoate, Dimethylbenzalkoniumchloride, Dicyclohexylaminenitrite, and/or Mercaptobenzothiazole as corrosion inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Inventor: Walter J. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 4401094
    Abstract: Two embodiments of dual fuel systems for internal combustion engines embodying a normal running fuel and a special fuel used for only cold starting. In each embodiment an arrangement is provided for positively cutting off the flow of starting fuel when the cold starting mode is no longer required. In one embodiment this is done automatically. Each embodiment employs an arrangement for permitting cold start enrichment with either the normal running fuel or with the special starting fuel depending upon the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuzaburo Shimmura, Tokuichi Hakamata, Masahiro Takemoto
  • Patent number: 4399786
    Abstract: A method for the pilot injection of fuel in a direct injection diesel engine with a depression in the tops of the pistons. The pilot fuel, of relatively high cetane number, e.g. diesel fuel, is sprayed prior to the main spray, obliquely from the side into the piston depression in a direction counter to the rotation of the intake air. Thereafter, during the same combustion cycle, the main spray, of lower cetane number, e.g. methanol, is sprayed in a zone around the center axis of the piston depression. A substantial reduction in pollutants is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Heinz E. A. Holmer
  • Patent number: 4393854
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying fuel to a combustion device has first and second tanks for storing light and heavy fuel, respectively, a third tank connected to the first and second tanks by first and second conduits, respectively, for supplying light and heavy fuel to the third tank, a third conduit connecting the third tank with the combustion device for supplying fuel from the third tank to the combustion device; a fourth conduit connecting the combustion device with the third tank for returning excess fuel from the combustion device to the third tank; a pump in the third conduit for driving fuel through the third and fourth conduits. The pump has an output flow rate that is greater than the rate of fuel consumption of the combustion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventor: Maurice Tacquet
  • Patent number: 4387677
    Abstract: An auxiliary starting carburetor for internal combustion engines is provided, arranged so as to supply to the engine an auxiliary fuel, particularly in aerosol form. This carburetor comprises: a hollow rod adapted to bear on the valve of the fuel reservoir, an electromagnetic coil for actuating the rod, a chamber provided with a piston for receiving a measured amount of fuel and an outlet connected to the manifold for the fuel expelled by the piston urged by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Holt Lloyd S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Guerrier
  • Patent number: 4385676
    Abstract: A system for feeding a fuel to a carburetor on a motorcycle, comprising a frame on which an engine having a carburetor is mounted, a main fuel tank disposed at the front side of an upper portion of the frame for storing fuel such as alcohol therein, and an auxiliary fuel tank disposed at the rear side of the upper portion of the frame for storing fuel such as gasoline therein. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks are in communication with the carburetor through main and auxiliary fuel passages, respectively. A switch cock is provided in the main fuel passage for opening and closing thereof, and a measuring pump is interposed in the auxiliary fuel passage for supplying an auxiliary fuel at a predetermined flow rate from the auxiliary fuel tank to the carburetor. The switch cock and measuring pump are disposed at opposite sides of a lower surface of the main fuel tank. Accordingly, a driver on the motorcycle can easily reach and operate the switch cock and measuring pump in his sitting posture on the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigekazu Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4380974
    Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine adapted to use alcohol as fuel is provided with means for adding a predetermined amount of gasoline to the alcohol-containing float chamber of the carburetor during engine startig and warming-up, said means being controlled by the choke valve of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Grosso