Fuel Switched In Response To Engine Temperature Patents (Class 123/578)
  • Patent number: 9559498
    Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus can include an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) device configured to control charging and discharging of an ignition coil and a two-stage voltage clamp coupled with the IGBT device. The two-stage voltage clamp can include a high-voltage portion coupled with the IGBT device and a low-voltage portion coupled with high-voltage portion and the IGBT device. The apparatus can further include a sense device coupled with the two-stage voltage clamp and a timing circuit coupled with the sense device. The timing circuit can be configured to provide a control signal to cause the sense device to enable or disable the high-voltage portion of the two-stage voltage clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Yedinak, Scott Pearson
  • Patent number: 8997714
    Abstract: A method, comprising: operating an engine cylinder with fuel from a first injector and not a second injector and activating the second injector in response to a rail pressure increase of a fuel rail, the fuel rail coupled to the second injector. In this way, degradation of the second injector may be reduced by activating the second injector and allowing fuel flow through the second injector to reduce the pressure and temperature of the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Publication number: 20150052877
    Abstract: An engine system, comprising an externally filled fuel tank with an external fill port; a separator for separation of fuel based on octane level, the separator having a high octane outlet and a low octane outlet; a secondary fuel tank with an amount of fuel located therein and a return line, the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the low octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the high octane outlet of the separator or the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the high octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the low octane outlet of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8905011
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of systems and methods for cooling a combustion chamber of an engine. One method includes introducing fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine having an energy transfer device that moves through an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, and an exhaust stroke. The method further includes monitoring a temperature of the combustion chamber. When the temperature reaches a predetermined value, the method also includes introducing coolant into the combustion chamber only during at least one of the power stroke and the exhaust stroke of the energy transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Melvin James Larsen
  • Patent number: 8683988
    Abstract: Embodiments of engine systems for improved engine cooling and work production are disclosed herein. A working fluid can be injected into a combustion chamber or an engine during any portion of an energy cycle to cool the engine and/or to produce useful work in addition to work generated by combustion events in the chamber. The system can include a monitoring system configured to measure conditions within individual combustion chambers. Based on the interior conditions of the chamber, the system can adaptively inject working fluid mixtures into the engine. The engine can be part of a cascading series of engines including a primary engine and a secondary engine that receives fluids from the primary engine and generates energy from the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8566004
    Abstract: An alcohol concentration sensor detects an alcohol concentration in fuel that is supplied to an internal combustion engine. A fuel injection quantity is controlled in accordance with a detection value of the alcohol concentration that is detected by the alcohol concentration sensor. When a temperature of the fuel, which is detected by a fuel temperature sensor or estimated from intake air temperature etc., is equal to or lower than a predetermined limit temperature, the detection value of the alcohol concentration, which is detected by the alcohol concentration sensor, is memorized as a memorized value of the alcohol concentration. When the temperature of the fuel is higher than the predetermined limit temperature, the fuel injection quantity is controlled by using the memorized value of the alcohol concentration instead of using the detection value, which is currently detected by the alcohol concentration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Annoura
  • Patent number: 8555863
    Abstract: A control device is applied to an internal combustion engine capable of using CNG and gasoline by switching therebetween, and the CNG and the gasoline are associated, as fuel for use, with one and the other of two driving areas respectively, the driving areas being different from each other. The control device exceptionally switches the fuel for use from gasoline to CNG and implements an air-fuel ratio imbalance inspection (S6, S7), when the air-fuel ratio imbalance inspection is required for a CNG mode using CNG (S1), the engine is driving in a driving area (AR2) correlated to gasoline as fuel for use (S2), and gasoline mode using gasoline as fuel for use is ongoing (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Yoshihisa Shinoda, Keisuke Sano
  • Patent number: 8498799
    Abstract: A first control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines first and second fuel masses for first and second fuel injection systems of the engine, respectively, and that controls the first fuel injection system to inject a first fuel based on the first fuel mass. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel based on the second fuel mass. A second control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module controls a first fuel injection system of the engine to inject a first fuel and selectively disables at least one of a plurality of components of a second fuel injection system of the engine. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: James C. Matthews, Jr., Louis A. Avallone, Robert J. Horner, Nicholas John Kalweit, Marc Sauve, Charles E. Leady, Grant Meade, Amir R. Lodhi
  • Publication number: 20120318241
    Abstract: The fuel injection apparatus for the internal combustion engine includes: a fuel injector having a leading end portion that has an internal space in which fuel is accumulated and an injection port for injecting fuel; and an adsorbent disposed in the internal space, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol. In this fuel injection apparatus, it is determined whether or not a fuel pressure is higher than a predetermined low fuel pressure when a request is issued for bringing an internal combustion engine to a stop. If it is determined that the fuel pressure is higher than the low fuel pressure, the fuel pressure is kept at the low fuel pressure for a predetermined period of time before the internal combustion engine is brought to a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Onoe, Mamoru Yoshioka, Fumito Chiba, Takahiro Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 8297265
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of systems and methods for cooling a combustion chamber of an engine. One method includes introducing fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine having an energy transfer device that moves through an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, and an exhaust stroke. The method further includes monitoring a temperature of the combustion chamber. When the temperature reaches a predetermined value, the method also includes introducing coolant into the combustion chamber only during at least one of the power stroke and the exhaust stroke of the energy transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Melvin James Larsen, Roy Edward McAlister, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8196567
    Abstract: Fuel is evacuated from a fuel rail by directing liquid fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel tank and then by directing gaseous fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 8161954
    Abstract: A fuel supply control apparatus for an engine includes an alcohol concentration detector and an engine temperature detector. The apparatus increases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine as the detected alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus increases the amount of fuel as the engine temperature becomes lower and as the alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus feed-back corrects the amount of fuel by using a correction value such that an actual air-fuel ratio becomes a theoretical air fuel ratio. The apparatus determines that water is mixed with fuel when the correction value during a cold operational state indicates leaner than the lean value of the correction value used during a warm operational state. The apparatus reduces the increased amount of fuel when water is mixed with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Annoura
  • Patent number: 8151780
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling a dual-fuel engine that has an evaporated gas providing device for providing an evaporated gas into the engine and is operable with hydrocarbon fuel or non-hydrocarbon fuel, alternatively. One example method comprises operating the engine with one of the fuels on the basis of a driver's request, and in response to a determination of a cold engine operation, operating the engine with the non-hydrocarbon fuel for a specified period irrespective of the driver's request. If it is determined that an evaporated fuel is to be provided to the engine while the engine is operating with non-hydrocarbon fuel due the cold engine operation, then switching to operation with hydrocarbon fuel and thereafter providing evaporated fuel into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuho Douzono, Takafumi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7942128
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine; a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder; a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start and/or warm-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7853396
    Abstract: A multifuel internal combustion engine includes: fuel characteristics determining unit that determines ignitability and anti-knocking performance of the fuel introduced into the combustion chamber CC; combustion mode setting unit that sets a compression hypergolic diffusion combustion mode when ignitability of the fuel is excellent, sets a premixed spark-ignition flame propagation combustion mode when the ignitability of the fuel is poor and anti-knocking performance is excellent, and sets a spark assist compression hypergolic diffusion combustion mode when both the ignitability and anti-knocking performance of the fuel are poor; and combustion control execution unit that makes the engine to drive in a combustion mode which is set by the combustion mode setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Shiro Tanno
  • Patent number: 7836865
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine that is operated with a fuel mixture made of at least two types of fuel. An injection of the fuel into combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine occurs starting at a predefined pressure threshold of the fuel in a fuel supply according to a high-pressure starting mode, and also according to a low-pressure starting mode if the predefined pressure threshold is no longer met. The pressure threshold is selected as a function of the mixture ratio of the fuel types in the fuel mixture. In this way it can be achieved that differences can be taken into consideration in the optimal mixture formation of the fuel types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Joos, Jens Wolber, Ruediger Weiss, Timm Hollmann, Manfred Dietrich, Peter Schenk, Erkan Danisman
  • Patent number: 7721710
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine; a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder; a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start and/or warm-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20100050982
    Abstract: A fuel supply control apparatus for an engine includes an alcohol concentration detector and an engine temperature detector. The apparatus increases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine as the detected alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus increases the amount of fuel as the engine temperature becomes lower and as the alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus feed-back corrects the amount of fuel by using a correction value such that an actual air-fuel ratio becomes a theoretical air fuel ratio. The apparatus determines that water is mixed with fuel when the correction value during a cold operational state indicates leaner than the lean value of the correction value used during a warm operational state. The apparatus reduces the increased amount of fuel when water is mixed with fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiki Annoura
  • Patent number: 7647916
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a first port injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder, and a second injector outside said cylinder for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert A. Stein, Jeffrey C. Lyjak
  • Publication number: 20100000501
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling a dual-fuel engine that has an evaporated gas providing device for providing an evaporated gas into the engine and is operable with hydrocarbon fuel or non-hydrocarbon fuel, alternatively. One example method comprises operating the engine with one of the fuels on the basis of a driver's request, and in response to a determination of a cold engine operation, operating the engine with the non-hydrocarbon fuel for a specified period irrespective of the driver's request. If it is determined that an evaporated fuel is to be provided to the engine while the engine is operating with non-hydrocarbon fuel due the cold engine operation, then switching to operation with hydrocarbon fuel and thereafter providing evaporated fuel into the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuho Douzono, Takafumi Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20090277418
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a membrane dividing the fuel tank into at least a first and second portion, the membrane preferentially diffusing a substance from a mixture, the substance having an increased knock suppression relative to the mixture, and a controller adjusting delivery of condensed water to the tank responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20090165762
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of operating an engine. The method may include injecting a primary fuel. The method may further include determining a need for a secondary fuel during starting of the engine and introducing the secondary fuel. The method may still further include determining an engine acceleration rate. The method may also include inhibiting the introduction of the secondary fuel when the engine acceleration rate is below an expected acceleration rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Curtis Lyle Fitchpatrick, Brian Gene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7533651
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a combustion chamber located in the engine; a delivery system configured to deliver a fuel and a fluid to at least the combustion chamber in varying ratios, wherein the fluid includes at least an alcohol; wherein the delivery system includes at least a direct injector configured to inject at least the fluid directly into the combustion chamber; and a control system configured to advance the timing of the fluid delivered to the combustion chamber by the direct injector to reduce the likelihood of knock; and retard the timing of the fluid delivered to the combustion chamber by the direct injector to reduce the likelihood of preignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 7523739
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine has a lubricity improver supply for adding a lubricity improver to low-viscosity fuel supplied to a fuel injection apparatus of the engine. A controller controls the lubricity improver supply so that the amount of the lubricity improver added to fuel at the inlet to the fuel injection apparatus is increased as engine rotation speed, engine load, or injection pressure is increased. With the system, wear or sticking of the plunger can be prevented even when low-viscosity fuel is used by improving lubrication conditions to secure necessary lubrication condition for the sliding part in accordance with engine operation conditions, fuel temperature and viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20080127933
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine, comprising of performing homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion during a first operating condition, and performing spark ignition combustion during a second operating condition, where an amount of directly injected alcohol in at least one of said homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion and said spark ignition combustion is varied in response to at least an operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Blumberg, Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood, George Davis, Michael Zubeck, Robert Stein
  • Patent number: 7198041
    Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for starting an engine. The system, apparatus, and method include determining a first quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the first quantity of fuel to the engine during a first cycle of the engine, determining a second quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the second quantity of fuel to the engine subsequently, and transitioning to an alternative fueling strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Optimum Power Technology
    Inventors: Dale K. Wells, Glen F. Chatfield
  • Patent number: 7051722
    Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for starting an engine. The system, apparatus, and method include determining a first quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the first quantity of fuel to the engine during a first cycle of the engine, determining a second quantity of fuel based on engine temperature, providing the second quantity of fuel to the engine subsequently, and transitioning to an alternative fueling strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: OPTIMUM Power Technology L.P.
    Inventors: Dale K. Wells, Glen F. Chatfield
  • Patent number: 6959693
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector that injects a lower-octane fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a second fuel injector that injects a higher-octane fuel into an intake passage of the engine. When the engine temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature during a start-up period of the internal combustion engine, fuel having the lower octane is injected via the first injector while prohibiting injection of the higher octane fuel via the second fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomihisa Oda
  • 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: 6321694
    Abstract: In an internal-combustion engine designed to operate selectively with gasoline or gas, after each switching of fuel the injectors of the fuel-supply system that has been activated are controlled differently with respect to operation at the normal engine running rate to compensate for the transient phenomena due to the change of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Irene Vergine, Giuseppe Miletto, Massimo Ferrera
  • Patent number: 6003478
    Abstract: A control box (11) for a dual-fuel internal-combustion engine (6) is actuated automatically by an oil-pressure switch (16) when activated by a manual switch (30) that directs power from a battery (29) or other engine-electrical component to a current distributor such as a 24-volt bus (49) for operating control-box components that include an under-current sensor (36) for preventing use of gaseous fuel in addition to liquid fuel under no-load and low-load conditions, an over-current sensor (39) for preventing use of gaseous fuel in addition to liquid fuel under excessive-load conditions, an intake-air sensor (17) for preventing use of gaseous fuel with liquid fuel when there is inadequate supply of air, a liquid-fuel-supply sensor (22) for preventing use of gaseous fuel with liquid fuel when there is inadequate supply of liquid fuel, and an exhaust-gas-temperature monitor (23) for shutting down dual-fuel mode when exhaust heat is excessive. Red LED lights (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) warn of system faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: ITG Innovative Technology Group Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 5823150
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of induction system arrangements for a two cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engine having reed valve assemblies comprised of a mounting portion that defines a flow passage and a first caging member that divides the flow passage into first and second sections. A second caging member is affixed to the first caging member and the means which affixes it also affix a first reed valve for valving a valved opening in the first caging member. The valved openings in the caging members are generally rectangular in configuration and have a cross-sectional flow area approximately equal to the cross-sectional flow area of the intake passage in which the reed valve assembly is positioned. At least a pair of generally circular induction passages serve each reed valve member and a variety of different types of throttle valve arrangements and injection patterns are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsugunori Konakawa
  • 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: 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: 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: 5224457
    Abstract: A dual fuel system for a diesel engine includes a liquid (diesel) fuel injection system controlled by an engine electronic control unit (ECU) and a source of gaseous fuel such as natural gas. A metering valve and a mixer controls introduction of gaseous fuel from the natural gas fuel source into combustion air for the engine. An electronic governor controls the metering valve and a link controller coordinates operation of the ECU and the governor. Preferably, a regulator regulates the natural gas pressure supplied to the metering valve. A shut-off valve controls communication of natural gas between the source and the regulator. The link controller also controls the shut-off valve as a function of sensed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeff Arsenault, Wendelin Goetz, James Larocque
  • Patent number: 4936280
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic dual-fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with driving cylinders. The system has an intake manifold which is connected to the driving cylinders to feed fuel mixtures to the cylinders and an air supply assembly including a shuttle-valve body connected to the manifold for feeding air into it. A high grade fuel supply assembly, which includes an injector mounted on the output section of the air supply assembly, serves for feeding high grade fuel to the manifold. A similar but low grade fuel assembly, which includes a plurality of injectors each of which is mounted on the manifold, serves for feeding low grade fuel to one of the driving cylinders. The injection system also includes a computer, connected to the two fuel supply assemblies, and temperature sensors connected to the computer and to the cylinder block to measure its temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Gerard Langlois
  • Patent number: 4699630
    Abstract: An improved fuel valve for an air-vapor mixer device for the fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine with which it is in thermal contact is disclosed. The valve operates in a fuel metering orifice and is composed of an acetal copolymer resin having a high coefficient of expansion. When the valve is cool, the metering orifice provides a richer mixture of fuel to air for cold starting and idling. As the engine warms up, the fuel valve expands through thermal contact with the engine and as a result of its high coefficient of expansion decreases the effective size of the orifice to lean the mixture and thereby provide better fuel economy and reduced pollutants. For mid-range control the fuel valve has a section of generally frustoconical configuration provided with circumferential steps that lean out mid-range mixtures for average operating conditions and produce an optimal admixture of fuel and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: LPF Carburetion, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Lee, Aubrey A. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4539966
    Abstract: A fuel and air mixture induction system is provided for an internal combustion engine and includes a conventional air and fuel mixing carburetor for starting the engine when the latter is cold. However, when operating temperatures of the engine are reached the air and fuel induction system is operative to more thoroughly vaporize liquid fuel by pressurizing and heating not only the induction air but also the fuel and spraying the heated fuel into the heated induction air in a manner such that substantially complete fuel atomization and vaporization occurs. This pressurized fully vaporized fuel and air charge is thereafter discharged in a downstream direction into the air and fuel passage of the carburetor closely upstream from the venturi area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Tri-Saver Corporation
    Inventor: Mario R. Guell
  • Patent number: 4499885
    Abstract: A supplemental fuel system for a combustion engine has a primary fuel supply feeding the combustion chamber directly and a supplemental fuel supply which feeds into the combustion air intake. The supply of primary fuel is appropriately reduced or regulated by automatic control and the supply of the supplemental fuel is continuously automatically adjusted to the supply of primary fuel. Initially the supplemental fuel in vapor state is introduced into the air intake until the heat exchange vaporizer system warms up, when there is an automatic shift to the liquid state of supplemental fuel. A temperature compensator in the air intake connected to the supplemental fuel supply holds the temperature of the supplemental fuel at the same temperature as the air with which it is mixed before passing to the final metering orifice and then to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventors: Joseph Weissenbach, deceased, by Jane A. Shahrokh-Khani, executor
  • Patent number: 4494516
    Abstract: The fuel flows to the usual carburetor, initially, and when the engine heats up, the fuel is directed to a vaporizer, continuing through a line in the vaporizer, and then, as vapor, to the carburetor. In the vaporizer, the exhaust gasses flow over and around the fuel line and heat the fuel and vaporizes it. A two-way valve responds to the heat of the exhaust gasses and controls the flow of the fuel to the carburetor or the vaporizer. A single carburetor is used for both the unvaporized fuel and the vaporized fuel. A surge tank is included in the vapor line between the vaporizer and the carburetor. An alternate form utilizes the coolant of the engine for vaporizing the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4455986
    Abstract: An engine fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold, intake ports open to the intake manifold, an exhaust manifold and exhaust ports open to the exhaust manifold. The fuel supply system includes an enclosed heat exchange chamber heated by the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold, a fuel vapor generator having a heat conductive fuel vaporizing conduit leading straight through the heat exchange chamber and the wall of the intake manifold to discharge fuel vaporized in the heat exchange chamber through a restricted orifice directly into the intake ports inside of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Elmer G. Finken
  • 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: 4416224
    Abstract: An improvement to an internal combustion engine having a fuel system for feeding a hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture to the combustion chambers and an auxiliary fuel system which utilizes anhydrous ammonia dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen gas for use as an auxiliary fuel with the hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture of the engine. The improvements provide for feeding ammonia gas from a relief valve on a storage tank for anhydrous ammonia into the bottom of the windshield wiper container for a vehicle having water therein to absorb the ammonia to prevent the release of the ammonia to the atmosphere. The improvements also provide for a first auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate the ammonia utilizing the exhaust heat of the engine and a second auxiliary fuel dissociator to dissociate ammonia until the engine generates sufficient heat for the operation of the first dissociator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Inventors: William M. Hobby, Joseph M. Valdespino
  • Patent number: 4368163
    Abstract: A vaporizer chamber includes a coil therein, the coil having extensions extending into the exhaust pipe of the engine, the exhaust gases passing through the coil and heating the interior of the chamber. Fuel is delivered to the vaporizer chamber, and vaporized there when the exhaust gases are heated. A thermostat unit is mounted on the exhaust pipe, and when heated, shifts a valve to direct the fuel to the vaporizer chamber, instead of to the carburetor. This shifting is gradual. A throttle controls the flow of vaporized fuel to the outlet of the carburetor. The usual accelerator pedal is operative for controlling the throttle for the vaporized fuel in unison with the usual throttle provided in the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4359996
    Abstract: A system for vaporizing fuel and mixing it in controlled proportions with liquid fuel as a feed to a carburetor in an internal combustion engine comprising a vapor generator for heating liquid fuel to vaporize it, a jacket around the generator filled with a liquid heating medium, a means for controlling the heating of the liquid heating medium by exchange with the exhaust of the engine, a first temperature sensing means to detect when the vaporized fuel in the vapor generator reaches a predetermined value and signaling a controlled means to admit vaporized fuel to the feed line to the carburetor and correspondingly to reduce liquid fuel being fed to the carburetor, a second temperature sensing means in said jacket for controlling the amount of heat absorbed by the liquid heating medium from the exhaust, a first pressure regulator means in the vapor outlet of the vapor generator to direct vaporized fuel to the feed of the carburetor upon reaching a predetermined pressure in the vapor generator, and a second pr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: James C. Kirkland, Jr.
    Inventor: James C. Kirkland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4354477
    Abstract: A carburetor having a fuel mixing valve with multiple vanes which control the flows of main and secondary fuels into a valve mixing chamber. The octane rating of the fuel charge may be momentarily increased during periods of engine acceleration to permit the engine to have a higher compression ratio for optimum efficiency with a relatively low octane fuel. The fuel flow controlling vanes may be mounted on a common shaft for simultaneous movement or on separate support means for differential movement in response to an engine control. A fuel mixing valve is also disclosed for use with the second stage components of a two stage carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Ellis H. Sprick
  • Patent number: 4345570
    Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus for carburetor-equipped vehicles which includes a vaporizer box provided with a fuel level control for maintaining a level of fuel therein, and having an air inlet and a fuel-air mixture outlet, and further fitted with a cold fuel inlet line and a cold fuel discharge line, a hot fuel inlet line and a heat exchanger for heating fuel recycled from the vaporizer box and subsequently recharged into the box, the apparatus further including a mixing chamber for receiving the fuel-air mixture discharged from the vaporizer box and more completely mixing the fuel and air prior to introducing the charge into the carburetor. The fuel heating apparatus is designed to improve the fuel efficiency of carburetor-equipped vehicle engines and to extend fuel mileage capabilities of the vehicles. The system can be quickly and easily adapted to substantially any carburetor-equipped vehicle currently on the market, and is particularly well suited to gasoline engine systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: Paul W. McNeece