Gas Operated Patents (Class 261/35)
  • Patent number: 6688585
    Abstract: A carburetor for a scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine has an enriched fuel-and-air mixing passage extending through a housing of the carburetor. Engaged to the housing is a body of an air flow modular assembly which carries a primary air flow passage which houses a butterfly-type control valve therein. The throttle valve of the fuel-and-air mixing passage is mechanically linked or cammed to the control valve of the air flow passage so that opening of the throttle valve soon after opens the control valve allowing additional air to enter and provide a leaner fuel-and-air ratio in the combustion chamber of the engine when running under load. The air flow modular assembly has a sealing-and-bearing assembly which eliminates air leakage from the surrounding environment along the shaft of the control valve and into the primary air flow passage. The sealing-and-bearing assembly has a bushing which inserts into a counter bore of a cylindrical bore which receives the rotating shaft of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns, Masatoshi Endo
  • Patent number: 6676114
    Abstract: A carburetor arrangement is provided for an internal combustion engine of a manually guided implement, and includes a carburetor that is embodied in particular as a diaphragm carburetor. A butterfly valve is pivotably mounted in an air channel that is disposed in the carburetor and leads to the internal combustion engine. Also provided is an accelerator pump that includes a pump chamber and an accelerator piston that is guided in the pump chamber. The accelerator piston is coupled with the butterfly valve. The pump chamber can be connected with a fuel tank via a pump line. A first pressure-controlled check valve is provided in the pump line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Publication number: 20030222357
    Abstract: A carburetor for a scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine has an enriched fuel-and-air mixing passage extending through a housing of the carburetor. Engaged to the housing is a body of an air flow modular assembly which carries a primary air flow passage which houses a butterfly-type control valve therein. The throttle valve of the fuel-and-air mixing passage is mechanically linked or cammed to the control valve of the air flow passage so that opening of the throttle valve soon after opens the control valve allowing additional air to enter and provide a leaner fuel-and-air ratio in the combustion chamber of the engine when running under load. The air flow modular assembly has a sealing-and-bearing assembly which eliminates air leakage from the surrounding environment along the shaft of the control valve and into the primary air flow passage. The sealing-and-bearing assembly has a bushing which inserts into a counter bore of a cylindrical bore which receives the rotating shaft of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Walbro Engine Management LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns, Masatoshi Endo
  • Patent number: 6644631
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor has a body defining at least in part an air intake passage, a fuel metering chamber that receives fuel for delivery into the air intake passage, a fuel supply passage communicating a supply of fuel with the fuel metering chamber, and a bypass passage communicating the fuel supply passage with the air intake passage to facilitate removal of air and fuel vapor from the carburetor. The bypass passage is routed around, and does not communicate directly with the fuel metering chamber. Fuel vapor or air in the carburetor is quickly led from the bypass passage to the air intake passage to prevent a large quantity or volume of fuel vapor or air from staying in or flowing to the fuel metering chamber and thereby adversely affecting the operation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030201551
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates increased output, decreased size, and simplified design and manufacture for a carburetor system in which a metering pin, which moves on a throttle valve, controls the fuel flow rate for a single fuel system. A carburetor of the present invention comprises a butterfly-like throttle valve on an air intake pathway with a nearly uniform diameter along its entire length, and a fuel nozzle positioned on the downstream side thereof. A metering pin retained by an actuating member that reciprocates linearly and remains in constant contact with a cam face of a cam member located on a valve stem. Fuel supplied to the air intake pathway from a constant fuel chamber via the fuel nozzle is controlled according to the opening and closing of a throttle. The metering pin by means of a cam controls the volume of the fuel flow rate at a desired stroke set irrespective of the opening and closing movement of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: ZAMA JAPAN
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6634624
    Abstract: A device for multifoaming expandable plastics, such as, for instance, EPS, EPE, EPP or polymer mixtures, includes at least one storage or supply assembly and a foaming vessel for the discontinuous or batchwise afterfoaming of the prefoamed expandable plastics, whereby precisely adjustable bulk densities are attainable in an afterfoaming procedure while observing tight environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hirsch Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Hans Reiner Stampfer
  • Patent number: 6631889
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates increased output, decreased size, and simplified design and manufacture for a carburetor system in which a metering pin, which moves on a throttle valve, controls the fuel flow rate for a single fuel system. A carburetor of the present invention includes a butterfly-like throttle valve on an air intake pathway with a nearly uniform diameter along its entire length, and a fuel nozzle positioned on the downstream side thereof. A metering pin retained by an actuating member that reciprocates linearly and remains in constant contact with a cam face of a cam member located on a valve stem. Fuel supplied to the air intake pathway from a constant fuel chamber via the fuel nozzle is controlled according to the opening and closing of a throttle. The metering pin by means of a cam controls the volume of the fuel flow rate at a desired stroke set irrespective of the opening and closing movement of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6622992
    Abstract: A carburetor having a first valve to control the application of pressure pulses to a fuel metering assembly of the carburetor through a first flow path and a second valve which controls at least a second flow path to provide an enriched fuel and air mixture to the engine to facilitate starting the engine and warming it up. The pressure pulses are preferably applied to a fuel metering diaphragm to actuate the diaphragm and cause a richer than normal fuel and air mixture to be delivered to the engine. Desirably, a maximum enrichment of the fuel and air mixture is obtained when at least one valve is open to facilitate starting the engine, and a lesser enrichment of the mixture may be obtained by closing a valve to facilitate warming the engine up after it is initially started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Woody
  • Publication number: 20030168752
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates increased output, decreased size, and simplified design and manufacture for a carburetor system in which a metering pin, which moves on a throttle valve, controls the fuel flow rate for a single fuel system. A carburetor of the present invention comprises a butterfly-like throttle valve on an air intake pathway with a nearly uniform diameter along its entire length, and a fuel nozzle positioned on the downstream side thereof. A metering pin retained by an actuating member that reciprocates linearly and remains in constant contact with a cam face of a cam member located on a valve stem. Fuel supplied to the air intake pathway from a constant fuel chamber via the fuel nozzle is controlled according to the opening and closing of a throttle. The metering pin by means of a cam controls the volume of the fuel flow rate at a desired stroke set irrespective of the opening and closing movement of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20030160340
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor is provided for an internal combustion engine that operates with scavenging air, especially a two-cycle engine in a manually-guided implement. The carburetor has an intake channel portion in which is disposed a butterfly valve that is rotatably held via a shaft and in the vicinity of which fuel-supplying channels open into the intake channel portion. The channels are supplied from a fuel-filled regulating chamber that is formed on a longitudinal side of the intake channel portion in the carburetor housing and is separated by a regulating diaphragm from a compensation chamber. The carburetor has at least one air channel that supplies additional combustion air and that has an air valve that is rotatably held via a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Durr, Manfred Rabis, Werner Geyer
  • Patent number: 6595500
    Abstract: A membrane carburetor for an internal combustion engine in a portable handheld work apparatus includes a control chamber (3) delimited by a membrane (2). The control chamber (3) is connected via a feed line (4) to a fuel tank (5). The feed line (4) is cleared via a valve body (6) when there is a deflection of the membrane (2) because of an underpressure in the control chamber (3). The control chamber (3) is connected to an air channel (10) via at least one fuel nozzle (7) and at least one ancillary chamber (9). The air channel (10) passes through the membrane carburetor (1) and leads to the internal combustion engine. A purge pump (11) is provided in a fuel line (12) connecting the control chamber (3) to the fuel tank (5). The fuel path between the control chamber (3) and the purge pump (11) is guided through at least one ancillary chamber (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Osburg, Wolfgang Luithardt, Peter Schmidt, Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Patent number: 6588383
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor for an internal combustion engine is provided, and has a housing with an impulse pressure driven fuel pump. Provided in the housing is a chamber that is divided by a diaphragm into a pump chamber and a drive chamber that is acted upon by impulse pressure fluctuations during operation of the internal combustion engine. In order with the least available impulse pressure differences of the engine to effectively deflect the diaphragm in the chamber, the freely movable diaphragm surface of the diaphragm is maximized and the conveying stroke of the diaphragm is enhanced by a spring. The movable diaphragm surface assumes a major portion of the surface of the plane of separation in which the diaphragm is disposed. For this purpose, a fuel intake valve and a fuel outlet valve are spaced from the diaphragm, and in particular are removed from the plane of separation in which the diaphragm comes to rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Konrad Knaus, Andreas Hägele, Werner Geyer
  • Patent number: 6581916
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor is disclosed wherein a mechanism for varying the fuel flow rate through the carburetor for delivery to the engine can be controlled by electronic feedback based on engine performance. A permanent magnet/wire coil assembly is attached to the diaphragm controlling the opening to the metering chamber within the carburetor. The assembly responds to commands based on engine performance and can vary the size of the opening to the metering chamber. In this way, the fuel flow rate through the carburetor can be modified to obtain the optimal fuel/air ratio for peak performance of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Scott R. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20030102579
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor has a body defining at least in part an air intake passage, a fuel metering chamber that receives fuel for delivery into the air intake passage, a fuel supply passage communicating a supply of fuel with the fuel metering chamber, and a bypass passage communicating the fuel supply passage with the air intake passage to facilitate removal of air and fuel vapor from the carburetor. The bypass passage is routed around, and does not communicate directly with the fuel metering chamber. Fuel vapor or air in the carburetor is quickly led from the bypass passage to the air intake passage to prevent a large quantity or volume of fuel vapor or air from staying in or flowing to the fuel metering chamber and thereby adversely affecting the operation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6536747
    Abstract: A carburetor preferably of a diaphragm type for an internal combustion engine has a low speed circuit for starting and idling of a cold engine. An air bleed line of the low speed circuit communicates between an inlet of a fuel and air mixing passage of the carburetor and an emulsifying chamber of the low speed circuit. Fuel flows to the emulsifying chamber from a fuel metering chamber and is regulated by a low speed idling adjustment needle screw. The bleed air and the fuel mixes within the emulsifying chamber and flows into the mixing passage between the throttle valve and the outlet of the mixing passage. Promoting this flow is a high vacuum produced by cranking and idling of the engine and accentuated by the substantially closed throttle valve. The fuel-and-air mixture is rich during cold idling as a result of the closed air bleed line. When the engine warms up, the air bleed line is opened via the restrictor valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Burns, George M. Pattullo
  • Patent number: 6533254
    Abstract: A carburetor for a small internal combustion engine has a manual priming fuel pump with a resilient valve for allowing fuel flow in a first direction and for preventing fuel flow in a second direction. The resilient valve is reinforced with longitudinally extending ribs to prevent recirculation of fuel through an outlet orifice of the valve in a running engine. The outlet orifice is defined by a distal end of a tubular portion of the valve press fitted and projecting into an outlet passage that communicates with a pump chamber defined by a resilient domed cap. The ribs project laterally outward from the tubular portion within the outlet passage. Integral with an opposite end of the resilient valve is a head which flexes outward to open an inlet passage which then communicates with the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy K. Grifka, Bradley D. Hilbig, Anthony M Kueffner, Paul S. Learman
  • Publication number: 20030047818
    Abstract: A fuel metering assembly for a diaphragm type carburetor has a fuel metering diaphragm with at least two convolutions or annular projections providing greater travel of the diaphragm and more consistent movement of the diaphragm throughout its stroke or travel. In one embodiment, the diaphragm has at least one annular projection generally U-shaped in section projecting toward a fuel metering chamber defined on one side of the diaphragm, and at least one annular projection having a generally inverted U-shape in section projecting toward an atmospheric chamber defined on the other side of the diaphragm. Preferably, the annular projections are continuously provided between the peripheral edge of the diaphragm and a central portion of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyu Nagata
  • Patent number: 6523809
    Abstract: A carburetor having a first valve to control the application of pressure pulses to a fuel metering assembly of the carburetor through a first flow path and a second valve which controls application of pressure pulses to the fuel metering assembly through at least a second flow path to provide an enriched fuel and air mixture to the engine to facilitate starting the engine and warming it up. The pressure pulses are preferably applied to a fuel metering diaphragm to actuate the diaphragm and cause a richer than normal fuel and air mixture to be delivered to the engine. Desirably, a maximum enrichment of the fuel and air mixture is obtained when both valves are open to facilitate starting the engine, and a lesser enrichment of the mixture may be obtained when only one valve is open to facilitate warming the engine up after it is initially started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Woody
  • Patent number: 6514410
    Abstract: An odor control apparatus for a facultative lagoon, and a facultative lagoon created and maintained thereby. The apparatus includes an aerator and a cover. The aerator can include a body with an inlet and an outlet and a support such as a float. The inlet and outlet are submerged slightly beneath the surface of the material in the lagoon. Air supplied under pressure to the aerator diffuses oxygen into the aerobic layer of the lagoon. The dissolved oxygen is used in the biodegradation of the hazardous and odorous gases of the waste material that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. The cover is either porous or non-porous and covers some or substantially all of the lagoon surface. The cover promotes accumulation and concentration of desirable odor degrading bacteria in the lagoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. Gantzer
  • Publication number: 20020195726
    Abstract: A fuel metering system for a combustion engine carburetor utilizes a non-convoluted, planar, flexible diaphragm which does not require a molding process to form a traditional convolution. The diaphragm defines in part a pressure controlled fuel metering chamber on one side and a reference chamber at atmospheric pressure on the other side. During operation of the engine, sub-atmospheric pressure within a fuel and air mixing passage draws fuel from the metering chamber to mix with air for combustion within the engine. As pressure within the metering chamber thus decreases, the diaphragm flexes into metering chamber. The displacement of the diaphragm actuates a flow control valve of the metering system which flows pressurized make-up fuel into the metering chamber until the diaphragm returns to its datum position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: William E. Galka, Bradley D. Hilbig, Ronald H. Roche, James E. Van Allen
  • Patent number: 6481699
    Abstract: An acceleration device of a carburetor for a two cycle engine with a rotary dual valve which controls air flow through both a scavenging passage and a separate air intake passage each extending through a carburetor body. The carburetor body houses a metering fuel chamber and an air reference chamber defined by a diaphragm between them. Fuel in the metering fuel chamber is discharged through a port into the air intake passage. An acceleration pump has an actuation chamber which communicates with the scavenging passage and a pump chamber which communicates with the air reference chamber and a membrane between them. During engine acceleration the membrane is displaced by a pressure introduced into the actuation chamber to forcibly send air into the air reference chamber from the pump chamber to move, the diaphragm into the metering fuel chamber, and thereby increase the fuel delivered to the air intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamio Aihara, Hiroki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6481698
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a dual barrel carburetor for a motorcycle. The preferred carburetor includes a novel combination of a fuel bowl assembly, a metering assembly, a main body assembly, and an air plenum assembly. The dual barrel carburetor includes annular discharge booster venturis associated with a main fuel delivery circuit. An idle circuit opens downstream of the throttle plates. A transfer circuit discharge port is positioned across the throttle plates. The combination of the idle, transfer and main fuel circuits ensures the smooth delivery of fuel throughout all operating conditions of the motorcycle engine. The plenum manifold assembly includes a pair of air passages in fluid communication with one another to permit a final opportunity to optimize the fuel delivery to the respective combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Calvin, Richard Keith Lindsey, Doyle W. Graham, Jasper C. Lindsey, Jr., Laura Beth Cornett Rucker
  • Publication number: 20020163087
    Abstract: A carburetor arrangement is provided for an internal combustion engine of a manually guided implement, and includes a carburetor that is embodied in particular as a diaphragm carburetor. A butterfly valve is pivotably mounted in an air channel that is disposed in the carburetor and leads to the internal combustion engine. Also provided is an accelerator pump that includes a pump chamber and an accelerator piston that is guided in the pump chamber. The accelerator piston is coupled with the butterfly valve. The pump chamber can be connected with a fuel tank via a pump line. A first pressure-controlled check valve is provided in the pump line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Stihl AG& Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Publication number: 20020158349
    Abstract: A membrane carburetor for an internal combustion in a portable handheld work apparatus includes a control chamber (3) delimited by a membrane (2). The control chamber (3) is connected via a feed line (4) to a fuel tank (5). The feed line (4) is cleared via a valve body (6) when there is a deflection of the membrane (2) because of an underpressure in the control chamber (3). The control chamber (3) is connected to an air channel (10) via at least one fuel nozzle (7) and at least one ancillary chamber (9). The air channel (10) passes through the membrane carburetor (1) and leads to the internal combustion engine. A purge pump (11) is provided in a fuel line (12) connecting the control chamber (3) to the fuel tank (5). The fuel path between the control chamber (3) and the purge pump (11) is guided through at least one ancillary chamber (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Osburg, Wolfgang Luithardt, Peter Schmidt, Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Publication number: 20020135081
    Abstract: A carburetor having a first valve to control the application of pressure pulses to a fuel metering assembly of the carburetor through a first flow path and a second valve which controls application of pressure pulses to the fuel metering assembly through at least a second flow path to provide an enriched fuel and air mixture to the engine to facilitate starting the engine and warming it up. The pressure pulses are preferably applied to a fuel metering diaphragm to actuate the diaphragm and cause a richer than normal fuel and air mixture to be delivered to the engine. Desirably, a maximum enrichment of the fuel and air mixture is obtained when both valves are open to facilitate starting the engine, and a lesser enrichment of the mixture may be obtained when only one valve is open to facilitate warming the engine up after it is initially started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Woody
  • Publication number: 20020135082
    Abstract: A carburetor having a first valve to control the application of pressure pulses to a fuel metering assembly of the carburetor through a first flow path and a second valve which controls at least a second flow path to provide an enriched fuel and air mixture to the engine to facilitate starting the engine and warming it up. The pressure pulses are preferably applied to a fuel metering diaphragm to actuate the diaphragm and cause a richer than normal fuel and air mixture to be delivered to the engine. Desirably, a maximum enrichment of the fuel and air mixture is obtained when at least one valve is open to facilitate starting the engine, and a lesser enrichment of the mixture may be obtained by closing a valve to facilitate warming the engine up after it is initially started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Woody
  • Patent number: 6446939
    Abstract: A modular diaphragm carburetor is provided which has a plurality of plates each with generally planar faces adapted to be mated and releasably connected together to facilitate manufacturing and assembling the carburetor and to permit various plates and components of the carburetor to be used in carburetors designed for use with different engine families. By providing a plurality of mated together plates, the machining of the passages through the carburetor is made dramatically easier when compared to the machining of a carburetor having a single body with end caps. Still further, the modular diaphragm design permits different plates and/or components of the carburetor to be used with other components to provide a carburetor having different performance characteristics and suitable for use with a different engine family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Ronald H. Roche, Kevin L. Williams
  • Patent number: 6439546
    Abstract: A carburetor having a plurality of restricted fluid flow paths upstream of a fuel and air mixing passage to inhibit the passage of large fuel vapor bubbles through the fuel paths and to the fuel and air mixing passage. Desirably, the restricted flow paths constrain large volume vapor bubbles and clusters of bubbles from passing therethrough undistributed in the fuel to prevent an inconsistent or overly lean fuel and air mixture from being delivered to the engine. At least two restrictive flow paths diffuse, separate, and/or break up the large vapor bubbles and clusters into a plurality of smaller vapor bubbles which are more uniformly distributed within the liquid fuel flowing through the carburetor to provide a more consistent flow of fuel to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Galka
  • Patent number: 6425573
    Abstract: A membrane fuel pump (A) is driven by the pulsating pressure of intake air of an engine. Fuel in the fuel tank (80) is supplied to a constant-pressure fuel chamber (30) through valve (22), and further to an intake passage through a fuel nozzle (16). A membrane purge pump (B) is also driven by the pulsating pressure of the intake air of the engine. A plurality of vapor reservoir chambers (62a-62c) are provided in a ceiling of the fuel chamber (30). The fuel vapor in the vapor reservoirs (62a-62c) is discharged from the fuel chamber (30) and back into the fuel tank (80) by the membrane purge pump (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6394424
    Abstract: For a four-stroke engine, a carburetor with a fuel pump diaphragm which defines a fuel pump chamber on one side and a pressure pulse chamber on its other side in communication with the engine to receive pressure pulses which actuate the fuel pump diaphragm to draw fuel into the carburetor and to discharge fuel under pressure to a downstream fuel metering assembly. An air passage communicates an air supply with the pressure pulse chamber to provide an air flow within the pressure pulse chamber which sweeps away, dries out or aerates and removes any liquid fuel within the pressure pulse chamber to avoid puddling of liquid fuel therein. In one form, a throttle valve carried by the carburetor body for movement between idle and wide open positions also actuates a valve which controls the flow of fluid through the air passage as a function of the position of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Pattullo, Thomas L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6382598
    Abstract: An improved fuel flow control device of a diaphragm-type carburetor having a lever which can be easily coupled to a flow control valve body. The lever has a resilient portion which flexes to permit a cooperating portion of the valve body to pass thereby and into an opening in the lever. After the valve body is received in the opening, the resilient portion returns at least in part to its unflexed position to retain the valve body and prevent its separation from the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Terakado
  • Publication number: 20020030291
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprising a container for holding a predetermined quantity of fluid, means for generating gas within the container and means for cyclically dispensing fluid at predetermined intervals out of the container. One means for generating gas within the container comprises a gas generating cell. One means for cyclically dispensing fluid at predetermined intervals comprises a one-way pressure relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, Truman Wola, John Joseph McEvoy
  • Patent number: 6354573
    Abstract: A jet reactor pump as used to circulate heated water into a swimming pool at near sonic velocity to heat the swimming pool water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 6354571
    Abstract: A membrane carburetor (1) for an internal combustion engine includes a control chamber (2) delimited by a membrane. The control chamber (2) is connected via a feed line (8) to a fuel tank (9). The feed line (8) is cleared with the deflection of the membrane (3) because of underpressure in the control chamber (2). The control chamber (2) is connected via at least one intake opening (16, 17) with an air-intake channel (14) to the engine. As start-assist devices for the engine, a scavenging pump (10) and an injection pump (20) are provided. The scavenging pump (10) is provided in a return line (13) between the control chamber (2) and the fuel tank (9). The fuel can be pumped into the air-intake channel (14) with a displacement piston (21) of the injection pump (20). The displacement piston (21) is longitudinally guided in a cylinder (22) and delimits a pump chamber (24). The pump chamber (24) is connected via an injection line (30) to a feed (18) of the intake openings (16, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Patent number: 6328288
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor is provided for a two-cycle engine, in a manually guided implement, that operates with layered scavenging. Formed in the carburetor housing is an intake channel portion in which is disposed a butterfly valve that is pivotably held by a shaft. Opening into the intake channel portion are fuel-conveying channels supplied from a fuel-filled control chamber that is formed on a longitudinal side of the intake channel portion in the carburetor housing and is separated from a compensation chamber by a diaphragm. Air for combustion is additionally supplied to the engine via an air channel formed in a functional component of the carburetor fixed on the housing thereof on a longitudinal side of the intake channel portion. The air channel is disposed approximately parallel to the intake channel portion and is guided from that end face of the carburetor that faces an air filter to the connecting side of the carburetor that faces the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Publication number: 20010048167
    Abstract: For a four-stroke engine, a carburetor with a fuel pump diaphragm which defines a fuel pump chamber on one side and a pressure pulse chamber on its other side in communication with the engine to receive pressure pulses which actuate the fuel pump diaphragm to draw fuel into the carburetor and to discharge fuel under pressure to a downstream fuel metering assembly. An air passage communicates an air supply with the pressure pulse chamber to provide an air flow within the pressure pulse chamber which sweeps away, dries out or aerates and removes any liquid fuel within the pressure pulse chamber to avoid puddling of liquid fuel therein. In one form, a throttle valve carried by the carburetor body for movement between idle and wide open positions also actuates a valve which controls the flow of fluid through the air passage as a function of the position of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: George M. Pattullo, Thomas L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6283461
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device including a container for holding a predetermined quantity of fluid, a gas generator for generating gas within the container, and a dispenser for cyclically dispensing fluid at predetermined intervals out of the container without cyclical actuation by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, Truman Wold, John Joseph McEvoy
  • Publication number: 20010005984
    Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of an air filter and a membrane carburetor (1). The membrane carburetor (1) has an intake channel section (3) configured in the carburetor housing (2) into which the fuel-conducting channels (4, 4′) open which are fed from a control chamber (5) of the carburetor housing (2). The control chamber (5) is separated by a control membrane (6) from the compensation chamber (7). A compensation channel (11) leads from the compensation chamber (7) into a flow space (9). A connecting piece (8) is led into the flow space (9) as a connection of the intake channel section (3) of the membrane carburetor (1) with the flow space (9). The compensation channel (11) and the connecting piece (8) open into the housing (21) on the clean air side (23). The housing (21) forms the flow space (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Bernd Knodler, Andreas Bahner
  • Patent number: 6247681
    Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine of a hand-held working tool has a housing and a suction channel with a venturi section arranged in the housing. The suction channel has an inlet and an outlet for allowing air flow therethrough. A throttle is connected in the suction channel so as to be pivotable. A control chamber is provided and a main fuel channel connects the suction channel and the control chamber. An idle fuel channel connects the suction channel and the control chamber. A bypass, having an air supply line and a fuel supply line, is provided for introducing an auxiliary fuel/air mixture during a starting operation of the internal combustion engine to a location of the suction channel downstream of the throttle in a direction of air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Patent number: 6234456
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor for an internal combustion engine has a carburetor housing having an intake channel with a venturi section. A plate valve is positioned in the intake channel. A fuel outlet valve is mounted in the venturi section. A fuel-filled control chamber is provided and delimited at one side by a diaphragm. A fuel supply channel is connected to the control chamber. A supply valve is mounted in the fuel supply channel and actuated by the diaphragm. A first fuel channel connects the control chamber and the fuel outlet valve. At least one fixed main throttle is mounted in the first fuel channel for fixedly determining a fuel flow cross-section to the fuel outlet valve. A lever is provided for actuating the valve plate. An adjustable stop cooperates with the lever. The flow cross-section of the intake air is adjusted by the stop to a desired air/fuel ratio and is changeable, in a limited range, in a direction of increasing the flow cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerhardy
  • Patent number: 6234457
    Abstract: Methods of operating a diaphragm type carburetor to facilitate the atomization of fuel in the diaphragm-type carburetor are disclosed. Particularly, methods of operating a diaphragm-type carburetor having a check valve installed in a fuel passage leading from a constant-fuel chamber to a main nozzle, and an air bleed passage connected at a position on the downstream side of the check valve are disclosed. Moreover, techniques for operating a diaphragm-type carburetor having a main nozzle including nozzle openings facing downstream with respect to the engine intake air flow are also disclosed, wherein the nozzle openings are located in a tubular member cutting across a central axial line of the venturi so that the tubular member bridges the neck of the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: U.S.A. Zama, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Yanaka, Mamoru Toda
  • Patent number: 6231322
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device producing beverages in a beverage making machine, wherein inside a pressure vessel (2) water is stored, carbonated and possibly chilled under pressure and wherein water intended to be fed into the pressure vessel is subjected to an increase of pressure in a water inlet circuit between a feed water intake (11, 12) and the pressure vessel (2). The invention is distinguished in that carbonated water which is discharged from the pressure vessel (2) in a water outlet circuit (10, 11, 12) is subjected to a controlled pressure reduction or decompression in order to counteract excessive loss of carbon dioxide which is dissolved in the water by supplying it to a pressure transfer device so that the pressure of this water together with the pressure in incoming (11, 12) feed water is used to obtain said increased pressure. The invention prevents excessive loss of carbon dioxide which is dissolved in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Post-Mix Equipment AB
    Inventor: Bengt Adolfsson
  • Patent number: 6217008
    Abstract: In a diaphragm-type carburetor, a fuel vapor treating chamber is provided in a downstream fuel passage which interconnects a fuel pump operated in response to a pulsation pressure from a pulsation pressure generating source and an inlet bore in a constant-pressure fuel chamber. The fuel vapor treating chamber is located before the inlet bore, and a porous element for finely dividing fuel vapor is placed in the fuel vapor treating chamber. Thus, when a fuel vapor is generated in the fuel discharged from the fuel pump, a large amount of fuel vapor can be prevented from being ejected all at one time from a fuel nozzle by finely dividing the fuel vapor and introducing it along with the fuel into the constant-pressure fuel chamber, it is immediately passed toward the fuel nozzle, whereby the variation in air-fuel ratio of a fuel-air mixture can be suppressed to a very small level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Abe, Hirohisa Ishikawa, Naoyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6202988
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor includes a fuel well communicating with a lower end of a fuel nozzle, a constant-pressure fuel chamber communicating with the fuel well through an outlet bore, and a fuel pump incorporated in fuel passages defined between an inlet bore of the constant-pressure fuel chamber and a fuel tank. A fuel introduction control valve controls the introduction of fuel into the constant-pressure fuel chamber. The fuel introduction control valve includes a valve seat member which communicates at its lower end with the fuel well through a bypass passage extending above the constant-pressure fuel chamber. Thus, when fuel vapor is introduced into the constant-pressure fuel chamber, it immediately passes towards the fuel nozzle, whereby the extreme reduction in air-fuel ratio of a fuel-air mixture can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Abe, Hirohisa Ishikawa, Naoyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6149139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane carburetor for an internal combustion engine in a portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw. A throttle flap is arranged in the intake channel for the combustion air. The throttle flap is pivotally journalled downstream of a venturi section of the intake channel. A main nozzle for supplying fuel from a fuel-filled control chamber of the carburetor is provided in the region of the venturi section. The control chamber is delimited by a membrane which actuates a control valve controlling the fuel inflow into the control chamber. The main nozzle includes a check valve which includes a valve seat with a valve platelet assigned thereto. In order to avoid a dripping of the main nozzle even under unfavorable operating conditions, a sieve platelet is provided which effects an additional capillary sealing of the main nozzle during idle. The sieve platelet substantially completely covers the outlet cross section of the main nozzle downstream of the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Holderle
  • Patent number: 6142454
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor having a carburetor casing defining a mixing passage. A measuring chamber is disposed in the carburetor casing and is partitioned into a fuel chamber and a compensation chamber separated by a control diaphragm. The compensating chamber is closed to the surrounding atmosphere but is connected to a channel. An opening of the channel enters into a space between the air filter and a fuel inlet in the mixing passage. The channel is at least partially defined by a pipe extending through the carburetor casing. The pipe is adapted for assembly/disassembly from outside of the casing. The pipe is attached to a spacer for properly orienting and fixing the pipe relative to the casing during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Tore Aronsson, Bo Carlsson, Ove Donnerdal, Magnus Soderqvist
  • Patent number: 6135429
    Abstract: A carburetor having a fuel pump, a fuel metering diaphragm defining a fuel chamber on one side of the diaphragm and an air chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm vented to the atmosphere, and a second diaphragm defining a first chamber on one side of the second diaphragm in communication with the carburetor fuel pump and a valve actuated by the second diaphragm to control the application of engine crankcase pressure pulses to the fuel metering diaphragm in response to the pressure at the carburetor fuel pump. The second diaphragm is yieldably biased to position the valve in a first position and upon cranking for initially starting the engine, pressure pulses from the engine crankcase are communicated to the air chamber of the fuel metering diaphragm. The pressure pulses from the engine crankcase act on the fuel metering diaphragm causing it to fluctuate and thereby increase the quantity of fuel mixed with the air flowing through the carburetor to facilitate staring the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Woody
  • Patent number: 6135428
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor for a combustion engine having a manual starter has a housing and a control chamber arranged in the housing and filled with fuel. A suction channel is arranged in the housing and has a venturi section. A throttle flap is rotatably supported in the suction channel downstream of the venturi section in the flow direction of combustion air sucked into the suction channel. A main valve path connects a control chamber to the venturi section. An idle valve path connects the control chamber to the suction channel and opens into the suction channel at a location downstream of the throttle flap in the flow direction. A choke flap is rotatably supported in the suction channel and positioned upstream of the venturi section. The choke flap has identical cold start and warm start positions and allows a flow volume of combustion air into the suction channel sustaining engine operation after the engine has been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Harald Schliemann, Hans Nickel
  • Patent number: 6131890
    Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor system includes a diaphragm-controlled closed-loop control chamber for fuel communicating through a number of fuel conduits with an aspiration conduit for air. All of the fuel conduits extend separately from one another over their entire length in order to attain the least possible acceleration delay with simultaneously high efficiency. As a result, both a main channel and an idling conduit and each partial load conduit are supplied with fuel from the control chamber. Since an entry of air is prevented both into the partial load conduit or conduits and into the idling conduit, each conduit remains completely filled with fuel during the entire period of operation, so that upon sudden acceleration events, the fuel can emerge into the aspiration conduit of the diaphragm carburetor without delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Fritz Hintermayr GmbH Bing-Vergaser-Fabrik
    Inventors: Martin Fischer, Manfred Heybeck
  • Patent number: 6123322
    Abstract: A carburetor having an idle nozzle and a main nozzle each with a fixed flow area and an idle speed single adjustment screw adjustable by the user. The idle and high speed fuel flows are controlled by the idle nozzle and the main nozzle, respectively. The user can adjust the engine speed only by adjustment of the idle speed adjustment screw which changes the position of the carburetor throttle valve to control the flow through the carburetor. This provides a more consistent fuel and air mixture to improve the performance of the engine and better control engine emissions by preventing the user from changing the fuel and air ratio to a mixture which is either too lean or too rich for the steady and low level exhaust emission operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Sasaki