Diaphragm Patents (Class 48/184)
  • Patent number: 11767811
    Abstract: A supplemental fuel system for a machine having a compression-ignition engine includes an air intake tube. The air intake tube has a first end configured to interface with an air cleaner of an air supply system that provides air to the compression-ignition engine, a second end configured to interface with a compressor of a turbocharger of the air supply system, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. The sidewall includes a fuel interface configured to facilitate providing a supplemental fuel into the air intake tube to mix with the air upstream of the compressor of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: American CNG, LLC
    Inventor: Matt Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 11668256
    Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of gaseous supplies of fuel and/or air to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's engine control module (ECM), especially for large spark-ignited internal combustion engines. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are suited to be used for both mass-flow gas (MFG) and mass-flow air (MFA) throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow. The throttle, in combination with the sensors and ECM, enable detection of backfire events, with the throttle system further being enabled to take operative measures to prevent damage to the throttle components resulting from a backfire event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: EControls, LLC
    Inventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole
  • Patent number: 11149863
    Abstract: A valve for mixing two gas streams, having a housing, a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The gas inlets are fluidically connected to the gas outlet. Downstream of the first gas inlet there is a guide element mounted displaceably inside the housing. By displacing the guide element, it is possible to control a flow cross section of a flow transfer opening for the transfer flow of the gas volume flowing in through the first gas inlet to the gas outlet through the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Silviu Soptica
  • Patent number: 10995708
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine comprising—a first pair of cylinders which accommodate, according to a rectilinear reciprocating motion, relative first pistons operatively associated to a motor shaft rotating around a motor axis disposed in a transverse direction, perpendicular to a longitudinal running direction of an associable vehicle, —a suction system comprising a filter box which delimits a suction volume which houses at least a first front suction duct and at least a first rear suction duct, respectively disposed in an advanced and retracted position in relation to an air/suction mixture inlet direction, each suction duct channelling the air/suction mixture before entering in the respective cylinders, —wherein said first front and rear suction ducts are fixed and have respective mutually different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mattia Maritan, Carlo Carapellucci
  • Patent number: 9359963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel pressure regulator during engine cold start and varying fuel injection pressure after cold start in a gaseous-fueled vehicle. A mechanical pressure regulator may be modified to include valves which may be controlled to depressurize a reference chamber of the regulator when gaseous fuel injection is inactive (e.g., before and during cold start), and to regulate the pressure of gaseous fuel to varying pressures based on electronic pressure feedback and engine operating conditions when gaseous fuel injection is active. In one example, the pressure in the reference chamber of a pressure regulator may be varied by controlling valves to flow gaseous fuel into the reference chamber, and then controlling the valves to exhaust the gaseous fuel from the reference chamber, for example to a fuel vapor storage canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9097212
    Abstract: A carburetor for a gas powered internal combustion engine having a plurality of pressure reducing stages for reducing the pressure of the gas phase in a liquified petroleum gas storage bottle prior to the mixing of the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas with ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventors: Bernardo J. Herzer, David Kostka
  • Patent number: 5445134
    Abstract: A self-compensating and electrically heated reducer for compressed gas or l.p.g. comprising, a supporting body, a chamber formed inside the body; a diaphragm; an opening inlet between an entrance and the chamber; a closing mechanism for the opening inlet controlling the flow rate of fuel owing to the action of manoeuvring elements, kinematically connected to the diaphragm, on the device controlling the pressure of the fuel coming from the bottle; a mechanism which acts on at least one of the manoeuvring elements to cancel the resultant of the action of the pressure of the fuel on the mechanism; electrical resistors connected with the feeding system in the engine placed in thermic contact with the walls of the body near the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: B B S.R.L.
    Inventor: Arturo Barbanti
  • Patent number: 5377647
    Abstract: An improved mechanical air-fuel blending system for use with internal combustion engines, in which a highly compressed fuel such as Liquified Petroleum (LP), is throttled at its storage pressure across a single fuel valve before entering a fuel flow divider which allows the main portion of the discharged LP to flow directly into the air stream before passing to the internal combustion engine. A small portion of the discharged fuel, termed the control fuel, is separated within a fuel flow divider and is diverted across one or more heat exchangers, where it transfers heat to and from the incoming air charge which brings the temperature of the control fuel to that of the incoming air, before entering the air stream at the venturi across one or more orifices. The control fuel pressure within the heat exchanger is compared with the free air pressure entering the system, across a light diaphragm to control the positioning of a fuel valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: James M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5146903
    Abstract: A fuel lock/converter having an integrated housing with a liquid fuel inlet port and a gaseous fuel outlet port. The outlet port discharges to an air/fuel mixer which acts as a carburetor and its demand controls this fuel lock/converter. Between the inlet port and the outlet port there is a fuel lock which closes in the absence of demand, and opens at any demand. A primary regulator valve regulates liquid flow to a converter, and gaseous fuel from the converter is regulated by a secondary regulator valve. The secondary regulator valve also acts as a fuel lock in the absence of demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: OHG, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Baverstock
  • Patent number: 5101799
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixture control system for controlling the flow of vaporized hydrocarbons drawn into an engine for combustion and combining a supplemental fuel with the vaporized hydrocarbons as required to maintain a near stoichiometric mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: VR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Davis, Richard Baverstock, Don Bass
  • Patent number: 4894067
    Abstract: A low profile gaseous fuel carburetor provided with deflector valves to improve mixing of gas and air in a mixture stream of short length. It also shows improved idling and starter valves, and a link for a parallelogram throttle linkage that maintains a correct lever relationship despite operational wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Carbumatic B.V.
    Inventor: Richard Bayerstock
  • Patent number: 4831994
    Abstract: An expanded liquified gas mixer to feeding heat engines. The mixer comprises a body whose upper part comprises a cavity divided into two chambers by an elastic membrane. The membrane exhibits in its center an orifice on the edge of which is fastened the upper edge of a register piston which extends downwardly in a blind hole and which slides around a gas intake tube, an air intake duct, and an engine feed duct. An elongated hole is made in the gas intake tube, parallel to its axis, at the level of the ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventors: Bernard Souleillan, Louis Olivan
  • 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: 4526155
    Abstract: A pressure regulating system with amplifier is provided for preparing the mixture of a gas with air for a combustion engine. The pressure regulating system comprises a first and second inlet conduit opening in a first chamber through which gas is supplied under constant pressure. The first inlet conduit is separated from the first chamber by a valve connected to a diaphragm. The second inlet conduit comprises an adjustable restriction, through which a constant small quantity of gas being delivered to the first chamber. The pressure regulating system also comprises an outlet conduit being directly connected to the first chamber and to the inlet of the user and a second chamber being separated from the first chamber by said diaphragm. To said second chamber a third inlet conduit, provided with an adjustable restriction, is connected, through which a constant small quantity of gas is delivered to the second chamber. The second chamber is also connected to the first chamber i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Vialle B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus M. M. van den Wildenberg, Andreas L. M. T. Smeets
  • Patent number: 4483302
    Abstract: A combustion engine includes an inlet duct including a control valve. A vaporizer-pressure regulator for use with the combustion engine has a first space divided into two parts by a diaphragm contained in the space, the diaphragm actuating a first shut-off valve co-operating with a gas supply orifice of the first space, while the part of the space in which the gas supply orifice opens out is connected through a connecting duct with a second space comprising a member affecting the gas pressure, the space communicating with the inlet duct of the combustion engine, whereby that part of the first space which is located on the side of the diaphragm actuating the first shut-off valve remote from the first shut-off valve is connected both downstream and upstream of the control valve with the inlet duct of the combustion engine through a pressure duct network including means acting upon the size of the passage of the ducts in dependence on the load of the combustion engine occurring during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: Johannes Mannessen
  • Patent number: 4453523
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gaseous fuel and air supply system for an internal combustion engine, which system comprises an air-fuel mixing chamber, an air supply duct communicating with the mixing chamber and with the atmosphere and including a sensing tap, a flow control valve adapted to communicate with a source of pressurized gas, being operable between open and closed positions, and being biased toward the closed position, a fuel supply duct extending between the flow control valve and the mixing chamber and including a sensing tap, and an actuator communicating with the sensing tap in the air supply duct and with the sensing tap in the fuel supply duct for controlling operation of the flow control valve between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur G. Poehlman
  • Patent number: 4395992
    Abstract: The device for proportioning a gaseous fuel and air for combustion in an internal combustion engine includes a plate-like first member having a peripheral edge portion and a second member cooperating with the first member to define a mixing chamber having an outlet adapted to be connected in communication with the air intake of the engine carburetor. The second member also includes an annular portion having an arcuate first wall which is convex to and spaced from the peripheral edge portion of the first member to define an annular venturi having an inlet in communication with the atmosphere and an annular outlet in communication with the mixing chamber. A base member or second wall cooperates with the arcuate wall to form a substantially closed, annular plenum chamber into which a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas, is admitted when the engine is to be operated on the gaseous fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur G. Poehlman
  • Patent number: 4384552
    Abstract: A gas producing and handling system is provided comprising a rigid reservoir enclosure containing a continuous and variable supply of gaseous fuels and a suitable engine capable of utilizing the total amount of fuel provided by the gas supply for producing electrical energy. The gas supply comprises an anaerobic digester adapted to receive organic waste and which is in gaseous flow communication with the engine. The engine has a supply regulated throttle responsive to gaseous pressure in the anaerobic digester. Upon the increased production of gas such that the gaseous pressure in the digester increases, the throttle regulator controls the throttle setting of the engine to increase the output of the engine to fully use the gas supplied by the digester, thereby eliminating the need for auxiliary gas storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Perennial Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Landers, Jerry M. Collins, David Jessee
  • Patent number: 4352677
    Abstract: A device (10) is provided for controlling the mixture of a gas with air in response to a vacuum drawing the air into a venturi (20). Housing (12) has a bore (14) therein for conveying the gas to the venturi (20). A main valve (30) is disposed in the bore (14) for controlling the flow of gas from a pressurized source. Structure forms a third chamber (68) having a control diaphragm (70) which divides the third chamber (86). One side of the diaphragm (70) is connected to the source of the gas, and the other side is connected upstream of the venturi (20). Structure forms a second chamber (60) with an amplifier diaphragm (74) dividing the second chamber (60) which amplifies the variations in pressure. Structure includes a main diaphragm (86) in fluid communication with the second chamber (60) for actuating the main valve (30) in response to amplified variations in the gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: James S. Jones
  • Patent number: 4347824
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine operated on gaseous fuels, for example, liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The system includes a housing having a chamber for vaporizing liquid gas, including means for heating the vaporizing chamber. Also included in the housing is a mixing chamber for mixing the vaporized gas with incoming air for delivery to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine through a standard carburetor. The fuel supply system includes means for mounting the system on the carburetor, including means for supporting an air filter circumjacent the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: I.C.E. Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William V. Pierson
  • Patent number: 4285700
    Abstract: A fuel enrichment apparatus and method is shown for a gaseous fuel carburetor of either a fixed venturi or air valve type. The apparatus provides fuel enriching at the starting and wide open throttle conditions of the carburetor when the pressure drop in the induction passage is at a minimum. The apparatus also economizes on fuel usage by being closed to fuel transfer at idle speed and normal engine speed. The apparatus operates from the fuel supply line to the carburetor with only the fuel pressure available in that line, thereby obviating the need for either a second fuel line or a high pressure fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Clarence D. Fox
  • Patent number: 4114566
    Abstract: A hot fuel gas generator for an internal combustion engine simultaneously vaporizes gasoline and water in a multi-chambered heated pressure vessel having built in regulators for controlling pressure and volume and delivers the resulting superheated steam and gaseous fuel to the internal combustion engine downstream from the usual carburetor. A single device operating at a very high temperature, for example 1800.degree. F., is used for the simultaneous vaporization of the fuel and water to develop desirable working pressure and volume. The high temperature steam and gaseous fuel positions the fuel molecules at the greatest degree of separation from each other providing the greatest opportunity for contact of the oxygen, the reacting species in the gaseous condition as chemical reactions occur only between particles at the atomic or molecular level and it is necessary for the reacting species to be in actual contact at the time of reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Econo Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Webster B. Harpman, Fred G. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 4112889
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine of the piston type vaporizes a liquid fuel and water and mixes the resulting gaseous fuel and water vapor with air in a metering valve which communicates with the internal combustion engine. A device operating at a very high temperature, for example 1800.degree. F. is used in the vaporization of the fuel. The high temperature gaseous state of the fuel represents molecules of the greatest degree of separation from each other providing the greatest opportunity for contact of the reacting species in the gaseous condition as chemical reactions occur only between particles at the atomic or molecular level and it is necessary for the reacting species to be in actual contact at the time of reaction. The fuel system therefore enables complete combustion and the elimination of the atmospheric pollutants common in the operation of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Energy Research Inc.
    Inventor: Webster B. Harpman
  • Patent number: 4023538
    Abstract: A hot fuel gas generator for an internal combustion engine simultaneously vaporizes gasoline and water in a multi-chambered heated pressure vessel having built in regulators for controlling pressure and volume and delivers the resulting superheated steam and gaseous fuel to the internal combustion engine downstream from the usual carburetor. A single device operating at a very high temperature, for example 1600.degree. F., is used for the simultaneous vaporization of the fuel and water to develop desirable working pressure and volume. The high temperature steam and gaseous fuel positions the fuel molecules at the greatest degree of separation from each other providing the greatest opportunity for contact of the oxygen, the reacting species in the gaseous condition as chemical reactions occur only between particles at the atomic or molecular level and it is necessary for the reacting species to be in actual contact at the time of reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Econo Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Webster B. Harpman, Fred G. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 3974851
    Abstract: A demand type governor for gaseous fuel internal combustion engines, various kinds of breathing and heating apparatus and similar applications features a diaphragm controlled inlet valve having two different rates of opening movement for a given rate of movement of the diaphragm producing a relatively small amount of valve movement in relation to diaphragm movement for instances of lower demands and a relatively larger amount of valve movement in relation to diaphragm movement for instances of higher demands, all by means of a lever-fulcrum arrangement having a higher mechanical advantage in the first instances and a lower mechanical advantage in the second instances. Other features of the governor help assure its uniform, relatively frictionless operation, and its ease and economy of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Garretson Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Keith H. Garretson