Patents by Inventor C. Ross Fisher

C. Ross Fisher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170082042
    Abstract: A gas substitution ratio control system varies natural gas flow to a bi-fuel engine based on detected diesel flow to maintain a desired gas substitution ratio (GSR), without any requirement to sense engine load. In other words, GSR is controlled without monitoring engine load level. In one system, an engine is first calibrated to map actual gas and diesel flows to provide the correct GSR for all engine loads. The calibration data is then stored and diesel flow rate is monitored. The current detected diesel flow rate is used to determine the required gas flow rate for correct GSR. Gas flow to the engine is then adjusted to correspond to the required gas flow rate. Other embodiments meter gas to maintain the diesel flow rate at the same minimum level for all loads, or meter gas and diesel fuel flows to match a map of the limiting fuel energy based GSR (gas fuel energy rate/total fuel energy rate) at all loads for each engine model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, George A. Mansfield, David G. Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, Helal Zahir, Galina Laur, Hillary H. Grimes, III
  • Publication number: 20140074380
    Abstract: A gas substitution ratio control system varies natural gas flow to a bi-fuel engine based on detected diesel flow to maintain a desired gas substitution ratio (GSR), without any requirement to sense engine load. In other words, GSR is controlled without monitoring engine load level. In one system, an engine is first calibrated to map actual gas and diesel flows to provide the correct GSR for all engine loads. The calibration data is then stored and diesel flow rate is monitored. The current detected diesel flow rate is used to determine the required gas flow rate for correct GSR. Gas flow to the engine is then adjusted to correspond to the required gas flow rate. Other embodiments meter gas to maintain the diesel flow rate at the same minimum level for all loads, or meter gas and diesel fuel flows to match a map of the limiting fuel energy based GSR (gas fuel energy rate/total fuel energy rate) at all loads for each engine model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Controls Corporation
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, George A. Mansfield, David G. Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, Helal Zahir, Galina Laur, Hillary H. Grimes, III
  • Patent number: 8005603
    Abstract: A gaseous carburetor or fuel control system includes a fuel metering assembly, a venturi mixer assembly, a throttle assembly, and an electronic control unit. The control unit controls the fuel metering assembly in a closed loop manner based on detected gas and air pressure to an air/fuel mixing venturi. An electronic governor which controls the throttle valve may also be controlled by the same control unit which controls the fuel metering assembly, using a separate control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Controls Corporation
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, David G. Fisher, George A. Mansfield
  • Publication number: 20090088950
    Abstract: A gaseous carburetor or fuel control system includes a fuel metering assembly, a venturi mixer assembly, a throttle assembly, and an electronic control unit. The control unit controls the fuel metering assembly in a closed loop manner based on detected gas and air pressure to an air/fuel mixing venturi. An electronic governor which controls the throttle valve may also be controlled by the same control unit which controls the fuel metering assembly, using a separate control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL CONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, David G. Fisher, George A. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6978774
    Abstract: An emission control device for use with stationary or mobile gas-fueled internal combustion engines is described, which is placed in the fuel supply line and operates with full fuel authority. An oxygen sensor measures exhaust oxygen content. The valve internally houses a programmable microprocessor, a pressure transducer and a fuel flow conduit throttled by a balanced poppet valve. Signals to the microprocessor from the oxygen sensor, the pressure transducer indicating outflow gas pressure cause the microprocessor to motivate an actuator to move the valve within the gas stream and thus regulate the outlet pressure and also the gas flow rate to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio to the engine and keep exhaust emissions at an optimum level consistent with the engine operating load requirements and characteristics. Finite incremental control of valve position, preferably assisted by an internal position transducer, permits close control of the exhaust emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Continental Controls Corporation
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, David G. Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, William A. Hoie
  • Publication number: 20040139951
    Abstract: An emission control device for use with stationary or mobile gas-fueled internal combustion engines is described, which is placed in the fuel supply line and operates with full fuel authority. An oxygen sensor measures exhaust oxygen content. The valve internally houses a programmable microprocessor, a pressure transducer and a fuel flow conduit throttled by a balanced poppet valve. Signals to the microprocessor from the oxygen sensor, the pressure transducer indicating outflow gas pressure cause the microprocessor to motivate an actuator to move the valve within the gas stream and thus regulate the outlet pressure and also the gas flow rate to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio to the engine and keep exhaust emissions at an optimum level consistent with the engine operating load requirements and characteristics. Finite incremental control of valve position, preferably assisted by an internal position transducer, permits close control of the exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: C. Ross Fisher, David G. Fisher, Kristian W. Yates, William A. Hoie