Engine Parameter Responsive Patents (Class 123/512)
  • Patent number: 10167826
    Abstract: An aspirator coupled between an inlet of a compressor and an engine intake manifold may include sonic/supersonic expansion curves for both forward and reverse flow through the aspirator. Suction flow may enter a first entraining port coupling an ambient side of the aspirator with a vacuum source during reverse flow through the aspirator, whereas suction flow may enter a second entraining port coupling a manifold side of the aspirator with the vacuum source, the first entraining port counter sunk relative to a nominal slope of the aspirator to reduce flow disruption caused by the port during forward flow through the aspirator. A radial-flow aspirator shut-off valve arranged in series with the aspirator may be controlled to enable or disable motive flow through the aspirator, and motive flow may enter the valve in a direction perpendicular to a motive flow axis of the aspirator when the valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9790842
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine cooling system is provided. The method includes monitoring a coolant temperature profile after engine shut-down and indicating a low coolant level based on the coolant temperature profile determined after engine shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Patent number: 9051925
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump having a variable pressure chamber which can adjust a fuel injection timing according to each engine load with a simple structure and a lower manufacture cost compared to the conventional injection pump without a separate apparatus for moving a barrel as well as not modifying a shape of a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deuk-Jin Park, Ju-Tae Kim, Dong-Hun Kim, Wook-Hyeon Yoon, Byong-Seok Kim, Tae-Hyung Park, Eun Ha, Beom-Yong No
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8762024
    Abstract: A system for automatically managing engine control modes of a multi-engine aircraft is disclosed. The system (1) can comprise means (5, 7, 8, 9, 10) for automatically switching all the controlling units (2) of the engines of the aircraft to an alternative controlling mode, as soon as one of such controlling units (2) is brought to such an alternative controlling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventor: Brice Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8655572
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a control device of a spark-ignition gasoline engine. When an operating state of an engine body is within a low engine speed range, a controller operates a fuel pressure variable mechanism so that a fuel pressure is higher within a high engine load range compared to a low engine load range, the controller operates, within the high engine load range, a fuel injection mechanism to perform at least a fuel injection into the cylinder by a cylinder internal injection valve at a timing during a retard period from a late stage of a compression stroke to an early stage of an expansion stroke, and the controller operates, within the high engine load range, an ignition plug to ignite at a timing during the retard period and after the fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouhei Iwai, Masahisa Yamakawa, Noriyuki Ota, Kazuhiro Nagatsu, Takashi Youso, Kazutoyo Watanabe, Hiroyuki Kurita, Naoya Watanabe, Takaaki Nagano, Shuji Oba
  • Patent number: 8490604
    Abstract: An engine fuel feeding device that is small-sized and easy to start. A cutoff valve is disposed upstream from a primary regulator provided to a fuel passage from a fuel feeding source to an engine. The cutoff valve is provided integrally with the primary regulator. When the gas engine is stopped, the fuel feeding passage is blocked in front of the primary regulator, gas fuel does not flow in the downstream direction that includes the primary regulator, and the ability of the gas engine to start is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kojima, Masanori Fujinuma, Haruo Tsusaka, Tsukasa Ebisudani
  • Patent number: 8418677
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump control system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection valve provided in a fuel common rail and a high pressure fuel pump for feeding fuel by pressure to the fuel injection valve. The high pressure fuel pump includes a pressurized chamber, a plunger for pressurizing fuel in the pressurized chamber, a discharge valve provided in a discharge passage, an intake valve provided in an intake passage, and an actuator for operating the intake valve. The control system includes a means for calculating a drive signal for the actuator to make a discharge amount or pressure of the high pressure fuel pump variable. The means reduces pressure in the common rail by opening the discharge valve to return the fuel in the fuel common rail to the pressurized chamber when a requirement for reducing the pressure in the fuel common rail is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20130019843
    Abstract: A fuel tank apparatus mounted on a hybrid vehicle being switched between an engine drive mode and an engine stop mode, includes: a fuel supply shut-off unit configured to shut off fuel supply to the engine in the engine stop state; a cup disposed inside a fuel tank body; a fuel pump configured to operate to supply fuel stored in the cup to the fuel supply pipe; and a fuel pump controlling unit configured to operate the fuel pump to perform fuel supply to the engine and to allow fuel to enter the inside of the cup in the engine drive mode, and configured to operate the fuel pump to allow fuel to enter the inside of the cup although fuel supply to the engine is shut off by the fuel supply shut-off unit, in the engine stop mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi IWAYA, Takayuki SANO, Yasuyuki KIMATA
  • Patent number: 8347867
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel starvation detection module and a fuel pump protection module. The fuel starvation detection module detects when a fuel pump is delivering less than a predetermined amount of fuel based on a fuel level in a fuel tank, a fuel pressure in the fuel pump, and an air/fuel (A/F) ratio of the engine. The fuel pump protection module decreases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine during a period after detecting that the fuel pump is delivering less than the predetermined amount of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Michael C. Zumbaugh, Kauser Ferdous, Jon C. Miller
  • Patent number: 8276568
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus according to the present invention includes vapor production determining means for determining whether or not the vapor of the fuel is producible, and control means (ECU) for operating a passage resistance adjusting means of a pressure adjusting mechanism to cause increase of the pressure of the fuel supplied to an injector insomuch as the production of the vapor is inhibited when the vapor production determining means has determined a vapor producible condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Takagi, Kazuhiko Nishimura, Kazuhiro Yoneshige, Satomi Wada, Hiroki Endo, Masaki Ikeya
  • Patent number: 8240292
    Abstract: A method, fuel system, and components for facilitating the delivery of liquid fuel from a fuel tank in fluid communication with a float bowl carburetor of an internal combustion engine, wherein evaporative emissions of the fuel from the fuel tank and float bowl carburetor are mitigated. During operation of the engine, fluid communication is permitted between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank. During inoperation of the engine, fluid communication is prevented between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Roche, Mark S. Swanson, John C. Woody
  • Patent number: 8140243
    Abstract: A method for controlling a V-type internal combustion engine with a separate common rail system on an A side and a separate common rail system on a B side of the internal combustion engine, in which a set injection quantity is computed at least as a function of an actual speed relative to a set speed. An injection time for controlling an A-side injector is computed by an injector map as a function of the set injection quantity and as a function of an A-side actual rail pressure. The injection time for controlling a B-side injector is computed by the same injector map as a function of the set injection quantity and as a function of a B-side actual rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Doelker, Michael Prothmann
  • Publication number: 20110214644
    Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to injectors of a fuel supply system during a cold start is provided. The fuel control system includes a LPG pressure regulator and a cold-start fuel control valve for throttling fuel to the injectors when the pressure of the LPG is below a nominal set point pressure of the pressure regulator. The cold-start fuel control valve may be in parallel or series with a fuel lock-off valve. The system is configured to supply limited discrete amounts of LPG to the injectors when the pressure of the LPG is below the nominal set point pressure to allow the LPG to vaporize prior to being injected, by the injector, into an engine. Operation of the cold-start fuel control valve during non-cold starts and normal operation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: WOODWARD, INC.
    Inventors: Jason C. Barta, Michael W. Bloemen, Stephan M. Brandl
  • Patent number: 8011349
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of pumps arranged to supply respective flows of pressurized fuel to a common accumulator volume that supplies the pressurized fuel in turn to a plurality of fuel injectors. An engine control unit controls the flow rate of pressurized fuel into the accumulator volume in response to engine load. The flow rate of pressurized fuel from at least one pump of the plurality is dependent upon engine speed; whereas at least one other pump of the plurality comprises a fuel output control responsive to the engine control unit enabling the flow rate of pressurized fuel from that pump to be varied independently of engine speed. In this way, the engine control unit controls the aggregate flow rate of pressurized fuel from the pumps into the accumulator volume, while controlling only one of the pumps. This reduces the cost of control apparatus and allows greater freedom of pump selection and flow circuit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holdings S.arl
    Inventor: George Nicholas Felton
  • Patent number: 7950372
    Abstract: A fuel system that supplies fuel to an engine of a vehicle. The fuel system includes a pump that pumps fuel and a controller that selectively changes operation of the pump between an electronic returnless fuel system mode and a mechanical returnless fuel system mode. In the electronic returnless fuel system mode, the outlet of the pump is varied, and in the mechanical returnless fuel system mode, output of the pump is maintained approximately constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Publication number: 20100326413
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel starvation detection module and a fuel pump protection module. The fuel starvation detection module detects when a fuel pump is delivering less than a predetermined amount of fuel based on a fuel level in a fuel tank, a fuel pressure in the fuel pump, and an air/fuel (A/F) ratio of the engine. The fuel pump protection module decreases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine during a period after detecting that the fuel pump is delivering less than the predetermined amount of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Zumbaugh, Kauser Ferdous, Jon C. Miller
  • Patent number: 7726329
    Abstract: The inventive discharge rate and pressure control solenoid valve (1) is used for a circuit consisting of a low pressure part and a high-pressure part and controls the discharge rate of a low-pressure fluid with the aid of a sliding spool (18) in a liner (22) provided with at least one fluid feeding orifice (20) and one fluid exhausting orifice (21) respectively. Said spool (18) is electrically actuated by means of an electromagnet acting in an opposite direction to recoil means (26) for closing the passage between the feeding (20) and exhausting (21) orifices when a control current for the electromagnet is equal to zero and for gradually opening said passage according to a threshold value of the flow, the pressure control being applicable to a high-pressure fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Armiroli, Gérard Desaint, Jean-Louis Magnaval, Bruno Lhermitte
  • Publication number: 20100030450
    Abstract: A method for controlling a V-type internal combustion engine with a separate common rail system on an A side and a separate common rail system on a B side of the internal combustion engine, in which a set injection quantity is computed at least as a function of an actual speed relative to a set speed. An injection time for controlling an A-side injector is computed by an injector map as a function of the set injection quantity and as a function of an A-side actual rail pressure. The injection time for controlling a B-side injector is computed by the same injector map as a function of the set injection quantity and as a function of a B-side actual rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Armin DOELKER, Michael PROTHMANN
  • Publication number: 20100030452
    Abstract: A first fuel value (FL_Signal) indicative of the quantity of fuel presently in a fuel tank (34) and a second fuel value (FL_LOW_THLD) representing a quantity of fuel in the tank at which a maximum Injection Control Pressure (ICP) limit should be changed are processed by a processor (22). When the result of the processing discloses that the second fuel value is less than the first fuel value, the maximum ICP limit is reduced from a greater value (ICPC_NORMAL_LMX) to a lesser value (ICPC_FL_LMX).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Rogelio Rodriguez, Michael Beyene
  • Patent number: 7654250
    Abstract: An engine-start is inhibited when a gas engine is tilted, and the engine is immediately stopped. A shutoff valve (21) is provided on a liquefied fuel passage (15) supplying a liquefied fuel to a vaporizing chamber (14) from a cylinder (16). The shutoff valve (21) is provided with a diaphragm (28) to which a pulsation pressure of a crank chamber (4) is applied, and opens the liquefied fuel passage (15) if a negative pressure is applied to the diaphragm (28). A tilting shutoff valve (39) is provided in a pressure passage (34) transmitting the pulsation pressure to the shutoff valve (21). The tilting shutoff valve (39) which has a ball valve releases the pulsation pressure of the crank chamber (4) to an atmospheric air. If the pulsation pressure is open to the atmospheric air, the diaphragm (28) can not operate. Accordingly, the liquefied fuel passage 15 is kept being shut off, and is rapidly shut off in response to the tilt during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Fujinuma, Eiichi Utsugi, Hiroaki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090260601
    Abstract: A method for operation of a fuel delivery system in an internal combustion engine including a lower pressure pump, a higher pressure pump fluidly coupled downstream of the lower pressure pump, and a fuel rail fluidly coupled downstream of the high pressure pump. The method including initiating a mitigating action based on a fuel rail pressure response, the fuel rail pressure response occurring after an engine shut-down, where the mitigating action includes disabling vehicle operation if fuel rail pressure drops below a threshold value after activation of one of the pumps, the activation occurring before a subsequent engine start, the subsequent engine start occurring after the engine shut-down, and where the mitigating action includes adjusting operation of one of the pumps during the subsequent engine start if fuel rail pressure achieves at least the threshold value after or during the activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Diana D. Brehob
  • Publication number: 20090229579
    Abstract: An engine-start is inhibited when a gas engine is tilted, and the engine is immediately stopped. A shutoff valve (21) is provided on a liquefied fuel passage (15) supplying a liquefied fuel to a vaporizing chamber (14) from a cylinder (16). The shutoff valve (21) is provided with a diaphragm (28) to which a pulsation pressure of a crank chamber (4) is applied, and opens the liquefied fuel passage (15) if a negative pressure is applied to the diaphragm (28). A tilting shutoff valve (39) is provided in a pressure passage (34) transmitting the pulsation pressure to the shutoff valve (21). The tilting shutoff valve (39) which has a ball valve releases the pulsation pressure of the crank chamber (4) to an atmospheric air. If the pulsation pressure is open to the atmospheric air, the diaphragm (28) can not operate. Accordingly, the liquefied fuel passage 15 is kept being shut off, and is rapidly shut off in response to the tilt during the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Fujinuma, Eiichi Utsugi, Hiroaki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090205616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for regulating a fuel volume flow in a low-pressure circuit system for an internal combustion engine with a tail for providing the fuel, from which tank the fuel can be supplied via a feed line to a high-pressure pump by a feed pump. A fuel return line is also provided from the feed line, which fuel return line has a zero-feed throttle for throttling the returned fuel. In series with the zero-feed throttle is an overflow valve which interrupts the return of the fuel in the fuel return line during the starting phase of the internal combustion engine, and enables the return of the fuel during operation of the internal combustion engine. A device and a method for regulating a fuel volume flow in a low-pressure circuit system are therefore created, which device has a simple construction and permits a reliable starting phase at low feed volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Stanislaw Bodzak
  • Publication number: 20090118991
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve is provided for reducing fuel pressure in a high-pressure fuel system, which supplies high-pressure fuel from a high-pressure pump to an injector, after an engine stops. An ECU detects or estimates an engine stop position when the engine stops and sets after-stop target fuel pressure in accordance with the detected or estimated engine stop position. The ECU controls a valve opening action of the pressure reducing valve to reduce the fuel pressure in the high-pressure fuel system to the after-stop target fuel pressure after the engine stops. In the control, the ECU sets the after-stop target fuel pressure to be lower as a piston position of a cylinder in a compression stroke at the engine stop position is closer to a top dead center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kuniaki UEDA
  • Publication number: 20090025688
    Abstract: The fuel injection control apparatus includes a function of making a determination of whether learning conditions are satisfied to allow a fuel injection amount learning to be performed, a function of directing a commanded fuel injection amount in the fuel injection amount learning to a fuel injection valve if result of the determination is affirmative, a function of setting an upper limit value of an injection pressure in the fuel injection amount learning, a function of setting a target injection pressure in the fuel injection amount learning, a function of setting the injection pressure to the target injection pressure, a function of detecting an actual fuel injection amount, and a function of correcting an amount of fuel injected by the fuel injection valve on the basis of a difference between the commanded fuel injection amount and the actual fuel injection amount at the target injection pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Asano, Eiji Takemoto, Yuuki Tarusawa
  • Publication number: 20080173280
    Abstract: A fuel injection system operates under a predetermined substantially constant pump speed and creates multi-pressure levels by diverting the fuel flow. Fuel pressure can be switched from one steady pressure level to another level on-demand instantly. This superimposes and overlaps typical fuel injection events in the linear operating ranges under different pressure levels, significantly increasing the fuel injection dynamic range. The dynamic range is further increased when another predetermined constant pump speed is assigned. Thus, the system saves fuel and reduces exhaust emission in city driving when gas pedal is released including idle. The same system can instantly deliver additional fuel on-demand for extra power beyond engine rating producing a sport-car-like performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Shou L. Hou
  • Publication number: 20080006247
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel supply apparatus includes a fuel pump driven by the engine, a pressure accumulating device for retaining the fuel pressurized by the fuel pump, a relief device which opens when a fuel pressure in the pressure accumulating device exceeds a predetermined upper limit pressure. An injection device is connected to the pressure accumulating device and injects fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A fuel pressure in the pressure accumulating device is detected. A discharge amount of the fuel pump is controlled so that the detected fuel pressure coincides with a target fuel pressure. The target fuel pressure is reduced when the detected fuel pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined fuel pressure, to suppress opening of the relief device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Okayasu, Masaki Nishio
  • Patent number: 7007662
    Abstract: An ECU calculates the difference between the fuel pressure in a high-pressure distribution pipe and a target pressure when fuel is injected only from an air-intake passage injector. The ECU determines the bulk modulus of fuel that is associated with the coolant temperature. The ECU determines the amount of fuel that is to be discharged from a high-pressure pump based on the pressure difference and the bulk modulus. Then, the ECU actuates the high-pressure pump in accordance with the determined discharge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuto Sakai, Daichi Yamazaki, Tatsuhiko Akita, Naoki Kurata
  • Publication number: 20040187849
    Abstract: A fuel drain structure in a fuel line comprising a bypass channel for connecting a fuel influx side and a fuel efflux side of a regulator, and a rotary valve for opening and closing the bypass channel, contributing to a prevention of fuel remaining in the fuel line from entering the engine when the engine stops running, and minimization of pollution occurring when the engine is re-started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Chang-Hyun Shin
  • Publication number: 20040177835
    Abstract: The pressure within the common-rail 3 is reduced when the engine is stopped without an operation of the automatic engine stopping and restarting device for automatically stopping and restarting the engine to improve fuel consumption. A reducing amount of the pressure within the common-rail 3 when the engine is stopped with an operation of the automatic engine stopping and restarting device is made smaller than that when the engine is stopped without an operation of the automatic engine stopping and restarting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kaneko, Hiroyuki Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20030024509
    Abstract: An adjustable booster pump and controller is provided for controlling the amount of fuel delivered to an engine. The adjustable booster pump and controller utilize the engine's original fuel input system and may be used to increase the flow of fuel to the engine as a function of fuel demand. Various inputs may be inputted in the controller to determine under what conditions more fuel is needed. These inputs may be time, engine revolutions per minute, vehicle speed, manifold intake pressure, and others. The user may then selectively determine when more fuel is needed and may adjust the controller to increase the output of the booster pump to increase the fuel flow to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Steve M. Matusek, Daniel W. Jones, Shawn Wessol, Glennon R. Roderique
  • Patent number: 6510844
    Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus has a fuel pump for pumping fuel stored in a fuel tank. The fuel pump supplies fuel from the fuel tank to outside the fuel tank via a take-up portion having a fuel take-up opening that opens in the fuel in the fuel tank and a gas take-up opening that opens in a space formed above the fuel liquid surface in the fuel tank. Fuel vapor formed in the fuel tank can be supplied to outside the fuel tank without being released to the atmosphere, by using a minimal number of component elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Kojima, Keiso Takeda
  • Patent number: 5372159
    Abstract: An engine fuel line flow control mechanism utilizing a valve located within a fuel line. The valve includes a seat and a movable seal which is capable of regulating the flow of fuel through the fuel line. An actuator is linked to the valve and may include a piston found within a chamber which is connected to the seal of the valve. The piston is also connected to an engine manifold pressure conduit such that the piston moves in response to changes in manifold pressure of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Bjork Investment Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Ziegelmeyer, deceased, Arnold Bjork
  • Patent number: 5050567
    Abstract: A fuel supply system comprising a main tank for storing a fuel; a subtank provided in the main tank for storing a part of the fuel; a first communication line for communicating the main tank to the subtank; a first pump provided in the first communication line for supplying the fuel from the main tank through the first communication line to the subtank; a first mechanism provided downstream of the first pump in the first communication line for limiting an amount of the fuel to be supplied from the first pump to the subtank and maintaining a level of the fuel to be stored in the subtank; a second communication line for communicating the subtank to an engine; a second pump provided in the second communication line for supplying the fuel from the subtank through the second communication line to the engine; a fuel return pipe for returning an uncomsumed part of the fuel from the engine to the subtank; and a second mechanism for regulating an amount of the fuel to be supplied from the second pump to the engine acc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5014673
    Abstract: A fuel feed device for an internal combustion engine including a main fuel system including a charge forming device that supplies fuel, air requirements to the engine for most running conditions. An automatically operated auxiliary supply system is provided for supplying additional fuel and, in some instances, air to the engine in response to specific running conditions such as cold starting or cold enrichment. This system includes an automatically operated valve for controlling the fuel discharge. A manual override valve is provided that will permit manual selection of fuel enrichment or will shut off the fuel enrichment regardless of the condition of the automatic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujimoto, Masaki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 4933093
    Abstract: A heated fuel filter and water separator is disclosed. The assembly has a filter element mounted inside a fuel container. The fuel container has an upper chamber containing a filter element and a drainable lower chamber for collecting water and sediment. A heat exchanger circulates preheated fuel from a manifold return line to heat the filtered fuel in the container. The filter element utilizes helically wound aluminum strips as the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Russel D. Keller
  • Patent number: 4928729
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator valve of the type commonly used in automobile fuel injection systems. The invention relates to improved retention of the valve element within the mount that is carried by the diaphragm assembly. The valve element is a truncated sphere and the retention is by means of a circular washer that fits into a circular recess formed in the mount around the cavity that contains the sphere. The truncated circular face of the sphere protrudes through the washer so that it can coact with the valve seat. The inside diameter of the washer is closely controlled and this controls the allowable travel of the sphere within the cavity. The washer is retained on the mount by crimping the edge of the circular recess over the outside diameter of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics L.P.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 4890590
    Abstract: In an engine control system which determines the amount of fuel to be injected on the basis of an intake pipe pressure detected downstream of a throttle valve and engine speed (D-EFI), fail-safe action is provided when a failure of an intake pipe on the downstream side of the throttle valve is detected. The fail-safe apparatus of the present invention is designed to signal the occurrence of an abnormality with the intake system when the throttle valve is not being opened, that is, the throttle valve is stationary or is closing, a vehicle speed variation exceeds its specific value and the engine speed exceeds its specific value. When these conditions are detected, engine power is controlled lower, thereby assuring vehicle driving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Iwamoto, Shigenori Isomura, Mitsunori Takao, Kenichiro Kamai
  • Patent number: 4821726
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection device for pumping fuel to an internal-combustion engine by using the expansion-contraction characteristics of a piezoelectric device. The electronic fuel injection device has a pump member integrally formed and having a number of pistons corresponding to the number of cylinders of the associated internal-combustion engine, and a single actuator for driving the pump member. Accordingly, the same pressure is generated in all of the pump chambers when the pump member is driven by the actuator for each fuel injection cycle. Each pump chamber is connected to a fuel feed passage connected to a fuel tank and to a fuel injection passage connected to a fuel injection nozzle, and is filled with the fuel. The pump chambers are pressurized uniformly to distribute the fuel uniformly to the cylinders regardless of the passage characteristics of the fuel injection passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tamura, Shunichiro Hiromasa, Toshio Kondo
  • Patent number: 4745904
    Abstract: A fuel regulator receives fuel from a fuel pump at essentially constant pressure and reduces the pressure of the fuel to a constant low value in response to a predetermined high to moderate vacuum in an inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine, the vacuum corresponding to low or moderate load. At high load the regulator supplies fuel at a pressure proportional to absolute manifold pressure. At low to moderate loads the fuel at low pressure passes into the float bowl of a carburetor when a float controlled needle valve opens in response to a low level of fuel in the bowl as fuel is burned in the engine. The low pressure does not unseat the needle valve and supply an excess of fuel to the bowl. At high loads, the fuel pressure to the bowl is adequate to supply the increase rate of fuel such loads demand. As a result, the engine operates lean at low to moderate loads and richer at high loads. The regulator has a first diaphragm controlled valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Cagle Corporation
    Inventor: Toby T. Cagle, deceased
  • Patent number: 4715345
    Abstract: Described is an assembly that is interposed between the main fuel supply and the fuel injection system of a fuel-injected gasoline engine or diesel engine. When the main supply of fuel becomes exhausted, the assembly (i) automatically shuts off the flow of fuel to the fuel injection system, (ii) causes the engine to cease operating through fuel starvation, and (iii) prevents air from entering the fuel injection system. The assembly forms and utilizes a reserve supply of fuel and utilizes the vacuum created by the fuel-starved engine in such a way as to insure that no air becomes entrained in the fuel injection system when operation of the engine is resumed with a replenished fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Carter Reames, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4699112
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump for diesel engines, in which the pressure chamber of each cylinder (10) is defined on its side opposite the piston (16) by a slide valve (38) movable in a direction opposite the piston against the action of resilient biasing means (52). The slide valve is sensitive to the supply pressure of the fuel and controls communication between the pressure chamber and the fuel delivery passage (44, 46). The supply pressure is controlled by external modulating means which varies the equilibrium position of the slide valve. The slide valve allows the initial alteration of the effective delivery, and hence the effective injection advance, in dependence on the running conditions/load of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Weber S.p.A. Azienda Altecna
    Inventors: Renato Filippi, Sergio Turchi
  • Patent number: 4627463
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator comprising a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a first chamber and second chamber, a passage from the exterior of the housing to the first chamber, an inlet and an outlet associated with the second chamber of the housing, and a valve seat associated with the outlet. A cage is mounted on and movable with the diaphragm and a spring within the first chamber yieldingly urges the cage toward the valve seat. The cage supports a pair of plates which retain a valve ball. The first plate has an opening through which a portion of the ball projects and a second plate retains the first plate and the ball within the cage. The first plate is movable transversely to provide for proper centering of the ball in the valve seat. A light spring extends between the cage and the ball to urge the ball against the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Tom McGuane Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Johnstone
  • Patent number: 4625695
    Abstract: A pressure regulator valve for use in fuel systems for internal combustion engines which includes a two-part housing lamination with a diaphragm between the bottom and top housings and a valve back-up pad above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is responsive to fuel pressure and will open a valve to by-pass fuel to a fuel tank. A centering diaphragm functions to locate a back-up pad above the valve seat. In one embodiment, the regulator valve pad controlled by the diaphragm is dimensioned with a diameter significantly larger than the effective valve seat area to insure full valve seat opening even when the valve pad is cocked slightly relative to the valve seat area. A press-on spring cap or cup allows calibration of the unit during assembly with a strike-in to fix the calibration in a tamperproof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: Charles H. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 4625696
    Abstract: The pressure regulator comprises a valving element caused to open or close a bleed port of the petrol circuit, and a diaphragm subjected to the pressure of said petrol and to a pressure which is a function of the engine intake pressure, said diaphragm being balanced by a force due to the action of an aneroid capsule also subjected to said pressure which is a function of the intake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Alfa Romeo Auto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Radaelli
  • Patent number: 4458650
    Abstract: A throttle body fuel injection system has a pressure regulator which reduces the pressure of the fuel supplied to its electromagnetic injector as the engine induction passage pressure decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Kessler, Noreen L. Mastro, Jerry R. Scheller, George L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 4449506
    Abstract: In a fuel control system for a fuel injected internal combustion engine, fuel is pumped from a tank by a cheek plate unloading pump to the fuel rail which supplies the fuel injectors. The delivery pressure of the pump is controlled by a microprocessor which receives inputs from a number of sensors of engine operating variables. The microprocessor generates a control signal which controls the pump output pressure by actuating a solenoid-type linear actuator. The solenoid has an actuator rod which positions a spool in a control valve which regulates the pressure in a cavity behind the cheek plate in response to the control signal. If there is no control signal from the microprocessor, a spring moves the actuator rod to a position where it partially obstructs a passage through which the pump output flows. The partial obstruction or constriction creates a pressure drop which is proportional to the speed at which the pump is driven by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert H. Drutchas
  • Patent number: 4422354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for use with an internal combustion engine connected to a load through a variable speed transmission. The instant system protects the engine and conserves fuel by automatically reducing the engine horse power when it is appropriate. The system includes a fuel valve connected to a source of fuel for affecting the rate of fuel delivered to the internal combustion engine for determining the power output of the engine. A temperature responsive control is connected to a portion of the internal combustion engine and is connected to the fuel valve to affect the fuel valve for regulating the rate of fuel delivered to the engine when the temperature of coolant in the internal combustion engine reaches a predetermined value. A speed responsive control is connected to a portion of a power train connected to the output of the engine and is connected to the fuel valve in series with the temperature responsive control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Fiat Allis North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry L. Bandy
  • Patent number: 4404944
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an injection-type internal combustion engine using a gasoline or alcohol blended gasoline as a fuel. In addition to a conventional fuel supply system there is provided a fuel temperature detector which detects and signals the fuel temperature increases and exceeds a predetermined value and a fuel pressure regulating means responsive to the fuel temperature detector for raising the fuel pressure within the fuel supply line applied to each fuel injector above a constant value regulated according to the pressure difference between the fuel pressure within the fuel supply line and the intake manifold vacuum pressure so as to prevent the fuel supply line from being clogged due to the occurrence of vapor lock at the time when the engine is started at a high fuel temperature or when the engine runs at a low speed under a high fuel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Yamazaki, Mikio Suzuki