Gaseous Fuel And Air Mixer Patents (Class 123/527)
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Publication number: 20080127950Abstract: Method to provide fugitive gases to an engine. A source of fugitive gases is directed to the air intake of the engine. A fugitive gas pipe supplies the fugitive gases to the air intake and a vent allows the fugitive gases to vent to atmosphere. A check valve in the vent inhibits the flow of fugitive gases to the vent and allows the escape of the fugitive gases to the vent if the pressure of the fugitive gases exceeds a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: REM TRECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Howard Leigh MALM
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Patent number: 7377267Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
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Patent number: 7373932Abstract: A heating apparatus for a liquefied gas fuel supply system includes a heating unit, a detecting unit and a setting unit. The liquefied gas fuel supply system vaporizes liquefied gas fuel to supply the vaporized gas fuel to an internal-combustion engine. The heating unit heats the liquefied gas fuel before the liquefied gas fuel is vaporized. The detecting unit detects vapor pressure characteristic of the liquefied gas fuel. The setting unit sets an amount of heat to be applied to the liquefied gas fuel on a basis of a detection result by the detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LImitedInventors: Kenji Hayashi, Takao Komoda, Masanori Torii, Toshinari Saiki, Masayuki Kosaka, Toshimitsu Taguchi
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Patent number: 7373931Abstract: An apparatus for delivering two fuels to a direct injection internal combustion engine comprises a liquid-fuel supply rail, a gaseous-fuel supply rail, a drain system with a shared drain rail for collecting both liquid fuel and gaseous fuel, and a venting device for venting gaseous fuel collected by the drain rail. The method comprises separately delivering a liquid fuel at injection pressure to an injection valve through a liquid-fuel rail, and actuating the liquid-fuel injection valve to introduce liquid fuel directly into the combustion chamber. The method further comprises delivering a gaseous fuel at injection pressure to an injection valve through a gaseous-fuel rail and actuating the gaseous-fuel injection valve to introduce gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Westport Power Inc.Inventors: Tim Lennox, Adrian Post, Michael Wickstone
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Patent number: 7367312Abstract: A method for operating a fueling system in a vehicle having an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel supplied from at least a first and second source to a direct fuel injector of the engine, the first source having a higher source pressure than the second source, the method comprises supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the first source during a first engine demand; and supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the second source during a second engine demand less than said first engine demand.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
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Publication number: 20080099002Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
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Patent number: 7363883Abstract: A gas engine electric power generating system in which an electric power generating apparatus including an electric power generator connected with a gas engine of a pilot fuel oil ignition type is installed near a coal mine. Recovered methane gas and ventilated methane gas from the mine are introduced into a cylinder of the gas engine while being adjusted to be introduced as a lean methane/air mixture to operate the engine to produce electric power. A carbon dioxide emission credit reflecting the difference in greenhouse effect index between releasing coal mine methane gas to the atmosphere and releasing the methane gas to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, is registered on an emission credit market. Also included are the affiliated systems of mutual patronage relation constituted by one or a plurality of the systems and nearby power generating system or systems using coal bed methane or pre-mining gas as fuel.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kuninori Ito, Michio Abe
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Patent number: 7343905Abstract: An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine configured to combust a gaseous fuel. The engine assembly may also include a fuel intake line operatively connected to the internal combustion engine. The fuel intake line may be configured to direct the gaseous fuel towards the internal combustion engine. The engine assembly may further include a refrigeration assembly operatively connected to the fuel intake line. The refrigeration assembly may be configured to cool the gaseous fuel in the fuel intake line.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Darryl D. Baldwin
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Patent number: 7334770Abstract: An improved pilot-operated, “instant-on”, solenoid isolation valve discloses a new fluid passage route to save cost of drilling a longitudinal hole within the primary piston. Also, a new feature of primary piston assembly with a movable seal piston having a specific circumferential surface matching to valve body chamber to restrict fluid from front side into back side of the primary piston to produce pressure difference to induce instant valve open when solenoid is energized initially. It also introduces a channel hole in the flange of the sleeve assembly as a communication channel of supply of gas into the chambers of the back side of primary piston assembly. The diameter of the channel hole is not critical to determine in this new invent. As long as the size of the hole is smaller than that of the bleed hole, it can maintain pressure difference between the front side and back side of primary piston during valve opening operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Inventors: Wei-ching Wang, Chia-Ping Wang, Yu-ching Wang
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Publication number: 20080035123Abstract: A method of carboration and combustion where a combustible gas is mixed and burned in a compression combustion engine yielding power and no hydro carbons. Where a certain H2 gas derivative is mixed with other gases and burned. And where the gas entering the combustion area is controlled by varing the pressure and thus the power output.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventor: William F. Rosskob
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Patent number: 7318426Abstract: A fuel-control manifold has a non-integral body with at least three pieces joined together. The fuel-control manifold has a tank port, an engine supply port, a fueling port, and a shutoff valve, all in the upper body segment. The shutoff valve includes a controllable shutoff valve closure having a shutoff-valve first side in fluid flow communication with the tank port and a shutoff-valve second side in fluid flow communication with the engine supply port and with the fueling port. There are a defueling port in a lower body segment, a vent port in the upper body segment, and a defuel/vent valve in a middle body segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Circle Seal Controls, Inc.Inventor: Thao Hoang
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Publication number: 20080000458Abstract: An intake air control valve has a bore defining member and a butterfly-type valve member that includes a shaft and a valve body. The valve body has a pair of valve portions joined to the shaft and rotatable between a fully closed position and a fully opened position; Each of the valve portions has a central portion and opposite end portions along a direction of the rotational axis of the valve member. The thickness of each of the valve portions gradually increases from the central portion toward the end portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicants: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tomiharu ISOGAI, Takuji NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 7308889Abstract: A high-pressure fuel system supplies gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine. Gaseous fuel pressure within the system is at least 17 MPa during normal operation. The system comprises a number of components and conduits and at least one resilient member for sealing at an interface between two components. The resilient member consists essentially of thermoplastic polyurethane. A corresponding method provides sealing between components containing gaseous fluids at pressures that can be above 17 MPa, in which the gaseous fluids routinely undergo rapid reductions in pressure. The method comprises disposing a resilient member, which consists essentially of thermoplastic polyurethane, at an interface between the components. Gas pressure fluctuations can occur during operation of the components or when the high-pressure gas is vented from the components upon shut down of the high-pressure system.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Westport Power Inc.Inventors: Adrian J. Post, Thomas C. Brook
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Publication number: 20070277791Abstract: A vapor fuel air mixture supply system for a combustion engine, whereby the mixture of air and fuel vapor is elevated in temperature prior to combustion. The liquid fuel may be vaporized in a fractionation process and further heated to enhance flame speed combustion and improve efficiency of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: VAPOR FUEL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Raymond Bryce Bushnell, Anthony Dean, Danny Robert Lewis
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Patent number: 7287519Abstract: An apparatus (100) for a gaseous fuel injection system includes a first chamber (15b) connectable with a source of gaseous fuel at a required inlet pressure, a second chamber (15c) connectable with an engine or other apparatus so as to supply gaseous fuel thereto and further connected with said first chamber (15b) through a controllable valving means. A flow control means (25) has an inlet connectable with the first chamber (15b) and an outlet connectable with an orifice (25b) for controlling the pressure at the outlet of the flow control means (25) to be no more than 53% of the inlet pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Inventor: John Blakemore Harrison
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Patent number: 7284543Abstract: A fuel injection system includes (i) an injector for injecting gaseous fuel and liquid fuel into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, (ii) a gaseous fuel supplying unit having a gaseous feel tank as a first high-pressure accumulating source for pressurizing gaseous fuel, (iii) a liquid fuel supplying unit having a common rail as a second high-pressure accumulating source for pressurizing liquid fuel; (iv) a fuel pump as a pressure feeding unit that pressure feeds liquid fuel to the common rail; and (v) a compressor as a pressure increasing unit, which is operated under pressure of the pressurized gaseous fuel to increase pressure of liquid fuel pressure fed from the fuel pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masaaki Kato, Katsuhide Akimoto
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Patent number: 7284542Abstract: A fuel metering device utilizing a tapered toroid shaped flow control valve placed between a pressure chamber and a discharge space, with a seal, fixedly mounted to the valve, fluidically isolating the pressure chamber from the discharge space when the valve is in its closed position, and a rotary actuator capable to move the toroidal valve about a fixed fulcrum to deliver a precisely metered amount of a preferably gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine. The device further comprises a biasing spring, to close the valve when the rotary actuator is de-energized, and a rotary position sensor, which, in co-operation with the rotary actuator enable accurate angular positioning of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Inventor: Gordon Fraser Wright
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Patent number: 7278407Abstract: A system and method for limiting HC, CO, CO2, and NOx emissions in an internal combustion engine is provided. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a substantially carbon-free fuel, such as hydrogen (H2), is used to fuel combustion in an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is operated, at least some of the time, at an equivalence ratio less than 1 and a boost pressure ratio greater than 1.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Robert Natkin
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Publication number: 20070209609Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an engine system driving an engine by using a hydrogen rich gas generated from a medium chemically repeating a hydrogen absorption and a hydrogen desorption as one of fuels, in which the engine system can efficiently generate a hydrogen rich gas from the medium. In an engine system which mounts a medium chemically repeating a hydrogen absorption and a hydrogen desorption thereon, is provided with a hydrogen supplying apparatus generating or storing a hydrogen rich gas from the medium, and drives an engine by using the hydrogen rich gas as one of fuels, the engine system has a detecting portion detecting an operating state of the engine, and a medium supplying amount control means controlling a supplying amount of the medium supplied to the hydrogen supplying apparatus in correspondence to a result of detection of the detecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Takao Ishikawa, Takeyuki Itabashi, Hiroshi Kanemoto
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Publication number: 20070209642Abstract: A carburetion system and method for adapting a low-Btu gas source with a low-Btu gas consumer. Pressure-based air-gas mixers geometrically appropriate for the carburetion system and method. The carburetion system comprises a low-Btu gas inlet, a gas outlet, a zero-pressure regulator, and at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1. The method comprises diverting a low-Btu gas to a gas outlet when the gas consumer is off. The method further comprises, during operation of the consumer, diverting low-Btu gas to a zero-pressure regulator in order to balance low-Btu gas pressure with air pressure, passing low-Btu gas to at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1, mixing the low-Btu gas with air in the at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer to form an air-gas mixture, and sending the air-gas mixture to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren D. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7240669Abstract: In a method of operating an internal combustion engine by supplying a gaseous fuel from a gaseous fuel tank to a combustion air feed line in which a compressor is arranged to the engine, part of the gaseous fuel is added to the combustion air feed line upstream of the compressor so as to form an intense pre-mixture with the air in the compressor and additional fuel is added to the gas/air pre-mixture downstream of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Ulrich Bertsch
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Patent number: 7231930Abstract: A valve assembly cleaning device includes a conduit fluidly couples the liquid propane regulator and valve assembly to a propane tank. The cleaning system includes a first tube selectively coupled to the conduit such that the first tube is in fluid connection with the conduit and propane may flow from the propane tank to the assembly flows through the first tube. A container has a valve cleaning fluid therein. The container is in fluid communication with the first tube. Cleaning fluid may enter the conduit such that the valve assembly is cleaned by the cleaning fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Mack L. Stedam
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Patent number: 7222613Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is disclosed which includes an injector (20) and a housing (3) for supporting a fuel injector (20). A regulator (202, 313) is provided for regulating the pressure of fluid in the housing to maintain the pressure at about supply pressure, and the pressure downstream of the regulator at a low pressure so that fuel which passes the regulator is able to evaporate. The evaporated fuel is supplied to a heater (250) to heat the fuel, and the vapour is supplied to a vapour injector (260) for injection into the engine. The passage of the liquid petroleum gas fuel through the housing (3) cools the injector (20) to maintain the fuel in a liquid state, and therefore prevent boiling of the vapour within the injector.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Inventors: Geoffrey Russell Turner, Andrei Vadimovitch Shinkarenko, James Richard Hunt
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Patent number: 7207321Abstract: A fuel delivery system for supplying liquid gas fuel to an engine is disclosed. The fuel can be supplied solely to the engine or together with diesel fuel. The fuel delivery system includes an injector (20) for receiving the liquid gas, and for ejecting the liquid gas in vapour form to the engine E. A bubble preventing mechanism (40, 44, 48; 8, 203, 209, 208) is supplied for preventing the liquid gas from bubbling or boiling in the injector which would impair the ejection of fuel from the injector. The preventing means comprises cooling means which may use a coolant to cool the injector. In one embodiment, the coolant is in the form of bubbled vapour which is directed away from the injector (20) and enters a chamber (206) in which the injector (20) is located, so that the vapour cools the injector (20). The vapour (20) can pass to a vapour block (208) for supply to the intake air of the engine so the vapour is supplied back to the engine together with fuel ejected by the injector (20).Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Inventors: Andrei Vadimovitch, James Richard Hunt
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Patent number: 7191772Abstract: Method of regulating an internal combustion engine in order to reach presettable nitrogen oxide emission values of the internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine is supplied at least some of the time with a first fuel and at least some of the time with a second fuel, the quantity of the first fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine per unit of time being controlled according to a preset control actual value or kept constant and the quantity of the second fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine per unit of time to reach a presettable nitrogen oxide emission value being regulated according to at least one recorded engine parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHGInventors: Reinhard Robitschko, Herbert Schaumberger, Johann Hirzinger, Albert Fahringer
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Patent number: 7191768Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a gas fuel supply system in which a controllable range in the fuel injection quantity control by an injector is enlarged. According to one preferable aspect of this invention, the gas fuel supply system comprises an injector provided in an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine, a fuel supply passage for supplying the gas fuel to the injector, and means for controlling pressure of the gas fuel supplied to the injector through the fuel supply passage by using negative pressure in the intake pipe such that the pressure of the gas fuel increases if the negative pressure in the intake pipe decreases, and the pressure of the gas fuel decreases if the negative pressure in the intake pipe increases.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Isuza Motors LimitedInventor: Motohisa Tokunaga
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Patent number: 7182073Abstract: Disclosed herein is an LPI engine system. The LPI engine system of the present invention directly injects LPG fuel under high pressure into an intake system of an engine through an injector and precisely controls the injection rate of LPG fuel through the control of the injector, thus improving the fuel consumption ratio and power performance of a vehicle, enhancing the startability of the vehicle in the winter, and making maintenance addressing the buildup of tar after combustion unnecessary. Furthermore, in the LPI engine system of the present invention, the injector, which adjusts the injection rate of LPG fuel into the intake system of the engine, includes a path shutoff part which functions to controls an LPG fuel injection path depending on an operational state of the engine, thus preventing LPG fuel from leaking into the intake system of the engine through the injector when the engine is in an ignition OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Deok-Ryol Kim
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Patent number: 7162995Abstract: A method directly injects gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The compressibility of the gaseous fuel is used to provide a fuel to the combustion chamber that is injected over all engine operating conditions at pressures that result in fuel jet speeds beyond the injector nozzle in excess of sonic speeds as determined in reference to the combustion chamber environment. The resulting fuel injection speed results in the fuel passing through shock waves within the combustion chamber, which, in turn, promotes combustion of the fuel by promoting turbulence and mixing of the fuel and intake charge within the combustion chamber where fuel burns in a non-premixed combustion mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Westport Power Inc.Inventor: Sandeep Munshi
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Patent number: 7140354Abstract: A compressed gaseous fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electronic engine controller, a common fuel rail, fuel injectors operatively connected with the common-rail and with the engine controller, and a high pressure gaseous fuel source. A control regulator reduces gas system pressure to a final variable control pressure specified by the engine controller and furnishes the fuel at the control pressure to the common-rail. A fuel pump operatively connected with the control regulator and with the engine controller selectively transfers fuel from the fuel rail to a portion of the fuel system located upstream from the downstream pressure regulator in the event that the pressure within the common-rail exceeds a desired pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Siamak Hashemi
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Patent number: 7131431Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic pressure regulator that can be used for gaseous fuel control on internal combustion engines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic pressure regulator that has direct acting electro-mechanical operation with pressure sensor feed back.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: EControls, IncorporatedInventors: Kennon H. Guglielmo, Michael W. Walser, Kenneth R. Shouse
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Patent number: 7128060Abstract: Arrangement for expanding liquefied gas. The arrangement includes a vaporizing element having a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an impermeable enclosure containing a heating fluid and a vaporizing tube made of a heat conducting material through which the liquefied gas passes. The vaporizing tube includes an intake connected to a supply reservoir and an outlet supplying vaporized gas. An element is provided for regulating a flow rate and a pressure of vaporized gas. A tube connects the outlet of the vaporizing tube to the element for regulating a flow rate and a pressure of vaporized gas. The element for regulating a flow rate and a pressure of vaporized gas is connected to an engine. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Inventor: Antoine Di Gennaro
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Patent number: 7124714Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus reduces the fuel vaporization and leakage. The positions of vaporization and leakage and their amount in the fuel tank and the fuel pipe are detected when using a low boiling point fuel having a vapor phase in the normal temperatures and atmospheric pressures, and the fuel state is controlled based on those detected values. By providing another container made of elastomatic material having an expandable mechanical characteristic inside the fuel storing container, the low boiling point fuel is stored in the separate container. A flow rate controlling apparatus is provided for heating or cooling the fuel pipe leading the low boiling point fuel stored in the fuel storing container to the engine. A flow rate controlling apparatus is provided for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel in the fuel pipe for leading the low boiling point fuel stored in the fuel storing container to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Minoru Oosuga, Kinya Nakatsu
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Patent number: 7100581Abstract: In a gas-supply system for internal-combustion engines, a pressure-reducing valve is arranged between the reservoir of the gas and a distribution manifold or rail that feeds the gas to a series of electromagnetically controlled injectors associated to the various cylinders of the engine. The pressure-reducing valve has an internal chamber for collection of any leakage of gas which is connected to the intake manifold of the internal-combustion engine so as to enable the leaked gas to be discharged in the engine. A solenoid shutoff valve is arranged in the connection to the intake manifold and is opened automatically upon ignition of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
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Patent number: 7073489Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of gaseous fuel for a coolant cooled engine having a liquid to gas converter where the coolant is adapted to heat the converter. The system includes a gas temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature of gas exiting the converter and a valve means adapted to regulate the flow of coolant into the converter. A control means determined when said gas temperature falls below a pre-determined value and opens the valve to cause an increased flow of coolant into the converter thus heating it. The system further includes an embodiment where the control means causes the valve means to close only when the temperature of gas exiting the converter is greater than a pre-determined value. A coolant temperature sensor also ensures that the valve can not be completely closed off unless the coolant temperature is above a pre-set value such as 50 degrees Centigrade.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Inventors: Barrington Sexton, Paulus Boon
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Patent number: 7073490Abstract: In a gas-supply system for internal-combustion engines, a pressure-reducing valve is set between the reservoir of the gas and a distribution manifold or rail that feeds the gas to a series of electromagnetically controlled injectors associated to the various cylinders of the engine. The pressure-reducing valve has a piston member that faces a chamber set downstream of a restricted passage defined inside the body of the valve in communication between the inlet connector and the outlet connector. The piston member is pushed by thrust means towards a position in which it causes opening of an open/close element (valve head) that controls the communication between said restricted passage and the inlet connector. The piston member is preferably provided with a single seal gasket that prevents leakage of gas towards the outside through the sliding coupling of the piston member within the respective guide bushing.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
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Patent number: 7069917Abstract: In a gas-supply system for internal-combustion engines, a pressure-reducing valve is set between the reservoir of the gas and a distribution manifold or rail that feeds the gas to a series of electromagnetically controlled injectors associated to the various cylinders of the engine. The reduced pressure supplied by the pressure-reducing valve is further reduced via a pressure-regulating solenoid valve, to an extent that depends upon the supply current of its solenoid. The electrical supply to the solenoid of said solenoid valve is controlled by an electronic control unit according to the signal issued by a sensor of the pressure in the rail and according to stored maps, which supply the optimal pressure value for each operating condition of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
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Patent number: 7066155Abstract: A system and method of adjusting the rate of supplementary fuel flow to an engine while monitoring the operating characteristics of an engine. The amount of pressure to apply to a regulator valve is determined based at least in part upon the operating conditions of the engine and information included in a stored fuel grid.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Autotronic Controls CorporationInventors: Brandon K. Uhde, Ezell R. Clarke, Stephen C. Masters, Douglas B. Waits
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Patent number: 7055506Abstract: A gaseous fuel control system for regulating fuel flow to a dual fuel internal combustion engine has a phase converter for converting the fuel from a liquid state to a gaseous state and control means for controlling the supply of fuel to the engine in response to sensor signals including a throttle position signal and an alternator signal. A valve actuated by the control means regulates the supply of said fuel in a gaseous state, which is mixed with air in the engine manifold. A display mounted in the vehicle cabin includes a fuel gauge, an override switch and means for adjusting the parameters for the control of supply of fuel. The control means is programmed to close the valve means, preventing the supply of said fuel, when the throttle position is in an idling position or substantially fully open and when the engine is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: CSSM Holdings Pty LtdInventors: Stuart Kaiser, Michael Eve
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Patent number: 7047947Abstract: A fuel system for supplying LPG fuel, the system including a fuel storage tank and a fuel transfer tank. A first pump pushes fuel to a vehicle engine from the transfer tank and excess fuel from the engine is returned to the storage tank or the transfer tank. A second pump pulls fuel from the storage tank into the transfer tank when a fluid level within the transfer tank falls below a certain level. A method of providing LPG fuel to the engine of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Bi-Phase Technologies, LLCInventor: Victor Van Dyke
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Patent number: 7044113Abstract: A liquified gas delivery system for a motorized platform includes a holding tank configured to receive liquified gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the tank to a valve device. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the tank to the valve device. Fluid coupled to the valve device is a vaporizer which is in communication with an engine. The valve device selectively withdraws either liquified gas or liquified gas vapor from the tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the tank. Various configurations of the delivery system can be utilized for pressurizing the tank during operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Bruce M. Wilding, James E. O'Brien, Ali S. Siahpush, Kevin B. Brown
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Patent number: 7036491Abstract: In a gas-supply system for internal-combustion engines, a pressure-reducing valve is set between the reservoir of the gas and a distribution manifold or rail that feeds the gas to a series of electromagnetically controlled injectors associated to the various cylinders of the engine. The pressure-reducing valve brings about a pressure drop which depends upon a pilot-pressure signal that is sent thereto by a pilot solenoid valve. The electrical supply to the solenoid of said pilot solenoid valve is controlled by an electronic control unit according to the signal issued by a sensor of the pressure in the rail for the purpose of regulating the pressure in the rail at a desired level, according to the operating conditions of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
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Patent number: 7032568Abstract: A fuel feed device of a gas engine of non-supercheged type for feeding air and fuel to an intake port without mixing by amixer, wherein fuel gas is fed into the intake port by utilizing a negative pressure generated in the intake port in an intake stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryouichi Hagiwara, Tohru Nakazono
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Patent number: 7017559Abstract: A method for operating a fuel system for an internal combustion engine operated with fuel gas. The fuel system has at least one electrically actuated shutoff valve (4) and at least one electrically operated heating device (14, 16). The operating method includes: generating a signal to turn on the heating device (14, 16) when the internal combustion engine is turned on; determining a heating demand (?reference) of the fuel system when the heating device (14, 16) is turned on; and depending on the heating demand (?reference) of the fuel system, determining a delay time between the time the heating device (14, 16) is turned on and the time the shutoff valve (4) is opened. The heating demand (?reference) can be a function of a temperature (Tengine coolant) of the engine and/or a temperature (Thydraulic fluid) independent of the engine and/or the current (Iheating) flowing through the heating device.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignees: Linde AG, Still GmbH, Volkswagen AGInventors: Jörn Mey, Andreas Kistner, Andreas Firsching, Frank Wucherpfenning, Joachim Seydell
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Patent number: 7011048Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Ener1, Inc.Inventors: Victor Gurin, Peter Novak, Bary Wilson, Miron Prakhin
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Patent number: 7011078Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine (1) is provided with one pair or plural pairs of C-shaped scavenging passageways (31, 32) of a reverse flow system where scavenging inlet ports (31a) as well as scavenging outlet ports (31b, 32b) are both opened to a cylinder bore (10a), wherein a scavenging introducing passageway (40) for introducing an air-fuel mixture (K) from a crank chamber (18) into the scavenging inlet ports (31a) is provided between the cylinder bore and the piston adapted to reciprocatively move up and down in the cylinder bore (10a), and an effective opening area of the scavenging inlet ports (31a) is gradually decreased due to the piston (20) in the course of descending stroke of the piston (20).Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Shiro Yamaguchi, Kentaro Matsuo, Keita Kamo, Hidekazu Tsunoda
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Patent number: 7004147Abstract: Fuel injection control methods and systems and related apparatus for Liquefied Petroleum gas Injection (LPI) engine are provided. Preferred methods and systems determine the increased amount of engine revolution per unit time and fuel temperature during an initial engine start period; determine fuel pressure on the basis of such values; determines propane content of the engine fuel by consideration of the fuel pressure and fuel temperature of the P-T diagram of the fuel; and controls the fuel injection time and injection period by using a map prepared according to propane content. Preferred systems and methods of the invention need not include use of fuel pressure and temperature sensors that provide injection control conditions to an Engine Control Unit, thereby providing a simplified and more efficient apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Dae-Jin Kang
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Patent number: 6990964Abstract: The apparatus has a pneumatic controller, which controls the pressure in a gas conduit (1) in dependence on the pressure in an air conduit (2). Provided downstream of the regulator is a mixing device (4), which has a venturi-like mixing chamber (7). Extending into the inlet opening of the mixing chamber (7) is a nozzle (8), which is connected to the air conduit (2). Defined between the nozzle (8) and the edge (9) of the inlet opening of the mixing chamber (7) is an annular gap (10), which is connected to the gas conduit (1). Also operating in the air conduit (2) is a conical member (11) which is actuated by a linear motor (12). The mixture is withdrawn from the mixing chamber (7) by a fan (5), whose speed is controllable, and fed to the combustion device. The adjusting motor (12) for the conical member (11) operates in dependence on a signal from a sensor, which detects changes in the gas quality, the air pressure and/or the combustion air temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hovalwerk AGInventor: Werner Ströhle
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Patent number: 6988492Abstract: The present invention relates to a small adapter manifold that is constructed and arranged to fit into the standard fuel injector cavity for each cylinder of an automobile engine. The manifold includes a cavity for retaining the standard fuel injector and a liquid fuel passage, wherein the fuel injector can supply liquid fuel directly to the cylinder. The manifold also includes a separate hydrogen passage wherein a solenoid or servo valve regulates the flow of hydrogen entering each cylinder of the engine. A control module communicates with the on-board computer to allow the vehicle operator to choose a fuel. Once the fuel is chosen the computer utilizes the standard sensors to regulate the amount of hydrogen or gasoline supplied to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventor: Michael Shetley
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Patent number: 6957637Abstract: An engine device includes a pressure regulator coupled to the engine, a container, and a needle tube mechanism disposed in the container and having a block coupled to the engine with a pipe, to receive gas from the engine. The block includes a slit connected to the pipe and a channel communicating with the slit and the chamber of the container, the slit of the block includes an inner diameter smaller than that of the channel of the block, and arranged to allow the gas from the engine to flow through the slit and the channel of the block when the engine is over-pressurized, and to allow the gas in the container to flow into the engine in order to balance a pressure in the engine when the pressure in the engine is too low.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Inventors: Kuo Chang Lin, Chau Hwe Chen
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Patent number: 6955160Abstract: A gaseous fuel pressure regulator uses an inlet valve and an outlet valve to regulate an incoming pressure, from a gaseous fuel supply tank, and accurately control the pressure at the outlet of the regulator. The control of the outlet pressure is maintained by precise movement of the outlet valve which is controlled by an actuator. The actuator receiving pulse width modulated signals from a microprocessor in order to maintain the outlet valve in an opened, or gas flow permitting, position for a time period which is appropriate to maintain the desired pressure at the outlet port of the regulator. An inlet port maintains a pressure within a conduit, which is connected in fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port at an intermediate pressure which is used by the outlet valve to achieve the desired outlet pressure magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Jeffery M. Konopacki, Blake R. Suhre