Gaseous Fuel And Air Mixer Patents (Class 123/527)
  • Publication number: 20080127950
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: REM TRECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Howard Leigh MALM
  • Patent number: 7377267
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 7373932
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LImited
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Takao Komoda, Masanori Torii, Toshinari Saiki, Masayuki Kosaka, Toshimitsu Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7373931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Lennox, Adrian Post, Michael Wickstone
  • Patent number: 7367312
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
  • Publication number: 20080099002
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 7363883
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuninori Ito, Michio Abe
  • Patent number: 7343905
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Darryl D. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7334770
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Wei-ching Wang, Chia-Ping Wang, Yu-ching Wang
  • Publication number: 20080035123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: William F. Rosskob
  • Patent number: 7318426
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Circle Seal Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thao Hoang
  • Publication number: 20080000458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicants: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomiharu ISOGAI, Takuji NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 7308889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian J. Post, Thomas C. Brook
  • Publication number: 20070277791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: VAPOR FUEL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Bryce Bushnell, Anthony Dean, Danny Robert Lewis
  • Patent number: 7287519
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: John Blakemore Harrison
  • Patent number: 7284543
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Kato, Katsuhide Akimoto
  • Patent number: 7284542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Gordon Fraser Wright
  • Patent number: 7278407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Natkin
  • Publication number: 20070209609
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Takao Ishikawa, Takeyuki Itabashi, Hiroshi Kanemoto
  • Publication number: 20070209642
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7240669
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Bertsch
  • Patent number: 7231930
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Mack L. Stedam
  • Patent number: 7222613
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Geoffrey Russell Turner, Andrei Vadimovitch Shinkarenko, James Richard Hunt
  • Patent number: 7207321
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Andrei Vadimovitch, James Richard Hunt
  • Patent number: 7191772
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHG
    Inventors: Reinhard Robitschko, Herbert Schaumberger, Johann Hirzinger, Albert Fahringer
  • Patent number: 7191768
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Isuza Motors Limited
    Inventor: Motohisa Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 7182073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Deok-Ryol Kim
  • Patent number: 7162995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventor: Sandeep Munshi
  • Patent number: 7140354
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Siamak Hashemi
  • Patent number: 7131431
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: EControls, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kennon H. Guglielmo, Michael W. Walser, Kenneth R. Shouse
  • Patent number: 7128060
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Antoine Di Gennaro
  • Patent number: 7124714
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Minoru Oosuga, Kinya Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 7100581
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
  • Patent number: 7073489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Barrington Sexton, Paulus Boon
  • Patent number: 7073490
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
  • Patent number: 7069917
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
  • Patent number: 7066155
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Autotronic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon K. Uhde, Ezell R. Clarke, Stephen C. Masters, Douglas B. Waits
  • Patent number: 7055506
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: CSSM Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Stuart Kaiser, Michael Eve
  • Patent number: 7047947
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Bi-Phase Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Victor Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 7044113
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Bruce M. Wilding, James E. O'Brien, Ali S. Siahpush, Kevin B. Brown
  • Patent number: 7036491
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Dario Manodoro, Raffaele Ricco
  • Patent number: 7032568
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryouichi Hagiwara, Tohru Nakazono
  • Patent number: 7017559
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignees: Linde AG, Still GmbH, Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Jörn Mey, Andreas Kistner, Andreas Firsching, Frank Wucherpfenning, Joachim Seydell
  • Patent number: 7011048
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ener1, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gurin, Peter Novak, Bary Wilson, Miron Prakhin
  • Patent number: 7011078
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaguchi, Kentaro Matsuo, Keita Kamo, Hidekazu Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 7004147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae-Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 6990964
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hovalwerk AG
    Inventor: Werner Ströhle
  • Patent number: 6988492
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Shetley
  • Patent number: 6957637
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventors: Kuo Chang Lin, Chau Hwe Chen
  • Patent number: 6955160
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery M. Konopacki, Blake R. Suhre