Supercharged Engine Patents (Class 123/528)
  • Patent number: 10995706
    Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of engines, and specifically relates to a gas mixing device and a natural gas engine. The gas mixing device includes a housing, a first mixing core, a first measurement assembly, a second mixing core, and a second measurement assembly. An air inlet and a combustion gas inlet respectively communicate with the first mixing core to form a mixed gas in the first mixing core; the first measurement assembly is connected to the first mixing core, the second mixing core is connected in the housing, the EGR exhaust gas inlet and the first mixing core respectively communicate with the second mixing core, and the second measurement assembly is connected to the EGR exhaust gas inlet. In the gas mixing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first measurement assembly and the second measurement assembly respectively provide measurement data for obtaining flow rates of the air, combustion gas and EGR exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Weichai Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuguang Tan, Dehui Tong, Zhen Liu
  • Patent number: 10316803
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation mixer includes a convergent nozzle in a flow path from an air inlet of the mixer to an outlet of the mixer. The convergent nozzle is oriented converging toward the outlet of the mixer. The nozzle accelerates the flow to high velocity, which is released as a free-jet. The mixer includes an exhaust gas housing having an exhaust gas inlet into an interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a convergent-divergent nozzle having an air-fuel-exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication to receive fluid flow from the convergent nozzle (i.e., the free-jet), the interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a fuel supply into the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
  • Patent number: 9359968
    Abstract: An apparatus for dithering fuel into an internal combustion engine includes a turbine that is powered by the internal combustion engine and a first fuel injector that injects a first fuel into an air stream to create a fuel/air stream. The apparatus also includes an air/fuel compressor that provides a compressed fuel/air stream to the internal combustion engine. The air/fuel compressor is powered by the turbine, and the air/fuel compressor compresses the fuel/air stream to create the compressed fuel/air stream. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second fuel injector that injects a second fuel into the compressed fuel/air stream prior to the compressed fuel/air stream entering the engine and after the compressed fuel/air stream exits the air/fuel compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, James A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 8950383
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel mixer for an internal combustion engine includes a frustoconical cone and an outlet element extending from the frustoconical cone at an interior portion of the frustoconical cone. The outlet element and the frustoconical cone are located within a mixer passage of an intake system. The mixer passage has an internal diameter. The outlet element includes a plurality of transverse openings that connect a fuel passage formed within the outlet element to the interior portion of the frustoconical cone. The height and diameter of the frustoconical cone and the internal diameter of the passage form specific ratios that provide for uniform mixing of intake air and gaseous fuel prior to the mixture flowing into an intake manifold of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Sperry
  • Patent number: 8757133
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel mixer for an internal combustion engine includes a mixer body and a mixer element supported in a mixer passage formed in the mixer body. The gaseous fuel mixer attaches to an intake manifold at a first end and receives intake air at a second end. A distal end of the mixer element accepts gaseous fuel from a manifold passage extending from a port positioned in the intake manifold. The gaseous fuel flows through the mixer element and then through a plurality of openings formed in an exposed proximate end of the mixer element. The gaseous fuel mixes with the intake air, and the mixture of intake air and gaseous fuel flows from the second end of the mixer body to the first end of the mixer body and then to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Czapka, Edward J. Lyford-Pike
  • Patent number: 8713935
    Abstract: A control system for a turbo charged natural gas engine. A butterfly valve used for fuel control upstream of a carburetor provides non-linear flow response during opening and closing and a flow compensator compensates for the non-linear response. A throttle valve position sensor acts in association with a controller which compares the throttle valve position signal with a predetermined set point and thereby opens or closes the waste gate of the turbo charger which affects oxygen content in the exhaust. A compensator for a throttle valve used with electronic engine controllers is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: REM Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Leigh Malm, Wade Larry Mowat
  • Patent number: 8671917
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ener-Core Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Schnepel
  • Patent number: 8589084
    Abstract: Ethanol emissions from a direct ignition spark ignition are measured using mass spectrometry. The method exploits specific fragment ions from ethanol. Ethanol contributes ions of mass number 31, and no other gas species produces ions at this mass number. The method and a device for implementing the method can be used for online detection of ethanol in emissions from engines burning E85 or other ethanol/gasoline mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kenneth Kar, Wai K. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130233288
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Mark SCHNEPEL
  • Patent number: 8485158
    Abstract: A method to control a gas engine system is disclosed, whereby the engine can be operated with an air-fuel-ratio controlled with high precision, even in using a low calorific fuel-gas that is prone to vary in calorific value; the engine system includes: a first gas line toward each cylinder via a first gas valve from a gas supply source line, the first gas valve regulating flow rates of the fuel-gas through a gas compressor on the line; a second gas line toward suction air, the line being branched from the gas supply source line and the line being provided with a gas air mixer and a second gas valve on the line. In the case when the fuel-gas is of a low calorific value or where the output of the engine is high, a part of the fuel-gas is supplied to the engine through the first and second lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Nishio, Hajime Suzuki, Yuuichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8141356
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating fuel and supplying the separated fuel to an engine are disclosed. In one example, alcohol is separated from a blend of alcohol and gasoline. The methods and systems may improve fuel separator operation by adjusting separator operation in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 8073638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the ignitability of fuel, particularly of diesel, biodiesel, gas-to-liquid or biomass-to-liquid fuel, with an unknown fuel quality for an internal combustion engine. Provision is made for the density of the fuel to be ascertained and for the ignitability to be derived from this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Birk, Michael Scheidt, Andreas Rupp
  • Patent number: 8056337
    Abstract: In a V-type six cylinder engine, cylinder groups are provided in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged divided into left and right first and second banks. An intake pipe, a first exhaust pipe, and a second exhaust pipe are connected to the cylinder groups of the banks. A first upstream three-way catalyst and a first control valve are provided in one exhaust pipe while a second upstream three-way catalyst and a second control valve are provided in the other exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipes are communicated together upstream of the upstream three-way catalysts and the control valves by a communicating pipe. A third control valve that adjusts the flowrate of exhaust gas is provided in the communicating pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hokuto, Shigeki Miyashita, Shinichiro Nogawa, Kenji Harima
  • Publication number: 20110155112
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein air is inducted and then compressed, before introduction into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, the air humidity of the inducted air is determined and temperature of the compressed air introduced into the combustion chamber is altered depending on the air humidity of the inducted air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Stefan SCHIESTL, Thomas Weitzer
  • Patent number: 7963033
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for a combustion engine and method of installing a turbocharger system includes a turbocharger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet configured for being coupled to an oiling system. An oil pump is connected to the oil outlet of the turbocharger and is further connected to the oiling system. The turbocharger system also includes mounting hardware for mounting the turbocharger to an exhaust pipe away from the engine at or below the oil level of the oiling system. In one embodiment, the method of installing the turbocharger system includes removing an existing muffler from the vehicle and mounting the turbocharger at or near the location of the existing muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Squires Turbo Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Squires
  • Patent number: 7861697
    Abstract: A control system for a turbo charged natural gas engine. A butterfly valve used for fuel control upstream of a carburetor provides non-linear flow response during opening and closing and a flow compensator compensates for the non-linear response. A throttle valve position sensor acts in association with a controller which compares the throttle valve position signal with a predetermined set point and thereby opens or closes the waste gate of the turbo charger which affects oxygen content in the exhaust. A compensator for a throttle valve used with electronic engine controllers is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rem Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Leigh Malm, Wade Larry Mowat
  • Publication number: 20100126170
    Abstract: A method to control a gas engine system is disclosed, whereby the engine can be operated with an air-fuel-ratio controlled with high precision, even in using a low calorific fuel-gas that is prone to vary in calorific value; the engine system includes: a first gas line toward each cylinder via a first gas valve from a gas supply source line, the first gas valve regulating flow rates of the fuel-gas through a gas compressor on the line; a second gas line toward suction air, the line being branched from the gas supply source line and the line being provided with a gas air mixer and a second gas valve on the line. In the case when the fuel-gas is of a low calorific value or where the output of the engine is high, a part of the fuel-gas is supplied to the engine through the first and second lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
    Inventors: Hideki Nishio, Hajime Suzuki, Yuuichi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20090178654
    Abstract: In an apparatus comprising a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, and a separator positioned fluidically between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine, a method of operating the apparatus is disclosed, wherein the method comprises inputting a mixed fuel containing a hydrocarbon component and an oxygenated component into the separator, separating the fuel in the separator into a hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction, and controlling an amount of the hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an amount of the oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction provided to the engine based upon an engine operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20090133674
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system includes a boil-off gas reliquefaction apparatus for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in the LNG tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20090126704
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system is operated to supply fuel to an MEGI engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20080168966
    Abstract: Fuel management system for enhanced operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder. It is preferred that the direct injection occur after the inlet valve is closed. It is also preferred that stoichiometric operation with a three way catalyst be used to minimize emissions. In addition, it is also preferred that the anti-knock agents have a heat of vaporization per unit of combustion energy that is at least three times that of gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood
  • 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: 7100582
    Abstract: A propane injector system for internal combustion engines for improving performance, fuel efficiency, safety, cleanliness and environmental friendliness. The system consists of introducing propane gas into “a black box” that has a pressure reducing valve to drop propane pressure as it flows initially from its storage tank and through an electronically controlled on/off valve. Propane enters an injector manifold where it is distributed to two specially designed gas handling fuel injectors that act as variable flow rate pumps controlled by a programmable microprocessor that is pre programmed for specific vehicles or can be customized with improved performance programming as determined by the vehicle owner. A pressure feedback system senses when the engine blower has caused a pressure boost on its high side feeding the cylinders. Transducers located in a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor detect the pressure boost and communicate with the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Dynamic Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Bach
  • Patent number: 6880535
    Abstract: A carburetion system, without complicated control systems, functions uniformly throughout the range of engine load and incremental increases of power demand to provide efficient stable engine performance for a natural gas fired, internal combustion engine using EGR. A cogeneration system for supplying distributed generation of electricity and process/utility heat, employs a system for engine cooling and effective heat transfer to a cogeneration client, reduces engine head temperature, thereby reducing fuel consumption and reducing pollutants, as well as delivering substantially increased heat to a cogeneration process/utility heat facility by use of a carburetion system which employs at least a pair of spaced apart venturi positioned in series proximate one to another such that a first exhaust recycled gas venturi is upstream of a fuel venturi where fuel and air/exhaust gas are admixed prior to the resultant gas being introduced into a turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Chapeau, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Sorter, Gerald H. Dorn
  • Publication number: 20040173192
    Abstract: A carburetion system, without complicated control systems, functions uniformly throughout the range of engine load and incremental increases of power demand to provide efficient stable engine performance for a natural gas fired, internal combustion engine using EGR. A cogeneration system for supplying distributed generation of electricity and process/utility heat, employs a system for engine cooling and effective heat transfer to a cogeneration client, reduces engine head temperature, thereby reducing fuel consumption and reducing pollutants, as well as delivering substantially increased heat to a cogeneration process/utility heat facility by use of a carburetion system which employs at least a pair of spaced apart venturi positioned in series proximate one to another such that a first exhaust recycled gas venturi is upstream of a fuel venturi where fuel and air/exhaust gas are admixed prior to the resultant gas being introduced into a turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: CHAPEAU, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Sorter, Gerald H. Dorn
  • Patent number: 6457467
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes sensing speed or an internal combustion engine that includes a manifold coupled to an air pathway and a gaseous fuel line, sensing manifold pressure, and sensing manifold temperature. Air mass flow rate is determined as a function of the sensed engine spaced, manifold pressure, and manifold temperature. Fuel mass flow rate in the fuel line is sensed and fuel is controlled through the fuel line in accordance with the air mass flow rate and the fuel mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff S. O'Neill, Martin A. Iwamuro, John A. Connally, Matthew S. Carroll, Jim A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 6041765
    Abstract: Engine (60) has manifold (62) and includes an air pathway (20) and a fuel line (30) coupled to the manifold (62) for supplying a fuel charge. Fuel line (30) has a controllable valve (40) for regulating fuel flow and a first sensor (38) providing a fuel signal corresponding to mass flow rate of fuel through the fuel line. A second sensor (65) provides a speed signal corresponding to rotational speed of the engine. A third sensor (63) provides a temperature signal corresponding to temperature within the manifold. A fourth sensor (64) provides a pressure signal corresponding to pressure within the manifold. A fifth sensor (76) provides an exhaust signal corresponding to air/fuel ratio for combusted air and fuel in the exhaust pathway. A controller (80) responsive to the controllable valve (40) and sensors (38), (63), (64), (65), and (76) determines an air signal corresponding to the mass flow rate of air through the air pathway (20) as a function of the speed signal, temperature signal, and pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff S. O'Neill, Martin A. Iwamuro, John A. Connally, Matthew S. Carroll, Jim A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 5904131
    Abstract: Engine (60) has manifold (62) and includes an air pathway (20) and a fuel line (30) coupled to the manifold (62) for supplying a fuel charge. Fuel line (30) has a controllable valve (40) for regulating fuel flow and a first sensor (38) providing a fuel signal corresponding to mass flow rate of fuel through the fuel line. A second sensor (65) provides a speed signal corresponding to rotational speed of the engine. A third sensor (63) provides a temperature signal corresponding to temperature within the manifold. A fourth sensor (64) provides a pressure signal corresponding to pressure within the manifold. A fifth sensor (76) provides an exhaust signal corresponding to air/fuel ratio for combusted air and fuel in the exhaust pathway. A controller (80) responsive to the controllable valve (40) and sensors (38), (63), (64), (65), and (76) determines an air signal corresponding to the mass flow rate of air through the air pathway (20) as a function of the speed signal, temperature signal, and pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff S. O'Neill, Martin A. Iwamuro, John A. Connally, Matthew S. Carroll, Jim A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 5882514
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically treating a fluid comprising a magnetic cartridge arranged within a shell to define a fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet of the shell and having components for subjecting fluid in the passage to both turbulence and magnetic forces. The magnetic cartridge comprises magnetic discs and may define either or both a central passage and an annular passage through the shell. The annular passage may be further defined by a spiral coil for accelerating the fluid, and the coil and the surface of the cartridge may be made of catalytic metals for enhancing the fuel treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5791145
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine can include a fuel molecular weight sensor to determine an actual and a desired Excess Air Ratio for an air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. To prevent engine overload, the control system limits the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based on the amount of air available to the engine. High pressure exhaust gas can drive an air compressor which pressurizes inlet air. A exhaust bypass valve controls the amount of power delivered to the compressor, and the pressure and amount of inlet air delivered to the engine. Independent control of the main fuel flow and pilot fuel flow allows the control system to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio in the main combustion chamber and in the precombustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Patent number: 5622053
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine can include a fuel molecular weight sensor to determine an actual and a desired Excess Air Ratio for an air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. To prevent engine overload, the control system limits the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based on the amount of air available to the engine. High pressure exhaust gas can drive an air compressor which pressurizes inlet air. A exhaust bypass valve controls the amount of power delivered to the compressor, and the pressure and amount of inlet air delivered to the engine. Independent control of the main fuel flow and pilot fuel flow allows the control system to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio in the main combustion chamber and in the precombustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Freen
  • Patent number: 5526797
    Abstract: Modifications to the cylinder head of internal combustion engines in which the efficiency of fuel combustion is raised by the use of a plurality of liquid, vaporized liquid, and gaseous fuels through the alteration of cylinder compression ratios and spark timing to burn those fuels. It has been demonstrated that certain fuels have salient advantages under specified engine speed and load conditions, and in selected enviroments and vehicle applications, but that no single fuel is capable of excelling in all potential application scenarios. Burning each of these fuels efficiently has required engine specifications optimized to a single fuel or fuel state, such as compression ratio, intake tract design, electronic fuel injector duration and timing, and spark timing curves, which have been severely compromised when they were required to cope with the demands of a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Richard A. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5408978
    Abstract: A mixer (10) for entraining gaseous fuel into an airstream for induction into an internal combustion engine (12) having a turbocharger (13). The mixer has a housing (16) mounted to a conduit (14) between the turbocharger and the engine. The mixer also has a control ring (32) mounted to the housing that has an annular array of holes (39) through which gaseous fuel, from a supply of gaseous fuel coupled to the housing, is introduced into the airstream passing through the mixer and into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Davis Family Trust
    Inventor: Robby E. Davis
  • Patent number: 5390646
    Abstract: An air-fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine in which fuel, such as natural gas, is stored in a fuel tank as a cryogenic liquid, and in which supply air is compressed. The charge air is intercooled to increase its density and, therefore, engine performance. Heat from the intercooling process is utilized to vaporize the liquid natural gas fuel. Heat exchange from the charge air to the liquid natural gas is accomplished with a phase changing heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid boils at the intercooler and condenses at the fuel vaporizer to give precise temperature control at the intercooler surfaces without frost build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Swenson
  • Patent number: 5375582
    Abstract: A combined LNG vaporizer and engine to aftercooler coolant heat exchanger 72 is provided for use in maintaining vaporized gas fuel at a design temperature band within the charged combustion air temperature so as to automatically compensate for ambient air and fuel density variations to more accurately maintain a combustible stoichiometric mixture of vaporized LNG and combustion air during periods of engine idling or low power operation or during periods of extreme cold or extreme hot ambient air conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: MK Rail Corporation
    Inventor: Burnell P. Wimer
  • Patent number: 5172753
    Abstract: An automobile heating system includes a turbocharger driven by the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and a shaft of the turbocharger is coupled to a compressor for compressing and heating ambient air to provide a heated air source for supply into the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a source of air for turbocharging the intake manifold of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Prasad S. Kadle, Mohinder S. Bhatti
  • Patent number: 4769995
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio controller for a gaseous-fueled, turbocharged engine having an air manifold, a gas manifold, and a turbine inlet is disclosed herein. The controller includes means for controlling air manifold pressure and means for controlling turbine inlet temperature. The means for controlling air manifold pressure includes means for providing an air manifold pressure set point signal based on gas manifold pressure and engine RPM's and at least one constant input. The means for controlling turbine inlet temperature includes means for modulating the slope of the set point signal for the air manifold pressure controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Cooper Industries
    Inventors: J. Vincent Serve, David W. Eckard
  • Patent number: 4523548
    Abstract: A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described, which generally comprises means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which a given amount of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, has means for combining the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel with air to produce the mechanical energy therefrom necessary to move the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
    Inventors: Larry J. Engel, John W. Turko
  • Patent number: 4522159
    Abstract: A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described which generally comprises on-board means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The on-board storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The conveying means is adapted to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the on-board storing means from a stationary source of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and also to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the combining means of the prime mover during the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Michigan Consolidated Gas Co.
    Inventors: Larry J. Engel, John W. Turko
  • Patent number: 4496286
    Abstract: A control system for a compressor unit driven by a clean-burn, turbo-charged, gas-fueled engine which is primarily responsive to the load (torque) and the speed of the engine to adjust certain engine parameters to maintain the operating conditions of the engine within a desirable operating zone which is a compromise or "trade-off" between best fuel economy and permissible exhaust emission levels. A number of "maps" which correlate load (torque) at various speeds with specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are derived from available manufacturer's data and are programmed into a central processing unit (CPU).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: J-W Operating Company
    Inventor: James J. Gagnon
  • Patent number: 4471742
    Abstract: A fuel supply control method for electronically controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine equipped with a supercharger. Pressure in the intake passage downstream of a throttle valve arranged therein is detected by first and second pressure sensor means, whereas a plurality of predetermined values of basic fuel quantity are stored in each of first and second storage means corresponding, respectively, to the first and second pressure sensor means, which are functions of the intake passage pressure and the engine rpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kishi
  • Patent number: 4440137
    Abstract: A liquid and supplemental gas fuel supply system for an I.C. engine, and in particular a diesel cycle engine, includes a gas fuel control valve that meters supplemental gas fuel into the engine intake air stream in response to engine air flow using a direct air flow responsive member to control a gas valve through a lost motion connection. The position of the gas valve is moreover controllable by a separate throttle position responsive control system that moves the gas valve towards closed position as the throttle approaches the closed or idle position, and holds the gas valve closed until the throttle has moved away from the closed or idle position. The separate control motion of the gas valve is independent from the motion of the air flow responsive member and does not restrict or interfere with the movement of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Propane Carburetion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lagano, William H. Batchelor