Safety Device (e.g., Cutoff) Patents (Class 123/529)
  • Patent number: 11838704
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and a system for managing LNG distributed terminal based on IoT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU PUHUIDAO SMART ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lin Fu
  • Patent number: 11415067
    Abstract: A control system and method for a multi-fuel generator engine are mainly applied to multi-fuel generator products. The control system comprises a controller, a first signal input terminal, a second signal input terminal, a third signal input terminal, and an output terminal connected to an ignition device of a generator engine. When the third signal input terminal of the controller receives a generator engine start signal and either the first signal input terminal or the second signal input terminal receives a signal corresponding to an on state of the corresponding valve assembly, the controller controls the ignition device to ignite. According to control system and method, the controller detects signals corresponding to the states of the two fuel valve assemblies to determine whether or not fuels are normally supplied, so that operating instabilities or faults caused by synchronous supply of two fuels to the generator engine are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG YAOFENG POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rutang Xie, Xiang Chen, Jianxiong Zhu, Bin Sun
  • Patent number: 10914401
    Abstract: A CNG leak detection system has a plurality of CNG tanks. A plurality of control valve mechanisms, equal in number to the plurality of CNG tanks, is coupled with each CNG tank. A sensor is coupled with each control valve mechanism. The sensor monitors the CNG in the tank. A processor is electrically coupled with the sensor. A display is coupled with the processor to display the sensed condition of at least one desired tank of the plurality of tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Nitesh Shroff, Brian H. Ham, Stanley Maroney
  • Patent number: 10113510
    Abstract: A valve (1) controlling flow of methane gas in automotive systems includes a feed duct (30) of the gas to the delivery duct (20); having a by-pass duct (32) delimited by a by-pass duct (34) internal to the tank duct (6), to limit the overall dimensions in the attachment area to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: OMB SALERI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paride Saleri
  • Patent number: 10040564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing an input device are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for managing an input device for an aerial vehicle. The method includes determining, by one or more controllers, whether a signal from the input device is indeterminate for more than a first threshold period of time. When the signal from the input device is indeterminate for more than the first threshold period of time, the method continues. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, a last valid signal from the input device. When the last valid signal from the input device is ON, the method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, whether a high pressure shut-off valve (HPSOV) is closed within a second threshold period of time. When the last valid signal from the input device is ON and when the HPSOV is closed, the method includes changing a position of the input device in a logic of the one or more controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Hirn, Michael A. Clawson
  • Patent number: 9732689
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel system configured to deliver a gaseous fuel to an engine. While the engine is shutdown, diagnostic routines may be performed to identify fuel system leaks or breaches. When the engine is subsequently restarted, fuel rail pre-priming is adjusted based on the presence of fuel system leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Jamie Terence Slaymaker, Andrew Paul Chee Aun Wong, Adam Nolan, Phuoc (Bui) Buiquang, Michael Lanksch
  • Patent number: 9194354
    Abstract: A fuel gas supplying and filling system for a fuel gas consuming unit, capable of using a supply passage in both filling and supplying operations and improving the airtightness and reliability of a fill passage. A high-pressure tank and a fuel gas consuming unit are connected to each other by a supply passage, and an electromagnetic pressure regulating valve is provided on the supply passage. An electromagnetic on-off valve is provided between the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve and the high-pressure tank. A fill passage is connected to a portion of the supply passage, the portion being located between the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve and the electromagnetic on-off valve. The fill passage is configured such that the high-pressure fuel gas can be supplied through a filling opening. When the high-pressure fuel gas is introduced to a downstream side of the electromagnetic on-off valve, the electromagnetic on-off valve opens the supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Ninomiya, Kaoru Nomichi, Yutaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9133783
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel system configured to deliver a gaseous fuel to an engine. While the engine is shutdown, diagnostic routines may be performed to identify fuel system leaks or breaches. When the engine is subsequently restarted, fuel rail pre-priming is adjusted based on the presence of fuel system leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Terence Slaymaker, Andrew Paul Chee Aun Wong, Adam Nolan, Phuoc Bui Buiquang, Michael Lanksch
  • Patent number: 8967123
    Abstract: Provided is a shut-off valve fault diagnosis device that performs fault diagnosis of a first shut-off valve that is disposed immediately after a gaseous fuel tank and a second shut-off valve that is disposed immediately before a regulator in a gaseous fuel supply system. The shut-off valve fault diagnosis device includes a diagnosis processing unit that performs a valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, performs a valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve after a predetermined time has passed since the valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, and performs fault diagnosis of the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve based on a variation tendency in a fuel pressure between the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve after performing the valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Saito, Takayuki Shimatsu
  • 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: 8678023
    Abstract: A damage detection system includes an electromagnetic valve that is provided at a first end of a pressure vessel and operated by supplied electric power, a harness that is disposed so as to at least partially extend along at least a part of a bottom surface of the pressure vessel and that serves to supply electric power to the electromagnetic valve, and a damage detector for detecting damage of the pressure vessel based on an input of a pressing force from the bottom surface side of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Yahashi, Tsukuo Ishitoya
  • Patent number: 8560212
    Abstract: In a method for generating an internal combustion engine configured to run on both a gas fuel and a liquid fuel, the shutoff valve of the gas injection system is initially closed, the engine is then operated with the liquid fuel, and subsequently all gas injection valves of the gas injection system are opened in a predefined pattern while the shutoff valve is still closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Kratt, Juergen Foerster, Christian Mengler, Thorsten Allgeier, Rudolf Moz, Winfried Langer, Jens Thurso
  • Patent number: 8490604
    Abstract: An engine fuel feeding device that is small-sized and easy to start. A cutoff valve is disposed upstream from a primary regulator provided to a fuel passage from a fuel feeding source to an engine. The cutoff valve is provided integrally with the primary regulator. When the gas engine is stopped, the fuel feeding passage is blocked in front of the primary regulator, gas fuel does not flow in the downstream direction that includes the primary regulator, and the ability of the gas engine to start is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kojima, Masanori Fujinuma, Haruo Tsusaka, Tsukasa Ebisudani
  • Publication number: 20100108038
    Abstract: A fuel feeding control device of a compressed natural gas engine, may include a plurality of storage containers storing compressed natural gas (CNG) and respectively having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, a plurality of safety valves respectively connected to the fuel outlet of each storage container, a first line connecting each safety valve to the engine and guiding a flow of the CNG supplied from the respective storage container to the engine, a first valve located adjacent to the storage containers in the first line and controlling a supply of the CNG to the engine, a key switch unit detecting key-on/key-off states, and a controller generating opening/closing signals of the first valve according to the key-on/key-off states, wherein the storage containers are arranged so that the safety valves disposed at each fuel outlet of adjacent storage containers are positioned in opposite locations each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Wan KANG
  • Patent number: 7654250
    Abstract: An engine-start is inhibited when a gas engine is tilted, and the engine is immediately stopped. A shutoff valve (21) is provided on a liquefied fuel passage (15) supplying a liquefied fuel to a vaporizing chamber (14) from a cylinder (16). The shutoff valve (21) is provided with a diaphragm (28) to which a pulsation pressure of a crank chamber (4) is applied, and opens the liquefied fuel passage (15) if a negative pressure is applied to the diaphragm (28). A tilting shutoff valve (39) is provided in a pressure passage (34) transmitting the pulsation pressure to the shutoff valve (21). The tilting shutoff valve (39) which has a ball valve releases the pulsation pressure of the crank chamber (4) to an atmospheric air. If the pulsation pressure is open to the atmospheric air, the diaphragm (28) can not operate. Accordingly, the liquefied fuel passage 15 is kept being shut off, and is rapidly shut off in response to the tilt during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Fujinuma, Eiichi Utsugi, Hiroaki Kojima
  • Patent number: 7546834
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for controlling operation of an engine. One example method includes delivering a gaseous fuel to the engine during a first operating range when an amount of stored gaseous fuel is greater than a threshold; and disabling the delivery of the gaseous fuel during the first operating range when the amount of stored gaseous fuel is less than the threshold and delivering a second fuel to operate the engine, yet continuing to deliver the gaseous fuel to start the engine during a cold start even when the amount of stored gaseous fuel is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 7383827
    Abstract: A fuel pump noise reducing apparatus and a methods for a Liquefied Petroleum Injection (LPI) vehicle stops fuel provision by shutting off valves if a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) switch is turned off. Also, operation of a fuel pump is stopped by allowing an Interface Box (IFB) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to turn off a relay and by insulating battery power provided to the fuel pump, thereby resulting in a reduction of noise and engine output consumption generated from unnecessary operation of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Shin
  • Patent number: 7337798
    Abstract: A gas line (120) for supplying hydrogen gas and a harness (110) for supplying power to an electromagnetic valve are connected to an electromagnetic valve mechanism (200). The length of the harness (110) from a connecting member (111) to a fastener (160) is denoted by the letter “n” and the length of the gas line (120) from a connecting member (121) to a fastener (170) is denoted by the letter “m” (n<m). During a vehicle collision, a hydrogen gas tank (100) moves, placing tension on the harness (110) and the gas line (120). The tension causes both the harness (110) and the gas line (120) to stretch. The limit value of the stretch amount of the harness (110), which is shorter between the connecting member and the fastener, is low such that the harness (110) will break before the gas line (120) is damaged. As a result, power to the electromagnetic valve mechanism (200) is cut off and the electromagnetic valve closes before the gas line (120) is damaged, thus preventing a gas leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shozo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7322345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stuck-open failure detection system for a gas-fuel injection valve adapted to inject or supply gas fuel into/to a combustion chamber of an engine, which comprises: a shutoff value interposed in a fuel supply passage fluidically connected to the gas-fuel injection valve, at a position upstream of the gas-fuel injection valve, and adapted to supply gas fuel to the gas-fuel injection valve in its open state; an open/close controller for controllably opening and closing the shutoff value; a pressure detector for detecting a pressure in a region of the fuel supply passage between the gas-fuel injection valve and the shutoff value; and a stuck-open failure detector for detecting a stuck-open failure that the gas-fuel injection valve is stuck in the open state, based on a pressure change detected by the pressure detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Saito, Hiroyasu Uchida, Yasushi Fujikawa
  • 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: 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: 7059276
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus reduces fuel vaporization and leakage the positions of vaporization and leakage and their amount in the fuel tank and the fuel pipe is detected properly in case of 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 heat or cools the fuel pipe leading the low boiling point fuel stored in the fuel storing container to the engine. A flow rate controlling apparatus adjusts 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: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Minoru Oosuga, Kinya Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 7000602
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Cullen, Gopichandra Sumilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6988489
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve protecting apparatus for an LPG injection type engine operates when an excessive current passes through the fuel injection valve, or when an abnormality of the fuel injection valve occurs. An electrical fuse is inserted in a driving current supply line of the fuel injection valve. An electronic control apparatus has an abnormality diagnostic unit to detect any abnormality of the fuel injection valve by monitoring a check signal sent back from a fuel injection valve driving circuit, to thereby close a fuel shutoff valve and shut off the liquefied petroleum gas. Relief valves are connected in parallel between a petroleum gas supply line and an intake manifold so as to directly discharge any petroleum gas in the petroleum gas supply line into the intake manifold when the pressure difference between the petroleum gas supply line and the intake manifold reaches a set differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Kazuo Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6918370
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus reduces the fuel vaporization and leakage by means that the positions of vaporization and leakage and their amount in the fuel tank and the fuel pipe is detected properly in case of 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 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Minoru Oosuga, Kinya Nakatsu
  • Publication number: 20040244778
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve protecting apparatus in an LPG injection type engine is disclosed which operates when an excessive current passes through a fuel injection valve, or when an abnormality of the fuel injection valve occurs. Also disclosed is a fuel pressure increase preventing apparatus which can release an excessive pressure of petroleum gas so as to avoid a failure in parts of the engine and an engine malfunction. An electrical fuse is inserted in a driving current supply line of a fuel injection valve. An electronic control apparatus has an abnormality diagnostic means incorporated therein to detect an abnormality of the fuel injection valve by monitoring a check signal sent back from a fuel injection valve driving circuit, to thereby close a fuel shutoff valve and shut off the liquefied petroleum gas supplied to a vaporizer from a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Kazuo Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20040045539
    Abstract: In a gaseous fuel supply apparatus with a shut-off valve, the valve includes a valve housing provided in a gas flow unit for supplying gaseous fuel from a fuel tank to a combustion engine, a seal member surrounding a valve port between a first port connecting to the tank and a second port connecting the engine in the housing, a valve member movable between a closed position at which the valve member is in contact with the seal member to close the valve port and an open position at which the valve member separates from the seal member to open the valve port, and a drive unit for driving the movement of the valve member by electromagnetic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Katakura Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Furuta, Masanori Yamashita, Keiji Akashi, Susumu Oneyama, Shou To
  • Publication number: 20030230289
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus reduces the fuel vaporization and leakage by means that the positions of vaporization and leakage and their amount in the fuel tank and the fuel pipe is detected properly in case of 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Minoru Oosuga, Kinya Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 6568375
    Abstract: A vehicle gaseous fuel supply system includes a high pressure filter, a primary pressure-reducing valve, a solenoid cut-off valve, safety means, and a secondary pressure-reducing valve. A regulator is formed by disposing the high pressure filter, the solenoid cut-off valve, and the primary pressure-reducing valve on a common regulator body that has a passage providing a connection between the high pressure filter and the solenoid cut-off valve, a passage providing a connection between the solenoid cut-off valve and the primary pressure-reducing valve, and an exit passage having one end connected to the primary pressure-reducing valve. Between the safety means and the secondary pressure-reducing valve which are connected to the other end of the exit passage, at least the secondary pressure-reducing valve has its valve housing formed as a body separate from the regulator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Ishikawa, Youji Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6467466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that can detect even small amounts of gas leakage and can perform a proper fail-safe operation when gas leakage is detected. When an engine is stopped and a gas shut-off valve is closed, the amount of decrease of gas pressure is calculated by comparing initial gas pressure with the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time, to detect gas leakage. In one embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the amount of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. In another embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the rate of decrease of gas pressure from the initial gas pressure to the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time. In a further embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the rate of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. Further, when gas leakage is detected, the gas shut-off valve is closed and a warning is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Maekawa, Takahiro Aki, Kohei Igarashi, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6427670
    Abstract: A first cutoff valve 24 and a second cutoff valve 41 are closed in a state in which an internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, and a reducing amount of a pressure P0 in a high pressure passageway 11 after the passage of a predetermined decision time T0 and a reducing amount of a pressure P2 in a low pressure passageway 12 after the passage of a predetermined decision time T2 are measured. When the reducing amount of the first pressure P0 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reducing amount &Dgr;P0, it is decided that a leakage is generated in the high pressure passageway 11. When the reducing amount of the second pressure P2 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reducing amount &Dgr;P2, it is decided that a leakage is generated in the low pressure passageway 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Goto, Shusuke Akazaki, Hideharu Yamazaki, Yoshihito Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6401698
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel gas supply system includes, a fuel line supplying a fuel gas to a gas engine, a shut-off valve and a pressure sensor disposed on said fuel line, and a control section. The pressure sensor is disposed closer to the gas engine in comparison with the shut-off valve. The control section closes the shut-off valve based on a failure diagnostic signal, calculates a pressure drop rate based on pressure information taken in from the pressure sensor after the closure of the shut-off valve and an elapsed time, and judges that the shut-off valve is in a failure state when the pressure drop rate so calculated is smaller than a predetermined pressure drop rate threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideharu Yamazaki, Shusuke Akazaki, Akifumi Otaka, Hiroyuki Goto
  • Patent number: 6390075
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel gas supply system includes a fuel line supplying a fuel gas to a gas engine, a shut-off valve and a pressure sensor disposed on said fuel line, and a control section. The pressure sensor is disposed closer to said gas engine in comparison with said shut-off valve. The control section closes the shut-off valve being opened, starts to count the time of a shut-off valve closing timer. Then, the control section opens the shut-off vale when the shut-off valve closing timer counts up, simultaneously therewith measures a pressure by the pressure sensor to store the pressure as an initial pressure, and starting to count the time of a diagnostic timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideharu Yamazaki, Shusuke Akazaki, Akifumi Otaka, Hiroyuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20010032628
    Abstract: A first cutoff valve 24 and a second cutoff valve 41 are closed in a state in which an internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, and a reducing amount of a pressure P0 in a high pressure passageway 11 after the passage of a predetermined decision time T0 and a reducing amount of a pressure P2 in a low pressure passageway 12 after the passage of a predetermined decision time T2 are measured. When the reducing amount of the first pressure P0 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reducing amount &Dgr;P0, it is decided that a leakage is generated in the high pressure passageway 11. When the reducing amount of the second pressure P2 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reducing amount &Dgr;P2, it is decided that a leakage is generated in the low pressure passageway 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Goto, Shusuke Akazaki, Hideharu Yamazaki, Yoshihito Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6257210
    Abstract: A CNG fueling system includes a plurality of CNG tanks for storing compressed natural gas, a supply pipe for connecting the tanks to a combustion chamber of a internal combustion engine, valves provided in the supply pipe, a low pressure regulator for regulating low pressure, and a gas mass sensor for sensing the mass of the gas. The CNG fueling system further includes a lubricant drainage device connected with the low pressure regulator for draining lubricant that has infiltrated into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yu-Kyeom Kim
  • Patent number: 6240910
    Abstract: A compressed natural gas-fueled automotive vehicle is disclosed in which the fail-safe control operation is performed thereby to secure the safety of the vehicle when the gas pressure drops. If the remaining amount of the gas is very small, an engine misfire occurs. If the catalyst temperature is high, the uncombusted gas begins to burn on contact with the high-temperature catalyst in the catalyst unit. In view of this, upon detection of both a gas pressure drop and the vehicle moving condition or upon detection of both a gas pressure drop and an increased catalyst temperature, the fuel supply is stopped or the vehicle speed is reduced to thereby reduce the catalyst temperature. As a result, uncombusted gas is not burnt in the catalyst unit and the catalyst unit is prevented from being destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki, Toyota Technical Center
    Inventors: Masahiro Maekawa, Kohei Igarashi, Hiroki Matsuoka, John Stephen Viggers
  • Patent number: 6223714
    Abstract: Switching off a fuel pump of a fuel supply system for the internal combustion engine with the aid of a signal from a retardation sensor of the airbag in the event of a crash in which the motor vehicle is involved is known. To further enhance the safety of motor-vehicle occupants, a method is proposed for an internal combustion engine which has at least one fuel injection valve, a fuel supply system for the at least one fuel injection valve, and a sensor for detecting a crash. After the crash has been detected by means of the sensor, the fuel injection valve is brought into an open position, with the result that fuel is discharged from the fuel supply system of the fuel injection valve into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The method according to the invention is provided for internal combustion engines with at least one fuel injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Anderson, Gunter Karl, Rudolf Klein, Stephan Kramer, Peter Lautenschutz, Johannes Leweux, Christoph Lux, Gregor Renner, Klaus Rossler, Matthias Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6196205
    Abstract: A fuel control system for delivering gaseous fuel from a source to a gas-operated engine that includes a normally open electronic control valve connected between the fuel source and the engine, and responsive to electronic valve control signals for variably closing connection between the source and the engine. An electronic control unit supplies the electronic valve control signals responsive to engine operation. The electronic control unit includes facility for responding to termination of engine operation by automatically generating a valve control signal to hold the valve fully closed for a preselected time duration. This preselected time duration preferably includes a fixed minimum time duration and a user-programmable additional valve closure time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Frank A. Volker
  • Patent number: 6189517
    Abstract: A pressurized fuel tank maintains fuel in its liquid phase and is connected to a fuel pump providing fuel to an accumulator. Control valves control fuel flow to injectors feeding fuel to combustion cylinders. When the engine is shut down, one way check valves connected between the control valves and the injectors close to seal the injectors from the control valves; and at the same time, a dump valve opens to connect the injectors to an adsorber device while an air inlet valve also opens to connect the adsorber device to the engine air inlet. When the engine is restarted, the check valves open and the dump valve and air inlet valve close. Subsequently, a purge valve opens to connect the adsorber device to a source of purge air, while the air inlet valve opens simultaneously. A purge process then occurs, whereupon the purge valve and air inlet valve simultaneously close, and the engine operates with the dump valve, the air inlet valve and the purge valve in closed position until the engine shuts down again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. McCandless
  • Patent number: 6142128
    Abstract: A device for the control of the delivery of the gas in self-propulsion gas systems, in methane gas systems in particular. The system includes a gas cylinder under high pressure, a pipeline which conveys the gas from the cylinder to the engine and devices for controlling the flow and pressure of the gas in the pipeline. A device includes a manual valve or cock (18) per cylinder, at least one pressure reducing valve (19) and one solenoid valve (20), which are integrated into one unit (16), which has a body with channels for the gas between an inlet (I) of the gas under high pressure and an outlet (U) for the gas under the desired reduced pressure. The unit is attached, as a single entity, at the inlet, to the cylinder, and, at the outlet, to the gas pipeline directed towards the engine to be fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: EMER S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Gobbi
  • Patent number: 6044806
    Abstract: A method of detecting leakage through a gaseous fuel admission valve of a dual fuel engine including at least one such gaseous fuel admission valve and a gaseous fuel shut off valve includes determining a liquid fuel rate when the engine is operating in a liquid fuel mode and the gaseous fuel shut off valve is closed. The gaseous fuel shut off valve is thereafter opened while the engine is operating in the liquid fuel mode. A liquid fuel rate is determined after the gaseous fuel shut off valve is opened and the liquid fuel rate determined before opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve is compared with the liquid fuel rate determined after opening of the gaseous fuel shut off valve. A detonation level within the engine cylinder may also be checked to determine if such detonation level exceeds a predetermined level indicative of gaseous fuel leakage. The detonation level check may also be utilized in a spark-ignited engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Patent number: 6041762
    Abstract: The controls for controlling the supply of natural gas fuel for a vehicle are integrated together in a module which is located at the gas tank. Such controls include a high pressure regulator for lowering the pressure of the gas flowing from the tank and an electronically controlled solenoid valve which shuts off the gas flow when no fuel is required by the engine and when the gas pressure in the tank falls below a predetermined value. Also included in the module are a pressure sensor for providing signals for controlling the shutoff valve; a check valve which permits one way flow of gas into the gas tank when it is filled; a pressure relief mechanism responsive to the temperature and pressure sensors for allowing safe release of the gas to the outside should the temperature rise above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: IMPCO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neel Sirosh, Syed Hussain, Eric G Adler, David Marley
  • Patent number: 6009860
    Abstract: A method for responding to detection of an open fault condition in a gaseous fuel admission valve for providing a flow of gaseous fuel to an affected combustion cylinder of an engine, the engine including at least one other gaseous fuel admission valve for providing a flow of gaseous fuel to at least one other combustion cylinder, a gaseous fuel shut off valve for controlling gaseous fuel flow from a source of gaseous fuel to a gaseous fuel manifold in communication with the gaseous fuel admission valve, and apparatus for causing ignition of a mixture of the gaseous fuel and air in each combustion cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Patent number: 5829418
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank having a resin liner. The fuel tank is constructed so as to withstand refueling of compressed gaseous fuel. Fuel filled in the fuel tank is supplied to the engine through a fuel supply passage. When the pressure within the fuel tank drops below a predetermined value, the supply of fuel to the engine is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Tamura, Kazuo Takeuchi, Fumihiro Yamaguchi, Hajime Endo, Kenichiro Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 5809970
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is fueled with a controlled mixture of natural gas and air which mixture is regulated by a regulator responsive to an electronic controller. In the event of a system failure with the electronic controller shutting down, a backup regulator automatically bypasses the normal regulator to provide temporary operation with a predetermined acceptable constant gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Impco Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Smith, David E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5755210
    Abstract: In a fuel discharge preventive device of a gas engine, in order to prevent high-pressure gaseous fuel remaining in a fuel distributing pipe when an engine is stopped, from leaking out of a gaseous fuel injection valve to be discharged to the open air, a fuel shut-off valve is provided in a fuel feed passage through which gaseous fuel is fed to the gaseous fuel injection valve, and a suction passage communicating with a gaseous fuel storing portion is branched off from the fuel feed passage between the gaseous fuel injection valve and the fuel shut-off valve, so that the gaseous fuel in a potion of the fuel feed passage located between the gaseous fuel injection valve and the fuel shut-off valve is stored in the gaseous fuel storing portion after the engine is stopped and hence the fuel shut-off valve is closed, while the stored fuel is purged to the engine when the engine is being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignees: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Sato, Kazuhiro Yoneshige, Kazusato Kasuya, Kichiro Kato, Masahiko Masubuchi
  • Patent number: 5701928
    Abstract: A leak compressed fuel gas discharging device in an automobile having a compressed fuel gas tank arranged within a shut-up compartment such as a trunk room is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5690078
    Abstract: In order to increase the safety of an injection system in an internal combustion engine operating on self-igniting liquefied gas as a fuel, especially after the engine has been switched off, the proposal is put forward that at least one pressurized part of the injection system be depressurized by means of a shut-down device, the latter including at least one pressure relief line which is controlled by at least one valve and opens into a tank with a low pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: AVL Gesellschaft Fur Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Messtechnik mbH. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans List
    Inventor: Herwig Ofner
  • Patent number: 5611316
    Abstract: A fuel supply mechanism for a gas combustion engine has a tank filled with a gas fuel, a fuel injector having a fuel injection valve mounted on the gas combustion engine, a pipe for supplying the gas fuel from the tank to the fuel injector, a gas fuel cutoff valve in the pipe for cutting off the gas fuel flowing through the pipe, a gas fuel state detector for detecting a state of the gas fuel, and a control unit responsive to a detected signal from the gas fuel state detector for controlling the gas fuel cutoff valve and the fuel injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Oshima, Atsushi Kato, Mitsuru Ikeo, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kazuhiro Ueda, Katsunori Nakamura, Ryuichi Noseyama, Kenichiro Ishibashi, Shigeru Aoki
  • Patent number: RE41262
    Abstract: On-off valve intended to be arranged at the outlet of the gas accumulation reservoir in an electronic gas injection system for an internal combustion engine, presenting a valve member made of metallic material, co-operating with a valve seat made in a body, which is also made of metallic material, to ensure the good quality of tightness in all operative temperature and pressure conditions, with prolonged reliability in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco