Fuel Only Patents (Class 123/541)
-
Patent number: 6227173Abstract: Fuel line arrangement for a liquefied petroleum gas fuel injection system, and method. A fuel supply line provides flow between a fuel tank and a plurality of fuel injectors, and a fuel return line returns a portion of the supply fuel to the tank. The supply line is positioned within the return line so that return fuel substantially surrounds the supply line. Liquefied petroleum gas is vaporized within the return line under certain conditions, thereby cooling supply fuel. A novel Y-connector and bushing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Bi-Phase Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: David E. Bennett
-
Patent number: 6216675Abstract: Apparatus for condensing return fuel in a fuel tank. The condenser comprises an elongated body having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with a fuel return line. A plurality of vent holes are spaced along the length of the body and communicated with the passage. The vent holes are sloped along the length of the passage so that gaseous fuel will tend to first exit vent holes toward a distal end of the passage. Both single and multiple passage condensers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Bi-Phase Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: David E. Bennett
-
Patent number: 6189508Abstract: A method of injecting fuel in multicylinder engines. A fuel pre-pressure is generated to be converted within acceleration pipes by opening controlled shutoff valves and recirculating fuel to a fuel pump inlet. The fuel under pre-pressure is conveyed via a fuel pump into a pre-pressure common rail common to several engine cylinders. This pre-pressure is only a fraction of the required injection pressure. When the pre-pressure is exceeded, fuel is fed from the pre-pressure common rail, via pressure-limiting valves, into a return common rail common to several engine cylinders. The shutting off of the shutoff valves provokes a steep rise of fuel pressure, due to a water hammer effect. This produces a high-pressure wave since the closed shutoff valve supplies high pressure for fuel injection through the respective injection nozzle associated with the shutoff valve. One acceleration pipe is used for every shutoff valve between the pre-pressure common rail and the return common rail.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Forschungs- und Transferzentrum e.V. an der westsächsischen Hochschule ZwickauInventor: Cornel Stan
-
Patent number: 6176259Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for venting a fuel tank including a canister containing an absorbent for fuel fumes, a sensor for detecting the filling of the fuel tank and emitting a signal based thereon, a first connection line for connecting the canister with the fuel tank and having a sufficient size to permit the free flow of gases from the fuel tank during filling of the fuel tank, the first connection line including a first valve operable between an open position and a closed position, the first valve normally being in the closed position and being actuatable into the open position by the signal thereby permitting the free flow of gas from the fuel tank through the first connection line during filling, a second connection line for connecting the canister with the fuel tank and connected to the first connection line between the first valve and the canister, the second connection line including a second valve including at least one restrictor for substantially limiting the flow of gases therethrough as compared tType: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar ABInventors: Bo Harde, Lars Greger, Hussein Bakir
-
Patent number: 6062176Abstract: A multicylinder, two-stroke, radial, internal combustion engine employs a multi-blade positive-displacement pump for pressurizing a mixture of air/fuel/lubricant supplied to a plurality of cooperating cylinders. One of the pistons is connected to a master connecting rod which bears a plurality of crank pins respectively connected to the connecting rods of the other piston/cylinder assemblies of the multicylinder engine. The exhaust gases from the plurality of cooperating cylinders are collected in a common annular exhaust manifold and quietly emitted therefrom through a single exhaust port in a downward direction. A multibladed, positive-displacement pump draws an air/fuel/lubricant mixture from a carburetor through an annular volute which promotes fuel evaporation and supplies a pressurized intake flow to the cylinders via a single shared crankcase.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Inventor: Lee Berger
-
Patent number: 6058901Abstract: The cylinders (12; 48, 50) are disposed such that each piston-cylinder axis (16; 56, 58) does not intersect the crankshaft axis (20; 47). Timing of combustion within each cylinder is controlled to cause maximum combustion pressure to occur when an imaginary plane that contains both a respective connection axis (28; 66, 70) of a respective connecting rod (24; 62, 64) to the respective piston (14; 52, 54) and a respective connection axis (30; 68, 72) of the connecting rod to a respective throw of the crankshaft is substantially coincident with the respective cylinder axis along which the piston reciprocates. In a V-type engine the axes of those cylinders in a respective bank are disposed in a respective imaginary plane (76; 78) forming a respective side of a V.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chun Liang Lee
-
Patent number: 6024074Abstract: A method of fueling an engine (92) of a vehicle having a fuel storage tank (70) is accomplished by providing a liquid fuel for fueling the engine (92). The fuel is cooled to reduced temperatures substantially less than ambient temperature so that the volume of the fuel is reduced. The fuel is stored in the storage tank (70) while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures, with the reduced volume of the fuel thereby allowing more fuel to be held in the storage tank (70) and/or increasing the energy value of the fuel per unit volume. The fuel may be transferred from the storage tank (70) to the engine (92) while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures. The fuel may be cooled using either liquid nitrogen (76), or conventional mechanical refrigeration equipment (150).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Fuel DynamicsInventor: Terence Lee Koethe
-
Patent number: 6012434Abstract: A fuel system vapor separator has an outer housing member with a generally cylindrical internal wall and has two open opposed ends. A generally cylindrical inner housing member is fitted within the outer housing member and defines a sealed space between the two housing members. The housing members are sealingly closed at both ends. An inlet introduces fuel into the central region of the inner housing member while another inlet introduces a coolant fluid into the space defined between the outer and inner housing members for cooling the fuel. A float operated valve vents out fuel vapor accumulating within the inner housing member. The housing members are formed by an extrusion process such that they can be cut to various lengths depending upon the desired size of the assembled vapor separator.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Outboard Marine CorporationInventors: David Hartke, Richard P. Kolb
-
Patent number: 6009859Abstract: A fuel system for a fuel injected internal combustion engine has a liquid-cooled fuel pump which draws fuel from a liquid-vapor separator and delivers it under pressure to the engine at a rate higher than that necessary to operate the engine. Preferably, a fuel pressure regulator downstream of the fuel pump and adjacent the engine bypasses excess fuel to a return fuel chamber in communication with the liquid-cooled fuel pump to cool the return fuel before it is returned to the liquid-vapor separator. Reducing the temperature of the returned fuel before it is discharged into the liquid-vapor separator reduces the generation of vapor in the liquid-vapor separator thereby enabling use of a smaller, less expensive vapor separator. Reducing the amount of fuel vapor in the system is desirable because the fuel vapor can decrease the efficiency and life of the fuel pump and is environmentally hazardous.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Walbro CorporationInventors: Ronald H. Roche, Mark S. Swanson
-
Patent number: 6006729Abstract: An engine is mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle, and a cooling fan driven directly by the engine is disposed on the front of the engine. A fuel piping structure is located between an exhaust manifold and the cooling fan so that air from the fan passes over and cools the fuel piping structure, and carries the heat of the exhaust manifold rearwardly away from the fuel piping structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Shigeru Aoyama
-
Patent number: 5988265Abstract: A fuel cooler and coolant filter assembly for the filtering of coolant and the cooling of a fuel flow for use in connection with a cylinder head of a vehicle engine includes three primary components which are assembled to one another in a stacked configuration and which in turn are assembled to the cylinder head. These three primary components include a fuel cooler core which is assembled directly to the cylinder head and which includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a heat exchanger. The interior of the fuel cooler core is designed for the incoming fuel to flow and circulate across the exterior of the heat exchanger prior to exiting. The second primary component includes a filter head assembly with various inlets, outlets, and passageways. The filter head assembly is attached directly to the fuel cooler core so as to deliver coolant into the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Marthaler
-
Patent number: 5975032Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cooling system which cools a portion of a fuel delivery system is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber and an intake system for supplying air to the combustion chamber. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel supply mechanism for supplying fuel under pressure to a fuel injector through a fuel rail, the fuel injector supplying fuel to the combustion chamber. The cooling system includes a coolant supply mechanism for supplying coolant to a cooling jacket about at least a portion of the fuel rail for cooling fuel passing through the fuel rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshibumi Iwata
-
Patent number: 5964204Abstract: A fuel vapor emission control system for an automobile includes a fuel filler pipe, a filler cap, a check valve, a fuel tank, a carbon canister or other vapor storage device, a reservoir, and a vapor tube for conducting fuel vapor from one or more tank vent valves located on the fuel tank. The system reduces the amount of vapor mass which exits the fuel tank to the carbon canister by condensing some of the vapor sent to the canister during refueling. Fuel entering the filler pipe is used as a condensing agent. The system also reduces the amount of vapor pumped to the vapor storage device during diurnal cycles by permitting the volume of the fuel tank to change in response to changes in pressure within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark Freeland
-
Patent number: 5964206Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided with a heat exchanger disposed in a generally planer cavity within a base. A manifold attaches to the base and contains the generally planer cavity. A heat exchanger, which comprises a fuel conduit, is disposed within the cavity. As fuel flows from a fuel pump to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, it passes through the fuel conduit which is bathed in a flow of coolant. Some of the fuel flows directly from the fuel conduit to the fuel injection system, but excess fuel flows through a pressure regulator and a filter before being passed through the pump again to recirculate through the fuel conduit of the cooler. The quantity of fuel stored within the volume of the fuel supply system is significantly reduced because of the location of the various components and the fact that the components, such as the filter, regulator, and pump are attached directly to the base of the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Brian R. White, Vince E. Notareschi, Grant W. Hines, Matthew W. Jaeger
-
Patent number: 5957113Abstract: The present invention is provides a fuel vapor recovery apparatus for automobiles that includes a canister for cooling and condensing the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank and a membrane separation means for separating the fuel vapor flowed from the canister. The present invention also provides for a membrane separation means for separating the fuel vapor from a canister storing fuel vapor into a fuel rich mixture and a means for liquefying and condensing this separated fuel rich mixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: NOK CorporationInventors: Toshiteru Masaki, Hideyuki Nagashima
-
Patent number: 5937830Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cooler for increasing the output of a diesel engine installed primarily in motor boats. A fuel line (10,15) is provided upstream of the fuel supply pump (16). A fuel oil cooler (5) is connected into the fuel line (10, 15) and is mounted on the existing sea water pump (8) of the engine in lieu of the ordinary pump cover. The fuel oil flowing through the fuel oil cooler (5) is cooled by the cooling water circulating in the pump (8). A further increase in output of the engine is achieved by installing an oil deaerator (11) upstream of the fuel oil cooler (5).Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Inventor: Lars Tigerholm
-
Patent number: 5931141Abstract: A vapor treatment system incorporated with an automotive fuel storage tank for a gasoline. The vapor treatment system comprises a vapor adsorbent canister containing therein vapor adsorbent. A first ventilation line is provided to have a first end section connected to an upper space inside the storage tank, and a second end section connected to the vapor adsorbent canister. A vapor control valve is disposed in the first ventilation line to control flow of vapor of the gasoline passing through the first ventilation line. A second ventilation line is provided to have a first end section connected to a liquid supply pipe through which the gasoline is supplied into the storage tank, and a second end section connected to the vapor adsorbent canister. A vapor-liquid contacting device is provided to include a container disposed inside the storage tank. A return line is provided such that the gasoline is returned from an engine through it into the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Tennex CorporationInventor: Yuji Chino
-
Patent number: 5927254Abstract: Fuel supply devices for an engine are disposed within an intake duct located upstream of an air cleaner. Thus, the fuel supply devices such as fuel injection valves and a fuel supply pipe are always cooled by intake air flow while the engine is being driven. In addition, heat conducted from the engine to the fuel supply device can be insulated by the intake duct when the engine is stopped. Further, since the intake duct located upstream of the air cleaner does not dispose functional parts such as a filter therein, a high degree of freedom for mounting the intake duct on the engine is maintained so that the intake duct can be easily disposed at the position where the fuel supply devices are located.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masao Ino, Yoshitaka Nishio, Toshiaki Nakayama, Akihide Yamaguchi, Shuya Mikami
-
Patent number: 5908020Abstract: An integrated fuel system component (10) comprising a fuel pump (52), a fuel filter (30) axially mounted directly below and around the lower portion of the fuel pump, and a spiral-wound fuel line (84) composed of a heat-conductive material mounted concentric to the upper portion of the fuel pump, minimizing the space required for installation. A fuel cooling system encloses the pump housing (70) and the fuel line in sealed chambers (66, 68) through which a liquid coolant is circulated to cool both the fuel pump and the fuel contained within the fuel line. A fuel pressure regulator (104) located between the fuel line and a fuel outlet (100) returns fuel to a fuel reservoir (24) located below the fuel filter, thereby providing a closed loop system. By combining the fuel pump, fuel filter, liquid cooling system, and pressure regulator into a single unit, the integrated unit minimizes vapor lock induced by heat, and optimally houses the fuel system components within a minimal volume of space.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: UIS, Inc.Inventors: Rodney K. Boutwell, Ralph E. Ulm
-
Patent number: 5887555Abstract: A cooling device for a fuel pump and for fuel in a marine internal combustion engine fuel system includes a housing for water circulation therethrough, a fuel pump disposed in the housing and cooled by the water therein, the fuel pump having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, a fuel conduit connected to the fuel pump inlet for delivering fuel to the fuel pump, and a fuel recycle line extending through the housing for conducting unused fuel from an internal combustion engine to the fuel conduit. The water circulating in the housing is operative to cool the fuel pump and fuel therein, and to cool the unused fuel in the fuel recycle line.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1998Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Thermo Power CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Thomas Schmitz
-
Patent number: 5860394Abstract: A formation of deposits on a fuel injector is suppressed by controlling the temperature of the nozzle holder of the fuel injector around the nozzle to maintain at least a part of the fuel remaining on the nozzle holder surface after the fuel injection in a liquid state, to thereby hold precursors of the deposits in the liquid fuel to permit the precursor to be blown out from the nozzle holder surface by a subsequent fuel injection flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Akinori Saito, Masao Kinoshita, Souichi Matsushita, Yutaka Niwa, Hitoshi Shibata
-
Patent number: 5832903Abstract: A fuel supply system for a marine propulsion system having an electronically controlled fuel injection system eliminates the need for a vapor separator. The system pumps an excessive amount of fuel through a plumbed fuel supply loop and cools recirculated fuel to cool all the components in the plumbed fuel supply loop, i.e. a continuous duty, constant displacement fuel pump; a pressure regulator; and a water separating fuel filter. Recirculated fuel flows from the pressure regulator to the water separating fuel filter as does make-up fuel from a fuel tank. The fuel stream from the water separating fuel filter flows to the low-pressure side of the fuel pump, which pumps the fuel through the plumb fuel supply loop. A fuel injection portion of the fuel flows to the engine for combustion, while the remaining portion of the fuel is recirculated. The recirculated portion of the fuel is cooled, preferably using a water-cooled heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Brunswick Corp.Inventors: Brian R. White, Vince E. Notareschi, Grant W. Hines, Brian D. Simpson, Timothy M. Baer, Matthew W. Jaeger, Daniel E. Clarkson, James Michael Horak
-
Patent number: 5803050Abstract: A fuel injected induction system for a crankcase compression, two-cycle, V-type internal combustion engine includes a plurality of throttle valves corresponding in number to the number of crankcase chamber of the engine. Each throttle valve communicates with a dedicated intake passage that directly communicates with a respective crankcase chamber. At least one fuel injector is positioned within each intake passage in order to form the air/fuel charge delivered to the crankcase chamber. The corresponding number of throttle valves, fuel injectors and crankcase chambers allows for enhanced control over the air-fuel ratio delivered to each of the cylinders, as well as improved consistence of the air-fuel charge delivered to each of the cylinders of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Osakabe, Hitoshi Watanabe
-
Patent number: 5803039Abstract: A cylinder body has a bore and an annular recess in communication with the bore. A piston is mounted for reciprocation within the bore, the piston having an annular skirt which reciprocates within the recess. A connecting rod has one end pivotally connected to the piston and the opposite end pivotally connected to a crankshaft for turning movement about an axis. A drive roller is rotatably carried by the crankshaft for turning movement about an axis. The drive roller is disposed in a cam groove in a flywheel which is drivingly connected to an output shaft. The two axes oscillate along two parallel arcs during reciprocation of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Inventor: Pao Chi Pien
-
Patent number: 5794598Abstract: A fuel circuit for a fuel system including a fuel reservoir, a fuel injection system, a fuel lift pump, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel circuit includes a fuel passageway for recirculating the excess fuel flow from the outlet of the fuel injection pump to the inlet of the fuel injection pump. The excess fuel flow, which is pressurized by the fuel injection pump, is preferentially utilized as the fuel source over fuel in the fuel reservoir, which is at a lower pressure. The fuel circuit may include a single fuel-to-air heat exchanger or a fuel-to-coolant heat exchanger and a coolant-to-air heat exchanger to remove heat from the excess fuel flow, depending on the amount of heat generated by the fuel injection system and the fuel lift pump and the expected ambient temperature conditions. Circulation pumps in the fuel passageway and the coolant line may be used to facilitate removal of heat in the two heat exchanger system.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1997Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.Inventors: Leon P. Janik, Michael J. Williams
-
Patent number: 5765512Abstract: Apparatus for converting between rotary motion and reciprocating linear motion includes a sleeve mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis, radially reciprocable pistons located radially outwardly of the sleeve, and axially reciprocable pistons located radially inwardly of the sleeve. The radial pistons are operatively connected to an outer diameter portion of the sleeve which is formed with a lobed cam surface having multiple angularly spaced lobes for simultaneous reciprocation of the radial pistons and rotation of the sleeve, and the axial pistons are operatively connected to a groove formed in the inside diameter portion of the sleeve for simultaneous reciprocation of the axial pistons and rotation of the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Inventor: Burt Loren Fraser
-
Patent number: 5660151Abstract: An apparatus for mutual conversion between circular motion and reciprocal motion includes a lever member which is rotatably mounted on a line connecting a rotational center and a circumference of a rotary disk, the lever member having a fulcrum, an action point and a force point, and being provided with a first regulator serving as an action point regulator land a second regulator serving as a movable fulcrum regulator. The first regulator is coupled to a reciprocating body. The movable fulcrum regulator has support members for supporting the fulcrum point and the first regulator has support members for supporting the action point in a longitudinal direction of the lever member.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Yoshiki Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuo Yoshizawa
-
Patent number: 5636599Abstract: A unitary cylinder useful in internal combustion engines having external threads at one end for a connection with the engine; the cylinder providing internal bearing support to an associated piston mounted internally thereof and external bearing support to a cam actuated saddle embracing the cylinder's exterior. Elongated openings in opposing walls of the cylinder accommodate passage of a transverse wrist pin connection between the internal piston and external saddle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Inventor: Robert L. Russell
-
Patent number: 5601066Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel tank with a wall and a fuel delivery outlet through which fuel is delivered to the engine. The fuel tank has a fuel suction tube extending from the fuel delivery outlet into the fuel tank. Fuel is drawn to the engine from the fuel tank through the suction tube and the fuel delivery outlet. The fuel tank has a fuel cooling return inlet through which unused fuel warmed by the engine may be returned to the fuel tank and cooled. A fuel cooling conduit is coupled to the fuel cooling return inlet. The fuel cooling conduit has at least one fuel dispersing outlet through which fuel is dispersed onto the fuel tank wall to cool the fuel. A fuel warming return inlet is provided through which unused fuel warmed by the engine may be directed to flow adjacent the suction tube to heat the fuel being delivered through the suction tube to the engine. A shroud may also be provided to blend returning warm fuel with cooler fuel from the fuel tank that is flowing toward the suction tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Freightliner CorporationInventor: Ibrahim Qutub
-
Patent number: 5584279Abstract: A motor-vehicle engine system has an internal-combustion four-cycle engine having a fuel-supply manifold, a substantially closed but vented fuel tank holding a supply of gasoline, a fuel pump having an input connected to the tank and an output, and a fuel-feed line connected between the fuel-pump output and the fuel-supply manifold. A controller connected to the engine and to the pump operates the fuel pump at a throughput rate directly related to an engine speed. Insulation at least surrounds and thermally insulates the fuel tank, fuel-feed line, and fuel-supply manifold from their surroundings. A return line connected to the fuel tank is provided with an overpressure valve that is controlled to open briefly only on startup of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Technoflow Tube-Systems GmbHInventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
-
Patent number: 5558069Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling or heating fluids, such as fuel in a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. Compressed gas is delivered to a vortex tube or air amplifier 14 so that the gas rapidly expands and cools, thereby cooling a first end 16 of the vortex tube 14 in relation to a warmer second end thereof 18. A first fuel inlet port 20 of a first heat exchanger 16 lies proximate the first end 16 so that fuel flowing into the inlet port 20 is cooled by thermal contact with the first end 16 of the vortex tube 14. A cooled fuel outlet port 22 in the heat exchanger 16 lies proximate the first end 16 so that cooled fuel may leave the heat exchanger 16 for delivery to an engine. A valve with an upstream gate 26 and two downstream gates 28,30 is located so that fuel is selectively delivered to the first fuel inlet port 20 through the upstream gate 26 and one of the two downstream gates 28,30 if cooling of the fuel is desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Livernois Research & Development CompanyInventor: Kevin E. Stay
-
Patent number: 5551404Abstract: A fuel injection system for engines and, in particular, internal combustion engines used on marine vessels, is disclosed including a fuel injection system having a supply port for receiving fuel at a rate in excess of the controlled rate, an injection port for discharging fuel into the engine at the controlled rate and a return port for conducting fuel in excess of that discharged from the injection port from the injection system. The fuel injection system also includes a pump having an inlet directly connected by a first conduit to a return port and an outlet directly connected by a second conduit to the supply port, a third conduit system for conducting fuel from the supply tank into the first conduit at a first location between the return port and the inlet, and a pressure regulating system for maintaining the pressure at the return port at a predetermined substantially constant super-atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1993Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventors: David D. Bauerle, Kevin R. Liske
-
Patent number: 5540191Abstract: A thermal regenerator used on an internal combustion engine normally absorbs heat from expanded hot combustion gases when moved in one direction and transfers the absorbed heat to the compressed intake air when moved through the air in an opposite direction. In order to improve efficiency of the thermal regenerator, finely dispersed cooling liquid is added into the intake air to cool the intake air to a lower temperature before the thermal regenerator transfers the absorbed heat. When compressing a mixture of finely dispersed cooling liquid in the intake air, the vaporization of the cooling liquid reduces compression work and the resultant temperature. The reduced compression temperature allows more heat to be extracted from the exhaust, raises the effectiveness of the regenerator and the efficiency of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John M. Clarke
-
Patent number: 5533486Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel tank with a wall and a fuel delivery outlet through which fuel is delivered to the engine. The fuel tank has a fuel suction tube extending from the fuel delivery outlet into the fuel tank. Fuel is drawn to the engine from the fuel tank through the suction tube and the fuel delivery outlet. The fuel tank has a fuel cooling return inlet through which unused fuel warmed by the engine may be returned to the fuel tank and cooled. A fuel cooling conduit is coupled to the fuel cooling return inlet. The fuel cooling conduit has at least one fuel dispersing outlet through which fuel is dispersed onto the fuel tank wall to cool the fuel. A fuel warming return inlet is provided through which unused fuel warmed by the engine may be directed to flow adjacent the suction tube to heat the fuel being delivered through the suction tube to the engine. A shroud may also be provided to blend returning warm fuel with cooler fuel from the fuel tank that is flowing toward the suction tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1993Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Freightliner CorporationInventor: Ibrahim Qutub
-
Patent number: 5509392Abstract: An anti-lock system for preventing vapor lock is disclosed. It has a temperature sensor which controls the vehicle fuel pump to circulate liquid fuel through the majority of the fuel system when the under hood temperature is above a certain level to maintain liquidity at all times and prevent the formation of vapor in the fuel system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Inventor: John J. Schmitz
-
Patent number: 5438962Abstract: A water cooled outboard motor engine including several embodiments of ensuring that the fuel pumped by the fuel pump is not heated excessively. The embodiments include either cooling jackets through which engine coolant is circulated for cooling the fuel, or the insulation of the pumping element driven by the engine from the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshibumi Iwata, Akihiko Hoshiba, Junichi Hasegawa, Yasuhiko Shibata
-
Patent number: 5431144Abstract: An evaporated fuel control apparatus includes a fuel tank for storing fuel, a first passage for connecting an internal space of the fuel tank to the atmosphere, the first passage having an opening which is open to the atmosphere, and a fuel vapor separating unit provided in the first passage for separating evaporated fuel of the fuel tank from air fed from the fuel tank to the atmosphere via the fuel vapor separating unit, the fuel vapor separating unit permitting passage of molecular components of air and not permitting passage of molecular components of fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1993Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiko Hyodo, Takaaki Itou, Akinori Osanai, Toru Kidokoro
-
Patent number: 5423303Abstract: A fuel rail for supplying liquified petroleum gas ("LPG") to an internal combustion engine. Fuel supply channel and fuel return channel are aligned generally parallel to one another within fuel rail. LPG flowing through return channel cools LPG flowing through supply channel by vaporization of return fuel. Vaporization is caused by lower pressure in return channel relative to supply channel. Cooling of supply fuel aids in maintaining LPG injected into the engine in a fully liquid state. This results in increased power output, lower toxic emissions, and a reduction in knocking.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1993Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Inventor: David E. Bennett
-
Patent number: 5368003Abstract: There is described a fuel heat transfer assembly including conduits for fuel for a ground-moving vehicle having an internal combustion engine wherein the fuel heat transfer assembly is in gaseous flow communication with the cab compartment of the vehicle for passing fuel in indirect heat transfer relationship with climate control air from inside the cab compartment prior to introduction into the internal combustion engine to maintain fuel temperatures at from about 50.degree. to 90.degree. F.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1992Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Inventor: Roger Clemente
-
Patent number: 5341781Abstract: An engine block is formed by a single piece lower crankcase and a single piece upper crankcase having abutting surfaces sealed with a gasket. The abutting surfaces have semicircular notches aligned with one another to form a circular opening for a crankshaft. The upper crankcase includes central section from which extends a barrel unit that contains the entire cylinder bore for a piston. An integral housing for the cylinder valves and rocker arms is formed on the barrel unit and an integral intake manifold extends from the housing. Forming the engine block from two primary components reduces the number of joints that require machining and gaskets.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Todd Gerhardt
-
Patent number: 5325838Abstract: A fuel injector for injecting liquified petroleum gas ("LPG") fuel into an internal combustion engine in a fully liquid state. Fuel injector includes a housing assembly having fuel supply and return channels. At least a portion of the return channel is adjacent to the supply channel, with the fuel in the return channel flowing countercurrent to fuel in the supply channel. Supply fuel in the supply channel is cooled by vaporization of return fuel in the return channel. This cooling aids in maintaining LPG in a fully liquid state during injection, resulting in improved engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Inventor: David E. Bennett
-
Patent number: 5309885Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, a fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, a conduit communicating between the fuel vapor separator and the fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel, and a cooling jacket for cooling the fuel vapor separator.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1993Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Outboard Marine CorporationInventors: David E. Rawlings, Gene F. Baltz, Mark D. Whiteside
-
Patent number: 5291869Abstract: A fuel supply system for providing liquified petroleum gas ("LPG") fuel in a liquid state to intake manifold of internal combustion engine, including a fuel supply assembly and a fuel injecting mechanism. Fuel supply assembly includes a fuel rail assembly containing both supply and return channels. Fuel injecting mechanism is in fluid communication with supply and return channels of fuel rail assembly. Injected LPG is maintained liquid through refrigeration both along fuel rail assembly and within fuel injecting mechanism. Return fuel in both fuel rail assembly and fuel injecting mechanism is used to effectively cool supply fuel to a liquid state prior to injection into intake manifold of engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1993Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Inventor: David E. Bennett
-
Patent number: 5259356Abstract: A device at air filters of intake systems of internal combustion engines with fuel injection. The fuel pipe (21) is to a part of its length positioned in the air filter air space (14) of the housing (10), whereby a cooling of the fuel supplied is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: AB VolvoInventors: Jan Karlsson, Jan Dahlgren, Erling Tyllstrom
-
Patent number: 5251603Abstract: A fuel cooling system for a motorvehicle has a fuel tank for supplying fuel to a motorvehicle engine. The system further includes a refrigerant evaporator and a compressor of a refrigeration system for air conditioning, and a heat exchanger provided between a fuel pipe and an evaporated refrigerant pipe. The heat exchanger is made up of coaxial inner and outer tubes and, for example, helical heat transfer fins contained in an annular space between the inner and outer tubes. With this construction, the fuel flowing through a fuel return pipe extending between the engine and the fuel tank is caused to flow through the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. On the other hand, evaporated low temperature refrigerant is caused to flow through the inside of the inner tube of the heat exchanger. The inner tube has secured therein, heat exchange fins, for example, of the type extending longitudinally thereof and having wavy transverse cross section.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1992Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignees: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Giken KogyoInventors: Hideo Watanabe, Noboru Sagara, Hideki Kimura
-
Patent number: 5156134Abstract: A fuel cooling device for motor vehicles which is adapted to cool fuel with refrigerant from an air-conditioning equipment. In a fuel delivery pipe for delivering the fuel into fuel injection valves, refrigerant passages connected to the refrigerant system of the air-conditioning equipment are juxtaposed, adjacently to the fuel passage. The fuel passage is formed longitudinally within the fuel delivery pipe. On both sides of this fuel passage are provided separate refrigerant passages extending in parallel with the fuel passage. These refrigerant passages communicate with each other in one end, and communicate with a refrigerant inlet pipe and a refrigerant outlet pipe in the other end. From the fuel passage are branched off a plurality of branch passages, which have their openings on a side surface of the fuel delivery pipe. The fuel injection valve is installed in each of the openings.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1992Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tohru Tochizawa
-
Patent number: 5042447Abstract: A device for heating and cooling fuel to maintain the temperature of fuel delivered to an engine within a desired temperature range includes a body (10) having a fuel inlet (12) and a fuel outlet (14). The body includes a middle portion (16) and a first heat exchanger portion (18) in connection with a heat source. The body also includes a second heat exchanger portion (20) in connection with a heat sink. A thermostatic actuator (86) positioned adjacent the outlet of the device, includes a plunger rod (88) that extends responsive to increased temperature of the fuel passing the actuator. A movable member (74) is positioned by the plunger rod to direct fuel to either a first opening (28) from which the fuel passes through the first heat exchanger portion and is heated, or to a second opening (30) from which the fuel passes through the second heat exchanger portion and is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1990Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Parker Hannifin CorporationInventor: Walter H. Stone
-
Patent number: 4941999Abstract: A fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine comprises a constant level chamber (typically a float chamber) formed in a casing which may be the body of the carburetor of the device. A heat exchanger is formed in the casing or in contact with the casing. A cooling liquid is circulated in a closed-loop circuit including the heat exchanger and a liquid reservoir having a large volume as compared with that of the balance of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1989Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Assignee: SolexInventor: Guy Noisier
-
Patent number: 4940027Abstract: A marine propulsion system has a conduit (14) connected between a water cooled internal combustion engine (4) and a remote fuel tank (12). The conduit has a first passage (16) supplying fuel from the tank to the engine, a second passage (18) supplying cooling water from the engine towards the tank, and a third passage (22) returning water from the second passage back to the engine. The passages are in heat transfer relation to the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1988Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Assignee: Brunswick Corp.Inventor: John F. Garms
-
Patent number: 4938036Abstract: A combination air conditioning accumulator and fuel cooler unit comprises an enclosed housing having fuel inlet and outlets, and refrigerant inlets and outlets. Liquid refrigerant entering the unit is evaporated by means of heat exchange with hotter fuel in the unit. Preferably, the housing is in the form of an elongated cylinder and the fuel flow path is coaxial with the housing longitudinal axis. The heat exchanger includes a substantially cylindrical wall within which the fuel flows, and an outer, finned portion in contact with the flow of refrigerant. A desiccant is provided between the refrigerant flow path and the housing, to serve both insulating and moisture-removing functions. A stand pipe is provided to prevent unevaporated freon from exiting and returning in liquid form to the air conditioning compressor. The housing includes end plug members in which the fuel and refrigerant inlets and outlets are formed, the housing being attached to the plug members by crimp connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1989Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.Inventors: David H. Hodgkins, John J. Foley