Diverse Fuel Supply Patents (Class 123/575)
  • Publication number: 20100147265
    Abstract: Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Paul Blumberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood
  • Publication number: 20100139636
    Abstract: A nitrous oxide system for an internal combustion engine includes a bottle containing pressurized nitrous oxide coupled to a nitrous oxide flow line, which is in fluid communication with an injection nozzle operatively coupled to the engine intake. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line between the nitrous oxide bottle and the injection nozzle, and is operable to control the flow of nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line to the engine intake. A methanol injection line is in fluid communication with a source of supplemental methanol, and a methanol valve is fluidly coupled to the methanol injection line and operably coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line, such that a flow of pressurized nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line opens the methanol valve to allow a flow of supplemental methanol to the engine intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: James Atherley
  • Patent number: 7730872
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a first injector configured to inject gasoline fuel into said cylinder, and a second injector configured to inject a fluid into said cylinder, said fluid containing at least some water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20100126468
    Abstract: A high vapor pressure liquid fuel (e.g. LPG) injection system is provided that keeps the fuel liquid at all expected operating temperatures by use of a high pressures pump capable of at least 2.5 MPa pressures. The fuel can be injected directly into the cylinder or into the inlet manifold of an engine via axial or bottom feed injectors and also could be mixed with a low vapor pressure fuel (e.g. diesel) to be injected similarly. The fuel, mixed or unmixed, can be stored in an accumulator under high pressure assisting in keeping the engine running during fuel changeovers and injection after a period of time as in re-starting the engine. The same injectors can be used to inject any of the fuels or mixtures of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: INTERLOCKING BUILDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventor: John T. MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20100131178
    Abstract: A method relates to operating an internal combustion engine in the form of an Otto engine, especially of a motor vehicle. Otto engine fuel (i.e., carburetor fuel, spark ignition engine fuel), such as gasoline or ethanol (E85), are directly injected into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine with at least one fuel injector. Optionally, instead of injecting ignition spark engine fuel or in addition, the internal combustion engine is operated with gas, especially CNG (compressed natural gas) or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). During operation of the internal combustion engine with gas only, the engine is automatically switched to the operation with spark ignition engine fuel for a predetermined period, or the engine is switched to the operation with spark ignition engine fuel in addition to the operation with gas, in such a manner that a predetermined quantity of the carburetor fuel flows through the at least one fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ekkehard Pott, Jörg Theobald
  • Publication number: 20100131177
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in the form of an Otto engine, especially of a motor vehicle, selectively uses carburetor fuel, especially gasoline or ethanol (E85) by direct injection into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine by means of at least one fuel injector. Optionally, instead of injecting ignition spark engine fuel or in addition to injecting ignition spark engine fuel, the internal combustion engine is operated with gas, especially CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). A mixture adaptation value is continuously determined during the operation of the internal combustion engine with spark ignition engine fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ekkehard Pott, Oliver Fladung, Jörg Theobald
  • Publication number: 20100131173
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve configured to affect a fluid flow of the cylinder, an actuator configured to move the engine valve, and an in-cylinder sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of fuel entering the cylinder. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the characteristic of the fuel based on the signal and selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve based on the characteristic of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Patent number: 7721720
    Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown includes: at least one valve device configured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine; a first fuel source configured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device; a second fuel source configured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device; and a controller connected to the valve device and adapted to be connected to an ignition system. The controller is configured to control the valve device responsive to a status of one of the engine and the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Edward A. Payne, Rodger Karl Williams
  • Patent number: 7721703
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides an internal combustion engine, including a first fuel injector that supplies a first fuel to a first predetermined region in a combustion chamber, and a second fuel injector that supplies a second fuel to a second predetermined region in the combustion chamber. The second fuel has an octane number that is different than an octane number of the first fuel, and the second predetermined region is different from the first predetermined region. An ignition device is configured to start ignition of one of the first and second fuels based on an ignition signal. An operation condition detector detects at least one engine operating condition. A controller is configured to provide the ignition signal to the ignition device and to determine which one of the first and second fuels to ignite by the ignition device based on the engine operation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kakuho, Takashi Araki, Koichi Ashida
  • Publication number: 20100122695
    Abstract: An engine is operated with air-fuel ratio F/B control interrupted, by regarding an alcohol concentration value ALC1 inputted from outside as a tentative concentration value, and by detecting the rotation-speed fluctuation amount of an engine, the appropriateness of the tentative concentration value is determined. In the case where it is determined that the tentative concentration value is appropriate, an estimated alcohol concentration value ALC2 stored in a storage means is replaced by the tentatively changed alcohol concentration value ALC1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji KUNISADA, Yasushi TAKEMOTO
  • Patent number: 7720592
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first fuel storage tank to store a first type of fuel, a second fuel storage tank to store a second type of fuel, and an emissions control device. The engine includes at least one cylinder having a direct injection fuel injector being selectively supplied with the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank and the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank. The method includes supplying the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector in response an engine start condition of the vehicle, and supplying the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector, in response to an increase in engine output exceeding a threshold increase or a temperature of the emissions control device exceeding a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20100116244
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a first injector for injecting a first fuel into a cylinder of the engine and a second injector for injection a second fuel into said cylinder of the engine, the engine further having at least an exhaust gas oxygen sensor, the method comprising of varying an amount of said first fuel injection in response to said sensor under a first operating condition, and varying an amount of said second fuel injection in response to said sensor under a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20100116245
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are provided. As one example, the system comprises an engine including at least one combustion chamber, a motor configured to selectively propel the vehicle via the drive wheel, a fuel system configured to deliver a first substance and a second substance to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, wherein the first substance includes a fuel and the second substance includes a greater concentration of a knock suppressing substance than the first substance; and a control system configured to operate the fuel system to vary the relative amounts of the first substance and the second substance delivered to the combustion chamber in response to an operating condition while operating the motor to propel the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Andri
  • Patent number: 7712451
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, the fuel injection system including a plurality of injectors, wherein each of the injectors is adapted to inject at least one of an alternative fuel and a fossil fuel over a full range of operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ling-Shun Hung, George Guoming Zhu
  • Publication number: 20100101534
    Abstract: A multiple-fuel rotary engine includes a cylinder seat, a cylinder body, pistons, an intake/exhaust regulation module, a cover, and a top lid. The cylinder body has bores receives the pistons therein and when the cylinder body carries the pistons to rotate, making gas holes thereof positioned under an intake channel, the gas holes are first set in communication with a first sub-channel of the intake channel and then the second sub-channel, whereby two fuel supply systems respectively and sequentially supply two different fuels into the same bore to complete an intake stroke of two different air-fuel mixtures. Combustion of the air-fuel mixtures in the bore provides explosion energy that drives the piston outward to complete the operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: TZU-WEI YU
  • Publication number: 20100101547
    Abstract: A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marc Odell
  • Patent number: 7703446
    Abstract: Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Paul Blumberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood
  • Patent number: 7699037
    Abstract: A diesel engine includes a fuel supply passage via which fuel is supplied from a fuel tank to an oil pan through a supply pump, a lubrication-system fuel supply passage via which fuel is supplied from the oil pan to engine parts to be lubricated through a lubricating oil pump, and an injection-system fuel supply passage via which fuel is supplied from the oil pan to an injection system through an injection pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Motoichi Murakami, Tomoyuki Ono, Hiroshi Moritani, Toshihide Ohmori
  • Patent number: 7694666
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the system comprising a cylinder of the engine; an emission control device coupled in an exhaust downstream of the cylinder; a first injector configured to directly inject into the cylinder and coupled in a cylinder of the engine; a second injector configured to inject into a port of the cylinder and coupled to a port of the cylinder; and a controller for, in response to a driver pedal tip-in condition, increasing an amount of injection from the first injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7681561
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system are provided. An example embodiment of the method includes: transferring at least some fuel from a first fuel storage region to a second fuel storage region via a pump during a first condition; draining at least some fuel from the second fuel storage region to the first storage fuel region via gravity during a second condition; and delivering fuel from the first fuel storage region to a first fuel injector of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and delivering fuel from the second fuel storage region to a second fuel injector of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Hilditch
  • Publication number: 20100070156
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Publication number: 20100070154
    Abstract: Fuel management system of operation of a spark ignition engine. The system includes a source of gasoline and a source of anti-knock fuel. A proportioning valve receives the gasoline and the anti-knock fuel to discharge a mixture having a controlled gasoline/anti-knock fuel ratio. A single high pressure pump receives the mixture and delivers the mixture to an injector. A fuel management control system controls the proportioning valve and the injector for injection of the mixture into a cylinder of the engine to control knock. A preferred anti-knock fuel is ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Paul N. Blumberg, Leslie Bromberg, John Heywood, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7676321
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are provided. As one example, the system comprises an engine including at least one combustion chamber, a motor configured to selectively propel the vehicle via the drive wheel, a fuel system configured to deliver a first substance and a second substance to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, wherein the first substance includes a fuel and the second substance includes a greater concentration of a knock suppressing substance than the first substance; and a control system configured to operate the fuel system to vary the relative amounts of the first substance and the second substance delivered to the combustion chamber in response to an operating condition while operating the motor to propel the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Andri
  • Patent number: 7673621
    Abstract: A system for estimating fuel concentration comprises an ethanol estimating module that generates an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC). A fuel system module controls fuel to an engine and generates a fuel system error. The ethanol estimating module selectively adjusts the baseline CLC and the ethanol estimate based on the fuel system error. A method for estimating fuel concentration comprises generating an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC); controlling fuel to an engine and generating a fuel system error; and selectively adjusting said baseline CLC and said ethanol estimate based on said fuel system error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Louis A. Avallone, Ian J. MacEwen, Wajdi B. Hamama, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20100051002
    Abstract: The present invention is a nitrous oxide and fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine and is used to increase horsepower for use such as in racing. It is mounted between the carburetor and the intake manifold having passages to allow the communication of the mixture from the carburetor to the intake manifold. The module supplies a center section that has two chambers one for fuel and one for nitrous oxide. The nitrous oxide and the fuel are feed to conduits exiting the module with the nitrous oxide conduit being inside of the fuel conduit. The feed conduits distal open ends is in or pointed at the intake runner form the nitrous oxide and fuel spray nozzle that will spray their mixture into the air and fuel mixture from the carburetor when the nitrous system is activated to give the increase in horsepower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Randy Stewart Wade
  • Publication number: 20100049424
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine injects fuel from a fuel injection valve in each cylinder in a fuel injection mode in which an amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to a required value for starting the internal combustion engine when fuel in the combustion chamber is combusted in each cylinder after a crankshaft angle is determined through cranking for starting the internal combustion engine. When the fuel has a high alcohol concentration and is combusted after the determination of the crankshaft angle, the control apparatus sets the fuel injection mode for fuel with a high alcohol concentration as the fuel injection mode in which the amount of fuel in the combustion chamber corresponds to the required value for starting the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuchika TASHIMA, Tomohiro FUJITA, Akihiro HANAI
  • Patent number: 7665428
    Abstract: In an apparatus having an internal combustion engine, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, comprising providing a mixed fuel from a fuel tank to a separator, separating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel component from the mixed fuel by transporting a hydrocarbon fuel component through a material in the separator that selectively transports the hydrocarbon fuel component, thereby forming a first oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction and a second hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction, and providing fuel from the first fuel fraction and fuel from the second fuel fraction to the engine in a ratio based on an engine operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dearth, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100031941
    Abstract: A control device and control method for an internal combustion engine capable of using a gasoline and alcohol blend as fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hokuto
  • Patent number: 7658171
    Abstract: A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marc Odell
  • Publication number: 20100024780
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system are provided. An example embodiment of the method includes: transferring at least some fuel from a first fuel storage region to a second fuel storage region via a pump during a first condition; draining at least some fuel from the second fuel storage region to the first storage fuel region via gravity during a second condition; and delivering fuel from the first fuel storage region to a first fuel injector of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and delivering fuel from the second fuel storage region to a second fuel injector of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: James Hilditch
  • Publication number: 20100018478
    Abstract: A method includes mixing air and converted fuel from an on-board fuel converter in a fuel mixer to form an air-converted fuel mixture, the air-converted fuel mixture includes a short chain hydrocarbon; mixing the air-converted fuel mixture with a high specific heat diluent to form an air-diluent-converted fuel mixture; mixing the air-diluent-converted fuel mixture with a first amount of fuel to form a homogenous mixture. A system and article are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bhaskar Tamma, Ke Liu
  • Publication number: 20100018499
    Abstract: A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marc Odell
  • Publication number: 20100017097
    Abstract: Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 7647899
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dearth, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7647916
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a first port injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder, and a second injector outside said cylinder for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Robert A. Stein, Jeffrey C. Lyjak
  • Publication number: 20100010725
    Abstract: A multifuel internal combustion engine includes: fuel characteristics determining unit that determines ignitability and anti-knocking performance of the fuel introduced into the combustion chamber CC; combustion mode setting unit that sets a compression hypergolic diffusion combustion mode when ignitability of the fuel is excellent, sets a premixed spark-ignition flame propagation combustion mode when the ignitability of the fuel is poor and anti-knocking performance is excellent, and sets a spark assist compression hypergolic diffusion combustion mode when both the ignitability and anti-knocking performance of the fuel are poor; and combustion control execution unit that makes the engine to drive in a combustion mode which is set by the combustion mode setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Shiro Tanno
  • Publication number: 20100006050
    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: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood
  • Publication number: 20100004847
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus controls an internal combustion engine including: an exhaust passage including branch portions provided for the left and right banks and a common portion in which an exhaust gas purification device is provided; and a fuel supply system that supplies fuel to the respective engine cylinders. In the internal combustion engine, in order to recover the exhaust gas purification device, a bank control is executed in which the air-fuel ratio of the cylinders of the left bank is made rich while the air-fuel ratio of the cylinders of the right bank is made lean. The internal combustion engine is capable of running on alcohol-containing fuel and has an alcohol concentration sensor. The amount of unburned fuel to be supplied to the exhaust gas purification device during the bank control is adjusted based on the alcohol concentration in fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Katoh
  • Publication number: 20090320774
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for an internal combustion engine which can be selectively operated by means of a liquid and a second fuel, in particular a gaseous fuel, wherein in operation of the internal combustion engine with the second fuel, in particular in the gas-operating mode, at least one temperature-loaded component of the internal combustion engine is cooled with the liquid fuel. The invention also relates to a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine which can be operated by means of liquid and gaseous fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Stephan Liebsch, Iraklis Avramopoulos
  • Publication number: 20090320789
    Abstract: An improved multi-fuel supply and co-injection system and method for powering internal combustion and turbine engines, whereby various combinations of fuels, both liquid and gaseous, may be mixed together and fed into the system, under the real-time control of a microprocessor responding to a variety of sensors and acting on a variety of control devices, all working together in a manner designed to enhance the utilization of the thermal content of the various fuels, and in particular to enhance the combustion efficiency and increase the power output while decreasing the consumption of fuel, calculated both by quantity and by cost and whereby the liquid fuel lubricates the moving parts of the injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Morten A. Lund
  • Publication number: 20090308367
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation of an engine having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder including a first and second injector for delivering fuel to the cylinder. One example method comprises operating a first cylinder to combust fuel delivered from both the first and second fuel injector of the first cylinder, and operating a second cylinder to combust fuel delivered from only one of the first and second fuel injectors of the second cylinder. One example system comprises both a port injector and a direct injector coupled to both of a first and second cylinder of the engine with a first fuel reservoir coupled to the port injectors and a second fuel reservoir coupled to the direct injectors. The system further includes a controller configured to vary delivery of the fuels from the injectors to the cylinders during differing operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Publication number: 20090308366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion system for engines that use mixtures of fuels based on methanol and an oil mixture, which enables said two-stroke engines to be operated with gasoline. The conversion is performed by a system using an intelligent device which, in accordance with the engine operating parameters, adapts the situation such that the fuel (gasoline) in the engines is or is not ignited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Jorge H. Rocca Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20090288627
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering catalytic molecular structure to a combustion chamber is disclosed. Catalyst base materials are reduced to a micronic fog by a device using the ultrasonic vibration of a piezoelectric disc. The liquid base materials evaporate instantly upon entering the engines air stream therefore releasing pure catalyst molecules into the combustion zone, thus reducing the time taken for catalytic combustion to the lowest denominator possible and allowing for the greatest effect achievable. This further reduces the amount of catalyst needed in the base solution compared to any other type of device or additive. The system also allows a user to control the delivery rate of the catalyst to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Emmett Manuel Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20090292442
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first fuel storage tank to store a first type of fuel, a second fuel storage tank to store a second type of fuel, and an emissions control device. The engine includes at least one cylinder having a direct injection fuel injector being selectively supplied with the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank and the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank. The method includes supplying the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector in response an engine start condition of the vehicle, and supplying the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector, in response to an increase in engine output exceeding a threshold increase or a temperature of the emissions control device exceeding a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20090292444
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for operating an engine in a vehicle in response to a driver performance/economy mode. One example method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector, delivering a second, different, fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, varying a relative amount of said first and second fuel as an operating condition varies; and adjusting delivery of at least said second fuel based on a driver-selected performance mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090292443
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine is provided. The engine includes at least one cylinder having a port injection fuel injector being supplied with fuel from at least one of a first fuel storage tank and a second fuel storage tank and a direct injection fuel injector being selectively supplied with fuel from one of the first fuel storage tank and the second fuel storage tank. The method includes at a first condition, supplying at least some of a second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector and supplying at least some of a first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the port injection fuel injector, and at a second condition, supplying at least some of the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Albert Stein, Kevin Durand Byrd
  • Patent number: 7621260
    Abstract: An operating gas circulation type internal combustion engine that uses argon as the operating gas, for example, and includes a hydrogen and oxygen supply portion, an argon supply amount regulating portion, and an electric control unit. The electric control unit determines the amount of hydrogen and oxygen to be supplied to a combustion chamber based on a required torque, which is the torque required of the internal combustion engine, and supplies the determined amounts of hydrogen and oxygen to the combustion chamber using the hydrogen supply portion and the oxygen supply portion. Further, the electric control unit determines an amount of operating gas to be supplied to the combustion chamber according to the required torque, and controls the argon supply amount regulating portion such that the determined amount of operating gas is supplied to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Mitani, Daisaku Sawada
  • Patent number: 7621257
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for operating an engine in a vehicle having variable valve operation for an intake and/or exhaust valve of the cylinder. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector; delivering a second fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, where a composition of at least one of the first or second fuels varies; and adjusting the variable valve operation responsive to the varying composition and further based on variation in the delivery of the first or second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090283078
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel tank where a first fuel containing alcohol is stored; a second fuel tank where a second fuel is stored, wherein a concentration of alcohol in the second fuel is known; an alcohol concentration sensor disposed in a supply passage through which the first and second fuels flow; and a malfunction determination portion. The control apparatus switches a fuel flowing through the supply passage between the first fuel and the second fuel, and controls a fuel injection amount based on a concentration of the alcohol in the first fuel detected by the sensor. The malfunction determination portion determines that the sensor malfunctions, if a value detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range corresponding to the concentration of the alcohol in the second fuel when the fuel flowing through the supply passage is switched to the second fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya OKUBO
  • Publication number: 20090277418
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a membrane dividing the fuel tank into at least a first and second portion, the membrane preferentially diffusing a substance from a mixture, the substance having an increased knock suppression relative to the mixture, and a controller adjusting delivery of condensed water to the tank responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth