Fuel Switched, Condition Responsive To Load Patents (Class 123/577)
  • Patent number: 12044190
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber, at least one fuel delivery line for the delivery of fuel to at least one combustion chamber, and at least one differential pressure control valve for controlling the pressure in the at least one fuel delivery line. The at least one differential pressure control valve is configured to perform a valve opening or valve closing movement based on a pressure difference between the at least one fuel delivery line and a reference volume having a reference pressure. The internal combustion engine further includes at least one pressure relief valve, separate from the at least one differential pressure control valve, and configured to open to cause a pressure relief in the reference volume and a decrease in the reference pressure if a drop occurs in the power to be performed by the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Alexander Mairhofer, Johannes Huber, Josef Thalhauser, Matthias Grotz, Michael Franz Litzlfellner, Alexander Gasteiger, Michael Perktold
  • Patent number: 11835016
    Abstract: A supplemental fuel system includes a supplemental fuel tank, an electronic lock off valve, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The supplemental fuel tank is configured to store a supplemental fuel. The supplemental fuel is configured to supplement a primary fuel used by an engine. The electronic lock off valve is configured to be positioned between the supplemental fuel tank and an air supply system for the engine. The temperature sensor is configured to acquire temperature data regarding a temperature of exhaust gas output by the engine. The controller is configured to control the electronic lock off valve such that the electronic lock off valve is (i) closed in response to the temperature being greater than a temperature threshold and (ii) open or openable in response to the temperature being less than the temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: American CNG, LLC
    Inventor: Matt Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 11661902
    Abstract: Methods and systems for flex fuel engines that have both port fuel injection and direct injection. Operating an engine system includes determining a percent of ethanol in a fuel and determining whether the percent of ethanol is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the percent of ethanol is greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied only through the direct injection injectors. When the percent of ethanol is not greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied through a combination of the direct injection injectors and port fuel injection injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Jeffrey M Hutmacher
  • Patent number: 11572847
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber, at least one fuel delivery line for the delivery of fuel to at least one combustion chamber, and at least one differential pressure control valve for controlling the pressure in the at least one fuel delivery line. The at least one differential pressure control valve is configured to perform a valve opening or valve closing movement based on a pressure difference between the at least one fuel delivery line and a reference volume having a reference pressure. The internal combustion engine further includes at least one pressure relief valve, separate from the at least one differential pressure control valve, and configured to open to cause a pressure relief in the reference volume and a decrease in the reference pressure if a drop occurs in the power to be performed by the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Alexander Mairhofer, Johannes Huber, Josef Thalhauser, Matthias Grotz, Michael Franz Litzlfellner, Alexander Gasteiger, Michael Perktold
  • Patent number: 10907553
    Abstract: A control circuit for a dual fuel generator includes a primary fuel valve to control the supply of a primary fuel, a secondary fuel valve to control the supply of a secondary fuel, a primary fuel pressure switch to detect the primary fuel, a secondary fuel pressure switch to detect the secondary fuel, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a primary signal for availability of the primary fuel from the primary fuel pressure switch and a secondary signal for availability of the secondary fuel from the secondary and operate the primary fuel valve and the secondary fuel valve in response to the primary signal and the secondary signal. When the secondary fuel valve is open so that the secondary fuel is provided to the dual fuel generator, the control circuit is configured to ground the primary signal by connecting the primary fuel pressure switch to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Harrison C. Chiu, Peter Thompson, Seth Gudmundson, Zachary David Meulemans
  • Patent number: 9027538
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel control system for a dual-fuel internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of valves for controlling the amount of gaseous fuel supplied to the engine. The valves have adjustable full-open flow rates and rapidly move from full-open to full-closed in response to a digital signal. An electronic system for monitoring at least one engine operating parameter maps the parameter value to control the opening and closing of the valves to establish a desired gaseous fuel flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Joseph M. Lepley
  • Patent number: 8985089
    Abstract: To reduce emissions at higher engine loads and speeds, methanol fuel is port-injected with charge-air into a diesel engine, and diesel fuel is then direct-injected to initiate combustion. The charge-air has a reduced oxygen concentration sufficient to prevent pre-ignition of the methanol prior to injection of the diesel fuel, and to reduce NOx formation. At low engine speeds and loads, the engine may run on diesel fuel alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Charles L. Gray, Jr., Matthew J. Brusstar, Michael Prince
  • Publication number: 20150052877
    Abstract: An engine system, comprising an externally filled fuel tank with an external fill port; a separator for separation of fuel based on octane level, the separator having a high octane outlet and a low octane outlet; a secondary fuel tank with an amount of fuel located therein and a return line, the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the low octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the high octane outlet of the separator or the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the high octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the low octane outlet of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20150034061
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the difference between the torque generated by an internal combustion engine and a required torque in a control system for a multifuel internal combustion engine that can use CNG and liquid fuel. To achieve the object, the control system for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention causes the internal combustion engine to operate in a first operation mode in which only CNG is used, when the required torque of the internal combustion engine is equal to or lower than a threshold and to operate in a second operation mode in which at least liquid fuel among CNG and liquid fuel is used, when the required torque of the internal combustion engine is higher than the threshold and changes the magnitude of the threshold in conjunction with the concentration of inert gases contained in CNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Masubuchi, Satoshi Taniguchi, Kouseki Sugiyama, Hiroshi Eto
  • Patent number: 8944033
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine powers a machine by burning natural gas and liquid diesel fuel. When operating in a low load mode, some of the engine cylinders are fueled with a high ratio of diesel/gas, and the remaining cylinders are unfueled. When operating in a high load mode, all of the engine cylinders are fueled with a low ratio of diesel/gas. When operating in a limp home mode, the fuel injectors are configured to inject only diesel fuel into all of the plurality of engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Joshua W. Steffen, Gregg W. Uhland, Brian K. Garman, Alan R. Stockner
  • Publication number: 20150025777
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing vacuum via an engine are described. In one example, introduction of a gaseous fuel is ceased in response to a request for the engine to provide vacuum to a vehicle vacuum system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8919330
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20140311469
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing natural gas possessing at least one desired quality to at least one engine include providing raw natural gas and methane gas through first and second conduits, respectively. Based upon measurements of the desired quality or qualities of the raw natural gas, the electronic controller selectively varies the flow of methane gas to provide a blend of raw natural gas and methane gas that possesses desired quality or qualities to the engine(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronnie D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8807098
    Abstract: A twin vertical bank hybrid internal combustion H-engine system; an assembly having an engine block with parallel left side and right side vertical inline piston banks, each having a crankshaft and pistons, a cylinder head, and individual fuel feeds operable on a first and second fuel type respectively. Each piston bank operates independently of the other but is housed within the same engine block and has separate lubrication systems. An operator selects which engine to run based on fuel availability, convenience, or lower cost of a certain fuel type. The chosen engine is mechanically or electrically selected via an engine bank selector box using a selector control which selects the fuel type and engages a drive gear on the crankshaft of the selected engine, and transfers power to the transmission. The selector control actuates a transfer system that prevents simultaneous operation of both engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Herns Louis
  • Patent number: 8733330
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system and method of operation have been provided. As one example, the system comprises an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber configured to propel the vehicle via at least a drive wheel, a motor configured to propel the vehicle via at least a drive wheel, an energy storage device configured to store energy that is usable by the motor to propel the vehicle, a fuel system configured to deliver gasoline and alcohol to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, a control system configured to operate the motor to propel the vehicle and to vary the relative amounts of the gasoline and alcohol provided to the combustion chamber in response to an output of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Andri
  • Patent number: 8707938
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8689768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel injection control apparatus for controlling fuel injection and a method therefor in an engine having first and second intake passages provided with first and second fuel injection valves, respectively. Fuel injection modes using the two injection valves include an alternative injection mode in which the first and second fuel injection valves are alternately operated every predetermined number of cycles and a combined injection mode in which both the first and second fuel injection valves are used for each cycle. Then, the combined injection mode is selected in a full load range. In a partial load range, the alternative injection mode is selected in a cold state and the combined injection mode is selected after warm-up. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an equilibrium amount of adhering fuel to an inner wall of an intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Saruwatari
  • Publication number: 20140069386
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine powers a machine by burning natural gas and liquid diesel fuel. When operating in a low load mode, some of the engine cylinders are fueled with a high ratio of diesel/gas, and the remaining cylinders are unfueled. When operating in a high load mode, all of the engine cylinders are fueled with a low ratio of diesel/gas. When operating in a limp home mode, the fuel injectors are configured to inject only diesel fuel into all of the plurality of engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Joshua W. Steffen, Gregg W. Uhland, Brian K. Garman, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 8580111
    Abstract: A device for separating fuel components comprising a separating membrane for separating high-octane fuel components from un-separated fuel and a heat exchanger between first liquid passing through the heat exchanger and second liquid passing through the heat exchanger, is provided. The first liquid is un-separated fuel passing through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the separating membrane. The second liquid is low-octane fuel remaining when the high-octane fuel components are separated from the un-separated fuel, passing through the heat exchanger after changing to an almost liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, George Walchuk, Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8522758
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8498799
    Abstract: A first control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines first and second fuel masses for first and second fuel injection systems of the engine, respectively, and that controls the first fuel injection system to inject a first fuel based on the first fuel mass. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel based on the second fuel mass. A second control system for an engine includes first and second control modules. The first control module controls a first fuel injection system of the engine to inject a first fuel and selectively disables at least one of a plurality of components of a second fuel injection system of the engine. The second control module controls the second fuel injection system to inject a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: James C. Matthews, Jr., Louis A. Avallone, Robert J. Horner, Nicholas John Kalweit, Marc Sauve, Charles E. Leady, Grant Meade, Amir R. Lodhi
  • Patent number: 8453627
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system and method of operation have been provided. As one example, the system comprises an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber configured to propel the vehicle via at least a drive wheel, a motor configured to propel the vehicle via at least a drive wheel, an energy storage device configured to store energy that is usable by the motor to propel the vehicle, a fuel system configured to deliver gasoline and alcohol to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, a control system configured to operate the motor to propel the vehicle and to vary the relative amounts of the gasoline and alcohol provided to the combustion chamber in response to an output of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Andri
  • Patent number: 8342158
    Abstract: In one example, a system for a vehicle travelling on a surface is described. The system includes an engine with a cylinder. The cylinder includes a fuel injector that is supplied with gaseous fuel and liquid fuel by a fuel delivery system. The fuel injector is mounted in the vehicle such that the fuel injector inlet faces at least partially toward the road surface. The orientation of the fuel injector enables a quick transition from liquid fuel to gaseous fuel because the gaseous fuel can rise to the injectors and be preferentially injected. Further, various approaches are described from transitioning operation between gaseous and liquid fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8181636
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a transition from fueling an engine with hydrogen to another fuel. That other fuel may be gasoline, a gasoline and alcohol mixture, or gaseous fuels, as examples. The other fuel has the capability of providing higher BMEP than the hydrogen because of better air utilization and because the other fuel occupies less volume of the combustion chamber. Because a desirable equivalence ratio to burn hydrogen is at 0.5 or less and a desirable equivalence ratio to burn other fuel is at 1.0, when a demand for BMEP that leads to a transition change from hydrogen fuel to the other fuel, the amount of air supplied to the engine is decreased to provide more torque and vice versa. During a transition in which liquid fuel supply is initiated, it may be desirable to continue to provide some hydrogen, not leaner than 0.1 hydrogen equivalence ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Francis Stockhausen, Diana D. Brehob
  • Patent number: 8042337
    Abstract: This invention relates to the sun location tracking method and apparatus of solar heat or photovoltaic collectors which are composed of a solar heat comparison collector for tracing the sun, a solar heat collector for reverting the collectors to sunrise position, and a turbine driven instrument of differential gear for mechanical driving of the tracking system so the tracking is accomplished by itself, and a heat exchanger and a water tank are provided to improve efficiency. The sun location tracking is performed by kinetic force of the steam turbine which driven by the steam from the solar heat comparison collector that generating steam with the solar energy only, so the most solar heat or photovoltaic energy to be obtained at the collectors while tracking the sun location from sunrise to sunset as driving one or more solar heat or photovoltaic collector(s) with interlocking movement manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Jeong-Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 7869930
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Albert Stein, Kevin Durand Byrd
  • Patent number: 7853396
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Shiro Tanno
  • Patent number: 7806212
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an air intake assembly having a fixed funnel for introducing air to an intake port of an engine, and a movable funnel that selectively cooperates with the fixed funnel to introduce air to the intake port. The vehicle also includes a rotary shaft and a parallel linkage located on a first side of the movable funnel for movably supporting the movable funnel, and a drive source, such as a motor, located on a second side of the movable funnel generally opposite the first side for driving the parallel linkage. In one arrangement, the rotary shaft and parallel linkage are located on a forward side of the movable funnel and the drive source is located on the rearward side of the movable funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Sudoh, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7802562
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is described. As one example, the method includes delivering a first fuel blend from a first fuel tank to the engine; delivering a second fuel blend from a second fuel tank to the engine, the proportion of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine to said first fuel blend delivered to the engine being related to the desired engine output; transferring said first fuel blend from said first fuel tank to said second fuel tank to prevent an amount of said first fuel blend and said second fuel blend in said second fuel tank from falling below a predetermined level; and boosting air delivered to the engine, the amount of boosting being related to latent heat of vaporization of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100206249
    Abstract: Turbocharged or supercharged spark ignition engine. The engine includes a source of methanol for direct injection of methanol into the engine and for delivering a portion of the methanol to a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 7771675
    Abstract: A reforming catalyst (6) induces an isomerization reforming reaction and a decomposition reforming reaction of a gasoline fuel. Injectors (27, 33, 35, 36) supply an isomerized fuel generated by the isomerization reforming reaction and a decomposed fuel generated by the decomposition reforming reaction respectively to the internal combustion engine (1). The ratio of the isomerization reforming reaction and the decomposition reforming reaction depends on a catalyst temperature, and can be altered arbitrarily by controlling an air supply amount to the catalyst (6) via an air amount regulating valve (14) and a fuel supply amount to the catalyst (6) via a fuel injector (8) and thereby controlling the catalyst temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Hotta, Masaaki Kubo, Eiji Takahashi, Koichi Ashida, Yasushi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7769527
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (100) comprises a fuel injection valve (21, 22) which supplies a first fuel having a higher self-ignitability than gasoline and a second fuel having a higher combustion speed than gasoline such that an air-fuel mixture containing the first fuel and the second fuel is formed in a combustion chamber (14), a spark plug (25) which ignites the air-fuel mixture, and a programmable controller (41) programmed to control supply proportions of the first fuel and the second fuel such that the ignited air-fuel mixture undergoes flame propagation combustion and then undergoes self-ignition combustion. Thus, a reduction in emissions can be achieved, and high thermal efficiency can be realized through the self-ignition combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Noda, Atsushi Teraji, Takashi Araki, Akihiko Kakuho, Isamu Hotta, Koichi Ashida, Masaharu Kassai
  • Publication number: 20100180838
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes an engine block assembly, an air intake system coupled to the engine block assembly and an alternative fuel delivery system coupled to the air intake system. The alternative fuel delivery system includes a control module that monitors measurements of operational data of the internal combustion engine from the one or more sensors. In response to the operational data, the control module determines a fuel flow rate of alternative fuel and controls injection of the alternative fuel to provide the determined fuel flow rate of alternative fuel into the air intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: H2 SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: JOSEPH E. LEWIS, III, ANDREW A. ROBBINS
  • 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: 20100065016
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20100024771
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which includes a valve including at least a first valve setting and a second valve setting; a first fuel storage tank fluidly coupled with a first fuel receiving end of the valve; a second fuel storage tank fluidly coupled with a second fuel receiving end of the valve; a port fuel injector fluidly coupled with a first fuel dispensing end of the valve, said port fuel injector configured to deliver fuel to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine; a direct fuel injector fluidly coupled with a second fuel dispensing end of the valve, said direct fuel injector configured to deliver fuel to the cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and a control system configured to selected one of the first valve setting and the second valve setting in response to an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20100024789
    Abstract: An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes: combusting fuel from a first fuel tank during a first engine operating condition; combusting fuel from a second fuel tank during a second engine operating condition; transferring fuel from the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank when a fuel level of the second fuel tank falls below a predetermined level; delivering air to the engine from an air compressor; and adjusting the compressor based on a combustion characteristic of fuel from the second tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100030451
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is described. As one example, the method includes delivering a first fuel blend from a first fuel tank to the engine; delivering a second fuel blend from a second fuel tank to the engine, the proportion of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine to said first fuel blend delivered to the engine being related to the desired engine output; transferring said first fuel blend from said first fuel tank to said second fuel tank to prevent an amount of said first fuel blend and said second fuel blend in said second fuel tank from falling below a predetermined level; and boosting air delivered to the engine, the amount of boosting being related to latent heat of vaporization of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100024772
    Abstract: A fuel system and a method of operation of the fuel system are described in the context of a multi-fuel internal combustion engine. As a non-limiting example, the method includes: varying a composition of fuel supplied to an inlet of a fuel pump responsive to engine output; operating the fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel at an outlet of the fuel pump using the fuel received at the inlet of the fuel pump; supplying the pressurized fuel from the outlet of the fuel pump to the internal combustion engine and to a fuel separator; and varying a proportion of the pressurized fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine relative to the fuel separator responsive to the engine output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20100024770
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a multi-fuel internal combustion engine and an approach for operating the fuel delivery system are provided. The fuel delivery system can be operated in two or more different fuel delivery modes according to operating conditions of the engine or fuel delivery system. A first example mode can be performed to concurrently deliver two or more fuels to the engine. A second example mode can be performed to transfer fuel from a first fuel storage tank to a second fuel storage tank. A third example mode can be performed to supply a fuel from a first fuel storage tank to at least two fuel injectors of each cylinder of the engine. In some embodiments, the various modes of operation may be selected by varying a fuel pressure that is provided by the fuel delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7640913
    Abstract: Fuel management system for 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul N. Blumberg, Leslie Bromberg, John Heywood, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20090260606
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a transition from fueling an engine with hydrogen to another fuel. That other fuel may be gasoline, a gasoline and alcohol mixture, or gaseous fuels, as examples. The other fuel has the capability of providing higher BMEP than the hydrogen because of better air utilization and because the other fuel occupies less volume of the combustion chamber. Because a desirable equivalence ratio to burn hydrogen is at 0.5 or less and a desirable equivalence ratio to burn other fuel is at 1.0, when a demand for BMEP that leads to a transition change from hydrogen fuel to the other fuel, the amount of air supplied to the engine is decreased to provide more torque and vice versa. During a transition in which liquid fuel supply is initiated, it may be desirable to continue to provide some hydrogen, not leaner than 0.1 hydrogen equivalence ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Francis Stockhausen, Diana D. Brehob
  • Patent number: 7597072
    Abstract: A system and method to control valve timing and valve lift of an engine is described. The valve timing can be adjusted to improve engine operation when a range of fuels are used. The method can improve engine performance and the energy utilization, at least under some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Stein, Stephen L. Hahn
  • Patent number: 7597090
    Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine which can produce several types of fuels from a single fuel as needed. The internal combustion engine comprises reforming means 3 for reforming a first fuel to be used in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion into a second fuel having high ignitability, by making the first fuel contact with a catalyst formed from N-hydroxyphthalimide. The engine uses the second fuel when conducting diesel combustion. The engine can switch between the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with the use of the first fuel and the diesel combustion with the use of the second fuel. The engine conducts the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when a load is low, and conducts the diesel combustion when the load is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Kohjiroh Aimoto, Takahiro Gunji, Fumiaki Ikegawa
  • Patent number: 7556030
    Abstract: A spark-ignition type internal combustion engine, including a main tank for storing a to-be-determined fuel having an unknown self-ignition property, an auxiliary tank for accumulating a reference fuel having a known self-ignition property, and a controller. The controller is programmed to supply to a combustion chamber a blended fuel prepared by blending the to-be-determined fuel and the reference fuel at a predetermined ratio, measure a self-ignition property of the blended fuel, and determine the unknown self-ignition property of the to-be-determined fuel based on the measured self-ignition property of the blended fuel, the known self-ignition property of the reference fuel and the ratio of the blended fuel. The controller is also programmed to introduce the to-be-determined fuel after the determination from the main tank to the auxiliary tank, and store the to-be-determined fuel in the auxiliary tank such that the to-be-determined fuel serves as a next reference fuel having a known self-ignition property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ashida, Toru Noda, Isamu Hotta
  • Publication number: 20090165762
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of operating an engine. The method may include injecting a primary fuel. The method may further include determining a need for a secondary fuel during starting of the engine and introducing the secondary fuel. The method may still further include determining an engine acceleration rate. The method may also include inhibiting the introduction of the secondary fuel when the engine acceleration rate is below an expected acceleration rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Curtis Lyle Fitchpatrick, Brian Gene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7546835
    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: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Hilditch
  • 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: 7533651
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a combustion chamber located in the engine; a delivery system configured to deliver a fuel and a fluid to at least the combustion chamber in varying ratios, wherein the fluid includes at least an alcohol; wherein the delivery system includes at least a direct injector configured to inject at least the fluid directly into the combustion chamber; and a control system configured to advance the timing of the fluid delivered to the combustion chamber by the direct injector to reduce the likelihood of knock; and retard the timing of the fluid delivered to the combustion chamber by the direct injector to reduce the likelihood of preignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla