Patent US3824965A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3824965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel system
Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-30
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A low pressure direct injection fuel system for preignition engines in which the main fraction of the compressed charge of the engine is ignited by exposure to a hot gas exiting from a smaller volume spark ignition prechamber forces fuel into each chamber and/or prechamber of the engine during all or a segment of the low pressure scavenging periods of the engine cycle via passages containing valves to prevent backflow of fuel and gases during the high pressure period of the engine cycle. The engine runs unthrottled solely on the prechamber fuel charge and the amount of fuel fed to the prechamber is decreased with increased engine load so that a uniform combustible charge is present in the prechamber during all engine load and speed regimes.
Inventors
- 👤 L Clawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:04
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B19/00; F02B19/10; F02B19/1019; F02B19/108; F02B19/1085; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B75/00; F02B75/12; F02B2075/125; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said prechamber receiving its primary air supply only from said main chamber, a fuel supply system comprising A. means including an air supply passage for supplying fuel and air to each main chamber of each engine cylinder as a function of engine load so that the fuel supply to each main chamber increases and decreases, respectively, with increase and decrease in engine load, B. a fuel pump for continuously maintaining a fuel supply pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above air supply passage pressure, whereby said fuel supply pressure exceeds prechamber pressure during periods of each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions, C. a manifold connected to said pump for receiving therefrom fuel at said fuel supply pressure, D. a fuel line connected between said manifold and the prechamber for each engine cylinder for conducting fuel at said fuel supply pressure directly to each prechamber, each said line including a valve responsive to the difference between prechamber pressure and pressure in said fuel line 1. arranged to remain closed during the compression and power strokes of the corresponding cylinder, and 2. set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to said supplyIng means and said manifold so that the amount of fuel conducted to said manifold varies inversely with the amount of fuel conducted to said supplying means, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between manifold pressure and air supply passage pressure with decrease in fuel conducted to said supplying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said prechamber receiving its primary air supply only from said main chamber, a fuel supply system comprising A. means including an air supply passage for supplying fuel and air to each main chamber of each engine cylinder as a function of engine load so that the fuel supply to each main chamber increases and decreases, respectively, with increase and decrease in engine load, B. a fuel pump for continuously maintaining a fuel supply pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above air supply passage pressure, whereby said fuel supply pressure exceeds prechamber pressure during periods of each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions, C. a manifold connected to said pump for receiving therefrom fuel at said fuel supply pressure, D. a fuel line connected between said manifold and the prechamber for each engine cylinder for conducting fuel at said fuel supply pressure directly to each prechamber, each said line including a valve responsive to the difference between prechamber pressure and pressure in said fuel line 1. arranged to remain closed during the compression and power strokes of the corresponding cylinder, and 2. set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to said supplyIng means and said manifold so that the amount of fuel conducted to said manifold varies inversely with the amount of fuel conducted to said supplying means, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between manifold pressure and air supply passage pressure with decrease in fuel conducted to said supplying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to said supplyIng means and said manifold so that the amount of fuel conducted to said manifold varies inversely with the amount of fuel conducted to said supplying means, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between manifold pressure and air supply passage pressure with decrease in fuel conducted to said supplying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to said supplyIng means and said manifold so that the amount of fuel conducted to said manifold varies inversely with the amount of fuel conducted to said supplying means, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between manifold pressure and air supply passage pressure with decrease in fuel conducted to said supplying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel injection system as defined in claim 1, said supplying means further including A. a second manifold connected to said pump, and B. a second set of fuel lines communicating between said second manifold and the cylinder main chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the cylinder pressure is less than the fuel pressure in said manifold, D. means for supplying fuel to said main chamber of each engine cylinder as a function of engine load so that the fuel supply to each main chamber increases and decreases, respectively, with increase and decrease in engine load, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to each prechamber via the manifold so that the amount varies inversely with the charge of fuel to the corresponding main chamber, said controlling means comprising means for reducing the pressure in said fuel line wIth increase in fuel supply to said main chamber of each engine cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
set to open during at least part of the periods of the corresponding cylinder when the cylinder pressure is less than the fuel pressure in said manifold, D. means for supplying fuel to said main chamber of each engine cylinder as a function of engine load so that the fuel supply to each main chamber increases and decreases, respectively, with increase and decrease in engine load, and E. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to each prechamber via the manifold so that the amount varies inversely with the charge of fuel to the corresponding main chamber, said controlling means comprising means for reducing the pressure in said fuel line wIth increase in fuel supply to said main chamber of each engine cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
set to open during at least part of the periods when the cylinder pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, D. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to the prechambers so that it varies inversely with the amount of fuel fed to the main chambers, said controlling means comprising means for reducing the pressure in said fuel line with increase in fuel supply to said main chambers; and E. a connecting passage between each main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
set to open during at least part of the periods when the cylinder pressure is less than the fuel line pressure, D. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted to the prechambers so that it varies inversely with the amount of fuel fed to the main chambers, said controlling means comprising means for reducing the pressure in said fuel line with increase in fuel supply to said main chambers; and E. a connecting passage between each main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
each said valve being set to open in response to fuel pressure in its connected fuel line during at least a portion of the period of the associated cylinder when said cylinder pressure is less than said fuel line pressure, F. a connecting passage between said main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber, G. means for regulating said feeding means to vary the introduction of fuel into said main chambers so as to control the speed and power of said engine, and H. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted by the fuel lines to the prechambers so that as the amount of fuel fed to the main chambers decreases, the amount fed to the prechambers increases, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between said fuel pressure and the pressure in said air feeding means with decrease in fuel supply to said main chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
each said valve being set to open in response to fuel pressure in its connected fuel line during at least a portion of the period of the associated cylinder when said cylinder pressure is less than said fuel line pressure, F. a connecting passage between said main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber, G. means for regulating said feeding means to vary the introduction of fuel into said main chambers so as to control the speed and power of said engine, and H. means for controlling the amount of fuel conducted by the fuel lines to the prechambers so that as the amount of fuel fed to the main chambers decreases, the amount fed to the prechambers increases, said controlling means comprising means for increasing the differential between said fuel pressure and the pressure in said air feeding means with decrease in fuel supply to said main chambers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
a fuel pressure output port in fluid communication with said main chamber fuel feeding means D. a plurality of fuel lines in fluid communication with said output port, each of said fuel lines being adapted to receive fuel at said fuel supply pressure and connect with a different prechamber of said engine so as to conduct fuel to the associated prechamber, E. a valve in each of said fuel lines responsive to the difference between fuel pressure and prechamber pressure,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
a fuel pressure output port in fluid communication with said main chamber fuel feeding means D. a plurality of fuel lines in fluid communication with said output port, each of said fuel lines being adapted to receive fuel at said fuel supply pressure and connect with a different prechamber of said engine so as to conduct fuel to the associated prechamber, E. a valve in each of said fuel lines responsive to the difference between fuel pressure and prechamber pressure,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fuel injection system as defined in claim 2 wherein each fuel line in said second set also includes a said valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fuel injection system as defined in claim 2 and wherein said pressure differential increasing means further comprises: A. means for controlling the flow of fuel from said pump to said second manifold so as to regulate the fuel charges fed to said main chambers during each cycle of the engine; and B. means for increasing the pressure in the first said manifold with decrease in fuel supply to said second manifold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said system comprising in combination A. means for feeding fuel to the main chamber of each cylinder, B. means for feeding air to the main chamber of each cylinder, C. a variable speed fuel pump for continuously maintaining a fuel supply pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above the pressure in said air feeding means to thereby establish periods during each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions in which fuel pressure exceeds cylinder pressure, said pump having
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said system comprising in combination A. means for feeding fuel to the main chamber of each cylinder, B. means for feeding air to the main chamber of each cylinder, C. a variable speed fuel pump for continuously maintaining a fuel supply pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above the pressure in said air feeding means to thereby establish periods during each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions in which fuel pressure exceeds cylinder pressure, said pump having
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fuel injection system as defined in claim 5 wherein the fuel feeding means for each main chamber also includes a said check valve which opens in response to a pressure drop in said main chamber.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
251 words
The method of injecting fuel into a prechamber of a stratified charge type internal combustion engine having a main chamber and a communicating prechamber adapted to receive its primary Air supply from said main chamber, comprising the steps of A. providing a flow of fuel for delivery directly to each engine prechamber during each engine cycle; B. providing for a flow of fuel and air into each engine main chamber; C. admitting to each prechamber a fuel and air mixture from the corresponding main chamber; D. pressurizing said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel to establish a pressure level thereof substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above the pressure of said flow of air to said corresponding main chamber, thereby establishing periods during each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions in which the pressure of said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel exceeds the prechamber pressure; E. admitting to each prechamber said pressurized flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel as a function and only as a function of the differential between the pressure thereof and the prechamber pressure and only when the prechamber pressure is a value below the pressure of said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel; and F. controlling the delivery of fuel to each prechamber inversely with the amount of fuel flowed to the communicating main chamber by increasing the pressure differential between said directly delivered prechamber fuel and said corresponding main chamber air flow as fuel delivery to said main chamber decreases.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
251 words
The method of injecting fuel into a prechamber of a stratified charge type internal combustion engine having a main chamber and a communicating prechamber adapted to receive its primary Air supply from said main chamber, comprising the steps of A. providing a flow of fuel for delivery directly to each engine prechamber during each engine cycle; B. providing for a flow of fuel and air into each engine main chamber; C. admitting to each prechamber a fuel and air mixture from the corresponding main chamber; D. pressurizing said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel to establish a pressure level thereof substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above the pressure of said flow of air to said corresponding main chamber, thereby establishing periods during each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions in which the pressure of said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel exceeds the prechamber pressure; E. admitting to each prechamber said pressurized flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel as a function and only as a function of the differential between the pressure thereof and the prechamber pressure and only when the prechamber pressure is a value below the pressure of said flow of directly delivered prechamber fuel; and F. controlling the delivery of fuel to each prechamber inversely with the amount of fuel flowed to the communicating main chamber by increasing the pressure differential between said directly delivered prechamber fuel and said corresponding main chamber air flow as fuel delivery to said main chamber decreases.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
A fuel injection system for a stratified charge internal combustion engine having prechambers and main chambers, each main chamber being associated with a prechamber, and including means for feeding fuel to the main chambers, said system comprising in combination A. a source of fuel under pressure, B. a fuel line conducting fuel under pressure from the source to the engine prechambers, C. a valve in the fuel line, said valve
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
A fuel injection system for a stratified charge internal combustion engine having prechambers and main chambers, each main chamber being associated with a prechamber, and including means for feeding fuel to the main chambers, said system comprising in combination A. a source of fuel under pressure, B. a fuel line conducting fuel under pressure from the source to the engine prechambers, C. a valve in the fuel line, said valve
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said prechamber receiving its primary air supply only from said main chamber, a fuel injection system comprising A. a fuel pump, said pump being driven so as to pump fuel, B. a manifold connected to said pump, C. a fuel line connected between said manifold and the prechamber of each engine cylinder for conducting said fuel directly to each prechamber, each said line including a valve
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber, said prechamber receiving its primary air supply only from said main chamber, a fuel injection system comprising A. a fuel pump, said pump being driven so as to pump fuel, B. a manifold connected to said pump, C. a fuel line connected between said manifold and the prechamber of each engine cylinder for conducting said fuel directly to each prechamber, each said line including a valve
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
295 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each cylinder including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber associated with said main chamber, a fuel supply system comprising: A. means including an air supply passage for feeding fuel and air to each main chamber; B. a connecting passage between each main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said connecting passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber; C. a source of fuel for direct admission to said prechamber; D. a fuel line connecting each prechamber to said fuel source for conducting fuel from said fuel source into each engine prechamber; E. pressurizing means continuously maintaining said fuel source at a pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above air supply passage pressure for establishing a fuel driving force in said fuel line, whereby said fuel driving force exceeds prechamber pressure during periods of each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions; F. a valve in each fuel line continually responsive to the pressure differential between prechamber pressure and fuel line pressure for automatically opening said fuel line in response to pressure therein a value above pressure in said prechamber and otherwise closing said fuel line, whereby fuel enters said prechamber during and only during at least a portion of the periods when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel pressure in said fuel line; and G. means for increasing the fuel supply to said prechamber as fuel input to said main chamber decreases, said fuel increasing means comprising means for increasing the pressure differential between said fuel source and said air supply passage as fuel input to said main chamber decreases.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
295 words
In an internal combustion engine of the stratified charge type having one or more cylinders, each cylinder including a main chamber and a communicating prechamber associated with said main chamber, a fuel supply system comprising: A. means including an air supply passage for feeding fuel and air to each main chamber; B. a connecting passage between each main chamber and its associated prechamber for admitting to said prechamber fuel and air from said main chamber, said connecting passage being the primary air inlet to said prechamber; C. a source of fuel for direct admission to said prechamber; D. a fuel line connecting each prechamber to said fuel source for conducting fuel from said fuel source into each engine prechamber; E. pressurizing means continuously maintaining said fuel source at a pressure substantially constant with respect to engine crank angle and above air supply passage pressure for establishing a fuel driving force in said fuel line, whereby said fuel driving force exceeds prechamber pressure during periods of each engine cycle under all speed and load conditions; F. a valve in each fuel line continually responsive to the pressure differential between prechamber pressure and fuel line pressure for automatically opening said fuel line in response to pressure therein a value above pressure in said prechamber and otherwise closing said fuel line, whereby fuel enters said prechamber during and only during at least a portion of the periods when the prechamber pressure is less than the fuel pressure in said fuel line; and G. means for increasing the fuel supply to said prechamber as fuel input to said main chamber decreases, said fuel increasing means comprising means for increasing the pressure differential between said fuel source and said air supply passage as fuel input to said main chamber decreases.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |