US4031864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1976-03-09
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A multiple fuel supply or an internal combustion engine wherein phase separation of components is deliberately induced. The resulting separation permits the use of a single fuel tank to supply components of either or both phases to the engine. Specifically, phase separation of a gasoline/methanol blend is induced by the addition of a minor amount of water sufficient to guarantee separation into an upper gasoline phase and a lower methanol/water phase. A single fuel tank holds the two-phase liquid with separate fuel pickups and separate level indicators for each phase. Either gasoline or methanol, or both, can be supplied to the engine as required by predetermined parameters. A fuel supply system for a phase-separated multiple fuel supply contained in a single fuel tank is described.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Crothers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:59
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0076; F02M37/0082; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B75/00; F02B75/12; F02D; F02D19/00; F02D19/06; F02D19/0626; F02D19/0628; F02D19/0639; F02D19/0649; F02D19/0652; F02D19/0655; F02D19/0663; F02D19/08; F02D19/081; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0228; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for supplying a combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply contained in a single container, said multiple liquid fuel being phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, which comprises: inducing phase separation of the multiple liquid fuel, thereby establishing the two-phase liquid in the container; supplying the combustion engine with liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid withdrawn from the upper phase, liquid withdrawn from the lower phase, and liquid withdrawn from both the upper phase and the lower phase.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for supplying a combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply contained in a single container, said multiple liquid fuel being phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, which comprises: inducing phase separation of the multiple liquid fuel, thereby establishing the two-phase liquid in the container; supplying the combustion engine with liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid withdrawn from the upper phase, liquid withdrawn from the lower phase, and liquid withdrawn from both the upper phase and the lower phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the multiple liquid fuel is a mixture of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel and an alcohol fuel, said mixture being phase-separable in the presence of a minor amount of water, and phase separation is induced by addition of an amount of water sufficient to form an upper phase containing a major proportion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel and a lower phase containing a major proportion of the alcohol fuel and water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel is gasoline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the alcohol fuel is methanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fuel supply system for supplying a combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply which is phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, which comprises a tank for containing a two-phase liquid, said tank being provided with inlet means admitting the introduction of multiple liquid fuel components and a phase separation inducing agent, first supply means communicating with an upper phase liquid for supplying a combustion engine therewith, and second supply means communicating with a lower phase liquid for supplying a combustion engine therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A fuel supply system for supplying a combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply which is phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, which comprises a tank for containing a two-phase liquid, said tank being provided with inlet means admitting the introduction of multiple liquid fuel components and a phase separation inducing agent, first supply means communicating with an upper phase liquid for supplying a combustion engine therewith, and second supply means communicating with a lower phase liquid for supplying a combustion engine therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 5 further including control means operatively associated with said first supply means and said second supply means for controlling the quantity of liquid supplied from each phase in accordance with at least one predetermined parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 6 wherein the control means are responsive to a command signal provided by computing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 6 wherein said tank is further provided with stabilizing means within said tank for stabilizing the separated phases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 6 wherein said tank is further provided with a first level monitoring means operatively associated with the level of the upper phase for determining the level of the upper phase liquid in the tank and a second level monitoring means operatively associated with the level of the lower phase for determining the level of the lower phase liquid in the tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 6 wherein the multiple liquid fuel is a mixture of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel and an alcohol fuel which is phase-separable by the addition of an amount of water sufficient to form an upper phase containing a major proportion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel and a lower phase containing a major proportion of the alcohol fuel and water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 10 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel is gasoline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fuel supply system according to claim 11 wherein the alcohol fuel is methanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
In combination with a fuel delivery and metering system having computing means for providing a fuel delivery and metering command signal to control the actuation of valve means whereby the delivery and metering of fuel to an engine combustion chamber is controlled, a fuel supply system for supplying the internal combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply which is phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, said fuel supply system comprising a tank for containing a two-phase liquid, said tank being provided with inlet means admitting the introduction of multiple liquid fuel components and a phase separation inducing agent, first supply means communicating with an upper phase liquid for supplying an internal combustion engine therewith, and second supply means communicating with a lower phase liquid for supplying an internal combustion engine therewith; and control means operatively associated with said first supply means and said second supply means and responsive to a command signal provided by said computing means to control the quantity of liquid supplied from each phase in accordance with at least one predetermined engine parameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
210 words
In combination with a fuel delivery and metering system having computing means for providing a fuel delivery and metering command signal to control the actuation of valve means whereby the delivery and metering of fuel to an engine combustion chamber is controlled, a fuel supply system for supplying the internal combustion engine with fuel from a multiple liquid fuel supply which is phase-separable to form a two-phase liquid, the upper phase containing a major proportion of a first component of the multiple fuel and the lower phase containing a major proportion of a second component of the multiple fuel, said fuel supply system comprising a tank for containing a two-phase liquid, said tank being provided with inlet means admitting the introduction of multiple liquid fuel components and a phase separation inducing agent, first supply means communicating with an upper phase liquid for supplying an internal combustion engine therewith, and second supply means communicating with a lower phase liquid for supplying an internal combustion engine therewith; and control means operatively associated with said first supply means and said second supply means and responsive to a command signal provided by said computing means to control the quantity of liquid supplied from each phase in accordance with at least one predetermined engine parameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein the fuel delivery and metering system is a fuel injection system, the fuel delivery and metering command signal is a fuel injection command signal and said valve means are injector valve means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |