Apparatus and system for controlling the air-fuel ratio supplied to a combustion engine

Claim 2

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, idle fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, said idle fuel metering system means comprising first modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered idle fuel flow through said idle fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, said main fuel metering system means comprising second modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, first electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said first modulating valve means, said first electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said first modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said first electrically energizable motor means, and second electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said second modulating valve means, said second electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said second modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said second electrically energizable motor means.

Claim 3

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said first electrically energizable motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said first modulating valve means comprises a movable valve member, and wherein said movable valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly.

Claim 4

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said second electrically energizable motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said second modulating valve means comprises a movable valve member, and wherein said movable valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly.

Claim 5

A carburetor according to claim 3 and further comprising spring means operatively connected to said movable valve member.

Claim 6

A carburetor according to claim 4 wherein said spring means normally urges said movable valve member in a direction which results in an increase in the rate of metered main fuel through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means.

Claim 7

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said first electrically energizable motor means comprises a first solenoid assembly, wherein said first modulating valve means comprises a first movable valve member, wherein said first movable valve member is operatively connected to said first solenoid assembly, wherein said second motor means comprises a second solenoid assembly, wherein said second modulating valve means comprises a second movable valve member, and wherein said second movable valve member is operatively connected to said second solenoid assembly.

Claim 8

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said first modulating valve means comprises atmospheric air bleed means, said air bleed means comprising air bleed orifice means and movable valve means, wherein said first motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said movable valve means is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly as to be moved thereby and in accordance therewith, wherein said movable valve means when moved by said solenoid assembly in a first direction being effective to increase the effective flow area of said air bleed orifice means, and said movable valve means when moved in a second direction opposite to said first direction being effective to decrease the effective flow area of said air bleed orifice means.

Claim 9

A carburetor according to claim 7 wherein when said movable valve means is moved in said first direction the rate of metered flow of idle fuel flow through said idle fuel metering system means to said induction passage means is decreased.

Claim 10

A carburetor according to claim 7 wherein said air bleed orifice means comprises first and second air bleed orifices, and wherein said movable valve member cooperates with one of said first and second air bleed orifices in varying the effective flow area thereof.

Claim 11

A carburetor according to claim 9 wherein said first and second air bleed orifices are in parallel circuit relationships with respect to each other.

Claim 12

A carburetor according to claim 10 and further comprising calibrated flow restriction means in fluid circuit series relationship with said one of said first and second air bleed orifices, and wherein said calibrated flow restriction means is in parallel circuit relationship with the other of said first and second air bleed orifices.

Claim 13

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said second modulating valve means comprises orifice means, and a valve member cooperating with said orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area.

Claim 14

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said second modulating valve means comprises first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated second orifice means, and wherein said first and second orifice means are in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other as to have each communicate with said fuel reservoir chamber means.

Claim 15

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said second modulating valve means comprises first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated second orifice means, wherein said first and second orifice means are in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated third orifice means, and wherein said third orifice means is in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 16

A carburetor according to claim 1 wherein said second modulating valve means comprises orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said second motor means comprises solenoid assembly means, wherein said valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly means for movement therewith, and further comprising first spring means operatively engaging said valve member, and second spring means operatively engaging said valve member, said second spring means being effective to urge said valve member in a direction resulting in a decrease in said effective fuel metering area.

Claim 17

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, idle fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means for supplying rates of metered main fuel flow throughout the entire range of required rate of metered main fuel flow, said main fuel metering system means comprising modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, and electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said modulating valve means, said electrically energizable motor means being continuously effective throughout said entire range of required rates of metered main fuel flow to continuously variably position said modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said electrically energizable motor means, said modulating valve means comprising first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated second orifice means, said first and second orifice means being in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated third orifice means, and said third orifice means being in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 18

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, idle fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means for supplying rates of metered main fuel flow throughout the entire range of required rate of metered main fuel flow, said main fuel metering system means comprising modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, and electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said modulating valve means, said electrically energizable motor means being continuously effective throughout said entire range of required rates of metered main fuel flow to continuously variably position said modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said electrically energizable motor means, said modulating valve means comprising first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated second orifice means, said first and second orifice means being in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated third orifice means, and said third orifice means being in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 19

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means for supplying rates of metered main fuel flow throughout the entire range of required rate of metered main fuel flow, said main fuel metering system means comprising modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, and electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said modulating valve means, said electrically energizable motor means being continuously effective throughout said entire range of required rates of metered main fuel flow to continuously variably position said modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said electrically energizable motor means, said modulating valve means comprising first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated second orifice means, said first and second orifice means being in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated third orifice means, and said third orifice means being in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 20

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means for supplying rates of metered main fuel flow throughout the entire range of required rate of metered main fuel flow, said main fuel metering system means comprising modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, and electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said modulating valve means, said electrically energizable motor means being continuously effective throughout said entire range of required rates of metered main fuel flow to continuously variably position said modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said electrically energizable motor means, said modulating valve means comprising first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated second orifice means, said first and second orifice means being in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, said main fuel metering system means further comprising calibrated third orifice means, and said third orifice means being in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 21

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, additional fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, said main fuel metering system means comprising first modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, said additional fuel metering system means comprising second modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered additional fuel flow through said additional fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, first electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said first modulating valve means, said first electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said first modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said first electrically energizable motor means, and second electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said second modulating valve means, said second electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said second modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said second electrically energizable motor means.

Claim 22

A carburetor for a combustion engine, comprising carburetor body means, induction passage means formed in said body means, variably positionable throttle valve means for controlling the rate of motive fluid through said induction passage means and into said engine, fuel reservoir chamber means formed in said body means, main fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, additional fuel metering system means communicating generally between said fuel reservoir chamber means and said induction passage means, said main fuel metering system means comprising first modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered main fuel flow through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, said additional fuel metering system means comprising second modulating valve means carried by said body means and effective to be variably positioned in order to thereby controllably alter the rate of metered additional fuel flow through said additional fuel metering system means to said induction passage means, first electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said first modulating valve means, said first electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said first modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said first electrically energizable motor means, and second electrically energizable motor means carried by said body means and operatively connected to said second modulating valve means, said second electrically energizable motor means being effective to variably position said second modulating valve means in response to the electrical energization experienced by said second electrically energizable motor means.

Claim 23

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first electrically energizable motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said first modulating valve means comprises a movable valve member, and wherein said movable valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly.

Claim 24

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said second electrically energizable motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said second modulating valve means comprises a movable valve member, and wherein said movable valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly.

Claim 25

A carburetor according to claim 19 and further comprising spring means operatively connected to said movable valve member.

Claim 26

A carburetor according to claim 21 wherein said spring means normally urges said movable valve member in a direction which results in an increase in the rate of metered main fuel through said main fuel metering system means to said induction passage means.

Claim 27

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first fluid motor means comprises a first solenoid assembly, wherein said first modulating valve means comprises a first movable valve member, wherein said first movable valve member is operatively connected to said first solenoid assembly, wherein said second motor means comprises a second solenoid assembly, wherein said second modulating valve means comprises a second movable valve member, and wherein said second movable valve member is operatively connected to said second solenoid assembly.

Claim 28

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said second modulating valve means comprises atmospheric air bleed means, said air bleed means comprising air bleed orifice means and movable valve means, wherein said second motor means comprises a solenoid assembly, wherein said movable valve means is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly as to be moved thereby and in accordance therewith, wherein said movable valve means when moved by said solenoid assembly in a first direction being effective to increase the effective flow area of said air bleed orifice means, and said movable valve means when moved in a second direction opposite to said first direction being effective to decrease the effective flow area of said air bleed orifice means.

Claim 29

A carburetor according to claim 24 wherein when said movable valve means is moved in said first direction the rate of metered flow of said additional fuel flow through said additional fuel metering system means to said induction passage means is decreased.

Claim 30

A carburetor according to claim 24 wherein said air bleed orifice means comprises first and second air bleed orifices, and wherein said movable valve member cooperates with one of said first and second air bleed orifices in varying the effective flow area thereof.

Claim 31

A carburetor according to claim 26 wherein said first and second air bleed orifices are in parallel circuit relationships with respect to each other.

Claim 32

A carburetor according to claim 27 and further comprising calibrated flow restriction means in fluid circuit series relationship with said one of said first and second air bleed orifices, and wherein said calibrated flow restriction means is in parallel circuit relationship with the other of said first and second air bleed orifices.

Claim 33

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first modulating valve means comprises orifice means, and a valve member cooperating with said orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area.

Claim 34

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first modulating valve means comprises first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated second orifice means, and wherein said first and second orifice means are in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other as to have each communicate with said fuel reservoir chamber means.

Claim 35

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first modulating valve means comprises first orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said first orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated second orifice means, wherein said first and second orifice means are in parallel fluid circuit relationship to each other, wherein said main fuel metering system means further comprises calibrated third orifice means, and wherein said third orifice means is in series fluid circuit relationship with said first orifice means and in parallel circuit relationship with said second orifice means.

Claim 36

A carburetor according to claim 18 wherein said first modulating valve means comprises orifice means and a valve member cooperating with said orifice means to variably define therebetween an effective fuel metering area, wherein said first motor means comprises solenoid assembly means, wherein said valve member is operatively connected to said solenoid assembly means for movement therewith, and further comprising first spring means operatively engaging said valve member, and second spring means operatively engaging said valve member, said second spring means being effective to urge said valve member in a direction resulting in a decrease in said effective fuel metering area.