US4401085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shut down protection apparatus for a water cooled internal combustion engine
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
•
Filing: 1981-12-11
•
Granted: 1983-08-30
•
Expires: 2001-12-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention contemplates engine shut down protection apparatus used in conjunction with an electronic fuel injection circuit for a water cooled internal-combustion engine. When turning off water-cooled internal combustion engines equipped with typical electronic fuel injection systems both the fuel supply and the ignition circuit are disabled. As the engine speed decreases the engine block cools faster than the pistons since the block is water cooled and this uneven cooling may result in damage when the engine is shut down at high speed. The instant invention maintains the fuel supply to the pistons after engine shut down to cool and lubricate the pistons and prevent possible engine damage.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Staerzl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:29
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/042; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1824; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit for a water cooled internal-combustion engine wherein a square-wave pulse generator provides output signals of variable duration, said output signals controlling the fuel flow rate to pistons of said water cooled internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising, means for detecting engine shut down and means responsive to said detecting means for maintaining the generation of said output signals from said square wave pulse generators for a predetermined interval of time after said engine shut down whereby fuel continues to be supplied to the pistons of said internal combustion engine after engine shut down.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit for a water cooled internal-combustion engine wherein a square-wave pulse generator provides output signals of variable duration, said output signals controlling the fuel flow rate to pistons of said water cooled internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising, means for detecting engine shut down and means responsive to said detecting means for maintaining the generation of said output signals from said square wave pulse generators for a predetermined interval of time after said engine shut down whereby fuel continues to be supplied to the pistons of said internal combustion engine after engine shut down.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the duration of said predetermined interval of time is dependent upon engine speed at shut down.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said maintaining means is operative only when said engine speed at shut down exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit for a water cooled internal combustion engine wherein means are provided for controlling the fuel flow rate to pistons of said internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising, means for generating a tachmometer signal representative of engine speed and for applying said tachometer signal to a leaky storage device, the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device being dependent on engine speed, means for comparing the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device with a bias signal of a predetermined amplitude, and means responsive to said comparing means for enabling said controlling means to continue to supply fuel to the pistons of said internal combustion engine for a pre-determined interval of time subsequent to the time said interval combustion engine is shut down when the amplitude of said bias signal is less than the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit for a water cooled internal combustion engine wherein means are provided for controlling the fuel flow rate to pistons of said internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising, means for generating a tachmometer signal representative of engine speed and for applying said tachometer signal to a leaky storage device, the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device being dependent on engine speed, means for comparing the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device with a bias signal of a predetermined amplitude, and means responsive to said comparing means for enabling said controlling means to continue to supply fuel to the pistons of said internal combustion engine for a pre-determined interval of time subsequent to the time said interval combustion engine is shut down when the amplitude of said bias signal is less than the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said enabling means do not enable said controlling means subsequent to engine shut down when the amplitude of said bias signal is greater than the tachometer signal amplitude impressed upon said leaky storage device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an electronic fuel-injection control circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein the duration of said predetermined interval of time is dependent upon engine speed at engine shut down.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an electronic fuel injection control circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said predetermined interval of time is equal to approximately 11/2 seconds at an engine speed of 9,000 rpm and equal to approximately 1/2 seconds at an engine speed of 4,000 rpm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
In an electronic fuel injection control circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said enabling means do not enable said controlling means subsequent to engine shut down when engine speed at shut down is less than approximately 2,000 rpm.
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) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |