US4404947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor/air control system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-10
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Granted: 1983-09-20
•
Expires: 2001-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A device to meter and control the flow of a gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine. The portion of the device which controls the flow of gaseous fuel comprises a reservoir chamber linked to a pressurized fuel supply, a plurality of individual chambers equal in number to the number of engine cylinders, demand valves connected to the individual chambers which permit fuel to flow on the intake stroke of each cylinder and valves biased to a closed position between each individual chamber and the reservoir for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to the individual chambers and a connection for linking the valves to the throttle of the engine to open the valves simultaneously. The portion of the device for controlling air flow to the engine cylinders comprises an air control connected to the engine throttle and to the fuel control portion of the device to regulate entry of the air to the engine manifold and one-way air valves associated with each cylinder to allow air to enter the cylinder on the intake stroke of the cylinder.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne A. Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:48
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M21/00; F02M21/02; F02M21/0218; F02M21/023; F02M21/0239; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine, said engine having a plurality of cylinders, and operable in conjunction with apparatus to control the flow of air to said cylinders comprising: (a) a reservoir having an inlet for receiving gaseous fuel under pressure; (b) a plurality of chambers equal in number to the number of said cylinders, each of said chambers being in individual fluid communication with said reservoir; (c) means for separately connecting each of said chambers to a respective one of said cylinders; (d) individual valve means biased to a closed position for controlling the fluid communication between said chambers and said reservoir; (e) means connected with the throttle of said engine for simultaneously opening said valve means against said bias in response to actuation of said throttle; and (f) means connectable with said air control apparatus for regulating the flow of air to said engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine, said engine having a plurality of cylinders, and operable in conjunction with apparatus to control the flow of air to said cylinders comprising: (a) a reservoir having an inlet for receiving gaseous fuel under pressure; (b) a plurality of chambers equal in number to the number of said cylinders, each of said chambers being in individual fluid communication with said reservoir; (c) means for separately connecting each of said chambers to a respective one of said cylinders; (d) individual valve means biased to a closed position for controlling the fluid communication between said chambers and said reservoir; (e) means connected with the throttle of said engine for simultaneously opening said valve means against said bias in response to actuation of said throttle; and (f) means connectable with said air control apparatus for regulating the flow of air to said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separately connecting said chambers to said cylinders comprise outlets to said chambers and a line capable of conducting gaseous fuel connected to each of said outlets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the individual valve means comprise ports between said reservoir and said individual chambers, valve seats located in said ports and valve seals for controlling fluid flow through said valve seats.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said valve seals are rods each having one frusto-conical shaped end for seating in said valve, seats to form a fluid tight seal and one end adapted as an adjustment mechanism to control the seating of the frusto-conical shaped end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a spring surrounding the upper end of each of said valve seals, adjusting nuts on each valve seal and a plate having holes aligned with the ends of said valve seals, said valve seals passing through said plate and supporting said plate between the adjusting nuts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said means connectable to the throttle comprises a plate with holes registering with valve seal ends of said individual valve means, means for securing said plate to said valve seal ends, and a cable attached to said plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the means for securing said plate to said valve seal ends is a threaded portion of said valve seal and an adjustment nut on said valve seal end below said plate and an adjustment nut on said valve seal above said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 including an adjustable linkage for attaching the cable to said plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the adjustable linkage comprises a plate having a hole, a threaded rod secured in said hole by nuts on said rod above and below said plate and a fitting on one end of the rod to which a cable may be secured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said means connectable with said air control apparatus is said cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
The gaseous fuel control device of claim 1 including means for separately regulating and delvering air to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, said means comprising: (a) an intake manifold on said engine, said manifold having an opening through which it may admit air; (b) an air flap to control the admission of air through said opening, said air flap being connectable to the throttle of said engine and connectable to said fuel control device; and (c) air conduits from said manifold to said cylinders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the opening to the intake manifold has positioned about it a fitting which is substantially airtight and connectable to a conduit containing the air flap means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the air flap means is a plate, mounted on a rotatable shaft in an air inlet conduit connectable to said manifold and positioned so that the rotation of said shaft causes the air flap to open and close.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the rotatable shaft has a drum at one end, said drum supporting a cable connectable to said throttle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said plate has secured to it a cable connectable to said fuel regulating device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine utilizing a plurality of cylinders which engine operates on a mixture of said gaseous fuel and air, comprising: (a) a reservoir having an inlet for receiving a pressurized gaseous fuel; (b) a plurality of chambers equal in number to said plurality of cylinders, said chambers being in individual fluid communication with said reservoir; (c) each chamber having an outlet each said outlet connected to a line capable of conducting gaseous fuel to an individual cylinder; (d) individual valve means biased to a closed position for controlling communication of said gaseous fuel from said reservoir to said individual chambers; (e) means connectable with the throttle of the engine for simultaneously opening said valve means against said bias; and (f) means connectable with an air control device said air control device metering air to be mixed with said fuel.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine utilizing a plurality of cylinders which engine operates on a mixture of said gaseous fuel and air, comprising: (a) a reservoir having an inlet for receiving a pressurized gaseous fuel; (b) a plurality of chambers equal in number to said plurality of cylinders, said chambers being in individual fluid communication with said reservoir; (c) each chamber having an outlet each said outlet connected to a line capable of conducting gaseous fuel to an individual cylinder; (d) individual valve means biased to a closed position for controlling communication of said gaseous fuel from said reservoir to said individual chambers; (e) means connectable with the throttle of the engine for simultaneously opening said valve means against said bias; and (f) means connectable with an air control device said air control device metering air to be mixed with said fuel.
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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) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |