US4430978A — Direct liquid injection of liquid petroleum gas

Claim 1

Independent Claim 193 words

A fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids or fuel such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a means for storing the fluid in a pressurized, liquid state comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; means for sensing a difference in density of the fuel within said injection means, as compared to the density of fuel upstream thereto, including correction means for generating a correction factor indicative of said difference; means for sensing the temperature difference between the fuel within said injection means and said storage means; and means for modifying said activation signal by said correction factor during those times when the temperature of the fuel within said injection means exceeds the temperature of the fuel within said storage means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 193 words

A fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids or fuel such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a means for storing the fluid in a pressurized, liquid state comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; means for sensing a difference in density of the fuel within said injection means, as compared to the density of fuel upstream thereto, including correction means for generating a correction factor indicative of said difference; means for sensing the temperature difference between the fuel within said injection means and said storage means; and means for modifying said activation signal by said correction factor during those times when the temperature of the fuel within said injection means exceeds the temperature of the fuel within said storage means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as defined in claim 1 further including: activation signal modifying means for modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 45 words

The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said modifying means includes means for generating said pressure difference factor in accordance with the difference between the pressure of the fuel within said storage means and the pressure within said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said modifying means includes a multiplier that generates said modified activation signal in proportion to the product of said activation signal and said pressure difference factor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system as refined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said correction means generates said correction factor in proportion to the pressure of the fuel within said injection means and inversely proportional to the absolute temperature of the fuel within said injection means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said injection means includes means for injecting said fluid into said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in its liquid state.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 5 further including: heat pipe means mounted in thermal contacting relation between said injection means and said storage means for transferring thermal energy therebetween.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 6 further including: heat pipe means mounted in thermal contacting relation between said injection means and said storage means for transferring thermal energy therebetween.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 111 words

A fuel injection system for releasing fluid or fuel into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a means for storing the fuel comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fuel to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the fuel, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; activation signal modifying means for modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 111 words

A fuel injection system for releasing fluid or fuel into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a means for storing the fuel comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fuel to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the fuel, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; activation signal modifying means for modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 45 words

The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said modifying means includes means for generating said pressure difference factor in accordance with the difference between the pressure of the fuel within said storage means and the pressure within said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said modifying means includes a multiplier that generates said modified activation signal in proportion to the product of said activation signal and said pressure difference factor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system as recited in claim 11 wherein said injection means includes means for injecting said fluid into said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in its liquid state.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 12 further including: heat pipe means mounted in thermal contacting relation between said injection means and said storage means for transferring thermal energy therebetween.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 11 further including: heat pipe means mounted in thermal contacting relation between said injection means and said storage means for transferring thermal energy therebetween.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 169 words

A fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; means for storing the fluid in a pressurized, liquid state; means for communicating the fluid from said storage means to said injection means; means for sensing the temperature of said storage means and said injection means and for generating temperature signals indicative thereof; electronic means, including a portion of the electronic control unit responsive to said sensing means for modyfying the activation signal in proportion to temperature differential between said storage means and said injection means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 169 words

A fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber comprising: electronic control unit responsive to at least one operating parameter of the system for generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; injection means mounted proximate each at least one air/fuel mixing chamber for releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal; means for storing the fluid in a pressurized, liquid state; means for communicating the fluid from said storage means to said injection means; means for sensing the temperature of said storage means and said injection means and for generating temperature signals indicative thereof; electronic means, including a portion of the electronic control unit responsive to said sensing means for modyfying the activation signal in proportion to temperature differential between said storage means and said injection means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system as recited in claim 14 wherein said injection means includes means for injecting said fluid into said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in its liquid state.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 122 words

A fuel injection system for injecting liquified petroleum gas (LPG) into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, comprising: injection means, including a body, adapted to receive pressurized liquified LPG and for selectively delivering the LPG, in its liquified state, to the air/fuel mixing chamber and including: first means for providing that the endothermic expansion of the LPG from its liquid to its vapor state occur at or beyond the lower extreme of said body; and conduit means for transporting the pressurized LPG from the storage means to said fuel injector means and heat pipe means, mounted in thermal contacting relation to said conduit mans for stabilizing the temperature of said injection means and for transferring heat to or from said injection means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 122 words

A fuel injection system for injecting liquified petroleum gas (LPG) into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, comprising: injection means, including a body, adapted to receive pressurized liquified LPG and for selectively delivering the LPG, in its liquified state, to the air/fuel mixing chamber and including: first means for providing that the endothermic expansion of the LPG from its liquid to its vapor state occur at or beyond the lower extreme of said body; and conduit means for transporting the pressurized LPG from the storage means to said fuel injector means and heat pipe means, mounted in thermal contacting relation to said conduit mans for stabilizing the temperature of said injection means and for transferring heat to or from said injection means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system as defined in claim 17 wherein said injection means further includes heating means for heating said body.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system as defined in claim 18 wherein said heating means includes an electric coil wound in surrounding relation with said body.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system as defined in claim 19 further including storage means, connected to said conduit means for providing a source of pressurized liquid LPG.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 144 words

A liquid petroleum fuel injection system comprising: at lease one air/fuel mixing chamber; first means for introducing a determinable amount of air to said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; storage means for storing pressurized liquid petroleum gas in a liquified fuel state; and fuel injector means adapted to receive said liquified fuel for opening and closing in response to activation signals applied thereto and for communicating determinable quantities of liquid petroleum gas in its liquid state to said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, said fuel injector means including second means for reducing the pressure of said liquified fuel at the interface between said fuel injector means and said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber such that the fuel ejected into said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, reduces from its liquid state to its gaseous state apart from said fuel injector means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 144 words

A liquid petroleum fuel injection system comprising: at lease one air/fuel mixing chamber; first means for introducing a determinable amount of air to said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; storage means for storing pressurized liquid petroleum gas in a liquified fuel state; and fuel injector means adapted to receive said liquified fuel for opening and closing in response to activation signals applied thereto and for communicating determinable quantities of liquid petroleum gas in its liquid state to said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, said fuel injector means including second means for reducing the pressure of said liquified fuel at the interface between said fuel injector means and said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber such that the fuel ejected into said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, reduces from its liquid state to its gaseous state apart from said fuel injector means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 58 words

The system as defined in claim 22 further including combustion means situated downstream of said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber, including at least one combustion chamber for receiving at least a portion of the air/fuel mixture; said combustion means further including igniter means, one associated with each combustion chamber for igniting said portion of the air/fuel mixture.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as defined in claim 22 wherein said fuel injector means comprises an electromagnetic fuel injector.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system as defined in claim 23 further including electronic control means, connected to said fuel injector means, for generating said activation signals in response to at least one parameter characterizing the operation of said combustion means or of said storage means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system as recited in claim 24 wherein said combustion means comprises: conduit means for porting exhaust gases therefrom and wherein said system further includes an exhaust gas sensor for communicating a signal to said electronic control means, indicative of a particular constituent of the exhaust gas.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system as recited in claim 25 wherein said exhaust gas sensor is an oxygen sensor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system as defined in claim 26 wherein said air/fuel mixing chamber comprises an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system as defined in claim 27 wherein said first means includes throttle means, situated upstream of said at least one fuel injector means for varying the amount of air entering said intake manifold.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 107 words

A method comprising the steps of: disposing means for injection liquid petroleum fuel in an air/fuel mixing chamber; providing air to the air/fuel mixing chamber; providing fuel having a high vapor pressure, in a liquid state to the fuel injection means; activitating the fuel injection means for a determinable interval to cause the liquified fuel to exit therefrom and to thereafter combine with the air within the air/fuel mixing chamber; generating a signal indicative of the temperature difference between the fuel within the fuel injector and the fuel situated upstream of the fuel injector; and incrementally modifying the duration of activation in proportion to such temperature difference.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 107 words

A method comprising the steps of: disposing means for injection liquid petroleum fuel in an air/fuel mixing chamber; providing air to the air/fuel mixing chamber; providing fuel having a high vapor pressure, in a liquid state to the fuel injection means; activitating the fuel injection means for a determinable interval to cause the liquified fuel to exit therefrom and to thereafter combine with the air within the air/fuel mixing chamber; generating a signal indicative of the temperature difference between the fuel within the fuel injector and the fuel situated upstream of the fuel injector; and incrementally modifying the duration of activation in proportion to such temperature difference.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method as defined in claim 29 including the additional step of temperature stabilizing the fuel injection mean.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as defined in claim 30 wherein the step of temperature stabilizing includes heating the fuel injection means.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the step of energizing further includes: controlling the amount of liquid fuel injected to maintain a predetermined air/fuel ratio.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 157 words

A method of operating a fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a storage means the method comprising: generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; sensing a difference in density of the fuel within said injection means, as compared to the density of fuel upstream thereto, including the step of generating a correction factor indicative of said difference; sensing the temperature difference between the fuel within said injection means and said storage means; modifying said activation signal by said correction factor during those times when the temperature of the fuel within said injection means exceeds the temperature of the fuel within said storage means; and releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 157 words

A method of operating a fuel injection system for releasing liquified high vapor pressure fluids such as Propane and Butane into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a storage means the method comprising: generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; sensing a difference in density of the fuel within said injection means, as compared to the density of fuel upstream thereto, including the step of generating a correction factor indicative of said difference; sensing the temperature difference between the fuel within said injection means and said storage means; modifying said activation signal by said correction factor during those times when the temperature of the fuel within said injection means exceeds the temperature of the fuel within said storage means; and releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid into the at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as defined in claim 33 further including: the step of modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said step of modifying said activation signal includes generating said pressure difference factor in accordance with the difference between the pressure of the fuel within said storage means and the pressure within said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method as defined in claim 35 wherein said step of modifying further includes generating said modified activation signal in proportion to the product of said activation signal and said pressure difference factor.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method as defined in claim 33 or 34 wherein said step of sensing the difference in density includes generating said correction factor in proportion to the pressure of the fuel within said injection means and inversely proportional to the absolute temperature of the fuel within said injection means.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of operating a fuel injection system for releasing fuel or fluid having a high vapor pressure into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a storage means, the method comprising: generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means; and releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of operating a fuel injection system for releasing fuel or fluid having a high vapor pressure into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber from a storage means, the method comprising: generating an activation signal indicative of the amount of fluid to be released into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber; modifying said activation signal by a factor indicative of the pressure difference across said injection means; and releasing quantities of the high vapor pressure fluid, into at least one air/fuel mixing chamber in response to said activation signal.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method as recited in claim 38 wherein the step of modifying includes generating said pressure difference factor in accordance with the difference between the pressure of the fuel within said storage means and the pressure within said at least one air/fuel mixing chamber.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method as defined in claim 39 wherein the step of modifying means further includes generating said modified activation signal in proportion to the product of said activation signal and said pressure difference factor.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as recited in claim 40 further including: transferring thermal energy between said injection means and said storage means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-02-13	1987-08-15	1988-02-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-02-13	1991-08-15	1992-02-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-02-13	1995-08-15	1996-02-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Direct liquid injection of liquid petroleum gas

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