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US4450820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Engine fuel conditioner and monitor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-04-12
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2002-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Intake fuel supplied to a conditioning tank is mixed therein with engine heated fuel returned from a fuel injector to which mixed fuel from the tank is fed. The mixed fuel in the conditioning tank is degassed by atmospheric venting through a hydrostatic liquid column rising to a level above the conditioning tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Hendrick W. Haynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:43
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D33/00; F02D33/003; F02D33/006; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0047; F02M37/0052; F02M37/0076; F02M37/0088; G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/02; G01F15/18; F02M37/0011; F02M37/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, means for sensing flow rate of the intake fuel passing from the fuel supply to the fuel conditioning means and means for bypassing the intake fuel from said fuel supply around said sensing means to said conditioning means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, means for sensing flow rate of the intake fuel passing from the fuel supply to the fuel conditioning means and means for bypassing the intake fuel from said fuel supply around said sensing means to said conditioning means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere and fuel cooling means located in the fuel return line intermediate the engine and conditioning means, said cooling means comprising a cooling line carrying said heated aerated non-combusted fuel from said engine, and heat exchange means located in said fuel supply to which said cooling line is connected for returning said fuel to said return line.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere and fuel cooling means located in the fuel return line intermediate the engine and conditioning means, said cooling means comprising a cooling line carrying said heated aerated non-combusted fuel from said engine, and heat exchange means located in said fuel supply to which said cooling line is connected for returning said fuel to said return line.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
238 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel conditioning means for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, fuel cooling means located in the fuel return line intermediate the engine and the conditioning means for cooling the heated fuel at a regulated rate and a heat exchanger having opposite ends respectively connected with said fuel intake line between said fuel supply and the intake port, and with said fuel supply so that diesel fuel is routed from said intake line through said heat exchanger and returned to said fuel supply.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
238 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel return line through which fuel passes from said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel conditioning means for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, fuel cooling means located in the fuel return line intermediate the engine and the conditioning means for cooling the heated fuel at a regulated rate and a heat exchanger having opposite ends respectively connected with said fuel intake line between said fuel supply and the intake port, and with said fuel supply so that diesel fuel is routed from said intake line through said heat exchanger and returned to said fuel supply.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 3 further comprising; a pumping means for pumping fuel from said heat exchanger to said fuel supply.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, means for sensing flow rate of the intake fuel passing from the fuel supply to the fuel conditioning means, bypass means connected between said fuel supply and said sensing means for routing the intake fuel to said conditioning means and float valve means responsive to a predetermined level of fuel within said conditioning means for opening and closing the bypass means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for degassing and temperature balancing of cool intake fuel and heated, non-combusted fuel returning from fuel injector means of a diesel engine, the heated fuel being aerated by combustion gases from the engine, said system comprising a fuel line through which fuel passes to said fuel injector means, a fuel supply, fuel conditioning means having a fuel reservoir and fuel intake and output ports, respectively communicating with the fuel supply and the fuel line for passing all fuel from the supply to the engine through the reservoir, fuel return port means connected to the fuel return line for returning the heated and aerated fuel from the engine to the fuel conditioning means, degassing column means having a lower end communicating with the fuel reservoir and an upper open end spaced above the fuel conditioning means for venting gases in the cool intake fuel and the heated and aerated fuel to atmosphere, means for sensing flow rate of the intake fuel passing from the fuel supply to the fuel conditioning means, bypass means connected between said fuel supply and said sensing means for routing the intake fuel to said conditioning means and float valve means responsive to a predetermined level of fuel within said conditioning means for opening and closing the bypass means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising; means for sensing rotational speed of the engine, means for calculating rates representative of the sensed rotational speed and means for recording said representative rates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising means responsive to recurring events for generating pulses defining event periods, means for subtracting a weighted average of previous event periods from a latest period to obtain a difference; means for dividing said difference by the number of timed event periods to produce a quotient; means for adding said quotient to said previously obtained weighted average to obtain a new weighted average; clock means generating clock pulses at a known frequency for controlling the sequence of said subtraction, division and addition; and storage means for storing each weighted average.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said sensing means has an output that is digital in character.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising; calculating means for calculating and totaling vehicle distance travelled, fuel used in gallons per mile, range remaining and fuel remaining.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector, a source of intake fuel, fuel supply and return conduits connected to the fuel injector, a fuel conditioning tank interconnected with said source and the conduits within which the intake fuel is mixed with heated fuel conducted from the fuel injector through the return conduit and a device for degassing the mixed fuel supplied from the conditioning tank to the fuel injector through the fuel supply conduit, the improvement residing in means for conducting a continuous inflow of all of the intake fuel to the conditioning tank, said degassing device including hydrostatic column means connected to the conditioning tank for rise of the mixed fuel to a liquid column level above the conditioning tank and atmospheric vent means for venting gases rising from the mixed fuel in the conditioning tank through the column means to said liquid level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector, a source of intake fuel, fuel supply and return conduits connected to the fuel injector, a fuel conditioning tank interconnected with said source and the conduits within which the intake fuel is mixed with heated fuel conducted from the fuel injector through the return conduit and a device for degassing the mixed fuel supplied from the conditioning tank to the fuel injector through the fuel supply conduit, the improvement residing in means for conducting a continuous inflow of all of the intake fuel to the conditioning tank, said degassing device including hydrostatic column means connected to the conditioning tank for rise of the mixed fuel to a liquid column level above the conditioning tank and atmospheric vent means for venting gases rising from the mixed fuel in the conditioning tank through the column means to said liquid level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement as defined in calim 10 wherein the conditioning tank includes a settling portion below the fuel supply conduit within which particulates settle out of the mixed fuel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement as defined in calim 10 wherein the conditioning tank includes a settling portion below the fuel supply conduit within which particulates settle out of the mixed fuel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as defined in claim 11 including sensor means for measuring inflow of the intake fuel to the conditioning tank through the continuous inflow conducting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as defined in claim 10 including sensor means for measuring inflow of the intake fuel to the conditioning tank through the continuous inflow conducting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement as defined in claim 12 including means interconnecting the source and the continuous inflow conducting means for recirculating a portion of the intake fuel, and means connected to the recirculating means within the conditioning tank for cooling the mixed fuel by heat exchange with said recirculating portion of the intake fuel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 14 wherein the recirculating means includes a recirculating pump and means responsive to flow of the heated fuel in the return conduit for driving the pump.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
161 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector, a source of intake fuel, fuel supply and return conduits connected to the fuel injector, a fuel conditioning tank interconnected with said source and the conduits within which the intake fuel is mixed with heated fuel conducted from the fuel injector through the return conduit, means for degassing the mixed fuel supplied from the fuel conditioning tank to the fuel injector through the fuel supply conduit, and means for conducting the intake fuel from the source to the conditioning tank, the improvement comprising means interconnecting the source and the conducting means for recirculating a portion of the intake fuel, and means connected to the recirculating means within the conditioning tank for cooling the mixed fuel by heat exchange with said recirculating portion of the intake fuel, the recirculating means including a recirculating pump and means responsive to flow of the heated fuel in the return conduit for driving the pump.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
161 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector, a source of intake fuel, fuel supply and return conduits connected to the fuel injector, a fuel conditioning tank interconnected with said source and the conduits within which the intake fuel is mixed with heated fuel conducted from the fuel injector through the return conduit, means for degassing the mixed fuel supplied from the fuel conditioning tank to the fuel injector through the fuel supply conduit, and means for conducting the intake fuel from the source to the conditioning tank, the improvement comprising means interconnecting the source and the conducting means for recirculating a portion of the intake fuel, and means connected to the recirculating means within the conditioning tank for cooling the mixed fuel by heat exchange with said recirculating portion of the intake fuel, the recirculating means including a recirculating pump and means responsive to flow of the heated fuel in the return conduit for driving the pump.
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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) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |