US5224457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual fuel electronic control system
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1992-02-28
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2012-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A dual fuel system for a diesel engine includes a liquid (diesel) fuel injection system controlled by an engine electronic control unit (ECU) and a source of gaseous fuel such as natural gas. A metering valve and a mixer controls introduction of gaseous fuel from the natural gas fuel source into combustion air for the engine. An electronic governor controls the metering valve and a link controller coordinates operation of the ECU and the governor. Preferably, a regulator regulates the natural gas pressure supplied to the metering valve. A shut-off valve controls communication of natural gas between the source and the regulator. The link controller also controls the shut-off valve as a function of sensed conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff Arsenault
- 👤 Wendelin Goetz
- 👤 James Larocque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:05
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D19/00; F02D19/06; F02D19/0623; F02B; F02B43/00; F02D19/08; F02D19/10; F02D19/105; F02B2201/00; F02B2201/06; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02M; F02M21/00; F02M21/02; F02M21/0203; F02M21/0215; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an engine speed sensor generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the engine; and the controller comprising means responsive to the speed signal for maintaining engine speed during dual fuel operation substantially the same as the engine speed during liquid fuel operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an engine speed sensor generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the engine; and the controller comprising means responsive to the speed signal for maintaining engine speed during dual fuel operation substantially the same as the engine speed during liquid fuel operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for commanding liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an engine speed sensor generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the engine; and the controller comprises means responsive to the engine speed signal for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the sensed engine speed is less than a certain speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for commanding liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an engine speed sensor generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the engine; and the controller comprises means responsive to the engine speed signal for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the sensed engine speed is less than a certain speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for commanding liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: means for generating a load signal representing a load on the engine; and the controller comprises means responsive to the load signal for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the engine load is less than a certain load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for commanding liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: means for generating a load signal representing a load on the engine; and the controller comprises means responsive to the load signal for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the engine load is less than a certain load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for command liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an air temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of engine intake air; and the controller comprises means responsive to the sensed air temperature for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the sensed air temperature is greater than a certain temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, a fuel select command device having a first position for command liquid fuel operation of the engine and having a second position for commanding dual liquid and gaseous fuel operation of the engine, and a controller responsive to the fuel select command device for operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an air temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of engine intake air; and the controller comprises means responsive to the sensed air temperature for automatically preventing conversion of the engine from liquid to dual fuel operation if the sensed air temperature is greater than a certain temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an air temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of engine intake air; and the controller comprises means responsive to the sensed air temperature of automatically converting the engine from dual fuel operation to liquid operation if the sensed air temperature is greater than a certain temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an air temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of engine intake air; and the controller comprises means responsive to the sensed air temperature of automatically converting the engine from dual fuel operation to liquid operation if the sensed air temperature is greater than a certain temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an operator adjustable speed command device generating a signal representing a desired increase or decrease in operating speed of the engine; and the controller comprises means for receiving the signal from the speed command device and for automatically converting the engine from dual fuel operation to liquid fuel operation in response to adjustment of the speed command device to increase the operating speed of the engine and also in response to adjustment of the speed command device to decrease the operating speed of the engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dual fuel system for an engine having a liquid fuel supply, a source of gaseous fuel, and a controller coupled to the supply, to the source and to the engine, the controller operating the engine in a first mode wherein it is supplied with liquid fuel only and in a second mode wherein it is supplied with both liquid and gaseous fuel, characterized by: an operator adjustable speed command device generating a signal representing a desired increase or decrease in operating speed of the engine; and the controller comprises means for receiving the signal from the speed command device and for automatically converting the engine from dual fuel operation to liquid fuel operation in response to adjustment of the speed command device to increase the operating speed of the engine and also in response to adjustment of the speed command device to decrease the operating speed of the engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein the link controller comprises: means for detecting completion of an adjustment to the engine speed; and means for automatically converting the engine back to dual fuel operation in response to the completion of an adjustment to the engine speed.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |