US5309885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine propulsion device including a fuel injected, four-cycle internal combustion engine
Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc
•
Filing: 1993-01-25
•
Granted: 1994-05-10
•
Expires: 2013-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, a fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, a conduit communicating between the fuel vapor separator and the fuel supply mechanism for introducing fuel, and a cooling jacket for cooling the fuel vapor separator.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Rawlings
- 👤 Gene F. Baltz
- 👤 Mark D. Whiteside
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:38
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D33/00; F02D33/003; F02D33/006; F01; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/12; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/20; F02M37/00; F02M37/0047; F02M37/007; F02M37/20; F02M69/00; F02M69/04; F02M69/042; F02M69/044; F02M69/46; F02M69/462; F01P2050/00; F01P2050/02; F01P2050/10; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/10; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025; F02B2075/027; F02F; F02F7/00; F02F7/006; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for introducing fuel, and means for cooling said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for introducing fuel, and means for cooling said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a reservoir portion adapted to contain a fuel supply and wherein said means for cooling said fuel vapor separator includes means extending into said reservoir portion for conducting a flow of coolant into heat exchanging relation to the fuel supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for conducting a flow of coolant includes at least one conduit extending into said reservoir portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a coolant manifold and wherein said at least one conduit communicates with said manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for supplying fuel to said fuel vapor separator, fuel supply means for introducing fuel to said combustion chamber from said fuel vapor separator, and means for venting fuel vapor from said fuel vapor separator during engine start-up and for preventing venting of fuel vapor from said fuel vapor separator during engine operation subsequent to engine start-up.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for supplying fuel to said fuel vapor separator, fuel supply means for introducing fuel to said combustion chamber from said fuel vapor separator, and means for venting fuel vapor from said fuel vapor separator during engine start-up and for preventing venting of fuel vapor from said fuel vapor separator during engine operation subsequent to engine start-up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a reservoir portion adapted to contain a fuel supply, and wherein said venting means includes means for maintaining said fuel supply under pressure subsequent to engine start-up.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An engine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for supplying fuel to said fuel vapor separator includes means for regulating the pressure of fuel supplied to said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for venting includes means for maintaining a supply of fuel in the vapor separator under pressure and including means for cooling the fuel supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said system comprising a fuel vapor separator adapted to contain a fuel supply, high-pressure fuel supply means for introducing fuel from said fuel vapor separator to the engine, low-pressure fuel supply means for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to said fuel vapor separator, and means responsive to conditions in said fuel vapor separator for controlling said high-pressure fuel supply means and said low-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said system comprising a fuel vapor separator adapted to contain a fuel supply, high-pressure fuel supply means for introducing fuel from said fuel vapor separator to the engine, low-pressure fuel supply means for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to said fuel vapor separator, and means responsive to conditions in said fuel vapor separator for controlling said high-pressure fuel supply means and said low-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for controlling said high-pressure fuel supply means and said low-pressure fuel supply means includes means responsive to fuel vapor pressure within said vapor separator for activating and deactivating said high-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 10 wherein means responsive to fuel vapor pressure within said vapor separator for activating and deactivating the high-pressure fuel supply means includes a fuel vapor pressure switch operably connected to said high-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for controlling said high-pressure fuel supply means and said low-pressure fuel supply means includes means responsive to the level of fuel in said vapor separator for activating and deactivating said low-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 12 wherein means responsive to the level of fuel in said vapor separator for activating and deactivating said low-pressure fuel supply means includes a high fuel level switch operably connected to said low-pressure fuel supply means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said system comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator including a reservoir portion adapted to contain a fuel supply, means for supplying fuel to said reservoir portion, fuel supply means for introducing fuel to said combustion chamber from said reservoir portion, and means for pressurizing and cooling the fuel supply in said reservoir portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said system comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator including a reservoir portion adapted to contain a fuel supply, means for supplying fuel to said reservoir portion, fuel supply means for introducing fuel to said combustion chamber from said reservoir portion, and means for pressurizing and cooling the fuel supply in said reservoir portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for pressurizing and cooling the fuel supply includes means extending into said reservoir portion for conducting a flow of coolant into heat exchanging relation to the fuel supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for conducting a flow of coolant includes at least one conduit extending into said reservoir portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine as set forth in claim 16 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a coolant manifold and wherein said at least one conduit communicates with said manifold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
An engine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for pressurizing and cooling the fuel supply includes means for regulating the pressure of fuel supplied to said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, fuel injector means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber, said fuel injector means including a fuel vapor separator, an air intake manifold defining an air intake plenum housing said fuel injector means, and means for draining said plenum into said combustion chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, fuel injector means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber, said fuel injector means including a fuel vapor separator, an air intake manifold defining an air intake plenum housing said fuel injector means, and means for draining said plenum into said combustion chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said fuel injector includes at least one fuel injector housed by said compartment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said fuel injector means includes a fuel pressure regulator housed by said compartment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a portion integrally formed by said air intake manifold.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An internal combustion engine in accordance with claim 19 wherein said means for draining said compartment into said combustion chamber includes a vertically inclined wall leading to said combustion chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, fuel injector means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber, a fuel pump, an air intake manifold defining an air intake plenum including therein said fuel pump and said fuel injector means, and means for draining said plenum into said combustion chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, fuel injector means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber, a fuel pump, an air intake manifold defining an air intake plenum including therein said fuel pump and said fuel injector means, and means for draining said plenum into said combustion chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said fuel pump is fixed to said air intake manifold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said fuel injector means includes at least one fuel injector housed by said plenum.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said fuel injector means includes a fuel pressure regulator housed by said plenum.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
An internal combustion engine in accordance with claim 24 wherein said means for draining said plenum into said combustion chamber includes a vertically inclined wall leading to said combustion chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for introducing fuel, and means for cooling said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, a fuel vapor separator, means for introducing fuel to the combustion chamber, conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for introducing fuel, and means for cooling said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
An engine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a reservoir portion adapted to contain a fuel supply, and wherein said means for cooling said fuel vapor separator includes a water jacket in heat exchanging relation to said reservoir portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
An engine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said engine includes means for conducting air to said combustion chamber, and wherein said means for cooling said fuel vapor separator includes location of said conducting means in heat exchanging relation with said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
An engine as set forth in claim 31 wherein said engine includes an air intake manifold, and wherein said fuel vapor separator is located in said air intake manifold.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine as set forth in claim 32 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a portion which is integrally formed with said manifold.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
An engine as set forth in claim 33 wherein said manifold defines a water jacket in heat exchanging relation with said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
51 words
An engine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means for cooling said fuel vapor separator includes means for directing a flow of air into heat exchanging relation to said fuel vapor separator, and means for conducting a flow of water in heat exchanging relation to said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
111 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block, a wall extending outwardly therefrom and defining a compartment, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor separator housed in said compartment and communicating with said tank, means for pumping fuel from said tank to said fuel vapor separator, fuel injector means adapted for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber provided in said engine block and being housed in said compartment, means for pumping fuel from said fuel vapor separator to said fuel injector means, said means for pumping fuel to said fuel injector means being housed in said compartment, and means for conducting fuel from said fuel injecting means to said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
111 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block, a wall extending outwardly therefrom and defining a compartment, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor separator housed in said compartment and communicating with said tank, means for pumping fuel from said tank to said fuel vapor separator, fuel injector means adapted for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber provided in said engine block and being housed in said compartment, means for pumping fuel from said fuel vapor separator to said fuel injector means, said means for pumping fuel to said fuel injector means being housed in said compartment, and means for conducting fuel from said fuel injecting means to said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for pumping fuel from said fuel vapor separator is mounted on said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
An engine as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for pumping fuel from said fuel vapor separator is supported by said engine block.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine as set forth in claim 36 wherein said fuel vapor separator has a portion defined by said wall.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, an intake manifold supported by said block, and fuel feed means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber and including a fuel pump, and as fuel vapor separator communicating with said fuel pump and housed in said intake manifold.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including a combustion chamber, an intake manifold supported by said block, and fuel feed means for supplying fuel to said combustion chamber and including a fuel pump, and as fuel vapor separator communicating with said fuel pump and housed in said intake manifold.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 40 wherein said fuel pump is housed by said intake manifold.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 40 wherein said fuel feed means includes at least one fuel injector nozzle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 40 wherein said fuel feed means includes a pressure regulator.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 40 and further comprising a cylinder head fixed to said block and supporting said air intake manifold.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said fuel feed system comprising a fuel vapor separator including a reservoir portion and a cover portion releasably fixed to said reservoir portion, means for injecting fuel to the engine, pump means mounted on said cover portion of said fuel vapor separator, and conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for injecting fuel and including a first conduit communicating between said pump means and said fuel vapor separator, and a second conduit communicating between pump means and said means for injecting fuel.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, said fuel feed system comprising a fuel vapor separator including a reservoir portion and a cover portion releasably fixed to said reservoir portion, means for injecting fuel to the engine, pump means mounted on said cover portion of said fuel vapor separator, and conduit means communicating between said fuel vapor separator and said means for injecting fuel and including a first conduit communicating between said pump means and said fuel vapor separator, and a second conduit communicating between pump means and said means for injecting fuel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fuel feed system as set forth in claim 45 wherein said conduit means also includes a third conduit communicating between said means for injecting fuel and said fuel vapor separator.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining a cylinder, a crankcase, air intake means communicating with said cylinder, a water jacket between said air intake means and said crankcase, and a fuel vapor separator in heat exchanging relation to said water jacket.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
44 words
An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining a cylinder, a crankcase, air intake means communicating with said cylinder, a water jacket between said air intake means and said crankcase, and a fuel vapor separator in heat exchanging relation to said water jacket.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 47 wherein said water jacket is in heat exchanging relation to said air intake means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 47 wherein said water jacket is in heat exchanging relation to said crankcase.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
39 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 47 wherein said fuel vapor separator includes a reservoir portion which is adapted to contain a fuel supply and which has a wall defining a portion of said water jacket.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
46 words
An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 47 wherein said engine block includes a second water jacket surrounding said cylinder, and wherein said first-mentioned water jacket is adapted to communicate directly with a source of coolant and conducts coolant to said second water jacket.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fuel vapor separator including a housing defining a fuel reservoir, a fuel inlet communicating with said fuel reservoir, a fuel outlet communicating with said fuel reservoir, a fuel vapor outlet communicating with said reservoir, and a coolant jacket in heat exchanging relation to said housing.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fuel vapor separator including a housing defining a fuel reservoir, a fuel inlet communicating with said fuel reservoir, a fuel outlet communicating with said fuel reservoir, a fuel vapor outlet communicating with said reservoir, and a coolant jacket in heat exchanging relation to said housing.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel vapor separator in accordance with claim 52 wherein said vapor separator includes a wall at least partially defining said reservoir and said cooling jacket.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel vapor separator in accordance with claim 52 wherein said cooling jacket comprises a water jacket.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel vapor separator in accordance with claim 54 wherein said fuel vapor separator is mounted on an internal combustion engine including an engine water jacket and wherein said fuel vapor separator water jacket communicates with said engine water jacket.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
An air inlet manifold including wall means defining an air inlet passage, defining a cooling jacket, defining a fuel vapor separator including a fuel reservoir, and defining a wall between said fuel reservoir and said coolant jacket.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
37 words
An air inlet manifold including wall means defining an air inlet passage, defining a cooling jacket, defining a fuel vapor separator including a fuel reservoir, and defining a wall between said fuel reservoir and said coolant jacket.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
39 words
An air inlet manifold in accordance with claim 56 wherein said air inlet manifold is mounted on an engine including an engine water jacket and wherein said coolant jacket comprises a water jacket communicating with said engine water jacket.
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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) | 1997-05-09 | 1997-11-08 | 1998-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-09 | 2001-11-08 | 2002-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-09 | 2005-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |