US5501196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel-injection system for motor-vehicle engine
Assignee: Technoflow Tube Systems GmbH
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Filing: 1994-12-16
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2014-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A motor-vehicle engine system has an internal-combustion four-cycle engine having a fuel-supply manifold and operable at variable speed with a fuel requirement dependent on speed, a substantially closed but vented fuel tank holding a supply of gasoline, a fuel pump having an input connected to the tank and an output, and a fuel-feed line connected between the fuel-pump output and the fuel-supply manifold. A controller connected to the engine and to the pump operates the fuel pump at a throughput rate equal to between 5% and 40%, preferably 10% to 30%, more than the instantaneous fuel requirements of the engine. A return line connected to the fuel tank is provided with an overpressure valve that opens and returns to the tank fuel in the manifold that is in excess of the engine's instantaneous requirements and thereby maintains a predetermined constant pressure in the fuel-supply manifold.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin Brunnhofer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:51
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D33/00; F02D33/003; F02D33/006; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0047; F02M37/0052; F02M37/04; F02M37/08; F02M53/00; F02M69/00; F02M69/46; F02M69/462; F02M37/0011; F02M37/0017; F02M37/0076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A motor-vehicle engine system comprising: an internal-combustion four-cycle engine having a fuel-supply manifold and operable at variable speed with a fuel requirement dependent on speed; a substantially closed but vented fuel tank holding a supply of gasoline; a fuel pump of an efficiency of at least 80% and having an input connected to the tank and an output; a fuel-feed line connected between the fuel-pump output and the fuel-supply manifold; control means connected to the engine and to the pump for operating the fuel pump at a throughput rate equal to between 5% and 40% more than the instantaneous fuel requirements of the engine; a return line connected to the fuel tank; an overpressure valve connected between the return line and the fuel-supply manifold; and means connected to the overpressure valve for opening same and returning to the tank fuel in the manifold that is in excess of the engine's instantaneous requirements and for maintaining a predetermined pressure in the fuel-supply manifold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A motor-vehicle engine system comprising: an internal-combustion four-cycle engine having a fuel-supply manifold and operable at variable speed with a fuel requirement dependent on speed; a substantially closed but vented fuel tank holding a supply of gasoline; a fuel pump of an efficiency of at least 80% and having an input connected to the tank and an output; a fuel-feed line connected between the fuel-pump output and the fuel-supply manifold; control means connected to the engine and to the pump for operating the fuel pump at a throughput rate equal to between 5% and 40% more than the instantaneous fuel requirements of the engine; a return line connected to the fuel tank; an overpressure valve connected between the return line and the fuel-supply manifold; and means connected to the overpressure valve for opening same and returning to the tank fuel in the manifold that is in excess of the engine's instantaneous requirements and for maintaining a predetermined pressure in the fuel-supply manifold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The engine system defined in claim 1 wherein the control means temporarily opens the overpressure valve on startup of the engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engine system defined in claim 1 wherein the pump is in the tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engine system defined in claim 1 wherein the pump is outside the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The engine system defined in claim 1, further comprising: insulation surrounding and thermally insulating the fuel tank, fuel-feed line, and return line from their surroundings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The engine system defined in claim 5 wherein the insulation is an insulating plastic layer bonded to the fuel tank, fuel-feed line, and return line.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |