Dual fuel mobil engine system

• US 4,742,801 A
• Filed: 08/13/1987
• Issued: 05/10/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erik Kelgard
• Original Assignee: Erik Kelgard
• Inventors: Kelgard, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Cross, E. Rollins
• Application Number:
  US07/085,640
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 123/27 GE, 123/526, 123/525, 123/557
• US Class Current: 123/27.0GE
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2275/14 Direct injection into combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/00 Engines characterised by air compression and subsequent fuel addition characterised by both fuel-air mixture compression and air compression, or characterised by both positive ignition and compression ignition F02B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 7/06 the fuel in the charge being gaseous
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0647 the gaseous fuel being liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], liquefied natural gas [LNG], compressed natural gas [CNG] or dimethyl ether [DME]
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0684 High pressure fuel injection systems; Details on pumps, rails or the arrangement of valves in the fuel supply and return systems
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0689 for in-cylinder direct injection
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/105 operating in a special mode, e.g. in a liquid fuel only mode for starting
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0275 for in-cylinder direct injection, e.g. injector combined with spark plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

This is a dual fuel engine, meaning an engine that is operated with straight diesel fuel or with gaseous fuel and pilot injection of diesel fuel, the invention is primarily concerned with dual fuel engines for use in over-the-road vehicles but it has other applications. The invention also contemplates using the heat from the cooling water of the jackets of the engine to vaporize a liquid fuel into a gaseous state which is thereafter injected directly into the cylinders of the engine during operation on the dual fuel cycle.

Claims

1. In a dual fuel engine constructed to operate on the diesel cycle with diesel fuel only or on gaseous fuel with pilot fuel injection, a cylinder and piston, a diesel fuel injector in the cylinder and a pump therefore for supplying full diesel fuel injection when operating on the diesel cycle or only pilot fuel when operating on the dual fuel cycle, a gaseous fuel injector in the cylinder and a hydraulic actuator therefor for injecting gaseous fuel under pressure into the cylinder during the dual fuel cycle, a source of gaseous fuel in liquid form, a supply line from the liquid fuel source to the gaseous fuel injector, and a heat exchanger in the supply line for changing the liquid fuel from the source to a gas before it is supplied to the gaseous fuel injector.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the cylinder is cooled by a jacket water cooling system, and further including means to supply the pilot water to the heat exchangers so that the heat from the jacket water changes the liquid fuel to a gas.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a surge tank in the supply line between the liquid fuel source and the gaseous fuel injector to insure immediate gaseous fuel response for increases in load on the engine.

4. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the source of gaseous fuel in liquid form is a liquified natural gas.

5. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the source of gaseous fuel in liquid form is a liquified petroleum gas and further including a compressor between the heat exchanger and the gaseous fuel injector to raise the pressure of the thus gasified fuel to the required injection pressure.