Process for cleaning fuel injectors

• US 4,920,996 A
• Filed: 04/18/1988
• Issued: 05/01/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hi-Port Aerosol, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aerosol Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Flanner, Lloyd T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pal, Asok
• Application Number:
  US07/182,350
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 134/36, 134/22.11, 134/24, 134/22.12, 134/22.14, 252/90, 252/305
• US Class Current: 134/22.11
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/14 for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 65/008 of injectors only

Abstract

A method for cleaning engine fuel injectors which includes connecting the injectors to a canister containing an aerosol formulation comprising a liquid cleaner and a compressed air propellant, and thereafter forcing the cleaner through the injectors to remove contaminating deposits therefrom. The compressed air serves both as a combustion oxidant, as well as the propellant for the cleaner. In addition to including a material capable of dissolving injector contaminants, the cleaner may include as components thereof detergents, dispersants, detergent and dispersant solvents, lubricants, and other substances useful in cleaning processes.

Claims

1. A process for cleaning the fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine comprising connecting said injectors to a canister containing an aerosol formulation including a liquid cleaner, and compressed air, said air having an initial pressure from about 25 to about 110 pounds per square inch, gauge, measured at 70°

F., and said liquid cleaner being present in an amount such that it occupies from about 25% to about 90%, on a volume basis, of the volume of said canister, and passing said aerosol formulation through said injectors while the engine is running.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said engine is a gasoline engine, and wherein said injectors and said canister are connected to the rail of the engine.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said liquid cleaner includes at least one member of each of the group comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon, a detergent, a dispersant, and a solvent for said detergent and said dispersant.