Automatic starting fluid injection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically injecting starting fluid into a passageway of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- speed sensor means for producing a speed signal in response the speed of said engine;
temperature sensor means for producing a temperature signal in response to the temperature of said engine;
processor means for receiving said temperature and speed signals, calculating an injection time in response to said engine temperature signal, and producing an injection signal in response to said speed signal for a period of time equal to said calculated injection time; and
,fluid delivery means for receiving said injection signal and injecting said starting fluid into the engine passageway in response to said injection signal.
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Abstract
Automatic starting fluid injection systems are useful, for example, to aid in the cold-starting of diesel engines. In the subject invention, a microprocessor under software control is used to controllably inject starting fluid into an engine passageway, such as an intake manifold. During engine cranking, the microprocessor delivers an injection signal to a fluid delivery system to effect starting fluid injection into the engine passageway. When the engine starts, a subsequent injection time is calculated based on the sensed engine temperature. The microprocessor continues to deliver the injection signal to the fluid delivery system during the subsequent injection time.
16 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically injecting starting fluid into a passageway of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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speed sensor means for producing a speed signal in response the speed of said engine; temperature sensor means for producing a temperature signal in response to the temperature of said engine; processor means for receiving said temperature and speed signals, calculating an injection time in response to said engine temperature signal, and producing an injection signal in response to said speed signal for a period of time equal to said calculated injection time; and
,fluid delivery means for receiving said injection signal and injecting said starting fluid into the engine passageway in response to said injection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for automatically injecting pressurized starting fluid into a passageway of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a three position switch having off, crank, and run positions; switch sensor means for producing crank and run signals in response to said switch being in said crank and run positions, respectively; speed sensor means for producing a speed signal in response to the speed of said engine; temperature sensor means for producing a temperature signal in response to the temperature of said engine; processor means for receiving said speed and crank signals, producing an injection signal in response to said speed and crank signals, receiving said run signal and temperature signals, and thereafter producing said injection signal for a period of time based on said temperature signal and in response to receiving said run signal; and
,fluid delivery means for receiving said injection signal and injecting said starting fluid into the engine passageway in response to said injection signal.
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8. A method for automatically injecting starting fluid into a passageway of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the speed of said engine; sensing the temperature of said engine; calculating an injection time in response to said sensed engine temperature; and
,injecting said starting fluid for said calculated injection time in response to said sensed engine speed.
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Specification