Method and apparatus for utilizing gaseous and liquid fuels in an internal combustion device

• US 5,411,058 A
• Filed: 12/22/1992
• Issued: 05/02/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Welsh Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welsh Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Welsh, James W., Welsh, Jonathan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US07/994,652
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 137/571, 137/572, 137/574, 137/575, 137/576, 220/564
• US Class Current: 137/572
• 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 19/0665 Tanks, e.g. multiple tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0678 Pressure or flow regulators therefor; Fuel metering valves therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0681 Shut-off valves; Check valves; Safety valves; Pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0697 Arrangement of fuel supply systems on engines or vehicle bodies; Components of the fuel supply system being combined with another device
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/081 Adjusting the fuel composition or mixing ratio; Transitioning from one fuel to the other
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 13/08 Carburettors adapted to use liquid and gaseous fuels, e.g. alternatively
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0224 Secondary gaseous fuel storages
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0236 Multi-way valves; Multiple valves forming a multi-way valve system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0242 Shut-off valves; Check valves; Safety valves; Pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0287 characterised by the transition from liquid to gaseous phase F02M21/06 takes precedence; Injection in liquid phase; Cooling and low temperature storage
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0293 Safety devices; Fail-safe measures
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0335 Check-valves or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 : Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 : Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0413 : with floats
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0473 : Time or time periods
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 : Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/016 : Preventing slosh
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/02 : Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/066 : for feeding engines for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 : by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/02 : for filling with liquefied gases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 : Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86196 : Separable with valved-connecting passage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86212 : Plural compartments formed by baffles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86228 : With communicating opening in common walls of tanks or compartments

Abstract

A system for storing, handling, and controlling the delivery of the gaseous fuel to internal combustion engine powered devices adapted to run simultaneously on both a liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel. The invention provides a control system having a float controlled solenoid for ensuring that a consistent supply of dry gas is delivered to the engine. The invention uses the sensors and computer of the existing electronic fuel delivery system of the device to adjust the amount of liquid fuel delivery to compensate for the amount of gaseous fuel injection. The invention provides a gaseous fuel control system for a dual fuel device which is integrated and compact, and which preferably includes a fuel fill connection for the gaseous fuel. The invention also provides a horizontal fuel reservoir comprised of end interconnected parallel conduits and, preferably, includes two separate compartments and a pressure relief system for permitting expansion into a relief compartment from a main compartment. It also provides horizontal and vertical interchangeable reservoirs with expansion properties filled by weight.

Claims

1. A storage reservoir for gaseous fuel comprising:

a primary compartment and a secondary compartment substantially smaller than said primary compartment, each of said primary and said secondary compartments having separate outlets,

means for filling said primary compartment with gaseous fuel,

a spring loaded relief valve operatively connected between said primary compartment and said secondary expansion compartment and adapted to permit flow only from said primary compartment to said secondary compartment and when a minimum differential pressure exists across said spring loaded relief valve,

a first spring loaded check valve operatively connected between said primary compartment and said output conduit and adapted to permit only outflow from the output of said primary compartment and only when at least a first minimum differential pressure exists across said first spring loaded check valve,

a second spring loaded check valve operatively connected between said secondary compartment and said output conduit and adapted to permit only outflow from the output of said secondary compartment and only when at least a second minimum differential pressure exists across said second spring loaded check valve, said second minimum differential pressure being less than said first minimum differential pressure so that outflow from said secondary compartment will be favored over outflow from said primary compartment.

2. The storage reservoir defined in claim 1, wherein said primary and secondary compartments have integrally connected external pressure containing walls, and have an internal separating wall between them.

3. The storage reservoir defined in claim 1, wherein said primary and secondary compartments are substantially separate.

4. The storage reservoir defined in claim 1, wherein said secondary compartment is contained within said primary compartment.

5. The storage reservoir defined in claim 1, wherein said first differential pressure is at least sufficient to prevent formation of a vacuum in said primary compartment.

6. The storage reservoir defined in claim 1, wherein at least said primary compartment is generally horizontally disposed.

7. The storage reservoir defined in claim 6, wherein said secondary compartment is also generally horizontally disposed.