Gaseous fuel supply module for automotive internal combustion engine
First Claim
1. A fuel supply module for furnishing gaseous fuel to a liquid cooled automotive internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for induction into an engine;
a heating chamber integral with said pressure regulator and which surrounds at least part of a valve means incorporated in said pressure regulator;
means for conducting liquid engine coolant from an engine into said heating chamber and for returning said coolant to the engine such that heat will be transferred from the coolant to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module; and
temperature control means located within said heating chamber for sensing the temperature of the coolant within the chamber and for controlling the amount of coolant flowing through said heating chamber in response to said sensed temperature, so as to control the amount of heat which is transferred to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel supply module for furnishing gaseous fuel to a liquid cooled internal combustion engine includes a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for induction into an engine, and a heating chamber surrounding at least part of the pressure regulator. The flow of liquid coolant into the module is controlled by means of a temperature controller which senses the temperature of the coolant within the heating chamber and which controls the amount of coolant flowing through the heating chamber in response to the sensed temperature so as to control the amount of which is transferred to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module.
63 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A fuel supply module for furnishing gaseous fuel to a liquid cooled automotive internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for induction into an engine; a heating chamber integral with said pressure regulator and which surrounds at least part of a valve means incorporated in said pressure regulator; means for conducting liquid engine coolant from an engine into said heating chamber and for returning said coolant to the engine such that heat will be transferred from the coolant to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module; and temperature control means located within said heating chamber for sensing the temperature of the coolant within the chamber and for controlling the amount of coolant flowing through said heating chamber in response to said sensed temperature, so as to control the amount of heat which is transferred to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A fuel supply module for furnishing compressed natural gas to a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for injection into an engine; a heating chamber which is integral with said pressure regulator and which surrounds at least part of a poppet valve incorporated in said pressure regulator; a supply conduit for conducting liquid engine coolant from an engine into said heating chamber and a return conduit for returning said coolant to the engine such that heat will be transferred from the coolant to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module; and a temperature controller, mounted within the heating chamber, for sensing the temperature of the coolant within the chamber and for controlling the amount of coolant flowing through said heating chamber in response to said sensed temperature, so as to control the amount of heat which is transferred to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A fuel supply system for furnishing compressed natural gas to a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for injection into an engine; a heating chamber surrounding at least part of a valve means incorporated in said pressure regulator; a supply conduit for conducting liquid engine coolant from an engine into said heating chamber and a return conduit for returning said coolant to the engine such that heat will be transferred from the coolant to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module; a temperature controller for sensing the temperature of the coolant within the chamber and for controlling the amount of coolant flowing through said heating chamber in response to said sensed temperature, so as to control the amount of heat which is transferred to the gas flowing through the regulator; a tank for storing compressed gas and a pipe for conducting gas from the tank to the pressure regulator; and at least one injector connected to the regulator to receive lower pressure gas therefrom and to inject the gas into the engine.
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Specification