Gas leakage detection and fail-safe control method for gas-fueled internal combustion engine and apparatus for implementing the same
First Claim
1. A gas leakage detection method for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine wherein, with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed, gas pressure at two or more predetermined locations before and after a gas pressure regulator in a gas feed path is detected at different times, an amount of decrease of gas pressure is detected by comparing the detected gas pressures, and gas leakage is detected when the amount of decrease exceeds a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided that can detect even small amounts of gas leakage and can perform a proper fail-safe operation when gas leakage is detected. When an engine is stopped and a gas shut-off valve is closed, the amount of decrease of gas pressure is calculated by comparing initial gas pressure with the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time, to detect gas leakage. In one embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the amount of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. In another embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the rate of decrease of gas pressure from the initial gas pressure to the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time. In a further embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the rate of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. Further, when gas leakage is detected, the gas shut-off valve is closed and a warning is issued.
49 Citations
30 Claims
- 1. A gas leakage detection method for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine wherein, with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed, gas pressure at two or more predetermined locations before and after a gas pressure regulator in a gas feed path is detected at different times, an amount of decrease of gas pressure is detected by comparing the detected gas pressures, and gas leakage is detected when the amount of decrease exceeds a predetermined value.
- 11. A gas leakage detection method for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine wherein, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed, gas pressure at two or more predetermined locations before and after a gas pressure regulator in a gas feed path is detected at different times,an amount of decrease of gas pressure is deleted by comparing the detected gas pressures, and gas leakage is detected when an accumulated value of the amount of decrease exceeds a predetermined value.
- 13. A gas leakage detection method for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine wherein, with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed, gas pressure at a predetermined location is detected at different times, a ratio of decrease of gas pressure is detected from the detected gas pressures, and gas leakage is detected when the ratio of decrease exceeds a predetermined value.
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15. A gas leakage detection method for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine wherein, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed, gas pressure at a predetermined location is detected at different times, a ratio of decrease of gas pressure is detected based on the detected gas pressures at different times, and gas leakage is detected when an accumulated value of the ratio of decrease of gas pressure exceeds a predetermined value.
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17. A gas leakage detection apparatus for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine, comprising:
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at two or more predetermined locations before and after a gas pressure regulator in a gas feed path at different times with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed;
gas pressure decrease amount detection means for detecting an amount of decrease of gas pressure by comparing the detected gas pressures; and
gas leakage determining means for determining, based on the amount of decrease relative to a predetermined value, whether gas is leaking. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at two or more predetermined locations before and after a gas pressure regulator in a gas feed path at different times with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed;
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25. A gas leakage detection apparatus for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine, comprising:
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed;
gas pressure decrease amount detection means for detecting an amount of decrease of gas pressure by comparing the detected gas pressures;
gas pressure decrease amount accumulating means for accumulating the amount of decrease; and
gas leakage determining means for determining, based on the accumulated amount of decrease relative to a predetermined value, whether gas is leaking or not. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed;
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27. A gas leakage detection apparatus for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine, comprising:
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed;
gas pressure decrease ratio detection means for detecting a ratio of decrease of gas pressure from the detected gas pressures; and
gas leakage determining means for determining, based on the ratio of decrease relative to a predetermined value, whether gas is leaking or not. - View Dependent Claims (28)
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times with the engine in a stopped condition and shut-off valves closed;
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29. A gas leakage detection apparatus for a gas-fueled internal combustion engine, comprising:
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed;
gas pressure decrease ratio detection means for detecting a ratio of decrease of gas pressure based on the detected gas pressures at different times;
gas pressure decrease ratio accumulating means for accumulating the ratio of decrease of the gas pressure; and
gas leakage determining means for determining, based on the accumulated ratio of decrease of the gas pressure relative to a predetermined value, whether gas is leaking or not. detects gas leakage by determining that gas is leaking when the ratio of decrease is larger than a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (30)
- gas pressure detection means for detecting gas pressure at a predetermined location at different times, each time the engine is stopped and shut-off valves are closed;
Specification