Propane injection control system and apparatus for vehicles

• US 7,100,582 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamic Fuel Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynamic Fuel Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bach, Jeffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US11/117,556
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 123/525, 123/526, 123/527, 123/528, 123/529, 123/676, 123/198.D, 123/198.DB
• US Class Current: 123/529
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A propane injector system for internal combustion engines for improving performance, fuel efficiency, safety, cleanliness and environmental friendliness. The system consists of introducing propane gas into “a black box” that has a pressure reducing valve to drop propane pressure as it flows initially from its storage tank and through an electronically controlled on/off valve. Propane enters an injector manifold where it is distributed to two specially designed gas handling fuel injectors that act as variable flow rate pumps controlled by a programmable microprocessor that is pre programmed for specific vehicles or can be customized with improved performance programming as determined by the vehicle owner. A pressure feedback system senses when the engine blower has caused a pressure boost on its high side feeding the cylinders. Transducers located in a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor detect the pressure boost and communicate with the microprocessor. This intake manifold pressure sensing provides feedback to the processor that controls the fuel injectors to customize the amount of propane being fed to the engine on an “as needed” basis. Information on engine performance is programmed into the computer controller, i.e. microprocessor, to provide the flow rates for the added propane. This arrangement maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes propane use. A temperature sensor on the exhaust side monitors exhaust gasses and disables the system if excessive temperatures are experienced.

Claims

1. A supplemental fuel injection system for internal combustion engines, said injection system including:

a supplemental fuel supply tank containing said fuel;

an air compressor means such as a turbocharger to increase the flow of air to said engine and having an inlet and an outlet;

pressure monitoring means in an air outlet side of said compressor means to monitor air pressure leaving said air compressor means;

temperature sensing means located at an exhaust section of said engine to monitor temperature of engine exhaust gasses;

a mounting ring providing a rigid cylindrical member with means positioned adjacent said air compressor inlet and having a supplemental fuel injector with feed lines connected with said supplemental fuel into the air stream entering said air compressor;

control means having supplemental fuel supply pumps, i.e. solenoid activaged injectors;

said control means having a programmable microprocessor connected with said injectors to vary the flow of supplemental fuel on an as needed, customized and pre programmed basis for said engine.

2. The supplemental fuel injection system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor has first electrical means connected with said pressure sensing means on the intake manifold side of said engine, and, second electrical means connected with said temperature sensing means located on the exhaust side of said engine, said microprocessor being programmed to shut down said flow of supplemental fuel at a predetermined and undesirable temperature on the exhaust or pressure in the intake side of said engine.

3. The supplemental fuel system of claim 1, and further including:

visual indicia means such as a light with means connected with said microprocessor to be activated as a warning device when pressure or temperature in the system is approaching an undesirable level that could result in damage to said engine;

manual override switch means with electrical means connected to said system to deactivate the system on an as needed basis as indicated by the temperature and pressure sensing devices and as analyzed by said microprocessor.

4. A kit for adding a propane injection system to an internal combustion engine having the usual intake and exhaust manifolds and having an inlet air pressure booster such as a turbocharger to increase air flow and pressure of air fed into the intake manifold of said engine and comprising:

a black box controller with valve step down pressure means; and

having propane injectors to feed propane to said engine;

temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of said exhaust gasses;

pressure sensing means for positioning to measure boost pressure provided by said turbocharger;

programmable microprocessor to control the flow of said propane and having means programmable for said engine to measure the correct amount of propane to be fed into said engine for improved engine performance and efficiency;

said black box having electrical connection means for connection of external testing, monitoring and adjusting means to monitor operation of the system.