Electronic pressure regulator

• US 7,131,431 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2004
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronics Line
• Original Assignee: Econtrols Incorporated
• Inventors: Guglielmo, Kennon H., Shouse, Kenneth R., Walser, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Hyder
• Application Number:
  US10/808,206
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 123/527, 123/525, 123/529, 123/575, 123/27.GE
• US Class Current: 123/527
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/022 to adjust the fuel pressure, temperature or composition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/027 Determining the fuel pressure, temperature or volume flow, the fuel tank fill level or a valve position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/31 Control of the fuel pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/0053 by means of a carburettor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0212 comprising at least 3 C-Atoms, e.g. liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], propane or butane
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0215 Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/047 Venturi mixer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic pressure regulator that can be used for gaseous fuel control on internal combustion engines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic pressure regulator that has direct acting electro-mechanical operation with pressure sensor feed back.

Claims

1. A pressure regulator and gaseous fuel internal combustion engine, comprising:

(a) an internal combustion engine including a fuel line having an outlet in communication with the engine, the fuel line including a controllable valve for regulating the gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet;

(b) a variable venturi or fixed venturi carburetor in communication with the fuel line outlet and the engine;

(c) a first sensor providing a first signal corresponding to gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet;

(d) a controller responsive to the first signal for controlling the valve and regulating gaseous fuel pressure to a desired pressure value wherein the controllable valve defines said desired pressure value for the fuel that enters the engine via the outlet; and

(e) wherein the controllable valve is a rotary actuated butterfly valve.

2. The engine of claim 1, wherein the desired pressure is set by a user.

3. A pressure regulator and gaseous fuel internal combustion engine, comprising:

(a) an internal combustion engine including a fuel line having an outlet in communication with the engine, the fuel line including a controllable valve for regulating the gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet;

(b) a variable venturi or fixed venturi carburetor in communication with the fuel line outlet and the engine;

(c) a first sensor providing a first signal corresponding to gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet;

(d) at least one additional sensor for measuring an engine output condition;

(e) a calculator processor for direct receipt of the engine output condition and for calculating a desired gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet utilizing linear interpolation based on the input from the additional sensor in “

d” and

providing a second signal corresponding to the desired gaseous fuel pressure;

(f) a controller responsive to the second signal moving the controllable valve; and

(g) wherein the controllable valve is a rotary actuated butterfly valve that is responsive to the controller to adjust the gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet and obtain the desired gaseous fuel pressure value for the fuel that enters the engine via the outlet.

4. The engine of claim of claim 3 wherein the engine output is selected from the group consisting of the manifold absolute pressure, an engine speed, an manifold air temperature, an engine coolant temperature, an EGO output, a UEGO output, a barometric pressure, an engine mass air flow, a throttle position, a throttle inlet pressure, and any combination thereof.