Fuel control system and associated method
First Claim
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1. A fuel control system for controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown, comprising:
- at least one valve device configured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine;
a first fuel source configured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device;
a second fuel source configured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device;
a controller connected to the valve device and adapted to be connected to an ignition system, the controller being configured to control the valve device responsive to a status of one of the engine and the ignition system; and
a sensor that is configured to sense a ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel, and wherein the controller is configured to signal the engine to continue to operate despite a signal from the ignition system to cease operation if the ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel is above a threshold value.
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Abstract
A fuel control system for controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown includes: at least one valve device configured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine; a first fuel source configured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device; a second fuel source configured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device; and a controller connected to the valve device and adapted to be connected to an ignition system. The controller is configured to control the valve device responsive to a status of one of the engine and the ignition system.
27 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A fuel control system for controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown, comprising:
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at least one valve device configured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine; a first fuel source configured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device; a second fuel source configured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device; a controller connected to the valve device and adapted to be connected to an ignition system, the controller being configured to control the valve device responsive to a status of one of the engine and the ignition system; and a sensor that is configured to sense a ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel, and wherein the controller is configured to signal the engine to continue to operate despite a signal from the ignition system to cease operation if the ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel is above a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An internal combustion engine assembly capable of operating on primary and alternate fuels, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine; a first fuel source connected to the engine; a second fuel source connected to the engine; a fuel control unit connected with the first and second fuel sources for regulating fuel to the engine; an ignition system; a controller connected to the engine, the fuel control unit and the ignition system, the controller being configured to control the fuel control unit responsive to a status of one of the engine and the ignition system; and a sensor that is configured to sense a ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel, and wherein the controller is configured to signal the engine to continue to operate despite a signal from the ignition system to cease operation if the ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel is above a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown, comprising:
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signaling an internal combustion engine to cease operation, the signaling being carried out with an ignition system; detecting a ratio of alternate fuel to primary fuel in the engine; and overriding the signal from the ignition system if the ratio is higher than a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification