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Apparatus and process for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine having an electronic fuel regulation system

  • US 7,798,128 B2
  • Filed: 09/09/2004
  • Issued: 09/21/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An electronic fuel regulation system to control the delivery of fuel to at least one cylinder of a small internal combustion engine comprising:

  • a fuel pump;

    a fuel valve operatively connected to the fuel pump and being capable of cycling open and closed in not more than about twelve milliseconds and having an average operating pressure between 2 and 10 psi but not exceeding about 15 psi, the maximum operating pressure for the fuel system being controlled by a fuel pressure regulator, and the operating pressure being controlled by a fuel pump a fuel valve and an electronic control unit configured to vary the duty cycle of the fuel valve, and the fuel pump, the fuel valve having a body, a plunger reciprocally positioned within the body and the fuel valve having a cap connected to an end of the body, the cap having a seat positioned within the body and facing the plunger and the cap having an integrated fuel rail positioned outside of the body, the plunger reciprocally contacting the seat during the cycling of the fuel pump;

    an air intake manifold, the air intake manifold having a mounting system configured to operatively connect with the integral fuel rail so as to mount the fuel valve into the air intake manifold;

    a throttle position sensor capable of detecting the position of a throttle on the small internal combustion engine and being capable of sending a throttle position sensor signal;

    at least one ignition sensor having the ability to detect transmittal of a momentary electrical current used to ignite at least one spark plug on the small internal combustion engine and capable of sending at least one ignition sensor signal;

    an electronic control unit configured to drive the fuel pump and the fuel valve in a fuel delivery system for the small internal combustion engine, wherein the electronic control unit has the ability of accepting the throttle position sensor signal and the at least one ignition sensor signal, and further having the ability to continuously monitor the operation of the small internal combustion engine to adjust operation of the fuel pump and the fuel valve at the fuel system average operating pressure of less than about 15 psi to increase the operating efficiency of the small internal combustion engine while the fuel pressure regulator maintains such maximum operating pressure.

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