Electronic pressure regulator
First Claim
1. An electronic pressure regulator for use with a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine having an engine control module, a fuel line source having an outlet in communication with the engine, fuel line including a controllable valve for regulating the gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet, and a venturi carburetor in communication with the fuel line outlet and the engine, comprising:
- a first pressure sensor providing a first signal corresponding to gaseous fuel pressure at the inlet of the carburetor;
a second pressure sensor providing a second signal corresponding to air inlet pressure at the outlet of the carburetor;
a delta pressure sensor sensing the difference between the first signal and the second signal;
wherein said delta pressure sensor receives a command signal from the engine control module and determines the required new pressure and provides a third signal to the a voice coil actuator;
wherein the voice coil actuator responds to said third signal and provides a direct mechanical input to a mechanical pressure regulator; and
wherein said mechanical pressure regulator provides a signal to the venturi carburetor to adjust the amount of fuel being provided to the engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes a very fast voice coil actuator, in the range of 2-5 millisecond full stroke response with high force, a circuit board located in the enclosure, a pressure sensor sensing pressure internal to the system which in the preferred embodiment is located in the actuator cap assembly but could be located in other locations, a diaphragm, a link plate, a mating ring, and a mechanical pressure regulator. An electronic pressure regulator receives pressure commands from the engine control module in a manner similar to receiving pulse width from an engine control module to an injector and calculates the required new pressure command. A novel feature of the present invention includes the Delta P control and the control of the regulator based on direct feedback of pressure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic pressure regulator for use with a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine having an engine control module, a fuel line source having an outlet in communication with the engine, fuel line including a controllable valve for regulating the gaseous fuel pressure at the outlet, and a venturi carburetor in communication with the fuel line outlet and the engine, comprising:
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a first pressure sensor providing a first signal corresponding to gaseous fuel pressure at the inlet of the carburetor; a second pressure sensor providing a second signal corresponding to air inlet pressure at the outlet of the carburetor; a delta pressure sensor sensing the difference between the first signal and the second signal; wherein said delta pressure sensor receives a command signal from the engine control module and determines the required new pressure and provides a third signal to the a voice coil actuator; wherein the voice coil actuator responds to said third signal and provides a direct mechanical input to a mechanical pressure regulator; and wherein said mechanical pressure regulator provides a signal to the venturi carburetor to adjust the amount of fuel being provided to the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An electronic pressure regulator, comprising:
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a pressure sensor operable to produce a first pressure signal related to a fuel pressure in a mixer fuel inlet line; a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and operable to receive the first pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a second pressure signal and produce a third pressure signal related to the difference between the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal; a voice coil actuator coupled to the controller and including a voice coil and a mechanical input device, wherein the voice coil actuator is operable to receive the third pressure signal and use the third pressure signal to activate a voice coil to move the mechanical input device; and a mechanical pressure regulator device coupled to the mechanical input device, wherein the mechanical input device is operable, in response to movement of the mechanical input device, to move the mechanical pressure regulator to adjust the fuel pressure in the mixer fuel inlet line. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fuel system, comprising:
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a fuel mixer including a fuel inlet; an engine control module; and a fuel pressure regulator coupled to the engine control module and the fuel mixer, the fuel pressure regulator comprising; a pressure sensor that is operable to detect a fuel inlet pressure at the fuel inlet and use the fuel inlet pressure to determine a first pressure signal; a microprocessor coupled to the pressure sensor and operable to receive the first pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a second pressure signal from the engine control module and produce a third pressure signal related to the difference between the first pressure signal and the second pressure signal; a voice coil actuator coupled to the microprocessor and including a voice coil and a mechanical input device, wherein the voice coil actuator is operable to receive the third pressure signal and use the third pressure signal to activate the voice coil to move the mechanical input device; and a mechanical pressure regulator device coupled to the mechanical input device, wherein the mechanical input device is operable, in response to movement of the mechanical input device, to move the mechanical pressure regulator to adjust the fuel inlet pressure at the fuel inlet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fuel supply system, comprising:
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a carburetor including a carburetor fuel inlet; an electronic fuel pressure regulator including a regulator fuel outlet that is coupled to the carburetor fuel inlet, the electronic fuel pressure regulator comprising; a microprocessor operable to receive a first pressure signal related to a fuel pressure between the regulator fuel outlet and the carburetor fuel inlet and generate a second pressure signal related to the difference between the first pressure signal and a desired pressure signal; a voice coil actuator coupled to the microprocessor and including a voice coil and a mechanical input device, wherein the voice coil actuator is operable to use the second pressure signal to activate the voice coil to move the mechanical input device; and a valve coupled to the mechanical input device, wherein the mechanical input device is operable, in response to movement of the mechanical input device, to move the valve to adjust the fuel pressure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification