Internal combustion engine system for industrial applications

• US 9,163,573 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2012
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chris Wallake
• Original Assignee: Chris Wallake
• Inventors: Wallake, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Application Number:
  US13/607,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20140069373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,136 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/042 Rotating electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/06 for pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0649 Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/00 Controlling engines, such controlling being peculiar to the devices driven thereby, the devices being other than parts or accessories essential to engine operation, e.g. controlling of engines by signals external thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/001 Electric control of rotation speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/064 at cold start F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are enclosed for an internal combustion engine system for industrial applications.

Claims

1. An industrial combustion liquid propane-fueled engine, comprising:

at least one intake port;

a fuel injection system comprising at least one fuel injector configured to inject liquid propane into the at least one intake port; and

an engine controller comprising a governor device configured to maintain the speed of the engine at or near a predetermined value, wherein the engine controller controls the at least one fuel injector to control a rate and a timing of fuel injection into the at least one intake port based on at least one of;

the predetermined value as selected by a user, the predetermined value as selected by the engine controller, and the predetermined value as sensed by a powertrain control module and communicated to and controlled by the engine controller.

2. The engine of claim 1, further comprising at least one spark-ignition system.

3. The engine of claim 1, wherein the engine is configured to provide power to at least one of a generator, a pump, a wind machine, and a mixing plant.

4. The engine of claim 1, further comprising at least one fuel cell configured to contain the liquid propane, the at least one fuel cell comprising a fuel pump capable of both transferring the liquid propane to the fuel injection system and removing a propane vapor from the fuel injection system.

5. The engine of claim 1, wherein the fuel injection system injects the liquid propane into the at least one intake port under pressure.

6. The engine of claim 1, wherein the fuel injection system injects metered and measured amounts of the liquid propane into the at least one intake port.

7. The engine of claim 1, wherein the engine is configured to start and operate within a range of ambient temperatures from about −

50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit without external heat input.

8. A system for powering stationary industrial equipment, comprising:

an industrial internal combustion liquid propane-fueled engine, comprising;

at least one intake port,

a fuel injection system comprising at least one fuel injector configured to inject liquid propane into the at least one intake port, and

an engine controller comprising a governor device configured to maintain the speed of the engine at or near a predetermined value, wherein the engine controller controls the at least one fuel injector to control a rate and a timing of fuel injection into the at least one intake port based on at least one of;

the predetermined value as selected by a user, the predetermined value as selected by the engine controller, and the predetermined value as sensed by a powertrain control module and communicated to and controlled by the engine controller; and

a fuel cell configured to hold the liquid propane.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel cell comprises a fuel pump capable of both transferring the liquid propane to the fuel injection system and removing a propane vapor from the fuel injection system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the engine further comprises at least one spark-ignition system.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is configured to provide power to at least one of a generator, a pump, a wind machine, and a mixing plant.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel injection system injects the liquid propane into the at least one intake port under pressure.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel injection system injects metered and measured amounts of the liquid propane into the at least one intake port.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is configured to start and operate within a range of ambient temperatures from about −

50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit without external heat input.

15. A method for starting an industrial internal combustion liquid propane-fueled engine, comprising:

providing an industrial internal combustion liquid propane-fueled engine, comprising;

at least one intake port,

a fuel injection system comprising at least one fuel injector configured to inject liquid propane into the at least one intake port,

an engine controller comprising a governor device configured to maintain the speed of the engine at or near a predetermined value, and

a starter;

providing a fuel cell configured to hold the liquid propane, wherein the fuel cell comprises a fuel pump capable of both transferring the liquid propane to the fuel injection system and removing a propane vapor from the fuel injection system;

operating the fuel pump in a first configuration wherein the fuel pump removes propane vapor from the fuel injection system;

operating the fuel pump in a second configuration wherein the fuel pump transfers liquid propane to the fuel injection system;

activating the fuel injection system to cause the at least one fuel injector to inject liquid propane into the at least one intake port; and

activating the starter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the engine further comprises at least one spark-ignition system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the engine is configured to provide power to at least one of a generator, a pump, a wind machine, and a mixing plant.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the fuel injection system injects the liquid propane into the at least one intake port under pressure.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fuel injection system injects metered and measured amounts of the liquid propane into the at least one intake port.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the engine is configured to start and operate within a range of ambient temperatures from about −

50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit without external heat input.