Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-19
2004-04-13
Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
C123S519000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718953
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a fuel vapor separator and, more particularly, to a fuel vapor separator that inhibits fuel, flowing within a recirculation path from a fuel rail, from freely mixing with liquid fuel within a main fuel reservoir of the fuel vapor separator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fuel vapor separators are well known to those skilled in the art. One of the functions of the fuel vapor separator is to allow gaseous fuel vapor to be separated from liquid fuel that is pumped to a fuel delivery component, such as a fuel rail for a plurality of fuel injectors. Fuel vapor separators are provided for use in conjunction with internal combustion engines, such as those used in marine propulsion systems. In some applications, fuel is pumped from the fuel vapor separator to a fuel rail or other fuel delivery component and excess fuel is recirculated back to the fuel vapor separator. In other systems, fuel is “dead-headed” so that the fuel flows in a single direction from a fuel pump to a fuel rail or other fuel delivery component.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,344, which issued to Lucier et al on Nov. 20, 2001, describes a dead-headed fuel delivery system using a single fuel pump. The fuel delivery system uses a single electric fuel pump to deliver fuel to a two-stroke fuel injected engine. The fuel pump draws fuel from a fuel tank via a fuel supply network or a fuel supply line, transfers the fuel through a fuel connecter and a fuel filter, and delivers the fuel to a vapor separator. The fuel is then distributed to the fuel injectors without returning any fuel to the fuel delivery system. An engine control unit, connected to a pressure sensor, supplies a fuel supply signal to the fuel pump to maintain the supplied pressure at a reference pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,546, which issued to Nakase et al on Aug. 28, 2001, describes a watercraft fuel supply system. The fuel delivery and injection system for a small watercraft engine reduces the heat effects within an enclosed engine compartment upon a fuel pump of and the fuel within a fuel injection system. The fuel delivery system includes a vapor separator and a high pressure fuel pump. The fuel pump is at least partially located within the vapor separator. The fuel within the vapor separator cools the fuel pump. The vapor separator also is positioned between a pair of air ducts such that an air stream between the ducts cools the fuel within the vapor separator. This arrangement consequently improves the consistency of the air/fuel ratio and the fuel charges delivered to the engine cylinders, provides a compact structure between the fuel pump, and the vapor separator and improves the durability of the fuel pump.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,208, which issued to Harvey on Jul. 10, 2001, describes a marine vapor separator. A method of controlling fuel temperature while supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an array of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of pumping the fuel with a high pressure pump, flowing the fuel through a fuel line from the fuel tank to the high pressure pump, and flowing the fuel through a vapor separator to the fuel line between the tank and the high pressure pump. The method is characterized by recirculating fuel from the vapor separator to the fuel line and leveling fuel temperatures. The method is more specifically characterized by regulating the pressure at which fuel is recirculated from the vapor separator to the fuel line. An assembly for implementing the method includes a unitary housing comprising an upper cap and a lower cap for supporting the filter, the lower pressure pump, the first pressure regulator, and the vapor separator. A baffle is disposed at the bottom of the vapor separator for separating fuel flow from the low pressure pump on a first side of the baffle from fuel returning by the return line disposed on the second side of the baffle. The first pressure regulator and the recirculation line are also disposed on the first side of the baffle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,742, which issued to Wickman et al on Jul. 3, 2001, discloses a fuel supply method for a marine propulsion engine. The method for controlling the operation of a fuel system of an outboard motor uses a lift pump to transfer fuel from a remote tank to a vapor separator tank. Only one level sensor is provided in the vapor separator tank and an engine control unit monitors the total view usage subsequent to the most recent filling of the tank. When the fuel usage indicates that the fuel level in the vapor separator tank has reached a predefined lower level, a lift pump is activated to draw fuel from a remote tank and provide that fuel to the vapor separator tank.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,434, which issued to Hartke et al on Jan. 11, 2000, describes a fuel system vapor separator for an internal combustion engine. The vapor separator has an outer housing member with a generally cylindrical internal wall and has two open opposed ends. A generally cylindrical inner housing member is fitted within the outer housing member and defines a sealed space between the two housing members. The housing members are sealingly closed at both ends. An inlet introduces fuel into the central region of the inner housing member while another inlet introduces a coolant fluid into the space defined between the outer and inner housing members for cooling the fuel. A float operated valve vents out fuel vapor accumulating within the inner housing member. The housing members are formed by an extrusion process such that they can be cut to various lengths depending upon the desired size of the assembled vapor separator.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,859, which issued to Roche et al on Jan. 4, 2000, describes a liquid cooled in-line fuel pump. The fuel system for a fuel injected internal combustion engine has a liquid cooled fuel pump which draws fuel from a liquid vapor separator and delivers it under pressure to the engine at a rate higher than that necessary to operate the engine. Preferably, a fuel pressure regulator downstream of the fuel pump and adjacent to the engine bypasses excess fuel to a return fuel chamber in communication with the liquid cooled fuel pump to cool the return fuel before it is returned to the liquid vapor separator. Reducing the temperature of the return fuel before it is discharged into the liquid vapor separator reduces the generation of vapor in the liquid vapor separator and thereby enables use of the smaller, less expensive vapor separator. Reducing the amount of fuel vapor in the system is desirable because the fuel vapor can decrease the efficiency and life of the fuel pump and is environmentally hazardous.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,409, which issued to Kato on Jul. 20, 1999, describes a fuel injection system. The system is for an internal combustion engine and provides a uniform flow of gaseous and liquid fuel to each of the intake passages of the engine. A balance passage interconnects each of the intake manifolds to each other and balances the pressure within the intake passages. A pressure regulator regulates the fuel pressure at the fuel injector. A reference pressure chamber within the pressure regulator communicates with the balance passage and controls the fuel pressure based on the balanced pressure within the intake passages. The balance passage also communicates with a vapor separator of the fuel supply system that separates liquid fuel from gaseous fuel. The balance passage promotes even distribution of the gaseous fuel to the intake passages. The fuel injection system also includes a plenum chamber that acts as a source of air for the engine. The plenum chamber includes a drain outlet that communicates with the balance passage for returning blown back fuel from the plenum chamber to the intake passages.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,197, which issued to Kato on Jan. 5, 1999, describes a vapor separator for a fuel injected engine. The vapor separator for a fuel injection system reduces the size of the fuel system mounted on the side of an outboard engine. The g
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
Moulis Thomas N.
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