Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-09
2004-02-24
Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
C123S509000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06694955
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a marine engine with two fuel reservoirs and, more particularly, to a marine engine in which a secondary fuel reservoir has an inlet connected to a vent port of a primary fuel vapor separator to receive vented vapors and liquid fuel overflow from the primary fuel vapor separator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many different types of fuel vapor separators are well known for use in conjunction with fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines. Fuel vapor separators are particularly well known for use in conjunction with marine engines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,245, which issued to Jaeger et al on Feb. 14, 1995, discloses a vapor separating unit for a fuel system. The vapor separating unit has particular application to a fuel system for a marine engine. The vapor separating unit includes a closed tank having a fuel inlet through which fuel is fed to the tank by a diaphragm pump. The liquid level in the tank is controlled by a float-operated valve. An electric pump is located within the vapor separating tank and has an inlet disposed in the tank and an outlet connected to a fuel rail assembly of the engine. Excess fuel from the fuel rail assembly is conducted back to the upper end of the vapor separator tank. A vapor venting mechanism is incorporated in the tank to vent vapor from the tank.
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 from 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 in 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 for 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 low 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 the first side of the baffle from fuel returned by the fuel 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 fuel 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. patent application Ser. No. 09/838,275, which was filed by Ito on Apr. 20, 2001, describes a fuel vapor treatment system. The system is intended for an automotive vehicle on which an internal combustion engine is mounted. The fuel vapor treatment system comprises a canister connected to a fuel tank and containing a fuel vapor absorbing material which generates endothermic energy during desorption of fuel vapor. A membrane separation module is provided to be connected to the canister and including a separation membrane for separating a mixture gas purged from the canister into an air-rich component and a fuel vapor-rich component. Additionally, a condenser is provided to be connected to the membrane separation module to be supplied with the fuel vapor-rich component from the membrane separation module. The condenser is housed in the canister and adapted to cool and liquefy fuel vapor in the fuel vapor-rich component to obtain liquefied fuel by the endothermic energy generated in the canister, the liquefied fuel being recovered.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,106, which issued to Gonzalez on Mar. 24, 1998, describes a fuel vapor separator apparatus for diesel engines. The apparatus is intended for de-vaporizing fuel entrained with vapor and has a hollow canister defining a separation chamber. The canister has an input port for receiving the fuel entrained with vapor, an output port in communication with the engine for removal of the de-vapored fuel from the chamber, and a vapor port for removal of the released vapor from the chamber. A screen element is located in the separation chamber of the canister between the input port and the output port for agitating the fuel to release the vapor from the fuel. The apparatus has a valving arrangement for connecting the vapor port to the reservoir. The valving arrangement has at least three ports. The vapor port of the canister is in communication with the first port of the valving arrangement. The reservoir is in communication with the second port of the valving arrangement and ambient air is in communication with the third port. The valving arrangement has a conduit with a control pins for selecting the venting of the separation chamber through the vapor port to either the fuel tank or the ambient air.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,740, which issued to Cotton et al on Dec. 3, 1996, describes a fuel handling system for an internal combustion engine having a vapor separator for receiving fuel from a remote tank and a pump for delivering the fuel under high pressure to a fuel injector of the engine while providing vapor separation. The separator has an inlet for receiving fuel from the tank, an outlet for enabling fuel to be removed and delivered to the engine, at least one return for enabling fuel not used by the engine to be returned to the separator, and a vent for removing fuel vapor from a gas dome above a pool of liquid fuel within the separator. The inlet has a valve controlled by a float in the reservoir for admitting fuel to maintain the level of liquid fuel in the separator. To retard foaming and excessive vaporization of liquid fuel in the separator, the separator has a perforate baffle between any return and the liquid fuel pool.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,784, which issued to Mito et al on May 26, 1992, describes a fuel injection system of an outboard motor which is provided with a vapor separator as a fuel tank disposed in the outboard motor and the system includes a fuel return pipe connected to the vapor separator, a fuel supply pipe connected to the vapor separator for supplying fuel to the fuel injector and a vent means connected to the vapor separator. The vent means is connected to a port formed to the throttle body through a connection hose on a upstream side of the throttle valve. The port formed in the throttle valve is opened at a portion at which an air flows in the throttle body with highest flowing speed and upstream and downstream sides of the throttle valve are connected through a bypass passage which is provided with a port on the upstream side of the throttle valve opened near the port formed to the throttle body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,827, which issued to Kato on Feb. 4, 1997, describes a high pressure fuel feeding device for a fuel injected engine. An outboard motor has a fuel/air injection system wherein all of the major components of the fuel portion of the fuel/air injection system are contained within a sealed chamber having a fuel drain and the conduits that supply fuel to the fuel injectors are also contained within fuel collecting conduits so that any fuel leaking will not escape back to the atmosphere. In addition, the air pressure supplied to the fuel/air injectors is regulat
Griffiths John M
Jaszewski Wayne M.
Phillips George E.
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
Moulis Thomas N.
LandOfFree
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