Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-30
2001-08-28
Miller, Carl S. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel flow regulation between the pump and the charge-forming...
C123S509000, C440S08800J
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279546
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an engine of a small watercraft, and in particular to a fuel supply system for a watercraft engine.
2. Description of Related Art
Personal watercrafts have become popular in recent years. This type of watercraft is sporting in nature; it turns swiftly, is easily maneuverable, and accelerates quickly. Personal watercraft today commonly carrier one rider and one or two passengers.
A relatively small hull of the personal watercraft defines an engine compartment below a riders area. An internal combustion engine frequently lies within the engine compartment in front of a tunnel formed on the underside of the watercraft hull. The internal combustion engine commonly powers a jet propulsion device located within the tunnel. An impeller shaft commonly extends between the engine and the propulsion device for this purpose.
Personal watercrafts often employ an in-line, multi-cylinder, crankcase compression, two-cycle engine. The engine conventionally lies within the engine compartment with the in-line cylinders aligned along a longitudinal axis of the watercraft hull (in the bow to stein direction).
A dedicated carburetor usually supplies fuel to each cylinder of the engine. Because of the sporting nature of the watercraft and the tendency for frequent, abrupt directional changes of the watercraft when used, prior personal watercraft engine employ floatless-type carburetors. A fuel system used with the floatless-type carburetors continuously supplies fuel from a fuel tank to the carburetors while returning excess fuel to the fuel tank.
Though floatless carburetors improve fuel delivery to the engine's intake, prior fuel supply systems have not been so immune to abrupt directional changes. The fuel pick-up port in the fuel tank often is exposed to air when the watercraft leans in a turn, especially when the fuel level within the tank is low. Air in the fuel line produces a number of adverse affects. The fuel/air ratio of the charge delivered to the engine cylinders is reduced which results in poor engine performance. Air in the fuel line also can destroy the fuel pump's prime, as well as cause some fuel pumps to run hotter and damage the pump either immediately or over time (i.e., reduce the pump's durability).
Carburetored engines also tend to produce a fuel charge of a less than accurate fuel/air ratio. Consequently, engine performance is not optimized under all running conditions and greater pollutants can result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present watercraft includes a fuel injection engine in order to improve the accuracy of the fuel/air ratio of charge delivered to the engine cylinders, as well as to reduce pollutants. The adaptation of a fuel injected engine into the small watercraft raises some formidable changes, however, such as, for example, excessive heating of the fuel and the fuel pump of the fuel injection system within the enclosed engine compartment of a small watercraft.
One aspect of the present invention thus involves a small watercraft having a hull including an engine compartment. An internal combustion engine is positioned within the engine compartment and powers a propulsion device of the watercraft. A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump which draws fuel from a vapor separator and supplies fuel to at least one charge former of the engine through a fuel supply line. The vapor separator removes fuel vapors from the fuel before the pump delivers the fuel to the charge formers to reduce at least one detrimental effect that excessive heat in the engine compartment has on the fuel supply system.
The fuel pump desirably is at least partially located within the vapor separator. The fuel within the vapor separator cools the fuel pump. The durability of the fuel pump improves as a result This design also provides a compact arrangement for the fuel system.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a small watercraft having a hull that defines an engine compartment. A fuel-injected, internal combustion engine is positioned within the engine compartment and powers a propulsion device of the watercraft. A fuel supply system of the engine includes a fuel pump which supplies fuel to at least one fuel injector of the engine. The fuel pump is located in front of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel pump is a mechanical pump driven by the engine.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4982682 (1991-01-01), Hattori
patent: 5056494 (1991-10-01), Kayanuma
patent: 5103793 (1992-04-01), Riese et al.
patent: 5146901 (1992-09-01), Jones
patent: 5309885 (1994-05-01), Rawlings et al.
patent: 5363827 (1994-11-01), Siekmann
patent: 5368001 (1994-11-01), Roche
patent: 5375578 (1994-12-01), Kato et al.
patent: 5389245 (1995-02-01), Jaeger et al.
patent: 5390621 (1995-02-01), Hattori et al.
patent: 5404858 (1995-04-01), Kato
patent: 5482021 (1996-01-01), Roche
patent: 5558549 (1996-09-01), Nakase et al.
patent: 5562509 (1996-10-01), Nakase et al.
patent: 5632660 (1997-05-01), Nakase et al.
patent: 5655500 (1997-08-01), Kato
patent: 5669358 (1997-09-01), Osakabe
patent: 5704334 (1998-01-01), Kato
patent: 5724936 (1998-03-01), Osakabe
patent: 5762040 (1998-06-01), Taipale
patent: 5797378 (1998-08-01), Kato
patent: 5803044 (1998-09-01), Kato
patent: 5803050 (1998-09-01), Osakabe
patent: 5819711 (1998-10-01), Motose
patent: 5855197 (1999-01-01), Kato
patent: 5902158 (1999-05-01), Nakase et al.
Katoh Naoki
Nakase Ryoichi
Nanami Masayoshi
Ozawa Shigeyuki
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Miller Carl S.
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
LandOfFree
Watercraft fuel supply system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Watercraft fuel supply system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Watercraft fuel supply system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2458406