US 4,376,433 A · Supplemental fuel injection system

Abstract

A supplemental fuel system that renders a carburetor-based primary fuel system capable of operating on ethanol, methanol, or gasoline utilizing single point fuel injection at the induction port of the intake manifold while continuing to use the existing carburetor to meter air and typically fuel as well. The fuel injection is implemented by an injector plate that fits between the carburetor mounting flange on the intake manifold and the carburetor baseplate that carries a first idle injector, a first run injector, a second idle injector, and a second run injector, each operable to atomize alcohol fuel for incorporation into the air or air-fuel mixture flowing through the carburetor. The injectors are supplied by a valved conduit arrangement with the configuration of the valves being controlled by a three-position mode selector switch. The system operates in a selected one of three modes, selected on the basis of whether the vehicle fuel tank contains ethanol, methanol, or gasoline. In the first mode, the first idle injector is supplied with fuel while the second idle and run injectors are cut off. Depending on engine operating parameters including engine load and throttle position, an appropriate amount of fuel is supplied to the first run injector. Similarly, in the second mode, the first idle and run injectors are cut off, and fuel is supplied on a continuous basis to the second idle injector and on a demand basis to the second power injector. In the third mode, all the injectors are cut off, and fuel is supplied to the carburetor in the normal fashion. Each injector preferably comprises one or more impingement pin nozzles.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A supplemental fuel injection system for use in conjunction with a fuel system including a carburetor, an intake manifold, and primary fuel supply means for providing liquid fuel to said carburetor at positive pressure, comprising:

first injector means operable to receive liquid fuel and atomize said received liquid fuel into the air flowing from said carburetor;
second injector means operable to receive liquid fuel and atomize said received liquid fuel into the air flowing from said carburetor, said first and second injector means each including an impingement pin nozzle;
means for supporting portions of said first and second injector means proximate the induction port of said intake manifold;
mode selection means having first, second and third positions;
and
supplemental fuel supply means responsive to said mode selection means operable to provide liquid fuel at a pressure substantially above said positive pressure to said first injector means when said mode selection means is in said first position, and to said second injector means when said mode selection means is in said second position, and further operable to prevent liquid fuel from reaching either of said first and second injector means when said mode selection means is in said third position.

3 more elements

A supplemental fuel injection system for use in conjunction with a fuel system having a carburetor, an intake manifold, and primary fuel supply means for providing fuel to said carburetor, comprising:

a plate having a central opening generally commensurate in size with the induction port at said intake manifold, said plate having opposed faces for interposition between said carburetor and said intake manifold;
first idle injector means carried by said plate and operable to introduce atomized fuel proximate said induction port;
first run injector means carried by said plate and operable to introduce atomized fuel proximate said induction port;
second idle injector means carried by said plate and operable to introduce atomized fuel proximate said induction port;
second run injector means carried by said plate and operable to introduce atomized fuel proximate said induction port;
mode selection means having first, second, and third positions;
valved conduit means adapted to communicate fuel to said first and second idle injector means and said first and second run injector means;
control means responsive to the position of said mode selection means for configuring said valved conduit means such that
in said first position, fuel is communicated to said first idle injector means and is prevented from reaching said second idle injector means and said second run injector means,
in said second position, fuel is communicated to said second idle injector means and is prevented from reaching said first idle injector means and said first run injector means, and
in said third position, fuel is prevented from reaching either of said first and second idle injector means and said first and second run injector means;
and
metering means responsive to at least one operating parameter of the engine utilizing said fuel system for allowing a controlled flow of fuel to said first run injector means when said mode selection means is in said first position and to said second run injector means when said mode selection means is in said second position.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Supplemental fuel injection system

Life of this patent

Supplemental fuel injection system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18