Apparatus and method for adjusting air-to-fuel ratio for small gasoline engine
AssigneePhelon Euro AB
InventorsLars Ottosson, Jorgen Bengtsson, Bert Gustafsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for use with a carbureted internal combustion engine that accurately controls the amount of fuel that passes through the carburetor into the combustion chamber of the engine. A controlled triggering system controls the activation and deactivation of a solenoid. The solenoid, in turn, operates a plunger that varies the flow of fuel during the fuel intake cycle of the engine depending on the amount of fuel needed by the engine under any operating load. Thus, an engine can run leaner under partial load and run richer during periods of load and acceleration. By controlling the air-to-fuel ratio lower engine emissions and fuel consumption can be achieved.
Claims20
An apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine for adjusting air-to-fuel ratio, said apparatus comprising:
- a carburetor for mixing air and fuel;
- said carburetor including at least one fuel path for introduction of fuel;
- a valve associated with said fuel path, said valve having an open position and a closed position such that said open position allows fuel flow and said closed position impedes fuel flow;
- and
- valve control circuitry operative to vary air-to-fuel ratio in said carburetor by controlling said valve during engine operation, said valve control circuitry including a charge capacitor in an ignition circuit having high-voltage energy stored thereon to at least assist in movement of said valve.
A method for adjusting air-to-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising steps of:
- providing a valve associated with a jet of a carburetor;
- controlling the opening and closing of said valve such that said valve will open during a single combustion sequence of said engine and subsequently close during said single combustion sequence so as to provide fuel flow of limited duration to vary introduction of fuel into said carburetor via said jet;
- and
- whereby the air-to-fuel ratio in said carburetor is selectively adjusted by controlling said valve during engine operation.
An apparatus for use with a carburetor on a engine for adjusting air-to-fuel ratio, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one carburetor jet;
- at least one solenoid associated with said jet, said solenoid controlling a plunger to open and close said jet;
- a switching element, said switching element allowing energy to flow into said solenoid;
- valve control circuitry operative to vary air-to-fuel ratio in said carburetor by controlling said switching element during engine operation;
- and
- said valve control circuitry having a first power source to initiate movement of said plunger at a higher voltage and a second power source to thereafter sustain said plunger at a lower voltage in an open position for a time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.