GB2176842A

GB2176842A - Supplying additive to petrol engine fuel tanks

Info

Publication number: GB2176842A
Application number: GB08614387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Gaunt; Nicholas Colin Whitlock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-06-19
Filing date: 1986-06-13
Publication date: 1987-01-07
Also published as: GB8515487D0; GB8614387D0; GB2176842B

Abstract

A pump 13 is operable to transfer a metered quantity of liquid upper cylinder additive to the fuel tank 3, and an adjustable timer 14 is provided which controls the amount of additive transferred by the pump 13. An additive viscosity sensor (41, Fig. 2) may influence the timer 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to petrol engines BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to petrol engines and is concerned with petrol engine plants, comprising a petrol engine provided with fuel tanks, particularly, but not exclusively, associated with road vehicles, such as cars.

It is beneficial to introduce liquid additives such as "REDEX" (Registered Trade Mark), into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. Besides possessing lubricating properties, the additive reduces the formation of carbon deposits in the engine carburettor, in the cylinder heads, and on the piston head and exhaust valve surfaces.

Some time ago, the additive was available at petrol stations, contained in dispensers.

When petrol had been put into the fuel tank of the vehicles, a few squirts of additive were introduced into the tank, using the dispenser.

However, it now appears that additive dispensers are no longer provided, perhaps because of the large-scale introduction of "selfservice" petrol stations, where the customer has to use a petrol pump himself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a petrol engine plant comprising a petrol engine provided with a fuel tank, is further provided with a receptacle for containing a liquid petrol additive, and means including a pump, for transferring a metered quantity of the additive to the fuel tank.

The transfer means may comprise timer means, operable to control the amount of additive transferred to the fuel tank.

The invention also comprises any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM BODIMENT An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are semi-diagrammatic illustrations.

With reference to Figure 1, a petrol engine propulsion plant 1 for a motor road vehicle 30 comprises a petrol engine 2 and a fuel tank 3.

The plant 1 further comprises a fuel supply line 4, a fuel pump 5, and a carburettor 6.

The fuel tank 3 is provided with a filler pipe 7 fitted with a vented cover 8.

The petrol plant 1 is provided with a receptacle in the form of a reservoir 10 for contain ing a liquid additive 11, (in this case the additive "REDEX"), and transfer means 12 includ ing a pump 13 for transferring a metered quantity of the additive to the fuel tank 3.

The transfer means 12 also comprise an adjustable timer 14 operable to control the amount of additive transferred to the fuel tank 3 by the pump 13. The timer 14 functions electrically.

The pump 13 draws additive from the reservoir 10 by way of an inlet line 15 and discharges it to the petrol tank 3 by way of an outlet line 16. A non-return valve 17 is fitted in the outlet line 16. "Error" (23) and "execute" (24) controls are electrically connected to the timer 14.

The pump 13 is electrically-powered by a 12 volt supply 25 derived from a source 20 comprising the electrical system of the vehicle 30. The duration of electrical current flow to the pump 13 is dictated by the setting of the timer 14 and is initiated by operation of the "execute" control 24.

The additive reservoir 10 is provided with a vented filler cap 26. The reservoir 10 holds approximately 1.5 litres of additive.

In use of the invention, petrol 27 is fed into the fuel tank 3. Assume 10 gallons (45.46 litres) of petrol have been supplied.

The driver of the vehicle first "dials" the setting "10" on the timer 14, by manual use of the dial 21, and then operates the "execute" control 24. This automatically starts the pump 13 and allows it to run for a set period.

Thereafter, the timer 14 causes the pump 13 to be automatically stopped.

Preferably each of the settings 22 corresponds to one "squirt" hitherto obtainable frpm the above-mentioned petrol station dispenser.

An incorrect dialling can be corrected by use of the "error" control 23 which renders the timer 14 inoperable pro tem so as to prevent operation of the pump 13 until a different setting 22 has been selected and the "execute" control 24 re-operated.

When travelling, motion of the road vehicle 30 will ensure thorough mixing of petrol 27 and the additive 11 introduced into the tank 3.

The pump 13 is preferably of the form cur rently used in windscreenwash units, Means may be provided for varying the amount of pump running time dictated by each setting 22 of the timer 14.

Figure 2, which illustrates a modification of the Figure 1 arrangement, is concerned with one such means for varying the period of pump operation.

In Figure 2, means 40 responsive to changes in the viscosity of the additive 11 are provided, operable to adjust the timer 14 automatically in accordance with variations in a predetermined viscosity level.

The means 40 comprise a viscosity-measur ing probe 41 electrically connected, by way of a control unit 42 and line 43, to the timer 14.

As the temperature of the additive 11 changes, due to changes both inside and outside the vehicle 30, (Figure 1), the periods of pump 13 operation, dictated by the timer 14, are adjusted accordingly. Should the viscosity of the additive 11 rise above the predetermined level, the running period of the pump 13 is increased correspondingly. Should the viscosity fall below the level, the running period of the pump 13 is reduced correspondingly.

The dial 21 and settings 22 may be replaced by an electronic keyboard employing a plurality of keys, each corresponding to a setting 22.

Calculations suggest that approximately 1.5 litres of additive 11 is sufficient for 9000 miles (14,481 kilometres) of operation by an average 4-cylinder petrol engined road vehicle.

Claims

1. A petrol engine plant comprising a petrol engine provided with a fuel tank, a receptacle for containing a liquid petrol additive, and means including a pump, for transferring a metered quantity of the additive to the fuel tank.

2. An engine plant as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the transfer means comprises timer means, operable to control the amount of additive transferred to the fuel tank.

3. An engine plant as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the timer means is adjustable so as to control the period of pump operation,

4. An engine plant as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the timer means is manually adjustable.

5. An engine plant as claimed in Claim 4, having means whereby the timer means may be rendered inoperable.

6. An engine plant as claimed in Claim 3, provided with means responsive to changes in viscosity of additive present in the receptacle and operable so as to adjust the timer means.

7. A motor vehicle provided with an engine plant as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. An engine plant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

9. An engine plant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of said drawings.

10. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.