JP2005330867A - Change-over feeder for different kinds of liquefied gas fuels - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a change-over feeder for different kinds of liquefied gas fuels, using different kinds of liquefied gas fuels by a compact structure and easily operated. <P>SOLUTION: The coil end of a compression coil spring 21 elastically energizing the diaphragm 19 of the primary fuel chamber 20 of a regulator, abuts selectively on the peripheral surface of a cam body 33 and the cam surface 33a thereof, thereby fuel pressure is changed. A fuel shut-off cock 6 is constructed by providing two passing holes 41a, 41b to the cam body and a cock casing 41 having pipelines 41a, 41b communicated with tanks for propane fuel and butane fuel, thereby supply of each fuel to an engine 1 is changed over by the rotation of the cam body. Different kinds of liquefied gas fuels can be used by the compact structure, and also a fuel selector means and a fuel pressure variably setting means are interlocked with each other, thereby fuel selection and fuel pressure setting corresponding thereto are simultaneously carried out by only changing over the fuel selector means, thus operation is simplified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a different type liquefied gas fuel switching supply device applicable to an internal combustion engine using a different type liquefied gas fuel.

  Conventionally, there are internal combustion engines that use liquefied gas fuels such as propane and butane. Since these fuels have different calorific values per unit volume, the air fuel consumption required for engine combustion differs. Therefore, for example, if butane fuel is used in a regulator set for propane fuel, the fuel supply amount becomes excessive, and if propane fuel is used in a regulator set for butane fuel, the fuel supply amount becomes excessively thin. In either case, engine operation was poor, and different types of liquefied gas fuel could not be used with the same regulator.

  However, since the above prior art does not relate to a literature known invention, there is no prior art document information to be described.

  In the propane and butane fuels, the propane fuel is used in the form of being stored in a large cylinder at a low fuel cost, and used as ancillary equipment for a house, for example, a fuel for an engine mounted on a generator May be used as In such use, since the engine is installed at a specified position, it is preferable to use propane fuel stored in a large cylinder with low fuel cost.

  On the other hand, some generator-mounted engines are portable and can be used outdoors. When the portable engine is used outdoors or the like, it is necessary to bring a large cylinder with it. In addition, even when used at the specified position, if the amount of propane fuel stored in a large cylinder is low, the fuel may run out during use. In addition, there is an inconvenience that care must be taken in managing the remaining amount of fuel because the fuel cannot be replenished immediately.

  On the other hand, butane fuel is sold in a state where it is stored in a small cylinder, and therefore has an advantage that it is relatively easy to obtain. Moreover, since it is used as a fuel for a tabletop stove that is easily used at home, there is a high possibility that it is stored as a supplement. Therefore, making it possible to use butane fuel stored in such a small cylinder that is easily available and stored as an alternative fuel for propane fuel when used outdoors in the portable engine or when it runs out of fuel, This is desirable because it can improve the usability and eliminate the inconvenience.

  In order to properly use such different types of liquefied gas fuels, it is conceivable to separately provide regulators corresponding to the different types of liquefied gas fuels, and to properly use them according to their use. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the engine is enlarged. Further, it is necessary to provide a fuel switching device such as a cock for switching between different fuels. However, there is a problem that the switching operation of the fuel switching device is also performed according to the proper use of the regulator, and the operation becomes complicated.

  In order to solve such a problem and realize a switching supply device for different types of liquefied gas fuel that can be used with different types of liquefied gas fuel with a compact structure and is easy to operate, in the present invention, a calorific value is generated. The fuel switching means for switching the low calorific value fuel and the high calorific value fuel to the engine using different liquefied gas fuel, and when using the low calorific value fuel, the fuel pressure of the fuel chamber of the regulator is increased. Fuel pressure variable setting means for setting a low fuel pressure in the fuel chamber when using a high calorific value fuel, and corresponding to the switching of the fuel switching means, the fuel pressure variable setting means The setting change was linked.

  In particular, the fuel pressure varying means includes a diaphragm that forms a part of the wall surface of the fuel chamber, a spring that elastically biases the diaphragm in a direction in which pressure is applied to the fuel in the fuel chamber, and the diaphragm side of the spring And a cam body having a cam surface with which opposite sides come into contact, and the switching operation of the fuel switching means and the rotation of the cam body are preferably linked.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the fuel switching means for switching and sending the fuel to the engine and the fuel pressure variable setting means for changing the fuel pressure level in the regulator are provided, and the low heating value fuel and the high heating value fuel are provided. Since it is possible to use fuels with different calorific values by a single regulator in an internal combustion engine or the like, different liquefied gas fuel can be used with a compact structure, and fuel switching means By linking the fuel pressure variable setting means with the fuel pressure variable setting means, it is possible to simultaneously select the fuel and set the fuel pressure according to the changeover of the fuel switching means, thereby simplifying the operation.

  In particular, the fuel pressure variable means comprises a diaphragm, a spring, and a spring load variable means for changing the spring urging force of the spring, so that the spring urging force of the spring is changed to change the spring urging force of the diaphragm to the fuel in the fuel chamber. Because it is possible to change the fuel pressure by changing the urging force, and by providing a cam body in which the spring is in contact with the cam surface, for example, it is possible to have different fuel pressure states with a simple structure such as rotating the cam body. By linking the rotation of the cam body with the switching operation of the fuel switching means, the fuel switching and the fuel pressure switching can be linked with a simple structure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of a generator-mounted internal combustion engine 1 to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a fuel supply device 2 is provided at an appropriate position of the internal combustion engine 1, and liquefied gas fuel is controlled to an appropriate fuel pressure by the fuel supply device 2 and supplied into the intake pipe 3. .

  Outside the internal combustion engine 1, for example, a large propane fuel tank 4 for storing propane as a low calorific value fuel and a small butane fuel tank 5 for example as a high calorific value fuel are arranged at appropriate positions. ing. In the illustrated example, the fuel supply device 2 is integrally provided with a fuel switching cock 6 as fuel switching means. A propane fuel tank 4 communicates with the fuel switching cock 6 via a propane fuel pipe 7, and a butane fuel tank 5 communicates with a butane fuel pipe 8. The fuel switching cock 6 is connected to pipes 8a and 8b connected to the entrance and exit of the heat receiving pipe 9 which is piped along the cooling fins of the cylinder block in order to improve the startability of the low-temperature engine. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an intermediate portion of the fuel supply device 2 includes an intake passage 11 communicating with the intake pipe 3 and a sliding throttle valve that is slidable in a direction transverse to the intake passage 11 in the vertical direction in the drawing. A body 12 is provided. A fuel jet port 13 that opens coaxially with the sliding throttle valve body 12 is provided at the bottom portion of the intake passage 11 in the drawing. A fuel metering needle valve 14 that is coaxial with the sliding throttle valve body 12 and protrudes downward in the figure is slidably immersed in the fuel outlet 13. The sliding throttle valve body 12 is elastically biased by a predetermined spring force in a direction in which the fuel metering needle valve 14 is inserted into the fuel outlet 13. The tip shape of the fuel metering needle valve 14 is such that the fuel injection port 13 is completely closed in the maximum immersion state and the fuel injection port 13 is retreated (moved in the reverse direction) from the maximum immersion state. The gap between the outlet 13 and the outlet 13 is tapered.

  Further, a fuel inlet 2 a to which one common fuel pipe 15 from the fuel switching cock 6 is connected is provided on the body side portion of the fuel supply device 2. The fuel flowing into the fuel supply device 2 from the fuel inlet 2 a enters the primary fuel chamber 18 through the axial through hole of the fuel control opening / closing valve seat 17 of the primary regulator 16. A diaphragm 19 is provided on a part of the wall surface forming the primary fuel chamber 18, and an atmospheric pressure chamber 20 is provided on the side of the diaphragm 19 opposite to the primary fuel chamber 18. The diaphragm 19 is constantly elastically biased toward the primary fuel chamber 18 by a compression coil spring 21 provided in the atmospheric pressure chamber 20.

  A fuel on / off valve lever 22 is pivotally supported in the primary fuel chamber 18, and one end of the fuel on / off valve lever 22 is connected to the central portion of the diaphragm 19. The other end of the fuel on / off valve lever 22 opens and closes the axial through hole of the fuel control on / off valve seat 17 in accordance with the swinging movement of the fuel on / off valve lever 22. In this way, the primary regulator 16 is configured.

  A secondary fuel chamber 25 is provided in communication with the primary fuel chamber 18 through an axial through hole of the secondary fuel control on / off valve seat 24 of the secondary regulator 23. The secondary fuel chamber 25 is also provided with a diaphragm 26 on a part of its wall surface, and an atmospheric pressure chamber 27 is also provided on the side of the diaphragm 26 opposite to the secondary fuel chamber 25. A secondary fuel on / off valve lever 28 is pivotally supported in the secondary fuel chamber 25 so as to be swingable.

  The secondary fuel on-off valve lever 28 is elastically biased by a compression coil spring 29 in a direction in which one end thereof abuts against the central portion of the diaphragm 26. Connected to the other end of the secondary fuel opening / closing lever 28 is a valve body 30 that is axially displaceable so as to open and close the axial through hole of the secondary fuel control opening / closing valve seat 24. The axial through hole of the secondary fuel control on / off valve seat 24 is closed by the valve body 30 in a state in which the secondary fuel opening / closing lever 28 is rotated in the direction in which the compression coil spring 29 is elastically urged, and its elastic application. The valve is opened when the secondary fuel opening / closing lever 28 rotates in a direction against the force. In this way, the secondary regulator 23 is configured.

  The secondary fuel chamber 25 communicates with the chamber on the side opposite to the intake passage 11 side of the fuel injection port 13 via the fuel control jet 31. The liquefied gas fuel sent to the fuel supply device 2 is regulated by the primary regulator 16 and the secondary regulator 23, the flow rate is regulated by the fuel control jet 31, and the fuel outlet 13 of the fuel metering needle valve 14. Is ejected into the intake passage 11 in accordance with the opening degree with respect to.

  In the fuel supply apparatus 2, a lower casing 32 that forms the above-described atmospheric pressure chamber 20 is provided at the lower part in FIG. 2. In the lower casing 32, a cylindrical cam body 33 serving as a spring load variable means extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the compression coil spring 21 in the primary regulator 16 is rotatable about its axis. Is provided.

  The coil end on the diaphragm 19 side as one end in the load direction of the compression coil spring 21 is supported by a spring seat 34 integrated with the diaphragm 19. Further, a guide hole 32 a that penetrates from the atmospheric pressure chamber 20 to the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33 is formed in a wall between the atmospheric pressure chamber 20 and the cam body 33 in the lower casing 32. A spring receiving seat 35 that supports the coil end opposite to the diaphragm 19 side as the other end in the load direction of the compression coil spring 21 is slidably supported in the axial direction of the compression coil spring 21 by the guide hole 32a. ing. The spring seat 35 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33, a cam surface 33a having a D-shaped cross-sectional shape is formed which is recessed in the radial direction so as to receive the spring receiving seat 35 and to be in contact with the bottom surface of the spring receiving seat 35. . Further, a circumferential groove 33b is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33, and as shown in FIG. 3, the lower casing 32 has a cam body at a position corresponding to the circumferential groove 33b. A ball 36 that is movable in the radial direction 33 is provided. The ball 36 is elastically biased by a compression coil spring 37 so as to partially enter the circumferential groove 33b. As a result, the cam body 33 is positioned in the axial direction. Further, in the circumferential groove 33b, V-shaped cross-sectional positioning holes 33c into which the ball 36 enters deeper and engage with each other are formed at two locations at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction in the illustrated example. .

  In the illustrated example, when the cam body 33 is rotated with a tool such as a flat-blade screwdriver, a click feeling is obtained by the resilient engagement of the ball 36 with respect to the positioning hole 33c at a position rotated 90 degrees, and the cam body 33 at each predetermined position. Can be stopped. In this way, the positioning means is configured. The cam surface 33a is provided at a position aligned with the spring seat 35 when the cam body 33 stops at one predetermined position.

  In the fuel device 2 configured as described above, when the cam body 33 is rotated, the spring receiving seat 35 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a high-elasticity urging state is obtained, and a low-elasticity urging state in which the compression coil spring 21 is low-compressed by bringing the spring seat 35 into contact with the cam surface 33 a as shown in FIG. 4. In this way, the fuel pressure varying means is configured using the cam body 33.

  In the high bullet energizing state shown in FIG. 2, the fuel pressure of the primary regulator 16 becomes high, so that the amount of fuel supplied from the secondary regulator 23 becomes large, and the internal combustion engine 1 that uses propane fuel in that setting. Sufficient propane fuel can be supplied. On the other hand, in the low bullet energizing state shown in FIG. 4, since the fuel pressure of the primary regulator 16 becomes low and the amount of fuel supplied from the secondary regulator 23 becomes small, the calorific value per volume is higher than that of propane fuel. However, even if high butane fuel is used in the internal combustion engine 1, the operation thereof can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, the switching is performed in one operation (rotation). In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 2, one end in the axial direction that is opposite to the operation end side by the tool of the cam body 33 extends outward from the lower casing 32, and the extended portion thereof The cock casing 41 for receiving is integrally fixed to the lower casing 32. The extending portion of the cam body 33 is formed with two through-holes 42 and 43 that are orthogonal to the axis thereof and are offset from each other by 90 degrees. In the cock casing 41, a propane pipe 41a connected to the propane fuel pipe 7 and a butane pipe 41b connected to the butane fuel pipe 8 are parallel to each other and correspond to the through holes 42 and 43, respectively. Formed in position. The other end of the propane pipe 41a communicates with the common fuel pipe 15 via a pipe joint (not shown), and the other end of the butane pipe 41b communicates with the pipe 8a. If it is not necessary to heat the butane fuel via the heat receiving pipe 9, it may be directly connected to the common fuel pipe 15 via the pipe 8c as shown by the phantom lines in FIGS.

  Due to the relationship between the through holes 42 and 43 and the pipe lines 41a and 41b, at one position of the cam body 33 in the positioning positions at intervals of 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. In this state, the other through-hole 43 is not aligned with the butane conduit 41b, so that the butane conduit 41b is blocked. As a result, only propane fuel is sent to the fuel supply device 2 via the fuel switching cock 6. In this case, as described above, the compression coil spring 21 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam body 33 via the spring seat 35, so that the elastic urging force is increased and propane fuel as a low calorific value fuel is obtained. The fuel pressure suitable for using can be obtained.

  By turning the cam body 33 by 90 degrees in the direction shown by the arrow A in FIG. 3 from the state shown in FIG. 2, the cam body 33 is positioned at the other positioning position as shown in FIG. In this case, the other through-hole 43 and the butane conduit 41b communicate with each other, and the one through-hole 42 is no longer aligned with the propane conduit 41a, so the propane conduit 41a is shut off and the butane Only the fuel for fuel is sent to the fuel supply device 2 through the fuel switching cock 6. In this case, as described above, the compression coil spring 21 comes into contact with the cam surface 33a of the cam body 33 via the spring seat 35, so that the elastic urging force is weak against the propane use state, and the high The fuel pressure suitable for using the butane fuel as the calorific value fuel for the propane engine can be obtained.

  In the illustrated example, the through holes 42 and 43 are shifted by 90 degrees from each other and the pipe lines 41a and 41b are arranged in parallel to each other. However, the through holes 42 and 43 are provided in parallel to each other, and the pipe lines 41a and 41b are provided. These may be shifted by 90 degrees from each other.

  In this way, since only one operation of rotating the cam body 33 can select different fuels and set the fuel pressure suitable for the fuels, the usability of the fuel supply device that can use different fuels is improved. be able to. Further, the fuel pressure setting is not mistaken for the fuel switching as in the case where the fuel switching and the fuel pressure setting are separately performed, and the malfunction of the engine can be surely avoided.

  The fuel switching means according to the present invention is not limited to the fuel switching cock 6 in the illustrated example. Another example will be described below with reference to FIG. In the fuel cock 51 shown in FIG. 5, a casing main body is formed by stacking a block-like upper casing 52 and a lower casing 53, respectively. The lower casing 53 is provided with a propane gas fuel inlet 53a to which the propane fuel pipe 7 is connected, and a butane gas fuel inlet 53b to which the butane fuel pipe 8 is connected. One common fuel outlet 53c connected to the fuel inlet 2a via the common fuel pipe 15 is provided.

  A valve seat 54a and a valve body 55a for opening and closing the opening of the valve seat 54a are disposed between the propane gas fuel inlet 53a and the fuel outlet 53c. The valve body 55a is elastically biased by a valve closing spring 56 in a direction to close the valve seat 54a. Similarly, a valve seat 54b and a valve body 55b for opening and closing the opening of the valve seat 54b are disposed between the butane gas fuel inlet 53b and the fuel outlet 53c. The valve seat 54b is elastically biased by a valve closing spring 56 in a direction to close the valve seat 54b.

  The valve closing ends of the valve bodies 55a and 55b are respectively brought into contact with the immersive ends of the cam driven rods 57a and 57b supported by the upper casing 52 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The cam driven rods 57a and 57b are elastically biased in the valve closing direction by return springs 58, respectively.

  The cam follower rods 57 a and 57 b have opposite axial ends (external protruding ends) protruding from the upper surface of the upper casing 52. A flat cylindrical cam body 59 that is pivotally supported by the upper casing 52 is provided above the upper casing 52. A cam surface 59a is formed on the lower surface of the cam body 59 facing the upper surface of the upper casing 52 so as to be in sliding contact with the external projecting ends of the cam driven rods 57a and 57b. A rotating knob 60 integrated with the cam body 59 is provided on the upper surface of the cam body 59.

  When the cam surface 59a is rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure, for example, the stopper surface portion that restricts the maximum projecting position of the cam driven rods 57a and 57b in the valve closing direction and the rotary knob 60 in the illustrated state. Guides in the direction in which one (propane side) cam follower rod 57a is pushed in, and when rotated in the direction of arrow C in the figure, a pair of inclined surface portions guides in the direction in which the other (butane side) cam follower rod 57b is pushed in. And a valve-opening position holding surface portion for holding the cam driven rods 57a and 57b over the inclined surface portions at the positions.

  A wire 61 is wound around the outer periphery of the cam body 59 according to a predetermined rotation angle. In the illustrated example, a circumferential groove having a predetermined depth is formed in the cam body 59 in the radial direction, and a wire 61 is wound around the bottom of the groove. As shown in FIG. 6, the free end of the wire 61 is wound around and coupled to a pulley 62 that is coaxially fixed to the cam body 33 of the fuel supply device 2 similar to the above-described example of the drawing. The pulley 62 is elastically biased by, for example, a torsion spring 63 in the direction in which the wire 61 is stretched.

  When the fuel switching cock 51 constructed in this way is used, in the state of FIG. 5, both cam driven rods 57a and 57b are at the maximum projecting position in the valve closing direction, so that the valve bodies 55a and 55b are Both are closed, and each fuel can be stopped by the fuel switching cock 51 when the engine is stopped. When propane fuel is used, the rotation knob 60 is turned in the direction of arrow B in FIG. As a result, the cam follower rod 57a on the propane side is pushed down by the cam surface 59a. Therefore, the valve body 55a is pushed down against the elastic biasing force of the valve closing spring 56, and the valve body 55a is opened. As a result, the propane fuel pipe 7 and the fuel outlet 53 c communicate with each other, so that propane fuel is supplied to the engine 1. The height of the lower surface of the cam body 59 that is in sliding contact with the cam follower rod 57b on the butane side is set to a constant level that maintains the valve closed state, whereby the valve body 55b on the butane side remains in the valve closed state. No butane fuel is supplied to 1.

  On the other hand, when using butane fuel, the turning knob 60 is turned in the direction of arrow C in FIG. As a result, the cam follower rod 57b on the butane side is pushed down by the cam surface 59a, and the valve body 55b is pushed down in the same manner as described above to open the valve seat 54b. Also in this case, the cam action on the cam follower rod 57a on the propane side is made to be closed like the above, and only the butane fuel is supplied to the engine 1.

  The cam body 59 of the fuel switching cock 51 and the cam body 33 of the fuel supply device 2 are connected via a wire 61, and the cam body 33 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the cam body 59. As for the interlocking of both cam bodies 59 and 33, when the rotary knob 60 is turned to a position where the propane side valve body 55a is opened, the cam body 33 is positioned in the state shown in FIG. The ratio of the winding radius of the cam body 59 and the winding radius of the pulley 62 can be determined so that the cam body 33 is positioned in the state shown in FIG. 4 when the butane side valve body 55b is turned to the valve open state. It ’s fine.

  In this way, by only one operation of turning the rotary knob 60, the fuel switching and the corresponding fuel pressure setting can be performed at the same time, and the operational effects are the same as described above.

  Thus, in the internal combustion engine 1 on the premise of using propane fuel, when using the propane fuel stored in a large cylinder when using it in a fixed state in a house or the like, The use of butane fuel stored in a small portable cylinder can be easily performed. In addition, when the fuel runs out during the use of propane fuel, it is possible to use the butane fuel for household stove that is easily available even if it cannot be refilled immediately by the replenishment request, which is convenient. Since such a use can be performed by one fuel supply device 2 having a simple structure as described above without providing a fuel supply device corresponding to each fuel, it is inexpensive and easily different fuels. It is possible to provide a fuel supply device that enables use of the fuel. Further, even in the fuel switching, the fuel switching and the corresponding fuel pressure setting can be performed with one operation, and the operation is simple.

1 is a schematic overall view of a generator-mounted internal combustion engine 1 to which the present invention is applied. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fuel supply apparatus with which this invention was applied. It is principal part sectional drawing seen along the arrow III-III line of FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 switched to the state which uses a high calorific value fuel. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switching cock which shows a 2nd example. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows a 2nd example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internal combustion engine 2 Fuel supply apparatus 4 Propane fuel tank 5 Butane fuel tank 6 Fuel switching cock 7 Propane fuel pipe 8 Butane fuel pipe 16 Primary regulator 18 Primary fuel chamber 19 Diaphragm 20 Atmospheric pressure chamber 21 Compression coil spring 33 Cam Body, 33a cam surface, 33b circumferential groove, 33c positioning hole 36 ball 37 compression coil spring 41 cock casing, 41a propane conduit, 41b butane conduit 42/43 through hole 51 fuel switching cock 53a propane gas fuel inlet 53b Butane gas fuel inlet, 53c Fuel outlet 54a54b Valve seat 55a / 55b Valve body 57a / 57b Cam driven rod 59 Cam body, 59a Cam surface 61 Wire 62 Pulley

Claims (2)

A regulator provided in the fuel system of an engine that uses different types of liquefied gas fuels with different calorific values, and when using a low calorific value fuel, the fuel pressure in the fuel chamber of the regulator is increased and a high calorific value fuel is used. A fuel pressure varying means for lowering the fuel pressure in the fuel chamber, and a fuel switching means for switching the state of communication between each tank of the low calorific value fuel and the high calorific value fuel and the regulator in one operation,
A switching supply device for different types of liquefied gas fuels, wherein the change of the fuel pressure by the fuel pressure varying means is linked in response to the switching operation of the fuel switching means. The fuel pressure varying means includes a diaphragm that forms part of the wall surface of the fuel chamber, a spring that elastically biases the diaphragm in a direction to apply pressure to the fuel in the fuel chamber, and the diaphragm side of the spring A cam body having a cam surface with which the opposite sides abut,
The switching supply device for different types of liquefied gas fuel according to claim 1, wherein the switching operation of the fuel switching means and the rotation of the cam body are interlocked.

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