WO2004090309A1 - A feeding system for an internal combustion engine working with plurality of fuels, and a method of starting such an engine - Google Patents

A feeding system for an internal combustion engine working with plurality of fuels, and a method of starting such an engine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004090309A1
WO2004090309A1 PCT/BR2003/000153 BR0300153W WO2004090309A1 WO 2004090309 A1 WO2004090309 A1 WO 2004090309A1 BR 0300153 W BR0300153 W BR 0300153W WO 2004090309 A1 WO2004090309 A1 WO 2004090309A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel
gallery
engine
alcohol
gasoline
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR2003/000153
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hideki Iwamoto
Original Assignee
Volkswagen Do Brasil Ltda.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volkswagen Do Brasil Ltda. filed Critical Volkswagen Do Brasil Ltda.
Priority to AU2003273650A priority Critical patent/AU2003273650A1/en
Publication of WO2004090309A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004090309A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/0025—Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0602—Control of components of the fuel supply system
    • F02D19/0613—Switch-over from one fuel to another
    • F02D19/0615—Switch-over from one fuel to another being initiated by automatic means, e.g. based on engine or vehicle operating conditions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0639—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed characterised by the type of fuels
    • F02D19/0649—Liquid fuels having different boiling temperatures, volatilities, densities, viscosities, cetane or octane numbers
    • F02D19/0652—Biofuels, e.g. plant oils
    • F02D19/0655—Biofuels, e.g. plant oils at least one fuel being an alcohol, e.g. ethanol
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0684—High pressure fuel injection systems; Details on pumps, rails or the arrangement of valves in the fuel supply and return systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/08—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels
    • F02D19/081—Adjusting the fuel composition or mixing ratio; Transitioning from one fuel to the other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
    • F02D41/04—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions
    • F02D41/06—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up
    • F02D41/062—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up for starting
    • F02D41/064—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up for starting at cold start
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
    • F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
    • F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
    • F02D19/0686—Injectors
    • F02D19/0694—Injectors operating with a plurality of fuels
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a feeding system for an internal combustion engine, and to a method for start of an internal combustion engine. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
  • a number of alcohol-driven internal combustion engines are 10 known from the prior art. Such engines are generally provided with a feeding system that feed the injection nozzles with fuel, which will later be mixed with air (from the air collector) and sent to the engine for combustion.
  • a quite known problem with this type of alcohol-driven engine lies in the difficulty of starting at low temperatures, especially below 20°C. At 15 these temperatures, alcohol has a low vapor pressure and a high capability of condensing on cold walls. Thus, its vaporization during the combustion process becomes impossible/impaired, which impairs the burning of the air- fuel mixture.
  • the engines of the prior art 20 use an additional fuel-feeding system, which injects gasoline directly into the air-inlet duct, forming a gasoline-alcohol-air mixture to promote the start of the motor.
  • Gasoline is used because it has a higher vapor pressure than that of alcohol and, as a result, has greater capability of burning at low temperatures. Therefore, this mixture is used for promoting the start of an engine and 25 guaranteeing its functionability in the first turns, until it manages to go on functioning with the principal fuel.
  • Such feeding systems are controlled at present by means of electronic injection systems, which are known from the prior art and are not within the scope of this inven- 30 tion.
  • the engines are fed by two independent fuel-supply system, one of them for supplying alcohol and the other for supplying gasoline.
  • Such systems need to be integrally controlled, for the cold start of the engine to be carried out successfully.
  • there is a need for additional injection nozzle (s) for the gasoline and a need to modify the air collector, or some air-feeding duct of the engine.
  • Another particularity of these systems of the prior art lies in the deficiency of injecting gasoline during the phase of heating the engine, that is to say, after the cold start of the engine at low temperatures the conventional system does not always manage to control the amount of gasoline required after the start for good steerability of the vehicle.
  • a fist objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel- feeding system and method that enable one to effect a cold start, by using, as the starting fuel, a gasoline-and-alcohol mixture.
  • a second objective of the present invention is to provide a single fuel-feeding system that can feed gasoline and alcohol.
  • a third objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel- feeding system and method that do not require additional injection nozzles (for gasoline) and, as a result, render it unnecessary to modify the air collector or any other air-feed duct of the engine.
  • the third objective of the present invention is to reduce steps in the process of manufacturing engines and reducing costs.
  • the present invention achieves these and other objectives by means of a feeding system and method for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising a fuel-distribution gallery connected to the injection nozzles of the engine, a main fuel tank and a start fuel tank associated to respective main fuel pump and start fuel pump, the outlets of these pumps being connected to the gallery, preferably by means of fuel lines.
  • a fuel-distribution gallery connected to the injection nozzles of the engine
  • main fuel tank and a start fuel tank associated to respective main fuel pump and start fuel pump
  • the outlets of these pumps being connected to the gallery, preferably by means of fuel lines.
  • main fuel refers to any fuel used by the engine during its normal functioning
  • start fuel refers to any fuel used basically to help in starting the engine.
  • the main fuel used is alcohol and the start fuel used is gasoline
  • other fuels could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, as for example, methanol and novel fuels from other sources, both vegetable and mineral.
  • the fuel-distribution gallery or fuel pipe, as the name itself indicates, has the purpose of distributing to the injection nozzles the fuel received from the tanks.
  • the main fuel is pumped from the main fuel tank into the gallery, so as to be distributed to the injection nozzles.
  • the latter lead the main fuel into the air collector or directly into the combustion chamber (this depends upon the type of injection system used), where the fuel is mixed with air, and later the mixture undergoes combustion by the Otto cycle.
  • a problem that is quite known in the prior art consists of the difficulty of starting alcohol-driven engines when the engine is under low temperatures, especially lower than 20°C.
  • the start fuel pump is actuated, applying a pressure to the start fuel higher than the pressure of the main fuel, so that the start fuel can be pumped into the gallery and, consequently, into the injection nozzles.
  • This fuel occupies the inner portion of the gallery, a portion of the main fuel in the gallery is pushed back into the main fuel tank, and the other portion is mixed with the start fuel and driven into the injection nozzles.
  • the fuel to be mixed with air and burned later comprises an adequate amount of start fuel and main fuel, so as to enable the start of the engine.
  • the system is turned off, and the remaining main-fuel / start-fuel mixture of the process is slowly consumed, helping in the after-start functionability until the engine is heated.
  • An alternative embodiment of the present invention refers to the use of a start fuel pump that has a lower pressure than the pressure of the main fuel in the gallery.
  • a fuel-flow control valve is con- nected to the outlet of the main pump, permitting depressurizatin of the gallery and, as a result, the entry of start fuel into the gallery.
  • the present invention enables the supply of two types of fuel into the gallery, so that the fuel that goes into the injectors already has physical properties to carry out the start of the engine at low temperatures after it has been mixed with air.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 shows a view of a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the fuel-distribution gallery of the present invention
  • FIG. 4a shows a side view of a second embodiment of the fuel-distribution gallery of the present invention
  • - Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view in the. line A - A of the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 4a.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention, which refers to a system for feeding alcohol and gasoline into injection nozzles 4 of an internal combustion engine 14 for vehicles.
  • This embodiment includes an alcohol tank 1 associated to an alcohol pump 11 , a fuel-distribution gallery 2 for making connection of the alcohol tank 1 with four injection nozzles 4 of the engine 14, and fuel lines 10, 12, through which the fuel is led from the tank 1 to the gallery 2 and vise- versa.
  • the pump 11 injects alcohol under pressure into the gallery 2, which distributes it, through its outlets 20, to the injection nozzles 4 of the engine 14.
  • the fuel pump 11 is connected in series to the line 12, although other fuel pumps may be used without departing from the scope of the pre- sent invention.
  • the fuel-distribution gallery 2 also called fuel pipe, has the purpose of distributing the fuel received from the tank 1 to the injection nozzles 4, through the outlets 20. As will be seen later, this gallery may have various shapes.
  • the lines 10, 12 consist of hoses, preferably made of nylon, rubber or plastic with cores of a resistant material to improve their mechanic properties. Attention is called to the fact that other types and numbers of ducts could be used in other embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention.
  • the lines 10, 12 have the double function of supplying the fuel and controlling the pressure inside the gallery 2.
  • the line 12 has the purpose of supplying alcohol from the tank 1 , and the line 10 serves to return the alcohol to the tank 1.
  • the main line 12 is connected to the outlet of the alcohol pump 11 , so that the alcohol will reach the gallery 2 under pressure.
  • the return line 10 is connected to the outlet of the pressure-regulating valve
  • the line 12 supplies alcohol under pressure to the gallery 2, until the latter reaches an unacceptable pressure. Then the valve 5 is opened so that the alcohol can flow through the line 10 back to the tank 1 , alleviating the pressure in the gallery 2.
  • the alcohol Upon reaching the gallery 2, the alcohol is distributed to the outlets 20 and the injection nozzles 4, which lead it to the air collectors 13, where the fuel is mixed with air, and this mixture is then sent to the engine 14 for combustion.
  • the control and actuation of feeding systems such as that of the present embodiment, effected by means of electronic injection systems (not shown) known from the prior art, which do not form part of the scope of the present invention.
  • Such systems control the amount of gasoline to be injected into the gallery, which is sufficient to start the engine.
  • the system shown in this embodiment further includes a gasoline tank 6 associated to a gasoline pump 7 and to a valve 8 that controls the flow of start fuel or gasoline, hereinafter called gasoline valve.
  • gasoline valve controls the flow of start fuel or gasoline
  • the gasoline pump 7 imposes a higher pressure on the gasoline than the pressure under which the alcohol reaches the gallery (from the alcohol tank). In this way, the pressure-regulating valve 5 is opened to facilitate the exit of a portion of the alcohol through the line 10.
  • the gasoline mixes with a portion of the alcohol in the gallery 2, before going into the injection nozzles 4 through the outlets 20. It is noted that the fuel to be mixed with air and then burned has an adequate amount of gasoline and alcohol (referring to that portion that was driven back to the first tank) to enable the start of the engine. The lower the temperature of the engine, the larger the amount of gasoline injected should be.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a feeding system similar to that of the first embodiment, which includes a valve 3 for controlling the flow of main fuel or of alcohol, hereinafter called alcohol valve, connecting the line 12 to the line 10.
  • This valve is preferably electromagnetic.
  • the start fuel pump 7 is actuated and the alcohol or gasoline valves 8, 3 are opened, causing the gasoline to be injected into the gallery 2 and at least a portion of the alcohol to be returned through the line 12 to the line 10, passing through the alcohol valve 3 (as indicated by the arrows).
  • the diversion of alcohol through the alcohol valve 3 renders the pressure of the injected gasoline higher than the pressure of the alcohol existing in the gallery.
  • the gasoline occupies a part of the gallery 2, mixing with the alcohol and being driven into the injection nozzles 4 through the outlets 20.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • FIG. 1 and 2 illustrate the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery
  • the gasoline tank further could be connected to other irradiated-fuel container (canister), for the purpose of reducing emissions of vapor.
  • canister irradiated-fuel container
  • the gallery may have different shapes, a preferred shape being illustrated in figure 3, which is tubular, so that the four injection nozzles 4 are connected to the outlets 20 along the wall 21 of the gallery 2.
  • the line 12 that connects the alcohol tank to the gallery is also connected to the wall 21.
  • the line 15 that connects the gasoline tank to the gallery is connected to one of the ends of the gallery 2, while the pressure-regulating valve 5 is connected to the other end of the gallery 2.
  • this internal wall 16 prolongs itself from the end where the line 15 is connected as far as close to the other end (without touching it), where the valve 5 is connected.
  • the line 15 and the injection nozzles are connected (by the outlets 20) to the internal portion corresponding to a "leg of the U", and the line 12 is connected to the portion corresponding to the other "leg”.
  • the valve 5 is connected to the gallery in the region of intersection of the "legs" of the U. Therefore, upon a cold start, the gasoline is injected in the radial direction of the gallery, causing the alco- hoi existing in the gallery to run through the inside of the U, driven by the former.
  • the valve 5 is opened, so that a portion of the alcohol comes out of the gallery through the line 10 passing through the valve 5 and through the line 12, returning to the tank 1, and the line 10 passing through the valve 5 and through the line 12, returning to the tank 1 , and the other portion mixes with the gasoline in the gallery 2 and gets into the injection nozzles (as explained above).
  • this U shape facilitates the entry of gasoline into the nozzles and the exit of a portion of alcohol through the line 10.
  • Figures 4a and 4b show a second embodiment for the gallery 2, comprising a main tube 17 and a secondary tube 18.
  • the main tube 17 is coupled to the lines 12 and to the pressure-regulating valve 5.
  • the secondary tube 18 is arranged parallel to the main tube 17, being, however, connected directly to the outlets 20 of the gallery 2 for the injector nozzles 4.
  • Figure 4b illustrates a cross-sectional view along the line A-A, wherein one observes the tubes 17 and 18 arranges parallel to each other, one opening being arranged between the gasoline tube 18 and the outlet 20, so that the gasoline can be injected.
  • the system of the present invention provides an effective cold start, by virtue of fact that one may use, as the start fuel, a mixture of alcohol with gasoline.
  • This inventive system further renders unnecessary the existence of additional injection nozzles (only for gasoline) and, as a result, make it unnecessary to modify the air collector or another duct for feed air to the engine, thus bringing economy in the process of manufacturing engines.
  • the same system feeds the engine with two different fuels, one for the regular functioning, and the other for starting the engine.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for cold start of an internal combustion engine (14), comprising a fuel-distribution gallery (2) connected to the injection nozzles (4) of the engine (14), a main fuel tank (1), for containing especially alcohol, and a start fuel tank (6), for containing especially gasoline, associated to respective main fuel pump (11) and start fuel lines. In this way, both the main fuel and the start fuel are pumped into the engine through the gallery (2).

Description

A FEEDING SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WORKING WITH PLURALITY OF FUELS , AND A METHOD OF STARTING SUCH AN ENGINE
FIELD OF THE ISWENTION 5 The present invention relates to a feeding system for an internal combustion engine, and to a method for start of an internal combustion engine. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A number of alcohol-driven internal combustion engines are 10 known from the prior art. Such engines are generally provided with a feeding system that feed the injection nozzles with fuel, which will later be mixed with air (from the air collector) and sent to the engine for combustion.
A quite known problem with this type of alcohol-driven engine lies in the difficulty of starting at low temperatures, especially below 20°C. At 15 these temperatures, alcohol has a low vapor pressure and a high capability of condensing on cold walls. Thus, its vaporization during the combustion process becomes impossible/impaired, which impairs the burning of the air- fuel mixture.
With a view to solving this problem, the engines of the prior art 20 use an additional fuel-feeding system, which injects gasoline directly into the air-inlet duct, forming a gasoline-alcohol-air mixture to promote the start of the motor. Gasoline is used because it has a higher vapor pressure than that of alcohol and, as a result, has greater capability of burning at low temperatures. Therefore, this mixture is used for promoting the start of an engine and 25 guaranteeing its functionability in the first turns, until it manages to go on functioning with the principal fuel.
Such feeding systems (the alcohol system and the gasoline system) are controlled at present by means of electronic injection systems, which are known from the prior art and are not within the scope of this inven- 30 tion.
It is noted that, in the prior art, the engines are fed by two independent fuel-supply system, one of them for supplying alcohol and the other for supplying gasoline. Such systems need to be integrally controlled, for the cold start of the engine to be carried out successfully. In addition, there is a need for additional injection nozzle (s) for the gasoline, and a need to modify the air collector, or some air-feeding duct of the engine. Another particularity of these systems of the prior art lies in the deficiency of injecting gasoline during the phase of heating the engine, that is to say, after the cold start of the engine at low temperatures the conventional system does not always manage to control the amount of gasoline required after the start for good steerability of the vehicle. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
A fist objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel- feeding system and method that enable one to effect a cold start, by using, as the starting fuel, a gasoline-and-alcohol mixture.
A second objective of the present invention is to provide a single fuel-feeding system that can feed gasoline and alcohol.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel- feeding system and method that do not require additional injection nozzles (for gasoline) and, as a result, render it unnecessary to modify the air collector or any other air-feed duct of the engine. In other words, the third objective of the present invention is to reduce steps in the process of manufacturing engines and reducing costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by means of a feeding system and method for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising a fuel-distribution gallery connected to the injection nozzles of the engine, a main fuel tank and a start fuel tank associated to respective main fuel pump and start fuel pump, the outlets of these pumps being connected to the gallery, preferably by means of fuel lines. In this way, both the main fuel and the start fuel are pumped into the engine through the gallery. Attention is called to the fact that the term main fuel refers to any fuel used by the engine during its normal functioning; and the term start fuel refers to any fuel used basically to help in starting the engine. Although in the preferred embodiments described and illustrated herein the main fuel used is alcohol and the start fuel used is gasoline, other fuels could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, as for example, methanol and novel fuels from other sources, both vegetable and mineral. The fuel-distribution gallery or fuel pipe, as the name itself indicates, has the purpose of distributing to the injection nozzles the fuel received from the tanks.
During the normal functioning of an internal combustion engine, the main fuel is pumped from the main fuel tank into the gallery, so as to be distributed to the injection nozzles. The latter lead the main fuel into the air collector or directly into the combustion chamber (this depends upon the type of injection system used), where the fuel is mixed with air, and later the mixture undergoes combustion by the Otto cycle.
However, as already sated, a problem that is quite known in the prior art consists of the difficulty of starting alcohol-driven engines when the engine is under low temperatures, especially lower than 20°C. So, the start fuel pump is actuated, applying a pressure to the start fuel higher than the pressure of the main fuel, so that the start fuel can be pumped into the gallery and, consequently, into the injection nozzles. As this fuel occupies the inner portion of the gallery, a portion of the main fuel in the gallery is pushed back into the main fuel tank, and the other portion is mixed with the start fuel and driven into the injection nozzles. The fuel to be mixed with air and burned later comprises an adequate amount of start fuel and main fuel, so as to enable the start of the engine. After starting the engine, the system is turned off, and the remaining main-fuel / start-fuel mixture of the process is slowly consumed, helping in the after-start functionability until the engine is heated.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention refers to the use of a start fuel pump that has a lower pressure than the pressure of the main fuel in the gallery. In this embodiment, a fuel-flow control valve is con- nected to the outlet of the main pump, permitting depressurizatin of the gallery and, as a result, the entry of start fuel into the gallery.
It is noted that, unlike the systems of the prior art, the present invention enables the supply of two types of fuel into the gallery, so that the fuel that goes into the injectors already has physical properties to carry out the start of the engine at low temperatures after it has been mixed with air. BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE AWINGS The present invention will now be described with reference to examples presented in the figures.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 3 shows a view of a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the fuel-distribution gallery of the present invention;
- Figure 4a shows a side view of a second embodiment of the fuel-distribution gallery of the present invention; - Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view in the. line A - A of the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 4a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention, which refers to a system for feeding alcohol and gasoline into injection nozzles 4 of an internal combustion engine 14 for vehicles.
This embodiment includes an alcohol tank 1 associated to an alcohol pump 11 , a fuel-distribution gallery 2 for making connection of the alcohol tank 1 with four injection nozzles 4 of the engine 14, and fuel lines 10, 12, through which the fuel is led from the tank 1 to the gallery 2 and vise- versa. In this way, while the engine is functioning, the pump 11 injects alcohol under pressure into the gallery 2, which distributes it, through its outlets 20, to the injection nozzles 4 of the engine 14.
The fuel pump 11 is connected in series to the line 12, although other fuel pumps may be used without departing from the scope of the pre- sent invention.
The fuel-distribution gallery 2, also called fuel pipe, has the purpose of distributing the fuel received from the tank 1 to the injection nozzles 4, through the outlets 20. As will be seen later, this gallery may have various shapes.
The lines 10, 12 consist of hoses, preferably made of nylon, rubber or plastic with cores of a resistant material to improve their mechanic properties. Attention is called to the fact that other types and numbers of ducts could be used in other embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention.
In addition, the lines 10, 12 have the double function of supplying the fuel and controlling the pressure inside the gallery 2. The line 12 has the purpose of supplying alcohol from the tank 1 , and the line 10 serves to return the alcohol to the tank 1. The main line 12 is connected to the outlet of the alcohol pump 11 , so that the alcohol will reach the gallery 2 under pressure. The return line 10 is connected to the outlet of the pressure-regulating valve
5, which, when it is open, allows a portion of the alcohol in the gallery 2 to flow back to the tank 1 (in the direction of the arrows in the duct 10), thus reducing the pressure inside the gallery 2. In other words, the line 12 supplies alcohol under pressure to the gallery 2, until the latter reaches an unacceptable pressure. Then the valve 5 is opened so that the alcohol can flow through the line 10 back to the tank 1 , alleviating the pressure in the gallery 2.
Upon reaching the gallery 2, the alcohol is distributed to the outlets 20 and the injection nozzles 4, which lead it to the air collectors 13, where the fuel is mixed with air, and this mixture is then sent to the engine 14 for combustion. As already mentioned, the control and actuation of feeding systems, such as that of the present embodiment, effected by means of electronic injection systems (not shown) known from the prior art, which do not form part of the scope of the present invention. Such systems control the amount of gasoline to be injected into the gallery, which is sufficient to start the engine.
When the engine is started at lower temperatures, preferably lower than 20°C, the gasoline is used in the combustion, due to the fact that alcohol has a low vapor pressure and a high capability of condensing on cold walls. Thus, the system shown in this embodiment further includes a gasoline tank 6 associated to a gasoline pump 7 and to a valve 8 that controls the flow of start fuel or gasoline, hereinafter called gasoline valve. Thus, when the engine is started, the gasoline valve 8 is opened and the pump 7 is actuated, allowing gasoline to flow through the line 15 into the gallery 2 and, consequently, into the injection nozzles 4.
In this first embodiment, the gasoline pump 7 imposes a higher pressure on the gasoline than the pressure under which the alcohol reaches the gallery (from the alcohol tank). In this way, the pressure-regulating valve 5 is opened to facilitate the exit of a portion of the alcohol through the line 10. The gasoline mixes with a portion of the alcohol in the gallery 2, before going into the injection nozzles 4 through the outlets 20. It is noted that the fuel to be mixed with air and then burned has an adequate amount of gasoline and alcohol (referring to that portion that was driven back to the first tank) to enable the start of the engine. The lower the temperature of the engine, the larger the amount of gasoline injected should be.
Figure 2 illustrates a feeding system similar to that of the first embodiment, which includes a valve 3 for controlling the flow of main fuel or of alcohol, hereinafter called alcohol valve, connecting the line 12 to the line 10. This valve is preferably electromagnetic.
In order to effect the start of the engine at temperatures lower than 20°C, the start fuel pump 7 is actuated and the alcohol or gasoline valves 8, 3 are opened, causing the gasoline to be injected into the gallery 2 and at least a portion of the alcohol to be returned through the line 12 to the line 10, passing through the alcohol valve 3 (as indicated by the arrows). The diversion of alcohol through the alcohol valve 3 renders the pressure of the injected gasoline higher than the pressure of the alcohol existing in the gallery. In this way, the gasoline occupies a part of the gallery 2, mixing with the alcohol and being driven into the injection nozzles 4 through the outlets 20. In this case, it is noted that, independently of the pressure under which the gasoline is injected, it occupies a part of the gallery, because the pressure of the alcohol is minimized (as described above).
Although the above-described embodiments preferably use electromagnetic valves, other valves and devices to divert and restrict the flow of liquid could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Although figures 1 and 2 illustrate the line 15 connected to one of the ends of the gallery, other embodiments of the present invention could have ducts associated to the gasoline tank and connected to other parts of the gallery. In addition, the gasoline tank further could be connected to other irradiated-fuel container (canister), for the purpose of reducing emissions of vapor.
In the embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2, the gallery may have different shapes, a preferred shape being illustrated in figure 3, which is tubular, so that the four injection nozzles 4 are connected to the outlets 20 along the wall 21 of the gallery 2. The line 12 that connects the alcohol tank to the gallery is also connected to the wall 21. The line 15 that connects the gasoline tank to the gallery is connected to one of the ends of the gallery 2, while the pressure-regulating valve 5 is connected to the other end of the gallery 2. In the central region of the inside of the gallery, there is a wall 16 projecting in the axial direction, so that the interior of the gallery 2 is shaped as a lying U. In other words, this internal wall 16 prolongs itself from the end where the line 15 is connected as far as close to the other end (without touching it), where the valve 5 is connected. It is noted that the line 15 and the injection nozzles are connected (by the outlets 20) to the internal portion corresponding to a "leg of the U", and the line 12 is connected to the portion corresponding to the other "leg". The valve 5 is connected to the gallery in the region of intersection of the "legs" of the U. Therefore, upon a cold start, the gasoline is injected in the radial direction of the gallery, causing the alco- hoi existing in the gallery to run through the inside of the U, driven by the former. The valve 5 is opened, so that a portion of the alcohol comes out of the gallery through the line 10 passing through the valve 5 and through the line 12, returning to the tank 1, and the line 10 passing through the valve 5 and through the line 12, returning to the tank 1 , and the other portion mixes with the gasoline in the gallery 2 and gets into the injection nozzles (as explained above). In other words, this U shape facilitates the entry of gasoline into the nozzles and the exit of a portion of alcohol through the line 10.
Figures 4a and 4b show a second embodiment for the gallery 2, comprising a main tube 17 and a secondary tube 18. The main tube 17 is coupled to the lines 12 and to the pressure-regulating valve 5. The secondary tube 18 is arranged parallel to the main tube 17, being, however, connected directly to the outlets 20 of the gallery 2 for the injector nozzles 4. In this way, upon a cold start, the gasoline is injected in the outlets 20 to the injection nozzles 4, mixing with a portion of the alcohol existing in these outlets and in the secondary tube 18, and then pushing the other portion out of the gallery, as described before. Figure 4b illustrates a cross-sectional view along the line A-A, wherein one observes the tubes 17 and 18 arranges parallel to each other, one opening being arranged between the gasoline tube 18 and the outlet 20, so that the gasoline can be injected.
Since this is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other galleries are also embraced by the concept of the present inven- tion, as for example, a gallery having an internal tube with bores directed to the injectors or else a tube out of the gallery connected to the housing of each of the injectors.
From the examples described above, one can see that the system of the present invention provides an effective cold start, by virtue of fact that one may use, as the start fuel, a mixture of alcohol with gasoline. This inventive system further renders unnecessary the existence of additional injection nozzles (only for gasoline) and, as a result, make it unnecessary to modify the air collector or another duct for feed air to the engine, thus bringing economy in the process of manufacturing engines. Moreover, the same system feeds the engine with two different fuels, one for the regular functioning, and the other for starting the engine.
Preferred embodiments having been described, it should be un- derstood that the scope of the present invention embraces other possible variations, being limited only by the contents of the accompanying claims, which include the possible equivalents.

Claims

1. A feeding system for an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel-distribution gallery (2) connected to the engine (14), a main fuel tank (1 ) connected to the gallery (2) through a main fuel pump (11), so that a main fuel will be fed to the engine (14) through the gallery (2), and a start fuel tank (6) associated to a start fuel pump (7); the system being characterized in that the outlet of the start fuel pump (!) is connected to the fuel gallery (2).
2. A feeding system according to claim 1 , characterized in that a fuel-flow controlling valve (8) is connected in series to the outlet of the start fuel pump (7).
3. A feeding system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a main fuel line (12) connects the outlet of the main fuel pump (11 ) to the gallery (2), and additionally comprising a fuel-return line (10) connecting the gallery (2) to the main fuel tank (1).
4. A feeding system according to claim 3, characterized by comprising a second fuel-flow controlling valve (3) connecting the main fuel line (12) to the fuel return line (10).
5. A feeding system according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by comprising a pressure regulating valve (5) connected to the inside of the gallery (2) and in series with said fuel return line (10).
6. A method of starting an internal combustion engine having a feeding system of the type that has a main source of fuel (1 ) in communica- tion with a fuel gallery (2), from which the fuel is injected into the engine (14) during the normal operation, and a source of start fuel (6), the method involving the injection of start fuel into the engine (14), characterized in that the start fuel is injected from the fuel gallery (2).
7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that, together with the step of injecting the start fuel into the engine, it comprises the step of reducing the supply of main fuel to the gallery (2) while starting the engine (14).
PCT/BR2003/000153 2003-04-10 2003-10-31 A feeding system for an internal combustion engine working with plurality of fuels, and a method of starting such an engine WO2004090309A1 (en)

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BRPI0300951-3A BR0300951B1 (en) 2003-04-10 2003-04-10 feeding system for an internal combustion engine and a starting process of an internal combustion engine.

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KR100719754B1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-05-17 지멘스 오토모티브 주식회사 Apparatus and method for cold start of engine using mixing fuel of alcole and gasoline
WO2009064306A1 (en) * 2007-11-16 2009-05-22 Wop Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda. Cold start valve with filter on inlet port
DE102008049498A1 (en) * 2008-09-29 2010-04-01 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Fuel supply system for supplying e.g. petrol, to internal-combustion engine of motor vehicle, has distributor line for conveying fuel to inlet valve, where inlets of line are positioned such that inlet valve is arranged between inlets
FR3001769A3 (en) * 2013-02-05 2014-08-08 Renault Sa Fuel supply device for internal combustion engine, has cold start system to feed input of principal distribution slope with fuel that is of different nature from main fuel i.e. petrol, so as to form mixture between main fuel and fuel
CN104234845A (en) * 2014-09-29 2014-12-24 谢志焱 Cold starting system of alcohol fuel engine
CN106837568A (en) * 2017-01-06 2017-06-13 浙江吉利控股集团有限公司 A kind of single oil rail double fuel automatic switching control system

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US5190001A (en) * 1990-08-22 1993-03-02 Volkswagen Ag Fuel supply system for an engine operating an alcohol-containing fuel
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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100719754B1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-05-17 지멘스 오토모티브 주식회사 Apparatus and method for cold start of engine using mixing fuel of alcole and gasoline
WO2009064306A1 (en) * 2007-11-16 2009-05-22 Wop Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda. Cold start valve with filter on inlet port
DE102008049498A1 (en) * 2008-09-29 2010-04-01 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Fuel supply system for supplying e.g. petrol, to internal-combustion engine of motor vehicle, has distributor line for conveying fuel to inlet valve, where inlets of line are positioned such that inlet valve is arranged between inlets
FR3001769A3 (en) * 2013-02-05 2014-08-08 Renault Sa Fuel supply device for internal combustion engine, has cold start system to feed input of principal distribution slope with fuel that is of different nature from main fuel i.e. petrol, so as to form mixture between main fuel and fuel
CN104234845A (en) * 2014-09-29 2014-12-24 谢志焱 Cold starting system of alcohol fuel engine
CN106837568A (en) * 2017-01-06 2017-06-13 浙江吉利控股集团有限公司 A kind of single oil rail double fuel automatic switching control system

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AU2003273650A1 (en) 2004-11-01
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