WO2007061239A1

WO2007061239A1 - Gas fuel supply apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007061239A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004955
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshiaki Kiyomizu
Original assignee: Fujitec Inc.; Lee, Jung-Dal
Priority date: 2005-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-23
Publication date: 2007-05-31

Abstract

A gas fuel supply apparatus which provides gas fuel to an engine that comprises a carburetor to vaporize liquid fuel includes a main body which comprises an inflow channel where the gas fuel flows in, an outflow channel where the gas fuel flows out, and a detecting chamber which is connected to the inflow channel and the outflow channel and detects the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; a fuel controller which is provided in the main body and controls a flux of the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; and a main adapter which comprises a communicating channel to communicate with the outflow channel and is formed at one side of the main body in a single body therewith and supports the main body to the carburetor.

Description

GAS FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS

Technical Field

[I] Apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate to supplying gas fuel, more particularly, to supplying gas fuel to an engine which uses liquid fuel so that the engine uses gas fuel with the liquid fuel.

Background Art [2] Recently, a small-sized engine to drive a generator, a mower, a spray, etc. uses gas fuel, such as propane, butane, etc., with gasoline. [3] This engine has good fuel efficiency, less generates harmful gas, and is excellent in start-up after long nonuse to be effective for an emergency such as disaster. [4] Thus, an adapter is installed in an upper part of a carburetor used for a gasoline engine to be supplied with the gas fuel. [5] In one widely used fuel supply apparatus, the gas fuel is supplied to the adapter by the following process.

[6] The fuel provided from a gas container is adjusted in pressure by a regulator, decompressed close to atmospheric pressure in a fuel controller, and then is connected to the adapter. [7] Negative pressure is generated by rotation of engine so that a proper amount of fuel is discharged form a nozzle of a venturi. [8] However, it is not easy to install a fuel controller in a conventional gas fuel supply apparatus because the fuel controller has a great volume and the apparatus includes pipes to arrange elements compactly. Further, the fuel controller is expensive in addition to the great volume and a heavy weight. [9] To solve the foregoing problems, the fuel controller may be downsized and formed in a single body with the adapter. [10] A fuel supply apparatus where an adapter, a fuel controller and a regulator are integrated is already present, but is only for gas fuel and may not use with a gasoline carburetor.

[I I] Further, a fuel supply apparatus which can supply both gasoline and gas is disclosed in JP Patent Publication NOs. H10-299521 and 2001-271667.

[12] However, the fuel supply apparatus uses a couple of electronic valves and needs a conversion switch, an actuator, a battery, a charging device, etc. Thus, the apparatus becomes very expensive and increases in weight and volume, so that it is not easy to install the apparatus in an engine of a small apparatus.

[13] Accordingly, an applicant improves a gas fuel supply apparatus which is easily installed in an engine for liquid fuel, small and light, cost effective in installation, and supplies both liquid fuel and gas fuel. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Solution

[14] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gas fuel supply apparatus which uses liquid fuel so that the engine uses gas fuel with liquid fuel and is small, light and inexpensive.

[15] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a gas fuel supply apparatus which provides gas fuel to an engine that comprises a carburetor to vaporize liquid fuel, including: a main body which comprises an inflow channel where the gas fuel flows in, an outflow channel where the gas fuel flows out, and a detecting chamber which is connected to the inflow channel and the outflow channel and detects the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; a fuel controller which is provided in the main body and controls a flux of the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; and a main adapter which comprises a communicating channel to communicate with the outflow channel and is formed at one side of the main body in a single body therewith and supports the main body to the carburetor.

[16] According to an aspect of the invention, the fuel controller includes a needle valve provided in the inflow channel and controls the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel; a diaphragm provided in the detecting compartment and detects a pressure which operates on the outflow channel; a main jet which controls the flux of the gas fuel that flows into the outflow channel; and a jet nozzle which jets the gas fuel discharged from the main jet to the communicating channel of the adapter.

[17] According to an aspect of the invention, the diaphragm is transformed depending on the pressure which operates on the outflow channel and pressurizes and de-pressurizes the needle valve to control the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel.

[18] According to an aspect of the invention, a connector is provided in the inflow channel and connected to a gas pipe.

[19] According to an aspect of the invention, a regulator is provided in the gas pipe and controls a pressure of the gas fuel which flows into the main body constantly.

[20] According to an aspect of the invention, the gas fuel supply apparatus further includes an auxiliary adapter which comprises an auxiliary communicating channel to communicate with the outflow channel and the communicating channel and is formed at another side of the main body in a single body and supports the main body to an air cleaner that supplies air to the carburetor. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas fuel supply apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[23] FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1.

[24] FIG. 3 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[25] FIG. 4 is a partly broken away cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[26] FIG. 5 illustrates that the gas fuel supply apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed.

[27] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main body of FIG. 5.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to figures.

[29] FIGs. 1 through 4 illustrate a gas fuel supply apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGs. 1 through 4, the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment supplies gas fuel to an engine 5 (see FIG. 5) which includes a carburetor 61 (see FIG. 5) to vaporize liquid fuel. The gas fuel supply apparatus 10 includes a main body 11, a fuel controller 21 and a main adapter 31 to support the main body 11 to the carburetor 61.

[30] The main body 11 includes an inflow channel 13 where the gas fuel flows in, an outflow channel 15 where the gas fuel flows out, and a detecting chamber 17 which is connected to the inflow channel 13 and the outflow channel 15 and detects the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel 13 and the outflow channel 15.

[31] The detecting chamber 17 is provided between the inflow channel 13 and the outflow channel 15, and disposed in an upper side of the main body 11.

[32] The fuel controller 21 is provided in the main body 11 and controls flux of the gas fuel which flows in the inflow channel 13 and the outflow channel 15. The fuel controller 21 includes a needle valve 23 provided in the inflow channel 13 and to control flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel 13, a diaphragm 25 provided in the detecting compartment 17 and to detect the pressure which operates on the outflow channel 15, a main jet 27 to control the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the outflow channel 15, and a jet nozzle 29 provided at an end portion of the outflow channel 15 and to jet the gas fuel discharged from the main jet 27 to a communicating channel 35 of the adapter (mentioned later).

[33] The diaphragm 25 is transformed depending on the pressure which operates on the outflow channel 15 and pressurizes and de-pressurizes the needle valve 23 to control the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel 13.

[34] The main adapter 31 is formed at one side of the main body 11 in a single body therewith to support the main body 11 to the carburetor 61 and includes a gas fuel discharging area 33 where the gas fuel is discharged from the jet nozzle 29 and the communicating channel 35 which communicates with the gas fuel discharging area 33 therein. In the present exemplary embodiment, the communicating channel 35 has a section which gradually expands from the gas fuel discharging area 33. A flange 37 is provided at an end portion of the main adapter 31 and supported by a volt (not shown) to the carburetor 61. The flange 37 of the main adapter 31 protrudes from the main body 11 so that the main adapter 31 does not interfere with the carburetor 61. The protruding distance from the main body 11 may be as short as possible for light weight.

[35] Meanwhile, an auxiliary adapter 41 is provided at another side, i.e., opposite side of the adapter 31, of the main body 11 of the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment and formed in a single body with the main body 11. The auxiliary adapter 41 supports the main body 11 to an air cleaner 71 (see FIG. 5) which supplies air to the carburetor 61. An auxiliary communicating channel 15 where air to the carburetor 61 via the air cleaner 71 flows is formed in the auxiliary adapter 41. In the present exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary communicating channel 45 is formed in a perpendicular direction to the outflow channel 15 of the main body 11, i.e., on the same axle as the communicating channel 35 of the main adapter 31. The auxiliary communicating channel 45 has a section which gradually expands from the gas fuel discharging area 33 of the main adapter 31. A flange 47 is provided at an end portion of the auxiliary adapter 41 and supported by a volt (not shown) to the air cleaner 71. The flange 47 of the auxiliary adapter 41 protrudes from the main body 11 so that the main adapter 31 does not interfere with the air cleaner 71. The protruding distance from the main body 11 may be as short as possible for light weight. Thus, the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be installed between the air cleaner 71 and the carburetor 61. Here, the auxiliary adapter 41 may selectively be interposed as necessary.

[36] In the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas fuel discharging area 33 of the jet nozzle 29 of the main body 11 forms into a throat, and the communicating channel 35 of the main adapter 31 and the auxiliary communicating channel 45 of the auxiliary adapter 41 have a section which gradually expands from the gas fuel discharging area 33 of the jet nozzle 29, and thus the main body 11, the main adapter 31 and the auxiliary adapter 41 forms into a venturi overall.

[37] A connector 51 is provided in the inflow channel 13 of the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 and connected to a gas pipe 81 (see FIG. 5). Thus, the gas pipe 81 is only connected to the connector 51 of the main body 11 to operate by using gas fuel which has adjusted pressure from a gas container 85 (see FIG. 5). Here, the connector 51 may selectively be interposed as necessary. Further, a regulator 83 (see FIG. 5) may be provided on the gas pipe 81 connected to the connector 51 to control the pressure of the gas fuel which flows in the main body 11 to be constant. [38] Hereinafter, it will be described how to use the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 with the foregoing configuration according to the present exemplary embodiment with reference to FIGs. 5 and 6. [39] Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 is disposed between the carburetor 61 and the air cleaner 71. [40] Liquid fuel is supplied from a liquid fuel tank (not shown) to a float chamber 63 of the carburetor 61 via a caulk (not shown). [41] The gas fuel from the gas container 85 is adjusted in pressure by the regulator 83 and supplied to the connector 51 of the gas fuel supply apparatus 10 via caulk (not shown). [42] The gas fuel through connector 51 flows into the detecting chamber 17 via the needle valve 23 and is jet in proper amount through the jet nozzle 29 by the main jet

27.

[43] Negative pressure is generated by rotation of the engine 5 in the jet nozzle 29, and the diaphragm 25 in the detecting chamber 17 is transformed by the negative pressure to press down the needle valve 23, thereby opening the inflow channel 13.

[44] Accordingly, the gas fuel is supplied to the detecting chamber 17, discharged through the jet nozzle 29 via main jet 27, passes through the communicating channel 35 of the main adapter 31 and the carburetor 61, and is supplied to the engine 5.

[45] Hereinafter, a process to replace fuel will be described.

[46] If replacing the liquid fuel with the gas fuel while the engine 5 is driven by the liquid fuel, the caulk of the liquid fuel tank is closed, the liquid fuel in the float chamber 63 is consumed, and then the caulk of the gas container 85 is opened.

[47] An air-fuel ratio changes while replacing the fuel, but the engine 5 is able to operate without stopping. Although stopping, the engine 5 can be re-start and operate without difficulty.

[48] If replacing the gas fuel with the liquid fuel, the caulk of the liquid fuel tank is open and the caulk of the gas container 85 is slowly closed, thereby operating the engine 5 continuously.

[49] In conclusion, the adapters 31 and 41 are formed as thin as possible and in a single body with the fuel controller 21 in the main body 11, thereby being installed in an engine which uses liquid fuel so that the engine uses gas fuel with the liquid fuel, being small and light, and reducing manufacturing cost. The engine may be operated by the gas fuel when the gas fuel from the gas container adjusted to have constant pressure just contacts with the connector 51 of the main body 11 through the gas pipe 81. [50] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[51] As described above, the present invention provides a gas fuel supply apparatus where an adapter and a fuel controller are formed in a single body, thereby being installed in an engine which uses liquid fuel so that the engine uses gas fuel with liquid fuel, being small, light and inexpensive.

Claims

[1] A gas fuel supply apparatus which provides gas fuel to an engine that comprises a carburetor to vaporize liquid fuel, comprising: a main body which comprises an inflow channel where the gas fuel flows in, an outflow channel where the gas fuel flows out, and a detecting chamber which is connected to the inflow channel and the outflow channel and detects the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; a fuel controller which is provided in the main body and controls a flux of the gas fuel that flows in the inflow channel and the outflow channel; and a main adapter which comprises a communicating channel to communicate with the outflow channel and is formed at one side of the main body in a single body therewith and supports the main body to the carburetor.

[2] The gas fuel supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fuel controller comprises a needle valve provided in the inflow channel and controls the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel; a diaphragm provided in the detecting compartment and detects a pressure which operates on the outflow channel; a main jet which controls the flux of the gas fuel that flows into the outflow channel; and a jet nozzle which jets the gas fuel discharged from the main jet to the communicating channel of the adapter.

[3] The gas fuel supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the diaphragm is transformed depending on the pressure which operates on the outflow channel and pressurizes and de-pressurizes the needle valve to control the flux of the gas fuel which flows into the inflow channel.

[4] The gas fuel supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connector is provided in the inflow channel and connected to a gas pipe.

[5] The gas fuel supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a regulator is provided in the gas pipe and controls a pressure of the gas fuel which flows into the main body constantly.

[6] The gas fuel supply apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an auxiliary adapter which comprises an auxiliary communicating channel to communicate with the outflow channel and the communicating channel and is formed at another side of the main body in a single body and supports the main body to an air cleaner that supplies air to the carburetor.