Patent ID: 8061383
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: F02D,F02M,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fuel additive system, comprising: a fuel level sensor sensing the level of fuel in a fuel tank and providing an electric signal indicative of the level of fuel in the fuel tank; a pressurized additive tank having at least one wall defining an interior receiving a pressurized propellant gas and with a low-lying collection area receiving a liquid additive pressurized by the gas with the pressure of the liquid additive changing in response to each dispensing of liquid additive from the pressurized additive tank and change in temperature of the propellant gas in the pressurized additive tank, and further having an opening through the at least one wall; a dosing unit in communication with the pressurized additive tank assembly, including: at least one electric sensor of an additive pressure sensor sensing the pressure of the additive in the pressurized additive tank and providing an electric signal indicative of the pressure of the additive therein or an additive temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the gas pressurizing the additive in the pressurized additive tank and providing an electric signal indicative of the temperature of the gas therein; a metering valve in communication with the inlet passage of the housing to control a desired amount of additive to flow therethrough to the fuel tank; and an electronic control module in communication with and utilizing the electric signal of the fuel level sensor to determine that a refueling event of the fuel tank has occurred and in response to the refueling event utilizing at least an electric signal of the at least one sensor to determine for an injection event a pressure of the liquid additive in the pressurized additive tank; the control module having an electronic processor determining an injection period of time for the liquid additive for the injection event based on the determined pressure of the liquid additive in the pressurized additive tank and electric signals from the fuel level sensor; and the control module controls opening of the metering valve for the determined injection period of time for the injection event to supply liquid additive to the fuel tank.