Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus for varying an engine&#39;s combustion spark timing for use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel and gasoline. An operator selectable switch enables or disables an on-board computer selecting between gasoline and bio-fuel mixtures as the on-board fuel so that engine mounted sensors provide data used to determine optimum fuel-ignition spark discharge values from a computerized table.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is subject to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/984,237 filed 31 Oct. 2007. 
    
    
     Please incorporate by reference all information in said provisional application into this instant application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to motor vehicles and, more specifically, to varying vehicle&#39;s engine spark timing during use of a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture. 
     The present invention provides apparatus for varying an engine&#39;s combustion spark timing during use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel and gasoline. Also provided is selectable switch means for engaging an on-board computer when a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture is used as a fuel source with the computer in sensor communication to establish parametric values used to perform a computer database lookup to determine the optimum spark timing for a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture. 
     The present invention provides that the timing apparatus can be used in all gasoline engines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for varying motorized vehicles engine spark timing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for automatically varying an engine&#39;s spark timing for use of a bio-fuel gasoline mixture as a fuel source. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus whereby a motor vehicle can operate on gasoline or hybrid fuels 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide switch apparatus for engaging a computerized database of predetermined values to determine the optimum combustion chamber spark timing for a given bio-fuel gasoline mixture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus having a plurality of varying sensor apparatus for establishing parametric variables to perform a database lookup to obtain the optimum spark timing for a given fuel mixture at a given load for a given engine state. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing apparatus for varying an engine&#39;s combustion spark timing during use of hybrid fuels, such as bio-fuel and gasoline. Also provided is selectable switch means for engaging an on-board computer when a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture is used as a fuel source with the computer in sensor communication to establish parametric values used to perform a computer database lookup to determine the optimum spark timing for a bio-fuel gasoline fuel mixture used in any type of gasoline engine. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the present invention&#39;s methods of achieving optimal ignition timing. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative diagram of the present invention&#39;s method of achieving optimal ignition timing utilizing a fuel knock detector 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the setup operations required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the fuel operation&#39;s required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the fuel operation&#39;s required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. 
         FIG. 8  is an a chart of the alternative fuel test log 
         FIG. 9  is a chart of the alternative fuel test log. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the timing apparatus of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
       10  timing apparatus for controlling fuel-ignition spark discharge     12  vehicle     14  fuel tank     16  switch     18  bio-fuel     20  gasoline     22  testing device     24  chart     26  vehicle states     28  vehicle start up     30  vehicle warm up     32  vehicle cruise     34  vehicle shut down     36  vehicle control system     38  engine control unit     40  computer     42  sensors     44  engine state feedback     46  testing device     48  temperature sensor     50  humidity sensor     52  pressure sensor     54  exhaust product sensor     56  testing procedure chart     58  operational procedure chart     60  operational flow chart   

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention  10  is a method and apparatus to optimize ignition timing via switch  16  to accommodate bio diesel  18 /gas  20  blends for use in gasoline engines, such as vehicle  12  having tank  14 . The method and system provides means to efficiently run a gasoline engine utilizing bio diesel/gasoline blends varying from 50% to 0% bio diesel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention. Shown is a dashboard having switch  16  of an interior of an automobile  12 . The present invention&#39;s apparatus and method  10  to optimize ignition timing to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines provides means for the user to map the engine control system to the fuel in the fuel tank. When bio fuel is in use, the user toggles a manual switch to bio fuel, else toggles the switch to gasoline when standard gasoline is present in the gas tank. The manual switch can be fixedly placed upon the dashboard as shown, else any location deemed appropriate for the user and/or vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is a block diagram  22  of the present invention&#39;s methods of achieving optimal ignition timing. The present invention includes two preferred apparatuses that when used with a dynamometer result in optimal ignition timing to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines. Each apparatuses as used in conjunction and in parallel with the original power train module. Using a laptop the user can modify the ignition timing and fuel delivery based on a two dimension table (x axis being rpm and y axis being load). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is an illustrative diagram  24  of the present invention&#39;s method of achieving optimal ignition timing utilizing a fuel knock detector  46 . The present invention includes two preferred apparatuses that when used with a dynamometer result in optimal ignition timing to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines. Each apparatus is used in conjunction and in parallel with the original power train module. In one preferred method the present invention utilizes a fuel knock detector  46  to optimize the ignition timing to accommodate bio diesel/gas blends for use in gasoline engines. Also shown are temperature  48  humidity  50  pressure  52  and exhaust products sensor  54  generating data used by computer  40  to control engine controls  38  of system  36 . Engine states  26  including start up  28 , warm up  30 , cruise  32 , and shut down  34  provide feedback  44  for adjusting the timing of system  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a flow chart  56  of the setup operations required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to calibrate the engine fuel timing for a plurality of fuel ratios. Diagnostic equipment is used to identify optimal power output which is in turn recorded and stored into the engine management system interdisposed in the vehicles electrical system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is a block diagram  58  of the fuel operation&#39;s required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to adjust the timing setting based on the fuel being dispensed into the gas tank. A manual switch affixed to the vehicle interior allows the user to select the proper setting prior to starting the vehicle after dispensing fuel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is a flow chart  60  of the fuel operation&#39;s required for the present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel. The present invention&#39;s system of utilizing biodiesel/gasoline blended fuel provides means to adjust the timing setting based on the fuel being dispensed into the gas tank. A manual switch affixed to the vehicle interior allows the user to select the proper setting prior to starting the vehicle after dispensing fuel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is a chart of the alternative fuel test log Depicted is an actual test log describing the additional ignition advance with a 10° bio diesel fuel blended with 87 octane gasoline. Additionally shown are observed characteristics. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is a chart of the alternative fuel test log. Depicted is an actual test log describing the additional ignition advance with a 50° bio diesel fuel blended with 87 octane gasoline. Additionally shown are observed characteristics. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.