Gas engine including fuel supply system

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas engine comprising a fuel supply system, including a gas container (36) filled with liquefied pressurised gas evaporating upon discharging out of the gas container (36) in order to be supplied to the gas engine (10) preferably via a gas pressure regulator (41) with the improvement that a gas pressure detecting means (52) is provided adapted to sense the internal gas pressure of said gas container (36), said pressure detecting means (52) being operatively connected with a gas pressure adjusting means (54) associated to said gas container (36) and adapted to be operated in response to a gas pressure being detected to be lower than a preset value by said gas pressure detecting means (52).

Description: This invention relates to a gas engine with a fuel supply system associated thereto including a gas container, such as a gas bomb, filled with pressurised gas to be supplied to the engine, probably via a gas pressure regulator in order to be combusted in the engine. A gas engine as mentioned above is well known in the art incorporating a gas container such as a bomb for containing LPG (liquefied propane gas) with the pressurised gas supplied from said bomb being conveyed to the engine through a pressure regulator combusting the gas in the engine. Such a kind of an engine implies problems in that, due to a large amount of evaporation and heat being robbed when the gas flows out of the gas container and the remaining gas in the container expands, the temperature of the gas container drops causing insufficient fuel evaporation and thus preventing smooth gas supply. Accordingly, it has been suggested to detect the temperature of the gas container or the pressure regulator and to heat the gas container when that temperature is lower than a preset temperature (e.g. Japanese Provisional Utility Model Publications S62-143056, S62-150570, etc). However, such measures are easily affected by changes of the environment such as the atmospheric temperature and have only poor responsiveness. FR-A-811 848 discloses a gas engine which comprises a fuel supply system, the gas container thereof is isolated adjacent ambient atmosphere A gas engine as indicated in the preamble portion of claim 1 is shown from JP-U-62 14 30 56 wherein the gas engine is equipped with a fuel supply system which is purely temperature-responsive. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gas engine including a more reliable fuel supply system with the latter being capable of supplying the gaseous fuel to the engine satisfactorily without being affected by changes of the environmental conditions such as atmospheric pressure and/or ambient temperature, performing improved response characteristics to changes of the fuel supplying state. Moreover, the invention aims at improving the cold start performance of such a gas engine under cold climate conditions. According to the present invention, the afore-indicated objective is performed through a gas pressure detecting means is provided for detecting the gas pressure in said gas container to activate a container heating means in response to the gas pressure being detected as lower than a predetermined value, said gas pressure detecting means comprises a diaphragm pressure sensor defining a gas pressure chamber and an atmospheric pressure chamber, said gas pressure chamber subject to the gas pressure of the gas container by a conduit communicating said gas pressure chamber to a receptacle forming a gas expansion chamber disposed downstream of a mouthpiece of the gas container whereas said diaphragm pressure sensor supports a switch actuating means to operate said container heating means in response to a deflection of the diaphragm reflecting an internal pressure drop in the gas container. Advantageously, said gas pressure adjusting means is formed by a heating means for heating the gas container and is located in closely spaced apart relationship to said gas container. Preferably, said pressure detecting means is designed to be a fluid operated pressure sensor comprising a housing partitioned by a spring biased diaphragm to separate a gas chamber, subject to gas pressure applied from the gas container, from an atmospheric pressure chamber which contains a coil spring to bias said diaphragm against said gas pressure, said diaphragm supporting a switch actuating means adapted to operate said heating means in response to a pressure drop of the gas pressure inside the gas container to or below a predetermined limiting value. In compliance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention enabling the gas pressure inside the gas container to be sensed precisely and without delay, said pressure detecting means is arranged in parallel to the gas pressure regulator with a fluid line communicating said gas chamber of the pressure detecting sensor with a receptacle into which the liquefied pressurised gas expands upon leaving the gas container. Preferably, said heating means associated to the gas container and excited in response to an output of the gas pressure detecting means is an electrical tubular or plate heater, in particular an electrical cartridge heater, formed into an arc-shaped cross-section to cover at least the lower half of the gas container. Reflecting an advantageous assembly of the heating means, said arc-shaped electrical heater is adapted to cover the lower half of the gas container leaving a gap in between. A medium provided to fill up the space can then be selected in order to control heat dissipation from the heater to the gas container in compliance with a predetermined pattern. Preferably, said gap should be filled with a heat conductive material having a low thermal resistance in order to provide superior heat transfer from the heater to the gas container. Moreover, said heating means could be designed to be effective in supporting said gas container. According to the afore-indicated design strategies, said heater means is electrically operated activated by the electric current supplied from an energy source such as a battery electrically connectable with the heater means through a switch means operated by the diaphragm through a switch actuating means of said gas pressure detecting means. Preferably, said switch actuating means comprises a stem engaging a contact lever adapted to close the electric circuit containing said heater. According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, said heating means is activated by a continuously controlled electric current supplied from an energy source, such as a heater source circuit, supplying said heater current, the phase of which is controlled by a heater control circuit through a phase control circuit. Preferably, said phase control circuit implies a thyristor, with said heater control circuit receiving an input from a continuously adjustable resistor adjusted in response to the deflection of the diaphragm which, in turn, reflects the gas pressure of the gas container. As such a gas engine normally includes a starter motor, said heater current could also be supplied from such a starter motor operated as a generator driven by the engine during ordinary gas engine running. The provision of an additional heating means for the gas container, however, is not restricted to heaters excited by an electric current. According to another layout of the gas engine which could be chosen alternatively, said heating means comprises a warm air manifold, especially a shroud, utilising the latent heat of the gas engine to warm up the surrounding air, the flow of heated air towards the gas container being controlled by a baffle means pivotably supported at said manifold to control an outlet thereof in response to the gas pressure of the gas container as detected by the diaphragm linked with said baffle or valve flap via linkage means. The performance of the afore-indicated hot-air heater can be considerably improved by an air circulating means such as a fan attached to the crankshaft of the gas engine, forcibly directing warmed air from the ambience of the engine through the shroud towards the baffle means which, in turn, leads to the gas container. Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention are laid down in the other subclaims. The present invention will be explained in further detail through the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a conceptual illustration of a first embodiment of the invention, Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Fig 1, Fig 3 is a system diagram of an engine generator incorporated with said embodiment, Fig 4 is an arrangement plan for the components of Fig 3, Figs 5 and 6 are conceptual illustrations of second and third embodiments of the present invention. In Figs 3 and 4 the general layout and arrangement of a gas engine with fuel supply system related thereto according to the present invention is shown with some details, as selectively shown in Figs 1, 2, 5 and 6, being omitted. In Figs 3 and 4, the reference numbers 10 and 12 denote a liquid-cooled 2-cycle engine and a combination generator-starter, respectively, and both are coupled with each other through a belt system or the like. That is, when starting the engine 10, the generator 12 drives the engine as a starter motor and, after the engine is started, the generator 12 is driven by the engine 10 to generate electricity. Reference numeral 14 denotes a radiator integrated with the electric fan 16; reference numeral 18 denotes a water pump driven by engine 10; reference numeral 20 denotes a coolant pressure regulator, and the coolant circulates through a hermetically sealed passage comprising a cylinder and a cylinder head of the engine 10, coolant pump 18, coolant pressure regulator 20 and radiator 14. The coolant pressure regulator 20 comprises a variable-volume vessel made of an elastic material such as rubber to absorb volumetric change of the coolant caused by its temperature change. Reference numeral 22 in Fig 4 designates a box-shaped case in which are arranged the radiator 14 on the right of the vertically disposed battery 24, an electromagnetic valve 44, the coolant pressure regulator 20, and an electromotive lubricating oil pump 25, and the radiator 14 inhales the outside air into the case 22 through an opening 26 on the right side of the case 22. The engine 10 and the generator 12 are disposed on the left of the battery 24. The exhaust gas of the engine 10 is exhausted out of the muffler 28 near the left side of the case 22 through an opening 30 of the case 22. The engine 10, generator 12 and the muffler 28 are surrounded by an air guide wall 32, and the air inhaled by the fan 16 of the radiator 14 into the case 22 is guided by this air guide wall 32 and is exhausted through the opening 30 after passing around the generator 12, engine 10 and muffler 28. In Fig 4, a fan 34 is shown affixed to the engines crankshaft. Said fan 34 is selectively designed either to assist air to be introduced into the space surrounded by the air guide wall 32, or to provide a heating structure for the gas container similar to those shown in Fig 6 utilising said air guide wall 32 to form a shroud, the outlet of which is controlled in response to the internal gas pressure of the gas container 36. Such a control means for heating up the gas container 35 depending on its internal gas pressure detected, however, is not shown in Fig 4 disclosing an arrangement rather utilising an electrical heating means for the gas container 36 as exemplified with respect to Figs 1, 2 or 5 (not shown in Fig 4 either) explained in details as the description proceeds. Reference numeral 36 denotes a gas bomb (gas container) and contains liquefied butane gas or liquefied propane gas. This bomb 36 is loaded after opening the cap 38 positioned on the left side of the case 22. When loaded, the tip of the bomb 36 is connected to the receptacle 40. This receptacle 40 is incorporated with a gas pressure regulator 41 and a fuel cock 42, and the fuel after passing through this receptacle 40 is supplied into the intake pipe of the engine 10 through an electromagnetic valve 44 (Fig 3). Reference numeral 46 denotes a cartridge type lubricating oil tank which is loaded after opening a cap 48 positioned on the right side of the case 22. When this tank 46 is loaded, its tip is connected to another receptacle 50. The lubricating oil is supplied from this other receptacle 50 into the intake pipe of the engine 10 through the oil pump 25. Now the fuel supplying system according to this invention is described. The receptacle 40 for the bomb 36 and the gas pressure regulator 41 are connected as shown in the conceptual illustration of Fig 1. That is, the gas pressure regulator 41 comprises a gas chamber 41a, an atmospheric chamber 41b, a diaphragm 41c partitioning both chambers 41a and 41b from each other, a spring 41d for urging the diaphragm 41c partitioning both chambers 41a and 41b from each other, a spring 41d for urging the diaphragm 41c toward the gas chamber 41a and a control lever 41e for limiting gas inflow from the bomb 36 in conjunction with the diaphragm 41c. The gas of bomb 36, with its pressure controlled slightly (e.g. by 0.04kg/cm²) higher than the atmospheric pressure at this gas chamber, is led to the above-mentioned electromagnetic valve 44 and further to the engine 10. Reference numeral 52 denotes a diaphragm as a gas pressure detecting means partitioning the gas chamber 52a and the atmospheric chamber 52b from each other, and into the gas chamber 52a is introduced the gas pressure of the bomb 36 and in the atmospheric chamber is contained a spring 52c. Reference numeral 54 denotes an electric heater as a heating means and this heater 54 is formed into an arcular cross-section to cover the lower half of the bomb 36 (see Fig 2). The heater 54 can be adapted to the shape of the gas container or bomb 36 leaving a gap in between both components. Said space could be filled up with a heat conductive material to control heat dissipation along the bomb 36, preferably the space could receive a highly heat conductive material in order to facilitate the heat transfer from the heater 54 to the gas bomb 36. Preferably, the heater 54 takes a platelike shape of arcuate cross-section but certain types of cartridge heaters could also be used. Moreover, the heater 54 could act as a supporting means of said gas container 36. The movement of the diaphragm 52 actuates the switch 56 to energise or de-energise the heater 54. That is, when the pressure of the bomb 36 becomes lower than a preset pressure, the diaphragm 52 moves toward the gas chamber 52a and the switch 56 is closed. Therefore, an electric current from the battery 24 flows through the heater 54, and the bomb 36 is heated by the heater 54. Accordingly, when a gas supplying pressure drop is caused by a bomb temperature drop due, for example, to operation in a low temperature environment, such a gas pressure drop is promptly detected by the diaphragm 52, the electric circuit including the battery 24, the heater 54 and a heater activating switch 56 is closed by means of closing the switch 56 pivoting the conduct lever through the switch actuating stem of the diaphragm 52, and an electric current begins to flow through the heater 54. Thus, the bomb 36 is heated and the gas pressure is raised making it possible to supply the gas always under a stable pressure. Now, open the cock 42, depress the operating switch 72 on the top surface of the case 22 to connect the electric source, then depress the start switch 74, and the generator 12 drives the engine 10 as a starter motor. When the engine speed exceeds a preset value, the electromagenetic valve 44 is opened and the fuel gas is supplied to the engine 10. Also the oil pump 25 is started to supply lubricating oil into the intake pipe. After the engine 10 is started and hence the starter switch 74 is released, the generator 12 ceases to function as a starter motor and begins to function as a generator as originally intended. The output terminals of the generator 12 are connected to the battery 24 in parallel, and its electric power is taken out through an output receptacle 76. Fig 5 is a conceptual illustration for a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a variable resistor 80 is employed instead of the switch 56 of the first embodiment in Fig 1 to continuously control the current of the heater 54. That is, the moving amount of the diaphragm 52 as a pressure detecting means is detected by the variable resistor 80, and the heater control circuit 82 controls the phase of the heater current by a heater source circuit 84 through a phase control circuit employing, for example, a thyristor. Further, Fig 6 is a conceptual illustration showing a third embodiment, the heating means 90 of which utilises the heat of the engine 10. That is, while a fan 92 is fastened on the crankshaft of the engine 10 to lead warm air around the engine 10 to the bomb 36 through a shroud 94, the shroud 94 is provided with a baffle 96 for controlling warm air flow toward the bomb 36, which baffle is opened or closed by the diaphragm 52 as a pressure detecting means. Accordingly, when the gas pressure of the bomb 36 becomes lower than a preset pressure, the diaphragm 52 opens the baffle 96 to lead warm air around the engine 10 to the bomb 36 to heat it. This third embodiment is further provided with a switching lever 98 to improve the startability of engine 10 in a cold environment. That is, this switching lever 98 is coupled with two switching valves 98a and 98b and, when the switching lever 98 is at its "cold start" position shown in solid lines in Fig 6, while the gas pressure of the bomb 36 is supplied to the engine 10 through the valve 98a and a check valve 100, it is also supplied to the atmospheric chamber 41b of the gas pressure regulator 41 through the valves 98a and 98b. Therefore, the gas of the bomb 36 is directly, without passing through the regulator 41, supplied to the engine 10, which promotes gas vaporisation in the bomb 36 through the suction vacuum of the engine 10 and improves startability of the engine 10, despite the low gas pressure due to the low temperature of the bomb 36. By pivoting the lever 98 to the position shown in broken lines in Fig 6, the valve 98a stops supplying gas through it and the valve 98b opens the atmospheric chamber 41b to the atmosphere, thus the engine 10 continues running ordinarily. Since the gas engine with a fuel supplying system according to the present invention detects the gas pressure of the gas container and is constructed so that the gas container may be heated when the detected gas pressure becomes lower than a preset pressure, heating of the gas container can be begun promptly without waiting for the temperature drop of the gas container. Therefore, it has good responsiveness. Further, since it does not detect the gas container temperature, this system can satisfactorily supply the gas fuel without being affected by changes of environment such as the atmospheric temperature.

Claims: Gas engine comprising a fuel supply unit associated thereto including a gas container (36) filled with liquified pressurised gas evaporating upon discharging out of the gas container (36) in order to be supplied to the gas engine, (14) having a detecting means operatively connected with a gas pressure adjusting means (54) associated to said gas container (36), characterized in that a gas pressure detecting means (52) is provided for detecting the gas pressure in said gas container (36) to activate a container heating means (54,90) in response to the gas pressure being detected as lower than a predetermined value, said gas pressure detecting means comprises a diaphragm pressure sensor (52) defining a gas pressure chamber (52a) and an atmospheric pressure chamber (52b), said gas pressure chamber (52a) subject to the gas pressure of the gas container (36) by a conduit communicating said gas pressure chamber (52a) to a receptacle (40) forming a gas expansion chamber (40) disposed downstream of a mouthpiece of the gas container (36), whereas said diaphragm pressure sensor (52) supports a switch actuating means to operate said container heating means (54,90) in response to a deflection of the diaphragm (52) reflecting an internal pressure drop in the gas container (36). Gas engine according to claim 1, characterized in that said diaphragm pressure sensor (52) is arranged in parallel to a gas pressure regulator (41) with a fluid line fluidly communicating a gas pressure chamber (52a) of said diaphragm chamber with the receptacle (40) into which the liquiefied pressurised gas expands upon leaving the gas container (36). Gas engine as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said heating means is an electrical tubular or plate heater (54) or electrical cartridge heater formed into an arc-shaped cross-section to cover the lower half of the gas container (36). Gas engine as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said arc-shaped electrical heater (54) covers the lower half of the gas container (36) leaving a gap in between. Gas engine as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said gap is filled with heat conductive material providing highly improved transfer of heat from the heater (54) to the gas container (36). Gas engine as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said heating means (54) is effective to support said gas container (36). Gas engine as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said heating means (54) is activatable by an electric current supplied from an energy source, such as a battery (24) connected with the heating means (54) via a switch means (56) operated by said diaphragm pressure sensor (52) through said switch actuating mechanism of the diaphragm pressure sensor (52). Gas engine as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that said switch actuating means comprises a stem engaging a pivotable contact lever adapted to close an electric circuit containing said electric heater (54). Gas engine as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said heating means (54) is activated by a continuously controlled electric current supplied from an energy source such as a heater source circuit (84) supplying said heater current, the phase of which is controlled by a heater control circuit (82) through a phase control circuit, preferably employing a thyristor, with an input to the heater control circuit (82) fed from a continuously variable resistor (80) in response to the deflection of the diaphragm pressure sensor (52) reflecting the internal gas pressure of the gas container (36). Gas engine as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said heater current is supplied from a starter motor operated as generator (12) driven through the engine (10) during ordinary gas engine running. Gas engine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that heating means (90) comprises a warmed air manifold, especially a shroud (94), utilising the latent heat of the gas engine (10), the flow of heated air towards the gas container (36) being controlled by a baffle means (96) pivotably supported at said manifold (94) to control an outlet opening thereof in response to the internal gas pressure of the gas container (36) as detected by the diaphragm pressure sensor (52) linked with said valve flap (96) via a linkage. Gas engine as claimed in claim 11, characterised by an air circulating means, such as a fan (92) forcibly directing warmed air from the ambience of the engine (10) through the shroud (94) towards the baffle means (96) leading to the gas container (36). Gas engine, in particular liquid-cooled 2-cycle engine, including a generator-starter coupled to the engine, as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized by a gas container (36) containing liquefied pressurised gas a receptacle (40) incorporating a gas pressure regulator (41) and a fuel cock (42) providing fluid connection in between the outlet of the gas container (36) and an intake pipe of the engine (10) via an electromagnetic valve (44) to supply fuel from the gas container (36) to the engine (10), an oil tank (46), preferably a cartridge type oil tank, containing lubricating oil to be supplied to the intake pipe of the engine (10) via another receptacle (50) and an oil pump (25), a liquid cooling circuit associated with the cylinder block including the cylinder head of the engine, comprising a radiator (14) integrated with an electric cooling fan (16), a coolant pressure regulator (20) made of a resilient material in order to elastically balance the volumetric change of the coolant volume depending on its temperature change, and a coolant pump (18) driven by the engine (10) to circulate the coolant through the cooling circuit, wherein said gas pressure regulator (41) provided in conjunction with said receptacle (40) of the container (36) comprises a gas chamber (41a), an atmospheric chamber (41b), a diaphragm (41c) partitioning both said aforementioned chambers (41a, 41b), a spring (41d) to urge the diaphragm (41c) towards the gas chamber (41a) and a control lever (41e) for limiting gas inflow from the gas container (36) in conjunction with the related diaphragm (41c), said gas pressure detecting means (52) comprising a housing and a related diaphragm pressure sensor (52) partitioning a gas chamber (52a) and an atmospheric chamber (52b) from each other, with the gas chamber (52a) being subject to the gas pressure introduced from the gas container (36), a spring (52c) biasing the diaphragm (52) against a counterforce resulting from the gas pressure prevailing in the gas chamber (52a), and a heating means activating member, wherein said electrical heater (54) associated to the gas container (36), preferably to cover the lower half thereof, is activated in response to a movement of the diaphragm (52) towards the gas chamber (52a), when the internal pressure of the gas container (36) drops on or below a preset pressure value. Gas engine arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the current flowing through the electric heater (54) is controlled either by a switch means (56) or by continuously controlling the phase of the current flowing permanently. Gas engine arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterised by: a box-shaped case (22) receiving the radiator (14) on the right of the vertically disposed battery (24), a coolant pump (18), a coolant pressure regulator (20), an electromotive lubricating oil pump (25), with the radiator (14) sucking ambient air into the case (22) through an opening (26) on the right side of the case (22), whereas the engine (10) and the generator (12) are disposed on the left of the battery (24), a muffler (28) near the left side of the case (22) in order to discharge the exhaust gas of the engine (10) through an opening (30) of the case (22), having the engine (10), the generator (12) and the muffler (26) surrounded by an air guide wall (32) to guide the air sucked by the fan (16) of the radiator (14), said sucked air passing around the generator (12), engine (10) and muffler (26) prior to being exhausted through the opening (30), the gas container (36) being loaded after opening a cap (38), positioned on the left side of the case (22) with the tip of the gas container (36) being connected to the receptacle (40) after loading of the gas container (36), said receptacle (40) being integral with a gas pressure regulator (41) and a fuel cock (42) as well as being associated with the gas pressure detecting diaphragm (52) adapted to operate the electrical heater (54) assembled in conjunction with said gas container (36), the fuel being supplied into the intake pipe of the engine (10) through an electromagnetic valve (44) after having passed through said receptacle (40), a cartridge type lubricating oil tank (46), loaded after opening a cap (48) positioned on the right side of the case (22) to be connected to another receptacle (50) after loading to supply lubricating oil from said other receptacle (50) through an oil pump (25) to the intake pipe of the engine (10), an operating switch (72) on the top surface of the case (22) to connect the electric source, and a start switch (74) to start the engine (10) by means of the generator (12). Gas engine as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, characterised by a switching valve means (98) adapted either to establish direct fluid communication between a receptacle (40), forming the gas exapansion chamber and associated to the gas container (36), and the engine (10) via a check valve (100) bridging said gas pressure regulator (41), thus improving the cold start capabilities of the engine (10) with the gas pressure being simultaneously supplied to the atmospheric chamber (41b) of the gas pressure regulator (41), or to establish ordinary fluid communication between said receptacle (40) and the engine (10) through the gas pressure regulator (41), the atmospheric chamber (41b) of which being vented to the atmosphere, and a solenoid valve (44) during normal engine running subsequent to the starting phase of the engine (10). Gas engine as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that a fluid operated diaphragm pressure sensor (52) is adapted to control a heating means (90) in response to the sensed gas pressure of the container (36), said heating means (90) utilising the heat of the engine (10), comprising a fan (92) fixed on a crankshaft of the engine (10) to forcibly circulate heated air surrounding the engine (10) towards the gas container (36) through a shroud (94) having a baffle (96) for controlling the flow of heated air towards the gas container (36), said baffle (96) regulating the downstream outlet opening of the shroud (94) through pivoting said baffle (96) by the diaphragm pressure sensor (52) in response to varying internal gas pressure of the gas container (36) sensed by said gas pressure detecting diaphragm (52).

Inventors: YOKOYAMA YOSHIHARU, YOKOYAMA, YOSHIHARU
Applicants: YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD, YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F02M21
IPC codes: F02M21