Method and apparatus for modifying an OEM fuel system for bi-fuel use

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for adapting and modifying an existing mono-fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine to run as a bi-fuel system by reusing and repurposing OEM components of the mono-fuel system. The bi-fuel system makes use of an integration plate that may be mounted to the system fuel filter in substantially the same location as the fuel filter is mounted in the mono-fuel configuration. The integration plate also may deliver either fuel types into the existing engine fuel intake port thus the system does not require the creation of a secondary fuel intake port for the secondary fuel. The integration plate may also be situated such that it minimizes the space it must use within the engine compat anent and it may use the preexisting engine mounting points designed for the fuel filter in the mono-fuel system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine where a plurality of fuels are optionally delivered to the engine comprising:
 a fuel filter; 
 a fuel lift pump coupled to the fuel filter, 
 a fuel selector valve coupled to the fuel filter; and 
 a fuel integration plate coupled to the fuel filter wherein the fuel integration plate is adapted to enable the engine to accept a plurality of fuels. 
 
     
     
       2. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel filter is located in an OEM fuel filter position and the fuel lift pump is located in an OEM lift pump position and both the fuel filter and the lift pump are located in their OEM positions after the fuel integration plate is installed. 
     
     
       3. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fuels comprises an OEM recommended fuel and a secondary fuel. 
     
     
       4. The fuel delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the fuel integration plate is coupled with a pressure relief valve in order to maintain optimal operating pressure of the system while the engine operates on the secondary fuel. 
     
     
       5. The fuel delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the fuel lift pump is operable with only the OEM recommended fuel. 
     
     
       6. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel integration plate is coupled to a fuel selector having a shared fuel line. 
     
     
       7. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal combustion engine further comprises an OEM engine fuel intake port and the plurality of fuels are delivered to the engine using the OEM engine fuel intake port. 
     
     
       8. The fuel delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the integration plate further comprises a gasket gland to create a sealed connection with the OEM engine fuel intake port. 
     
     
       9. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the integration plate fits flush to the fuel filter outlet to block passage of any fuel through the outlet. 
     
     
       10. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the engine further comprises a fuel rail having an OEM shape and the integration plate conforms to the OEM shape of the fuel rail. 
     
     
       11. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel integration plate further comprises a fuel exit port. 
     
     
       12. The fuel delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the fuel exit port is matingly attached to an OEM engine fuel intake port. 
     
     
       13. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel integration plate further comprises a relief port. 
     
     
       14. The fuel delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein the relief port further comprises a regulation valve. 
     
     
       15. The fuel delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein the regulation valve has a set cracking pressure. 
     
     
       16. The fuel delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the integration plate further comprises a pressure sensor port to measure fuel system pressure.