Fuel delivery system

Abstract

A fuel delivery system is disclosed which includes an injector ( 40 ) having an end region ( 43 ). The end region ( 43 ) is provided from heat conducting material such as metal so that the end region can be heated by exhaust gas to heat the temperature of fuel in the injector end region so that the increase in temperature and pressure within the end region causes the fuel to flash into a vapour state immediately the fuel is ejected from the injector. The exhaust gas is supplied by an exhaust gas supply line ( 70, 402 ) and can be returned by an exhaust return line ( 405 ).

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A fuel delivery system for delivering petroleum or gasoline type fuel to an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston for movement in the cylinder, an air inlet port for delivery of air into the cylinder, and an air exhaust port for discharge of exhaust gas from the cylinder, the system including: 
 a fuel injector having a body and an end region formed from a heat conducting material so that when the end region is heated, heat is conveyed to fuel within the end region of the injector to heat the fuel in the end region of the injector;    a chamber provided about the end region of the injector, the chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the injector end region having a part which extends out of the chamber to communicate with an inlet port of the engine, and the chamber being sealed from the inlet port of the engine; and    a hot fluid delivery means for delivering hot fluid to the chamber so that the hot fluid can circulate through the chamber and then exit the outlet, and wherein the hot fluid is for heating the end region of the injector within the chamber so that the heat is conducted through the end region to the fuel in the end region to heat the fuel in the end region, so that as soon as the fuel is ejected from the injector, the fuel converts to vapour state because of thermal expansion of the heated fuel, immediately the fuel is ejected from the injector.    
   
   
       30 . The system according to  claim 29  wherein the hot fluid delivery means comprises an exhaust inlet tube extending from an exhaust of the engine to the inlet to the chamber, and wherein the outlet in the chamber communicates with an exhaust return line which extends from the outlet to the exhaust of the engine.  
   
   
       31 . The system according to  claim 29  wherein the chamber is defined by a first seal adjacent an end face of the end region from which fuel is ejected, a second seal spaced from the first seal, the first and second seals engaging an outer peripheral wall and the end region of the injector to thereby define the chamber.  
   
   
       32 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein the outer peripheral wall comprises an inner wall of a bore in the engine for receiving the injector.  
   
   
       33 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein the outer peripheral wall is an inner wall of a housing surrounding the end region of the injector which is locatable in a bore in the engine.  
   
   
       34 . A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston for movement in the cylinder, an inlet port for delivery of air into the cylinder and an exhaust port for discharge of exhaust gas from the cylinder, the system including: 
 an outer housing for receiving an end region of a fuel injector;    a first seal for sealing the end region of the injector to the housing when the injector is located in the housing;    a second seal for sealing the end region of the injector to the housing when the injector is located in the housing, so that a chamber is defined between the housing, the first seal, the second seal and the end region of the injector;    an exhaust gas delivery tube connected to the housing and communicating with the chamber formed when the injector is located in the housing;    an exhaust gas return tube communicating with the chamber formed when the injector is located in the housing, the exhaust gas delivery tube and the exhaust gas return tube having an exhaust gas entry end and an exhaust gas exit end respectively; and    an exhaust flange for connection to an exhaust system of the engine, the exhaust gas entry end and the exhaust gas exit end of the exhaust gas delivery tube and the exhaust gas return tube respectively, being coupled to the exhaust flange so that exhaust gas which passes through the exhaust flange can enter the exhaust gas delivery tube, flow through the chamber and return through the exhaust gas return tube to the exhaust system of the engine to heat the end region of the injector when the injector is located in the housing.    
   
   
       35 . A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston for reciprocating movement in the cylinder, an air inlet port for delivery of air into the cylinder and an exhaust port for discharge of exhaust gas from the cylinder, the system including; 
 a fuel injector having a body and an end region from which fuel is delivered, for delivering fuel;    a small passage which has a cross-sectional area and volume smaller than the inlet port extending between the injector and the cylinder, for delivering fuel and a proportion of the air required by the engine to support combustion of fuel in the engine above idle speed of the engine; and    means for heating the end region of the injector to thereby heat fuel in the end region before the fuel is ejected from the injector, so that as soon as the fuel is ejected from the injector, the fuel converts to vapour state and is maintained in a vapour state as the fuel travels along the fuel passage from the injector to the cylinder.    
   
   
       36 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the heating means comprises a heat exchanger for heating the portion of the air prior to delivery of the air to the end region of the injector.  
   
   
       37 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 36  wherein the portion of the air is mixed with exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder so as to further heat the air so that the heated air and exhaust gas mixture is supplied to the end region of the injector and the passage.  
   
   
       38 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 37  wherein the portion of the air is idle air supply of the engine and the system includes an idle air supply tube extending from an idle solenoid to the heat exchanger and connecting with a heat exchanger tube within the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger tube being connected to a hot gas return tube, means for delivering exhaust gas into the hot air return tube so that the exhaust gas mixes with the idle air to heat the idle air, the return tube being coupled to supply the exhaust gas and idle air mixture to the end region of the injector so that the heated idle air and exhaust gas mixture envelope the end region of the injector to heat the end region and so that fuel vapour delivered by the injector travels with the heated idle air and exhaust gas mixture through the passage to the cylinder.  
   
   
       39 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the passage includes a swirler for causing the idle air, exhaust gas and fuel vapour mixture to swirl and thoroughly mix as it travels along the passage to the cylinder.  
   
   
       40 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 38  wherein the hot air return tube is coupled to a distributor tube, the distributor tube having a plurality of outlets each corresponding to one of a plurality of the fuel injectors for supplying the exhaust gas and idle air mixture to the fuel injectors to mix with fuel vapour supplied by the injectors.  
   
   
       41 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the passage comprises a tube for installation in the inlet port of the engine, the tube having a cross-sectional area and volume which is smaller than the cross-sectional area and volume of the inlet port.  
   
   
       42 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the fuel injector is located in a bore in the head of engine, the bore communicating with the distribution tube and also the fuel and air delivery tube.  
   
   
       43 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 42  wherein the tube is integrated into the head of the engine rather than provided as a separate tube installed in the inlet port of the engine.  
   
   
       44 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 38  wherein the idle air supply is provided by an idle air transfer block for installation between the idle air solenoid and throttle valve body, the block having a first bore which communicates with an inlet opening for delivery of idle air and the block having a second bore which communicates with a conduit through the idle air solenoid and connects with the idle air supply tube. In this arrangement the idle air opening on the downstream side of a butterfly valve of the throttle body is blocked off so idle air cannot enter the engine other than through the idle air supply tube.  
   
   
       45 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 36  wherein the heat exchanger is formed by part of the passage which, in use, is exposed to exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder, the passage passing through the block to the inlet port of the engine.  
   
   
       46 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 45  wherein the passage passes through a bore extending from the exhaust port to the inlet port of the engine.  
   
   
       47 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 46  wherein the passage communicates with a spacer block having a bore, the bore communicating with a distributor tube which is coupled with the idle air supply tube for receiving the idle air.  
   
   
       48 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 47  wherein the distributor tube with the end region in heat conducting contact with the distributor tube to thereby heat the end region, the injector delivering fuel into the bore of the spacer block so that the fuel mixes with air supplied by the idle air supply tube and then passes through the passage to the inlet manifold and cylinder of the engine.  
   
   
       49 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 48  wherein the distributor tube and spacer block are coupled on the exhaust manifold of the engine, which provides a very hot heat source for heating the end region of the injector, and the delivery of idle air to the distributor tube not only provides combustion air, but also provides a cooling effect to the end region to prevent the end region from overheating.  
   
   
       50 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the passage is provided with an opening for allowing exhaust gas to pass into the passage to maintain fuel and air travelling along the passage in a heated state so that the fuel is delivered as vapour to the inlet port and cylinder of the engine.  
   
   
       51 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 47  wherein the distributor tube is insulated from the spacer block, and the idle air supply tube extends through a heat exchanger for location on the exhaust manifold of the engine to heat the portion of the air supplied to the distributor to heat the end region of the injector.  
   
   
       52 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 35  wherein the passage includes an exhaust inlet branch which couples with the exhaust port of the engine, the branch being connected to an exhaust tube which extends in the passage, the passage having an air inlet branch and a fuel delivery end, the exhaust tube which is coupled to the exhaust branch extending into the air delivery branch so that some inlet air travelling through inlet air manifold can pass into the air inlet branch mix with exhaust gas delivered from the exhaust tube and then pass into the passage to travel with fuel injected into the inlet end along the passage to the cylinder, and wherein the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust tube performs a heat exchange with the air and fuel in the passage, and the mixing of exhaust gas also maintains the air and fuel vapour mixture.  
   
   
       53 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 52  wherein the outlet end of the exhaust gas tube is adjacent a domed baffle so that exhaust gas exiting the exhaust tube is deflected to travel in the direction of air flow though the air inlet branch and mix with the air travelling in the inlet branch for delivery to the passage.  
   
   
       54 . A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston for reciprocating movement in the cylinder, an air inlet port for delivery of air into the cylinder and the exhaust port for discharge of exhaust gas from the cylinder, the system including; 
 a fuel injector having a body and an end region from which fuel is delivered, for delivering fuel;    a passage separate from the inlet port extending between the injector and cylinder for delivering fuel from the injector and idle air to the cylinder; and    means for heating the end region of the injector to thereby heat fuel in the end region before the fuel is ejected from the injector, so that as soon as the fuel is ejected from the injector, the fuel converts to vapour state and is maintained in a vapour state as the fuel travels along the fuel passage from the injector to the cylinder.    
   
   
       55 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein passage extends for only part of the distance between the injector and the cylinder and has a first end which is arranged adjacent the end region of the injector and a second end which communicates with the inlet port so that the vaporised fuel initially passes through the small passage and then into the inlet port for mixture with combustion air drawn into the inlet port by suction of the engine.  
   
   
       56 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein the heating means comprises a heat exchanger for heating the idle air prior to delivery of the air to the end region of the injector and the passage.  
   
   
       57 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 56  wherein the idle air is mixed with exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder so as to further heat the air so that the heated air and exhaust gas mixture is supplied to the end region and the passage.  
   
   
       58 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 57  wherein the system includes an idle air supply tube extending from an idle solenoid to the heat exchanger and connecting with a heat exchanger tube within the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger tube being connected to a hot gas return tube, means for delivering exhaust gas into the hot air return tube so that the exhaust gas mixes with the idle air to heat the idle air, the return tube being coupled to supply the exhaust gas and idle air mixture to the fuel delivery element so that the heated idle air and exhaust gas mixture envelope the fuel delivery element to heat the fuel delivery element and so that fuel delivered by the fuel delivery element travels with the heated idle air and exhaust gas mixture through the passage.  
   
   
       59 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein the passage includes a swirler for causing the idle air, exhaust gas and fuel mixture to swirl and thoroughly mix as it travels along the passage to the cylinder.  
   
   
       60 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 58  wherein the hot air return tube is coupled to a distributor tube, the distributor tube having a plurality of outlets each corresponding to one of a plurality of fuel injectors for supplying the exhaust gas and/or idle air mixture to the fuel delivery elements to mix with fuel supplied by the fuel delivery element.  
   
   
       61 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein the passage comprises a tube for installation in the inlet port of the engine, the tube having a cross-sectional area and volume which is smaller than the cross-sectional area and volume of the inlet port.  
   
   
       62 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 60  wherein the fuel injector is located in a bore in the head of engine, the bore communicating with the distributor tube and also the fuel and air delivery tube.  
   
   
       63 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 58  wherein the idle air supply is provided by an idle air transfer block for installation between the idle air solenoid and throttle valve body, the block having a first bore which communicates with an inlet opening for delivery of idle air and the block having a second bore which communicates with a conduit through the idle air solenoid and connects with the idle air supply tube. In this arrangement the idle air opening on the downstream side of a butterfly valve of the throttle body is blocked off so idle air cannot enter the engine other than through the idle air supply tube.  
   
   
       64 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 56  wherein the heat exchanger is formed by part of the passage which, in use, is exposed to exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder, the passage passing through the block to the inlet port of the engine.  
   
   
       65 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein the passage passes through a bore extending from the exhaust port to the inlet port of the engine.  
   
   
       66 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 65  wherein the passage communicates with a spacer block having a bore, the bore communicating with a distributor tube which is coupled with the idle air supply tube for receiving the idle air.  
   
   
       67 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 66  wherein the injector is located in the distributor tube with the end region in heat conducting contact with the distributor tube to thereby heat the end region, the injector delivering fuel into the bore of the spacer block so that the fuel mixes with air supplied by the idle air supply tube and then passes through the passage to the inlet manifold and cylinder of the engine.  
   
   
       68 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 66  wherein the distributor tube and spacer block are coupled on the exhaust manifold of the engine, which provides a very hot heat source for heating the end region of the injector, and the delivery of idle air to the distributor tube not only provides combustion air, but also provides a cooling effect to the end region to prevent the end region from overheating.  
   
   
       69 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 54  wherein the passage is provided with an opening for allowing exhaust gas to pass into the passage so as to maintain the fuel vapour and air travelling along the passage.  
   
   
       70 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 66  wherein the distributor tube is insulated from the spacer block, and the idle air supply tube extends through a heat exchanger for location on the exhaust manifold of the engine to heat the portion of the air supplied to the distributor to heat the end region of the injector.  
   
   
       71 . A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a piston mounted for reciprocating movement in the cylinder, the system including; 
 an injector for directing fuel into the cylinder so that fuel is deposited on the piston in the cylinder to cause vaporisation of the fuel before the fuel is ignited.    
   
   
       72 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 71  wherein the fuel is heated prior to delivery of the fuel into the cylinder and onto the piston.  
   
   
       73 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 72  wherein the heater comprises a heat exchange means which is heated by exhaust gas from the engine and wherein a fuel line extends through the supply of exhaust gas so that fuel passing through the fuel line to the injector is heated by the exhaust gas.  
   
   
       74 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 71  wherein the injector is arranged in a side wall of the cylinder.  
   
   
       75 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 74  wherein the side wall includes a hole and a sleeve is arranged within the hole, the injector being arranged within the sleeve.  
   
   
       76 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 75  wherein the sleeve includes an outlet aperture which extends from the hole to the interior of the cylinder.  
   
   
       77 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 76  wherein the side wall of the cylinder comprises a portion of the block in which the cylinder is located and the hole is formed in the block wall partly through the block wall, the hole communicating with a reduced diameter bore which extends from the hole to the cylinder, and the sleeve includes a hollow stem which locates in the reduced diameter bore so that a tip of the fuel injector can locate in the stem for injecting fuel into the cylinder and onto the piston.  
   
   
       78 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 77  wherein the sleeve tapers from an inner most end to an outer end so that the outer end is wider than the inner end so that injector of different size can be located in the sleeve whilst ensuring that an end region of the injector is adjacent an end of the sleeve closest to the interior of the cylinder.  
   
   
       79 . The fuel delivery system of  claim 78  wherein the end region of the injector is heated by conduction from the cylinder wall or engine block wall to vaporise the fuel immediately the fuel is ejected from the injector.