Propane injection system

Abstract

A flow regulator valve having multiple stages is described herein. The flow regulator valve provides a base amount of propane when the engine is idling and provides additional propane to the engine based on the engine's requirements.

1 . A valve for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into an inlet of a turbo charger based on a boost pressure from the turbo charger, the valve comprising:
 a compressed gaseous fuel source for providing the gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger;   a first restrictor in communication with the compressed gaseous fuel source for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into the inlet of the turbo charger when the engine is at idle, the first restrictor set to a constant level such that the engine's performance is optimal with respect to emissions and/or fuel efficiency;   a second restrictor in communication with the compressed gaseous fuel source for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into the inlet of the turbo charger when the engine is at a speed greater than idling speed, the second restrictor provides varying amounts of gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger based ort the boost pressure from the turbo charger.   
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the first restrictor is an adjustable needle valve. 
     
     
         3 . A valve for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into an inlet of a turbo charger based on a boost pressure from the turbo boost, the valve comprising:
 a fluid pathway connectable to the inlet of the turbo charger for providing the gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger when the engine is at a speed greater than idling speed;   a restrictor having an orifice and a plug disposable away from the orifice to permit an increasing amount of gaseous fluid flow through the restrictor, the restrictor connected to the fluid pathway for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into the inlet of the turbo charger when the engine is at a speed greater than idling speed, the restrictor provides varying amounts of gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger based on the boost pressure from the turbo charger;   a diaphragm connected to the plug for traversing the plug away from the orifice based on the boost pressure, the diaphragm disposed within a chamber and dividing the chamber into a boost pressure side and a gaseous feel side, the boost pressure side in fluid communication with the boost pressure, the gaseous fuel side in fluid communication with the fluid pathway;   a spring attached to the diaphragm for imposing an opposing force on the diaphragm compared to a force of the boost pressure on the diaphragm; and   a maximum limit stopper in contact with the plug to regulate a maximum distance the plug is away from the orifice which regulates a maximum flow of gaseous flow through the fluid pathway.   
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 3  wherein the plug has a conical surface disposable against the orifice. 
     
     
         5 . A method of regulating an amount of gaseous flow introduced into an air inlet of a turbo charger based on a boost pressure from the turbo charger, the method comprising the steps of:
 limiting a maximum size of a first orifice of a first fluid pathway;   gradually increasing the size of the first orifice of the first fluid pathway based on the boost pressure from the turbo charger to correspondingly increase an amount of gaseous fluid introduced into the air inlet of the turbo charger;   maintaining the maximum size of the first orifice as the boost pressure progresses from an upper limit of a first predetermined lever to a lower limit of a second predetermined level, the lower limit of the second predetermined level being higher than and gapped above the upper limit of the first predetermined limit;   increasing a size of a second orifice of a second fluid pathway when the boost pressure is at the second predetermined level.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of:
 constantly flowing an amount of gaseous fuel into the air inlet of the turbo charger optimal for fuel efficiency and/or emissions. 
 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the gaseous fuel is propane. 
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein the amount of gaseous fuel introduced into the turbo charger inlet is equal to amount of gaseous fuel flowing through the first and second restrictors. 
     
     
         9 . A valve for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into an inlet of a turbo charger based on a boost pressure from the turbo charger, the valve comprising:
 a compressed gaseous fuel source for providing the gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger;   a second restrictor in communication with the compressed gaseous fuel source for regulating an amount of gaseous fuel injected into the inlet of the turbo charger when the boost pressure is at a first level; and   a third restrictor in communication with the compressed gaseous fuel source for regulating the amount of gaseous fuel injected into the inlet of the turbo charger when the boost pressure is at a second level, the second level of the boost pressure being higher than the first level of the boost pressure.   
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9  wherein the second restrictor provides a varying amount of gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger when the boost pressure is at the first level. 
     
     
         11 . The valve of  claim 10  wherein the third restrictor provides a varying amount of gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger when the boost pressure is at the second level. 
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 10  wherein the second restrictor provides a constant amount of gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger when the boost pressure is between the first and second levels. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 9  further comprising a first restrictor in communication with the compressed gaseous fuel source for providing gaseous fuel to the inlet of the turbo charger when the engine is at idle, the first restrictor settable such that the engine's performance is optimal with respect to emissions and/or fuel efficiency.