06/19/2000 - 16:24:11

Patent:CA 2065912

     FUEL LIMITING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION VEHICLE

     METHODE DE LIMITATION DE CARBURANT ET APPAREIL POUR VEHICULE A MOTEURA
                               COMBUSTION INTERNE

Inventors (Country):               Fosseen, Dwayne   (United States)
Owners (Country):                  Fosseen, Dwayne   (United States)
Applicants (Country):              Fosseen, Dwayne   (United States)
Agent:                             Borden Elliot Scott & Aylen
Issued on:                         June 1 , 1999
Filed on:                          Apr. 13, 1992
Laid open on:                      Oct. 23, 1992
Examination requested:             July 28, 1995
International Class (IPC):         F02D 33/00
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT):   No

                           Application priority data

Application No.:                   688,306
Country:                           United States
Date:                              Apr. 22, 1991
Availability of licence:           N/A
Language of filing:                English



ABSTRACT:

A method and apparatus for limiting the fuel to an internal combustion engine to
reduce  emissions  of the  engine.  Means  responsive  to one or more  operating
conditions  of the engine are provided for  adjustably  setting the maximum open
position of a throttle of the engine so as to reduce and limit the maximum  fuel
volume flow rate to the engine.  The operating  conditions include the fuel flow
rate  called for by an  accelerator,  the  condition  of the  transmission  of a
vehicle  in which the  engine is  installed,  the slope or  incline on which the
vehicle is located, the vehicle speed, and the speed and direction of any wind.

Patent Document Number 2065912 :
FUEL LIMITING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION VEHICLE

METHODE DE  LIMITATION  DE  CARBURANT ET APPAREIL  POUR  VEHICULE A MOTEURA
COMBUSTION INTERNE

CLAIMS:

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE  PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS
CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

     1. Fuel  limiting  apparatus  for an internal  combustion  engine  operably
connected  to a  transmission  capable of being  operated  in a first gear and a
second gear,  the  apparatus  including  throttle  means  through  which fuel is
supplied to the engine controlled by an accelerator,  said apparatus comprising:
a. means for  limiting to a first value the maximum  fuel flow rate  through the
throttle  means called for by the  accelerator  to thereby  reduce maximum power
output of the engine to a first power output, wherein said first power output is
less  than  an  unrestricted  power  output  of the  engine  resulting  from  an
unrestricted fuel flow through the throttle; b. means for increasing to a second
value the maximum fuel flow rate  through the  throttle  means called for by the
accelerator  to thereby  increase  said maximum  power output of the engine to a
second power  output,  said second  power  output being  greater than said first
power output;  c. wherein said first value  limiting  means reduces said maximum
power output of the engine to said first power output when the  transmission  is
being  operated in the first gear;  and d. wherein said second value  increasing
means  increases  the maximum  power  output of the engine to said second  power
output when the transmission is being operated in the second gear.

     2. Fuel limiting apparatus for an internal combustion engine installed in a
vehicle,  the engine including  throttle means through which fuel is supplied to
the engine controlled by an accelerator, said apparatus comprising: a. means for
limiting to a selected  one of a plurality of fixed values the maximum fuel flow
rate through the throttle means called for by the  accelerator to thereby reduce
the maximum power output of the engine;  b. means for sensing the incline of the
vehicle;  and c.  wherein said maximum fuel flow rate is adjusted in response to
vehicle acceleration according to a preselected schedule.

     3. Fuel  limiting  apparatus  as defined  in claim 1 wherein  the engine is
installed in a vehicle and further comprising means for sensing the acceleration
of the vehicle and wherein said  selected  fixed value of said maximum fuel flow
rate  is  adjusted  in  response  to  vehicle  acceleration   according  to  the
preselected schedule.

     4. Fuel  limiting  apparatus  as defined in claim 1 wherein  said  selected
fixed value of said  maximum  fuel flow rate  results in a decrease in emissions
from said engine.

     5. Fuel limiting  apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second power
output is equal to said  unrestricted  power output of the engine resulting from
said unrestricted fuel flow through the throttle.