US5257604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-mode engine cleaning fluid application apparatus and method
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1992-02-10
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Granted: 1993-11-02
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Expires: 2012-02-10
Abstract
Abstract The method of cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector structure, valves and combustion chambers, and employing a canister containing a liquid mixture that includes engine fuel and injector cleaning solvent, the steps that include charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level; communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to the injector structure and operating the engine, including a fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel discharge which is delivered to the passage; terminating operation of the fuel pump; continuing operation of the engine by allowing substantially continuous pressurized flow of the mixture in the canister to the injector structure, via the passage, and until the mixture in the canister depletes; and after pressure drops to a selected lower level, re-charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, and continuing the communication of the canister interior with the passage to flow more of the mixture to the injector structure while the engine is running.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcel Vataru
- 👤 James L. Baylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:53
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
An apparatus for cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector means, the engine including a fuel pump, and employing a canister containing a liquid cleaning mixture that includes at least one of engine fuel and injector, valve, and combustion chamber cleaning solvent, the apparatus comprising in combination: a) first means including first gas pressure supply ducting operatively connected with the canister for charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) second means including second ducting operatively connected with the canister for communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to said injector means, thereby to effect operation of the engine by mixture flow to and through the injector means, and while the fuel pump is operating to deliver pressurized fuel to said passage, c) and third means connected with said second ducting for visibly displaying the pressure of said mixture as it flows from the canister to said passage both before and after terminating of fuel pump operation, whereby decrease of said mixture pressure to a selected lower level may be determined, d) and whereby said first means may then be employed for again charging gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level to effect flow of more of said mixture from the canister to said injector means, e) said first means including gas pressure supply ducting extending between the canister and a first connection point to which a gas pressure line fitting is connectible, and fourth means connected with said gas pressure supply ducting for visibly displaying the pressure of said gas being charged into the canister, f) and relief means connected in series with said gas pressure supply ducting, between said canister and said fourth means, for relieving gas pressure, g) said gas pressure supply ducting including interconnectible pipe sections connected between said first connection point and said fourth means, and between said relief means and said canister.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
316 words
An apparatus for cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector means, the engine including a fuel pump, and employing a canister containing a liquid cleaning mixture that includes at least one of engine fuel and injector, valve, and combustion chamber cleaning solvent, the apparatus comprising in combination: a) first means including first gas pressure supply ducting operatively connected with the canister for charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) second means including second ducting operatively connected with the canister for communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to said injector means, thereby to effect operation of the engine by mixture flow to and through the injector means, and while the fuel pump is operating to deliver pressurized fuel to said passage, c) and third means connected with said second ducting for visibly displaying the pressure of said mixture as it flows from the canister to said passage both before and after terminating of fuel pump operation, whereby decrease of said mixture pressure to a selected lower level may be determined, d) and whereby said first means may then be employed for again charging gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level to effect flow of more of said mixture from the canister to said injector means, e) said first means including gas pressure supply ducting extending between the canister and a first connection point to which a gas pressure line fitting is connectible, and fourth means connected with said gas pressure supply ducting for visibly displaying the pressure of said gas being charged into the canister, f) and relief means connected in series with said gas pressure supply ducting, between said canister and said fourth means, for relieving gas pressure, g) said gas pressure supply ducting including interconnectible pipe sections connected between said first connection point and said fourth means, and between said relief means and said canister.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said third means includes a fluid pressure gauge connected in series with said canister.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said fourth means includes a gauge connected into said supply ducting at a second connection point between said first point and said canister.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 3 including a check valve connected in said ducting between said first and second points to block reverse flow of said mixture to said first point, and while the pressure of gas in said ducting between said check valve and canister is displayed by said gauge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said second ducting includes a flow line having an end and a quick disconnect device at the end of said line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said container has a removable plug containing a first port connected between said first gas pressure supply ducting and the interior of the canister, and a second port connected between the canister interior and said flow line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said relief means includes a pressure relief valve connected in series with said canister.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 including a gas pressure regulator connected in series with said first gas pressure supply ducting outside the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the canister has a cap, and including a mixture delivery line extending from the cap into the canister interior.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said third means includes a pressure gauge, and said second means including a safety shut-off valve connected between the canister and said flow line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
In the method of cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector means, valves and combustion chambers, and employing a canister containing a liquid mixture that includes engine fuel and injector cleaning solvent, the steps including: a) charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to said injector means and operating the engine, to provide pressurized fuel discharge which is delivered to said passage, c) continuing operation of the engine by allowing substantially continuous pressurized flow of said mixture in the canister to said injector means, via said passage, and until the mixture in the canister depletes, d) and after pressure drops to a selected lower level, re-charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, and continuing said communication of the canister interior with said passage to flow more of said mixture to the injector means while the engine is running.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
In the method of cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector means, valves and combustion chambers, and employing a canister containing a liquid mixture that includes engine fuel and injector cleaning solvent, the steps including: a) charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to said injector means and operating the engine, to provide pressurized fuel discharge which is delivered to said passage, c) continuing operation of the engine by allowing substantially continuous pressurized flow of said mixture in the canister to said injector means, via said passage, and until the mixture in the canister depletes, d) and after pressure drops to a selected lower level, re-charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, and continuing said communication of the canister interior with said passage to flow more of said mixture to the injector means while the engine is running.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 including connecting a pressure gauge in series with the canister and observing said gauge during said steps a), c) and d).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 including blocking discharge of said mixture from the canister after said step a) and before said step b).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step a) is carried out by connecting an air pressure line in series with the canister, and including disconnecting said line prior to said step b).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 14 including providing supply ducting between the canister and a connection point to which the air pressure line is to be connected, and providing a check valve in said duct to block reverse flow of said mixture to the connection point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said step a) is controlled to occur momentarily or continuously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step d) is controlled to occur only momentarily.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15 wherein a pressure regulator is connected in series with said ducting, and including the step of operating said regulator to establish said step a) high-pressure level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a manually operable pressure relief valve is connected in series with said canister, and including operating said relief valve to relieve andy pressure in the canister prior to the additional step of charging said mixture into the canister.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-01 | 1997-05-03 | 1997-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-05-03 | 2001-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-01 | 2005-05-03 | 2005-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |