Claims:We claim:
1. A high pressure reducer apparatus (200) comprising:
a gas pressure reducer (205) configured to be connected to a gas fuel tank (401) through an inlet valve (206);
a flow control chamber (204) fixedly attached to said gas pressure reducer (205) to receive a controlled gas fuel from said gas pressure reducer(205); and
a gas chamber (203) configured to receive said controlled gas fuel from said flow control chamber (204).
2. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flow control chamber (204) and said gas pressure reducer (205) being fixedly attached with a separator (304);
wherein, said separator (304) configured to transfer said controlled gas through an opening means (305) from said gas pressure reducer (205) to flow control chamber (204).
3. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flow control chamber (204) comprising :
a diaphragm structure (301) configured to be connected to a pivot structure (302);
wherein, said diaphragm structure (301) being configured to control an opening means (305) of a separator (304).
4. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas chamber (203) configured to receive a controlled gas from said flow control chamber (204));
wherein, said flow control chamber (204) being configured to be connected to said gas chamber (203) through a flow control passage (303).
5. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas chamber (203) being configured to be attached with a sensor unit (202);
wherein, said sensor unit (202) comprises a gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor.
6. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas chamber (203) being configured to transfer said controlled gas to an outlet (207);
wherein, said gas outlet (207) being configured to a gas solenoid (201).
7. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas chamber (203) includes a cover member (105a) and a cavity member (105b);
wherein, said cavity member (105b) being attached on one side by said cover member (105a) to contain a gas fuel; and
wherein, said cover member (105a) being removably attached to the cavity member (105b) through one or more attaching means (109 a to109f);
wherein, said one or more attaching means (109a to 109f) being located at an equidistant on a periphery of said cover member (105a); and
wherein, said cover member (105a) of said gas chamber (203) being configured with a sensor receiving means (111) to receive a sensing means (107) of said sensor unit (202).
8. A motor vehicle (100) comprising:
a front compartment (F),
a driver seat assembly (104) housed in said front compartment (F) of said motor vehicle (100);
a gas fuel tank (401) configured to an engine ( 403) of said motor vehicle (100); and a
high pressure reducer apparatus (200) configured to receive a gas fuel from said gas fuel tank (401) and supply a controlled gas fuel to said engine ( 403);
wherein, said high pressure reducer apparatus (200) comprising
a gas pressure reducer (205) configured to be connected to a gas fuel tank (401) through an inlet valve (206);
a flow control chamber (204) fixedly attached to said gas pressure reducer (205) to receive a controlled gas fuel from said gas pressure reducer(205); and
a gas chamber (203) configured to receive said controlled gas fuel from said flow control chamber (204).
9. The motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim1, wherein said engine (203) is configured to an adjusting member (402);
wherein, said adjusting member (402) being disposed into a feeding tube (208) connected to an outlet (207). , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a vehicle. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively relates to a high pressure reducer apparatus for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times there is an increased demand to control emissions from automobiles, in view of adverse environmental impact. As a result, use of alternative fuels has been given enough consideration to replace or to reduce the emissions. Natural gas is one of the alternative fuel to oil and also natural gas is used to run vehicles specially passenger vehicles. The natural gas is compressed to a high pressure and therefore called as compressed natural gas (CNG).
[0003] In order to facilitate the smooth operation of the vehicle running on CNG, a CNG tank, a high pressure pipe, a solenoid valve is provided in the upstream of the high pressure pipe and a downstream valve is provided in the downstream of the high pressure pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a three wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a motor vehicle, , as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a, high pressure reducer apparatus to control the fuel gas transmitted to an engine of a vehicle, as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the high pressure reducer apparatus, as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the high pressure reducer apparatus, as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the high pressure reducer apparatus, as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the high pressure reducer apparatus with a gas fuel tank and an engine of the vehicle as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] As per known art, the output of the high pressure gas pipe is directly connected to a gas solenoid. The gas solenoid controls the flow of gas to the engine of the vehicle. A gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor are mounted on the high pressure gas pipe before the gas solenoid. The gas solenoid requires a separate mounting means and a gas pressure reducer is similarly mounted on the pipe with a separated mounting means. The gas pressure sensor and the gas temperature sensor require an additional mounting means to enable mounting of the sensors on the high pressure pipe.
[00012] Other than providing multiple mounting means for each component on the high pressure gas pipe, the high pressure gas pipe connected to the engine via gas solenoid cannot take the pressure fluctuations of the engine i.e. when the engine is working in a transient condition which causes fluctuation in the high pressure gas pipe and the metering of the fuel to the engine becomes erroneous, it leads to improper quantity of fuel being supplied to the engine resulting in undesirable or sub-optimal performance and output. Thus there is a need of an improved, reliable cum consistent gas supply system for an engine operating on gaseous fuel with high pressure.
[00013] Hence, to overcome the above mentioned problems associated with the high pressure gas pipe for providing fuel gas to the engine, the present subject matter discloses an improved high pressure reducer apparatus. The high pressure reducer apparatus significantly reduces the effect of fluctuation in the fuel metering due to the transient condition of the running engine of the vehicle. The high pressure reducer apparatus ensures that the fuel gas supplied to the engine is controlled and immune to any fluctuations caused by the transient condition of the running engine.
[00014] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a high pressure reducer apparatus comprising a gas chamber configured to receive a controlled gas from a flow control chamber such that the flow control chamber is fixedly attached to a gas pressure reducer. The volume of the gas chamber eliminates the fluctuations caused by the transient operating conditions of the engine.
[00015] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a high pressure reducer apparatus where the flow control chamber and a gas pressure reducer are fixedly attached to each other with a separator which acts as a wall between the flow control chamber and the gas pressure reducer. The separator between the flow control chamber and the gas pressure reducer has an opening means which enables the flow of the gas from the gas pressure reducer to the flow control chamber.
[00016] Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a flow control chamber comprising a diaphragm structure which is connected to a pivot structure. The pivot structure enables the motion of the diaphragm structure thereby controlling the opening means provided in the separator. Further, the flow control chamber is connected to the gas chamber through a flow control passage which controls the flow of the gas entering into the gas chamber in order to avoid any accident which may occur due to the leakage of the gas.
[00017] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a gas pressure reducer apparatus in which a gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor are mounted on the gas chamber to measure the pressure of the gas within the gas chamber and the temperature of the gas which are fed back to an engine control unit of the vehicle. The gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor do not require any additional mounting means to mount on the gas chamber thereby eliminating any additional cost for mounting means.
[00018] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a motor vehicle (100). In an embodiment, a front compartment including a head tube (not shown) that mounts a handle bar assembly (106) of the motor vehicle (100) and the head tube (not shown) is capable of steering a front wheel (101). A driver seat assembly (104) that is housed on a front portion (F) of the motor vehicle (100) and facing towards the handle bar assembly (106). The motor vehicle (100) also includes a pair of rear wheels (102) and a front fender (103) disposed above the front wheel (101). A CNG cylinder (not shown) etc. is housed in a housing area (110) under the driver seat assembly (104). The cylinder is a gas fuel tank (401) (refer fig. 6) which provides gas fuel to the engine (403) of the motor vehicle (100). The fuel in the gas fuel tank (401) is at a very high pressure and is reduced by a high pressure reducer apparatus (200) (refer fig. 2).
[00019] Fig. 2 illustrates a high pressure reducer apparatus (200) to control the fuel gas transmitted to an engine of a vehicle as per an embodiment of the present invention. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) is an integrated unit which can be installed in any vehicle. The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) comprises a gas chamber (203) configured to receive a controlled gas from a flow control chamber (204) such that the flow control chamber (204) is fixedly and attached to a gas pressure reducer (205) and the gas chamber (203). The flow control chamber (204) is disposed in sandwiched manner between the gas chamber (203) and the gas pressure reducer (205). The provision of volume in the form a gas chamber (203) eliminates the fluctuations caused by the transient operating conditions of the engine (403) before the gas is being supplied to the engine for combustion.
[00020] The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) ensures that the fuel gas supplied to the engine (403) is controlled and immune to any fluctuations caused by the transient condition of the running engine (403) and also immune to any input, such as throttle opening, provided by the user of the vehicle.
[00021] Further, the gas pressure reducer (205) of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200) has an inlet valve (206) provided at the bottom or entry side. The inlet valve (206) is connected to a gas fuel cylinder (not shown) to receive the fuel gas from the gas fuel cylinder. As per an additional embodiment. the pressure in the gas chamber (203) is continuously monitored by a gas pressure sensor and the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (203) is monitored by a gas temperature sensor. The gas pressure sensor and the gas temperature sensor are integrated to form a sensor unit (202) which is a single unit and mounted on the gas chamber (203). The sensor unit (202) does not require any additional mounting means and the sensor unit (202) can be mounted directly on the gas chamber (203) such that the sensing portion of the sensor unit (202) is inserted within the gas chamber (203) to sense the temperature and the pressure of the gas present inside the gas chamber (203).
[00022] The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) is connected to an outlet (207). The outlet (207) is further connected to a gas solenoid (201) which receives a signal from an ECU (engine (403) control unit) (not shown) based on the sensed temperature and pressure of the gas within the gas chamber (203). The gas solenoid (201) gets actuated from the signal received from the ECU and controls the flow of the gas to the engine (403). The gas solenoid (201) is connected to a feeding tube (208) which is connected to the engine (403) of the vehicle. The feeding tube (208) receives the actual quantity of fuel which is transferred to the engine (403).
[00023] Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200). The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) is having a cylindrical profile as per an embodiment.
[00024] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200). The gas chamber (203) of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200) comprises a cover member (105a) and a cavity member (105b). The cavity member (105b) is enclosed by the cover member (105a) to contain the gas fuel. The cover member (105a) is removably attached on the cavity member (105b) using attaching means (109 a to109f) such as rivets. The attaching means (109a to 109f) are located at an equidistant on the periphery of the cover member (105a).
[00025] The cavity member (105b) has a cylindrical shaped outer cover (101) which has receiving members (110a to 110f). The attaching means (109 a to109f) are received into the receiving members (110a to 110f).
[00026] Further, the cover member (105a) of the gas chamber (203) has a sensor receiving means (111) which is a perforation on the cover member (105a) to receive the sensing means (107) of the sensor unit (202). The sensing means (107) of the sensor unit (202) is exposed to the gas fuel contained within the gas chamber (203). The sensing means (107) senses the temperature and the pressure of the gas fuel within the gas chamber (203) at its cylindrical outer periphery.
[00027] The cavity member (105b) of the gas chamber (203) is assembled to the gas solenoid (201). An inserting portion (104) provided with threads is fastened into a receiving portion (103). The receiving portion (103) forms the part of the cavity member (105b) of the gas chamber (203).
[00028] Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200). The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) comprises a gas chamber (203) configured to receive the controlled gas from a flow control chamber (204) such that the flow control chamber (204) is fixedly and attached to a gas pressure reducer (205) and the gas chamber (203). The flow control chamber (204) is disposed in a sandwiched manner between the gas chamber (203) and the gas pressure reducer (205). As per an embodiment, the gas chamber (203) forms the top portion, the flow control chamber (204) forms the middle portion and the gas pressure reducer (205) forms the bottom portion of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200). The high pressure reducer apparatus (200) is formed by casting process. The flow control chamber (204) is fixedly attached to the gas pressure reducer (205) with a separator (304). The separator (304) has an opening means (305) from which the fuel gas is passed from the gas pressure reducer (205) to the flow control chamber (204).
[00029] The flow control chamber (204) includes a diaphragm structure (301) connected to a pivot structure (302). The diaphragm structure (301) controls the opening means (305) provided in the separator (304). The diaphragm structure (301) is pivotally connected to a pivot structure (302). The pivot structure (302) moves up when the pressure of the gas fuel present in the gas pressure reducer (205) pushes the diaphragm structure (301) in the upward structure thereby permitting controlled supply of gas fuel into the flow control chamber (204). When the pressure of the gas fuel is not present in the gas pressure reducer (205) due to empty fuel tank, the diaphragm structure (301) keeps the opening means (305) in a closed condition. The gas pressure reducer (205) receives a gas fuel of around 10 Bar which is reduced down by the diaphragm structure (301) along with the pivot structure (301) to approximately 2 Bar when it reaches the flow control chamber (204).
[00030] The gas chamber (203) is connected to the flow control chamber (204) through a flow control passage (303). The flow control passage (303) is a vent structure which allows the gas fuel to pass from the flow control chamber (204) to the gas chamber (203). The flow control passage (303) transfers gas fuel at a reduced pressure.
[00031] When the engine (403) is in an ON condition then the amount of gas fuel may vary from time to time depending on several parameters such as engine (403) load, throttle opening etc. The control of the amount of the gas fuel entering into the engine (403) is done by the ECU. The ECU is electrically connected to sensor unit (202) comprising a gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor. The gas pressure sensor and the gas temperature sensor are mounted on the gas chamber (203) directly such that the sensing portions of the sensors are within the gas chamber (203). Based on the sensed values of gas pressure and gas temperature and the engine (403) parameters, the ECU controls a gas solenoid (201). The gas pressure sensor and the gas pressure temperature are mounted in an upstream direction of the gas fuel, before the gas solenoid (201 ).The metering of the gas fuel done is by the gas solenoid (201) in the upstream direction depending on the temperature and the pressure of the gas fuel. The metering of the gas fuel is error free when the sensors are located in the upstream. The metering is improper if the sensors are located in the downstream, after the gas solenoid (207), as the gas fuel is susceptible to the fluctuation caused by the transient function of the engine (403). The presence of the sensors in the gas chamber (203) provides correct, consistent, reliable and desired metering of the gas fuel as the gas chamber (203) nullifies the fluctuation caused by the transient operating conditions of the engine (403). The gas solenoid (201) gets actuated by the ECU to open or close the outlet (207). The outlet (207) is generally provided with a stopper member (not shown), in form of threaded structure or a press fit structure, which opens and closes accordingly. The gas solenoid (201) is connected to a feeding tube (208) which receives the controlled gas from the outlet (207). The feeding tube (208) is connected to the engine (403) of the vehicle.
[00032] Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the high pressure reducer apparatus (200) with a gas fuel tank (401) and an engine (403) of the vehicle shown schematically. The gas fuel tank (401) provides the gas fuel to the gas pressure reducer (205) at 5-10 Bar of pressure and the gas pressure reducer (205) reduces the pressure of the gas fuel to 2 Bar or below 2Bar by the time it reaches flow control chamber (204). Generally, in a vehicle with a fuel injection system the path between the gas solenoid (201) and the engine (403) remains unobstructed and no barricading system is provided. The gas fuel directly goes from the injection to the engine (403). As per the present invention, i n order to control the amount of gas fuel entering into the engine (403) as per the customer requirement, an adjusting member (402) is inserted into the feeding tube (208) connected to the outlet (207). The adjusting member (402) is similar to the stopper member, which can control the opening and closing of the feeding tube (208) directly connected to the engine (403). This allows the user to drive the vehicle in a desired mode e.g. economy mode by controlling the gas fuel entering into the engine (403) for combustion.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

high pressure reducer apparatus (200)
gas chamber (203)
flow control chamber (204)
gas pressure reducer (205)
inlet valve (206)
sensor unit (202)
gas solenoid (201)
feeding tube (208)
separator (304)
outlet (207)
flow control passage (303)
diaphragm structure (301)
pivot structure (302)
opening means (305)
cover member (105a)
cavity member (105b)
fastening means (109 a to109f)
receiving members (110a to 110f)
sensor receiving means (111)
sensing means (107)
inserting portion (104)
receiving portion (103)
gas fuel tank (401)
motor vehicle (100)
handle bar assembly (106)
front wheel (101)
driver seat assembly (104)
rear wheels (102)
front fender (103)
housing area (110)