IP Verse

Dual Fuel Selector Switch

Patent No. US11306667 (titled "Dual Fuel Selector Switch") was filed by Champion Power Equipment Inc on Feb 13, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’667 is related to the field of dual fuel generators , specifically addressing the problem of preventing the simultaneous use of different fuel types (e.g., gasoline and LPG). Dual fuel generators offer flexibility but require a mechanism to ensure safe and efficient operation by preventing fuel mixing, which can lead to unsafe conditions.

The underlying idea behind ’667 is to use a mechanical interlock to physically prevent the user from opening both fuel valves at the same time. This is achieved with a sliding selector switch that, depending on its position, covers and locks one of the fuel valve handles in the OFF position, ensuring that only one fuel source can be active at any given time.

The claims of ’667 focus on a fuel selector that includes a valve assembly connected to two fuel sources and a selector switch. The selector switch allows a user to manually select one of the fuel flows. The valve assembly has two fuel inputs and two fuel outputs for selectively supplying fuel to the engine from either fuel source. The selector switch has a first and second fuel mode, a fuel solenoid, and a solenoid switch. When the selector switch is in the first fuel mode, the solenoid switch and fuel solenoid are closed, and when in the second fuel mode, they are open.

In practice, the fuel selector uses a sliding selector switch that moves between two positions. In each position, the switch covers one of the fuel valve handles, preventing it from being turned on. The switch includes a groove that only allows the valve handle to be covered when it is in the OFF (horizontal) position. This ensures that the user must first turn off one fuel supply before switching to the other.

This design provides a simple and reliable way to prevent fuel mixing in dual fuel generators. Unlike systems that might rely on electrical interlocks or complex control logic, the mechanical nature of the selector switch offers a fail-safe mechanism . By physically blocking the simultaneous operation of both fuel valves, the invention enhances the safety and reliability of dual fuel generator operation.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’667 was filed, dual-fuel engines were becoming more common, at a time when systems commonly relied on mechanical valve controls rather than electronic controls. At that time, ensuring fail-safe operation in multi-fuel systems, particularly preventing the simultaneous flow of different fuel types, was typically implemented using mechanical interlocks or redundant valve systems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because there was no prior art that taught all the limitations of claims 1 and 10. More specifically, the examiner stated that no prior art taught a fuel selector switch for a dual fuel generator having a valve assembly fluidly coupled to a first and second fuel source, where a user can manually select one of the fuels depending on the position of the selector switch, and where the valve assembly has two fuel inputs and two fuel outputs. The examiner indicated that all the dependent claims were also allowable.

Claims

This patent contains 18 claims, with claims 1 and 10 being independent. The independent claims are directed to a fuel selector for a dual fuel generator, focusing on the valve assembly and selector switch for controlling fuel flow from different fuel sources. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the specific components, configurations, and functionalities of the fuel selector described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Dual fuel generator
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“Certain generators are defined as “dual fuel” generators that include an engine having the ability to be fueled with either of two fuels, such as either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), for example. These “dual fuel” engines may selectively operate on gasoline or LPG as desired and controlled by an operator, such as being operated on LPG/gasoline for a first period of operation and selectively switching over to the other of LPG/gasoline for another period of operation, with such a switching of fuels being controlled as desired by an operator.”A generator that can be fueled by either of two fuels, such as gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Fuel solenoid
(Claim 10)		“Typical dual fuel generators utilize separate valves for each fuel type, such as an LPG valve and a gasoline valve, to control flow of the respective fuels to the engine. While the existence of two separate valves allows one fuel type to have its valve “on” while the other has its valve “off,” there is nothing to prevent both valves from being “on” at the same time. As such, it is possible for both valves to be in the “on” position, which can lead to a potentially unsafe condition resulting from the mixture of the fuels.”A solenoid having open and closed positions, used in conjunction with a solenoid switch to activate and deactivate the fuel flow.
Selector switch
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a fuel selector for use with a dual fuel generator includes a selector plate, a first fuel valve assembly positioned adjacent the selector plate and actuatable between an ON position and an OFF position to selectively control a first fuel flow to an engine of the dual fuel generator, and a second fuel valve assembly positioned adjacent the selector plate and actuatable between an ON position and an OFF position to selectively control a second fuel flow to the engine of the dual fuel generator. The fuel selector also includes a selector switch coupled to the selector plate so as to be linearly translatable from a first position to a second position, wherein translation of the selector switch between the first and second positions enables positioning of only one of the first fuel valve assembly and the second fuel valve assembly in the ON position at a given time, such that the first and second fuel valve assemblies cannot be in the ON position concurrently.”A switch that is positioned on the valve assembly to allow a user to manually select one of the first fuel flow and the second fuel flow.
Solenoid switch
(Claim 10)		“Typical dual fuel generators utilize separate valves for each fuel type, such as an LPG valve and a gasoline valve, to control flow of the respective fuels to the engine. While the existence of two separate valves allows one fuel type to have its valve “on” while the other has its valve “off,” there is nothing to prevent both valves from being “on” at the same time. As such, it is possible for both valves to be in the “on” position, which can lead to a potentially unsafe condition resulting from the mixture of the fuels.”A switch having open and closed positions to activate and deactivate the fuel solenoid.
Valve assembly
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“Typical dual fuel generators utilize separate valves for each fuel type, such as an LPG valve and a gasoline valve, to control flow of the respective fuels to the engine. While the existence of two separate valves allows one fuel type to have its valve “on” while the other has its valve “off,” there is nothing to prevent both valves from being “on” at the same time. As such, it is possible for both valves to be in the “on” position, which can lead to a potentially unsafe condition resulting from the mixture of the fuels.”A component fluidly connected to each of a first fuel source and a second fuel source, operable to selectively control a first fuel flow and a second fuel flow from the first fuel source and the second fuel source, respectively, to an engine of the dual fuel generator.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
3:25-cv-00239May 14, 2025Champion Power Equipment, Inc. V. Westinghouse Electric Corporation
2:23-cv-02371Nov 10, 2023Champion Power Equipment Incorporated V. Firman Power Equipment Incorporated

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US11306667

CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT INC
Application Number
US16789722
Filing Date
Feb 13, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Nov 1, 2033
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents