Dual Fuel Selector Switch

Patent No. US11905896 (titled "Dual Fuel Selector Switch") was filed by Champion Power Equipment Inc on Jun 7, 2023.

’896 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 pose a safety risk if both fuel sources are active concurrently, potentially leading to an unsafe fuel mixture.

The underlying idea behind ’896 is to mechanically interlock the fuel selection mechanism to ensure that only one fuel source can be active at any given time. This is achieved through a sliding selector switch that physically blocks the valve handle of the inactive fuel source, preventing it from being opened while the other fuel source is in use.

The claims of ’896 focus on a fuel selector comprising a selector plate, a first fuel valve assembly, a second fuel valve assembly, and a selector switch. The selector switch is slidably coupled to the selector plate and movable between a first position, where it covers the second fuel valve handle, and a second position, where it covers the first fuel valve handle. Claim 1 further specifies a carburetor fuel shutoff solenoid that is activated when the selector switch is in the first position.

In practice, the operator moves the selector switch to choose the desired fuel. This action simultaneously locks the valve for the other fuel source in the OFF position. For example, sliding the switch to select LPG will cover and lock the gasoline valve handle, preventing it from being opened. The sliding action can also trigger a solenoid to shut off the fuel supply at the carburetor, providing an additional layer of safety for the non-selected fuel.

This design differs from prior approaches that rely on separate, independent valves for each fuel type. In those systems, there's nothing to stop the operator from inadvertently or intentionally opening both valves simultaneously. The ’896 invention provides a mechanical solution that inherently prevents fuel mixing, enhancing the safety and reliability of dual-fuel generators by making it physically impossible to have both fuel sources active at the same time.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’896 was filed, dual-fuel engines were becoming more common, at a time when control systems typically relied on mechanical linkages and valve arrangements to manage fuel selection. When systems commonly relied on discrete components rather than integrated electronic control, ensuring safe and reliable fuel switching in dual-fuel generators presented engineering challenges. When hardware or software constraints made complex interlocking mechanisms non-trivial.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was allowed because the examiner determined that all claims were allowable. The reasons for allowance are the same as those given in the previous parent patents.

Claims

This patent contains 38 claims, of which claims 1, 7, 15, 21, and 30 are independent. The independent claims are directed to a dual fuel generator and various embodiments of a fuel selector for use with a dual fuel generator. The dependent claims generally add specific features and limitations to the independent claims, further defining the components and functionality of the dual fuel generator and fuel selector.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)	Support for Specification	Interpretation
Carburetor fuel shutoff solenoid (Claim 1)	“The dual fuel generator also includes a fuel selector configured to control a flow of fuel from the first and second fuel sources to the internal combustion engine, with the fuel selector comprising a first fuel valve assembly including a first fuel valve and a first fuel valve handle that is actuatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively open and close the first fuel valve, a second fuel valve assembly including a second fuel valve and a second fuel valve handle that is actuatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively open and close the second fuel valve, a selector plate having the first fuel valve assembly and the second fuel valve assembly coupled to a front side thereof, and a selector switch slideably coupled to the selector plate so as to be movable from a first position to a second position.”	An electrically controlled valve that stops the flow of fuel to the carburetor when activated.
Fuel selector (Claim 1, Claim 7, Claim 15, Claim 21, Claim 30)	“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 component configured to control the flow of fuel from multiple fuel sources to an internal combustion engine, preventing simultaneous flow from both sources.
Fuel valve handle (Claim 1)	“The dual fuel generator also includes a fuel selector configured to control a flow of fuel from the first and second fuel sources to the internal combustion engine, with the fuel selector comprising a first fuel valve assembly including a first fuel valve and a first fuel valve handle that is actuatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively open and close the first fuel valve, a second fuel valve assembly including a second fuel valve and a second fuel valve handle that is actuatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively open and close the second fuel valve, a selector plate having the first fuel valve assembly and the second fuel valve assembly coupled to a front side thereof, and a selector switch slideably coupled to the selector plate so as to be movable from a first position to a second position.”	A component mechanically linked to a fuel valve that is manually operated to control the flow of fuel.
Selector switch (Claim 1, Claim 7, Claim 21, Claim 30)	“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 component that is movable between at least two positions to enable selection of one of the fuel sources, and which mechanically prevents simultaneous actuation of both fuel valves.
Valve assembly (Claim 7, Claim 15, Claim 21, Claim 30)	“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 that includes at least two fuel valves, each controlling the flow of fuel from a different fuel source to the engine.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case Number	Filing Date	Title
3:25-cv-00239	May 14, 2025	Champion Power Equipment, Inc. V. Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Patent Family

File Wrapper

The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.

Get instant alerts for new documents

US11905896

CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT INC

Application Number: US18330807
Filing Date: Jun 7, 2023
Status: Granted
Expiry Date: Nov 1, 2033
External Links: Slate, USPTO, Google Patents

IP Verse