Multi-mode engine cleaning fluid application apparatus and method

Claim 1

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, including a fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel discharge which is delivered to said passage, c) terminating operating of the fuel pump, d) continuing operating 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, 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 10

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 engine fuel and cleaning solvent, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a) first means operatively connected with the canister for charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) second means 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 means 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 a pressure relief valve connected in series with said gas pressure supply ducting, between said canister and said fourth means, g) said gas pressure supply ducting including threaded pipe sections connected between said first connection point and said fourth means, and between said pressure relief valve and said canister.

Claim 11

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 engine fuel and cleaning solvent, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a) first means operatively connected with the canister for charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, b) second means 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 means 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 a pressure relief valve connected in series with said gas pressure supply ducting, between said canister and said fourth means, g) said gas pressure supply ducting including threaded pipe sections connected between said first connection point and said fourth means, and between said pressure relief valve and said canister.