TWO-STAGE FUEL INJECTION COLD START METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT SAME

摘要

As cold start is initiated in a spark-ignition internal combustion, fuel injection engine, lower molecular weight constituents of a full-range gasoline are selectively eluted by an elution system including an adsorbent bed of adsorbent material for separate but simultaneous use at a cold start valve attached to the intake manifold of the engine as well as at a series of injector valves positioned adjacent the combustion chambers of the engine. The adsorbent bed forms an elution zone within a cannister assembly in fluid contact with the full-range gasoline. The adsorbent material--usually in pelletized form--is preferably housed within a tubular means being positioned within a much larger shell housing in fluid contact with a valve and conduit network. Entry of the full-range gasoline into the elution zone as well as of the resulting lower molecular weight effluent into the engine is controlled by the valve and conduit network under control of a fuel injection control circuit. A vapor emission control system can also be housed within the cannister assembly and undergo selective operation to prevent escape of vapor emissions originating from within the gasoline tank.