Icom North America secures three new patents

Icom North America, a provider of alternative fuel systems, tanks and components, has secured three new U.S. patents.

According to the company, these innovations reinforce its commitment to developing advanced technologies that improve engine performance, reduce emissions and expand the potential of alternative fuels.

The three patents include:

• U.S. Patent No. 12,247,534, “High Flow Inline Air/Fuel Vortex Injection System for Internal Combustion Engines.”
• U.S. Patent No. 12,253,042, “High Pressure Regulated Fuel Return Apparatus for Engines Using Direct Injection Fuel Systems.”
• U.S. Patent No. 12,163,628, “LPG Fuel Supply System With Vapor Lock Prevention.”

Breakthrough in high-flow vortex injection technology

The first of the newly granted patents, U.S. Patent No. 12,247,534, titled “High Flow Inline Air/Fuel Vortex Injection System for Internal Combustion Engines,” introduces a multi-fuel mixing system designed for natural gas, propane, DME, ammonia, hydrogen and other fuels.

According to the company, the system uses a high-flow vortex mechanism to optimize air and fuel delivery, significantly enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions across a wide range of engine applications.

“With this addition to our dual-fuel system, we’re achieving higher diesel displacement and delivering greater fuel savings to the end customer,” says Albie Venezio, director of technical services at Icom North America.

Advanced high-pressure fuel return for direct injection systems

The second innovation, U.S. Patent No. 12,253,042, titled “High Pressure Regulated Fuel Return Apparatus for Engines Using Direct Injection Fuel Systems,” offers precise fuel return flow regulation to manage pressure and prevent vapor accumulation in direct injection systems.

This technology supports both OEM dedicated systems and adaptation of single fuel systems to bi-fuel without requiring conversion to a port injection system.

“This development enables us to convert certain direct injection engines more effectively and even resolve existing challenges in factory gasoline systems, such as hot restart issues,” says Brandon Thorn, engineering manager for Icom North America.

Safer, more accessible LPG fuel supply systems

The third patent, U.S. Patent No. 12,163,628, titled “LPG Fuel Supply System With Vapor Lock Prevention,” introduces an external fuel pump design for use with standard propane, DME or ammonia tanks.

Unlike traditional systems that require internal tank pumps, often necessitating complete tank drainage for service, this innovation places the pump externally, improving safety, reducing maintenance downtime and lowering costs, according to the company.

“This system not only increases safety but also unlocks new applications for liquid propane injection in previously challenging markets, including on-road vehicles and off-road applications such as small engines, generators and agricultural pumps,” says Thorn.