Abstract: A method of forming a multilayer ceramic coating system on a substrate that requires thermal protection from a hostile thermal environment. The method generally entails forming at least one tape that contains ceramic particles dispersed in an organic constituent, such as a binder and/or plasticizer. If a single tape is used, the tape is formed of multiple layers of different compositions and applied as a unit to the substrate, thereby forming at least an innermost layer and an outermost layer on the substrate. If multiple tapes are used, a first tape is applied to the substrate to form the innermost layer, and a second tape is applied to form the outermost layer. The tape/tapes are then sintered to form innermost and outermost ceramic layers, respectively, on the substrate.

Abstract: A catalyst for improving combustion of fluid fuels which comprises three layers. An inner or core layer of complex oxides of a mixture of Mn, Ni, Co and Cu; an intermediate layer containing alumina and silicate and optionally silicon carbide and an outer layer comprising a fired mixture of a Pt--Pd,Rh alloy on Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Mo--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, mixed oxides of La--Sr--Co and at least one of Vanadium oxide on alumina and Ag on Alumina. The catalyst can contact the fluid fuel in a storage tank, in a pipeline or in a combustion chamber. The invention also comprises combustion engines which incorporate the described catalyst.

Abstract: The efficiency of a vehicle having a body and a reciprocating piston four-stroke internal combustion engine is increased substantially by greatly reducing the size of the engine relative to the weight of the body. The great reduction in engine size relative to the weight of the body causes the engine to operate in a much more efficient range during almost all of the time of its operation. Peak power needs are satisfied by turbocharging and varying the compression ratio.

Abstract: Methods of using styrene oil, its fractions, and combinations thereof as working fluids, lubricants, fuels and solvents.

Abstract: A retrofit kit for enabling an inline four cylinder automobile internal combustion engine to operate following removal of its upper and lower balance shafts. The includes a first bushing having a smooth circular cylindrical outer surface sized to permit close-fitting insertion into an oil-receiving bore that houses an upper balance shaft,and thereby interrupting the flow of oil to said bore, a second bushing having a smooth circular cylindrical outer surface sized to permit close-fitting interaction with an oil pump in a manner to interrupt oil flow to an oil-receiving bore that houses a lower balance shaft, and a replacement endless roller chain sized to extend interactively between the oil pump and the crankshaft of the engine.

Abstract: A power supplementing system for an engine utilizes the selective delivery of electrical charge to a plate in the vicinity of a driving member of the engine, e.g. a piston, to increase the power of the engine. A high voltage AC signal is generated from a lower voltage DC signal by chopping the DC signal and applying it to a step-up transformer. The output of the transformer is rectified and stored in a capacitor. Through the use of cams or actuators on the crankshaft of the engine the charge is applies to the plate so as to attract or repulse the piston at the proper time to supplement its motion.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for adapting the fuel/air metering system and the ignition system of an internal combustion engine to enable the engine to be operated with all normally available grades of petrol (gasoline). The invention provides for a manual facility for switching-over the fuel/air metering system from a fuel/air map for .lambda.=1 (operation with three-way catalytic converter and .lambda. sensor) with unleaded fuel to a fuel/air map for .lambda..noteq.1. Additionally, a manual facility is provided for switching over or selecting two out of a total of four ignition timing maps for premium grade unleaded fuel (s.sub.u), regular grade unleaded (n.sub.u), premium grade leaded (s.sub.b) and regular grade leaded (n.sub.b) (switch contacts 4, 10 11). An automatic switch-over function between the ignition timing maps s.sub.u /n.sub.u and s.sub.b /n.sub.

Abstract: A novel air compressor utilizing a simple modification of an opposing 4 cylinder air cooled Volkswagen internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A reactor plant is described comprising separate compressor and expander, and several reaction chambers. Solid reactant within each said reaction chamber is alternately compressed with reactant gas from the compressor and subsequently the consequently reacted gases are expanded through the expander. Rapid gas with solid reaction occurs since the reactant and reacted gases are alternately flowing into and out of the pore spaces of the solid reactant where a large area for reaction exists. Reacted gases are recycled back through repeated cycles of compression and expansion until adequately reacted after which they are replaced with fresh reactant gases.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a radially corrugated expander-spacer for a piston oil ring assembly, having inner and outer crowns alternately and successively laid, which can prevent its both terminal ends from nesting together during assembling of the piston oil ring assembly. The inner crowns each includes an inner peripheral piece and an opening having a circumferential width larger than that of the inner peripheral piece, and the outer crowns each includes an outer peripheral piece and an opening having a circumferential width larger than that of the outer peripheral piece. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of filling thermosetting synthetic resin having bonding force with respect to metals into the openings of inner crowns at both terminal ends of the expander-spacer, and thereafter, setting the thus filled thermosetting synthetic resin so that the resin is fixedly secured to the openings of the inner crowns at both terminal ends of the expander-spacer.

Abstract: A cyclic solid to gas reactor is described capable of reacting several different gas reactants in sequence with one or more solid reactants. The solid reactant in a reaction chamber is subjected to repeated cycles of compression and expansion with the reactant gas by a compressor means enclosing the reaction chamber. Useful mechanical work can be generated from the heat of reaction.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to acetylene is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon fuel is compressed, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a portion of the compressed hydrocarbon fuel and ignited to produce heat which causes the remaining portion of the hydrocarbon fuel to react to form a product gas containing acetylene.

Abstract: To service an engine, it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner and piston must be replaced. Removal is difficult and time consuming if the piston is first removed through the liner and the liner is then grasped from below and pulled from the block. A method includes inserting a tool into a bore of the liner and expanding the tool into a frictional fit against the liner. A force is applied on the tool to forcibly move the liner. The piston and associated rings and rod are held in place in the liner by a partial vacuum for removal with the liner as a complete unit.

Abstract: To service an engine (10), it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner (12) and piston (18) must be replaced. It is difficult and time consuming to first install the liner (12) and then the piston (18) with the rings (20) and connecting rod (22). A pre-assembled unit (36) including the liner (12) and piston (18) may be installed on the engine according to a disclosed method. The unitary assembly simplifies steps at the service facility and, if desired, permits assembly of the unit (36) prior to shipment to the service facility to reduce shipping space and cost.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing having the interior thereof connected for fluid communication with a vacuum source, such as an engine manifold. A check valve and regulator valve are disposed between the transmission housing and the vacuum source. The check valve prevents fluid flow from the vacuum source to the transmission while the regulator valve limits the maximum vacuum that can be drawn in the transmission housing. The normal transmission fill tube opening has installed therein a filter for restricting fluid flow to the interior of the housing or a cap for preventing fluid flow through the fill tube during normal operation.

Abstract: Combustion control in a spark ignited internal combustion engine for inhibition of incipient detonation, or knock, is provided by the addition of exhaust gases or other diluent gases to the intake manifold of the engine prior to opening of the intake valve. The addition of this diluent gas causes a prestratification of the charge entering the combustion chamber of the engine. Upon compression and ignition of the charge, the diluent gas inhibits spontaneous combustion of the portions of the charge furthest away from the site of ignition of the charge, thereby preventing one cause of incipient detonation. This combustion control allows the engine to operate on much lower octane fuel than would be possible without prestratification.

Abstract: A device useful in retaining the position of a push rod associated with an engine during removal of a fuel pump is comprised of a hollowed machine bolt and a second bolt associated therewith by spring means. The hollowed bolt is comprised of a polygonal head, an externally threaded shaft extending from the inner face of the head, a cylindrical passageway within the shaft coaxially aligned with the center axis thereof, and a depression recessed into the outer face of the head. The second bolt has a small head and a thin shaft which penetrates the passageway and threadably engages a nut positioned within the recess. A coil spring is disposed about the thin shaft, the extremities of said spring being in abutment with the end of the shaft of the hollowed bolt and the small head of the second bolt.

Abstract: A system for deactivating cylinders in an interval combustion engine by replacing the spark plugs in every other cylinder of the firing order of the engine with a check valve grounding the unused spark plug wire to the engine, disconnecting the valve activating means in the deactivated cylinders so that the engine capacity is reduced thus reducing fuel consumption.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a primary intake passage including a primary throttle valve for supplying engine cylingers with an air-fuel mixture under a full range of loads, a secondary intake passage including a secondary throttle valve for supplying the engine cylinders with an air-fuel mixture under high loads, and an exhaust-gas recirculation passage including an exhaust-gas recirculation valve for introducing an exhaust gas into the primary intake passage. Vacuums at the primary and secondary throttle valves are utilized to control the exhaust-gas recirculation valve. A distributor for producing ignition sparks is also controlled by the vacuums at the primary and secondary throttle valves for ignition timing. The engine also includes a first mechanism for retarding ignition sparks and a second mechanism for promoting engine idling.

Abstract: An adapter plate readily converts a 4-barrel carburetor to a 2-barrel configuration without disconnecting throttle linkages or requiring major adjustment of the combustion system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A combination internal combustion and electric engine has a predetermined plurality of cylinders. A number of cylinders less than the predetermined plurality of cylinders are configured in conventional fashion and each has a conventional fuel powered piston located within it. A solenoid powered piston is positioned in each one of the remaining cylinders which does not have a conventional fuel powered piston therein. Additionally, a method of converting a conventional internal combustion engine having a predetermined plurality of cylinders in fluidic communication with a carburetor and an equal number of pistons into a combination internal combustion and electric engine includes blocking off less than all of the cylinders to prevent fluidic communication between the blocked cylinders and the carburetor and replacing a number of the fuel powered pistons within the blocked cylinders with electrically powered pistons. The invention is equally applicable to four, six, and eight cylinder engines.

Abstract: In the engines of this invention the fuel is spread out over the interior pore area of a porous burner volume and the large area of contact with air needed for rapid burning is obtained in this way. The fuel may burn in three ways: partial burning of evaporated fuel in the pore spaces; partial burning of solid carbon fuel deposits in the pore spaces; complete burning of the partial oxidation products outside the pore spaces during expansion. Several engine cycles can be used to burn up any solid carbon deposits formed from the fuel so these engines can efficiently utilize high viscosity residual fuels and slurries of solid char fuels in oil even at very small piston diameters.

Abstract: An engine which utilizes gas and compressed air to provide propulsive force. A compressor and a turbo are connected to the engine to provide compressed air for driving the engine to either supplement or replace the gas.

Abstract: My invention relates to internal combustion engines that are intermittently operated as steam engines with the changeover from one phase to the other controlled by the heat of the metal of the engine in the region of the combustion.

Abstract: A method for operating a two-cycle internal combustion engine wherein in the scavenging stroke the air-fuel mixture charged into the cylinder forms a stratum adjacent to a piston and the stratum of the air-fuel mixture is made into contact with the stratum of the residual gases remote from the piston. Alternately, in the scavenging stroke the rich mixture is first charged into the cylinder immediately above the piston and then the lean mixture is charged into the cylinder immediately above the piston so that the strata of the lean and rich mixtures and the residual gases may be formed in the order named from a portion close to the piston within the cylinder. The decomposition of part of the air-fuel mixture or the rich air-fuel mixture is caused by the heat contained in the residual gases so that the chemically activated radicals are produced.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition composed of 100 parts by weight of a terpolymer rubber (A) composed of 35 to 80 mole % of epichlorohydrin, 15 to 50 mole % of ethylene oxide and 5 to 15 mole % of an unsaturated epoxide, 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of a non-sulfur vulcanizing agent, and 0 to 10 parts by weight of a vulcanization aid. A vulcanized rubber prepared from this composition has superior sour gasoline resistance (softening resistance and resistance to embrittlement) and cold resistance. A rubber mixture (B) of an epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber and an epichlorohydrin-unsaturated epoxide copolymer rubber containing 35 to 80 mole % of epichlorohydrin, 15 to 50 mole % of ethylene oxide and 5 to 15 mole % of an unsaturated epoxide may be substituted for the terpolymer rubber (A).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the rate of recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The rate of recirculation is measured by determining the percentage of carbon gas in the exhaust gas, determining the percentage of carbon gas in the intake gas at a point downstream from the introduction of the recirculated gas and comparing the ratios of carbon gas in the two gases. The gases are drawn off for collection and determination of carbon gas content by a vacuum generator connected to a carbon analyzer and a pressure regulator. A 3-way selection valve is used for drawing off either the exhaust or intake gas.

Abstract: The subject invention constitutes an uncomplicated, inexpensive means of loosening "frozen" cylinders under certain conditions in an internal combustion engine, by applying pressure to the piston by forcing grease from a grease gun applied to a fitting in the engine spark plug or injector hole.

Abstract: A carburetor of the membrane type for correct operation of an engine partially or completely submerged in a liquid such as water. The carburetor has a fuel accumulating chamber which is connected through conventional idling and high-speed jets to a Venturi upstream from which there is provided an air intake manifold. Externally of the compensating membrane that is provided a sealed chamber which communicates via a flexible tube with a compensating chamber which is maintained naturally or artificially at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Combustion induced motion of a piston in an internal combustion engine is augmented by the application of an intermittent or variable magnetic field reacting between the engine block and moving piston in a manner such that the piston is magnetically impelled along its path of movement. A permanent magnet is mounted on the piston with its axis of magnetic polarity aligned with the path of travel of the piston. An electromagnet mounted in the engine block is cyclically supplied with electric current to generate a magnetic field reacting with the magnet on the piston to cyclically magnetically attract or repel the piston in synchronism with the motion of the piston induced by fuel ignition. In the case of a reciprocatory piston, switching means are employed to reverse the polarity of the magnetic field in synchronism with the reversal of piston movement. Application of the magnetic field by the electromagnetic may be varied to occur over a selectively varied portion only of each piston stroke.

Abstract: A submersible pump system is disclosed which uses a submersible internal combustion engine as the drive means for the pump. The system is ideally suited for use in installations employing conventional submersible pumps driven with electrical motors as an auxiliary or standby system which is designed to be employed during periods when the conventional pumps are inoperable, such as during an electrical power failure. In addition, the system is useful for pumping applications wherein electrical power is not available. The system of this invention comprises a water-tight submersible enclosure having an internal combustion engine mounted therein. A submersible, centrifugal pump is mounted on the exterior of the enclosure, with the drive shaft of the pump extending into the enclosure through a water-tight seal therein and being connected to the output drive of the engine.

Abstract: Combustion air for an internal combustion engine is treated to activate the oxygen molecules prior to mixing with the fuel. The oxygen is photochemically activated by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: In an engine of the type having opposite side wall portions more or less differing from each other in rigidity, as in a so-called side valve engine, the axis of the piston unit is set at such an angle of inclination relative to the axis of the associated cylinder bore that the two axes substantially coincide with each other in the power or explosion stroke of the engine cycle when the cylinder block is tilted, under the tensile load acting on the engine structure, on account of the differential rigidity of the opposite side walls thereof. With this axis arrangement, an uneven wear of the mating bearing surfaces of the piston and cylinder and of the crankpin and bore in the large end of the associated connected rod is effectively prevented.

Abstract: This invention relates to improving the internal combustion and internal use of fuel in reciprocating engines, and more particularly to reciprocating engines which are compounded in order to effect extension of the expansion event of the four-event work cycle of such engines and which are enabled especially thereby to receive and use, for the furtherance and prolongation of the combustion process, secondary air inducted by such engines or made available by external means, said air being directly applied to the engine's working medium after the original ignition of each fuel/air charge or any equivalent thereof, and during the power-producing period in which that working medium expands.

Abstract: This invention relates to improving the internal combustion and internal use of fuel in reciprocating engines, and more particularly to reciprocating engines which are compounded in order to effect extension of the expansion event of the four-event work cycle of such engines and which are enabled especially thereby to receive and use, for prolonging and substantially improving the combustion process, secondary air inducted and compressed by secondary cylinders of such engines, said air being subsequently applied directly to and into the engine's working medium after the original ignition of each fuel/air charge or any equivalent thereof, and during the power-producing period in which that working medium expands in two coacting cylinders.

Abstract: A pair of closely adjacent electrically conductive coils, suitably encapsulated, are secured to or retained closely adjacent the positive terminal of a battery of an internal combustion engine. An electrical wire extends from the coils and is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the battery.

Abstract: A spark ignited Otto cycle type engine have a fixed compression ratio which is supplied with a mixture of air and fuel having an octane number lower than that which would normally be appropriate for the compression ratio. The engine operates in a range below a predetermined high load without spontaneous combustion of the fuel-air mixture but will be susceptible to spontaneous combustion when operated above the predetermined high load. The engine includes means for controlling combustion of the fuel-air mixture when operating above the predetermined high load in a manner to decrease the efficiency of the engine and to prevent spontaneous combustion which would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Mixtures having good ignition quality and consisting of fuels with different calorific values, for example gasoline and methanol, for internal combustion engines are prepared by admixing the fuel mixture, in accordance with its calorific value, with atmospheric oxygen over at least one dosing device, for example a nozzle. If desired hot exhaust gas can be added to the fuel in an amount depending on the load on the engine. The mixture is then fed in known manner to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The method converts a conventional four cycle internal combustion engine into a single acting reversible steam, or fluid pressure, operated engine by changing the timing cycle of the valves relative to the crankshaft and connecting the valve ports to a reversing valve for admitting live steam to the intake ports while connecting the exhaust ports to the atmosphere, and for reversing the connection, selectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for converting a standard multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a "split" intake manifold and "N" number of cylinders into a N/2 engine (as in converting a V-8 to V-4) to increase engine efficency and conserve fuel. One half of the split intake manifold is blocked off to prevent the fuel/air mixture from reaching one half of the engines' cylinders thereby preventing combustion within those cylinders. Horsepower losses due to compression of air within the deactivated cylinders are avoided by opening the intake valve passages and closing the exhaust valve passages. This forms a closed chamber between the deactivated cylinders and the intake manifold and allows the air to be pushed out of a cylinder during its normal compression stroke, through the intake manifold passages and into cylinders undergoing expansion strokes.

Abstract: A multiple-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle, in which the ratio of the inactive compounds in the mixture gases produced in each combustion chamber to the fuel component in the combustible mixture inducted into the chamber is maintained within a predetermined range and the spark plug for each engine cylinder is arranged so that the flame travel from the spark plug is reduced to a minimum for promoting the combustion reaction to proceed in the least possible time. Improvements are further made in respect of the exhaust gas recirculation rate, the location and measurements of the spark plug, the configurations and measurements of the engine cylinder and the arrangement of the intake and exhaust ports so as to reduce the concentrations of toxic compounds in the exhaust gases without impairing the performance efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving fuel economy and exhaust emissions of internal combustion engines operating at high altitude conditions. The process is comprised of adjustments to spark timing carburetor idling and crankcase ventilation flow to lean out the fuel-air mixture an amount based on the relative elevation in altitude. The process includes the use or modification of a crankcase ventilation modulating valve having novel flow characteristics and produces much greater efficiency than would be expected under the high altitude conditions. The manifold vacuum between the engine carburetor and piston modulates the valve to provide a greater air flow when increased power is demanded from the engine. In addition to coordinating the spark timing with the modulating valve air flow, the process includes a concomitant special adjustment of the engine's speed and fuel air mixture at idle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple-cycle internal combustion engine having as a unit of two four-cycle cylinders operating 180.degree. apart and one two-cycle cylinder firing 90.degree. after the four-cycle cylinders fire. The four-cycle exhaust is admitted to the intake port of the two-cycle cylinder and the two-cycle cylinder ports are opened and closed in correlation with the exhaust cycle of the four-cycle cylinders so that four-cycle exhaust is admitted to the two-cycle cylinder and passes out through the outlet port thereof sweeping two-cycle exhaust out along with it. Thus, advantages are taken of the uncombusted products in the four-cycle exhaust to drive the two-cycle cylinders. At the same time, advantage is taken of the higher efficiency of four-cycle cylinders at low speeds and the higher efficiency of two-cycle cyclinders at high speeds to obtain an over all improvement in the efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of undesirable products of combustion which are discharged to the atmosphere from an internal combustion engine during operation of the latter. The apparatus comprises, means for segregating a portion of an exhaust gas stream from the engine's exhaust discharge manifold or valve. The hot exhaust gas segment is cooled, combined with air to form a preliminary mixture, and delivered to the engine's combustion chambers. A predetermined volume of fuel is injected into the combustion chamber whereby to intermix with a portion of the preliminary mixture in such a manner that at least a part of the latter becomes combustible.The apparatus for achieving the method comprises, means for recycling said segment of said hot exhaust gas. It further comprises means for controllably regulating the flow of the latter in response to the load variations imposed on the engine.

Abstract: A pair of closely adjacent electrically conductive coils, suitably encapsulated, are secured to or retained closely adjacent an electrical accessory and a fuel line of an internal combustion engine. When the engine is utilized to drive a rubber-tired motor vehicle a ground strap is provided to provide an electrical connection around the insulation produced by the rubber tires and the rubber motor mounts of the engine.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder, gasoline burning internal combustion engine is converted by modification of the intake and exhaust manifolds to an engine having designated exhaust burning cylinders which burn the exhaust gases that are expelled from the gasoline burning cylinders. The intake manifold is modified to isolate an even number of cylinders as the designated exhaust burning cylinders. Typically, two cylinders are chosen, although in some instances it is possible to designate four or even six cylinders, the number of designated exhaust burning cylinders not exceeding half the total number of cylinders in the engine. A pair of cylinders selected as exhaust burning cylinders have their pistons in the same relative positions and moving in the same relative directions but have spark ignition occurring at 360.degree. with respect to each other. No modification is required to the ignition system of the engine.

Abstract: A mixture of air, oxygen and engine exhaust gases is added to a fuel and fed to an internal combustion engine in controlled amounts to reduce the amount of toxic material formed. The oxygen is supplied by a plurality of oxygen converters arranged in parallel so that one or more of the converters are charging while one or more of the remaining converters are discharging oxygen. Each converter includes an inner chamber having a fluidized bed of a metallic oxide surrounded by a heating chamber. Engine exhaust gases are fed to the heating chamber to raise the temperature of the metallic oxide to that at which a higher oxide is formed. To obtain oxygen the temperature of the fluidized bed is raised by means of the exhaust gases to that at which oxygen is released and the original metallic oxide is formed.

Abstract: The recirculation rate estimation means comprises three temperature sensors to respectively measure temperatures of intaken air, recycled exhaust gas and resulting mixture, and an analog computing unit to produce a signal representing an actual recirculation rate based on the temperature data and predeterminate specific heat values of the respective gases.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine comprising at least a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. The first cylinder group is connected to a first intake manifold having a first carburetor with a first throttle valve. The second cylinder group is connected to a second intake manifold having a second carburetor with a second throttle valve. A throttle valve control means is provided for controlling opening degrees of the first and the second throttle valves in response to an extent of depression of an accelerator pedal so that the opening degree of the first throttle valve is larger than that of the second throttle valve when the engine is operating under a partial load, and the first and the second throttle valves are fully opened when the engine is operating under a heavy load.

Abstract: An operative internal combustion engine is transparent for demonstration of internal combustion engine principles. A transparent cylinder houses a noncontacting piston, a combustion chamber being sealed by means such as protruding annular teflon rings seated in an annular groove of the piston or a flexible flap formed integrally with the piston which is pressed firmly to the internal surface of the cylinder wall by pressure developed within the combustion chamber during operation of the engine. Other portions of the engine are transparent to enable their contained parts to be observed during operation. The engine also has an enlarged flywheel to permit operation of the engine at low, observable speeds. The invention burns low carbon fuels such as alcohol to keep the cylinder walls clean and operate without polluting the air.