Fuel Vapor Generation Patents (Class 261/DIG83)
  • Patent number: 5427077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for delivering an air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine in a virtually complete gaseous form. The system is essentially comprised of a converter which dries intake air and combines the dried air with gas vapor and an air modulator for adding additional atmospheric air to the air-gas vapor mixture. The convertor contains an activated charcoal substance which enhance evaporation of the fuel, prevents "gumming" of the fuel in the convertor, and inhibits condensation of the fuel after evaporation. The air-gas vapor mixture is then fed to an internal combustion engine. In a first embodiment, the system may be installed as an add-on apparatus to an automotive engine which already uses fuel injection as fuel feeding means. In that embodiment, disabling means are installed to disable the fuel injectors. In a second embodiment, the system may be utilized as original equipment for feeding an air-fuel vapor mixture to an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Gasifier Corporation
    Inventor: Jack J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5291870
    Abstract: A system for providing an air-fuel vapor mixture to an engine for improving completeness of combustion and also reducing emissions. The system includes a vaporizer within which a series of baffles are disposed such that air and fuel pass along a tortuous passageway defined within the vaporizer. Exhaust gases provide heat to the vaporizer, and as air and fuel pass along the passageway of the vaporizer, a homogenous air-fuel vapor mixture is produced, with the homogenous mixture exiting the vaporizer being supplied to the engine by way of an adapter plate assembly. When used with a carburetor, the adapter plate is disposed between the carburetor and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5123398
    Abstract: A fuel gasifier for an internal combustion engine having a gasification chamber, a device for injecting fuel into the chamber in droplets of about 30-50 microns or less in diameter, an ambient air inlet to the chamber with a flow control therefor, to admit a controlled amount of ambient air to mix with the fuel, a heater in the chamber to elevate the fuel temperature and convert the fuel to a gaseous state, a fuel and air mixing and transfer impeller in the chamber for increasing turbulence and propelling the mixture from the chamber, an annular venturi flow passage for flow of additional ambient air past the outside of the chamber, and a plurality of radial passages between the chamber and the venturi passage for flow of the turbulent mixture into the venturi passage and entrainment of the fuel and air mixture into the additional ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Sunotyx Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Klaus, James L. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 5076243
    Abstract: Liquid gasoline introduced from a suitable source into a treatment tank of the system is transformed into a relatively dry vaporous state substantially free from large droplets or similar particles. Pellets within an outer chamber of the vessel are propelled by air streams into engagement with each other, and with walls of the vessel, and generate frictional heat. Baffle members in an inner chamber of the vessel reduce the size of droplets of gasoline in such chamber. Dry gas is conducted from the treatment vessel to a holding tank, from whence it is supplied to the intake manifold of the engine. Valves of the system are operated in response to actuation of an accelerator associated with the engine. Liquid gasoline from a lower portion of the vessel is supplied to the intake manifold of the engine during initial start-up, and at other times when no dry gasoline vapor is present within the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Kingsdale International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Dale
  • Patent number: 5074273
    Abstract: An improved carburetor and fuel preconditioner for internal combustion engines comprising a first air conduit; a bubble chamber receiving air from said conduit and for bubbling the air through a fuel; a vapor chamber for receiving the air-fuel mixture; catalytic beads held within said bubble chamber for contacting and cracking fuel coming into contact therewith; a second air conduit for receiving an independent source of atmospheric air; and one or more pill cans located between the vapor chamber and the second air conduit for controlling the richness of the air-fuel mixture which is fed from the second air conduit into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for superior efficiency. Another pill can may be located between the vapor chamber and the intake manifold for controlling and feeding the highly volatile mixture from the vapor chamber directly to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Paul M. Brown
  • Patent number: 4883616
    Abstract: A vaporizer unit has an enclosing casing including a plurality of tubes therein, defining a fuel passage therethrough, including the tubes. The tubes have coiled wire screen therein. An auxiliary carburetor is positioned at the inlet end of the fuel passage, and an outlet passage leads to the main carburetor of the automobile. The casing also defines an exhaust passage therethrough, transversely of the fuel passage, providing heat transfer between the exhaust gases and the tubes. The temperature of the resulting vaporized fuel is sensed for varying the flow of the exhaust gases and thereby controlling the temperature of the vaporized fuel, which is maintained at 250.degree. F. to 260.degree. F. An electric crystal is used for breaking down the heavy ends of the fuel. The rate of flow of air to the main carburetor is varied for correspondingly varying the rate of intake of vaporized fuel from the vaporizer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4858582
    Abstract: A carburetor-fuel preconditioner for internal combustion engines comprising a bubble chamber for holding fuel at a preselected level and for bubbling air therethrough; a multiplicity of catalytic beads located within the bubble chamber in contact with gasoline fuel for producing an air-fuel vapor mixture and for the catalytic cracking of long molecular hydrocarbon chains; and at least one air-fuel vapor mixing conduit located between the bubble chamber and the intake manifold of the engine to provide proper air-fuel ratio to the vapor entering the engine cylinders. A screen may be provided in the bubble chamber to prevent dislocation of the catalytic beads. Each mixing conduit is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced baffles for creating an air-fuel vortex for superior mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Paul M. Brown
  • Patent number: 4715997
    Abstract: A carburetion system for internal combustion engines includes means for heating and vaporizing fuel in a chamber to a very high temperature and for delivering the heated, vaporized fuel to a holding chamber for the fuel. From the holding chamber, the system draws the heated, vaporized fuel, by vacuum, into admixture with outside air in precise, predetermined ratios for delivery to the conventional carburetion system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Terry Boone
  • Patent number: 4551153
    Abstract: A fuel vapor generator capable of being incorporated within a carburetor having a housing defining a chamber at the bottom thereof. An input line is attached to the lower portion of the housing for introducing a liquid fuel into the chamber and a return line is also attached to the lower portion of the housing for removing any excess liquid from the chamber and returning the excess liquid to the chamber. Located within the chamber is a level regulating system which, by being operably connected to both the inlet and removal lines is capable of regulating the liquid level within the chamber. In addition, an atomizer is located within the chamber in order to spray the liquid fuel in mist form into the upper portion of the housing for vaporization thereof prior to introduction into the Venturi tube of a carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Vann Y. Won
  • Patent number: 4550706
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer for an internal combustion engine comprises an air/fuel heating and mixing chamber which vaporizes liquid hydrocarbon fuel to a heated, dry vaporous state and mixes it with heated air for introduction of the mixture into a primary or main air stream for supply to the cylinders of the engine. A first form of the vaporizer uses exhaust gas from the engine to heat the fuel and air, and a second form of the invention uses electrical resistance elements to heat the fuel and air. Both forms of the invention include supplemental vaporized fuel supply devices operable during acceleration and starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Hoffman-Lewis, Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4513726
    Abstract: A fuel saving system for a gasoline engine including a chamber for mixing air and gas and passing the vaporized fuel into an intake manifold to create a better balanced fuel mixture in the engine combustion chambers. The mixing chamber draws air from the engine's vacuum, passing it through an elastic porous element where raw gas is sprayed directly on the element and vapor is drawn off and passed into the intake manifold where it is mixed with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Misty Vapor, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Webb
  • Patent number: 4491552
    Abstract: A monolithic variable jet carburetor comprising an air intake, an associated variable jet and an underlying fuel reservoir, all contained within a pressurized and heated chamber and whereby the fuel is injected into the reservoir under pressure and is atomized via an overlying wire mesh screen and vaporized as it traverses the remainder of the heated delivery path to the air intake. The heated chamber is adapted to heat the fuel at all points intermediate the float chamber and air intake venturi via hot engine gasses or heated engine coolant and wherein the float chamber is further pressurized via an air pump. Pressure/temperature sensors control the relative ratios thereof during normal engine cycling under various load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Tim Wessel
  • Patent number: 4483307
    Abstract: A device for vaporizing liquid fuel for increasing burn efficiency within an internal combustion engine has been provided. Fuel is injected by means of a fuel injector (I) in timed sequence without the presence of air into a closed vacuum chamber (C) wherein the droplets of fuel are immediately changed to gaseous form. A pressurized oil lubrication system lubricates the piston walls and provides a vapor barrier within a rolling piston vacuum pump (P). Heat exchange means (H,H') are provided to maintain the temperature of the gaseous fuel substantially constant and at a lower vapor point to minimize recondensation as it is supplied to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. Control means (U) are provided to adjust both the frequency and duration of the injection liquid fuel droplets into the vacuum chamber (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: James E. Gilmor
  • Patent number: 4409946
    Abstract: A fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine, the system includes a vessel to provide fuel vapor and a nozzle to mix the vapor with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Vaporpak Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey P. Sandford, Paull A. Alekna
  • Patent number: 4399079
    Abstract: A novel method and improved apparatus are disclosed for generating fuel vapor from a volatile normally liquid fuel, safely handling and controlling the fuel vapor, and utilizing the same in the operation of an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the fuel vapor is generated by introducing the liquid fuel under pressure into the lower portion of a vessel via an elongated tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings. The pressurized liquid fuel flows from the openings under vigorous conditions of agitation and fuel vapor is evolved from the liquid surface without forming finely subdivided liquid droplets in the vapor phase. Air is mixed with fuel vapor in the upper portion of the vessel in an amount sufficient to lower the dew point, but insufficient to produce an explosive mixture. The mixture is withdrawn from the vessel and, after adding sufficient air to produce an explosive mixture and for efficient combustion, is passed to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Jacob H. Grayson
    Inventor: Charles L. Lowe
  • Patent number: 4372280
    Abstract: Hot water is transmitted from an automobile's cooling system to a fuel vaporizer wherein it is utilized to heat gasoline to a vapor state. Air is drawn into the fuel vaporizer utilizing carburetor vacuum and is added to the vapor and drawn into the carburetor. Vaporized fuel and outside air are mixed in a separate dry vapor section within the vaporizer and the amount of air allowed to enter the fuel vaporizer is controlled utilizing a valve system. In this manner, the fuel-air vapor is more efficiently burned in the engine and improved gas mileage is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: JEB Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Adams
  • Patent number: 4368163
    Abstract: A vaporizer chamber includes a coil therein, the coil having extensions extending into the exhaust pipe of the engine, the exhaust gases passing through the coil and heating the interior of the chamber. Fuel is delivered to the vaporizer chamber, and vaporized there when the exhaust gases are heated. A thermostat unit is mounted on the exhaust pipe, and when heated, shifts a valve to direct the fuel to the vaporizer chamber, instead of to the carburetor. This shifting is gradual. A throttle controls the flow of vaporized fuel to the outlet of the carburetor. The usual accelerator pedal is operative for controlling the throttle for the vaporized fuel in unison with the usual throttle provided in the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4356805
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizing device for use with internal combustion engines including a carburetor, an air filter, and a fuel tank. In the device of the present invention fuel consumed by the engine is directed to source such as a fuel tank to a conventional carburetor with the fuel aspirated and mixed with engine air and burned in a conventional manner. Fuel in the second fuel conduit is directed to a fuel vaporizer where the fuel is heated to enhance vaporization. An air pump directs air to the fuel vaporizer where the air collects vapor, and the air and vapor are directed to the carburetor upstream of the carburetor throttle valve where the air and vapor are mixed with the air passing through the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Frank J. Kler
  • Patent number: 4336783
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer carburetor provides a continuous mixture of vaporized fuel and combustion air for operation of an internal combustion engine to meet the requirements of a wide range of engine operating conditions. Fuel vapor and combustion air undergo turbulent intermixing in an elongated mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is enclosed by a tubular wick of fiber mesh material which is saturated with fuel vapors and fuel condensate. The fuel vapors are generated by heating fuel in a float bowl which underlies the wick. Combustion air is admitted through a plurality of angularly spaced openings and is conducted through the porous flow passage provided by the tubular wick prior to entry into the mixing chamber. This arrangement produces a cyclonic, whirling movement which promotes intermixing of the combustion air and fuel vapors. Turbulence is induced at an intermediate point in the mixing chamber by a tapered sidewall housing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Inventor: Walter M. Henson
  • Patent number: 4285886
    Abstract: A carburetor device for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device includes a well adjacent to the intake manifold for holding a quantity of liquid fuel. Perforated tubing is in the bottom of the well, and air under pressure is selectively supplied to the tubing to froth the liquid fuel and produce fuel vapor. The amount of the tubing receiving air under pressure is varied in accordance with fuel demand. The fuel vapor is mixed with ambient air and directed into the intake manifold. The system includes a storage tank for providing the air under pressure, and a pump to supply air to the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Anthony T. Delfino