Abstract: An adaptive charge forming system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which monitors a parameter of engine combustion efficiency, such as power output, and derives a signal indicating the direction and amplitude of power change. The fuel mixture control system responds to changes in power output, regardless of their source, to maintain the engine air/fuel ratio in a preferred region. In a preferred embodiment, engine crankshaft angular acceleration is monitored to maintain the air/fuel mixture at the lean limit. A stepping motor is used to control a value for bleeding additional air into the charge; a clock provides steady pulses to the motor, tending to lean the mixture, while enrichment is effected upon the detection of each weak combustion event. The clock frequency thus sets the equilibrium rate of weak combustion events, defining the optimal mixture to be supplied to the engine.

Abstract: A charge forming system is disclosed which monitors a parameter of engine combustion efficiency, such as power output, and derives a signal indicating the sense of power change. A fuel mixture control system responds to an indication of increasing power to continually and progressively lessen the fuel/air ratio to attain the leanest possible mixture consistent with maximum instantaneous engine power output. In a preferred embodiment liquid fuel is vaporized before delivery to the engine combustion chambers, and a variable orifice provided to enhance the flow characteristics of the vaporized fuel.

Abstract: The torque produced by an internal combustion engine is measured by algebraically combining averaged cylinder pressure with inlet manifold pressure, and manifesting the sum thereof. By multiplying the summed result by a factor representing engine speed, a direct measure of engine horsepower is obtained. The result may be displayed by an indicator or the like to provide an indication useful in operating or adjusting the engine.

Abstract: A charge forming system for metering vaporized liquid fuel to an internal combustion engine. Liquid fuel is metered to a vaporizing chamber which is heated by the exhaust gases of the engine. Within the chamber the liquid vaporizes and expands rapidly, whereupon it is delivered to the intake ports of the engine to be mixed with air in the manifold or cylinders. The amount of fuel and air admitted to the engine is varied as function of both foot pedal position and developed engine power. The fuel-to-air ratio of the mixture provided to the cylinders is decreased as developed engine power increases. In a preferred embodiment additional fuel vapor is supplied to each combustion chamber by means of fuel vapor injectors, the net mixture supplied to the cylinders being leaner than the stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: An improved charge forming system for an internal combustion engine. Fuel and air are metered to the engine as functions of both operator control and manifested engine power output. The incremental changes in fuel flow and air flow which are effected as a result of changes in engine power output are unequal so that the total fuel-air mix ingested by the engine becomes leaner as engine power increases. When the fuel-air mixture becomes so lean that engine power decreases, the charge forming system enriches the mixture so that the system maximizes engine power for any given rate of fuel flow. In a presently preferred embodiment the fuel-air ratio supplied to the engine is leaner than the stoichiometric mixture.

Abstract: A gasket structure for supporting thermocouple junctions in a stream of gas passing through an internal combustion engine. The thermocouple leads are passed edgewise through a gasket, which is adapted to fit between the ports of an engine and the manifold associated therewith. The leads are firmly supported within the gasket, the junction formed by the ends thereof protruding into the gasket aperture. The thermocouple junction is thus disposed in the gas stream at a regular, predetermined distance from the combustion chamber of the engine.In one embodiment a plurality of thermocouples are embedded in an exhaust manifold gasket, each being associated with a separate exhaust port of an engine. A selector switch may be used to monitor the status of the gas flow through each port; or the thermocouples may be connected together so that an averaged signal is produced, and the signal utilized to monitor the fuel-air mixture ratio.

Abstract: A combined fuel vapor injector and igniter system for internal combustion engines and method of operating the engine therewith in which liquid fuel enters an injector-igniter device, is vaporized using the engine's heat of combustion, and exits in vapor form into the engine combustion chamber where it mixes with air or an air-fuel mixture which has entered through an intake valve, or port, and the resulting air-fuel mixture is ignited. The system assures reliable ignition, so that engines may be run at leaner than stoichiometric air-fuel ratios to take advantage of increased fuel economy, and reduced emissions of the oxides of nitrogen hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Power output equalization is attained between cylinders.