Abstract: A flow through catalytic reactor (10) which selectively catalytically decomposes methanol into a soot-free hydrogen-rich product gas utilizing engine exhaust at temperatures of 200.degree. to 650.degree. C. to provide the heat for vaporizing and decomposing the methanol. The reactor (10) is combined with either a spark ignited (28) or compression ignited (54) internal combustion engine or a gas turbine (202) to provide a combustion engine system. The system may be fueled entirely by the hydrogen-rich gas produced in the methanol decomposition reactor or the system may be operated on mixed fuels for transient power gain and for cold start of the engine system. The reactor (10) includes a decomposition zone formed by a plurality of elongated cylinders (12) which contain a body (114) of vapor-permeable, methanol decomposition catalyst preferably a shift catalyst such as copper-zinc. A vaporizer (14) is provided for vaporizing liquid methanol prior to introduction into the elongated cylinders (12).

Abstract: A liquified petroleum gas carburetor (12) receiving LPG as a liquid and through a pair of pressure regulators (20, 30) and a heat exchanger (22) reducing the liquid to a vapor for ingesting into the engine (8). The heat exchanger (22) is mounted integral with the carburetor (12) and is contiguous with the intake manifold (24) thereby providing a large thermal mass for elevating the temperature of the LPG. Connected for synchronous movement are the fuel metering valve (40) and the air metering valve (10) for each carburetor bore. The fuel metering valve moves in response to the air metering valve (10). A vacuum pressure control (66) is shown to maintain a variable fuel/air ratio in response to engine requirements.

Abstract: A piston cooling oil delivery tube assembly for an internal combustion engine for use in directing cooling oil from a manifold into the coolant opening of an associated piston is formed with a rigid bracket and nozzle assembly attachable to a cylinder liner and forming a nonflexible prealigned portion of the coolant delivery tube passage and a connecting tube member forming a connector portion of limited flexibility between the cylinder liner and the crankcase mounted manifold. Various other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a lubrication pumping means contained within one or more reciprocating rods to assure lubrication of the crankpin rod bearing and the wrist pin bearing during operation of a two-cycle internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A methane-powered vehicle can utilize methane which is stored as the fuel in a pressurizable tank containing a solid filling which enables a packing density of methane in adsorbed or otherwise trapped form to exceed 10 times the density of the methane at room temperature and a pressure of about 10 bar. The filling can be readily charged with the methane or can release the methane for powering the vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid propane gas fuel system includes a propane fuel tank. A two stage pressure regulator defined by a housing with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet is also included. A first fuel conduit extends from an outlet in the fuel tank to the fuel inlet in the pressure regulator. The system supplies fuel to an engine that includes an exhaust gas manifold. A thermoconductive mounting bracket is secured to the housing of the pressure regulator and manifold to transmit heat from the manifold to the regulator in proportion to the load imposed on the engine. A chokeless carburetor is also included in the system and is in fluid communication through a second fuel conduit with the outlet of the pressure regulator. In an alternative embodiment, a heat exchange ris included in the first fuel conduit. In a second alternative embodiment, an electric heating element is positioned within the housing of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus which is adapted for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine operable selectively which is on gaseous fuel or liquid fuel, and which comprises a gaseous fuel supply line extending between the engine and a source of gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel supply line extending between the engine and a source of liquid fuel, and a control for controlling supply to the engine of the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel, which control includes an operator controlled fuel selector switch movable between a gaseous fuel position and a liquid fuel position, which control is operable following prior engine operation with gaseous fuel and in response to movement of the fuel selector switch from the gaseous fuel position to the liquid fuel position for permitting liquid fuel flow through the liquid fuel supply line, for permitting continued gaseous fuel flow through the gaseous fuel supply line until initiation of liquid fuel combustion, and thereafter preventing further gaseous fuel flow

Abstract: A method for supplying an internal combustion engine with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and a fuel supply system for the supplying the LPG into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine are proposed. The fuel supply system includes a pump, which pumps LPG from an LPG tank at a predetermined pressure above its vapor pressure into a supply line, which leads via a heat exchanger to a metering valve. The metering valve has a metering piston, which is axially displaceable in a guide bore by means of an air flow rate meter and thereby opens a metering opening to a greater or lesser extent. Downstream of the metering valve, the metered LPG quantity flows via a regulating valve and through the heat exchanger, in which it at least partially evaporates and cools the LPG flowing to the metering valve. The supply of the metered LPG may be effected via a nozzle into the intake manifold upstream of a throttle valve.

Abstract: A method of cold starting an internal combustion engine operated on atomized liquid fuel after start up comprising the steps of:heating a vaporization means with an electrical resistance heating element,heating a catalytic dissociation reactor with an electrical resistance element,pumping liquid alcohol to said heated vaporization means to form a vaporized alcohol,conveying air and vaporized alcohol to said catalytic dissociation reactor wherein partial combustion of said vaporized alcohol occurs as well as dissociation of said vaporized alcohol to form a partial start up fuel mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,pumping liquid alcohol to an atomization means to form atomized liquid alcohol,adding said partial start up fuel mixture and said atomized liquid alcohol to form a complete start up fuel mixture,conveying said complete start up fuel mixture to said internal combustion engine,starting said internal combustion engine by igniting a mixture of air and complete start up fuel mixture therewithin

Abstract: A fuel atomizer adapted to be mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The atomizer comprises a housing having mounted therein an impeller with blades having their leading edges disposed at a 45.degree. angle with respect to the horizontal plane of rotation of the impeller. Rotation of the impeller will effect a break up of the larger fuel droplets and to then mix with the incoming air. The impeller is provided with a specially designed spindle journalled for rotation in specially designed spindle bearings to thus insure a smooth operation of the impeller. The housing is also provided with a network of interconnected bars at the outlet end of the housing to effect a still further atomization of the air/fuel mixture as it leaves the housing responsive to the suction created in the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for supplying an internal combustion engine with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and an apparatus for blowing LPG into the intake manifold of the engine. The apparatus includes an evaporator-pressure regulating valve, downstream of which a metering valve having a metering piston is provided. The metering piston is movable in a guide bore and opens a metering opening to a greater or lesser extent. The adjustment of the metering piston is effected in accordance with the quantity of air aspirated by the engine by means of an air flow rate meter, as a result of which a quantity of LPG corresponding to the aspirated air quantity can be metered. The pressure at the evaporator-pressure regulating valve is variable via a control pressure line by means of a pneumatic control medium via a pressure control valve in such a manner that it is possible to regulate a mixture adapted to operating parameters of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable venturi carburetor adapted for controlling the air-fuel ratio by air bleeding operation which includes an actuator for controlling the amount of bleed air in response to the engine running conditions and a fuel jet having a fuel metering portion and an air bleed portion provided downstream of and adjacent to the fuel metering portion. The air bleed portion has an outlet opening adapted for delivering bleed air into the fuel passage and the inside diameter of the air bleed portion is designed to be slightly larger than that of the fuel metering portion. Especially, at engine idle operation, the restriction area of the air bleed portion is designed to become larger than that adjusted by the actuator and the inside diameter of the fuel passage downstream of the air bleed portion is designed to become large in such a manner that air and fuel flows may not be influenced by the restricting operation of the air bleed portion.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber of which volume is cyclically changed in response to a rotation of the engine to effect a plurality of operating strokes including an intake stroke, an intake system including a main intake passage and an auxiliary intake passage both leading to the combustion chamber, a supercharger for providing a supply of supercharging gas to the auxiliary intake passage, a timing valve provided in the auxiliary intake passage between the combustion chamber and the supercharger, means for the timing valve being driven by the engine crankshaft for cyclically opening the auxiliary intake passage in synchronim with the rotation of the engine to allow the supercharging gas to pass to the combustion chamber, an electrically operated timing adjusting member for adjusting the opening timing of the valve, a timing control electrical circuit for controlling the adjusting member to determining the opening timing of the timing valve in accordance with a plurality of engine

Abstract: A combustion engine includes an inlet duct including a control valve. A vaporizer-pressure regulator for use with the combustion engine has a first space divided into two parts by a diaphragm contained in the space, the diaphragm actuating a first shut-off valve co-operating with a gas supply orifice of the first space, while the part of the space in which the gas supply orifice opens out is connected through a connecting duct with a second space comprising a member affecting the gas pressure, the space communicating with the inlet duct of the combustion engine, whereby that part of the first space which is located on the side of the diaphragm actuating the first shut-off valve remote from the first shut-off valve is connected both downstream and upstream of the control valve with the inlet duct of the combustion engine through a pressure duct network including means acting upon the size of the passage of the ducts in dependence on the load of the combustion engine occurring during operation.

Abstract: A system for remotely sensing a low level of a fluid in a tank, such as the low level of oil in an internal combustion engine. A sensing tube projects through a housing defining an oil reservoir therein, which sensing tube is disposed with its open lower end positioned at an elevation which defines the low or add level for the oil. The sensing tube has its upper outer end connected through a suitable conduit to a remotely located actuator. The actuator, preferably manually actuated, transmits a determined mass of air through the conduit means into the sensing tube. A visual indicator senses changes in pressure within the sensing tube. When the lower end of the sensing tube is immersed in oil, the mass of air supplied to the system effects a pressure increase which is recorded on the indicator, thus indicating that the oil level in the reservoir is above the low or add level.

Abstract: A lubricating system for two-cycle crankcase compression internal combustion engines that provides adequate lubrication under all running conditions. The speed of the engine is sensed and provides a control signal to a mapping device which supplies the amount of lubricant between the maximum and minimum anticipated loads at that speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve operation control apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a cylinder with at least two intake or two exhaust valves, one of the two valves including a pause member for holding the valve in a closed position. The control apparatus comprises a control circuit operatively coupled to the pause member. The control circuit has at least two open degree sensors responsive to two different degrees of opening of a throttle valve of the engine and at least two engine speed sensors responsive to two different speeds of the engine, wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the pause member in response to predetermined combinations of the operation of the open degree sensors and the engine speed sensors.

Abstract: A port proximate to an automotive oil filter, and a closure therefor, used to precharge a newly installed oil filter with oil. The port may be located either in an adaptor mounting plate, which is located between the filter and the engine block, or in the engine block itself. The port is in fluid communication with the filter, allowing a newly installed filter to be precharged with oil to minimize engine wear.

Abstract: A natural gas and air mixing device for allowing the combustion of a mixture of natural gas and air in a conventional internal combustion engine. The device includes a gas plenum which disperses natural gas through apertures into a mixing chamber, where the gas mixes with air drawn through passageways in an annular rim which is fitted over the air intake of a conventional carburetor. The construction of the device allows alternate operation of the engine with gasoline as the fuel and requires few alterations in the engine compartment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for atomizing and dispersing fuel in a fuel/air mixture of the propeller type for an internal combustion engine. The housing of the device comprises two concentric barrels, each having a symmetrical bearing support. The barrels are press fit together to assure bearing alignment for the propeller. A downstream screen protects the engine from debris and further atomizes the fuel without substantially restricting fuel/air flow.