Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine with alternative preheated fuels, or mixtures thereof, at the same compression ratio and supplied with an additional medium for the operation comprisesdetecting the flow of air drawn into the engine through the air intake,proportioning and distributing the fuel to each cylinder in response to at least detected flow,heating the fuel fed to each cylinder to a temperature between its flame temperature and above its evaporation temperature, but below its auto ignition temperature, andinjecting the heated fuel and the additional medium in a controlled amount into each cylinder through separate feed means at different angles with respect to the wall of the respective cylinder.

Abstract: A luminaire having a post and arm whose external surfaces are generally similar in cross-section. The arm extends away from the post and has a window through which light from a lamp passes. The lamp and associated circuit means are on a mount which is engageable by a tracer means of which internal parts of the luminaire can conveniently be installed, removed, and replaced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine that substantially improves the fuel efficiency by utilizing heat normally discharged to the ambient to condition and prepare the fuel mixture prior to entry into the combustion chambers. The apparatus comprises a fuel vaporizer, a fuel mixture heater and a mixture homogenizer located in a fuel mixture flow path intermediate the vaporizer and the heater. The fuel vaporizer includes structure defining an inner heat exchange chamber which receives air and entrained fuel discharged by a fuel introducing device such as a carburetor. The fuel mixture is heated and at least partially vaporized by engine waste heat derived from the engine cooling system or alternately the engine exhaust system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve for apportioning preheated and non-preheated air to an internal combustion engine. The valve has a pivotally mounted valve flap, which is rigidly joined to a balance flap which is so constructed and arranged in the valve body that the low pressure created by the airflow through the valve body gives rise to oppositely directed torques of substantially the same magnitude about the pivot shaft on the balance flap and the valve flap.

Abstract: A plate having a plurality of apertures through which a fuel-air mixture travels is positioned between a fuel injector, such as a carburetor, and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The apertures taper outwardly toward the intake manifold from a restricted orifice area adjacent the fuel injector. The taper of the apertures allows the fuel-air mixture to expand and provides better atomization of the fuel. The size and shape of the apertures is such as to cause ultrasonic sound and reverberation which is a phenomena that helps break up the droplets of fuel into minute droplets. The preferred embodiment includes a ratio of the restricted aperture area in the plate to the total displacement of the engine from 0.006 to 0.012, with the optimum ratio being approximately 0.007. The inside surface of the tapered apertures includes longitudinal flutes extending from the upper to the lower surface of the plate.

Abstract: A device preheats a fuel mixture in an intake manifold of a combustion engine, the device corresponding a cylindrical body having a side wall and a bottom disposed in the wall of the intake manifold. The body is arranged on an electro- and heat insulating contact bearer and is secured on the intake manifold in an electro- and heat conducting way, the bottom of the body being provided with PTC pills which are connected to a current conductor and are secured on the bottom in an electro- and heat conducting way. The bottom has such a thickness and shape that during preheating the fuel mixture a homogeneous heat conduction is created, the side wall of the body having securing means to secure the preheater, and wherein it has such a thickness that together with the securing means it provides the required heat resistance upon heat transfer from and to the intake manifold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which a stream of air from a duct (46) to a cylinder (2) so as to flow adjacent to the cylinder walls. The duct (46) is arranged to admit the air only while the exhaust valve (42) is open. The air will circulate against the cylinder walls during the exhaust stroke but at least a portion thereof will remain adjacent the cylinder walls during the subsequent compression stroke. The combustible charge is admitted generally centrally of cylinder and remains stratified with respect to the circulating air. The circulating air maintains the combustible mixture relatively concentrated for good ignition, cushions the igniting gases, assists in maintaining the cylinder walls clean and cools the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilating system for an internal combustion engine, a flow control device therefor and method of making the same are provided, the device comprising a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet and an annular valve seat therein intermediate the inlet and the outlet, a movable valve member disposed in the housing and having a body portion disposed on the inlet side of the valve seat and a generally frusto-conical flow metering portion for cooperating with the valve seat to control fluid flow therethrough, and a spring disposed in the housing and being operatively associated with the housing and the valve member to tend to urge the body portion of the valve member away from the valve seat, the valve member having fin structure adjacent the metering portion and on the outlet side of the valve seat that cooperates with the housing to tend to prevent vibration of the valve member during fluid flow through the valve seat.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the life of an internal combustion engine, which includes apparatus for closing air inlets to the associated engine, a chamber having a desiccant disposed therein, and fluid communication apparatus connecting the container to at least the crankcase during at least a part of the engine operating cycle.

Abstract: A water-powered light for decorative or utilitarian purposes has a stator assembly mounted on the forward end of a fixed shaft within the housing. The shaft is cantilever supported at one end of the housing and projects forwardly therefrom. A rotor assembly is journaled on an intermediate portion of the shaft. The rotor assembly is axially separated from, but in close proximity to, the stator assembly on the end of the fixed shaft; and the rotor assembly carries permanent magnet means for cooperation with a coil in the stator assembly. A lamp assembly is mounted on the stator assembly forwardly thereof, and a lens cap is mounted on the housing forwardly of the lamp assembly. Water under pressure enters into the housing and passes through canals in a stationary disc member to impinge on an impeller nested within the disc member, the impeller being part of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a head with valve assemblies for controlling intake and exhaust gases to and from piston chambers. A head plate is located between the head and a block having cylinders accommodating pistons. The head plate has openings in communication with the cylinders and valve assemblies. Each valve assembly has a continuous ceramic sleeve having an intake port, an exhaust port, and ignition hole. Rotatably disposed within the sleeve is a rotatable valve body having a valving combustion chamber open to a piston chamber. A ceramic segment seal member mounted on the valving body has sealing surfaces engageable with the sleeve. A face seal is located between the head plate and the rotating valve body. The valving body and seal member are rotatably driven to sequentially align the valving combustion chamber with the intake port, ignition hole, and exhaust port during the operation of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the fuel for an internal combustion diesel engine using the heat from the exhaust conduit. A fuel line wound helically around the engine exhaust conduit and spaced radially therefrom is contained in a canister substantially filled a heat conducting and heat regulating mixture of fire brick pellets and pellets of the platinized material used in automobile exhaust gas catalytic converters.

Abstract: A heated fuel delivery system joint and method is disclosed which is most advantageously employed in connection with a fuel oil delivery system for a diesel engine powered motor vehicle. In such fuel delivery systems, fuel processor devices are often employed to prevent fuel clouding and waxing and ice accumulation from restricting fuel flow to the engine. Even when such fuel processors are used, excessively low temperatures of fuel can cause fuel supply problems in fittings and conduits which connect the fuel tank to the fuel processor. In accordance with this invention, these fittings and conduits are warmed by removing a portion of the heated fuel exiting from the fuel processor and introducing it into a fitting at the fuel tank discharge port. By mixing the warmed fuel with cold fuel withdrawn from the fuel tank, the combined temperature of the fuel is increased, thereby minimizing problems associated with excessively cold fuel.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a stair nosing formation that is particularly adapted to provide an overhang for housing an indirect lighting source thereby to provide both functional and aesthetically appealing effects. The formation consists of a tread plate in perpendicular affixure to a riser plate while extending an overhang portion that is further formed into an overhang plate disposed parallel to the riser plate. A transverse plate is formed to extend between the overhang plate and riser plate to provide high structural strength while also defining a downwardly oriented channel for retention of an illumination source for directing light downward along the adjacent step riser toward the next lower step tread.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a reflector and a bulb assembly which is removably mounted on the reflector by a retainer spring. The reflector includes a generally parabolic reflector wall, a cylindrical wall which extends rearwardly from the reflector wall, and a rear wall at the rear end of the cylindrical wall which extends generally perpendicularly to the axis of the reflector wall. The bulb assembly includes a bulb which extends through an opening in the rear wall of the reflector and a flange which is retained against the rear wall by a retainer spring which is removably attached to the reflector. The front end of the reflector includes a generally annular rim, and a transparent lens is retained within the rim and against an O-ring within the rim by a retainer ring which surrounds the rim.

Abstract: An oil separator for separating and collecting lubrication oil contained in blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine. The separtor is formed in the cylinderhead cover of the engine and incorporates a porous filter, which is made of foam metal for absorbing oil constituents in the blow-by gas, and a relief valve which is arranged between a chamber of the downstream-side of the porous filter and the crank case in order to pass the blow-by gas therethrough into downstream-side from the crank case when the internal pressure of the crank case increases.

Abstract: A fuel preheating unit for internal combustion engines is placed between the carburetor and fuel pump. The unit consists of spaced concentric insulating sleeves surrounding the fuel line and held in assembled relationship by end plates. An electrical heating element includes several wire turns immediately surrounding the interior insulating sleeve with wire terminals extending exteriorly of the unit. The unit is encased in a body of insulating material, such as asbestos cement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlled vaporization of a liquid fuel and delivery of the vaporized fuel to an internal combustion engine. Vaporizing apparatus, which uses heat generated by the internal combustion engine vaporizes the liquid fuel, and the vaporized fuel is fed to the carburetor of the engine. Means are provided for automatically supplying a vapor fuel to the carburetor as necessary to operate the engine in the absence of sufficient vaporized liquid fuel. The vapor fuel is also delivered to the engine during high acceleration or when the engine is working under very large loads. Means are also included for controlling the generation of vaporized liquid fuel in proportion to the load on the engine, and for recovering any vaporized liquid fuel and vapor fuel which is not used by the engine.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilating system for a V-type, OHC internal combustion engine comprising a substantially hollow engine body structure having a pair of upwardly diverging cylinder banks and an oil pan secured to the body structure from below to define a crankcase, and also having a pressure buffer chamber, defined between the cylinder banks, at least one engine cylinder, defined in each of the cylinder banks, and a cam chamber defined therein at top of each of the cylinder banks, and an intake system for the introduction of a controlled combustible air-fuel mixture into the engine cylinders. The system comprises first separate oil return passages each defined in the body structure and communicating between the respective engine cylinder and the buffer chamber, and a connecting passage communicating between the buffer chamber and the crankcase.