Patents Examined by Ronald H. Lazarus
  • Patent number: 4640234
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: J-Jet Konstruktion HB
    Inventors: John Olsson, Bertil Olsson, Gunnar Olsson
  • Patent number: 4639843
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Kidde Consumer Durables, Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne W. Compton
  • Patent number: 4637365
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: MotorTech, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Yunick
  • Patent number: 4632084
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Sivert Eriksson
  • Patent number: 4628890
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: Winifer W. Freeman
  • Patent number: 4628889
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Arie Van Der Ploeg
  • Patent number: 4625693
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: John M. Trihey
  • Patent number: 4625703
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: James A. Otto, Marvin P. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4616620
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: John A. Paoluccio
  • Patent number: 4616298
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Frank J. Bolson
  • Patent number: 4612896
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: "A" Co.
    Inventor: John G. Leibrand, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4612886
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Hansen Engine Corporation
    Inventors: Craig N. Hansen, Paul C. Cross
  • Patent number: 4612897
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Leland L. Davis
  • Patent number: 4611567
    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: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4612609
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Collins
  • Patent number: 4612606
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: James R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4607604
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Kanoh, Kongoh Aoki
  • Patent number: 4606319
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Robert E. Silva
  • Patent number: 4606320
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Keith F. McGee
  • Patent number: 4603672
    Abstract: Pre-cooled aerosol spray fuel/air mixture is discharged through an array of metering tubes which are housed within a heat exchange chamber. Engine coolant is circulated through the heat exchange chamber. As the aerosol fuel/air mixture is drawn from the carburetor through the metering tubes and into the manifold, heat transfer from engine coolant circulating through the heat exchange chamber causes the aerosol mixture in the metering tubes to vaporize. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature rise within the heat exchange chamber is limited by heat transfer to an air circulation tube which is coiled within the heat exchange chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: R. W. Keller