Abstract: A heater is provided for use in conjunction with a fuel passageway, such as a cold start passageway, in an internal combustion engine in which fuel is injected into the passageway. The heater includes a tubular housing which is insertable into the passageway so that fuel flow through the passageway flows through the interior of the housing. A plurality of heater assemblies are also provided wherein each heating assembly has a capsule and at least one electrical heating element thermally coupled to its associated capsule. The capsules are secured to the housing so that the capsules are circumferentially spaced from each other around the housing. In one embodiment, the capsules are secured to an interior surface of the housing so that one surface of each capsule is open to the passageway. In a second embodiment, the capsules are secured around the outer periphery of the housing and each heating element is thermally connected to the housing.

Abstract: A heater is provided for use in conjunction with a cold start fuel injector for an internal combustion engine in which the injector, upon activation, injects fuel into a cold start passageway. The heater includes a metal tube having an interior and an exterior surface. The tube is positioned coaxially in the cold start passageway so that fuel flow from the cold start injector passes through the interior of the metal tube. A plurality of circumferentially spaced electrical heating elements are disposed around the outer periphery of the metal tube which, upon activation, heat the metal tube thereby increasing atomization of the fuel as it flows through the interior of the tube. Preferably, the heating elements are constructed of PTC. Alternative designs are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noxious gases in the exhaust emissions of an automobile is disclosed. During engine cold start, a cold start injector having a heater downstream of the injector outlet vaporizes fuel so that a leaner air-fuel mixture can be used, thereby reducing engine emissions before the engine and catalytic converter warm up. The heater includes various configurations for swirling the fuel and exposing it to large surface areas for improving the vaporization of the fuel. A tapered bore surrounding the throttle allows for precise air flow control into the cold start device during engine warm-up.

Abstract: A cold start fuel control system provided for use with an internal combustion engine of the type having at least one combustion chamber, an air/fuel passageway fluidly connected with the combustion chamber and the source of fuel. The fuel control system includes an annular heater having an interior annular wall disposed within the passageway. A cold start fuel injector has its inlet fluidly connected to the fuel source and an outlet open to the passageway such that fuel from the outlet flows into the interior of the heater. Whenever the operating temperature of the engine is below a predetermined level, fuel is selectively provided to the cold start fuel injector which injects fuel into the passageway. The fuel discharge from the cold start fuel injector is swirled so that at least a portion of the fuel from the cold start fuel injector impinges upon the annular heater and is thus vaporized.

Abstract: A cold start fuel injector is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine of the type having an intake manifold and a fuel injection system. The cold start fuel injector includes a housing having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. An outlet contained within the housing is fluidly connected to the fuel inlet and, when provided pressurized fuel at its inlet, generates a fuel spray into the intake manifold. A tubular and cylindrical heater is provided around the outlet from the nozzle so that the fuel spray from the nozzle passes through the heater and, in doing so, is vaporized for better fuel combustion and, thus, reduced emissions. Additionally, a mesh is preferably provided within the interior of the heater. This mesh which is optionally heated prevents large droplets of fuel from contacting and unduly cooling the heater. Similarly, fuel at a reduced pressure is provided to the nozzle of the cold start fuel injector.

Abstract: A cold start fuel control system as provided for an internal combustion engine of the type having at least one combustion chamber, an intake manifold and a source of fuel. A fuel vapor canister has an interior chamber fluidly connected to the source of fuel and a normally closed shut-off valve fluidly connected between the canister and ambient air. A normally closed purge valve is then fluidly connected in series between the interior of the canister and the intake manifold. The system also includes a cold start fuel injector having an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet open to the intake manifold or, optionally, to the interior of the fuel vapor canister. During a cold start engine condition, fuel is supplied as needed from both the fuel vapor canister and cold start injector by activating the cold start injector and simultaneously opening the purge and shut-off valves in synchronism with the engine intake cycle(s).

Abstract: An engine monitoring system and/or emission reduction system is provided for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a plurality of sensors which detect various engine operating conditions and in which each sensor generates an output signal representative of its particular engine operating condition. At least one of these sensors is a gas sensor associated with the exhaust system which produces an output signal indicative of the concentration of nitric oxides in the exhaust emissions and which has an output which varies as a function of the concentration of such nitric oxides. A central processing unit receives inputs from the various engine sensors and, in accordance with preprogrammed algorithms, monitors the engine for failure and/or deterioration of various components in the emission reduction system as well as the various engine sensors.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for detecting the relative air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The sensor includes a housing which defines a closed interior chamber. An oxygen diffusion cell constructed of a solid electrolytic material has one side exposed to the exhaust gas and a second side exposed to the housing chamber so that oxygen ions flow through the diffusion cell in dependence upon the relative oxygen concentration in both the exhaust gas and the internal air chamber. A sense cell constructed of a solid electrolytic material also has one side exposed to the air chamber and a second side exposed to a substantially constant source of oxygen, such as the atmosphere. Thus, oxygen ion flow through the sense cell varies as a function of the oxygen concentration in the air chamber and thus of the oxygen concentration in the engine exhaust gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noxious gases in the exhaust emissions of an automobile is disclosed. During engine cold start, a cold start injector having a heater downstream of the injector outlet vaporizes fuel so that a leaner air-fuel mixture can be used, thereby reducing engine emissions before the engine and catalytic converter warm up. The heater includes various configurations for swirling the fuel and exposing it to large surface areas for improving the vaporization of the fuel. A tapered bore surrounding the throttle allows for precise air flow control into the cold start device during engine warm-up.