Abstract: In an automobile having a self-starting motor and a source of an electrical energy, a heating grid for vaporizing fuel and therefore promoting easier starting. The heating grid is selectively energized by the electrical energy source and controlled by an engine start anticipated system including switch means responsive to vehicle operator initiated actions so that the heating grid is energized prior to engine starting attempts.

Abstract: Heating apparatus for the air-fuel mixture of a vehicle engine including a perforated grid placed across the flow of the air-fuel mixture. The grid is spaced downward from the outlet of the carburetor. A bypass housing formed of permeable screen material may be placed with an open inlet end registered with the carburetor outlet and with an open outlet end registered with the face of the heating grid. During engine start and idle modes with or without use of a choke all of the fuel-air mixture passes through the grid. During off-idle engine modes which require substantially greater flow rates, a portion of the mixture may bypass the grid and pass through the permeable walls of the bypass housing.

Abstract: Time delay valve means are provided in a conduit through which an actuating vacuum signal is supplied to a valve for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The time delay valve means include a pressure responsive vacuum relay valve for opening and closing the conduit in response to an increase in engine intake manifold vacuum to a predetermined level and an orifice for increasing the time required after engine starting for the predetermined level of intake manifold vacuum to be applied to the vacuum relay valve.

Abstract: The throttle for the air inlet passage of an automobile internal combustion engine comprises a variable restriction diffuser within the passage and designed for sonic velocity gas flow through its region of maximum restriction throughout substantially the entire operating range of the engine. The diffuser comprises an orifice member and a closure member movable axially in opposite direction within the passage to vary the aforesaid maximum restriction and operatively coupled with the throttle control linkage for such movement, whereby the force required to move either diffuser member against the force of the fuel and air inlet flow within the passage is counterbalanced by an oppositely directed force exerted by said flow on the other diffuser member.

Abstract: A separate throttle within each of a pair of air inlet passages for an automobile internal combustion engine comprises a variable restriction diffuser designed for sonic velocity gas flow through its region of maximum restriction throughout substantially the entire operating range of the engine. The diffuser in one of the pair of passages comprises a movable orifice member and a fixed closure member. The diffuser in the other of said passages comprises a fixed orifice member and a movable closure member.

Abstract: A gas make-up conduit extends to the crankcase of an internal combustion engine from the latter's fuel and air supply conduit at a location upstream of the throttle valve in said conduit and downstream of the fuel supply into said conduit to supply a mixture of fuel and air to the crankcase in the same ratio that is supplied to the engine, thereby to replace gases that are recycled according to conventional practice from the crankcase into the induction conduit downstream of the throttle valve.