Automatic Water Control; Thermostatic Patents (Class 123/25K)
  • Patent number: 5694908
    Abstract: An improved auxiliary water-supply device for use with an internal combustion engine system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 5394838
    Abstract: A vaporized fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the engine and having a vaporizer heat shell therein connected to the engine for receiving hot exhaust gases. Air is compressed by means of compressor blades mounted at the tips of the conventional fan blades for the engine. The compressor blades travel in a shroud whereby the air is compressed and supplied to the housing where it passes over the vaporizer heat shell. A fuel vaporization chamber is formed directly on the heat shell and liquid fuel is injected directly onto the heated shell for vaporizing the fuel. When the engine is cold, the liquid fuel may be injected directly onto glow plugs disposed in communication with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: American Fuel Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Chandler
  • Patent number: 4884533
    Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for burning a liquid or gaseous fuel in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A method of and an arrangement for burning a liquid or gaseous fuel in the presence of air or another oxidant and by the use of water in a combustion chamber (12) of an internal combustion engine, especially a reciprocating or rotary piston-type engine. To reduce the fuel consumption and the emission of harmful substances and to increase the efficiency when low-octane fuels, especially regular gasoline or acetylene, are used, water is injected during one or several selected phases, in particular during the entire operation, in an operation-dependent quantity direct into the combustion chamber (12) in such a way that a progressive "primary combustion" of fuel/air just below the critical "knock" temperature (T.sub.c) occurs which initiates a "secondary combustion" of the admixed water at any point of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventors: Antonio Risitano, Lanzafame Rosario, Eugen Popp
  • Patent number: 4800848
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for injecting atomized fluids into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine comprising: a fluid reservoir to hold a supply of fluid, means to transport the fluid to a mixer having (i) a mixing junction, (ii) a flow adjustable fluid intake port to receive the fluid and deliver it to the mixing junction, and (iii) a restricted fixed air flow intake port to deliver a predetermined approximately constant air flow into the mixing junction for atomization of the fluids, and collector means and transport the atomized fluid mixture into the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Von J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 4476817
    Abstract: A controlled amount of a fluid (steam or water or a solution of water plus additives) is injected into an internal combustion engine to improve combustion, efficiency, and to reduce emissions. The amount of the fluid injected is controlled in response to engine need. The steam is generated by the heat produced by the engine. Combustion gas temperature is used to control the amount of steam produced by varying the fluid flow through one or more fixed or variable orifice control valves. The steam is injected in a piston engine to cool peak temperatures, to prevent detonation and pre-ignition, to smooth out hot spots, to prevent auto-ignition or dieseling, and to use the vapor energy in the expansion cycle to increase low speed torque and acceleration. The steam is used to cause full retard of the vacuum spark advance during acceleration at full load from low speed, and a large amount of steam is injected at this point in the cycle to prevent pre-ignition and detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & Erickson, P.C.
    Inventor: John E. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 4461245
    Abstract: A novel pump suitable for use in a water injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The pump controls the rate of flow of water injected into the engine. The pump includes a variable pressure inducing means for pressurizing the water contained in the pump. The variable pressure inducing means is responsive to negative back pressure developed in the intake manifold of the engine and varies the pressure of the water in accordance with changes in the negative back pressure of the manifold. As the negative back pressure decreases, the pressure of the water increases which in turn increases the flow rate of fluid from the pump into the engine. There is also disclosed a pressure sensitive nozzle for controlling the flow of fluid exiting from the nozzle as a function of fluid pressure. The nozzle includes an auxiliary fluid flow path through the nozzle that has an inlet opening of variable size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Inventor: Michael Vinokur
  • Patent number: 4459943
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine, including both spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines, includes a nozzle for injecting a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water, a water solution, or other combustion enhancing fluid, into the intake air of the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply and to the outlet an air injection pump that is connected to an electric drive motor. The drive motor is controlled by an electronic control circuit to provide the atomizing air to the nozzle in response to the fuel flow to the engine and in response to one or more engine parameters including parameters provided by a temperature sensor, a throttle position sensor, and/or a detonation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Goodman System Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Toronta P. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4417547
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine such as a spark-ignition engine in which an injection nozzle injects a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water or a water solution, into the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply reservoir and to an air compressor for supplying air to the nozzle at a rate in direct proportion to engine speed to induce the flow of fluid through the nozzle. A pressure responsive flow control device is provided that is responsive to engine load, as manifested by the pressure in the intake manifold for controlling the flow of air to the nozzle, and therefore the discharge of fluid from the nozzle. The pressure of air supplied by the compressor to the nozzle is varied in response to variations of the pressure in the exhaust manifold of the engine. As a result, the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle, and therefore the rate of fluid injection, is varied in response to variations in engine speed and in engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Goodman System Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Toronta P. Goodman, Bruce W. Everling
  • Patent number: 4409931
    Abstract: A controlled amount of a fluid (steam or water or a solution of water plus additives) is injected into an internal combustion engine to improve combustion, efficiency, and to reduce emissions. The amount of the fluid injected is controlled in response to engine need. The steam is generated by the heat produced by the engine. Combustion gas temperature is used to control the amount of steam produced by varying the fluid flow through one or more fixed or variable orifice control valves. The steam is injected in a piston engine to cool peak temperatures, to prevent detonation and pre-ignition, to smooth out hot spots, to prevent auto-ignition or dieseling, and to use the vapor energy in the expansion cycle to increase low speed torque and acceleration. The steam is used to cause full retard of the vacuum spark advance during acceleration at full load from low speed, and a large amount of steam is injected at this point in the cycle to prevent pre-ignition and detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & Erickson
    Inventor: John E. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 4402182
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which a compact ring type boiler pack is installed at the top of each cylinder recessed into the cylinder head. Water is pumped through each boiler at a rate proportional to the cylinder temperature, to maintain a proper cooling and steam injection balance, the generated steam being injected peripherally into the cylinder during the last part of the power stroke, timed by the temperature in the boiler pack and the pressure in the cylinder. Boiler feed water is controlled by movement of the inlet valve actuating mechanism of the particular cylinder. The boiler provides multiple stage conversion of the water to steam, the peripheral steam injection providing internal cooling of the cylinder walls without interfering with normal combustion. The steam system is adaptable to existing internal combustion engines and results in reduced fuel consumption, very low pollutant emissions in the exhaust and a very efficient thermal cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Inventor: Hugo S. Miller
  • Patent number: 4368711
    Abstract: A water-augmented fuel and air supply system for an internal combustion engine which draws heated air into its intake manifold through two paths, one carrying the bulk of air, referred to as leaning air, drawn directly into the manifold, and the other providing a smaller stream of mixing air through a fuel and water vaporizer heated by engine exhaust. In the vaporizer, the heated mixing air flow acts upon a pool of liquid water and fuel to stimulate vaporization thereof. As engine temperature and engine exhaust temperature rise, the maximum vaporization stimulation effect of the impinging mixing air is no longer needed and is correspondingly reduced. The result is to permit cold starts and to provide a lean mixture of vaporous mixing air conducive to sustained economical engine operation, and increased power availability from the engine without incurring excessive rise in engine operating temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignees: Larry Allen, Robert Harrison, Harry Harbour, Gary Hisel, Thomas Kraft, Ansell Johnson, Harry Rose
    Inventor: Larry D. Allen
  • Patent number: 4351289
    Abstract: Water injection is carried out in a pressure system, with water from a reservoir pressurized by an injection pump energized only above predetermined torque demand levels, under the control of a vacuum switch sensing intake manifold vacuum. Water injection is also precluded until the engine reaches operating temperature by a vacuum switch connected to a PVS valve. A water spray nozzle is mounted in the air cleaner and directs droplets into the carburetor intake. A purging pump causes purging of a short section of the feed line upstream of the injection nozzle after the engine is shut off to minimize water drippage into the engine carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Vince A. Renda
  • Patent number: 4340549
    Abstract: An improved carburetor (20) for delivering one combustible fuel and a liquid, or two combustible fuels from separate reservoirs (50), (500), to the central portion of a hollow spray bar (98) for discharge into carburetor venturi (30) includes substantially closed metering chambers (90), (508) disposed in fuel flow communication from the reservoirs and suspended from opposite ends of spray bar (98). Fuels from metering chambers (90), (500) travel through variable width grooves (154), (548) formed in arcuate metering inserts (148), (544) into the lower end portion of corresponding metering arms (92), (540) and then into the hollow interior of spray bar (98).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Inventor: Robert E. McKim
  • Patent number: 4337731
    Abstract: This invention relates to a feed system for introducing water in the liquid and/or vaporous state into the suction path of an internal combustion engine, consisting of a water stock vessel, of a heat exchanger, to one side of which exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine can be admitted and to the other side of which the water can be admitted, and of the heat barrier upstream of the heat exchanger, which comprises a metering device for metering the quantity of water, which is to be fed into the suction path, and a control device which controls the metering device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Reuter Technologie GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Lohberg
  • Patent number: 4300484
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine such as a spark-ignition or compression-ignition engine in which an injection nozzle injects a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water or a water solution, into the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply reservoir and to the outlet line of an air-injection pump connected to and controlled by an electronic circuit that includes a pick-up coupled to the ignition system of the engine. The electronic circuit responds to spark plug firing rate, which is proportional to engine speed, and to the amplitude of the voltage across the spark plug gap, which is proportional to engine load, and varies, respectively, the pump stroke rate and the pump stroke length accordingly. As a result, the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle and therefore the rate and magnitude of water injection is responsive to engine speed and load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: The Goodman System Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Toronta P. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4300485
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine such as spark-ignition engine in which an injection nozzle injects a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water or a water solution, into the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply reservoir and to the outlet line of an air-injection pump that is connected to an electronic control circuit which includes an inductive pick-up coupled to the ignition system of the engine and a pressure responsive sensor that is coupled to the intake manifold. The electronic circuit thus operates the pump in response to engine speed by virtue of its connection to the ignition system through the inductive pick-up and in response to engine load by virtue of its connection to the intake manifold through the pressure responsive sensor. As a result, the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle and therefore the rate and magnitude of water injection is responsive to engine speed and engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: The Goodman System Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Toronta P. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4300483
    Abstract: A fluid injection system for an internal combustion engine such as a spark-ignition or compression-ignition enginein which an injection nozzle injects a finely divided spray of fluid, such as water or a water solution, into the engine in response to a flow of atomizing air. The nozzle is connected to a fluid supply reservoir and to the outlet line of an air-injection pump connected to the intake manifold of the engine and to an electronic circuit that includes an inductive pick-up coupled to the ignition system of the engine. The pump operates in response to engine speed by virtue of its connection to the ignition system and in response to engine load by virtue of its connection to the intake manifold. As a result, the flow of atomizing air to the nozzle and therefore the rate and magnitude of water injection is responsive to engine speed and engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: The Goodman System Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Toronita P. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4188928
    Abstract: Fuel vaporizing apparatus wherein air admitted to the carburetor is pre-heated and mixed with vaporized water and then caused to vaporize and mix with fuel. The exhaust gases are passed through a heat exchanger located between the carburetor and the intake of the engine to further and more completely vaporize and mix the mixture of fuel, water and air to prevent condensation. The supply of water is controlled by the temperature and speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Carlos Q. Faustinos
  • Patent number: 4122803
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which a compact ring type boiler pack is installed around each cylinder under the cylinder head. Water is pumped through each boiler at a rate proportional to the cylinder temperature, to maintain a proper cooling and steam injection balance, the generated steam being injected peripherally into the cylinder in pulses, timed by a valve which is controlled by movement of the inlet valve actuating mechanism of the particular cylinder. The boiler has multiple stages to ensure complete conversion of the water to steam, the peripheral steam injection providing internal cooling of the cylinder walls without interfering with normal combustion. The steam system is adaptable to existing internal combustion engines and results in reduced fuel consumption, very low pollutant emissions in the exhaust and a very efficient thermal cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Hugo S. Miller
  • Patent number: 4059078
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting steam into an internal combustion engine including an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold, which has a control valve which receives and controls a flow of water supplied from a source or reservoir of same, and from which the flow of water controlled by the valve is delivered to an evaporator adapted to receive the exhaust gases of the engine and to convert the water passing therethrough into steam, which is thereafter delivered to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, increasing the engine power and reducing the contaminants in the exhaust gases therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Inventor: Raul Ramiro de la Rosa
  • Patent number: 4056087
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine carburetor is provided with means for introducing two separate types of liquid into the engine, one of the liquids being gasoline and the other a non-gasoline liquid, such as methyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, or other alcohols. The carburetor maintains the two liquids separate prior to their introduction into the Venturi to avoid problems normally incurred in blending other liquids with gasoline in liquid form and is constructed to prevent introduction of the non-gasoline liquid during normal idling and starting conditions and to introduce it in metered quantities during normal operation. To ensure vaporization of the two liquids in the primary Venturi, hot air at a temperature at least as high as the end point of the gasoline is introduced directly into the primary Venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: F. Travers Burgess
    Inventor: Leonard D. Boyce