Heating Of Combustible Mixture Patents (Class 123/543)
  • Patent number: 5119794
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel heating device for internal combustion engines, in which both fuel heating means and fuel conductance passage are accommodated in the main body, constructed in such a manner that the fuel is injected after being heated while it passes the aforementioned fuel conductive passage to be arranged proximate to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Osami Kushida, Takahisa Yamashita, Yasushi Hibino
  • Patent number: 5085179
    Abstract: A double poppet valve apparatus is mounted in a combustion chamber wall. A port is formed in the wall. A first valve member is mounted in the port. A second valve member is concentrically mounted within the first valve member. One or more resilient members are provided for urging each of the valve members into respective seated positions. The first valve member is moved in a first direction and the second valve member is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction. The valve movement is effected by a cam operably engaged with a pair of rocker arms each of which is associated with one of the valve members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Henry B. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5044331
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control method controls the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine having spark plugs, and heaters for heating the air-fuel mixture in the vicinity of respective ones of the heaters, the air-fuel mixture containing a fuel which is poor in atomizing characteristic at a low temperature. The method comprises the steps of (1) determining whether or not a temperature of the engine is lower than a predetermined value, (2) determining whether or not the engine is being cranked, (3) detecting an amount of electric current flowing through each of the heaters, and (4) controlling an amount of fuel supplied to the engine based on the detected amount of electric current when it is determined that the temperature of the engine is lower than the predetermined value and at the same time the engine is being cranked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suga, Shinichi Kitajima, Horiki Kodama
  • Patent number: 4930484
    Abstract: A fuel and air mixture expanding and preheating system for use in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, a carburetor, an automatic transmission and a transmission fluid cooler includes a heat exchanger body having a first mounting plate dimensioned for attachment to the carburetor and a second mounting plate dimensioned for attachment to the intake manifold. A heating fluid inlet of the heat exchanger body is dimensioned for connection to a heated automatic transmission fluid line of the vehicle, between the automatic transmission and the transmission fluid cooler. A heating fluid outlet of the heat exchanger body is dimensioned for connection to a transmission fluid cooler inlet of the vehicle. A throttle valve is mounted in an outlet portion of the heat exchanger body, adjacent the intake manifold mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventors: Steven M. Binkley, Clinton D. McCarty
  • Patent number: 4928658
    Abstract: A highly efficient regenerative reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The regenerator captures the unutilized heat normally expelled with the exhaust products of such an engine and transfers it to fresh working fluid at the appropriate time in the next engine operating cycle to reduce the quantity of fuel which must be burned, resulting in an increase in engine efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of a permeable, movable heat exchanger located between the piston and the cylinder head. This regenerative technique can be applied to both two and four stroke Diesel cycle and Otto cycle engines. It can also be employed in ported (i.e. valveless) engines. The hot combustion region can be located between the cylinder head and the regenerator or between the piston and the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventors: Allan J. Ferrenberg, William T. Webber
  • Patent number: 4893604
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion spark ignition engine (27) is provided with a unit (14) for pre-mixing liquid fuel with a part of the total air charge, a spray nozzle (43 117) through which the mixed air/fuel is passed, a heat exchanger (48 102) for heating the mixed air/fuel issuing from the spray nozzle (43 117) to produce a gas and a conduit (49 118) for conveying the gas to the inlet manifold (31 103) of the engine (27) where it mixes with the remainder of the air charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Geoffrey W. West
  • Patent number: 4879975
    Abstract: A modified carburetion and manifold arrangement to enable internal combustion engines to efficiently use fuels such as alcohols having high latent heat of vaporization. A variable venturi carburetion means (30) is combined with two manifolds-one (20) being larger for use during medium to high power operation and a second smaller manifold (24) for starting and low power operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Bennett Automotive Technology Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: John R. McC. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4805403
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has intake and exhaust ducts, including an exhaust duct portion formed as an integral part of the engine along with the engine coolant jacket and passages, the exhaust duct portion being located in good thermal contact with the engine coolant flow passages, and flow diverting valves in the exhaust duct portion to direct exhaust gases to flow through the exhaust duct portion when the engine is cold in order to accelerate warm-up, the valves causing the duct to be bypassed under normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bowman, Robert A. Marshall, Trevor W. Biddulph
  • Patent number: 4790284
    Abstract: A highly efficient regenerative reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The regenerator captures the unutilized heat normally expelled with the exhaust products of such an engine and transfers it to fresh working fluid at the appropriate time in the next engine operating cycle to reduce the quantity of fuel which must be burned, resulting in an increase in engine efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of a permeable, movable heat exchanger located between the piston and the cylinder head. This regenerative technique can be applied to both two and four stroke Diesel cycle and Otto cycle engines. It can also be employed in ported (i.e. valveless) engines. The hot combustion region can be located between the cylinder head and the regenerator or between the piston and the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Regenic Corporation
    Inventors: Allan J. Ferrenberg, William T. Webber
  • Patent number: 4715326
    Abstract: An unthrottled multicylinder catalytic engine having first and second cylinders with first and second pistons, respectively, reciprocating therein. A mixture of air and fuel is inserted into the first cylinder, compressed in the first cylinder, and combustion is initiated, if necessary, during start-up. A transfer passageway communication between the first and second cylinders receives the compressed mixture and a catalyst positioned in the passageway oxidizes or ignites the mixture to provide the power stroke for operating the second piston. Thereafter, the oxidized or burnt mixture is exhausted from the second cylinder. The compressed gas may be heated in the passageway by the exhaust heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Robert H. Thring
  • Patent number: 4633833
    Abstract: A carburetion system for an internal combustion engine wherein a plurality of throttle blades cooperates with a throttle body to form channels for high speed airflow at part throttle conditions. The airflow exits the channels as coherent streams, and these streams collide downstream from the throttle to generate a region of severe velocity change which serves to finely atomize liquid fuel which has been introduced into the airflow streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: George Q. Morris
  • Patent number: 4603667
    Abstract: Device for fuel injection in combustion chambers of, in particular, selfigniting combustion engines with an injection nozzle (10) and a subsequently switched incandescent wire (20) which has a conduit (30) surrounded by a double heating layer (33) on the inside for passing through of the injection streams. The double heating layer (33) consists of an inner heating layer (35) which is separated from a second heating layer (37) by an electrical insulator. In the parallel as well as the series switching of the two heating layers (35,37), a two stage heating of the double heating layer (33) is possible. The inner heating layer (35) reaches the required end temperature required for ignition in a relative short time, while the second heating layer (37) assures a high energy density of the ceramic support mass (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Grunwald, Ernst Imhof, Iwan Komaroff, Gunther Schmid, Kurt Schmid
  • Patent number: 4542717
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fuel vaporization system designed primarily for use in automobile or like vehicle internal combustion engines. Liquid fuel such as gasoline is independently forced into a vaporization structure concurrently with the injection of water. The vaporization structure is disposed in direct heat receiving relation to the exhaust manifold of the engine such that heat received therefrom serves to vaporize the water and gasoline mixture prior to its exiting. The vaporized mixture is then fed into the intake manifold and more specifically into each of the plurality of cylinders of the engine. A control assembly includes a pressure switch structured to determine pressure within the vaporization structure to the extent that a decrease of the internal pressure below a predetermined level causes activation of the delivery systems and a continuing supply of water and gasoline mixture to the vaporization assembly until the predetermined pressure is reached and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Inventor: Jei S. Choe
  • Patent number: 4508264
    Abstract: A first heat exchanger for heating the wall of an engine intake passage by engine coolant is connected in series with a parallel connection of a second heat exchanger for heating the interior of a passenger compartment and a bypass conduit via a changeover valve which directs flow of coolant alternatively either through the first heat exchanger and the bypass conduit in series and not through the second heat exchanger for summer use, or through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in series and not through the bypass conduit for winter use. The bypass conduit system has a higher coolant flow resistance than the second heat exchanger, so that the amount of heating applied to the wall of the engine intake passage is automatically reduced when the heating of the passenger compartment is switched off for summer use as compared in winter use where the heating of the passenger compartment is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisou Takeda, Toshiyuki Hirata
  • Patent number: 4446822
    Abstract: A heat insulating mounting device for use with a carburetor of an internal combustion engine including a heat insulating casing formed of a heat insulating synthetic resinous material for enclosing the carburetor connected to a cylinder in a manner to isolate the carburetor from the heat of radiation of the engine, and a flexible air passageway of small thickness formed of a heat insulating high molecular compound of rubbery properties heat insulatingly communicating the carburetor with the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Inaga, Yoetsu Yokocho
  • Patent number: 4414932
    Abstract: Exhaust emissions are reduced, fuel consumption is improved for internal-combustion engines, and the number of cold starts reduced by storing heat energy from the operation of the engine in a heat-storage reservoir filled with a change-of-state heat-storage material. Absorbed heat energy is released back to the engine's intake manifold to maintain elevated engine temperature between uses and starting up of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Owen, Wickersham & Erickson
    Inventor: John E. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 4395998
    Abstract: A multi-fuel gasifier system for internal combustion engines comprising a hollow casing having heat conducting plates therein in thermal contact with a heat exchange duct passing through the casing through which hot exhaust gas passes from the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipe, a gasifying chamber substantially centrally located within the casing and surrounded by the heat conducting plates and defined by inner wall portions of the plates. An inlet in the casing wall communicates with one end of the chamber and the outlet of the carburetor. An outlet through the casing wall communicates with the other end of the chamber and the intake manifold of the engine. Adjacent the inlet end of the chamber is a first perforated vaporization cap through which fuel-air mixture from the carburetor passes and thereafter contacts a second conically shaped vaporization cap which deflects and sprays the fuel mixture into the vaporization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: How Tong Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: You-May Chou
  • Patent number: 4387291
    Abstract: A self-regulating heater for use in an early fuel evaporation system for an automotive engine includes a metallic radiator having a first heat-receiving side and an opposite side for transferring heat to a fuel evaporization zone. Self-regulating ceramic electrical resistance heater elements having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity(PTC) are disposed with first sides in facing relation with respective recessed first portions of the heat-receiving side of the radiator. A thermally conducting metal heat-transfer member has recessed first portions disposed in facing relation to respective second sides of the heater elements to receive heat second sides of the heater elements to receive heat from the second sides of the heaters and also has second portions disposed in closely-spaced facing relation to corresponding second portions of the heat-receiving side of the radiator, thereby to transfer the heat received from the second heater sides to the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Theo Keppel
  • Patent number: 4280468
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the open cycle type in which a porous, heat retaining regenerative member is placed in a cylinder head between the reciprocal piston and the intake and exhaust valve thereof. The regenerator member is heated to high temperatures during the exhaust cycle of the engine and preheats a fresh charge of air during the compression stroke of the engine so that, when the compressed air charge is mixed and ignited with a fuel charge, the engine's efficiency will be increased and the engine may operate at a lower compression ratio, thereby reducing heat loss to the engine. In one embodiment, the piston has means for releasably coupling the regenerator member therewith for movement with the piston during two of the strokes of the cycle of operation of the engine, the coupling and uncoupling being a function of the position of the piston in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventor: Mitchell W. Millman
  • Patent number: 4279227
    Abstract: In an intermittent process, hot reaction by-products are collected and stored in a thermal reservoir to provide heat when the process is not operating. In the preferred embodiment of a vehicle having a heat engine which derives power from a reaction of an alkali metal with water, molten alkali hydroxides are separated from a gaseous exhaust and stored in a thermal reservoir. In frigid weather prior to starting, a thermal exchange fluid transfers heat from the thermal reservoir to melt sufficient alkali metal and water to assure an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventor: Stephen F. Skala
  • Patent number: 4278064
    Abstract: A turbo-charged, inter-cooled governed speed diesel engine directly coupled to an alternator for electrical generation is adapted for dual-fuel operation and mounted on a trailer which also supports the engine's fuel sources including diesel fuel in a conventional tank. The second fuel is producer gas generated in a down draft continuously operating producer of the moving-packed-bed vertical flow reactor type with co-current gas flow. Solid waste such as crop residues, e.g., corn cobs, is used as fuel stock for the producer and is conveyed automatically to the producer from a bin on the trailer. Before delivery to the air intake of the diesel engine the producer gas is conditioned by passing it through a cyclone and filter to remove solid particulate matter and a cooler-condenser for cooling the gas and condensing out tars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jose F. Regueiro
  • Patent number: 4261316
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine comprising a carburetor housing forming therein at least two branch mixture passages. Each of the branch mixture passages is connected to a respective intake port. A throttle valve of the carburetor is provided for each cylinder. Each of the throttle valves is arranged in the respective branch mixture passage. A single common connecting passage and branch connecting passages which are connected to the common connecting passage are provided. Each of the branch connecting passages opens into the respective intake port in the vicinity of the rear face of the valve head of the corresponding intake valve. The common connecting passage is arranged adjacent to the exhaust port for heating the inner wall of the common connecting passage by the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Motosugi, Shuhei Toyoda, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4231342
    Abstract: A fuel heat recovery system and control valve therefor for use in the fuel system of a diesel engine wherein the fuel system includes a fuel tank connected by a supply conduit means, including at least one fuel filter and a fuel pump to the engine. The fuel pump is used to supply fuel at a predetermined pressure to a plurality of fuel injectors of the engine, the fuel injectors also being connected to a fuel return conduit whereby fuel supplied to the injectors in excess of that injected by the injectors can be returned to the fuel tank, this excess or surplus fuel normally being heated by the engine. A temperature responsive fuel flow control valve is connected to the fuel return conduit upstream of the fuel tank and to the supply conduit between the fuel tank and the fuel filter whereby to control the flow of the heated surplus fuel for flow either back to the supply tank or back to the engine as a function of the temperature of fuel being supplied to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4231341
    Abstract: An exhaust gas flow control valve apparatus comprising a rotary valve shaft extending across the exhaust passage in the exhaust housing. The shaft has an end portion projecting from the exhaust housing. A bimetallic element is mounted on the end portion of the shaft. A hollow collar is sealingly fitted onto the end portion of the shaft. A compression spring is arranged at one end of the shaft, so as to urge the hollow collar against the wall of the exhaust housing, for preventing leakage of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Kuramoto, Toshinari Onishi