Heating Meduim Surrounds Combustible Mixture Patents (Class 123/545)
  • Patent number: 5247909
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the efficiency of a combustion process and thereby reducing undesirable emissions in which a solid combustion enhancing substance is converted into a highly dispersed, gas-transportable state at a controlled rate and is subsequently conveyed into the zone of combustion. The use of a substance in its solid state eases handling and avails highly effective materials for combustion and enhancement while the necessary conversion of the substance from one state to another enables a high degree of control as to its rate of addition to the combustion process. The substance's highly dispersed state when it enters the combustion process maximizes its effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Combustion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5146897
    Abstract: An intake manifold for a multi cylinder internal combustion engine has a common upstream passage and individual downstream passages, leading individually to cylinders of the engine, respectively. These individual downstream passages are connected between a downstream end of the common upstream passage and the cylinders. Upstream end portions of the individual downstream passages are symmetrically located around a fuel injector, disposed downstream relative to the common upstream passage, and are joined together. At a center of the symmetrically joined upstream end portions of the individual downstream passages, fuel passages are provided to open independently into the upstream end portions so as to introduce fuel from the fuel injector into the individual downstream passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Hattori, Mitsuo Hitomi, Toshimitsu Tanaka, Naoyuki Yamagata
  • Patent number: 5134986
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a channel member such as a plenum chamber or cylinder head or the like with an inlet receiving air and fuel to form an air-fuel mixture and with a pair of outlets furnishing the air-fuel mixture to respective cylinders or groups of cylinders or to respective cylinder intake valve openings of two-intake engine cylinders or the like. A heating device mounted on the channel member has a heat-exchange surface which intercepts the air and fuel from the inlet to heat and fully vaporize the fuel to form the air-fuel mixture and also to divide the fuel mixture between the two outlets for furnishing the fuel mixture to the individual cylinders, groups of cylinders or intake valve openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Curhan
  • Patent number: 5123398
    Abstract: A fuel gasifier for an internal combustion engine having a gasification chamber, a device for injecting fuel into the chamber in droplets of about 30-50 microns or less in diameter, an ambient air inlet to the chamber with a flow control therefor, to admit a controlled amount of ambient air to mix with the fuel, a heater in the chamber to elevate the fuel temperature and convert the fuel to a gaseous state, a fuel and air mixing and transfer impeller in the chamber for increasing turbulence and propelling the mixture from the chamber, an annular venturi flow passage for flow of additional ambient air past the outside of the chamber, and a plurality of radial passages between the chamber and the venturi passage for flow of the turbulent mixture into the venturi passage and entrainment of the fuel and air mixture into the additional ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Sunotyx Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Klaus, James L. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 5101801
    Abstract: A method of heating an internal combustion engine during cold start-up and also for maintaining an optimum development of the temperature of the combustion gas during other operational conditions is disclosed. Heat stored in a heat storage means is released to the combustion air prior to the entry of same into the combustion chamber of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Oskar Schatz
  • Patent number: 5086747
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a channel member such as a plenum chamber or cylinder head or the like with an inlet receiving air and fuel to form an air-fuel mixture and with a pair of outlets furnishing the air-fuel mixture to respective cylinders or groups of cylinders or to respective cylinder intake valve openings of two-intake engine cylinders or the like. A heating device mounted on the channel member has a heat-exchange surface which intercepts the air and fuel from the inlet to heat and fully vaporize the fuel to form the air-fuel mixture and also to divide the fuel mixture between the two outlets for furnishing the fuel mixture to the individual cylinders, groups of cylinders or intake valve openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Curhan
  • Patent number: 5086748
    Abstract: Several embodiments of gaseous fuel supplying systems for an internal combustion engine used to power a portable generator. In each embodiment, heat is supplied to the fuel so as to maintain the fuel pressure if the fuel pressure falls below a predetermined pressure. In some embodiments, the heat supply is on-off and in other embodiments it is variable. In certain embodiments, the heat is supplied electrically and in another embodiment, the heat is extracted from the engine. In addition, one embodiment incorporates a cold starting arrangement wherein fuel is supplied to the engine for cold starting at full container pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 5048501
    Abstract: A mechanical process for significantly improving the octane rating performance of gasoline powered engines (either conventional carburetion or fuel injection). An auxiliary system fractionates a precise portion of the required fuel and combines the fraction thus formed with a conventionally produced air/fuel mixture in states and proportions which optimize the combustion process. Different means of implementing the process are described utilizing an additional fuel controller which is connected to a fuel supply through an existing fuel pump which delivers fuel to both the fuel controller and an existing carburetion of fuel-injection system. Air for both is drawn through a common air filter. A proportioning system determines the proper amount of air and fuel entering the controller where they are mixed. The vapor fraction is enhanced and stabilized by passing the mixture through a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventors: Dale T. Smith, C. George Amistadi
  • Patent number: 5042447
    Abstract: A device for heating and cooling fuel to maintain the temperature of fuel delivered to an engine within a desired temperature range includes a body (10) having a fuel inlet (12) and a fuel outlet (14). The body includes a middle portion (16) and a first heat exchanger portion (18) in connection with a heat source. The body also includes a second heat exchanger portion (20) in connection with a heat sink. A thermostatic actuator (86) positioned adjacent the outlet of the device, includes a plunger rod (88) that extends responsive to increased temperature of the fuel passing the actuator. A movable member (74) is positioned by the plunger rod to direct fuel to either a first opening (28) from which the fuel passes through the first heat exchanger portion and is heated, or to a second opening (30) from which the fuel passes through the second heat exchanger portion and is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Walter H. Stone
  • Patent number: 5040518
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer manifold to be mechanically interconnected between the carburetor and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The vaporizer manifold comprises a plurality of parallel aligned and longitudinally extending heating tubes and a plurality of parallel aligned and laterally extending heat conducting fins that are arranged in thermal contact with said tubes. A portion the hot exhaust gases being emitted from the engine is recycled from the exhaust manifold to the carburetor by way of the heating tubes of the vaporizer manifold to thereby heat the tubes and the fins in contact therewith. Liquid fuel (e.g. gasoline), which is mixed with air and supplied to the vaporizer manifold from the carburetor, flows over the heat conducting fins, whereby said liquid fuel is vaporized. The vaporized fuel is supplied from the vaporizer manifold to the intake manifold to be efficiently combusted within the cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Myrle W. Hamm
  • Patent number: 5040517
    Abstract: A continuous hot air intake for carburetor and fuel injection supplied engines that regulates the temperature of air mixing with fuel that is mixed in the carburetor or fuel injector prior to introduction to the cylinders of the engine. The invention includes preferably a heater and associated filter located at the air intake side of the carburetor that is activated by circulating heated fluid contained within the engine cooling system. The heater, in preferred form, is conveniently sized and circular in configuration so as to encircle the filter positioned at the air intake side of the carburetor, however, a circular filter can be used to encircle the heater. The heater and filter are encompassed by a releasably securable cover to hold these components together and in place and to block the entry of dust, dirt or other invading elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Carl C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5038742
    Abstract: A vaporizing nozzle which comprises a wall (16) of porous material through which a liquid to be evaporated percolates from one side thereof into a gas stream at the other side thereof and a thermoelectric device (30) located at or adjacent the wall of porous material whereby to regulate the temperature thereof. A computer is provided, with a read only memory (ROM) or equivalent containing a "map" of the air to fuel ratio required for given values of the various parameters and compares the sensed values with the map held in memory and sends an appropriate signal to thermoelectric device controller which responds by sending a current of the correct magnitude and polarity to the device such that the device, which is in close proximity to the wall heats or cools the surface of the wall to a desired level thus regulating the flow or fuel therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: E-Tech Limited
    Inventor: Mustafa A. Uddin
  • Patent number: 5027759
    Abstract: A fuel injection and gasifying system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The combustion system includes a piston assembly with a piston furnished with a gasifying chamber, a cylinder which contains the combustion apparatus, a crank assembly with a crankcase, an injection apparatus, and a control apparatus. The crank assembly manipulates the piston assembly between a first position and a second position. The injection apparatus delivers a fuel mixture to the combustion system, and is positioned such that, when the piston assembly is in the first position, the injection apparatus opens into the gasifying chamber, and when the piston assembly is in the second position, the injection apparatus opens into the crankcase. The control apparatus controls the operation of injection apparatus. When the temperature of the gasifying chamber is below the vaporizing temperature of the fuel the fuel is injected into the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Jih-Tzang Luo
  • Patent number: 5019120
    Abstract: The invention produces and meters a constant supply of volatile gasoline vapors into the cylinders of an internal combustion gasoline engine. The vapors are produced by releasing them from liquid gasoline through pressure differential inside a closed vaporizer container. Vapor is transferred from the container to the fuel delivery mechanism by introducing the vapor into one or more constant vacuum inlet ports of the fuel delivery mechanism. A variable gascock valve regulates the flow of vapor. These constant vacuum inlet ports, and lines thereto, are standard components of all modern automobile engines and require no modification for installation of the invention. All gasoline burned by the engine first passes through the system's vaporizer container where a portion of the available vapor (free vapor) is released and transferred to the fuel delivery mechanism. Unvaporized liquid gasoline within the container is concurrently pumped to the fuel delivery mechanism by an auxiliary fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventors: Alfred M. Lewis, James W. Cox
  • Patent number: 5012788
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a fuel-air mixture-forming device for internal combustion engines, having a rotationally symmetric nozzle body (2) which, together with a rotationally symmetric throttle body (8) displaceable in it, forms a convergent-divergent nozzle which discharges into a radial diffusor (6). In the vicinity of the narrowest cross section (5) of the nozzle there is provided a fuel slot (11) extending around it and discharging into it, at least one fuel feed line (9, 10) discharging into the fuel slot. The radial diffusor is formed by a region of the nozzle body which is curved outward in the direction of flow of the mixture and by a wall (15) of a structural member (17) which forms a structural unit (18) with an intake manifold (7) of the internal combustion engine, the wall (15) lying opposite the nozzle body and being rotationally symmetric to the longitudinal axis (1) of the throttle member and having a bulge (16) pointing toward the throttle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Martin Feldinger
  • Patent number: 4984555
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a diesel engine fuel pipeline heating device and particularly to a diesel engine fuel pipeline heating device consisting of an electric heating device and a water (or air) temperature heating device provided to the exterior of diesel engine fuel pipe. A diesel engine equipped with such a heating device can be easily started through the electric heating device to heat the fuel in the fuel pipe up to a suitable starting temperature around 40.degree. C. (or 104.degree. F.) before starting the engine; and after starting the engine for some time, namely, when the temperature in the heating cylinder of water (or air) heating device has risen to the said suitable combustion temperature around 40.degree. C. (or 104.degree. F.), the power source of electric heating device is automatically turned off to stop the heating action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Kuo-Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 4979483
    Abstract: A diesel fuel heater for heating diesel fuel prior to its introduction into the diesel engine wherein said fuel heater comprises top and bottom covers and an elongate annular section. The fuel heater of the present invention heats the fuel by passing engine coolant across fuel carrying fuel tubes located in the heat transfer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Diesel Research and Development Co.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Ray
  • Patent number: 4971018
    Abstract: A diesel fuel heater for heating diesel fuel prior to its introduction into the diesel engine wherein said fuel heater comprises top and bottom covers and an elongate annular section. The fuel heater of the present invention heats the fuel by passing engine coolant across fuel carrying fuel tubes located in the heat transfer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Diesel Research and Development Co.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Ray
  • Patent number: 4955351
    Abstract: The invention produces and meters a constant supply of volatile gasoline vapors into the cylinders of an internal combustion gasoline engine. The vapors are produced by releasing them from liquid gasoline through pressure differential inside a closed vaporizer container. Vapor is transferred from the container to the fuel delivery mechanism by introducing the vapor into one or more constant vacuum inlet ports of the fuel delivery mechanism. A variable gascock valve regulates the flow of vapor. These constant vacuum inlet ports, and lines thereto, are standard components of all modern automobile engines and require no modification for installation of the invention. All gasoline burned by the engine first passes through the system's vaporizer container where a portion of the available vapor (free vapor) is released and transferred to the fuel delivery mechanism. Unvaporized liquid gasoline within the container is concurrently pumped to the fule delivery mechanism by an auxiliary fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Alfred M. Lewis, James W. Cox
  • Patent number: 4883616
    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: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: Ray M. Covey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4883040
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for increasing the output in terms of miles per gallon attainable by a conventional internal combustion engine. The improvement in m.p.g. is the result of a fuel vaporizer unit which utilizes engine collant and exhaust gases in heat exchange relationship to vaporize raw fuel. The gas vapors are collected within the vaporizer unit and then directed to the carburetor wherein it is united with air prior to entering the intake manifold. It has been found that running an engine on a mixture of gas vapors and air produces significantly improved mileage over that otherwise attainable. An additional advantage of the vaporizer unit is the resulting reduction of the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere due to the complete and total combustion of all the vapors entering the combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: William C. Rocky
  • Patent number: 4865004
    Abstract: A fuel line cooler (34) is provided for a marine propulsion system (2) having a water cooled internal combustion engine (4) in a heat retentive compartment (5). The fuel line cooler (34) has an inlet (36) in communication with the source (14, 12) of cooling water for the engine (4), and has an outlet (38) for discharging water. The fuel line cooler (34) is cooled by sea water during running of the engine (4). Upon turn off of the engine (4), the cooled water in the fuel line cooler (34) is in heat transfer relation with the fuel and prevents vaporization and or spewing of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Widmer, Gerald F. Neisen, Jeffrey P. Ruhnke, Thomas J. Steffes, Brian S. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 4862859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an electric ignition, 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 that transfers heat from the engine coolant system to the fuel mixture as it leaves a fuel introducing device such as a carburetor; a fuel mixture heater for heating the mixture above the vaporization temperature of the liquid fuel; and, a mixture homogenizer for thoroughly stirring the fuel mixture that is located in the fuel mixture flow path intermediate the vaporizer and heater. The homogenizer is operative to compress the fuel mixture under certain engine operating conditions and the heater forms the intake manifold for the engine and includes branch flow paths and associated conduits that communicate directly with each combustion chamber through a valve controlled port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Henry Yunick
  • Patent number: 4829969
    Abstract: A fuel heating device for internal combustion engines using engine coolant to heat the fuel prior to the introduction of the fuel into the carburetor and utilizing a spiral distributor to evenly heat the fuel and eliminate vapor lock. The spiral distributor provides a means for spiraling the fuel through a heat transfer chamber to evenly heat the fuel and decrease the amount of vaporized fuel created by heating the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Energy Research and Marketing Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis A. Ray
  • Patent number: 4768493
    Abstract: An arrangement for heating the blow-by gas system of a water cooled type internal combustion engine by providing engine coolant conduits in heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas hoses and PCV valve. In one embodiment a water jacket surrounds the PCV valve. The heat exchangers between the blow-by gas system hoses and the coolant hoses are parallel adjacent conduits in one embodiment and concentric conduits in another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Ohtaka, Yukio Kondo, Kaoru Aoki, Masayuki Kumada, Takashi Iwashita
  • Patent number: 4718393
    Abstract: A device for increasing the homogenity of the air-fuel stream between the carburetor and the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A first cylindrical member is connected between the carburetor and intake manifold, said first cylindrical member having within it multiple sets of vanes for mixing the gaseous stream flowing within. Means for controlled heating of the gaseous stream moving through the first cylindrical member is provided. Means for driving the gaseous stream through the first cylindrical member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventor: Richard J. Bakish
  • Patent number: 4717808
    Abstract: A heater for a fuel supply system including a carburetor and a manifold for an internal combustion engine, the heater including an electrically inert core and at least one PTC disposed within a cavity in the core, the PTC heater being disposed upon an electrically conductive stratum such as copper sheet and a graphite stratum disposed next adjacent the conductive stratum, the graphite stratum acting as a compressible heat transmitting gasket between the fuel heater and the carburetor whereby to heat the fuel and prevent icing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Cyll, Mason G. Ide
  • Patent number: 4708100
    Abstract: It is a reciprocating type of internal combustion engine, of which the inside of piston is furnished with a gasifying chamber; the outlet of the gasifying chamber can, during the piston moving reciprocatingly, be in alignment with the spraying nozzle on the cylinder and the third scavenging passage in sequence so as to let the spraying nozzle directly spray fuel into the gasifying chamber, and to let the fuel absorb the high temperature heat of the piston top to cause the fuel to be gasified completely. The gasified fuel flows into the third scavenging passage during the piston moving downwards and is to be stored therein temporarily; then, the gasified fuel is compressed into the cylinder by means of the compressed air in the crankcase so as to mix with the fresh air entered into the cylinder via other scavenging passages. The gas mixture is to be compressed with the upward moving piston, and to be exploded to generate a mechanical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Jih-Tzang Luo
  • Patent number: 4671245
    Abstract: A throttle valve pipe is proposed, which is used for fuel mixture formation for mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition. The throttle valve pipe includes an intake conduit and a throttle valve is disposed therein and to control fuel flow. From upstream of the throttle valve fuel can be ejected by an injection valve in the direction toward the throttle valve. The throttle valve is made of ceramic and on its surface which faces the injection valve this valve is provided with an electric heating resistor film. In the pivoting region of the throttle valve, a liner of ceramic is inserted into the intake conduit and the additionally liner surface which forms part of the intake conduit is provided with an electric heating resistor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Knapp
  • Patent number: 4667643
    Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a gaseous fuel mixture to a combustion chamber. A fuel vaporizer vaporizes liquid fuel which is then mixed with air. The vaporizer and mixing chamber are heated to maintain the temperature of the vaporized fuel/air mixture. The vaporizer and mixing chamber are also interconnected so that vaporized fuel is discharged directly from the vaporizer into the mixing chamber. A simplified valve for controlling the quantity of vaporized fuel discharged into the mixing chamber is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: International Mileage Master, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 4651702
    Abstract: A heating device for heating air-fuel mixture to be fed to an internal combustion engine has a PTC heat generator having a flat ring-like form with a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof directly exposed to the passage for the mixture. The heating device also has a heat radiating member having an inner peripheral heat radiating surface confronting the mixture passage and jointed to the PTC heat generator in heat conducting relation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nara, Akio Yazawa, Yosinori Akiyama
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 4593670
    Abstract: A fuel evaporator comprises a ring-shaped heater element made of PTC ceramic, a pipe made of heat conductive metal and disposed within an air-fuel passage of an internal combustion engine therealong and a pair of terminal members for supplying power to the heater element. The heater element is disposed closely in contact with the outer periphery of the upper end of the pipe. One end of each of the pair of terminal members is closely in contact with each of the upper and under surfaces of the heater element. The fuel evaporator further comprises a plate-shaped compact made of electricity insulating rubber or synthetic resin and formed around the upper end of the pipe. Within the compact, the heater element, the upper end of the pipe and the terminal members are embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nara, Akio Yazawa, Yoshinori Akiyama
  • Patent number: 4592329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an electric ignition, 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 (50) that transfers heat from the engine coolant system to the fuel mixture as it leaves a fuel introducing device such as a carburetor (38); a fuel mixture heater (52) for heating the mixture above the vaporization temperature of the liquid fuel; and, a mixture homogenizer (54) for thoroughly stirring the fuel mixture that is located in the fuel mixture flow path intermediate the vaporizer and heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Motortech, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Yunick
  • Patent number: 4583511
    Abstract: The invention comprises a carburetion apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine having a generally conventional carburetor, an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The carburetion apparatus has a central chamber that receives the fuel-air mixture from the carburetor and delivers the fuel-air mixture to the intake manifold. The central chamber is provided with baffles to divert the fluid flow and cause intimate mixing of fuel and air. The baffles are such that the manifold vacuum is raised (or, the pressure is lowered), so the vacuum assists in evaporating liquid fuel. The baffles may be heated by passing exhaust gases through them, the exit of the exhaust gas being slowed by a constricted outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: Harry E. Greene
  • Patent number: 4574764
    Abstract: Carburetor air-fuel mixtures are directed to a manifold having a plurality of long, small diameter helical tubes extending upwardly therefrom. An auxiliary air inlet having an auxiliary choke and an auxiliary air throttle supplies air to mixtures entering the tubes in response to engine temperature and carburetor throttle.Heated engine coolant flows upwardly through a jacket enclosing the tubes. An outlet manifold receives air-fuel mixtures vaporized in the tubes and directs them to the engine intake manifold. The carburetor is mounted on a block having an air-fuel passageway extending from a top inlet to a side outlet. The block is mounted atop a block having a passageway having a side inlet which receives vaporized air-fuel mixtures from the tubes to a bottom outlet in communication with the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: John L. Earle
  • Patent number: 4548183
    Abstract: In an engine system wherein the engine coolant is permitted to boil and the gaseous coolant used as a vehicle for removing heat from the engine, a heating jacket associated with the induction conduit of the engine is supplied with gaseous coolant via a control valve during cold engine starts and during modes of engine operation wherein it is advantageous from the view point of fuel economy to raise the temperature of the engine and/or the incoming fuel charge. The supply is terminated under other modes of operation to avoid heating the incoming charge and reducing charging efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4534333
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) includes a supplemental fuel passage (26, 27) which connects the carburetor (9) to the exhaust chest cover (28). A supplemental air inlet having a metering orifice (36) and passage (35) connects to the supplemental fuel passage. The resultant air-fuel mixture is heated before entry into the combustion chamber by passing the mixture through a heating passage (32) directly in front of the exhaust ports (13). When the engine is at idle with a completely closed throttle valve (19), the entire air-fuel supply for the engine is provided through the supplemental fuel and air passages and is heated in the heating passage prior to combustion. At increasingly open throttle, air-fuel is increasingly provided from the conventional primary carburetor output, with the heated air-fuel mixture being supplied in gradually decreasing amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon C. Slattery
  • Patent number: 4524746
    Abstract: A closed circuit vapor system wherein liquid is introduced to an ultrasonic transducer in a vaporizing chamber where it is vaporized and drawn into a preheater chamber and then drawn off by a pump and recirculated back to pass through the heater chamber. In one embodiment, it jets through a venturi to draw off more vapor from the vaporization chamber for heating and recirculation. The dry vapors are drawn off only as needed to meet the engine demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: Earl S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4513698
    Abstract: An improved intake manifold structure for internal combustion engines includes a distribution chamber having an upper sub-chamber leading to a carburetor and a lower sub-chamber communicating with the upper sub-chamber through a communication hole. A plurality of branch passages extend from the lower sub-chamber to a plurality of combustion chambers. An air-fuel mixture fed from the carburetor to the distribution chamber is expanded successively in two steps to promote its atomization as it passes through the two sub-chambers, thus improving uniform distribution of the mixture to the respective branch passages. Engine exhaust gas is returned to the upper sub-chamber to further promote the atomization of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihisa Senga, Yoshiaki Hidaka, Tadashi Tsuchiyama
  • Patent number: 4513720
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine, which improves the fuel distribution performance by orienting the fuel injection valve in a position not corresponding to the center line of the throttle bore. The apparatus comprises a throttle body and a control means for directing the fuel injected by the fuel injection valve toward a downstream portion of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisou Takeda, Toshiyuki Hirata
  • Patent number: 4491552
    Abstract: A monolithic variable jet carburetor comprising an air intake, an associated variable jet and an underlying fuel reservoir, all contained within a pressurized and heated chamber and whereby the fuel is injected into the reservoir under pressure and is atomized via an overlying wire mesh screen and vaporized as it traverses the remainder of the heated delivery path to the air intake. The heated chamber is adapted to heat the fuel at all points intermediate the float chamber and air intake venturi via hot engine gasses or heated engine coolant and wherein the float chamber is further pressurized via an air pump. Pressure/temperature sensors control the relative ratios thereof during normal engine cycling under various load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Tim Wessel
  • Patent number: 4478198
    Abstract: A housing has an inlet arranged to be connected to the outlet of a fuel mixing device of an internal combustion engine such as a carburetor and an outlet arranged to be connected to the intake manifold of the engine. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing has two or more spiral bores. These bores have a cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of the outlet of the carburetor to provide increased time and velocity through the spiral bores and to isolate the carburetor from vacuum pulsations of the engine. The defining surfaces of the spiral bores is roughened to increase atomization. A second embodiment utilizes an elongated housing also having a spiral path for mixing the fuel and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: Larry C. Bruhn
  • Patent number: 4469077
    Abstract: A housing located between a conventional carburetor and the intake manifold inlet on a conventional internal combustion engine (such as that used in an automobile) has internal compartmentation to receive a volume of fuel and air mixture from the carburetor and to direct same through an outlet compartment and thence through a conduit to a fuel mixture heat exchanger mounted on the engine. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat exchanger units each having a closed cylindrical housing with a plurality of closed, individual fuel mixture conduits therein (such as copper tubing). Each cylindrical housing is connected by a conduit, such as a hose, to the hot air exhaust manifold of the engine so that the heated air from the manifold is directed through each housing and around the heat exchanger tubes therein. A filter unit comprises a closed housing which receives the heated fuel through a porous screen baffle and a series of conventional ceramic or foam plastic or other types of filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Inventor: Bobby M. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 4467773
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine has an electrical resistance heater accommodated in a chamber in gasket means which space a throttle body flange from a mating flange on an intake manifold of the engine for transferring heat to the throttle body flange to avoid freeze up in the throttle body during furnishing of an air-fuel mixture to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald J. Chiavaroli
  • Patent number: 4465053
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine has an electrical resistance heater accommodated in low profile gasket means at a location between a throttle body mounting flange and a mating intake manifold flange for heating the throttle body. The gasket means comprises a relatively rigid electrically insulating spacer forming a chamber, a heat-transfer member and a terminal secured to opposite sides of a heater for mounting and making electrical connection to the heater which is accommodated in the spacer chamber, and relatively thin outer layers of more compressible gasket material for sealingly engaging the throttle body and mating manifold flange means respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter G. Berg
  • Patent number: 4463737
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine has an electrical resistance heater accommodated in gasket means disposed between a throttle body flange and a mating flange on an intake manifold so that the heater is located immediately adjacent an idling speed fuel inlet nozzle or the like in the throttle body for transferring heat to the nozzle area through the throttle body flange to prevent freeze-up of the nozzle during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter G. Berg, Stephen J. Strobel
  • Patent number: 4452216
    Abstract: A means of evenly distributing the air flow through the core of an intercooler across the total cooling surface of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Patchen, II, Colin C. Chen