Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, the valve located proximate to the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, the valve including a low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine; wherein the low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine is formed of a material having low mass and or a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The fuel injector is effective in reducing cold-start and warm-up emissions of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors, each injector including at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat a liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to convert at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state, and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, a controller to control the power supplied to the heat source of each of the plurality of fuel injectors to achieve a predetermined target temperature, a sensor for use in determining engine air flow and a sensor for measuring a value indicative of degree of engine warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An injection valve for internal combustion engines has a filter element arranged on the inside of the injection valve in the fuel flow of the latter with ducts for the fuel. The filter element is designed as a throughflow heating element, for which purposes the walls of the throughflow ducts are capable of being heated, at least in certain regions, along their longitudinal extent.

Abstract: A system for vaporizing and supplying liquefied petrol gas to an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine comprising an oil circuit for lubricating the engine and utilizing one of a carburetor and fuel injection. The system includes a vaporizing housing having a temperature chamber and of a vaporizing chamber. The temperature chamber is connected to the oil circuit for lubricating the engine. The vaporizing chamber is connected to a liquefied gas tank and to one of the carburetor and the fuel injection, the liquefied petrol gas being heated by the engine oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the vaporization of liquid hydrocarbon fuel in a closed system prior to its entry into an internal combustion engine's combustion chambers in amounts proportional to the acceleration level of the engine. The apparatus is a fuel vaporizer interposed between an engine's fuel injection system and combustion chambers and forms a canister housing. Liquid fuel enters via an inlet in the housing, is vaporized by heating it to boiling and is drawn out of the canister via an outlet under a partial vacuum to the combustion chambers of the engine. The system is closed except for a vacuum connection with the engine's combustion chambers. Heating means are provided to heat the fuel to boiling without heating it to its flash point, thus avoiding its pre-ignition.

Abstract: A fuel injection device includes a cylindrical valve housing, a valve needle disposed inside the valve housing and a ceramic heater disposed around the valve housing. The valve housing has a fuel inlet at an end, a first fuel passage, a second fuel passage, a nozzle hole at the other end and a valve seat. The valve needle has a hollow portion connected to the first fuel passage and a plurality of fuel apertures connecting the hollow portion and the second fuel passage, a head portion disposed to be seated on or unseated from the valve seat thereby intermittently injecting fuel through the nozzle hole. The ceramic heater is disposed around the valve housing down stream of the fuel apertures and upstream of the valve seat. Fuel vapor can be discharged upward though the fuel apertures.

Abstract: A vapor fuel producing system for optimizing fuel efficiency including a vapor producing chamber, a controlled level of liquid fuel maintained in the chamber, agitation of the fuel to convert the liquid fuel to vapor, a temperature control for the fuel and thereby the fuel vapor, and a controlled input of ambient air to the fuel vapor to achieve a desired air to fuel mix throughout fuel demand of the engine, and conveyance of the mixture to the engine intake manifold.

Abstract: A main passage mounting a throttle valve and an air bypass flow passage for reducing HC emission by promoting atomization of the fuel spray injected from the assembly pipe fuel injector are integrated in a body of an intake air control device arranged upstream of an assembly pipe in a one-piece structure to form a unit. Thereby, the intake air control device can be easily manufactured and easily mounted on and dismounted from the intake air system. The amount of HC emitted during warming-up operation of an internal combustion engine is reduced by efficiently supplying fuel spray injected from an assembly pipe fuel injector at the time of starting and warming-up operations for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Atomizing air flowing in an atomizing gas passage is merged with a fuel spray to promote atomization of the fuel, and carrier air flowing in a carrier gas passage is merged with the fuel spray at a further downstream position so as to surround the fuel spray. By doing so, the atomized fuel spray is carried to the downstream side so as to prevent the fuel spray from adhering onto the wall surface. The starting-up performance, fuel consumption and exhaust gas cleaning of an internal combustion engine are improved in this way.

Abstract: To detect a failure of the fuel heaters of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of vehicles by utilizing a microcomputer of a vehicle operation control device and sensors already provided in the vehicle such as an air/fuel ratio sensor or a crankshaft rotation sensor, with a supplement of substantially only a software, a failure of the heater corresponding to one of the cylinders is detected based upon a change exhibited in at least one parameter with regard to the operating conditions of the engine such as exhaust air/fuel ratio, crankshaft rotation angular speed, etc. by the injected fuel not having been heated as expected by a predetermined operation of each heater.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a heat exchanger apparatus for heating a fuel, which comprises a heat exchanger block made of a heat conductive material. The heat exchanger block contains a passageway in which is located a heating element operative to heat the heat exchanger block. A fuel conduit in contact with the surface of the heat exchanger block conducts heat from the block to the fuel flowing within. The heat exchanger block is shaped in order to maximize the surface area in contact with the fuel conduit.

Abstract: Cold starter for use with a diesel engine having a combustion chamber, an intake air channel, and an air filter, which includes an electrical heating device mounted either in the intake air channel or within the air filter casing.

Abstract: A heating device is capable of efficiently heat a heated body as heating object. The heating device includes a heating body, a power source for supplying a current to the heating body, a current control element controlling current flowing through the heating body, and a heat conductive body to be thermally coupled with the heating body and the current control element for transmitting heat generated by the heating body and heat generated by the current control element to a heating object.

Abstract: An intake air preheater for a diesel engine comprising an outer housing, at least two built-up heating bodies 26, at least three heat storage exchangers 25, a valve plate 31 and an insulating housing 36. A preheater body 20 is formed by alternately connecting each heat storage exchanger 25 and each built-up heating body 26 together by rivets 33 and a straight air passage 22 is formed in the preheater body 20. The preheater body 20 is installed in the outer housing by attaching two outermost heat exchange plates 39 of the preheater body 20 to two adiabatic rings 24 on the inner wall of the outer housing and a surrounding air passage 29 is formed between the outer housing and the preheater body 20. A diesel engine may start at temperatures as low as −45° C. by means of the preheater and airflow has no adverse effect on the operation of the diesel engine. The poisonous waste gas generated by the diesel engine may also be reduced.

Abstract: When starting an engine, the engine is driven by a starting motor and, at the same time, a fuel heating heater can be operated. If the engine is stopped and then immediately restarted, the operation of fuel heating heater is controlled according to the operation time of the fuel heating heater in the last operation. That is, if a period of time is brief between a stopping and a restarting of the engine, heat generated when the fuel heating heater was operated last remains and, in consideration of the amount of that residual heat, generation of heat by the fuel heating heater is restricted.

Abstract: A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

Abstract: A cold starting system and power management software consisting of an air heater system, a fuel heater system, a controller with microprocessor and related software, a series of devices comprising of switches, indicators, solenoids and sensors, is used as an aid to assist start up of air cooled combustion engines in extreme temperature environments. Both the air and fuel heater systems include electrically powered heating elements. The power management software controls the sequential operation of individual system components.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when controlling a heater in an air-fuel ratio sensor, a crack of sensor element due to an exhaust condensed water is certainly avoided. To this end, an element temperature is detected by measuring an impedance of the sensor element and a power supply amount to the heater for heating the sensor element is feedback controlled so that the element temperature reaches a target temperature. Here, the target temperature is set to a lower side temperature, compared to other conditions, on a condition that a wall temperature of an exhaust system is low and a water content in the exhaust is condensed in the exhaust system. Or, an initial value of the power supply amount is set corresponding to the element temperature before the start of power supply to the heater.

Abstract: A method of heating fuel using a heated tip fuel injector includes providing an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injector, the at least one fuel injector having an internal heater; energizing the engine starter and the internal heater; injecting fuel using closed valve injection; changing the load on the engine and substantially simultaneously switching to open valve injection; and after catalyst light-off, substantially simultaneously switching to closed valve injection.

Abstract: A fuel-air mixing device for installation preferably between an intake manifold and air intake duct of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device extends downstream into the air intake duct, and has an open inlet end for channeling the air-fuel mixture into the device. A closed downstream end forces the air-fuel mixture to flow into the downstream end of the intake duct via special apertures which are adapted to atomise the fuel and mix the same with air. The arrangement ensures that the air-fuel mixture is urged towards the along the walls of the air intake duct, thereby vaporising the fuel by thermal contact therewith.

Abstract: An intake system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, comprises an intake manifold 18 having a plenum chamber 20 common to a plurality of engine cylinders and an intake pipe 22 opening into the plenum chamber to supply ambient air to the plenum chamber. An electric heater 26 is located within the plenum chamber 20 in the path of at least part of the air entering the plenum chamber from the intake pipe 22.

Abstract: A fuel atomizing-injection apparatus for internal combustion engines is disclosed. This apparatus is installed between the injector of a fuel injection device and the suction manifold of an engine, and is used for promoting vaporization of fuel injected from the injector into the suction manifold, thus finally allowing the injected fuel to be more effectively and actively mixed with combustion air into mixed gas. The apparatus also improves the fuel combustion efficiency of the engine while achieving a conservation of fuel and increasing engine output power. The apparatus exhausts little harmful gases into the atmosphere, thus being unlikely to cause environmental pollution, such as air pollution. In the fuel atomizing-injection apparatus, a heater, having a heat dissipating spiral plate on its external surface, is installed between the injector and the suction manifold.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizing attachment for vaporizing fuels used to power a liquid fueled internal combustion engine. Conventional liquid fueled, internal combustion engines typically include at least one fuel line, at least one fuel metering device, at least one air intake, at least one cylinder and at least one heat source, such as an exhaust manifold, a radiator or a battery. The fuel vaporizing attachment is disposed on the fuel line proximate the metering device. The fuel vaporizing attachment includes at least one fuel conduit disposed between the fuel metering device and the air intake for enabling the flow of fuel therebetween, and at least one medium for transferring heat from at least one heat source to the fuel conduit such that the fuel conduit is heated and fuel passing through the fuel conduit is vaporized prior to entering the at least one air intake of the engine.

Abstract: A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

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 method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized.

Abstract: An air intake heater for use in a motor vehicle has an engine with an engine block and an intake manifold defining an air passageway. The air intake heater includes a gasket having a conductor plate disposed between two non-conducting sealant layers, the conductor plate has at least one inner terminal adapted for positioning inside the air passageway and at least one outer terminal adapted for positioning outside the air passageway. A heating element is coupled to the gasket and adapted to be disposed within the air passageway, wherein the inner terminal is electrically coupled to the heating element and the outer terminal is electrically coupled to a power source.

Abstract: A heater for heating air in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a heating element coupled to a first holder and a second holder. The heating element has a preselected resistance corresponding to plurality apertures formed therethrough. A second embodiment includes a heating element positioned within a housing. The heating element includes a plurality of selectively removable slugs. After removal of one or more of the slugs, the electrical resistance of the heating element increases.

Abstract: A fuel vaporization delivery system that includes a vaporization chamber and an RF magnetic inductive heating source for heating the vaporization chamber. Liquid fuel is converted to a vapor form, for delivery to engine cylinders.

Abstract: There is described an internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder and a crankcase (5), which together with the cylinder forms a common, circular cylindrical tubular body (1), and comprising an oscillating piston (7) rotatably mounted about the cylinder axis and separating a cylinder space (4) defined by radial walls (3) from the crankcase (5), which oscillating piston is in drive connection with a crankshaft (16) parallel to the cylinder axis via a connecting link guide (17) for at least one crank pin (18) of the crankshaft (16), which is provided on the crankcase side of the oscillating piston (7). To create advantageous constructional conditions, it is proposed that the crank pin (18) is supported on the connecting link guide (17) via a roller (19), and that the tubular body (1) forming the cylinder and the crankcase (5) is thermally insulated to the outside.

Abstract: The invention seeks to improve the functioning of a piston internal combustion engine which uses heat vaporization of the fuel, already in the starting and cold running phase. This is achieved by using a fuel preheater having at least one glow plug fitted directly in the nozzle-holder shank. The glow plug protrudes into the modified fuel chamber of the valve body, and is in direct contact with the fuel. In this way, the fuel is instantaneously heated to a temperature far above boiling point at atmospheric pressure. As a result, the combustion process of the internal combustion engine is considerably more efficient in the starting and cold running phase. In addition, fuel consumption is lower and cleaner exhaust gases are given off.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and vaporizing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A venturi shaped inner sleeve of the apparatus is heated to promote vaporization of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel injected into the interior of the housing. Exhaust may be introduced into the interior of the housing and mixed with the vaporized and heated fuel. Further heating of the mixture can result in reformation of at least a portion thereof to a clean usable fuel prior to its introduction into an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection system for an internal combustion engine operating on self-igniting, liquefied petroleum gas and including at least one injector per cylinder for direct fuel injection into the combustion chamber, a fuel tank in which fuel is held at a feed pressure, and a high-pressure fuel pump delivering fuel to the injector, the pressurized parts of the injector system being connected with the fuel tank by means of pressure relief lines. In order to ensure safe operation in a simple manner the proposal is put forward that a heating device should be provided which will convert the liquefied gas, at least partially, into a gaseous phase, at least in certain sections of the pressurized parts of the injection system. The gas bubble produced during this process will convey the liquid phase of the liquefied petroleum gas into the fuel tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a heated tip injector having a connector with more than two pins. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) providing a plurality of heated tip injectors each having a coil and an internal heater; (b) maintaining all the internal heaters in an OFF state while the engine is cranking; (c) maintaining an internal beater in an OFF state if any of the coils are ON; and (d) maintaining an internal heater in an ON state if the engine is not cranking and all the internal heater coils are OFF.

Abstract: An electric blanket that can be wrapped around the fuel filter and powered by the automotive vehicle battery by means of a cigarette lighter adapter.

Abstract: An improved combustion and anti-pollution device for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine is shown in which the device reaches optimal operating temperature and thus maximum effectiveness almost at the same instant as the starting of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the pollution control transformer of the present invention, the basic components include a casing, a rod, a coil, an iron disk, a disk-shaped permanent magnet, and components for controlling the operating temperature of the coil. The components for controlling the operating temperature of the coil can be active heat control components, which include a heating filament, and passive heat control components, which include heat insulation materials such as silicon fiber resin materials surrounding the coil of the device.

Abstract: A modular intake heater for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first holder, a second holder, a heating element positioned between the first and second holders, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first holder to the second holder to retain the heating element therebetween. In alternative embodiments of the invention the retainer mechanism includes a clip mechanism and a grommet lockingly engaging a bolt disposed within passages defined by the first and second holders.

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: A method of using a petroleum based fuel in an internal combustion gasoline engine. The fuel has a flash point of at least 100.degree. F. and the fuel is heated, within the engine, to a temperature above 100.degree. F. The heated fuel is introduced into the cylinders in the engine and ignited within the cylinder to start the engine. The heat source is removed after the engine has become warm. In an alternate embodiment, the electrodes of the spark plugs are continually energized until the electrodes are at a temperature above the flashpoint of the fuel. The electrodes of the spark plugs are then energized intermittently and the fuel is introduced into the heated cylinders to ignite the fuel in the cylinders in a selected sequence.

Abstract: An improved anti-coking air injection reaction system in which individual air passages in the engine cylinder head are provided with electrical resistance heating elements that are periodically activated to develop radiant energy that bums off coke deposits formed on the passage side-walls. The heating elements are conveniently implemented with conventional glow plugs. A controller monitors engine operating parameters to identify conditions likely to result in the formation of coke deposits, and schedules activation of the heating elements in relation to the frequency of the identified conditions or the cumulative time of engine operation. The heating elements may be activated sequentially or in banks to reduce electrical loading, and the activation is preferably scheduled during non-critical operating conditions defined by specified ranges of coolant temperature and engine speed and/or load.

Abstract: A modular intake heater is provided for an internal combustion engine. The heater includes a first heater subassembly, a second heater subassembly, an access panel coupled to an intake, and a retainer mechanism coupling the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly to the access panel.

Abstract: The fuel used, such as LPG, evaporates at raised temperature. It is proposed that when the internal combustion engine is not running a part of the fuel supply pipes should be heated, so that the liquid fuel therein evaporates. When injectors leak only vaporous liquid will then enter the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel tank for liquid fuel, from which a fuel supply line leads to a fuel injection device, and an evaporating and condensing device for low-boiling fuel components, connected to the fuel tank. Also provided is an intermediary tank connected downstream from the evaporating and condensing device, for condensate, from which tank a condensate line leads to a control valve that regulates supply to the injection device. A residual fuel line for the high-boiling fuel produced in the evaporating and condensing device ends in an additional tank, from which a residual fuel supply line runs to a reversing valve mounted in the fuel supply line. The reversing valve is controlled so that the high-boiling fuel is supplied from the residual fuel supply line into the fuel supply line going to an injection device of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve which sprays the fuel in the direction of an inlet valve and includes an electric heating element for the fuel before it reaches an inlet valve. The fuel injection device has a fuel injection valve which sprays the fuel in the form of a fuel jet in the direction of the inlet valve of the internal combustion engine, the fuel jet leaving the fuel injection valve at least in part strikes an electric heating element which, according to the invention, is designed as a Peltier element. The fuel injection device according to the invention is intended, in particular, for mixture-compressing, applied-ignition internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A heated assembly is provided for vaporization of fuel in an internal combustion engine. The heated assembly includes a grid disposed in an inlet runner of the internal combustion engine. The heated assembly also includes structure for heating the grid during cold start of the internal combustion engine and vaporizing fuel in the inlet runner of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a multicylinder internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition, which has a fuel vaporizing device which is connected to individual intake tubes of the engine via a line system. The line system is embodied as branching in such a way that only respective combustion chambers which are not operated in direct ignition sequence (1-3-4-2) are connected in pairs to each other and jointly via a central line to the fuel vaporizing device. The multicylinder internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition, is provided for motor vehicles.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, with an intake tube for aspirating combustion air, in which the tube leads to at least one combustion cylinder, and in which tube a throttle valve is disposed. The intake tube effects a mixing of combustion air and fuel vapor downstream of the throttle valve. For the sake of intensive mixing of fuel vapor and combustion air into a largely homogeneous mixture, the fuel vapor generated in a fuel evaporator outside the intake tube is introduced via a delivery device into air turbulence paths that unavoidably develop downstream of the throttle valve in the intake tube as a consequence of the geometry of the intake tube and/or throttle valve.

Abstract: An air intake for an internal combustion and a heater for use in the air intake includes a mounting flange, a frame coupled to the mounting flange and having a pair of opposed upright walls each defining an upstream face and a downstream face relative to a direction of airflow, a heating element assembly, and coupling means located on or between the upstream and downstream faces for connecting the heating element assembly to the frame and limiting movement of the heating element assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A heater for an internal combustion engine includes a first holder, a second holder and a heating element positioned between the first and second holders. The heater further includes a frame defining a channel. The frame includes a plurality of prongs extending inwardly toward the channel that retain the holders in a first direction relative to the frame.