Abstract: A device preheats a fuel mixture in an intake manifold of a combustion engine, the device corresponding a cylindrical body having a side wall and a bottom disposed in the wall of the intake manifold. The body is arranged on an electro- and heat insulating contact bearer and is secured on the intake manifold in an electro- and heat conducting way, the bottom of the body being provided with PTC pills which are connected to a current conductor and are secured on the bottom in an electro- and heat conducting way. The bottom has such a thickness and shape that during preheating the fuel mixture a homogeneous heat conduction is created, the side wall of the body having securing means to secure the preheater, and wherein it has such a thickness that together with the securing means it provides the required heat resistance upon heat transfer from and to the intake manifold.

Abstract: A preheater for heating air to be mixed with the fuel-air mixture for an internal combustion engine for ease of combustion in cold weather includes a hollow cylindrical casing defining a heating chamber in which is positioned a cylindrical rod-shaped electric resistance heating element. A cover at one end of the casing supports the heating element and is provided with a cold air inlet. A heated air outlet from the heating chamber is provided on a cover closing the other end of the casing and communicates with a valve body having a flow passage provided with an adjustable spring-biased check valve arranged to prevent flow in the direction toward heating chamber. An adjustable needle valve is provided in the flow passage intermediate the heated air outlet and the check valve for regulating the flow rate of heated air therethrough.

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.

Abstract: An air heating device for the inlet air flow to an air-breathing internal combustion engine comprises a helically coiled electrical resistance in the air entry conduit and a rigid retaining member passing through the coils of resistance along its length. The member is securely fixed at both ends to opposite sides of the conduit structure and is spaced from the coils of the resistance so that these are fully exposed to the air flow. In the event of the coiled resistance breaking loose from its normal mountings the retaining member will hold it to ensure damage is not caused by the resistance reaching a combustion chamber entry. The device can be arranged as a gasket-like unit with the body a ring-like frame that is clamped between opposed flanges of adjoining parts of the engine air entry.

Abstract: An electrically heated screen arrangement operated from a vehicle battery and automatically controlled to heat the fuel mixture. The fuel mixture provided by the carburetor of the vehicle is drawn through the present system which comprises an outlet conduit from the carburetor delivering fuel mixture through a housing which is closed by a special screen that is electrically heated to the proper temperature and then through a passageway and a cooling device comprising a screen in relationship together with a ceramic filter in a housing. The temperature of the screen is sensed and monitored. Several screens and coolers may be mounted in series.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical heating body, adapted to form a passageway between a fuel supply and an internal combustion engine, having a double walled structure formed by spaced inner and outer metallic cylinders. A plurality of plate-like ceramic heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of electrical resistance are inserted between the inner and outer cylinders and are urged into contact with the inner cylinder by a resilient spring member. The cylindrical heating body is sealed by welding, brazing, caulking or packing to form a gas-tight chamber enclosing the ceramic heating elements and isolating them from degradation by the fuel mixture. The cylindrical body is provided with an air hole communicating the chamber with an ambient air vent passage formed in an insulator member attached to the body thereby connecting the interior of the chamber and the ceramic heating elements therein to an external air supply.

Abstract: A fuel evaporator to be installed between a carburetter and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for heating an air-fuel mixture flowing through an air-fuel passage of the carburetter is disclosed. The fuel evaporator comprises at least one ceramic heater formed of a circular PTC ceramic plate having honeycomb-shaped open passages, and at least one electrically conductive metallic plate having honeycomb-shaped open passages of which shape and arrangement are equal to those of the open passages of the PTC ceramic plate. The metallic plate is disposed on one surface or both surfaces of the ceramic heater so that the open passages of the metallic plate are coaxial with those of the ceramic heater. The ceramic heater and the metallic plate are disposed on a stepped portion formed in an insulator and the outer peripheral portion of the metallic plate is fixed to the insulator which is interposed between the carburetter and the intake manifold.

Abstract: An oil burner system includes a burner nozzle connected to a supply of fuel oil by a nozzle assembly having integrated therein an electric heater for prewarming the oil fed to the nozzle. The nozzle assembly has first connector at one end directly connected to the burner nozzle and a second connector at its other end directly connected to an oil supply conduit. The preheater comprises an elongated rectangular PTC heating resistor having a pair of parallel sides of greater width than the thickness of the resistor and coextensive electrical contacts extending longitudinally and transversely in electrical engagement with the parallel sides. A pair of parallel flattened thin wall metal conduit sections extend coextensively between the first and second connectors and define thin unimpeded generally rectangular cross section flow path for the oil to be heated.

Abstract: An encapsulated PTC heater for a cold-start carburetor comprises a ceramic PTC wafer having ohmic terminal means on its opposite faces, and a thickened annular rim portion adapted to withstand appreciable clamping forces. The rim has portions of said ohmic terminal means. An annular metal holder assemblage has opposite ring portions overlying said thickened rim portion, and has ring-like contacts engaged with the rim portion to bring current thereto. One of the ring-like contacts is nested in an insulating annulus to isolate it from the remainder of the metal holder assemblage, and has a terminal lug extending through an insulating bushing to the exterior. The other ring-like contact is resilient in nature, and is clamped against the rim portion of the wafer by lugs of an annular metal housing constituting part of the holder assemblage.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled electric fuel heater for raising the temperature of diesel fuel flowing from a fuel tank to a fuel filter to prevent precipitation of wax crystals in the fuel filter and consequent filter clogging at low ambient temperatures includes a heat conductive tube incorporated as part of the fuel line a short distance upstream of the filter. An electric heating assembly is positioned on the tube and includes an electric resistance heating element helically wound about the tube and controlled by a thermostat responsive to the temperature of the tube and located upstream from the heating element. The thermostat includes a molded plastic frame having a central opening through which the tube passes. The thermostat includes a bimetallic thermal element secured to the frame and arranged to actuate a snap-action switch carried by the frame. The frame includes a baffle for thermally isolating the thermal element from the heating element.

Abstract: A self regulating heater for use in an early fuel evaporation (EFE) system for an automotive engine includes a thermally conductive thick metal radiator body having a heat receiving side an opposite side provided with a plurality of heat-disturbing fins for transferring heat to a fuel heating zone. A plurality of self-regulating ceramic electrical resistance having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) each have a first side bonded by an electrically and thermally conductive adhesive to a first side of a thin thermally and electrically conductive metal plate. The plate has a limited portion thereof secured, for example, by a screw, in electrically conductive relation to the radiator body with the opposite side of the thin plate in closely spaced, facing, heat-transfer relation to the heat receiving side of the radiator body.

Abstract: A heating unit preheats and stabilizes No. 2 fuel oil delivered through a conduit to the nozzle of an oil burner for optimizing efficiency of combustion. The heating unit is generally formed around a section of oil conduit or other elongate tubular metal core (18) at least equal to the inside diameter of the oil delivery conduit in which it is to be incorporated. At least one coat or layer (20) of heat conducting electrically insulating porcelain-like cement is formed on the core. A helical heating element or coil (21) of high temperature alloy wire surrounds the layer (20) and core (18). The outside of the coil is covered by an electrical and thermal insulating second layer (22) of refractory-type cement of lower thermal conductivity than the porcelain-like cement. The entire unit may be housed in an elongate box (16) packed with high temperature insulation (27) and with high temperature double insulated lead wires (24, 25, 26) extending into the box from the secondary of a 12-14 volt, 4-7 amp transformer.

Abstract: A fuel supply system having means for furnishing a mixture of air and alcohol or gasohol fuels to an automotive engine has a self-regulating, ceramic, electrical resistance heater for enhancing fuel evaporation during cold engine starting and incorporates a heater of improved structure to maintain stable heating properties in the alcohol-based system over a long service life.

Abstract: An intake heating device of an engine, comprising a hollow heater vessel placed in the intake passage. The heater vessel comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and a plurality of PTC elements. The inner pipe and the outer pipe are interconnected to each other in such a way that the upper end and the lower end of the inner pipe are bent outwards and pressed onto the outer wall of the outer pipe.

Abstract: An intake heating device of an engine, comprising a hollow heater vessel placed in the intake passage. The heater vessel comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and a plurality of PTC elements inserted between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The outer wall of the inner pipe is surrounded by a belt-like insulating member having a plurality of rectangular holes. The PTC elements are inserted into the rectangular holes and held in a predetermined position by the insulating member.

Abstract: A fuel mixture heating device of an internal combustion engine having a downdraft type carburetor mounted on the collecting portion of the intake manifold. A hollow cylindrical heater vessel is arranged at the lower end of the air horn of the carburetor. The heater vessel comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe and PTC elements inserted between the inner pipe and the outer pipe for heating the inner pipe before the completion of warm-up of the engine. The inner pipe, having an inner diameter which is almost the same as that of the air horn, is arranged to be aligned with the air horn. The outer pipe is made of a heat insulating material.

Abstract: A fuel mixture heating device of an internal combustion engine having a downdraft type carburetor mounted on the collecting portion of the intake manifold. A hollow cylindrical heater vessel is arranged at the lower end of the air horn of the carburetor. The heater vessel comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe and a PTC elements inserted between the inner pipe and the outer pipe for heating the inner pipe before the completion of warm-up of the engine. The inner pipe, having an inner diameter which is almost the same as that of the air horn, is arranged to be aligned with the air horn.

Abstract: A burner system adapted to vaporize liquid fuel, generally kerosene, and burn gaseous fuel in blue flames includes an evaporator heated by a heater to about 250.degree.-300.degree. C. to vaporize the kerosene. The evaporator is thermally insulated from a premix passage and a burner, to reduce the time required for preheating the evaporator. At the time of ignition, the volume of a portion of primary air supplied to the evaporator is reduced below the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition and the volume of the kerosene supplied to the evaporator is substantially equal to the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition. This enables a premix of liquid and air within a combustible limit to be supplied to flame ports even if part of the premixture forms dew in the premix passage, and allows an enriched premixture to flow out of the flame ports at low velocity to facilitate ignition.

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.

Abstract: A flexible barium titanate ceramic PTC heater for use in, for example, an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine to heat the air-fuel gas mixture is formed as a thin disc-shaped ceramic sheet constituted by a plurality of individual coplanar ceramic segments having interior edges positioned in spaced side-by-side relationship. The juxtaposed edges of the ceramic segments are united to each other by a flexible, heat-resistant, electrically non-conductive rubber band disposed in the space between the segments and bonded thereto by an electrically non-conductive adhesive to form the segments into a thin disc-shaped sheet which can be flexed without causing flexing of any of the individual segments. The ceramic heater is positioned in a metallic casing with one planar face thereof bonded to the inner surface of the casing by an electrically conductive adhesive. A stainless steel wool cushioning member engages the other planar face of the ceramic heater to support the heater in the metallic casing.

Abstract: A fuel mixture heating device of an internal combustion engine having a downdraft type carburetor mounted on the collecting portion of the intake manifold. A hollow cylindrical heater vessel is arranged at the lower end of the air horn of the carburetor. The heater vessel comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe and PTC elements inserted between the inner pipe and the outer pipe for heating the inner pipe before the completion of warm-up of the engine. The inner pipe has a thin wall having a corrugated cross-section. The inner wall of the PTC elements are in contact with the outer wall of the inner pipe. An air gap is present between the outer pipe and the outer walls of the PTC elements. A plurality of plate springs is inserted between the outer pipe and the corresponding PTC elements.

Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a tubular extension member extending downwardly from the bottom end of an intake pipe into a mixture distribution chamber defined in an intake manifold beneath the inlet opening thereof connected to the intake pipe. An annular electric heater element is disposed in the mixture distribution chamber in vertical alignment with the tubular extension member so that the part of fuel which flows in liquid phase on the inner peripheral surfaces of the intake pipe and the tubular extension member falls therefrom onto the annular electric heater and heated and vaporized thereby and can be easily mixed with air from the intake pipe.

Abstract: A fuel evaporator comprises a metal member composed of a pipe portion and a flange portion, a heating element made of PTC ceramic, which is closely adhered to the metal member and an electric connector for electrically connecting the heating element and an electric power source. The metal member is supported by an insulating member which is interposed between an air-fuel passage and an intake manifold. The fuel film flow flowing downwards along the wall of the air-fuel passage is received by the flange portion of the metal member and is heated by the heat transmitted from the heating element. Consequently, unvaporized fuel is effectively evaporated.

Abstract: A fuel evaporator for an internal combustion engine is comprised of a metallic casing which is composed of a heating plate portion and a supporting portion projecting from the outer periphery of the heating plate portion downward, a heating element fixed to the heating plate portion within the casing, an insulating and adiabatic covering member which covers the supporting portion and an electrically connecting means which connects the heating element and a battery.The supporting portion of the casing is inserted in a hole formed in an intake pipe so that the heating plate portion is exposed therewithin.Since the supporting portion of the casing is covered with the insulating and adiabatic covering member, very little of the heat of the heating element is dissipated from the supporting portion into the intake pipe.By forming the supporting portion into a plurality of strip shaped legs, the heat escaping therefrom can be further reduced.

Abstract: A carburetor in which a fuel evaporator using a "porous ceramic body" is disclosed. The "porous ceramic body" has a three-dimensional porous structure with open boxes. The three-dimensional porous structure comprises an electrically conductive ceramic with a positive temperature coefficient. The carburetor is provided with an electrical arrangement so as to permit current to flow through the "porous ceramic body" to cause it to produce heat.

Abstract: In a carburetor, a heating device comprises a honeycomb heater element disposed within at least one of fuel and air passages of the carburetor to heat the fuel and/or air passing therethrough, the honeycomb heater element being made of a ceramic composition to have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and being connected at the opposite ends thereof with an electric power source across an ignition switch of the engine, whereby the liquid fuel and/or air is heated by the heating device when the temperature of the liquid fuel or the air is lower than a critical temperature defined by the ceramic composition of the heater element.

Abstract: A carburetion system for providing improved cold start engine operation comprises a carburetor having an air-fuel passage, an air inlet to the passage, a fuel inlet to the passage for mixing fuel and air in the passage, and an outlet from the passage for delivering a mixture of air and vaporized fuel to the engine. A heater comprising a ceramic resistor body of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a plurality of passages extending through the body and has means directing electrical current through the body for heating the body. The heater is mounted at the outlet of the air-fuel passage of the carburetor with the heater body passages aligned with the air-fuel passage to pass the air-fuel mixture through the heater passages in heat-transfer relation to the body to facilitate vaporization and mixing of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A fuel atomizing unit interposable in a conduit feeding a relatively cold mixture of fuel droplets dispersedd in air to a combustion chamber. The unit includes a permeable assembly constituted by an electrical heating element disposed between a pair of spaced mesh screens to define an atomization zone. The assembly is seated in a cavity formed in a metal plate having a flow passage which registers with the flow conduit, the plate acting as a heat sink and being sandwiched between thermal insulation gaskets to render the plate effective as an oven chamber to maintain the atomization zone at an elevated temperature despite the varying cooling effect of the incoming mixture. The zone restricts the flow of the mixture, the screen intercepting the droplets therein to create a suspension of minute fuel particles to produce a downstream mist.

Abstract: A carburetion system for improving cold starting of an automotive engine comprises a carburetor having an air-fuel passage, an air inlet to the passage, a fuel inlet to the passage for mixing fuel and air in the passage, and an outlet from the passage for delivering a mixture of an air and vaporized fuel to the engine. A heater comprising a ceramic resistor body of a material of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a plurality of relatively large passages extending in a pattern in spaced side-by-side relation to each other through the body between opposite ends of the body for defining thin webs of the resistor material between adjacent body passages. The heater is mounted at the outlet of the carburetor air-fuel passage with the heater passages aligned with the air-fuel passage to pass the air-fuel mixture through the heater passages in heat transfer relation to the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine having a fuel atomizing means, an intake to the combustion chambers and a battery powered electrical ignition system comprises at least one screen inserted between the fuel atomizing means and the intake for contacting fuel which has been atomized by the fuel atomizing means, electrical means powered by the battery for heating the screen sufficiently to vaporize atomized fuel in contact therewith and means for adjusting the power supplied to the heating means by the battery in response to the operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: An automotive choke control with improved heating and cooling characteristics to more closely reflect an analogue of the engine temperature for reducing the pollutant content of automotive exhaust gases by regulating the choke. In the control two self-regulating electrical resistance heaters energizable under different conditions supply heat to a thermostat metal coil arranged to move and to open a choke valve as heated. A slotted heat sink plate with a rolled lip is positioned between the heaters and the coil to quickly and uniformly transfer heat to the coil while limiting the heat loss radially outward to the choke housing in which the control is contained. A thermally insulating gasket is also used to further thermally isolate the control from the housing. Additionally a conductive metal top hat is positioned on the opposite side of the coil from the plate to enhance quick, uniform heating and slow cool down.

Abstract: A fuel atomizing unit interposable in a conduit feeding to a combustion chamber a relatively cold mixture of fuel droplets dispersed in air. The unit is constituted by an electrical heating element placed between a pair of spaced mesh screens to define a permeable assembly having a pocket therein. The assembly functions as a restriction in the conduit whose impedance to flow is in the order of about 15 to 20%, whereby the screen intercepts the droplets to create a suspension in air of minute fuel particles to produce a downstream mist which is forced by the restriction to assume a vortex-like flow pattern. The heat supplied to the pocket by the heater is sufficient to raise the temperature of the mist to a level conducive to complete combustion in the chamber, whereby no fuel is wasted and the exhaust of the chamber is substantially free of pollutants.

Abstract: A fuel metering system for an internal combustion engine meters out fuel in dependence on the pressure in a fuel supply container. This pressure is controlled by a valve or valves which provide communication with different regions of the induction tube of the engine. The control valves are electro-magnetic valves under the control of a suitably processed and amplified signal from an exhaust gas measuring probe which determines the concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: A self-regulating electrically heated positive-temperature-coefficient (hereinafter PTC) carburetor stove for use in the fuel entry system of a gasoline engine is connected through the ignition system directly to the battery for rapidly heating of the stove upon starting of the car. The system comprises a plurality of PTC pills housed in and insulated from a container with a high thermal conductivity top plate in direct heat transfer relation with the pills. Gasoline droplets are evaporated on this plate during cold start conditions to minimize the need to run a cold engine in the closed choke gasoline rich mode. During heat-up of the engine the PTC pills reach the anomaly temperature and at that point greatly increase their resistance thereby virtually terminating the power requirement of the stove in the heated engine mode.

Abstract: A method for decreasing hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen emanating from the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine involves supplying substantially pure oxygen to the air intake means of the engine. Such pure oxygen may be passed from a tank in which it is stored to the air intake means of the engine. The pure oxygen may be created by storing a chemical compound in a chamber and heating the chamber so that the compound may release the oxygen, or oxygen can be created by electrolytically decomposing water, passing oxygen generated by such decomposition into a storage tank coupled to the air intake means of the engine.

Abstract: Electric heating means for fuel vaporization in internal combustion engines to improve the efficiency, performance and starting thereof, an optimum amount of electrical power being supplied to the heating means during operation of the engine. An important feature relates to the use of heating units mounted in an intake manifold preferably with there being one heating unit for each engine cylinder, mounted adjacent the intake valve. In an engine having fuel injection, a heating unit is mounted on the downstream side of each fuel injector. Another important feature relates to the provision of means controlled by ambient temperature sensing means for automatically adjusting the optimum amount of electrical power supplied to electric heating and vaporizing means.

Abstract: A self-regulating electrically heated positive-temperature-coefficient (hereinafter PTC) carburetor stove for use in the fuel entry system of a gasoline engine is connected through the ignition system directly to the battery for rapidly heating of the stove upon starting of the car. This system comprises a plurality of PTC pills housed in a container with a high thermal conductivity top plate in direct heat transfer relation with the pills. Gasoline droplets are evaporated on this plate during cold start conditions to minimize the need to run a cold engine in the closed choke gasoline rich mode. During heat-up of the engine the PTC pills reach the anomaly temperature and at that point greatly increase their resistance thereby virtually terminating the power requirement of the stove in the heated engine mode.

Abstract: An encapsulated PTC heater for a cold-start carburetor comprises a ceramic PTC wafer having ohmic terminal means on its opposite faces, and a thickened annular rim portion adapted to withstand appreciable clamping forces. The rim has portions of said ohmic terminal means. An annular metal holder assemblage has opposite ring portions overlying said thickened rim portion, and has ring-like contacts engaged with the rim portion to bring current thereto. One of the ring-like contacts is nested in an insulating annulus to isolate it from the remainder of the metal holder assemblage, and has a terminal lug extending through an insulating bushing to the exterior. The other ring-like contact is resilient in nature, and is clamped against the rim portion of the wafer by lugs of an annular metal housing constituting part of the holder assemblage.