Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Supercharger
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-21
2001-10-02
Koczo, Michael (Department: 3746)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Supercharger
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295974
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of compressors used in internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to a compressor powered by an electric motor designed especially for use in motorcycle engines.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of a compressor for creating added power boost to a conventional internal combustion engines is well known in the prior art. The typical compressor used for internal combustion engines is designed as part of a turbocharger. The standard turbocharger consists of a compressor or rotor shaft driven by the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The rotating exhaust compressor is connected to an internal intake air compressor which compresses the intake air entering the carburetor or cylinder prior to combustion. The richer mixture of air and fuel provides greater power to a standard internal combustion engine. Traditionally, the standard turbocharged assisted internal engine proves most effective at higher engine rpm ranges because of the lag effect created by the delay between throttle control and increased air compression created by the intake air compressor.
Much of the prior art turbochargers that incorporate the use of electric power is designed to address the lag effect found in a standard turbocharger engine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,017 to Shinji Hara et al. is a compressor control system having a rotary electric motor mounted on the rotatable shaft. Before the motor vehicle is started, the electric motor is engaged providing a pressure boost to increase the response of acceleration when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the vehicle operator. After the engine has reached the appropriate rpm range, the exhaust compressor takes over the rotation of the intake air compressor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,324 to Andreas Mayer is described as a free-running pressure wave supercharger for an internal combustion engine, especially designed for diesel engines. This supercharger is connected to the rotor shaft and is started by an electric motor. The function of the supercharger is to ensure a pressure wave process immediately after the diesel engine starts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,286 to Hiroshi Muraji uses an electric motor to control and regulate a compressor system. The Muraji invention uses the turbo as a source of electricity generation and a means for controlling the speed of rotation of the compressors.
Although the prior art includes traditional turbocharged systems for use on motorcycles, the practical application of a turbocharger for a motorcycle is difficult given the limited space accommodations available on a motorcycle frame. Additionally, the prior art does not include a turbocharged engine system that operates solely by an electric means without the assistance of a exhaust driven compressor. The advantage of such a system is the facile packaging of such a unit on a the relatively small frame provided by both street motorcycles as well as off-road motorcycles.
The present invention differs from the existing art in that the internal air compressor intake is solely operated by an electric motor without any power assistance from exhaust gases. The compressor operation is controlled by an automatically adjusted electric amperage proportional in magnitude to the engine rpm. Such a design obviates the problems associated with lag time and can more accurately respond to the throttle commands of the operator. The electric compressor is designed to accommodate an existing street motorcycle or off-road motorcycles. The electric compressor may be easily installed between the motorcycle air filter and carburetor of the motorcycle. The compressor rotor is driven by an electric motor. The drive means may include a gear or chain mechanism, however, the preferred embodiment uses belt driver that runs on a drive wheel attached to the electric motor axle. The belt driver is connected to and drives at rotor wheel attached to the rotor axle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an electric powered compressor for increasing the intake air pressure entering a carburetor or cylinder of a conventional motorcycle internal combustion engine.
It is further an objective of this invention to provide an electric powered compressor for the intake air of an internal combustion motorcycle engine having an rpm at all times directly proportional to the rpm of the motorcycle engines.
It is still further an objective of this invention to provide an electric powered compressor for motorcycle engines being compact in size and capable of being installed in a conventional off-road motorcycle engine or street motorcycle engine.
These as well as other objectives are accomplished by an electrically operated compressor having an rpm output proportional to the engine rpm. The electric compressor may be installed between the air filter and carburetor of the motorcycle. The compressor rotor induces axial-flow air compression of the intake air along the length of the rotor axle which is centrally located within a cylindrical compressor chamber housing prior. The rotor is driven by an electric motor having a drive wheel and belt driver. In the preferred embodiment, the electric motor is located just outside the compressor chamber housing to avoid air flow obstruction. A drive wheel located on the electric motor axle turns a belt driver which in turn drives the compressor rotor wheel which is attached to the rotor axle. The compressor wheel is rotationally fixed to the rotor axle and rotates in union with the rotor axle. The compressor rotor fan blades are designed to compress the intake air as it passes from the filter to the carburetor or cylinder.
The compressor is always rotating so long as the engine alternator is operating, the rotor rpm being regulated by the engine rpm. When the compressor rotor is operating, additional fuel combustion in the cylinder is possible provided there is the addition of fuel introduced from the carburetor to the cylinder. To maximize the use of the electric powered compressor, the carburetor of the engine may require re-jetting of the fuel intake in order to provide the proper fuel-air ratio increase for a boost in power.
The electric motor power supply originates from electricity generated by an electricity generating coil secured to the alternator of the motorcycle engine. The electricity generating coil generates an alternating current which is converted to direct current by a rectifier. If the electricity generating coil does not produce a current sufficient for the desired operation of the electric motor, a transformer unit may be necessary to boost the current. The direct current generated is fed to the electric motor by means of the electric motor wires. The amperage of the electric current in the electric motor wires is regulated by the engine rpm, because the alternating current is generated by the electricity generating coil.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3273788 (1966-09-01), Coward
patent: 5586540 (1996-12-01), Marzec et al.
Killough B. Craig
Koczo Michael
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