Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Charge-mixing device in intake
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-09
2004-09-28
Kwon, John T. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Charge-mixing device in intake
C123S592000, C123S184210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06796296
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to intake and exhaust systems for internal combustion engines. More specifically, the invention relates to such intake systems which provide enhanced combustion efficiency by providing more complete mixing of the air and fuel in the fluid flowing through the intake passageway. The invention also more specifically relates to such exhaust systems which provide enhanced combustion efficiency by improving exhaust gas flow through the exhaust system.
In a conventional internal combustion engine's intake system, the fluid flow which moves adjacent the walls of the intake passageway i.e., laminar fluid flow, typically includes a substantial amount of gasoline particles which are not atomized. Fuel that is not atomized does not readily combust. Thus, incomplete atomization of the fuel in the fluid flow hinders complete combustion of the fluid. This laminar flow consequently reduces the combustion efficiency of the engine. In addition, due to the frictional forces generated by contact of the fluid flow against the walls of the intake passageway and the difference in mass density between the gasoline molecules and air molecules the laminar fluid flow travels through the passageway at a slower velocity than the rest of the fluid flow. This difference in velocity additionally tends to hamper mixing of the gasoline particles with the air particles thereby further contributing to incomplete combustion of the fluid and reducing the efficiency of the engine.
Turbulence of the fluid flow passing through the intake passageway reduces laminar fluid flow and provides improved mixing of the air and fuel. Such benefits can be realized if turbulence is produced either in the air entering the carburetor (or fuel injection system), in the fluid passing through the intake manifold or intake runners or in the fluid passing through the intake ports or around the intake valves of the engine. Consequently, various devices and systems have been designed to produce such turbulence at various locations in the intake system.
Some prior art devices which are designed to produce turbulence in the air entering the fuel introduction subsystem include vanes which deflect the air passing thereagainst in order to impart a swirling motion to the air. Some such devices include a hub or central member to which the device vanes are attached. The central member provides rigidity to the vanes so that they do not absorb energy of deflection but rather transmit that energy back to the fluid. The central mender is typically streamlined in order to reduce obstruction of fluid flow and reduce negative pressure areas which would otherwise create undesired turbulence.
One of the primary disadvantages of prior art devices or systems that generate intake air turbulence is that they restrict air flow through the system. This undesirably reduces the maximum quantity of air and fuel that is delivered into the engine thereby reducing its maximum horsepower output. An example of a prior art device that generates swirling and also turbulence of the intake air is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,081 to Kim. The device disclosed includes vanes which have slits as well as concave and convex portions. The small concave and convex surface portions of the vanes deflect small portions of the air flow at relatively sharp angles of deflection. This high degree of deflection produces turbulence of the air stream. This turbulence includes collision of fluid flow molecules rather than a smooth blending or mixing of the fluid flow. Consequently, the collisions absorb energy thereby reducing the velocity of the fluid flow and consequently reducing fluid flow.
Another important disadvantage of some prior art devices is that they are difficult or expensive to mount in the engine system, some prior art devices such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,777 to Klomp require that they be installed around the intake valves necessitating that the purchaser disassemble the engine and have engine components suitably machined to adapt these components to the device. But, this is typically a time consuming and expensive endeavor rendering such devices impractical for many motor vehicle owners. Similarly, other prior art devices require that they be installed in the intake manifold or runner necessitating that the purchaser disassemble major components of the engine in order to install such devices. But, this is a time consuming endeavor also requiring a degree of mechanical skill rendering such devices impractical for many motor vehicle owners.
Designers of such prior art intake fluid turbulence generation systems have recognized that the effectiveness of such turbulence varies according to the engine throttle position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,598 to Tsutsumi discloses an automobile swirl producing system which is responsive to engine load and engine operating conditions. Basically, the Tsutsumi system uses a pivot shaft responsive to carburetor throttle valve position to alter the swirl produced in the combustion chamber. However, the disadvantage of such a system is that it is difficult to properly install.
Designers of exhaust systems have also recognized that improving the effectiveness of exhaust gas flow out of the engine can provide improved combustion efficiency. There have consequently been many exhaust systems that have sought to increase the velocity of exhaust gas flow out of the exhaust system and thereby scavenge exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and exhaust ports. Some exhaust header systems have been designed to position exhaust pipes around the inner circumference of a collector pipe to produce swirling of the exhaust gases from the collector pipe in a vortex flow and thereby enhance exhaust gas flow therefrom. Such systems have been very effective in improving exhaust as well as intake fluid flow and thereby improving combustion. However, such systems require retuning of the engine and replacement of major engine system components and are thus impractical for many motor vehicle owners.
The many requirements for such air swirling or air turbulence generating devices and systems have resulted in prior art systems and devices in which there are compromises between swirl or turbulence generating effectiveness and air flow restriction. In addition, there have also been many prior art systems that have been very effective in generating the required swirl or turbulence yet have necessitated undue engine component alterations and labor consumption. Consequently, what is needed is an intake and exhaust fluid swirling device which does not require special tools for installation and thus may be easily manually installed. What is also needed is an intake and exhaust fluid swirling device providing enhanced swirl generation while producing minimal fluid flow restriction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an air swirling device that can be positioned in the intake passageway for air entering the fuel introduction subsystem of an internal combustion engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an intake and exhaust fluid swirling device having structural components that are angled and shaped to provide enhanced swirling of the fluid flow.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an intake and exhaust fluid swirling device having minimal structural components to provide minimal restriction of fluid flow therethrough.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an intake and exhaust fluid swirling device having structural components that are shaped to provide minimal restriction of fluid flow therethrough.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an air swirling device that does not require disassembly of major engine components for installation thereof.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an air swirling device that may be manually installed in an intake air passageway of an internal combustion engine.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an a
Kwon John T.
Papageorge Chris
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