Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Heating of combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-02-20
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Heating of combustible mixture
C123S568110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189518
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine. More particularly, the apparatus is utilized to heat, vaporize and otherwise treat and reform hydrocarbon fuel to promote engine efficiency and lower emissions. The apparatus is further characterized by its ability to supply reformed fuel to the internal combustion engine for cold start application, thus drastically reducing toxic emissions during engine warm-up.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that the heating and vaporization of gasoline and other types of liquid hydrocarbon fuels can increase efficiency or improve the performance of internal combustion engines. Arrangements for accomplishing such objectives are generally characterized by their complexity and relatively high expense. Reliability is also a problem and devices of this type have not found widespread acceptance for these and other reasons.
My U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,814, issued May 14, 1996, discloses an apparatus and method for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine. In the system disclosed in this patent a liquid hydrocarbon fuel is injected into a fuel chamber to form a mixture of vaporized liquid hydrocarbon fuel and heated exhaust gases. The mixture is passed through a passageway and further heated by non-contacting exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine to reform the mixture of vaporized liquid hydrocarbon fuel and heated exhaust gases in the passageway.
My U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,188, issued May 5, 1998, also discloses an apparatus and method for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine. In the system disclosed in this patent a liquid hydrocarbon fuel is injected into a fuel chamber heated by electrical means to form a mixture of vaporized liquid hydrocarbon fuel and heated exhaust gases. The mixture is passed through a passageway heated by electrical means and further heated to reform the mixture of vaporized liquid hydrocarbon fuel and heated exhaust gases in the passageway.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention is characterized by its relative simplicity of construction and compactness. No catalysts are required for its operation. The apparatus is further characterized by its high reliability during operation. Employment of the apparatus will serve to promote engine efficiency and drastically lower or even eliminate toxic emissions.
The apparatus of the present invention is for use with an internal combustion engine and is for supplying reformed fuel to the internal combustion engine. The apparatus is further characterized by its ability to supply reformed fuel to the internal combustion engine for cold start application.
The apparatus includes housing means having a housing interior and including a venturi shaped inner sleeve. The inlet and the outlet of the housing are spaced from one another and communicate with the housing interior. The inlet is for receiving liquid hydrocarbon fuel and introducing the liquid hydrocarbon fuel into the housing interior.
Heating means is provided for heating the venturi shaped inner sleeve. The venturi shaped inner sleeve, heated by the heating means, heats and promotes the vaporization of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel as the liquid hydrocarbon fuel passes through the housing interior from the inlet to the outlet. Exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine are introduced into the housing interior and mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
The mixture of vaporized hydrocarbon fuel and exhaust gases exit the housing interior and are introduced into a conduit where heating means is provided and the mixture is further heated and reformed into a clean usable fuel.
The heating means for the housing interior and conduit can bring the apparatus to operating temperatures within a short period of time, such as three to five seconds. This drastically reduces or even eliminates toxic emissions during the initial four to five minutes of engine operation.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4108953 (1978-08-01), Rocco
patent: 4308845 (1982-01-01), Sarto
patent: 4395994 (1983-08-01), Goto et al.
patent: 4582040 (1986-04-01), Niblett
patent: 5515814 (1996-05-01), Cooke
patent: 5746188 (1998-05-01), Cooke
patent: 6109247 (2000-08-01), Hunt
Emission Controls Corp.
Lampe Thomas R.
McMahon Marguerite
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