US4030456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor injector for internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-11-05
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1995-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Improved apparatus for injecting vapors, such as water vapor in the form of low temperature-low pressure steam, into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A controlled flow of air is drawn through a vapor generator by the intake manifold vacuum and the resulting air-vapor mixture is discharged through a nozzle into the intake manifold. The vapor generator contains a level controlled body of liquid for forming the vapor. Air enters the generator at the bottom of the liquid and rises through the liquid past a heater and a dispersion member which disperses the air into small bubbles. The heater is operated from the engine cooling system and heats the air and liquid sufficiently for generating steam at the subatmospheric pressures available from the intake manifold. The resulting steam-air mixture is injected into the intake manifold for controlling combustion. In a modified embodiment, liquid is also injected directly into an engine carburetor during acceleration.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. M. Corpus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 23:09
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0221; F02M25/0225; F02M25/032; F02M25/035; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, nozzle means for injecting vapor into the engine, means for generating vapors for injection into the engine, means for drawing air through said vapor generating means whereby such air becomes mixed with vapors, means for supplying such air-vapor mixture to said nozzle means, said vapor generating means including housing means for holding a body of vapor generating liquid, means for supplying air to the bottom of such body of liquid, such air bubbling upwardly through such body of liquid, means for heating such liquid and air as such air bubbles upwardly and such liquid and porous means for dispersing such air into small bubbles as such air bubbles upwardly in such liquid, and valve means for controlling the flow of air to said vapor generating means in response to the load requirements of the engine, wherein said valve means includes first and second separate air passages between an air inlet and said vapor generating means, needle valve means for limiting air flow through said first passage, throttle valve means for controlling air flow through said second passage, and means for controlling said throttle valve means along with an engine control throttle whereby said second passage is substantially closed when the engine throttle is closed and said second passage is opened as the engine throttle is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, nozzle means for injecting vapor into the engine, means for generating vapors for injection into the engine, means for drawing air through said vapor generating means whereby such air becomes mixed with vapors, means for supplying such air-vapor mixture to said nozzle means, said vapor generating means including housing means for holding a body of vapor generating liquid, means for supplying air to the bottom of such body of liquid, such air bubbling upwardly through such body of liquid, means for heating such liquid and air as such air bubbles upwardly and such liquid and porous means for dispersing such air into small bubbles as such air bubbles upwardly in such liquid, and valve means for controlling the flow of air to said vapor generating means in response to the load requirements of the engine, wherein said valve means includes first and second separate air passages between an air inlet and said vapor generating means, needle valve means for limiting air flow through said first passage, throttle valve means for controlling air flow through said second passage, and means for controlling said throttle valve means along with an engine control throttle whereby said second passage is substantially closed when the engine throttle is closed and said second passage is opened as the engine throttle is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nozzle means includes a nozzle and means mounting said nozzle in the intake manifold of the engine, and wherein said means for drawing air through said vapor generating means includes the intake manifold vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine, as set forth in claim 2, and further including a normally closed check valve and means mounting said check valve between said vapor generating means and said nozzle for preventing a flow of gases from the intake manifold to said vapor generating means, said normally closed check valve opening in response to the intake manifold vacuum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means further includes a third passage in parallel with said first and second passages, and normally closed pressure responsive valve means in said third passage for opening said third passage in response to a predetermined high vacuum in said vapor generating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve means further includes adjustable means for controlling the maximum flow through said second passage when said throttle valve means is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An improved vapor injector for an internal combustion engine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a heat exchanger located within said housing means, and means for circulating a liquid coolant from the engine through said heat exchanger whereby waste heat from the internal combustion engine is transferred to said heat exchanger.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |