US4233814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Supercharged internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-08-16
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A power unit comprises an internal combustion engine adapted for operating with natural induction, supercharged by a turbine-compressor unit receiving the exhaust gases of the engine. The compressor supplies air to the engine through an intake pipe provided with an atmospheric air inlet closed by a check valve in operation under load. The power of the engine is controlled by a power control member movable by an operator between a maximum power position and an idling position. An inlet valve, placed in the air inlet of the compressor and movable between an open position and a closed position, is biased towards closure by the power control member when the latter is moved towards its idling position. A locking member responsive to air pressure at the outlet of the compressor cooperates with said inlet valve to prevent its closing as long as the air pressure at the outlet of the compressor is greater than a predetermined threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Thore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:13
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B37/00; F02B37/12; F02B37/18; F02B37/183; F02B33/00; F02B33/44; F02B33/446; F02B37/16; F02D; F02D23/00; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A power unit comprising: an internal combustion engine capable of operating without supercharging, a supercharging turbine-compressor unit whose turbine is connected to receive the exhaust gases of the engine and whose compressor is connected to supply compressed air to an intake pipe of the engine, a non-return check valve connected to said intake pipe for admitting atmospheric air into said intake pipe in response to occurence of a subatmospheric pressure in said intake pipe, a power control member movable between a maximum power position and an idling position, a compressor inlet valve located in the air inlet of the compressor and movable between an open position and a closed position, operatively connected to said power control member for being biased toward closure when the latter is moved towards its idling position, at least beyond a pre-determined position, and for being moved toward full opening when the latter is moved towards its maximum power position, locking means arranged to prevent closure of said compressor inlet valve, and control means subjected to the air pressure delivered by the compressor and operatively associated with said locking means for rendering said locking means effective in response to the outlet pressure of the compressor being greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A power unit comprising: an internal combustion engine capable of operating without supercharging, a supercharging turbine-compressor unit whose turbine is connected to receive the exhaust gases of the engine and whose compressor is connected to supply compressed air to an intake pipe of the engine, a non-return check valve connected to said intake pipe for admitting atmospheric air into said intake pipe in response to occurence of a subatmospheric pressure in said intake pipe, a power control member movable between a maximum power position and an idling position, a compressor inlet valve located in the air inlet of the compressor and movable between an open position and a closed position, operatively connected to said power control member for being biased toward closure when the latter is moved towards its idling position, at least beyond a pre-determined position, and for being moved toward full opening when the latter is moved towards its maximum power position, locking means arranged to prevent closure of said compressor inlet valve, and control means subjected to the air pressure delivered by the compressor and operatively associated with said locking means for rendering said locking means effective in response to the outlet pressure of the compressor being greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A power unit according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a lock member subjected to a force due to the outlet pressure of the compressor and biasing the lock member toward a projected position in which it prevents closure of said compressor inlet valve, and a calibrated return spring operatively associated with said lock member and biasing the latter out of said projected position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A power unit according to claim 1, further comprising a by-pass pipe provided with a second non-return valve connecting the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the turbine, in parallel flow relationship to the engine, having a sufficiently large cross-sectional area for the air supplied by the compressor which is not absorbed by the engine to flow through the by-pass pipe without appreciable pressure loss.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power unit according to claim 1, further comprising a waste gate which discharges to the atmosphere a gas consisting of one at least of air supplied by the compressor and exhaust gases delivered by the engine when the super-charging pressure exceeds a pre-determined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
A power unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a non-return valve located in the intake pipe upstream of the atmospheric air inlet check valve, a throttle valve located downstream of the atmospheric air inlet check valve, limiting a variable flow area, operatively connected to the power control member and movable between a maximum open position corresponding to a maximum load of the engine and a minimum open position for idling operation of the engine, and a communication conduit connecting the intake pipe of the engine downstream of the throttle means and the intake pipe upstream of the non-return valve, said conduit being provided with additional valve means which are open at least when the air inlet valve of the compressor is closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A power unit according to claim 3, further comprising: a second non-return valve located in the intake pipe of the engine between the branching off of the by-pass pipe and the atmospheric air inlet, a throttle valve located in the intake pipe of the engine downstream of the atmospheric air inlet and limiting an adjustable air flow cross-sectional area for controlling the air fed to the engine together with fuel, coupled to the power control member and movable between a maximum open position corresponding to maximum load and a minimum open position corresponding to idling, and a communication conduit connecting the intake pipe downstream of the throttle valve and the intake pipe upstream of the non-return valves of the intake pipe and of the by-pass pipe, open at least when the air inlet valve of the compressor is closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power unit according to claim 3 or 6, further comprising a waste gate for discharge to the atmosphere, adjusted to open at a pre-determined pressure, located in the by-pass pipe downstream of the second non-return valve thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |