US3640256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for preconditioning a combustible vapor
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-10-21
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A system particularly adapted for use in preconditioning combustible vapors for delivery to internal combustion engines, characterized by a system housing including therein a full-flow bore communicating with a bypass conduit and having a vapor heater arranged therewithin, whereby a combustible vapor selectively is mixed and heated to a predetermined temperature as it is delivered in a continuous flow through the system. A particular feature of the invention resides in a provision of an improved control system having a reduced number of moving parts, and including a provision of fluidic bias ports, for imposing directional control on an established flow of vapor and directing predetermined portions of the flow across a heater, whereby the vapor selectively is preconditioned for enhancing subsequent combustion.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Mangion
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:28
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/04; F02M31/06; F02M31/08; F02M31/0815; F02M23/00; F02M23/04; F02M23/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2273
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for use in preconditioning a combustible vapor as the vapor is delivered to an internal combustion engine for enhancing its combustibility, comprising: A. a system housing including means defining therewithin an axially extended bore adapted to conduct a stream of combustible vapor therethrough; B. a heating unit operatively communicating with said bore adapted to receive vapor from the bore, transfer heat thereto, and to return the received vapor to said bore in a heated condition; and C. a selectively operable fluidic system communicating with said bore operatively associated with the heating unit and adapted to divert vapor from said bore into said heating unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for use in preconditioning a combustible vapor as the vapor is delivered to an internal combustion engine for enhancing its combustibility, comprising: A. a system housing including means defining therewithin an axially extended bore adapted to conduct a stream of combustible vapor therethrough; B. a heating unit operatively communicating with said bore adapted to receive vapor from the bore, transfer heat thereto, and to return the received vapor to said bore in a heated condition; and C. a selectively operable fluidic system communicating with said bore operatively associated with the heating unit and adapted to divert vapor from said bore into said heating unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fluidic system includes means defining a pair of coaxially related, oppositely disposed, fluidic bias ports disposed upstream of said heating unit, and valve means operatively associated with said bias ports adapted to selectively close said ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said heating unit includes: A. a fluid conduit having means defining a vapor intake opening and a vapor discharge opening disposed in direct communication with said bore, whereby vapor is accepted through said intake opening and discharged through said discharge opening; and B. means including heat-exchanging fins disposed within said conduit adapted to heat combustible vapor received by said intake opening prior to a discharge thereof through said discharge opening.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for preheating a combustible mixture of fuel-air vapors, whereby the combustibility of the mixture is enhanced as the mixture is delivered from a carburetor to an internal combustion engine, comprising: A. a system housing operatively associated with an internal combustion engine; B. means defining within said housing a full-flow bore extended through said housing adapted to conduct an unobstructed flow of combustible vapor to the engine; C. an arcuate conduit communicating at opposite ends with said bore for conducting selected portions of the flow along a path bypassing a portion of the bore; D. a fluidic control unit operatively associated with said conduit adapted to direct portions of the flow into said conduit; and E. heating means operatively associated with said conduit for heating vapor directed into the conduit, whereby the vapor is heated and subsequently delivered from the system in a heated condition.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for preheating a combustible mixture of fuel-air vapors, whereby the combustibility of the mixture is enhanced as the mixture is delivered from a carburetor to an internal combustion engine, comprising: A. a system housing operatively associated with an internal combustion engine; B. means defining within said housing a full-flow bore extended through said housing adapted to conduct an unobstructed flow of combustible vapor to the engine; C. an arcuate conduit communicating at opposite ends with said bore for conducting selected portions of the flow along a path bypassing a portion of the bore; D. a fluidic control unit operatively associated with said conduit adapted to direct portions of the flow into said conduit; and E. heating means operatively associated with said conduit for heating vapor directed into the conduit, whereby the vapor is heated and subsequently delivered from the system in a heated condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said fluidic control unit comprises: A. means defining a pair of diametrically opposed bias ports communicating with said bore upstream from said conduit, and adapted to accommodate a selected delivery of ambient air to opposite sides of said bore; and B. selectively operable valve means operatively associated with said control unit and adapted to open and close said ports, whereby ambient air selectively is delivered through said ports for thereby directing dEterminable portions of said flow into said arcuate conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said combustible mixture of fuel-air vapors comprises a mixture of automotive fuel and air for use in internal combustion engines of a type normally employed in driving automobiles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said housing includes mounting means mounting the system in an interposed relationship between a delivery port of a carburetor and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine mounted within an automobile.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
236 words
A system adapted for use in preconditioning combustible vapors in a manner such that the propensity of the vapors for experiencing complete combustion is increased as the vapors are delivered from a carburetor to an intake manifold of an automotive, internal combustion engine comprising: A. a system housing; B. means defining within said housing a full-flow bore extended through the housing in direct communication with the carburetor and with the intake manifold and adapted to conduct an unobstructed flow of fuel-air vapors from the carburetor, through the housing, to the intake manifold; C. a conduit operatively communicating with said bore, near its opposite ends, for conducting selected portions of the flow along a path bypassing a portion of said bore; D. a heating unit disposed within said conduit adapted to heat the vapor as it is conducted through said conduit; E. a fluidic control unit including means defining within said bore a pair of oppositely disposed bias ports arranged upstream of said conduit and adapted operatively to divert quantities of vapors from said stream into said conduit, whereby the diverted vapors are caused to be heated by said heating unit and subsequently returned to said bore; and F. valve means operatively associated with said bias ports adapted to be manipulated for controlling the bias ports, whereby vapors are delivered to the intake manifold in a preheated condition in a manner dictated by the fluidic control unit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
236 words
A system adapted for use in preconditioning combustible vapors in a manner such that the propensity of the vapors for experiencing complete combustion is increased as the vapors are delivered from a carburetor to an intake manifold of an automotive, internal combustion engine comprising: A. a system housing; B. means defining within said housing a full-flow bore extended through the housing in direct communication with the carburetor and with the intake manifold and adapted to conduct an unobstructed flow of fuel-air vapors from the carburetor, through the housing, to the intake manifold; C. a conduit operatively communicating with said bore, near its opposite ends, for conducting selected portions of the flow along a path bypassing a portion of said bore; D. a heating unit disposed within said conduit adapted to heat the vapor as it is conducted through said conduit; E. a fluidic control unit including means defining within said bore a pair of oppositely disposed bias ports arranged upstream of said conduit and adapted operatively to divert quantities of vapors from said stream into said conduit, whereby the diverted vapors are caused to be heated by said heating unit and subsequently returned to said bore; and F. valve means operatively associated with said bias ports adapted to be manipulated for controlling the bias ports, whereby vapors are delivered to the intake manifold in a preheated condition in a manner dictated by the fluidic control unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said heating means includes a plurality of fins operatively associated with the engine exhaust system and adapted to deliver to said vapors heat delivered thereto by heated gases of combustion.
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) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |